JBC JLS/NAKAYOSHI PRESCHOOL SCHOOL-PTC NEWSLETTER

January, February, March & April 2017

Notes from Nakayoshi Preschool!
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gone on to have careers utilizing their dual languageskills.
I hope children who come to the Nakayoshi preschool
and the GBC-JLS will retain the values of Japaneseculture and language.
Director Keiko Damiata

This January it rained more than usual. We were
fortunate because little rain normally falls insouthern California.
In spite of the rain, theNakayoshi children came to school in good spirits,
some in their parents’ arms and others with umbrellas
and rain boots.
It has already been six months since the start of theschool year. The children have grown a lot before oureyes. They have become members of the preschoolsociety.
By the time they are in a 4-year-oldclassroom, they will have experienced life in a group,developed relationships with friends and teachers,
acquired Japanese language through conversation andpicture books, and cultivated their imaginative powers
through music, painting, and handicrafts.
I hope that the Nakayoshi children retain Japanesetraditional culture and language after they graduate
from the 4-year-old classroom. At the fun party lastDecember, for example, all the four-year-oldclassroomchildrendisplayed
theirdignified
appearance as they performed the plays “The Three
Billy Goats Gruff’, “The North Wind and the Sun”,
and “The Dinosaur’s Children”. They had learned
manners and discipline, which will aid them inkindergarten.
It is said that children tend to forget Japanese when
they begin TK or kindergarten. I recommend thatyour child should graduate from the 4-year-oldclassroom and then attend the Gardena Buddhist
Church Japanese Language School (GBC-JLS) in order
to continue learning about Japanese. The children of
several of our teachers who have graduated from theNakayoshi preschool and the GBC-JLS, have since!

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School CalendarFebruary
3 (Fri)Daily
18 (Sat) Saturday

20 (Mon) Daily

25 (Sat) Saturday
March
3 (Fri)Daily

10 (Fri)
11 (Sat)

Daily
SaturdayApril
7(Fri) 8 (Sat)
Daily/Sat.
9 (Sun) Daily/Sat.
10 (Mon)~14 (Fri)
Daily
Saturday
17 (Mon) 22(Sat)
Daily/Sat.

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Class Observation Mamemaki
CAJLS. Association Annual
General Mtng & Seminars
School Closed
Presidents’ Day School ClosedRegular Schedule on Lincoln’s
B’day 2/13)
Hinamatsuri (Girls’ – Dolls’ Day)
Celebration
Hinamatsuri (Girls’ – Dolls’ Day)
Celebration
PTC Spring Sale (Cookies)
PTC Spring Sale (ChickenTeriyaki & Cookies)

2nd Semester ends
Undokai (Sports Event)
Spring Vacation
4/15(Spring Vacation)
3rd Semester begins

Notes from the daily and Saturday teachers

New Teachers

Daily Classes
2-year-old classrooms (Penguin & Risu)
In addition to learning how to put on and take off
shoes and wash hands appropriately during the firstsemester, the children recently have enjoyed how tohold crayons and use scissors. Seeing the children
who already mastered these activities teach otherchildren is gratifying to the teachers. It is unique toliving in a group environment. Some children started
to play with other children in their group.

This January, Ms. Kae Miyoshi returned to work after
having taken a leave of absence for a few years. Inaddition, Ms. Shoko Cilano joined our teaching staff.
We are fortunate to have both of them.

JLS Volunteers
In addition to John, Wallace, Daniel, Ken, Joe, andJames, Brian Imada, Alan Miwa, and Gary & Linda
Shimizu started to volunteer for us. The Nakayoshipreschool is appreciative of these volunteers.

3-year-old classrooms (Banana & Melon)
The children seem to have enjoyed playing with theirclose friends. They learned to answer questions
regarding days of the week, numbers, and weather
after having learned the calendar.
Also they
practiced how to start a race for the Sports Event.
They taught clean-up and rules each other.

Children’s Health!

Spring is just around the corner; however, colds andflus are still very common. When your child has
symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea but with no fever,please go to see a doctor. Frequently washing handswith soap is the single most effective way to prevent
sickness.

4-year-old classrooms (Bara & Sumire)
They continued to learn to care for younger children
this semester. Concerning to Hiragana letters, thechildren were able to copy them. Since they started
to play karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)
this January, they became interested in Japaneseletters. By June we aim for them to be able to write
the numbers 1 through 30.

Enrollment for New School Year!

We had a long wait list for enrollment this schoolyear. Similar to this year, the number of enrolled
students will be limited next school year; therefore,
if you plan to enroll your child in September 2017
(including summer), please register your child as soon
as possible.

Saturday Classes!
SakuraThe children are able to say in Japanese the names ofcolors.
In January, they made tops and kites(traditional New Year’s games) and played outsidewith them. They tend to play with their friends andnot alone.

Birthday Party for children who were born inJanuary and February
The teachers presented a play called “The Battle
Between Crab and Ape” to the children.

Kiku
The children take turns being helpers every week andpresent their “favorite foods”, “favorite animals”, and“favorite colors” in front of their classmates. They
performed the first writing of the New Year andwrote “ Tori” (the year of the rooster) using a brushin ink.

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