A somewhat sticky situation

Yesterday after class was finished, a second grade girl infamous for being reckless came into the 1st grade teacher's room, demanding that a set of improvised paper (trump) cards be returned to her. They were taken from her brother in another class, where he and a friend were playing during the lesson. When it was explained to her that they may not be returned until her brother apologized, she had a temper tantrum, the likes of which I haven't seen yet in Japan. Words between her and two female teachers were had, and they weren't nice words. She was flagrantly rude to the teachers, making fun of the way they addressed her, telling them off (with a sharp urusai!) multiple times, and even cutting off a teacher mid-sentence by answering her cell phone (of course, illegal in school). After the exchange she cursed them off with a biting Shineh! (Die!) and stormed out of the teacher's room.

There are almost 600 students at my school right now, and about 5% of them are troublesome - not all on the level of the girl described above, but enough to create a large discipline problem. I spend most of my time in the 1st grade teacher's room, and almost every day I hear a lecture from a teacher to a student about discipline. There are some repeat offenders, but I'm always surprised at the scope of students who do things that they just shouldn't do (such as write "Die, ~~~~-sensei!" on the blackboard.

I've witnessed long lectures at assemblies from teachers about how the students need to "get out of elementary school" and how "our school can't move forward if it stays this way," but the situation doesn't seem to get much better. In the case of the 1st graders, it's driving several of their teachers crazy. One, in particular (also an English teacher), has been really struggling lately - she was in tears this morning because of her students' mischief. Rather than refer to the situation as "elementary school," this grade's teachers call it "the zoo."

It's disheartening to see the same thing happen day after day, and watch as things that the students are told by their teacher are forgotten once back with their classmates. There have been several times recently when I've wanted to step in and give verbal lashings to exceptionally bad kids, but held back because I didn't think it would have a positive effect. In the classes with funky students, I've become more rigid and more ready for any shenanigans that might break out. As a result, the bad kids don't like me (I've also received a Shineh! recently), but I'm more of a help in class.

Still, though, I've only been here for three months, and I haven't endured what other teachers here have endured for much longer. I have an enormous amount of respect for the teachers that put up with them without complaint - some will have to deal for 2.5 more years of the same. I ask if I can help from time to time, but mostly get "Oh, no, it's okay" as a response. They're dealing with it in their own way, which is fine, but as a result its tough to have a close relationship with them.

Card girl came back in 5 minutes later to look again. She went through the teacher(that took the cards)'s things, threatened to break her glasses, knocked over her books, and kicked in a drawer of her desk before given a second lecture about her behavior, then she stormed out again. What can you do? With violent students, teachers here tread a thin line between appropriate discipline and making sure their stuff doesn't get damaged. I am on the sideline wanting to help, but at the same time, not sure if I should get involved. It's a weird and difficult situation. The school is very high tension, and it feels like something's going to snap soon.

I'm staying alert for damage control.

~コッチ

P.S.
In other news, I found out that I can't apply directly to University of Tokyo, which is/was a candidate for grad school. I'd have to take an exam in August and pay 30000￥ as a screening fee. The reason for this ridiculousness? Because I live here. Thanks, Japan. さすが！