Japanese School Day at the East Hartford/Glastonbury Magnet School
by Nobuko Tsuji
On Friday, October 14, 2005 East Hartford/Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School (EHGEMS) celebrated a special day called Japanese School Day. It is an annual event that allows students to experience what it might be like to be a Japanese student. The day kicked off with an all school morning assembly. This was planned to be held outside, but due to the rain, it was moved to the All Purpose Room. 5th grade volunteers lead the entire school in the omodachi (Friends) song in English, Japanese and Spanish, followed by radio exercises. Students then sang the Magnet school march and paraded back to their classroom.
Throughout the day many teachers called the students name in Japanese style with chan (for girls) or kun (for boys) at the end. Many classroom teachers had the desks in rows alternating girls and boys just like in Japan. Lunch was eaten in each classroom with their teacher. After recess, there was a pretend earthquake drill where students crawled under their desks and waited for the ll clear signal. Shortly after the earthquake drill students took part in cleaning the specialists rooms and their own classrooms.
All in all it was a fun and informative day. This year, to celebrate Year of the Languages, we invited many community guests including parents and speakers of Japanese who live or work in our towns. Among our special guests were Melody Currey, the State Representative, Fran DiFiore, CREC (Capitol Region Education Council) Assistant Director of Magnet Schools; Peggy Neal, CREC Math Consultant. Thank you all for coming to our school to support our learning language and culture. EHGEMS students have a deeper appreciation for Japanese school culture and language.
EHGEMS parents and teachers are also planning the International Fashion Show on November 7th to culminate the Year of the Languages 2005. A Fashion Show is to showcase the multicultural heritage of our Magnet students and staff. Students and staff will model traditional clothes from 19 countries. It will also include songs and dances from around the world, such as South Africa, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan and Japan. We are looking forward to celebrating our diversity in this Year of Languages 2005.
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