Earthquake DRILL!

Another fun day! Although I'm starting to get a bit tired of being the best-dressed everyday. Polo-shirts would work, but of course I didn't bring any with me.

I did some introductions again yesterday for two classes, and also had class with Omori's 3-d class, who are supposed to be a less advanced class, but I love 'em. The brazilian kid is in that class, and he's awesome. I'm also eating lunch with a good portion of the students from that class, so that makes it more interesting. :-P

The highlight of the day though, was that we had an earthquake drill. So I was asked if I would hold the flag that the students run to. Answer: an emphatic YES. So, I head outside with a teacher who I need to get to know better (tangent time!): this guy is always energetic, funny, seems kinda subdued but commands a lot of respect from the other teachers. In other words: Awesome. He smiles and says hi to me several times a day, and in general rocks.

So I go outside with him, carrying this flag, unsure what it exactly means. This flag also looked like one of those old flags that samurai wore on their backs.

So we go outside, and set this flag up on the soccer field. The soccer field is right next to the school and is obviously a good point to go in case of earthquake. So the guy and I are set up, looking at the school, ready for this to start.

So then we hear the alarm bell and the warning over the PA. The student's had been doing some cleaning, so were more or less unsupervised for this, on purpose.

Then you see the students come jogging out of the school, along with the teachers, just pouring down the steps and onto the field. there was a safety supervisor from a japanese safety agency or something too watching.

So the kids come running out, and all have assigned places they go to, by homeroom, and in order within the line for homeroom. Certain kids are designated class leaders etc. But it was pretty amazing to see kids run and find their spot, silently, unaided by teachers. Impressive stuff, these kids.

So then after getting in line, class leaders do a head count, report to their teachers, who double check the head count, then report to the vice-principle, who in turn reports to the principle. The safety inspector guy talked to them for a bit about the importance of being prepared etc.

Then they thanked him, and the students (i still can't get over this) were given an order, did a 1/2 turn, and went back in, two rows at a time, silently again.

After school I picked up some cheap sushi again, and crashed early.

I'm now getting ready to head on out to okaya, fireworks tonight! :-D

Since I have nothing else particularly interesting to post: here's a picture of a mantis eyeing a frog on my window.