Morning Exercises

Peixin students gather on the playground every morning the weather permits. They actually start their school morning at 7:20 with a half hour of reading followed by breakfast. Soon after breakfast, just after 8 am, music, often it's Kenny G, calls them to gather with their classmates in 4 lines of 15 each on the playground. There is a bell a minute or two later that is the final call.

Monday mornings have the most ceremony. On Mondays the students stand at attention while the Chinese flag is carried to the flag pole.

The students then salute the flag as it is raised up the pole. I've noticed not all students salute and no one seems concerned, but they do stand at attention.

Next the students sing the national anthem.

This is followed by a short inspirational speech usually given by one of the administrators. I can often detect the numbers from 1 to 3 so I assume they are giving some numbered pointers.

Tuesdays through Fridays the students gather in their rows and are led through an exercise routine. In the fall the PE teachers taught the routine to the first grade students so that by now all students know the steps. A tape of lively, movement-inspiring music and a happy male drill sergeant voice guides the students through the routine.

Each class is led by two more coordinated class representatives...and still some of the students are two left feet. This always touches my heart as I know I would be like them. Remembering a sequence of steps is not my strength either.

Each day after the flag ceremony or the exercise workout the students pull together for some last instructions from their head teacher and then have a bit of recess in the remaining minutes before their next class at 8:25.