SCHOOLS OUT!!

As the school year wraps up next Friday, I have been reflecting on my experiences at Kamikawa High School. On March 1st I said goodbye to the Third Graders as they celebrated their high school graduation.

I feel grateful to have experienced a “GRAD” in Japan. It is nothing like what I have experienced in Canada, having had two boys go through the process. In Japan, it is what it sounds like; a graduation “ceremony”. Having experienced my own convocation from university, it feels much more like that.

As is the case in Canada, where even the kids who you can count on to misbehave in most assemblies or gatherings, they tend to behave very well at a serious event. It seems it is the same here in Japan. All the students were on their best behaviour.

The ceremony is built on traditions. Sure, we have some in Canada, but each ceremony is unique in the theme, entertainment, dress and speeches. Not so in Japan.

The ceremony honours the third graders as they leave high school. Each student receives a nice gift from the school. The gym is decorated in red and white as is expected for any official ceremony. All the students wear their school uniforms, including those graduating.

The structure of the ceremony is set and rehearsed. Students must walk a specific pattern, turn corners or directions formally (similar to military), and there is lots of bowing!

From what I can determine, the bowing takes place to recognize those who are above you in status. For example, when one of the third graders (head boy) took the stage to make a speech, only the first and second graders bowed to acknowledge him. But when the mayor took the stage, all the students bowed.

It was all very formal, but not really any less emotional than a graduation ceremony in Canada. There are proud parents in the audience. There are tears and photos and flowers and hugs.

After the ceremony, the graduation students head up to their classroom. I am so glad I followed them upstairs; as I really had no idea where I was supposed to go!

I was overcome with emotion in that classroom. It was a small group; only 15 students. These kids have come from a variety of junior high school experiences, from all over the region. Many of them had less than positive experiences at school before coming to Kamikawa High School. Some, of course, are from Kamikawa, and for whatever reason, chose to attend high school locally instead of heading off to the city where some of them would qualify to attend.

These kiddos have been in COVID high school, truly. Things are still very strict in Japan and this has impacted all of their special activities over the past few years. When they had their School Festival in July, it was still closed to outsiders. I think all of this probably made them closer than most classes.

Before heading downstairs to mingle with the few family members who were able to attend, they had “official” group photos taken, and then they spoke to each other… one by one. My Japanese is NOT good enough to understand the majority of what was said, but the sentiment was easy to understand. It was wonderful to witness.

High School is hard no matter where you grow up - ICK! But this group of kids have found refuge for three years in classrooms of this school; with each other. There is also the reality in Japan that they are not likely to see each other again, or certainly not often. Japanese people don’t take a lot of holidays, and when they do, they spend a few days with family. And remember, these kids live in different towns and come to school via train.

I felt so many emotions that day. I felt some sadness and helplessness in that I don’t speak their language well enough to REALLY relate to them the way I know I could. I felt nostalgia for my band kids. I MISS those relationships - A LOT. I miss having an impact - it is WAY too hard to do that here - with English - not something that most of the kids care about or enjoy, really.

So I have to accept that I cannot reach all of them - or more accurately - MOST of them. That is really hard for me.

So, I have to take my wins where I can. I know that there are a handful of kids in third grade that really enjoyed their time with me and a couple who I actually may have impacted. YAY!

This week, I had to do an English lesson for the First Graders that was observed by 5 gentlemen in suits - the principal, vice principal, 2 members from the board of education and Mr. Watanabe, who is the president of the Kamikawa - RMH Friendship Society. I don’t know why they were observing me - no clue - I also have no idea what they thought of my lesson! I thought it was great and my English teachers complimented me - but really? Who knows?!

I am SO far out of my comfort zone! I could barely sleep the night before the lesson because I have such high expectations of myself! My colleague tells me to relax - but it is not how I’m wired.

So - onward…

I am very glad that my job will look differently as I start my 2nd year in April!! Being in the high school full time a year ago was a soulsucking experience!! Starting in April I will be at the high school for one or two days a week and for the rest of the time I will be creating English and Cultural activities to share with many different age groups.

Walking to the school this morning with Mark, so many memories of a year ago flooded me. I have said to him recently that I don’t think I could do what I did a year ago, again.

Crazy, eh?