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Notes from Nakayoshi Preschool

3rd term 2021-2022

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

Looking back on this school year, I am pleased about our children’s growth. First, they learned to properly greet people. Their “Ohayou” in the morning gives us lots of energy to start the day. Second, they learned to get along with friends and follow 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 the children’s photos, curriculum, and messages to the families on the bulletin board so that they know about the children’s preschool daily activities. In addition, the teachers wanted the families to enjoy the atmosphere of Oyugikai (the Performance Day); therefore, they made a video about the children’s singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. They also conducted the Exercise Performance Day instead of Undokai (the Sports Event). There was a time when it was difficult for the children to play with others in order to maintain the social distance; however, they have recently spent some time with all the children outside by doing radio exercises, dancing, and singing to the teacher’s electric piano.

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 your child played.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the Nakayoshi families for your cooperation and understanding during this school year. For the families of the Bara and the Sumire 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 the continuing children, thank you for your continued support.

Director Keiko Damiata

Messages from the Teachers

Penguin Class

Our class has eight children now although we initially had five children at the beginning of the school year. We sometimes used sign language at the beginning of the school year with children who did not speak Japanese; however, now they can say the names of colors, shapes, numbers, fruits, and cars in Japanese. 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 and enjoyed 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 this solution comes from their tenderness and the feeling of wanting 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!

Risu Class

It has been one year since we had your children. When we think back, many children liked to play alone, did not say “Ohayou” to new friends, and felt shy about singing and dancing. Now, they greet each other vigorously, play together on the slide or with balls with friends. We see them try to look after themselves. When they accomplish something, they say, “Look, Teacher! I did it!” with a giant smile. On the Exercise Performance Day, the Risu children were confident about participating in the obstacle race and dancing “That’s awesome!”. We realize that the children have grown significantly over the past year. Friends are essential to each child. They are kind to him/her, and then he/she becomes kind to the friends. Furthermore, after they talk with friends, they become happy. Playing with many friends makes them happier than playing alone or playing with just one friend. While the Risu children had such an experience every day, we think 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!

Banana Class

Time passed so quickly after the spring break. I realized that it would be almost the end of the school year and I have few days left with the Banana children! On the Exercise Performance Day, the children performed an awesome dance to show their mom and dad their cool side. They also passed a ball 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 by little. The children played Legos alone before; however, now they can make a masterpiece with other friends, eat lunch and play 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 that they 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 in winter. 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 the seasons while taking a walk and looking at the persimmon tree.

Melon Class

The Melon children were a bit bewildered when they had a new class, new teachers and friends at the beginning of the school year; however, the third semester has passed in an instant, and now they show their personality. The children communicated constantly, and the class became lively. They created something with friends, did role play, and enjoyed making their rules. We observed their healthy growth because they conveyed their feelings using their words to others through play.
The guideline of COVID-19 has been mitigated at the third semester; therefore, all the children were able to sing and do exercise together outside. Furthermore, the Melon children were able to play with the Banana children outside. We hope that the various activities become good memories for our children.

Bara Class

To the children of the Bara class, congratulations on your graduation!
Our children learned a lot such as Hiragana letters and numbers. At the beginning, some children said, “Too much work!” or “I don’t want to do it!” However, now they can do many works and they say, “Yes! We will write Hiragana letters!” They enjoy writing them. Since they became interested in Hiragana letters, they try to read them in books and on the walls. They seem to be so happy when they can read them. Their writing strength became strong; therefore, they can write 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 to 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 have quarrels. We experienced their growth in many ways.
They are looking forward to going to kindergarten. We are sure that they will do their best. Thank you very much for this school year.

Sumire Class

To the family of the Sumire class, congratulations on your child’s graduation!
I was happy to take care of your precious child!
The four-year-old classroom is the last grade to prepare for kindergarten. It has been almost one year since I started teaching kindergarten readiness in the Sumire class. I feel the Sumire children are prepared. They come to school with heavy backpacks. They do their best about things they never have done before or they are not good at. They convey their feelings 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 they agree to play dodgeballs or hide-and-seek together at the Nakayoshi Preschool.
Lastly, I was grateful for our parents/guardians’ cooperation and understanding. I am happy to have experienced your child’s growth. I am praying for your child’s future healthy growth.

Thank you, Ms. Takamoto!

Ms. Takamoto is leaving our preschool at the end of July. The children love sweet Ms. Takamoto so much. She learned at the Nakayoshi Preschool for three years and at Gardena Buddhist Church Japanese Language School (advanced class) for three years 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 proficient language skills. We wish for her future success.

To the GBC Volunteers

We would like to say thanks to Brian Imada, Alan Miwa, Dave Mitani, Daniel Iwamoto, John Nakamura, Joe Nishihira, James Yokota, Wallace Yuki, and Ken Nishida for your support during this school year. They repaired things in the classrooms, set up audio equipment for our Exercise Performance Day, trimmed the garden at the Church, and did a lot of odds-and-ends for us. In addition, many GBC Volunteers supported our preschool this school year.

Important Announcements

The School Year 2022 – 2023 will start onAugust 16th (Tuesday).