Completing one thing now, Another mountain to go over

Let me share a poem called “One Thing” by Kihaku Saito.
“Completing one thing now, another mountain to go over. Wind crossing the field, A song blending in my mind, Mulberry tree filling up and clouds shining, People follow and a road never ends, A road far away and a road far away, Find a mountain to go over tomorrow, Completing one thing now”
The poem expresses the joy to accomplish one thing -climbed a mountain, and the eagerness to go over a higher mountain next. We used to sing the song at a graduation ceremony. A graduation day is approaching. I hope students have found time they spent at school valuable – the time they studied together, played together, and shared together. There are only two school days left before graduation. Let’s cherish every moment with all of your friends.

Bazaar and Ruffles

~Help end poverty in Japan~
Students in Keisho class 4 (Junior High / High School) have been learning Japanese through the project – social events that are related to their daily lives. This time their theme was ‘Children raised by family in need’, which has becoming one of Japan’s public concerns. A poverty rate was increased to 16.3% in 2012 according to Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and students learned that 1 in 6 children lives in poverty. As a final project of the year, they sold baked goods at bazaar twice a year to donate money to Children’s Future Foundation.

After the bazaar, when asked how it went, one student said ‘it was the best day of my entire Japanese School years!’ and another said

‘I am very glad to be able to help children in Japan while I study Japanese.’

Reading Award

Congrats to everyone! You must be filled with courage, adventure, kindness and thoughtfulness throughout your readings. Well done!!!
• Keisho – Junichi Hurst
• K1 – Yosuke Yoshimura, Karina Benjamin, Julia Usami, Shintaro Shimada
• E1 – Rui Katagiri, Suzu Noda
• E2 – Yu Fujiki, Reina Yagawara, Taishi Tomizawa
•Junior High – Masaki Shimada

Announcement

* Sakura Sunday – April 9, 2017
Sakura Sunday has been a successful event to introduce Japanese arts and culture to Americans. As an annual event, volunteers from Japanese School take a stage to show Japanese dance and they also set up a booth to share all about Japan. Unfortunately, Apr 9 (Sun) overlaps with school day this year and we have decided not to participate in the event. Your understanding is much appreciated.

* 2017 Entrance Ceremony / 1st day of School
Date: April 1 (Saturday)
Time: Opens at 9:50 AM / Ceremony starts at 10:00 AM
Place: Shallcross Hall

* Future Event
Feb 25 (Sat) Kisho Japanese Speech Contest
Mar 5 (Sun) Farewell party for Graduates
Mar 11 (Sat) Graduation Ceremony / last day of school, Report Cards will be handed
Mar 18 (Sat) Make-up day (if necessary)