GBC JLS/NAKAYOSHI PRESCHOOL SCHOOL-PTC NEWSLETTER

2nd term 2018-2019

Notes from Nakayoshi Preschool	  	  children will cherish the Japanese original.
Director Keiko Damiata

We were blessed with rain due to the storms in ourarea in January. Although it was a good thing for
California that has chronic water problems, I thought
it may be tough for our children and families to cometo school on a rainy Monday.
Contrary to myexpectations; however, the children wore rainy bootsor carried umbrellas, and they were making merry inthe puddles. They knew how to play on a rainy day.

Announcement

In the middle of March, we will distribute the reregistration form as usual. Like last year, we will ask
the parents/guardians of the current Daily 2-yearold and 3-year-old classrooms to submit the reregistration form and pay $150 (reservation fee
applicable toward September’s tuition) by thedeadline to reserve a space for your child. Please
read the note about details that will be distributed
afterwards. We ask for your kind understanding.

I shared his thoughts about children when I read“Future Little Daruma (a traditional Japanesetumbling doll)” by Mr. Satoshi Kako, who is a picturebook writer. He says, “Children may be powerlessagainst adults; however, each child has abilities tothink by himself (herself) and feels various things
more than adults”. When I spend time with children,
I am often amazed at how they create fun activities
and discover new things.

School Calendar
March
1 (Fri)2 (Sat)8 (Fri)9 (Sat)There is another thing that I agreed with Mr. Kako’s
book. He made “Daruma” as the main character in hispicture book. He thought that making somethingethnic Japanese is natural for Japanese picture
books. In our preschool, we cherish things that havebeen popular for a long time among children in Japan.
For example, the teachers incorporate “Kamishibai”(picture-card shows) into the curriculum on a daily
basis. Furthermore, they introduce traditional games
and songs associated with them (eg. Kagome Kagome),
and present slideshows of children’s fairy tale.

1	  	  	  Daily
Saturday
Daily
SaturdayApril
5 (Fri)Daily
6 (Sat) Saturday
7 (Sun) Daily/Sat
8 (Mon)~12 (Fri)
Daily
Saturday
15 (Mon) Daily20 (Sat) Saturday

We try to find out what the children like and what
they are interested in, and we will continue to strive
to make an environment based on them. We hope the	  	  Hinamatsuri (Girls’ – Dolls’ Day)
Hinamatsuri (Girls’ – Dolls’ Day)PTC Spring Sale (Cookies)
PTC Spring Sale (ChickenTeriyaki & Cookies)
2nd Semester ends
2nd Semester ends
Undokai (Sports Event)
Spring Vacation
4/13(Spring Vacation)
3rd Semester begins
3rd Semester begins

Notes from the teachers of the Daily andSaturday classes about children’s recent
school life.
Daily Classes	  when they learned an “O”. Also, they made “Hagoita(a battledore) when they learned an “H”.

Gifts from the PTC	  Our children have received crayons, playdough,sketchbooks, markers, and colored pencils from thePTC (different items depending on age group). They
are using them in class. Please look at the note about
details in the hallways. In addition, the children havereceived some toys and materials for craft as well.
We always appreciate our parents/guardians’
supports toward the PTC.

2-year-old classrooms (Penguin & Risu)
In spite of the two-week vacation, we felt thechildren’s growth because they grew taller orcompleted a toilet training, and they looked morematured like “big sisters” and “big brothers”. Inclass they played New Year’s games such as“Fukuwarai” (a game like “pin the tail on the donkey”),“Koma” (a spinning top), and “Karuta” (traditional
Japanese playing cards). Recently they began to play
as a group or with particular friends.	  
4-year-old class children’s visit Hondo

3-year-old classrooms (Banana & Melon)
Our children enjoyed playing traditional New Year’s
games such as “Fukuwarai” and “Karuta”. We made“Fukuwarai” and played it blindfolded. Although they
did not know initially how to play “Karuta”, they wereable to get cards and learned new words after playing
it several times. We hope that they were able to feelthe atmosphere of Japanese New Year.

November 2, 2018, our 4-year-old classrooms visited
Hondo at Church and listened to Rev. Iwohara(participationwith
theirparents/guardians’permission). At first Rev. Iwohara talked about“When you got lost”. He explained as follows. Whenyou get lost, Buddha conveys the message that “I amhere” to your dad or mom. Furthermore, he said, “Itis very important to greet people properly. Please
make sure you always say such things as “ohayou
gozaimasu (good morning) and “sayounara” (goodbye)to people.

4-year-old classrooms (Bara & Sumire)
The new semester has just begun. Our children told
us about wonderful memories of the winter vacation.
We think that the children felt enjoyable anddifficult about standing in front of friends in classand conveying their feelings to them. In addition,
they seemed to learn about the importance offollowing rules when they played New Year’s games
such as “Karuta” and “Koma”.

Donation of Piano	  We are in need of a piano for one of the classrooms.
If somebody can generously donate it, we would begrateful. Please contact the office. Thank you.

Saturday Classes	  3-year-old & 4-year-old classrooms(Sakura & Kiku)
We combined 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes into
one class this school year; therefore, the older
children took care of the younger children. Forexample, when a younger child cried, an older childasked, “Are you OK?” then, she said, “Your mom will
pick you up later, so don’t cry.” Furthermore, theolder children helped to tie younger children’s shoes.
We taught five Hiragana letters each month. For
example, they made “Onigiri” (rice balls) and ate them	  South Gates after 5:00pm
After 5:00pm, the gate facing 166th street is closed
due to security purposes.
Please use the gatesfacing Dalton Street.
Thank you for yourunderstanding.	  
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