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Notes from Nakayoshi Preschool
1st term 2021-2022
It’s the season when the persimmons in the Churchyard are changing color. Those children who cried or were held by the teacher when coming to school in August now have become comfortable with preschool life. They say, “Ittekimasu!”, “Matane!”, or “bye-bye!” and wave their hands as they go smiling into their classrooms. In the office, I hear the children singing the “Morning Song” and the “Lunch song” to the teacher’s piano playing. I also hear the excited voices of the children who are riding tricycles outside. The pictures of self-portraits and friends are displayed in the hallways. The teachers measured the height and weight of the children, which provides a barometer of their healthy growth. I am looking forward to watching over the children’s healthy growth.
Everyone is concerned about COVID-19. The Gardena Buddhist Church cares about our families. The Nakayoshi Preschool follows the instructions of the Church and operates based on the guidelines as similar to last year, which insured the health and safety of the Nakayoshi children. The maximum number of children per classroom is nine. The children remain in the same class with the same teachers and group of children all day. We continue enhanced cleaning including sanitizing. In addition, air purifiers were installed in all the classrooms, and the classrooms and hallways were waxed before the start of the new school year.
We have happy news regarding our staff. The number of our staff has increased. In August Ms. Miyuki Hernandez started as an assistant teacher in the Bara Class. Although the new school year has only just begun, the Bara children already gather around a smiling Miyuki. Furthermore, Ms. Kimiko Sullivan joined us as an assistant administrator at the end of September. She is excited about being in a workplace with energetic children. We appreciate having more staff.
Lastly, we will maintain the children’s health care and safety measures while watching over the children’s growth. I appreciate your continued cooperation. Thank you.
Director, Keiko Damiata
Teachers
| Penguin class | Naoko Saito (Master), Kazue Higa |
| Risu class | Toshie Kimoto (Master), Kyoka Takamura |
| Banana class | Tomoko Nakagawa (Master) |
| Melon class | Naomi Inoue (Master), Shiho Iwagoe, Yoko Hersch |
| Bara class | Ryoko Nakawake (Master), Miyuki Hernandez |
| Sumire class | Yuka Nayuki (Master) |
- Assistant teachers may work with classrooms of the same grade level (2-year, 3-year, or 4-year-old classrooms) as needed.
Messages from teachers
Penguin Class
The children who cried out loud at the beginning of this school year now come to school with a smile and say, “Preschool! Fun!” They have become accustomed to preschool life. When they go outside, they teach the teachers by saying “Hat! Mask!” They started practicing getting dressed, opening and closing their bag, and putting on and taking off their shoes. They enjoy doing crafts with crayons and glue and running around outside with friends.
Risu Class
It has been a month and a half since the Risu children started the preschool life. At the beginning, some were full of anxiety and tension, and some had tears in their eyes; however, they are getting used to it now. They say, “Good morning!” cheerfully in the morning. The Risu Class is full of energy.
Although they tended to play alone at the beginning, they now have become interested in their friends’ existence so that they memorize their friends’ names and interact with each other. The Risu children love to play outside. When going outside, they wear hats and run around shouting “All aboard!” They love to play with balls, bikes, soap bubbles, and to dance to music. Since they get excited about playing so much, they sweat a lot!
We hope that the children will have fun as they grow emotionally and physically this year. We value the relationship with every child and strive to have a fun and safe environment for them.
Banana Class
The Banana Class consists of six children: three are graduates from the two-year-old class and three are new to the three-year-old class. The promoted children have self-assurance about moving up. Also, they take the lead with singing and playing, which livens up the atmosphere of the Risu Class and helps the teacher. The new children were a bit confused about the new preschool environment and cried at the beginning; however, they now memorize the “Morning Song”, the “Lunch Song”, the “Good-bye Song”, friends’ names and faces, and the class routine. The children who cried at the beginning have now discovered enjoyable activities after they separate from their dad or mom in the morning. I hope that the children will have various experiences that will provide fun memories throughout the year.
Melon Class
It has been a month since children were promoted or started the three-year-old class. Although some of the children were bewildered at the beginning, the children now come cheerfully to school every morning. They have become used to the new class so that they call their friends’ names, talk to each other, and laugh. They bring laughter to the whole classroom.
We will make every effort to create a nurturing environment where children will have fun.
Bara & Sumire Classes
The senior class (4-year-old class) has begun. The last year of preschool life will be kindergarten or elementary preparation. In this grade, the children will learn how to write numbers and Hiragana letters, and to make seasonal crafts. They will learn how to write their names first and then simple letters so that they will be interested in learning the Hiragana letters. Regarding numbers, they will learn the concepts of numbers. For example, they will get a sense of dates and days by creating a calendar for next year. We will put forward a curriculum that will challenge the children to think and create by themselves so that they will feel a sense of accomplishment and joy. Furthermore, we want to instill self-confidence in their daily life. Please have them look after themselves as well as help with housework.
Tokyo Central Fund-Raising
Thank you very much for giving us the receipts from Tokyo Central for our fund-raising. Your continued support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
