How was your year 2018? Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

This year passed so quick we only have 16 days to go. The more years that pass, the more I feel time passes faster. Looking back, how was your 2018? It may have been filled with fun activities with family, might have been the year you marveled at your children’s’ growth, or might have been a challenging year. We usually find out the Keywords-of-the-Year at the end of year. The Keywords-of-the-Year are trendy or “fad” words of each year. “Sodane-(Right?)” was this year’s word that the Japanese Olympic curling team spoke each other during competition. Also, the Kanji (Chinese character)-of-the-Year was released on December 12th at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. We tend to reflect on what happened around this time each year. As the Heisei period (Emperor’s reign) ends April 30th, 2019, many Japanese reflect, not only one year, but this 30 year era. Many key events have occurred including the 2011 Tsunami and nuclear disasters as well as an aging society with fewer children. As we welcome a new era on May 1, 2019, I pray this coming year will bring peace in the world without war or disaster. Thank you for all of your contributions to the Japanese Language School of Philadelphia. Please continue your support and help your school. Happy New Year!

Standing ovation to all of your hard work!

Today is the last day of the 2nd marking period as well as Heisei 30, year of 2018 will be ended soon. I was transferred to JLSP this past April. That means I have spent for about 9 months with the JLSP students. I regretted that I didn’t spend as much time to visit class rooms to get to know more about students due to meetings. However, I glimpsed many shining moments of kids during Field Day and other activities. These proud moments have been great encouragements to me as principle.
Students not only have Japanese school homework, but weekly school work and activities.
I give a standing ovation to all of their hard work!
I pray that this coming year will also be a great year to all of you. Enjoy the winter break.

Reading Award “Yokozuna”

Congratulations in achieving the Yokozuna status!
Pre-School / Kindergarten
Pre 2 Mirei Akamatsu (300 books)
Kinder 2 Haruki Ato (900 books)
Kinder 2 Shuji Sako (300 books)
Kinder 2 Miku Ideguchi

Japanese Course
1 Noah Dixon
1 Owen Sato (120 books)
2 Emilia Motoyama

Eat fresh fish and be strong!

Thank you so much for all of your contributions for the recent fish fundraising. We raised $1,078.27. It was a great success. We will wisely utilize it for school operations.

Announcement

Rice pounding Festival

Let’s immerse ourselves into a true Japanese cultural icon and welcome the new year.
Saturday, 1/5 10:30~13:20 at Cafeteria

Lankenau Hospital parking

We can use Friends’ School parking for 6 weeks starting in January into February.

From Library

A student claimed a book, “Kaiketsu Zorori Drangon-tai” from Lost and Found on 11/17, however, another family claimed the same book after it was picked up. Please re-check if you have 2 same books in your house.
※Another lost and found books: “Suika no Tane” and 1 Karuta playing card.

●Please disregard the section 5 (3) from Smile 23rd dated on 12/8.
The school will post on the website, not by automated message.