Spring Break is now officially over and today was the Opening Ceremony at my JHS. At today’s Opening Ceremony, the new teachers were introduced to the 8th and 9th graders. Also, the homeroom teachers, and all of the 8th and 9th teachers were introduced as well. On Monday there will be a separate Opening Ceremony for just the new wide-eyed 7th graders and their teachers. Looking forward to that, because I’ll be introduced with the 7th grade teachers. Looking around today, there’s a lot of changes in the teachers’ office. Certain teachers are now teaching different grades, new teachers in the mix, and also a new vice-principal… cool time for me, because I kinda feel like a veteran who knows the ropes around the office, but this feeling will soon pass as the new teachers catch on and I move back into my role as the lost foreigner…

The new school year also rings in some big changes in my schedule. My small country JHS has now been replaced with another larger JHS closer to the city. Fine by me because I prefer to teach at larger schools, but its kinda sad to say bye to that small school with only 50 students – however, a new ALT will provide some much needed energy and excitement there I think. My new JHS has about 400 students, which is about half than at my primary JHS I visit most regularly. Also, I have one less elementary school to visit. My new grand total is 3 schools I now visit, a nice clean and easy schedule to manage. Tonight there are more enkais to welcome in the new teachers, each grade will do it separately – followed by a school enkai next week. Gonna pass on the invite and make my appearance at the full staff enkai next week… Big weekend coming up! Basketball game vs a HS team and Hanami – aka – “partying under a Cherry Blossom tree” (Japanese tradition). More on those to follow… stay- tuned.