Finland VS Canada - School Related

As I mentioned before, I'm doing a work-placement in a school that has grades 1-6 (children are aged 7-13 years old) and while I'll try to write about my daily experiences - I thought I'd try and make a list of things that are strikingly different than Canada (and probably a good chunk of the world).
This is totally based on my opinion and experiences with this particular school in Jyv�skyl�, Finland.  While many apply to all schools throughout Finland - smaller details like breaks for example - may differ than other schools in Finland.

• The school year is from August-beginning of June.
• They have an Autumn holiday in October and a Ski Holiday (equivalent to March break) in February.  These holidays vary in occurrence throughout Finland - so a school up North might not have the same holiday week as the schools in the South of Finland.
• Kids call all the staff/teachers by their first name.
• They start school at the age of 7 (grade 1) and in pre-school (ages 5-6) - they do learn things!
• Every morning, the class stands and greets the teacher with a respectful, "Hyv�� Huomenta!" (Good morning!)
• One teacher I worked with also shook each of her pupils' hands and thanked them for coming and wished them a good afternoon when their class was over.  I was amazed! What an excellent way to teach respect!! By giving it as well and equally to each individual student!
• Kids don't wear shoes inside - some have slippers or "indoor shoes" if they really want to - but for the most part, it's all soft (socks) feet.
• Unless they're doing wood/metal work...then they have to wear shoes!  Even in gym class there were bare-feet!
• They have a 25-minutes long recess break in the morning and between 5-15 minutes between classes.  It does help with preventing stress and fighting among the kids.
• There are ping-pong tables  in the hallways to encourage children to burn energy, play together and how to share in between classes.
• There aren't any labels for "Boys" or "Girls" bathrooms.  There are individual bathrooms lining up the hallways with just "WC" written at the top of the door and you just lock the door behind you - do your thing and leave (yes there's a sink and soap).  No urinals.  Staff use the same ones - as far as I know.
• Teachers have some say in their kids' schedules.  Sometimes school ends at 1pm, sometimes at 2pm or sometimes it's a long day and ends at 3pm.  Then again, it might start at 8 or it might start at 9.  This was very interesting for me because I could never figure out why the buses were so packed full of kids on certain days and at various times.
• There's no water fountains in the hallways.  Every classroom has a sink and kids either have their own cups or just drink straight from the tap.
• No vending machines - no chocolate bars, no chips, no pop...
• Lunch is provided and it's a hot meal (meat or fish with veggies, bread and butter, milk or water) for all the kids.
• With that said, I don't see children snacking at all.  They're generally in better shape physically and mentally than their North American counter-parts.
• By "Hot meal" - it's all filling and nutritious! No pizza, French fries, cookies or ice-cream... nope.
• Kids can refer to their text books during tests.  Sometimes it's noted they get points taken away, sometimes it's only for certain questions or information...depends on the teacher or class I guess!
• They do get homework - but not a lot.
• School supplies are provided - with the exception of backpacks and pencils...all the text books and note books are provided to kids (so a friend told me).
• I can't seem to find a single special needs child at all in the school.  I have been told from a friend (but not confirmed with one of my teachers I'm working with yet) - that this is a bit of an issue.  Mostly because of this segregation - "regular kids" don't know how to act or politely inquire what's going on with a "different child".  I'm confident there are some children in the classes I've been in so far that have ADHD...but I haven't seen anyone with an assistant, in a wheel chair or requiring an interpreter (hearing impaired) for examples.  
• In Canada, I grew up with kids who couldn't speak, were deaf or hard of hearing, were in wheel chairs and had assistants and even with Downs Syndrome.  This was great, in the sense that I was prepared to help those that need it in the future and I learned some sign language and forged friendships with children in a different position than myself.
  And since having a child who has been diagnosed 2 years ago with Autism - I find this really interesting too.  I know and am aware of a school in JKL that is just for kids like him - but at the same time, I feel bad he won't be going to a "regular school" like his little brother probably will.
• Religious studies is a subject taught in Finland.  Finland is primarily a Lutheran-based country with some Orthodox and other religions are here but in lower numbers (i.e. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses etc.).
• No hats are allowed to be worn during the class or at lunch.  Only when leaving.
• Nobody chews gum during class either.
• Not allowed to throw snowballs.
• I haven't seen a teacher with an exposed tattoo...so I made sure to cover mine up the time I was there.  I don't know how much it would matter or bother the other staff or kids - but just in case - I made sure none of mine were showing.
• There's no dress code for teachers.  I was expecting to have to go re-vamp up my wardrobe with dress pants and skirts (despite the snow coming) and I asked the teacher in advance if there was a dress code...NOPE.  So I got to wear comfy jeans (I didn't wear ripped up ones or ones I'd wear to go help a friend move and get messy in), t-shirts or sweaters...whatever!
• In Canada (at least where I'm from), teachers had a casual Friday (got to wear jeans) if they chipped in a dollar or two towards the charity of the school's choice (usually a children's hospital for example).
• Same for ball caps on Fridays for kids too.  When I was in higher up elementary and junior high - there was a program that if we donated a dollar - we could wear ball caps on Fridays during class.  Then again - that was the 90's...times have changed!
• Use common sense - it's not a club or a bar.  The only teachers I saw wearing sweats were usually the gym teachers.
• Kids learn a 2nd language beginning in grade 3.  Each school has a variety of languages - it depends on who is trained and able to teach it to the children - but Swedish is mandatory at some point in their lives because it's Finland's 2nd national language and English seems to be pretty common too.
• Handicrafts are taught and you can do half a year of knitting/crocheting/sewing and then the next half - you'd switch over to wood/metal work.
• There aren't any private schools here.  That means no uniforms for every child, no crazy expensive school tuition fees that are the equivalent to a down-payment on a house/mortgage...none - nada.

*Unfortunately my work placement has to end early due to some other things that popped up - but I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be there and learn about their school system!  

Huge thanks to the staff, kids and school for hosting me!!*