投稿者: Aya Kobayashi

SMILE Vol. 15 October 6, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

“Wondering why” and keeping your curiosity are important!

This year’s Nobel Prize winners for Physiology/Medicine were announced on October 1st. The recipients were Dr. Tasuku Honjo from Kyoto University, Japan and Dr. James Allison from MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas. The two of them independently discovered proteins that act as brakes of the immune system and found that pharmacologically blocking these molecules allows the immune system to fight cancer. The drug “Optivo”, which uses this mechanism, was first approved in Japan in 2014 and is now approved in over 60 countries to treat cancer.
In his interview, Dr. Honjo states that his motto in research is “Curiosity drives what I want to know”. In an interview performed 30 years ago, he stated that “by figuring out how biology works, I want to find ways to cure cancer and other incurable diseases”. Now, he has accomplished this dream by curing cancer using the immune system. He tells students aspirating to become scientists, “Observe with your own eyes. Think with your own brain. Don’t quit until you’re satisfied and never give up.”
Dr. Honjo’s words reinforce the importance of maintaining an inquisitive mind, keeping a positive attitude, and accomplishing tasks until satisfied. Regardless of age, I felt even more compelled to maintain my curiosity and inquiry, and listen to the insatiable curiosity of the students. 続きを読む…

SMILE Vol. 14 September 30, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

“Chushu no meigetsu” –let’s look up at the night sky!

“Chushu no meigetsu” (Harvest Moon) fell on September 24th this year. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy in Philadelphia to view it. “Chushu” refers to August 15th, which was the middle of the fall in the Chinese calendar, and we call the moon seen on that day “chushu no meigetsu.” People used to offer grains that were harvested during this time to show thankfulness and celebrate “otsukimi” by viewing the beautiful moon. This has been a tradition that has been passed down from China during the Heian period.
In my hometown Kumamoto, we would decorate our porch with the silver grasses, make rice dumplings and offer them as well as potatoes, fruits, and snacks under the moon. As kids, we would go around the houses in the neighborhood and ask for these offerings and put them in our bags. By the time we got home, all the food in the bags were squished and mixed up, but I remember eating them with thankfulness. In a strange coincidence, there were news this week about MINERVA-II developed by JAXA has successfully landed on the asteroid “Ryugu” and a Japanese CEO planning the first private space travel to the moon. The dream to the universe is only expanding, and the space development is progressing steadily. While we are busy with our daily lives, perhaps it would be nice to look up at the fall night sky and enjoy the beautiful moon and stars as we think of the universe.
続きを読む…

SMILE Vol. 13 September 22, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Bazaar – New Cafeteria was filled with smiles

September 15th was the first annual bazar JLSP children had been looking forward to.
There were concerns about effects from a huge hurricane FLORENCE on that day but fortunately, the weather was nice and the bazaar was held as scheduled. There were many items for sale inside and outside of the freshly renovated cafeteria, such as homemade dishes by parents, fresh produce, goods from a bakery, books and games. Smiles of children – who was thinking what to get or was enjoying delicious foods left a special impression.
Profits from the Bazaar was $5,741.25 and this entire amount has been donated to JLSP. We are truly thankful from the bottom of our heart. A huge thank you to parents who did planning, negotiation, shopping, venue setting, operation, donated their books and planned fun games. Also, thank you to supporting companies who came all the way to join us. We are very grateful.
Children’s happy face and parents’ fond look reminded me of the fact that JLSP is supported by all those people. We all teachers will make every effort to meet everyone’s expectations in return. Thank you very much. 続きを読む…

SMILE Vol. 12 September 15, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

Look back on the first half of the year and connect it to the second half!

The temperature is starting to drop after each rain fall. The sound of insects are pleasant to the ears and it is much cooler in the evening.
At JLSP, the feeling of summer vacation is long gone and it is nice to see that the children are studying calmly and participating in the class.
Did you enjoy the children’s summer projects displayed at the multi-purpose room two weeks ago? It was filled with impressive art works, researches and writings. I could feel that they had a fulfilling summer break. I appreciate the warm support of the parents.
Looking at the school year from April to March, September is the middle of the year. At JLSP, Kindergarten, Elementary / Middle school, Japanese heritage language course divides 1 year into 2 phases, from April to September as the first term, from October to March as the latter term. In Japan, the number of schools have also shifted from the conventional 3 semester system to the 2 semester system in recent years. (Some schools have returned to the original 3 semester system.) The high school and adult courses are based on a three semester system.
Kindergarten, Elementary / Middle school, Japanese heritage language course students receive their grades at the end of the first phase. September is an important month to look back on the first half of the school year.
In Japan, Typhoon 21 caused many damages and Hokkaido had suffered from a major Earthquake. I would like to pray for the ones affected by the disasters and early recovery and restoration. 続きを読む…

SMILE Vol. 11 September 8, 2018 (H30)

投稿日投稿者Aya Kobayashiコメントする

What kind of Autumn will you have? Let’s enjoy the Autumn!

This past Monday was Labor Day. This is an American holiday on the 1 st Monday in September. It is a day to appreciate workers, and also considered as the end of summer. The new school year starts in September in United States, so people spend this holiday preparing for school, having a party with family and friends, or going out to the end of summer travel, etc. How about you? American football season starts around Labor Day. As Japanese say, “Fall is the best time for sports,” right? In Japanese, there are may sayings like “Fall is the best time for something” such as for sports, reading, harvest, appetite, art, and so on. Moon-watching and foliage-viewing are also seasonal events in Fall. I read a book after a long time. Not on a computer or smart phone, but a book with paper. The novel written by a popular writer in these days reminded me of the joy of reading with interesting expression or words, and thrill of getting into the unknown world. Autumn is a good season for physical activities and harvesting time of great food. How will you be spending this Autumn? Before a cold winter comes, I like to enjoy this season and make it “fruitful Autumn.” 続きを読む…