Hello everyone,

Did you enjoy your new holiday on February 23rd? We have a new emperor, so that means his birthday is a new holiday. The old holiday, on December 23rd, is gone. It felt different to have two holidays in January.

Tomorrow the final tests of this year start. It is a chance for you to show your teachers, and yourself, what you have learned this year. I hope that you get a good rest tonight so that you have your best effort tomorrow. Grade 2 students, last year you had no final tests, so this is a new experience for you. I’m cheering for you!

Also, graduation is on Monday. I can’t believe it has been a year since the last ceremony already. When I think about last year’s ceremony, it felt like a miracle that it happened before school shut down. So much has changed in Japan, and around the world, that I think we should be thankful that we could finish this year. Seniors, please give thanks to your parents for their support over the last year.

Please stay safe, stay well, and stay strong as we push through the rest of the school year. Good luck!