May Newsletter

Dear Parents,

We are already enjoying your wonderful children—they are truly a blessing! We are excited to watch them grow this year. Please read below for important announcements and upcoming events.

🏫 Shiobe Building Update

We are happy to share that we have purchased the Shiobe building, and renovations are now underway.

• Opening Ceremony: August 31

• First Day of Classes: August 31

More details will be shared soon.

👕 Uniforms

It’s time to order uniforms!

• Instructions have been sent via ClassDojo

• Please contact the office if you need help

• Students should begin wearing uniforms as soon as they receive them

• All students must be in uniform by June 1 

School T-Shirts:Available now in all sizes (short and long sleeve).Students may wear these daily—please stop by the office to pick one up.

🎉 Free Dress Days

On Fridays without library, students may wear casual clothes.We will call these “Free Days.”

🇺🇸 Intern (May 13 – July 29)

We are excited to welcome Lillian “Lilly” Blake, a 20-year-old education major from the U.S.

She will assist with:

• Tutoring

• Recess supervision

• Summer school

• Painting and preparation at the new campus

• And more!

🏠 Host Family Opportunity

If your family is interested in hosting Lilly:

• Monthly support: ¥60,000 

• Great opportunity for cultural exchange and English practice

Details are posted on ClassDojo.

⛺ Joy Bible Camps

Registration is now open!

Students who attend are excused from schoolwork and homework during camp.

Camp Options:

• Grades 2–3: June 16–18 (¥17,000)

• Grades 4–6: June 18–21 (¥22,000)

• Grades 7–8: June 26–30 (¥27,000 or ¥30,800 to include rafting)

T-shirt included in all campsNLIS students will not attend Camp 3 due to extended absence from school

📅 May Events

We have a busy and exciting month! Parent participation is highly encouraged.

May 1, 15, 29 (Fri): Library

May 4–6: Golden Week – No School 

🏫 May 8 (Fri) – Open House  Come visit classrooms and see student work!

Schedule:

• 9:05–9:20 → Optional Principal’s Meeting (updates + Q&A)

• 9:25–9:45 → Presentations (Grades 1–2, 6, 7–12)

• 9:50–10:10 → Presentations (Grades 3–5)

👉 If times overlap, we will help you attend both.

Scavenger Hunts:

• 9:45–10:15 → Grades 1–2 & 6

• 10:15–10:45 → Grades 3–5

Students will guide you—please join if you can!

✝️ May 11–15 – Spiritual Emphasis Week

Daily: 2:30–3:00 PM

Guest speakers include:

• Mr. Martin Pretorius

• Mr. & Mrs. Ikeda

• Miss Gandy

• Mr. Chen

• Dr. Brown

Parents are warmly invited to attend.

🎨 May 18 – All-School Field Trip (Minobu Craft Park)

• Crafts, canoeing, and outdoor fun

• Time: 9:00–3:30

• Parent participation available (¥2,000 bus fee)

🐼 May 22 – Grade 6 Trip   6th graders will visit Ueno Zoo

📝 May 26–27 – Standardized Testing

Please help your child:

• Get enough sleep

• Eat a good breakfast

• Do their best!

🔜 Looking Ahead (June Highlights)

• June 1–12: Food Bank Drive

• Tuesdays (June): Math Competition (8:35 AM)

• June 5: Open Campus (invite new families!)

• June 12: Special Guest Speakers (ZOE International)

• June 15: No School (Teacher Work Day)

• June 29–July 3: Art Fair

⚠️ Parent Seminar (June 12)

We will host a student safety seminar:

Grades 1–5:

• Safe touch

• Internet safety (gaming/social media)

• How to get help

Grades 6+:

• Sextortion

• Trafficking

• Online safety

• Respect and responsibility

Parent Session in Japanese and English includes:

• Warning signs

• Practical safety tips

• Support resources

We will confirm whether this will be held online or in person.

❤️ Final Note

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. Your involvement truly makes a difference in your child’s growth and success.

We look forward to a wonderful month together!