1st Grade Entrance Ceremony.

Here comes another year...

I don't know, this year's kids didn't have that wide-eyed "Oh God what's happening?" look of shock and awe I remember from last year's kids. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. That transition/shock is usually worth 2 or 3 months of good behavior, but if they don't have it, they might go off the rails early. Eh, this year's 1st grade teachers are a strong bunch, they'll have 'em working right.

Here some of the 2nd graders manning the welcome tables, like good future leaders of the school.

From 2009-04-09

The band warms up. Look for the hams in the back who just automatically sense pictures are being taken.

From 2009-04-09

This year's seitokai/student council. Some of my all-time-favorite-kids-in-Japan in this bunch. Shiraishi, Kotabe, Tominaga, Inoue, the Torii sisters...

From 2009-04-09

Here they come. See, very little fear. Maybe good/maybe bad. We'll see.

From 2009-04-09

From 2009-04-09

From 2009-04-09

Sadly, didn't have my camera today, where they had the ceremony where the rest of the student body welcomes the 1st graders. Never short on ceremonies, Japan...