小学校卒業式 graduation ceremony

My daughter has finished her first six years of
compulsory education and it was her graduation ceremony yesterday.

Unlike other regions in Japan, where students wear dresses, kimonos
or suits, the six graders here wear the junior high school uniforms
on their graduation day.

Kids who had been attending school in casual dresses for six years
were all wearing their brand new school uniforms.
That already brought us to tears recalling the days
when they had just entered the elementary school at the age of six.

I was always wondering whether it is necessary to make a big fuss,
having graduation and entrance ceremonies inbetween
cumpulsory education.

However, I guess it works as a milestone, having the chances
to reset and set new goals.

We truly hope she enjoys the next three years in her new school!!

昨日は、娘の小学校卒業式でした。

この地域では、袴でもなく、スーツでもなく、
中学校で着る制服を着て卒業式に参加します。

体育館の扉が開くと
いつもはカジュアルな普段着で学校生活を送っていた子供たちが
それぞれ学ランやセーラー服で入場します。
その姿を観ただけで、すでに涙がとまりません。

義務教育の合い間に、卒業式や入学式は
果たして必要なのかな、と疑問に思ったこともありますが、
「区切り」「節目」というのは、新たな目標を立てるためにも
やはり大切なのでしょうね。

中学校三年間も、楽しく健康に過ごせますように！！