My first days of school

I am dropped off by a co-worker at Kikuyo Jr High (Jr high schoolers are 12-15 yr olds) at 8:10 am and I am greeted by the principals and teachers standing outside to say good morning to the kids, everyday. I get to my desk and look at the schedule for the day; there are A, B, C, and special C days. I have to ask what schedule we`re on. I also have a monthly schedule of activities from the Board of Education. I have a lunch schedule, a weekly school schedule, and 2 other schedules (I don`t know what they mean yet). I haven`t even started on my 3 elementary schools, 4 nursery schools and adult class yet. I will begin those classes in October. So as of now, let me count, I have 8 schedules that I have spread out on my desk like math problems. This week, I have 18 classes spread throughout the week, and THIRTEEN 10-15 minute self-introductions. So I am definitely busier now. I work with 4 English teachers, and about 30ish other teachers at the Jr High School alone. I LOVE it! I love being busy.
Anyhow, so at 8:10 am I arrive, at 8:15 – 8:40 teachers prepare for class or we have a meeting that I don`t understand at all. From 8:40-8:45 there`s a break. Then there are 6 periods in the day. I get off at 4 pm and go to the Board of Education for someone to take me to my apartment.
I`ve recognized 10 major differences from American schools:
1) Kids clean their own classrooms and the teacher`s lounge everyday after lunch. There isn`t a janitor.
2) Everyone brushes their teeth after eating.
3) Kids don`t move between classes, adults do. Kids have their own designated homerooms that they stay in all day long.
4) During lunch, everyone, kids and adults, put their hands together prayer-style and say Japanese equivalent of `Bon Appetit` and afterwards `Thanks for the food` together everyday. Each class eats in their own designated homeroom with their homeroom teacher always. They are expected to eat all of their food and drink all of their milk. AND THEY DO!!! WHOA! I know I didn`t when I had school lunch.
5) Kids are persuaded by adults to attend classes, but aren`t forced to. Teachers are expected to go to wayward students home and persuade them to come to school. Parents expect this and don`t force their kids to go.
6) Sometimes the older boys roam the school uninhibited by anyone. There are no hall passes here. Older girls hang out in the nurses office, claiming sickness. Kids are the same everywhere : )
7) Older boys ask me if I have a boyfriend, if I`m their type and how old I am. Teachers don`t tell them that they`re being rude here, since kids aren`t punished. The boys are the same as teenagers in the US : )
8) There is no detention or principal`s office. As far as American kids are concerned, this is probably a dream.
9) Bad kids hang out in the teacher`s lounge with the teachers, during class, and no one thinks that`s strange.
10) Everyone gets served tea at 8:30 am by the tea lady.