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| My JHS for the next two years |
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| The 50-year-old school building that got owned by the earthquake |
That morning, I was at Arako with some teachers and the senior kids. Small white pick-up trucks (Japanese kei-trucks), driven by PTA members and other volunteers, lined up their vehicles outside. We piled everything into that caravan: assorted cardboard boxes, 266 desks, 266 chairs, TVs, bookshelves and so on. It was hot, sweaty work in this heat. Everyone was mopping their foreheads. A lot of teachers and students wrapped a towel around their necks or heads, but I couldn't make that fashion faux-pas. When Arako was empty, we switched gears and everyone joined the first- and second-years who were already at the two temporary buildings
Desks and bookshelves were quickly brought in and arranged in orderly rows by noon. The blackboards are still pristine. The bathrooms have western-style toilets, not the nasty Japanese squatters. The entire school is sparkly and new, breathing in new energy into the students and staff. Everyone worked really hard. In the staff room, cold drinks were given as omiyage three times in the afternoon.
Some parents dropped by the school in the afternoon to look at the new digs. I was pleased to stop and chat with two mothers. The Koizumi girls' mother said she really appreciated the postcard and CD I made for S.-chan when she graduated. She even insisted on clasping my hand in a firm handshake, not just the usual exchange of bows. The Yaginuma boys' mother was really happy when I recalled her eldest son goes to a prestigious school in Koriyama. She also hoped that I'd coach her middle son, Dai-chan, for the English speech contest. Sadly, I don't think I will get the chance before I leave in July.
When the moving efforts were finished, I got a strange feeling while standing on the dirt soccer field. On March 11, I remember I was standing in that same spot with the other teachers, watching 2chu crumble. I would never have imagined that only four months later, two buildings would be finished and ready for school to re-open. It turns out that lessons will take place here for two years. Meanwhile, the construction crews will be demolishing and rebuilding the old school building. 2chu will be brand-spanking new. Unfortunately, I won't be around to see that day. Nor will the current second-years, who will be entering high school by then. Still, it's amazing to think that rebuilding efforts are coming together nicely.
Never give up, Japan.
Desks and bookshelves were quickly brought in and arranged in orderly rows by noon. The blackboards are still pristine. The bathrooms have western-style toilets, not the nasty Japanese squatters. The entire school is sparkly and new, breathing in new energy into the students and staff. Everyone worked really hard. In the staff room, cold drinks were given as omiyage three times in the afternoon.
Some parents dropped by the school in the afternoon to look at the new digs. I was pleased to stop and chat with two mothers. The Koizumi girls' mother said she really appreciated the postcard and CD I made for S.-chan when she graduated. She even insisted on clasping my hand in a firm handshake, not just the usual exchange of bows. The Yaginuma boys' mother was really happy when I recalled her eldest son goes to a prestigious school in Koriyama. She also hoped that I'd coach her middle son, Dai-chan, for the English speech contest. Sadly, I don't think I will get the chance before I leave in July.
When the moving efforts were finished, I got a strange feeling while standing on the dirt soccer field. On March 11, I remember I was standing in that same spot with the other teachers, watching 2chu crumble. I would never have imagined that only four months later, two buildings would be finished and ready for school to re-open. It turns out that lessons will take place here for two years. Meanwhile, the construction crews will be demolishing and rebuilding the old school building. 2chu will be brand-spanking new. Unfortunately, I won't be around to see that day. Nor will the current second-years, who will be entering high school by then. Still, it's amazing to think that rebuilding efforts are coming together nicely.
Never give up, Japan.
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