GBC JLS/NAKAYOSHI PRESCHOOL SCHOOL-PTC NEWSLETTER	  3rd term 2022

Notes from Nakayoshi Preschool	  Messages from the Teachers

We have reached the last month of this school year without
any major accidents or injuries. However, I apologize for theinconveniences caused when we had to close class, canceledsome events, and allowed our families to participate less thannormal in our events due to the second year of COVID-19.

Penguin Class
Our class has eight children now although we initially had fivechildren at the beginning of the school year. We sometimes
used sign language at the beginning of the school year withchildren who did not speak Japanese; however, now they cansay the names of colors, shapes, numbers, fruits, and cars inJapanese. In addition, they can get ready to go out by
themselves as well as help other children or teach them how to
get ready. The children thought of new playful ways andenjoyed doing them. Although they get along, they sometimes
want their way and get into arguments. On the other hand,when they are nonnegotiable, they can reconcile after thinking
about how they can make smiley faces. We think that thissolution comes from their tenderness and the feeling ofwanting to enjoy.
We had a good time with your children for the past ten months
because you brought your energetic child to school, and you
cooperated with us. Thank you!

Looking back on this school year, I am pleased about ourchildren’s growth. First, they learned to properly greet people.
Their “Ohayou” in the morning gives us lots of energy to startthe day. Second, they learned to get along with friends andfollow the rules. Furthermore, they learned to look after
themselves. In the two-year-old classroom, for example, they
practice putting on and taking off shoes, caps, and bed covers,
as well as zipping up and down backpacks.
Lastly, they
developed a sense of compassion for people and things.
The teachers worked hard all year long.
They put thechildren’s photos, curriculum, and messages to the families on
the bulletin board so that they know about the children’spreschool daily activities. In addition, the teachers wanted
the families to enjoy the atmosphere of Oyugikai (thePerformance Day); therefore, they made a video about thechildren’s singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument.
They also conducted the Exercise Performance Day instead ofUndokai (the Sports Event). There was a time when it wasdifficult for the children to play with others in order tomaintain the social distance; however, they have recently spentsome time with all the children outside by doing radio
exercises, dancing, and singing to the teacher’s electric piano.

Risu Class
It has been one year since we had your children. When wethink back, many children liked to play alone, did not say“Ohayou” to new friends, and felt shy about singing anddancing. Now, they greet each other vigorously, play together
on the slide or with balls with friends. We see them try tolook after themselves. When they accomplish something, theysay, “Look, Teacher! I did it!” with a giant smile. On theExercise Performance Day, the Risu children were confident
about participating in the obstacle race and dancing “That’sawesome!”.
We realize that the children have grownsignificantly over the past year. Friends are essential to eachchild. They are kind to him/her, and then he/she becomes kindto the friends. Furthermore, after they talk with friends,
they become happy. Playing with many friends makes themhappier than playing alone or playing with just one friend.
While the Risu children had such an experience every day, wethink that they learned many things.
We had a wonderful time with your children because you
supported and cooperated with us. We appreciate the Risu
family!

At the last day of this school year, please check your child’s
shortened crayons and colored pencils, sketchbooks with many
pictures, and clay used many times. You will see how much yourchild played.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all theNakayoshi families for your cooperation and understanding
during this school year. For the families of the Bara and theSumire classes, I wish for your child’s future healthy growth,and I hope that they will continue to cherish Japanese
language, culture, and customs.
To the families of thecontinuing children, thank you for your continued support.
Director Keiko Damiata	  1	  Banana Classto focus their mind and switch to the feeling that they would
do their best. They learned a lot through daily games about
regrettable or happy feelings.
The Bara classmates are all friendly with one another. They
enjoy playing with friends although they sometimes havequarrels. We experienced their growth in many ways.
They are looking forward to going to kindergarten. We aresure that they will do their best. Thank you very much for thisschool year.

Time passed so quickly after the spring break. I realized that
it would be almost the end of the school year and I have fewdays left with the Banana children!
On the Exercise
Performance Day, the children performed an awesome dance toshow their mom and dad their cool side. They also passed aball and tossed balls in a basket together. I believe that you
felt that the Banana children are all friendly with one another.
Even this school year, our preschool life had some restrictions
due to COVID-19; however, they have been mitigated little bylittle. The children played Legos alone before; however, now
they can make a masterpiece with other friends, eat lunch andplay with the Melon children together outside. They have more
fun to play.
I hear from the children that, “I want to play with that friend
today!” or “Can I borrow it?,” or “Wait a bit.” I was happy thatthey experienced group activities.
We have observed the persimmon tree in Church throughout
the year. We made a persimmon using Origami paper in autumn.
We were surprised by the dead leaves on the branches inwinter. In spring we were happy to see young yellow-green
leaves. The other day, we were excited about seeing small
green persimmons. We have experienced the turning of theseasons while taking a walk and looking at the persimmon tree.

Sumire ClassTo the family of the Sumire class, congratulations on yourchild’s graduation!
I was happy to take care of your precious child!
The four-year-old classroom is the last grade to prepare forkindergarten. It has been almost one year since I started
teaching kindergarten readiness in the Sumire class. I feelthe Sumire children are prepared. They come to school withheavy backpacks. They do their best about things they never
have done before or they are not good at. They convey theirfeelings to others. They consider the other’s feelings and act
accordingly. They experience a lot of learning through daily
activities and school events. I expect that they will enlarge
their circle of friends at an elementary school because theyagree to play dodgeballs or hide-and-seek together at theNakayoshi Preschool.
Lastly, I was grateful for our parents/guardians’ cooperation
and understanding. I am happy to have experienced yourchild’s growth. I am praying for your child’s future healthygrowth.	  

Melon Class
The Melon children were a bit bewildered when they had a newclass, new teachers and friends at the beginning of the school
year; however, the third semester has passed in an instant, andnow they show their personality. The children communicatedconstantly, and the class became lively.
They createdsomething with friends, did role play, and enjoyed making theirrules.
We observed their healthy growth because they
conveyed their feelings using their words to others throughplay.
The guideline of COVID-19 has been mitigated at the thirdsemester; therefore, all the children were able to sing and doexercise together outside. Furthermore, the Melon children
were able to play with the Banana children outside. We hopethat the various activities become good memories for ourchildren.

Thank you, Ms. Takamoto!
Ms. Takamoto is leaving our preschool at the end of July. Thechildren love sweet Ms. Takamoto so much. She learned at theNakayoshi Preschool for three years and at Gardena Buddhist
Church Japanese Language School (advanced class) for threeyears as well. She not only speaks English and Japanese but
reads and writes them. We will miss her so much! I hear that
she has a dream about working in Japan using her proficientlanguage skills. We wish for her future success.	  

Bara ClassTo the GBC Volunteers

To the children of the Bara class, congratulations on yourgraduation!
Our children learned a lot such as Hiragana letters andnumbers. At the beginning, some children said, “Too muchwork!” or “I don’t want to do it!” However, now they can domany works and they say, “Yes! We will write Hiragana letters!”
They enjoy writing them. Since they became interested inHiragana letters, they try to read them in books and on thewalls. They seem to be so happy when they can read them.
Their writing strength became strong; therefore, they canwrite neat in a good balance. The Bara children enjoyed playing
dodgeball with the Sumire children. When they win, they get a
big shinny star sticker; therefore, they try to win the game.
At the beginning of the year, when they were hit by a ball,they sometimes cried, or they were upset. Now they are able	  We would like to say thanks to Brian Imada, Alan Miwa, DaveMitani, Daniel Iwamoto, John Nakamura, Joe Nishihira, JamesYokota, Wallace Yuki, and Ken Nishida for your support during
this school year. They repaired things in the classrooms, setup audio equipment for our Exercise Performance Day, trimmed
the garden at the Church, and did a lot of odds-and-ends forus. In addition, many GBC Volunteers supported our preschool
this school year.

Important Announcements
The School Year 2022 – 2023 will start on
August 16th (Tuesday).

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