Volume 04, Number 17
Features
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
International School of the Sacred Heart
The International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) is committed to promoting an international perspective in all aspects of educational excellence. ISSH believes it is essential that students and teachers have full access to best practices and research-based educational innovations from around the world. Furthermore, the school places an expectation on all members of the ISSH community to foster deep awareness and respect for the many and varied cultural backgrounds that influence the students socially, ethically, and academically.
ISSH offers a K–12 curriculum that infuses a deep international perspective drawn from ‘best practices' around the world. Courses are designed for students to develop their cultural awareness through Social Studies and various language programs including English as a Second Language, Japanese Language and Cultural Studies, and French. High school students are also offered a college preparatory program (Advanced Placement) recognized by colleges/universities around the world.
This year ISSH will be celebrating 100 years of multicultural education. There are approximately 50 nationalities represented within our student body and 17 nationalities represented amongst our faculty. The diversity of these nationalities is celebrated specifically on One World Day. On this day, students wear their national costumes to school and perform in the One World Day assembly, which culminates in the colorful “Parade of Nations.”
English Studio
Founded in 1985, English Studio consists of three unique schools in Mita, Meguro and Setagaya. The school's mission is to nurture confident, independent global communicators. By offering a range of theme-based courses for all levels, from beginner to returnee, English Studio places the focus on learning in English rather than rote learning of English.
English Studio is a community school where students and parents feel a sense of ownership and get actively involved in events such as Sports Day, School Festivals, Halloween, Christmas Party, and Summer School excursions.
This year for the school festival, each school had various events such as flea markets, bake sales, and mochi pounding. A great time was had by all and in the spirit of the school's motto “your community school”, cultural events are held at the annual school festivals to share great times and experiences between the students and the local community.
For more information and photographs see: www.englishstudio.jp
Sakura International School
Take advantage of your child's natural sense of wonder and discovery by allowing them to explore the world at Sakura International School. Centrally located near Seisen and St. Mary's International School (in the Setagaya area), Sakura's varied offerings include after school, summer, and preschool programs. Sakura also offers a wooden toys playroom full of the highest quality educational toys from respected manufacturers such as Leapfrog, HABA, and Plan Toys.
Many unique experiences can be enjoyed in this friendly school which nurtures child-development through activities such as arts and crafts, educational technology, circle and story times, mathematics, outside playtime, monthly themes, and Montessori- style learning. To bring the world to its students, geography and language lessons for preschool participants are also offered.
Students enrolled in both English and Japanese kindergartens are welcome to enroll in the after-school club, which is filled on a first-come-first-served basis to a maximum of eight, ensuring your child receives individualized attention. Check out Sakura in person by looking for the big apple house—school tours can be arranged at any time—or for further information, email info@sakuraschool.com or tel. 03-6316-5584.
Kspace
Kspace is recognized as one of the best preschools and kindergartens in Tokyo. Located in the heart of Tokyo's multicultural center, Shiroganedai, Kspace has attracted a full spectrum of children, families, and teachers to create a truly global community in the middle of the capital. Kspace embraces its multicultural diversity by celebrating the creativity and individuality of each child. They use a progressive approach to teaching by providing the environment, curriculum, tools and mentors that ensure its children are educated in a manner that embraces their right to enjoy childhood to the full. The faculty of the school is drawn from a young, creative, musically and artistically gifted group of highly motivated people whom are simply magnets to children!
Kspace continually seeks new holistic ways to improve upon the children's learning experiences. This summer, parents and teachers collaborated on a new project aptly called Cspace. This school-wide effort aims to introduce their children in becoming responsible citizens caring for local and global communities through charity. As well as learning about world cultures in their curriculum, the children will also be creating art and fundraising products for charity events. This year's goal of Cspace is to raise US$20,000 to build a pre-school in Sri Lanka. Expect some international festivals, delicious bake sales, exciting art auctions and a whole lot of fun coming out from this school!
Shirogane International School
At Shirogane International School, compassion, consideration, and awareness of others are believed to be the cornerstones of social and emotional growth. The preschool program is designed to insure equality and excellence for all students. The school warmly embraces the diverse backgrounds of its students and community.
This balanced worldview starts within the classrooms, where children harmoniously engage in play and creative work with their classmates. Realistic portrayals of children from all over the world are ever-present in the classroom. During the “People Around the World” unit, students investigate the lifestyles and customs of an array of people. Opportunities to explore world cultures are also manifested in cultural events throughout the school year.
Through cooperation with parents, the children enjoy variations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Epiphany, Chinese New Year, Hina Matsuri, and Cinco de Mayo. By forming strong home-school connections with parents, the students develop a positive sense of identity, self awareness, and pride in their heritage. This inspires a respect and appreciation for the cultural and ethnic traditions of others. All children are taught they are important, productive members of a world society where they can make significant contributions and changes. The school's commitment to preparing “global learners” has stood strong for over 23 years.
Gymboree
Renowned psychologist, Jean Piaget, summed it up best: “play is a child's work.”
At Gymboree Play & Music, it is believed that opportunities to play are really opportunities to learn. During play, children learn and practice social skills, develop cognitive abilities like problem solving, and refine language skills.
Gymboree offers an array of developmentally appropriate play, music, and art classes for you to enjoy with your child. The specially designed wooden equipment, bright foam and air pieces, variety of props and trained teachers create an environment to stimulate your child's physical, cognitive and social development. Imaginative activities, equipment, toys and props change from class to class to ensure maximum challenge for your child, whether four months or four years of age.
In the Gymboree environment, your child learns social skills, practices sharing, explores new thoughts and makes friends. As a parent, you can network with other parents and learn new songs and activities to share with your child. With you by their side, the action, fun and learning never ends. Experience the fun at the Motoazabu site today! Free trials are offered daily, Monday through Saturday. Please see www.gymboree.jp for detailed program and schedule information.
Global Kids Academy
The future of the world depends on the education of our children. Global Kids Academy's mission is to provide a rich and nurturing environment for language acquisition and development so that our children have the tools to make a difference in tomorrow's world.
Ransho (seven) and Vary are asking each other about family. Joe (nine) and Soben are talking about sports. Kira (six) and Yorn are exchanging information about school. Ransho, Joe, and Kira are students in the after school program of Global Kids Academy (GKA). Vary, Soben, and Yorn are students of a rural school in Cambodia. Though separated by thousands of miles and vast differences in circumstance, they are able to communicate and share so much. The children are email pen pals, thanks to an internet connection via satellite.
It all started when Michael (13) went to Cambodia over spring break.
He traveled to a school over 200km from the capital by jeep, taking video messages and letters from GKA students. When they returned, emails arrived and the pen pal system came to life. The interaction has made the GKA kids aware of issues like malaria and lack of books. Money has been raised for mosquito nets and now, the kids are planning a readathon to help raise money for a library. “Understanding others” is something that the children at GKA do everyday. To find out more about Global Kids Academy see: www.globalkidsacademy.com.
Nanbo Kokusai Mura
For over 25 years, children and adults have traveled into the countryside of Japan with David Green and Yoshiko Kimura. Their objective has been to bring them closer to the people and to nature, to gain insight into the culture of Japan. This has been achieved through activities such as bicycle trips; community ski trips; the residential summer camp program; and the lodge, Hakkakuso.
In June, a new lodge, Nanbo Kokusai Mura, was opened in Minami Boso, Chiba. The new facility, near the seashore, allows students, clubs, companies, scouts and families the opportunity to use the countryside of Japan as their personal classroom. Discover Japan offers schools a facility from which to run their outdoor education program. The lodge is perfect for companies and groups interested in retreats or team building activities. Athletic teams, church retreats, study sessions or group “getaways” can be combined with discovering the beauty of the countryside of Japan.
Nanbo Kokusai Mura is owned and operated by David and Yoshiko, who are both long-time international school teachers in Tokyo. Their hope is that the facility will give you an opportunity to discovery a part of Japan that is new to you. The opportunity for multi-cultural learning and interaction is vast. Let them help you and your group have a great “out of the city” experience in Japan. Contact David at info@discoverjapan.co.jp for more information.
Yoyogi International School
Yoyogi International School was established in 1999 with the aim of providing the children of the international community in Tokyo, a high quality early childhood education. The school has grown to become one of the largest preschool/kindergartens in Tokyo, with an enrollment of over 150 students from various countries and multiple national backgrounds.
The school’s mission is to nurture, yet challenge the talents of each individual child, and provides children a first-class introduction and foundation for their academic road ahead.
The preschool programs (18 months–3 years), offer a secure, nurturing environment where children develop language skills, cognitive, creative, and social skills through quality learning activities that support academic success. The caring and compassionate teachers create a safe and positive environment where learning and play continue to progress. The Kindergarten, 4 year-old and 5 year-old programs are designed to provide stimulating, challenging and hands-on learning experiences. The school emphasizes in developing phonetic and comprehension skills in reading. Our math and science activities promote problem-solving and number skills to prepare our students with a solid academic foundation for their elementary school years. Japanese language classes are also incorporated into the daily schedule and children are introduced to Japanese culture, cooking, songs, words and expressions.
International Secondary School
Above all International Secondary School (ISS) values the individual. ISS believes that for each child to reach their potential they need to feel supported in a positive environment where adult mentors continually encourage and challenge. Consequently, there is an emphasis on physical, social, emotional and academic development. Our school is committed to providing an individual approach to education where students work in tutorial style groups and receive customized instructions in a supportive and ‘success’ orientated environment.
ISS embraces diversity, empowers students to become passionate about learning and provides Tokyo’s only alternative educational program in an international setting. Students and staff foster a community where acceptance is taught, practiced and valued. From the international food party (before the holiday season) to the interscholastic athletic competitions where students from a host of countries work together in pursuit of a common goal, ISS fosters the ideal climate for understanding others. The qualified and experienced staff also represent diverse backgrounds and see multiculturalism as a profound asset to be nurtured and cherished. In addition to the events mentioned above, ISS also operates diverse theater, music and visual arts programs as well as a number of extracurricular activities that all students and staff are encouraged to join.
PAL International School
From September, PAL International school will start a bright new school year with new, qualified and experienced teachers and a brand new unique curriculum. Bringing together curriculum from all over the world, PAL has developed its very own educational program that focuses not only on the all-round growth and development of your child, and not only on their academic abilities, but most importantly on their individuality.
From the youngest of ages through to our highest-level class PAL strives to guide the children and to teach them to experience, discover, explore and imagine. PAL teaches children how to think, not what to think and we work together with each individual child to realize their potential.
"While PAL offers all the facilities that other International schools in Tokyo do, there is one very important and significant difference," says PAL. "The school attitude and school environment; its feels just like a second home for your child. Come and see for yourself—you will not be disappointed."
The school is centrally located in the Azabu area. For more information, please visit www.pal-school.com.
Doremi Garden Preschool
The name “Doremi“ has a musical reference and indicates harmony. Doremi Garden Preschool successfully manages to achieve this harmony through its international atmosphere, age-appropriate programs, musical environment, science experiments, physical education classes and nature program.
Doremi Garden Preschool offers a wonderful safe environment in which a child’s curious nature and desire to explore are satisfied. There are two gardens at Doremi Garden. The grass garden with colorful fun equipment is a very exciting place for everyone! The other garden is on the rooftop where children enjoy seeing plants and vegetables grow. The school also has four spacious classrooms filled with a variety of toys, a craft room, shower room and kitchen.
The teachers at Doremi Garden are friendly and have a broad experience in early childhood education. They offer stimulating activities while paying careful attention to each child’s personality and individual needs.
Doremi Garden Preschool offers programs for Tiny Tots Class (15 months to 2yrs), Sunny Class (2yrs), Star Class (3yrs) and Rainbow Class (4 and 5yrs). In addition to 10am–2:15pm preschool classes, there are fun afternoon classes such as English classes, Violin, Piano, Ballet and Karate lessons.
Krissman International Tennis School
Few sports are as internationally-dominated as tennis, where a quick glance at the men’s world rankings shows players in the top ten originating from Switzerland, Spain, Serbia, Russia, China, the US, Russia, and the Czech Republic. Introduce your child to this multicultural sport at Krissman International Tennis School, which, with 23 years of experience in Tokyo, boasts English-language instruction by American and Australian instructors. By using all USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) certified coaches, Krissman Tennis is able to offer top-quality instruction for every level from total-beginner to competitive and children of all nationalities are encouraged to try the sport.
Players can get started as young as age three, when members of the ‘little tennis’ class use soft balls, mini racquets, and fun games to get a taste of tennis. Progressing through the ranks, players move on to basic beginners, beginners (basic skills), advanced beginners (special shots such as smashes and volleys are introduced), intermediate (game-type rallying and strategy), and advanced players, where footwork, “Play Action”-type drills, tournament-level conditioning, advanced strategy, and tactics are all introduced or refined further. Classes begin in a variety of central-Tokyo locations in September and the fall session runs through December. For more information about the programs Krissman offers, visit www.krissmantennis.com or tel. 03-3325-0924.
K. International School Tokyo
“Good schools, like good societies and families, celebrate and cherish diversity.” - Deborah Meier
The student population of K. International School currently represents over 50 nationalities. Visiting parents comment on the diverse school population and the truly international feel of the student body. Through the educational programs that are offered at K. International (IBO–Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme) the school aims to develop students who have developed a capacity for moral reasoning which allows them to act in the world with sensitivity to the needs of other human beings and their cultural backgrounds and to the environment. The school also encourages a curiosity which drives the students to continue developing their understanding of the world around them throughout their lives.
The concepts of perspective, connection, and responsibility provide students with a conceptual base, which guides their learning and assists them to evaluate and broaden their understanding of the world. The IB learner profile articulates a set of values, which aim to develop international mindedness and assist the students to become compassionate thinkers and participants in an increasingly interdependent cultural world community. For more on K. International see: www.kist.ed.jp
British School
The British School in Tokyo (BST) offers the best of British education within the international setting of Japan. Although predominantly British children attend the school, children of all nationalities are welcomed, and in Tokyo currently there are 30 nationalities represented within the school community.
The curriculum includes French and Japanese and the school regularly embraces its cultural surroundings in Japan with school exchanges, festivals, and assemblies. The BST Outdoors programme also gives children the opportunity to experience Japan outside of the city of Tokyo.
Every year the school takes part in Euro Day celebrations when they join together with their French and German counterparts. Further afield the school is a member of FOBISSEA which unites them with other British Schools in Asia. Here the children have the opportunity to compete in sport and music in other countries. The aim is to celebrate the host’s culture and to come away with cross cultural links and new friendships.
The British School in Tokyo has two campuses—BST Shibuya (3yrs–7yrs) and BST Showa (8yrs–14yrs) based in the heart of Tokyo. BST Shibuya campus, 1-21-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002. BST Showa campus, 3rd Floor, 4th Bldg Showa Women’s University, 1-7-57 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-8533.
Nishimachi International School
Nishimachi International School (NIS) is, legally, a school foundation (gakko hojin). Its purpose is to carry out “educational undertakings designed to teach Japanese and foreign children the cultural values and skills necessary to become persons with international perspective.”
Over 430 students, representing 26 countries, attend Nishimachi International School. 168 of the students hold dual or multiple citizenships, 233 students hold US citizenship, 236 are Japanese nationals, and 124 represent some 24 countries. More than half of the students are bilingual, some who are fluent in three or more languages.
Nishimachi is committed to a diverse student body. At each grade level, the school tries to achieve a balance between boys and girls, between native speakers of English and speakers of Japanese, and among nationalities.
Nishimachi also accommodates the academic and cultural needs of returnees and currently has over 23 such children enrolled, with the number increasing yearly. Each child is different in terms of his or her needs upon returning to Japan, and each family must decide which school best suits those needs. Returnees are accepted at NIS according to normal admissions criteria, with consideration given to individual needs in the area of the Japanese language.
Happy Days
With more than a dozen countries represented amongst its student body, Happy Days is a living example of its commitment to the international world we live in. The children are exposed to so many different cultures and experiences, which help to shape an international outlook that both accepts and embraces diversity.
In order to better understand the world we live in Happy Days has also instigated, in conjunction with Baby Tree Projects (NPO), several fundraising activities involving its senior class (Sunshine class). Over the course of term one the Sunshine class children will help raise money to build a new school for local children in Cambodia. In addition one of the Happy Days staff will be traveling to Cambodia in December to assist in building the school. To find out more about Happy Days see www.ebisupreschool.com.
Evergreen Outdoor Adventures
Expand your child’s education by sending them back to nature with Evergreen Outdoor Adventures, which offers customized school programs with activities ranging from mountain biking to trekking; canoeing to survival training. Led by guides from Japan, Australia, the US, and Canada, these unique programs are ideal for building cooperation and teamwork and learning more about the environment in which we exist.
Your child can also experience life in the outdoors on an individual basis when they participate in some of the varied year-round activities Evergreen offers. For instance, in winter, send them whizzing down the slopes with Evergreen Kids Camp Ski School, which offers half and full-day group and private lessons near world-famous Nagano. In the summer, you and your little ones can enjoy canyoning, rock climbing, rafting, or the ultimate in outdoor, Japanese activities—hiking up Mt. Fuji to view the stunning sunrise. For the truly outdoorsy, a weeklong summer camp is the perfect way for your child to get their fill of camping, culture, and a wide selection of Evergreen’s adventurous activities.
Evergreen is located in Hakuba and easily accessed from Tokyo by bullet train. To learn more about the camp’s the extensive range of programs, visit www.evergreen-hakuba.com, or tel. 02-6172-5150.
Gregg International School
At Gregg International School, students continually explore what it means to be an individual within a multicultural society. For instance, this past spring Gregg International School brought multiculturalism to its students through music during their annual Spring Festival. They invited Japanese taiko drummers as well as a college jazz orchestra to participate. The audience was able to both sing along with the jazz music and try their hand at taiko drumming; aiming to use the beautiful music as a steppingstone for celebrating the multicultural nature of society. Children and their families were also able to enjoy international foods and creative games as they met with new friends and families.
Additionally, Gregg International School feels that children can learn valuable lessons from multicultural friendships and focuses not only on what differences there are between children and their cultures but on how they are ultimately similar. To that end, and to encourage a broad world-view, the school encourages a love of learning, music, nature, and discussion. Offering classes for students from age two to twelve, Gregg International School offers core subjects as well as supplementary education in theater, art, music, Japanese, and more from its Jiyugaoka campus. For more information, visit their website at www.gis-j.com.
Tokyo Gifted Academy
Tokyo Gifted Academy offers children with advanced intellectual and cognitive ability the chance to prosper in a multi-cultural environment. While offering such activities as Brazilian Capoiera, and Aikido, Dance, and art, the school also incorporates Japanese and Chinese language classes into its curriculum for children who qualify. The student body from America, Japan, China, Australia, Thailand, France, Britain, Malaysia, Germany, Denmark, Greece, and Colombia, ages three through 12 years of age.
In an age where instant information and communication are at your fingertips, our children need to have the necessary skills and tools necessary to utilize this technology. Tokyo Gifted Academy incorporates online classes, educational software, internet research and communication into the daily curriculum. The elementary students participate in pen pals with other gifted students from around the world.
Tokyo Gifted Academy is currently accepting applications. For more information please call 03-5765-6697 or visit www.tokyogiftedacademy.com.