September 9th

What on earth is Kids Day? I guess it is like Mothers Day or Fathers Day, but honestly what is the point? Why do children who only go to school three hours a day four days a week need a special day just for them? In a culture with very high rates of diabetes personally I do not feel children should be given cake, ice-cream, and candy as well as the day off from classes. Shouldn’t we be celebrating the teachers? Also, small schools that can barely buy supplies, and just got a computer that is a month later out of ink, should not be spending money on such foolish activities. Than the children have the nerve to ask for a gift (because they are used to it), and parents with kids not in the school have the nerve to tell the teachers they need to buy another cake. Somehow I feel this may be unique for my town. They want to get as much as they can for as little as they can from anyone.

Than I calmed myself down and got to thinking. Is there a “Kids Day” in the States and I forgot about it? No, that can’t be. Field Day popped in my mind but I just can’t compare them. Field Day is organized, with food from the cafeteria and I can’t remember gifts. The thought of gifts reminded me of BINGO put on by the PTA. Did everyone get a gift or just the winners? Were there snacks? Did my parents have to buy my BINGO card or make a prize donation? So many questions but the one thing I know is that it was at night and not the teachers’ responsibility.

So, I did what any normal modern day age girl would do. I looked it up on the internet. Just kidding! I wrote a note on a post it (that my friends had to bring me from the states) to look it up once I took the bus to internet. So, with no internet I started asking around. Why on earth does this day exist? I found out that every school does it different, but some form of extra special food, no classes, and a gift are involved. I also got more specific reasons. I still plan to look it up online, but here is what I have so far:
- The teachers invented the day to give themselves another day where they don’t have to teach.
- Back when families didn’t celebrate Christmas with gifts and families were very poor it was the only method for children to receive a toy or gift.
- Communism


Now I know your thinking, Victoria, come on, there just kids, let them have their one day. But it’s not like that. They have plenty. There is “Kids Day” “Happy Day” when school is almost over, the before vacation party, and a formal graduation party. I think they are okay. Especially considering the amount of class time they receive and a continuation rate of less than 30% of sixth graders going to high school. Not to mention the school management group always being low on funds, I think they should maybe rethink this day.

Than I was talking to another volunteer friend and she yelled at me. Apparently I am the only one who does not like this day. I think this is just another reason why my town is different. She pointed out that a lot of kids do a lot of work with their parents in the house or fields and deserve a day. Another volunteer said well, why not? They need to know hey are special and have rights too. That is a very good point. Maybe if they turned half the day into educational things for kids on their rights and resources and the other half play time I would feel better about this. Possibly it is just because I was rubbed wrong when the kids asked for gifts and a mother told the teacher she needed to buy another cake. Now that I am at internet I will look into the historical reason to have this day and get back to you all. Maybe.