added on 10-04-06

                                                                        Sports Day


Every other year the public elementary schools hold a "sports day," which is an event of games, races, and large co-ordinated dances.

The day was great fun but was suprisingly very tiring.  I think most importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity for me to interact to a greater extent with the other teachers in the school.

Sports Day was a combination American field day and large production talent show.  The day started at 9:00am but by 10:00am the school yard was filled with parents, grandparents, and other onlookers.  At noon everyone took a lunch break...during which time the families enjoyed picnic lunches and the faculty retreated into the cool rooms of the school.

On a normal school day I eat lunch with the three English teachers, the P.E. teacher, two special education teachers, the school nurse, and another teacher. The homeroom teachers each stay in their own rooms with their students. On this day, we all ate in the science lab. I also suprised them by offering a bowl of Cheez Its and a bowl of American M&M's. It was my way of thanking them for their help and participating in the Chuseok tradition of sharing food. (Chuseok is the Korean holiday of Thanksgiving) 

Below are an assortment of photos from my first Sports Day experience.  Enjoy!



       

                                                      A view from above Sports Day