And there's more!
When you have an event, the unexpected is sure to happen. I felt the teachers were ready to manage an accident. They were like, “whatever happens, we will manage somehow”.
There was a child who joined our practice for a short term. The Cub children welcomed him naturally. We also found out that another child had to be absent from this event. I was a bit worried this might affect others when I heard this news. However, the children accepted it as if nothing was wrong. Their confidence built through their repeated practices and helped them accept the unexpected things. We have tried several ways to fill in the child’s role, but nothings seemed to work well. Then, one of the class teachers volunteered to take the role. We said “thank you” to her.
Who could have imagined, the real accident happened on the day! One child just had fever on the day of the performance. We asked him to make a decision by himself if he would join or not. He said he would like to join. I heard that the teachers did all the support for him so that he could complete his mission. With the teachers’ help, he could accomplish his role on the stage.
Another accident happened. One child’s necklace broke just before her turn. Of course, she got upset and started to cry. She might have needed a lot of time to get over this accident, but she overcame it immediately!
Of course, the class teachers helped them to be strong. At the same time, I am sure that their sense of responsibility made them strong to overcome the difficult situations. Sometimes, a situation may arise where they can’t continue. Still, it was great that they could perform on the stage and share the pleasure with friends this time.
The teachers talked about this accident after the stage. They didn’t forget to praise their students which was great to see.
Love from the class teachers
The class teachers kept considering the students’ arrangements and lines just to make the best for the student. Although the program is the same every year, each child is different. So, what was good for one child may not be the best for another child. The teachers even prepared a stage in the classroom, putting masking tape on the floor, arranging chairs and setting a stage made by paper, etc. They did this routine every single time even though it must have been time-consuming. They did so just because they wanted to prepare the best circumstance for the children so that they could perform confidently in the chapel.
The teachers showed how to perform certain parts so the children could understand what to do. They praised the children when they did great. The children gained confidence through these experiences.
Not only that, they prepared the props carefully. They payed close attention if the props were usable and looked real, because the props are one of the key parts of the performers’ motivation.
The practice at the chapel started. The children woar their costumes. They need to get used to their friends’ costumes, also. The class teachers helped the children wear their costumes one by one. When I was waiting for them at the chapel one day, the children came straight to me as if they wanted to say, “look at me in my costume!” They didn’t say any word, but their eyes talked a lot!
As the operetta day came closer, the teachers seemed to start feeling nervous, because they could feel the children’s nerves.
I would like to show my appreciation toward the teachers who put forth their effort every day. I felt your love toward the children.
This was my very first operetta I have done here at YGK. I will never forget this day.
