More family time in the fall!

According to the “Koujien,” a popular Japanese dictionary, 『団欒(だんらん) (family get-together)』 means to sit in a circle and chat happily. Aren’t we reminded that we spend very little time as a family? Why don’t we create more family time and enjoy some family activities such as family reading night, hiking on weekend, or a museum visit showcasing some kids art? Of course a simple dinner with all family members would be a great idea, too! Can we take a moment and think how we can enjoy this fall season as a family?

A report from classrooms (an excerpt from official classroom reports)

JLSP teachers send a classroom report to each family after every class. The same report is delivered to me every week, and I enjoy reading them. To express my gratitude, I return my feedback and some reference materials to these teachers.
This week, I would like to share the reports from Kindergarten 1-1 and Japanese curriculum grade 4 Class 1.

Classroom report from Kindergarten 1-1

Good heart is being cultivated
We played a game of banana tag in the pleasant weather. When all friends are in synchronization with one another, it becomes difficult to make everyone a “banana.” We increase the number of “it” to keep a balance, but when “it” was able to make everyone a banana after running its hardest twice, a child shouted, “Can we make everyone a ‘fat bear’ next? (it’s ok for “it” to not capture the same person twice)”
After the banana tag, everyone picked acorns under the big trees. We made an acorn mountain and decorated it with the leaves, so the squirrels could have a party there! After the class was dismissed, one child came back to the classroom and said with a big smile, “I think the squirrels ate the acorns! Our acorn mountain is gone.”

Classroom report from Grade 4, Class 1

Building confidence and proud by learning at Friends’ Central School
On October 21, when we did a lesson about interviewing and note taking, Ms. Saul visited our fourth-grade classroom to share the history of JLSP. All fourth graders were very busy taking notes and repeatedly saying, “Wow. I didn’t know that!” Everyone seemed to enjoy learning new facts about the school. In addition to Mr. Shimada, our former council member who visited the fourth-grade classroom on October 14, a guest speaker such as Ms. Saul is very meaningful for us to reach our goal: Students rediscover the purpose of studying at JLSP by better understanding the history and the mission of JLSP.
Here is a list of questions we asked Ms. Saul:
1. Why did JLSP choose Friends’ Central School?
2. How come JLSP is open on Saturdays, not on Sundays? 3. What triggered the establishment of JLSP in Philadelphia? 4. Why is the schooled named the Japanese Language School of Philadelphia (JLSP)?
5. What is the purpose of the JLSP Bazzar? Why does the Bazzar take place twice a year?
6. Why was the “Gakugeikai (School Play)” canceled?
7. How come only kokugo (Japanese) and sansuu (mathematics)?
8. Why JLSP does not offer other subjects?

Thank you for your support at the Friendly Flea Market!

Thank you for your participation and support during the Friendly Flea Market on October 21. Despite the changes of the venue and the starting time, a number of people gathered and enjoyed the festivities.
Approximately 20 volunteers came to help with the sale and delivery on the day of the event, which was very helpful.

I also would like to express my appreciation for those who showcased a variety of items at tables, for Suzuki Farm who came a long way to sell Japanese vegetables, for teachers, and for adult course students! JLSP was able to raise a total amount of $1,093.90.

It would be grateful if this flea market can provide a chance for people to meet and enjoy various products together. If you missed it this time, please come check it out next time. If you would like, please feel free to share with me your flea market experience, so we can make it better for the next time. The form is available at the link below:
https://goo.gl/forms/WIawOTOZ1qgMGeYl1
★Please visit our JLSP website or Facebook page to view some photos from the event.