Community
School News May 2005
PresidentÕs Message
By Makoto Osawa
As everyone knows, our
relationship with Richard Secord
School is very important for our school. Recently, there have been
people using the west entrance doors, and it has been reported that some people
who are not associated with our school have entered the building after classes
have started. Therefore, we would like to take the following measures:
1. Do not use the west entrance doors (the doors
opposite the entrance that everyone usually uses).
2. The East entrance door should be closed all the
time including the recess time. Toban will stand inside by the doors to let in our students.
3. Before entering the school, students should
empty sand out of their shoes outside. Parents are responsible for monitoring
this.
On June 11th,
in partnership with the Edmonton Japanese Community Association, we will hold
our undokai. This brings
back memories of the fun we had at last yearÕs undokai. IÕm sure that this yearÕs undokai will also be
great.
PrincipalÕs Message
By Sanae Ohki
In Edmonton, after the
Victoria Day holiday, we can plant flowers without fear of frost. The students
play with vigor outside during recess, and itÕs time for our undokai – itÕs a great season, isnÕt it? In the
May teachersÕ meeting, results of the April grade meetings were shared. During
the grade meetings, the plans and goals for the year were explained, and some
parents proposed some study ideas. We will certainly consider the proposals in
accordance with each classÕs situation and progress. Also, as is the case every year,
during our meeting there was discussion about each student's strong and weak
points. Teachers will enhance their strengths in order to
develop self-confidence and assist students with their weaknesses by keeping
them interested in their studies. The teachers are working very
hard to enhance student learning.
The Kanji no Tatsujin
ni Naru Zo! program has
received strong interest from some students. They even study during the recess
time. The teachers in charge continue to develop exercises and build the
program. Wonderful! Although I have said it many times before, please work at
your own pace and enjoy yourself as you increase your vocabulary.
Regarding student absences, there are usually more in June
each year. If you are going to Japan, please inform your teacher as soon as
possible. Also, homework for the summer holiday will be handed out on June 24th,
so if you are leaving before then, please arrange, with the teacher, for plans
to get the homework before you go. If you need homework sent by mail, please
leave a large self-addressed envelope with the teacher. The office will prepare
the bill for postage later.
From the Executive
As a way of introducing
Japanese culture, our school will once again operate the food station for three
days in the Japanese Pavilion at the Heritage Days Festival (July 30, 31, and
Aug 1). We are planning to do the yakitori preparation on Sunday, July 24th. The volunteer
list has started so please sign up.
Also, because the
workload for the job of treasurer is large, it has been decided that this will
be a salaried position. The salary will be similar to the one for
the office and library positions. If you
are interested, please contact the Executive Committee.
Looking for a Teacher
We will be losing one of
our teachers in September. If you would like to be a teacher at our school, or
if you know of someone who may be a suitable candidate, could you let us know?
In order to teach at our school, a Canadian working permit is necessary. We are
looking for someone with at least one or more of the qualifications below.
Please forward resumes (English or Japanese) to Sanae Ohki by June 23rd.
1. Has taught in a Japanese school.
2. Holds a Japanese teaching license.
3. Has taught Japanese either in Japan or abroad.
4. Has interest in the teaching of Japanese to
children.
For more information,
please contact Sanae Ohki. If possible, interviews will be held on June 24th.
Picnic and Undokai
When: June 11
(Sat) 10:30-3:30
Where: EJCA
Centre (rain or shine)
In the last newsletter,
it was announced that this event would be held on June 18th, but
because of a scheduling conflict at the EJCA, the date has been changed to June
11th. We will
begin at 10:30, so please gather at about 10:20.
The EJCA will provide
BBQ hot dogs and hamburgers. Our school will prepare a potluck style buffet, so
at minimum, each family please bring a dish (i.e., enough for your family) to
share. In order to balance out the potluck selection, we have posted a Ōwhat
we will bringĶ list on the
bulletin board. Please have a look and write down what you plan on bringing.
Also, from Friday of
this week until the day of the event, we will be preparing undokai equipment and making needed materials, so
please come and help out if you have some free time.
Atsuko Hill
Undokai Committee
Representative
Parent Shifts (Toban) for June and September
May
27 Jones,
Morita
June
3 Chen,
Stein
June
10 Kobayashi,
Abe
June
17 Oh,
Yamamoto
June
24 Motoda,
Van
Sept
2 Jackson,
Liu
Sept
9 Kaide,
Frankiewicz
Sept 16 Fedrau,
Kawamoto
Sept 23 Hill,
Kondo
Sept 30 Kin,
Stein
If you need to make a
change in the toban
schedule, please contact Setsuko Dunwald (437-3457).
The
Community School News is printed in the fourth week of each month. If you have any
questions and/or comments, please let us know.
Translated
by Terry McLean