March Newsletter 2026

Dear Parents,

This is the final newsletter of the 2025–2026 school year. It has been a wonderful year, and we are already looking forward to next year. Your children continue to grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually. They are becoming kind, thoughtful, hardworking, and joyful young people — and we truly love each one of them.

School News

Shiobe Building

We are excited to share that NLIS made an offer on the Shiobe building and it was accepted! Some renovations are needed before we can move in, including additional restrooms and four new air conditioners. Our hope is to begin the new school year there in September.

The building is about a 20-minute walk from Kofu Station and about 10 minutes from our current campus. Three buses leave Kofu Station between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., all arriving in time for school. The bus stop is about a two-minute walk from the building. Student bus discounts are available, so please notify the office if your child will be using the bus. Some students are planning to bicycle from the station.

School Uniforms

Students will begin wearing uniforms in June. Orders can be placed starting May 20 through Top of the Class Uniforms. A separate letter will explain the ordering process, but the website is simple to use.

Secondary students will have full winter, summer, and sports uniforms. Interestingly, the students themselves requested uniforms and helped choose the items - they made excellent choices, and they will look very nice!

Elementary students will begin with polo shirts, school T-shirts, sweater vests, and fleece jackets. If there is enough parent interest, trousers, skirts, and blazers may be added next year. Please share your feedback with us.

Student Transitions

This year we will say goodbye to eight students:

• Graduating seniors:

  • Miyuki Shinohara — attending ICLA Gakuin Yamanashi (Psychology interest)

  • Keena Marshall — attending the University of Washington (Engineering interest)

    Both are exceptional students, and we are very proud of them.

• Three students are relocating due to their fathers’ work (two to Okinawa, one to Tokyo).

• Two students are transferring to Japanese public schools.

• One student is transferring to a private school.

We will miss them dearly and pray for God’s blessing on their next steps.

New Students

We currently have about twenty new students joining us next year, and more are expected. This growth is one reason we needed the new building. It will allow more space and, hopefully, separate classes by grade — something we’ve long desired.

Please warmly welcome new families when you meet them. Your kindness makes a big difference.

Teacher News

Miss Stadius will be retiring - our first NLIS teacher to do so. She has served faithfully since 2016 and has devoted herself to helping students learn, grow, and love God. Remarkably, she took only one day off in nine years.

After 31 years in Japan, she will return to the United States. She will be greatly missed. If you see her, please thank her for her dedication.

Upcoming Important Dates

Feb. 26 (Thu) — Science Fair (Grades 4–12), 8:50–1:30

The presentation times are:

·       7^th/8^th grades:    8:50-9:15

·       9^th-12^th grades:  9:30-10:00

·       4^th grade:          10:15-10:55

·       5/6^th grades:     11:15-11:45 

Grade-level awards will be presented to all 1^st & 2^nd place winners. 

Parents are welcome to attend presentations and the 1:00 p.m. award ceremony.

Feb. 27 (Fri) — Assembly, 9:05 a.m.     Parents are always welcome.

March 2 (Mon) — Clean Day    Students should wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty and bring a bag to take home belongings.

March 3 (Tue) — Honors & Perfect Attendance Assembly, 9:05 a.m.Certificates (and some gifts) will be presented. Photos will be shared on school platforms.

March 5 (Thu) — Graduation & Closing Ceremony, 10:45–12:00

Graduates:

Elementary:    Abe, Ximena; Harish, Samyuktha; *Katsumata, Tomomichi; Terada, John:; and Watanabe, Yuno 

Junior High: *Okuaki, Kenshi; Veale, Kaye

High School:   Shinohara, Miyuki; *Marshall, Kenna       

*Valedictorian for elementary, junior high, and high school.

School closes at 12:00 noon.  School will remain closed from March 6–31.

April 1–3:         Teacher professional developmentApril 6 (Mon): First day of the new school year

• Half days for the first three days

• No lunch needed; students should bring a healthy snack and water. No candy or chocolate, please.

Elementary students should wear the school T-shirt until uniforms arrive. Secondary students should wear white shirts, navy trousers or skirts, and badges daily, and the school T-shirt for P.E.

Spring Homework & Supplies

All students except graduates will receive spring homework from their current teacher. Please bring completed homework and new supplies on April 6. Supply lists are available at nliskofu.com.

If you have any questions, please contact the school, a teacher, or me anytime.

I pray you all stay healthy and enjoy a restful vacation.

God bless you richly!

Suzy BrownPrincipal, NLIS