Graduation at Nishinohara Nursery
Friday, March 24th- I attended a graduation at a nursery today. It was very different from the graduations I have been to in the past. It was a touching moment of joy.
Maybe there is some need for explanations. Allow me to fill you in.
I have been involved with Inzai City Council’s “Hello Friends!” program for the past year. It was a program set up to introduce foreign culture to the various schools in the Inzai City (where yours truly is at in Chiba). A lady called Arano-san (one of my students from my English Conversational Class on Friday nights) asked whether I was interested to help out. At first, I thought it was just meeting local children, sharing with them about my country and culture; but I soon found out that I was also to teach them very basic English. The school that I was assigned to was a Nishinohara Nursery with a class of 26 5 year olds. The place is about 15-20 minutes away from campus by bicycle, and the classes were for one hour from 10-11am. In simple terms, my duty was to show these children that “foreigners are not aliens and are fun to hang out with“ through fun activities such as learning basic English and playing games.
The classes we had together is an experience which I will truly cherish. I have learned so much from this class of very adorable children. They are energetic and extremely cute. Everytime I teach them, they brighten up my day. Though it was very tiring at first, but I soon learned how to adapt and have tonnes of fun with them. Aww! They remind me so much of my brother, Ron!
OK, with that, I will get back to the graduation. At the end of the program, I have made good friends with the principal of the nursery, Otake-san, or as I call her “en-cho-sensei”. Even though I only had to teach the kids once a month, Otake-san often invite me to join the various activities the nursery has all year round. Sad to say these days often took place on days when I was not in Japan. Even the most recent one of the “Hina-Matsuri” (March 3) I was tied down with work at school and wasn’t able to make it. However, Otake-san did insist that I go see her the week after as she had a present and a letter for me in appreciation of my involvement with the program. It was an invitation to the graduation of the class of students that I taught.
I arrived at the nursery 15 minutes before the ceremony. I popped my head in the teacher’s office as usual but to my amazement everyone was super dressed up for the occasion. I was asked to take a seat with the headmistress and her guests to find out that they were also invited guests. There was the principal of Nishinohara Elementary School, the principal of Funaho Junior High School, and the Chairperson of the nursery’s PTA. I was feeling rather nervous as I sat among them and didn’t even touched the sakura tea that was served.
We then adjourned to the little hall once trhe children were ready. The kids were so excited as they lined up outside the hall and were calling out my name in excitement as I passed them. (Oh! So cute! They were all dressed up in their little suits and dresses, all neat and great looking.) I entered the hall after the guests and was led to the front. To my surprise, I was led to the front and on stage. (Man! This is another of those experience of mine, things that only happens to me here in Japan.) At that moment I knew that it would not be appropriate for me to wave at the kids or take pictures as much as I want to. I sat through the entire ceremony proper but yet smiling at the kids and beaming as any parent who were present.
The ceremony was one that was very different from those I had experience in TCU. Even thought it was a graduation at a nursery, everything was planned and choreographed to excellence. The kids practiced so hard and I was really proud and touched by them.
The entrance of the children was in sync with appropriate BGM. We all took a deep bow and the ceremony began. Each child was called to the front to recieve their certificate. As they stood up and moved forward, their parent who were sitting directly opposite them also did the same. As the child was walking to the front, the class teacher would say something nice about the student. When he or she reached the front, the principal will call out the child’s name, and he or she would professionally stretch out to collect the certificate with both hands, take a deep bow, carefully turing around where moving the piece of paper in their hands to emerge facing the audience and proudly showing off the certificate to all. Then, he or she will carefully fold the certificate into half, step off stage and move towards his or her parent to unfold the certificate and presenting it to the parent. Upto now as if seeing all these weren’t touching enough, at the moment where the child hands over the certificate, he or she will say something in appreciation to his or her parent! “Thank you for the delicious meals” “Thank you for sending me and picking me up form school” “Thank you for coming to my sports day” ” Thank you for working hard at your jobs” I was so touched and strived hard not to weep on stage.
After each student has taken their turn, the principal gave a speech, so as to one of the guest of honor, and also the chairperson of the PTA. Then, the students from the lower class gave a super short speech of thanks and sang a song entitled “Forever Friends.” The graduating class also did a short choral response to them and to the school. The also sang a song. In both events almost everyone in the hall cried. The ceremony ended with a few more short speeches of appreciation and thanks from the parents.
I stayed back for a while and managed to talk to the kids. We were all happy that I attended the ceremony. It was indeed an experience that I will cherish for life. I respect teachers for the work they do, especially when it comes to little children. The kids were amazing too. Never in my life had I ever thought that I will be given an opportunity like such… but yet, God do work in amazing ways. I was confronted with my fear of being among large number of yound children. I came (was sent) to Nishinohara Nursery, and I conquered! Now, I will cherish everything I have learned and experienced there.
p.s. Do check out the album
