Fall is in full swing. It’s a Halloween season!

Halloween on October 31 has been showing excitement in Japan for the past few years. In Japan, “Halloween” may be reminded of Halloween costume and parade rather than the origin of Halloween. Halloween is an event that celebrates the harvest of autumn and kicks out evil spirits. When the spirit of the deceased visited the family members, they wore masks and dressed up to protect themselves from spirits and witches coming at the same time. From these practice, children nowadays are dressed up and started trick or treat.
In Japan, there is a similar event during the Bon, such as a “grave festival”, in which all residents in a region prepare the Bon festival, and families welcome the spirits of the ancestors and visit the grave.
It is also similar to the Setsubun, where we decorate holly leaves and sardines at the entrance of home to drive away the demons, and the Full Moon Night, where we celebrate the harvest and children walk with sweets. In Mexico, where I had worked before, there is a custom that they decorate the grave with a huge decoration, greet the deceased family members and friends, and have bright and fun time with the dead. Although religious meaning and historical background of the events in the fall season are different among countries, it seems to be common that they talk about memorable memories of their ancestors and appreciate the harvest in fall.
At Halloween, children in our neighborhood seem to come seeking treats. How do we prepare and welcome children? I’m very excited to have Halloween.

Enthusiastic to learn Japanese language and culture!

Welcome Party for New Students in Adult Course
On October 6, Adult Course freshman welcome party was held. The adult course started from the second semester, and 26 new students newly joined. First graders, who have just begun Japanese, have a lot of things to lean, including letters and numbers of Hiragana / Katakana. In the middle of their learning journey, they may be discouraged by so many things to learn. In such time, opportunities at the freshman welcome party to have advices from senior students and to listen to presentations by the senior students encourage the freshman to continue studying Japanese and to set clear goals of the study.
In this semester, Adult Course has a large class with about 75 students. I hope that everyone will get along well and enjoy learning Japanese.

Let’s aim at the perfect attendance award (Shimada Award)

This year has 39 school days. The perfect attendance award (Shimada Award) will be provided to students who attend the all school days with no late or early dismissal.
For those who still have a chance, please aim for the award.

Announcement of the extensive reading award “Yokozuna”

Congratulations on achieving ‘Yokozuna’ of reading!
Kindergarten
Nencho-2: Sako Shuji, 200 books

Notification

Information about the acceptance of students returning to high schools in major cities in Japan (2017 version) is now available. Please contact the School Office.

Kanji Kentei Aptitude Test (time and venue)
Level 8 and 10: 8: 15 ~ 8: 55 Main building second floor Classroom #20 (17 people)
Level 2 ~ 7 and 9: 8: 10 ~ 9: 10 Main building 2nd Floor Classroom #22 (21 people)

37th Fund Raising Tennis Party For JLSP

As a part of fund raising, a tennis party will be held. This event welcomes tennis beginners. Please join us this joyful social event for your refreshment as well as fund raising.
1. Dates: Saturday, November 3 (Sat) PM 7: 00-11: 00
2. Venue: PRINGTON TENNIS CLUB
625 S. Newtown Street Road
Media, PA 19063
(http://www.springtontennis.com/) Tel 610-356-2003
3. Fee: $ 50 (cash on the day or check)
※ Address of the check is not required
4. Other
○ It would be greatly appreciated if each attendee could bring one dish or drink.
○ Please submit the application form to the School Office.
Due on October 27 (Saturday)
School Office
E-mail: staff@jlsp.us Tel (610) 642 – 1202