GBC JLS/NAKAYOSHI PRESCHOOL SCHOOL-PTC NEWSLETTER	  Notes from Nakayoshi Preschool	  The end of this school year is just around thecorner. It is the season for our children tograduate or be promoted to the next grade. I am
happy to have experience our children’s healthy
development and to feel their confidence.

For the parents/guardians of the graduating
children, I wish for your child to have a great time
at his/her new school. For the parents/guardiansof the continuing children, we will make every
effort for our children to play and to learn totheir fullest during the next school year as well.
We appreciate your future understanding andcooperation.
Director Keiko Damiata

Our preschool life has changed since last Octoberdue to COVID-19. Some events were cancelled,
and the children’s play actives have changed. Our
children and families must have felt theseinconveniences.
However, regardless of thatsituation, the children were always full of energy
as you saw in our Christmas Video and Exercise
Observation Day. Also, the bulletin boards thatthe teachers had created to highlight thechildren’s preschool daily life showed that they
were always cheerful and energetic.

Messages from the Teachers
Risu ClassThe year went by so quickly. We had a wonderfultime to experience our children’s healthy growth.
At the beginning of the year, the children hardly
said, “Good morning!” or felt shy to dance or had aworried look; however, by the end they showed
their personality, greeted cheerfully, played
together, and seemed to be happy to see theirfriends every day.
They showed their dignified appearance on thePerformance Day and the Exercise Observation
Day. They shared the joy with each other aboutcountless “they can do it.” To the Risu children,
the presence of their friends especially affected
them.
They heard the encouragement from friends who
said, “You can do it.” or “You try it.” werechallenged by themselves. It amazed us every day
to see how much our children grew.
Although they did not have much time as usual toplay with friends, we hope that their spending time
together in the Risu class will be a lasting funmemory.

I saw the children playing with the teachers
outside of my office one day. The two-year-oldclassroom children danced to music. The threeyear-old classroom children ran inside a circle so as
not to be hit by a ball when playing dodgeball. The
four-year-old classroom children were challenged
to jump with a jump rope more times than they didon the Exercise Observation Day.
I smiled
unintentionally.
Despite this difficult situation, our children
experienced a safe and happy preschool
environment.
The teachers were able toconcentrate on taking care of the children becauseof your understanding and cooperation. I give you
my sincere gratitude of thanks for yourcooperation.	  

3rd term 2021

1	  Banana Class

We were happy to have the Bara children. Thankyou very much.

There were some changes about play in the Banana
class this past year due to COVID-19.
For
example, some children used to get tired of putting
blocks together before, but they spend more timeand create more complicated designs now. Also, as
the children did not have much time to play
together due to COVID-19, it took time to feel
comfortable with one another. However, they
seem to be happy to see their friends every day
now. Although this year has been challenging, wethink that the children in the Banana class will
have lasting good memories.

Sumire Class
It has been one year since we first met the Sumirechildren. Due to COVID-19, we were limited insharing, and we had to wear a mask this year.
There was less physical contact among us comparedto other years.
However, we created newactivities for children’s daily play and preschool
events based on trial and error. In addition, wefelt fulfilled in their learning because we were able
to spend more individual time with the children.
The other day, when we asked the children to drawa memorable picture, all of them drew aboutplaying with friends. Although they did not havemuch time to play together this year, we were
happy that they felt getting together was fun.
Lastly, we are grateful for our parents/guardians’
cooperation and understanding. We are happy tohave experienced your child’s growth. We arepraying for your child’s future healthy growth.
Thank you very much. 	  	  Melon Class
We think that our children have grown intothoughtful and caring individuals.
For example, they help friends clean up or they ask,
“Are you ok?” or say, “Do not cry anymore.” withgentle words when they see a crying friend.
Due to COVID-19, there were many restrictions,and they did not have much time to play withfriends; however, we think that spending time withclassmates will be a wonderful memory to them.

To the GBC Volunteers	  Bara Class

We would like to say thanks to Brian Imada, AlanMiwa, Dave Mitani, Daniel Iwamoto, JohnNakamura, Joe Nishihira, Wallace Yuki, and JamesYokota for your support during this school year.
They trimmed the garden at the Church, repaired
things in the classrooms, installed Koinobori, set up
audio equipment for our Exercise Day, and did a lotof odds-and-ends for us. In addition, many GBC
Volunteers supported our preschool this schoolyear.

To the children of the Bara class, congratulations
on your graduation!
Under difficult conditions, our preschool started inOctober. The time has passed quickly. Although
the Bara class started with a small group ofchildren, the number increased little by little, andthe class became more lively. All the Bara children
became good friends. They always played together
when outside. They called out each other by saying,“Let’s play together.” Sometimes one child took
the initiative and talked about rules. We felt
reassured to see their growth every day.
Sometimes we heard, “Please wear a mask.”, “It isnot ok to touch.”, or “Please stay away.” They
acted like teachers. They learned to jump manytimes although they had never played with a jumprope before. They learned to read and write theHiragana letters. They learned big numbers as well.
We experienced their growth in many ways.	  

Important Announcements
School Year 2021 – 2022 will start on August
16th (Monday).
We regret that we will not be able to conduct theEntrance Ceremony due to COVID-19. We plan tohave announcements regarding the new school year
by email just like last time.

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