It is already “Shiwasu” (Busy time of the year, December). Let’s close the year properly!
The last week was Thanks Giving Holiday. It was an important holiday that you get together with your family and appreciate “Food” and “Health”. I assumed that you also had busy holiday. I knew about Thanks Giving but I didn’t know about “Black Friday and “Cyber Monday”. When I watched TV about “Black Friday”, it reminded me the Japanese “Hatsu-Uri”. “Hatsu-Uri” is bargain sale that happens from New Year eve to New Year. During “Hatsu-Uri”, some of the items are half price and many people shop but the targeted item is “Fukubukuro”. In this bag, you will often find goods that are so much more than the price of the bag. Shoppers make lines before New Year for “Fukubukuro”. It seems like it will tell you this year’s fortune because you are excited not knowing what are inside and also saving you get. The Christmas sale starts from Black Friday and wait for the Christmas. We wait for spring with “Hatsu-Uri.” Both are important culture for US and Japan. Today is already December. December has another name, “Shiwasu” in Japan. “Shi” refers monks and they are busy preparing for the many events at the year of year. It is said that it comes from the phrase “toshi hatsuru “(the year comes to an end) that then turned into “shi hatsu”. Then it turned into “Shiwasu”. Anyhow we will close the year quickly. We should plan well and close the year properly while we can spend time calmly. It is getting colder, let’s be careful of getting cold.
Success of High School Debates Koshien!
On November 17th, the 2nd High School Debate Koshien in Philadelphia was held. There were team work, good questions, and smart answers. High school students who prepare till late, debated well like Summer Koshien. Please come by next year to see a drama without scripts. This year theme was “Should all the restaurants in Japan prohibited smoking inside?” Which would you choose? How do you debates?
The Winners : The bruised Joni, Yoko and Laura. Members are Aoyama Shouryu, Onishi Monica, Devoe Hatsuki
The best debater : Holinger Misa
Congratulations!
Reading Award “Yokozuna”
Congratulations in achieving the Yokozuna status!
Pre-School / Kindergarten
Pre-school: Kashiwagi Kohsuke – 300 books
Pre-school: Amano An
Elementary
1st grade: Steinbacher Emma (Class 1)
1st grade: Kitahara Ikki (Class 1)
1st grade: Mangos Taishi (Class 2)
Onigiri (Rice Ball) Action
Onigiri expanding in the world.
You can see an article about our Japanese heritage course making lunch box in the “Onigiri Action” website. “Onigiri Action” is a website when you post a picture of making onigiri, sponsor business will donate JPY100 per picture and this will be used for lunch money for Asian and African’s children. Through this activity, Japanese Heritage students were able to expand their classroom to social contribution. Please take a look at the onigiri photos of Japanese heritage students.
http://onigiri-action.com/
Interested in teaching pre-school and elementary school?
We mentioned we were looking for Pre-School/Kindergarten teachers in Smile newsletter # 18, elementary teachers in #21, but we are posting this again. If you love children, and would like to get involved with our school, please apply. If you are interested, please contact the office. Email: staff@jlsp.us; Tel: 610-642-1202
Announcement
The JLSP office move is completed – Started to work in Friends’ Central School.
On November 19th, Monday, the office has moved to the basement of Middle School building and already started working there. From December 1, Saturday, the office staff (Saul-san and Myers-san) will be working there so if you need them, please go to the basement office.
Invoice for tuition (from accounting)
We will email the invoice for tuition to the registered email address for the family who are staying in the 3rd semester right before the 3rd semester. If you are planning to leave, please notify us before 3rd semester begins. (By 5 pm of Jan 4)