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Writer's pictureSuzy Brown

December Newsletter

Updated: Dec 6

Dear Parents,

 

It’s almost December. I can’t believe 2024 is almost over.  Your children are growing up so quickly!

 

Weren’t you proud of our students on Saturday?  I thought they sounded and looked great!

 

Thank you for your generosity with the Food Bank donations.  A lot of people will eat this winter because of you.  It’s wonderful to give to the needy, and it’s a good example for your children. 

 

Did you notice our new signs?  The front one now includes the school’s name – before it only had the church name.  The 2 smaller signs now say elementary, junior high, and high school;  our signs before only had elementary.  The church paid for them, which we’re very thankful since they cost 430,000 yen. 

 

Did anyone watch the seminar for Sophia, Waseda, and Ritsumeikan Universities on November 15?   It was very informative.  If you didn’t get an opportunity.  Here is the English Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkQXIjAQwfo&ab_channel=RitsumeikanUniversityInternationalAdmissions

These universities accept international schools in Japan, including Japanese citizens, and there are a lot of programs to choose from.  NLIS students typically do not need a TOFEL or any English exam to attend the colleges if they attend an international school in the last five years before they graduate from high school.  The SAT exam is necessary for two of the universities.  Our students practice the tests every year from grade 9.  We have two students this year who are taking the SAT in Tokyo.

 

Shamisen anyone? We have a unique opportunity! Kashiwa Shimura Sensei is offering six free lessons to our students. The government sponsors her to help increase Japan’s cultural knowledge. There will be an orientation from 1:00 to 1:30 on Wednesday, December 4, and parents are welcome. The six free lessons will be on Wednesdays, December 11 & 18, and January 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 3:30 to 5:00. Students do not need to buy a shamisen for the lessons. From April, if students are interested, she will teach Shamisen for 1,000 yen per lesson, probably at the same place and time.

 

The annual Christmas Program is on Friday, December 13 from 2:00 to 3:30.  Every class will present something.  There will be singing, dancing, reciting poems, ukuleles and handbells.  I hope you can come.  Grandparents and siblings are also welcome. 

 

Thursday, December 19, is  half day and last day of school before the holidays.  Students will have a class party and eat snacks provided by parent volunteers, but we will not eat lunch.  The students need to bring one WRAPPED gift by Monday, December 16.  The gift should be between 400 to 600 yen. Please see the letter below for details.  

 

All teachers will assign a small amount of winter homework.  You can see the policy on the school web.  Please make sure your children do it and have them bring it back on January 6.  Grades 4 and up should prepare for Science Fair which will be on Friday, February 7th, 2025.  It’s a little earlier this year since we have the WASC visitors coming to inspect our school on February 24 to 28. 

 

NLIS will be closed from December 20 through January 5 for the holidays.  We will all come back on Monday, January 6th for full, regular days of school. 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Suzy Brown

Principal of NLIS

 

 

December Calendar

2 M                 Assembly and Christmas Program order 1:00-1:45; Board Meeting 3:30-5:30

4 W                 Shamisen Orientation 1:00-1:30  Parents may come.  We will meet in the auditorium.

6  F                  Library – return books only, Parent’s Bible study

10 T                 Christmas Practice 1:00-1:45

11, 18 W Free Shamisen lessons 3:30-500 and Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 on Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00

12 TH              Christmas Dress Rehearsal 1:00-2:00 

13 F                 Christmas Program !  2:00-3:20 

19 TH              Christmas Parties 1-12, school is out at 12:00  Please see the letter concerning the 500-yen gift exchange below. 

 

Dec. 20-Jan. 5 OFF for Holidays

 

2025! Happy New Year!

6  M                Welcome back!  (Regular hours)  Only 40 more days of school. 


Dear Parents,

 

Friday, December 13, the students will present a Christmas program at 2:00. I hope you can come and enjoy your dear children. Remember that parking may be full; if so, you will need more time to find alternate parking. 

 

Thursday, December 19, is a half-day and our last day before the holidays. No lunch is needed.  We will have a class party to celebrate the season. Please have your child bring one wrapped gift by Monday, December 16. It should be between 400 to 600 yen. If your child is a girl, she should bring a girl's gift. Your child should get a boy's gift if he is a boy. Please mark the gift, “boy” or “girl.”  The parent volunteers will provide snacks on December 19, but we will not eat lunch. 

 

We will close the school at noon on Thursday, December 19, and be closed through Sunday, January 5.  The school will be open on Monday, January 6.

 

If you have any questions, please see your child's teacher. We are all happy to help you. 

 

Merry Christmas!

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