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068 Monkey Magic JAN 2016 Creative New Year craft ideas

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SPECIAL EDUCATION HELP & ADVICE SPED S.O.S

 Cecil Burton (Send your questions to [email protected])

STARTING THIS issue, we introduce on the web, Asperger’s is not caused Naptime is sweet when cuddling up our new Special Education Help and by any of the following: diet, vaccina- with a friend. ALOHA! Advice column, aimed at any parent, tions, genetically modified organisms teacher or school looking for answers to (GMOs), fluoride in the water, antibiot- kailua-international-school.info Tel. 047-479-7272 the challenges they face with their spe- ics or ‘bad parenting’. cial education needs children at home or in the classroom. Q. Our son was recently diagnosed with We invite you to submit questions to Asperger’s Syndrome. How can we work our column expert Cecil Patrick Burton, with his teachers to make sure he is get- a Special Education teacher and consul- ting the right kind of support he needs tant that has been living and working in at school? Japan for over 18 years. His school in Ta- Coming to karazuka (The Cee Bee Center) provides A. Once your son has been diagnosed education, training and therapy for make sure that you first get a proper as- Kansai? children with special education needs sessment done for your child. The as- as well as education, counselling and sessment should cover all details of his training programs and workshops for weaknesses and strengths. This means Grab a free copy of parents, teachers and schools. what your child can and can’t do in Kansai Scene magazine, We will publish one question and terms of not just only education but also answer each issue, with other non- physical and social activities, etc. This and ind out what’s on in published queries addressed individu- should be followed up with a proper 6 Kyoto, , Kobe, Nara, ally and directly via email. All personal month IEP (Individualized Education details we receive from you will be kept Program) that should include remedial Shiga and Wakayama. private and confidential. All enquiries therapies, educational and physical ac- can be sent directly to theceebeecen- tivities, and the responsibilities of the [email protected]. child and parents as well as the teachers For our first column we answer a ques- at school. tion concerning Asperger’s Syndrome, Sometimes it is difficult for the child a form of high-functioning autism. It is at school with teachers who don’t un- a neurodevelopmental disorder - one derstand how to deal with such a child. of five disorders on the autism spec- I would suggest making sure after the trum (ASDs). It is generally estimated IEP has been made, to have a meeting to affect 48 children in 10,000 – roughly with the teacher and principal or per- one in 200, though severity varies great- son-in-charge and make sure they un- ly. It affects both sexes, though boys derstand their role in helping the child kansaiscene.com much more frequently: approximately at school. If you still do not get any sup- four boys have Asperger’s for every girl. port for your child after that at school, These numbers have increased in re- then I think your child is attending the cent years but it is likely that this is more wrong school. a reflection of greater awareness and It is usually very difficult to find prop- improved diagnosis than an increase er help for a special education child in in frequency. A summer camp for families Japan, and even when you do, it can No specific cause has been identi- cost you an arm and a leg. Do your best fied for Asperger’s Syndrome. The best to find a well regarded, experienced evidence strongly suggests that all ASDs specialist in special education, to en- have a genetic basis, though no single sure that your child receives the help gene is responsible. It also appears that they deserve. certain factors can increase risk, includ- ing complications during pregnancy To learn more about The Cee Bee Center, its work and programs please see: and some environmental factors such http://www.theceebeecenter.com. as air pollution during pregnancy. Un- For Kansai residents, Mr. Burton also organises fortunately, there is a large amount of an open support Meetup group for parents and misinformation on the subject, which teachers to discuss their various problems or can lead parents to false hope and ex- to get more information on how to deal with For more information and registration visit special education needs children. http://www. pensive ‘treatments’ which lack any sci- meetup.com/Kansai-Special-Education-Support- Group Summer camp for families entific basis. In spite of what can be read = == JAPAN SCHOOL NEWS ISSUE 068 • JANUARY 2016 Experience Hakuba with Evergreen.

Evergreen Outdoor Center runs adventure based programs CRAFT CORNER all year, in and around Hakuba. During the winter we offer backcountry and off-piste ski Creative Monkey Magic and snowboard tours, snowshoe guiding and avalanche skills   Janelle McNeill courses. Our professional team at Evergreen International Ski THE BEGINNING of a fresh year is an ideal time to introduce more energy to creativ- School are the largest in the region ity in your home, alongside revamped rituals that unite your family more intimately. and offer professional English Utilize the power of Japanese traditions, and let your children design original New language ski and snowboard Year cards. Super cute cards and stickers are available at convenience stores cheaply. programs for all abilities. Have you tried the happy gratitude jar ritual yet? Fill it throughout 2016 with things With offices in Happo, Wadano, that make your family smile and giggle. Open it together on New Years Eve, and re- Iwatake & Cortina, our team and member the super fun memories. A 2016 wish list wall made from colourful Post-it programs are designed to fulfil notes, is another way to make family magic happen easily. Simple activities like these your Hakuba holiday. weave a sacredness to family life. Year of the Monkey themed crafty fun can start with adorable monkey pancakes, Come and enjoy the Evergreen cookie decorating, and cheeky monkey printables wrapped around bananas. Think difference in a fun and safe about monkeys in origami, handprint paintings, paper plate fun, and monkey pup- environment with our friendly pets. Brown pipe cleaners can easily transform into Curious George too. Older chil- and experienced staff. dren will love carving their own monkey stamps from erasers, and creating string art boards with key words or images for 2016 inspirations. A creative life is a good life! JSN Excellent online craft ideas:

Monkey crafts for all ages (http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/monkeyscraftsideasactivitieskids.html)

Fun ways to create things with a monkey theme (http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/fun-monkey-crafts-for-kids/) HAKUBA VALLEY, JAPAN

String Art for kids (http://blog.consumercrafts.com/decor-home/diy-string-art-for-kids/) Enquiries call Eraser stamp making 0261-72-5150 (Tours) (http://www.wedgienet.net/arts-crafts/how-to-carve-eraser-stamps/) 0261-72-3200 (Ski School) Visit us online Family traditions to begin your New Year differently www.evergreen-hakuba.com (http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/16/60-family-tradition-ideas/) www.skischool-hakuba-japan.com JAPAN SCHOOL NEWS www.japanschoolnews.com

Website design and development

World Hello Day at Horizon International School. Grade 5 students trying out their skills. K. Website solutions INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL for schools, stores World Hello Day and businesses of all Promoting cultural shapes and sizes exchange at K. Celebration International School  Responsive layouts through shogi  Horizon Japan International School  Wordpress CMS   Craig Larsen HORIZON INTERNATIONAL school Multilingual sites held World Hello Day on November 26.  E-commerce AS PART of a cultural exchange pro- The students all had the opportunity to gram, the Japan Shogi Association host- learn about many different cultures, and Ask us for a quote today: ed a workshop recently for Grade 5 stu- learn that we are all different but equal.  [email protected] dents at K. International School Tokyo. There were many contests where stu- Three professional shogi players vis- dents tested their knowledge about dif- ited the school and shared information ferent countries and languages of the about the history, mannerisms and cul- world. Students were also encouraged tural aspects of shogi games. After the to say hello in as many languages as they students had learned the basic rules of could think of. One student from grade 3 Saint Maur shogi, they tried out their new skills by said hello in 15 different languages! International School competing against each other. For many Overall it was a fun day at Horizon, as students, this was their first experience we all learned to appreciate each other’s playing shogi. differences and work together as an in- To thank the students for their enthu- ternational community. siasm, the Association presented the school with ten shogi sets which will be used in future years to provide op- portunities for students to further de- velop their skills during the after-school 83 Yamate-Cho, Naka-Ku, Yokohama clubs program. Greater Tokyo, Japan 231-8654 TEL +81-45-641-5751 FAX +81-45-641-6688 www.stmaur.ac.jp International preschool & kindergarten learning Learning, Love, institute for children aged 11 mths–5 yrs. Laughter Brand new facilities in Yebisu Garden Place. 3-6-25 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo www.saintalbans.jp

Advertise in Japan School News and reach 1000’s of parents, teachers and international POPPINS ACTIVE LEARNING families in Japan. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

For advertising enquiries contact: www.poppins-palis.jp [email protected] JAPAN SCHOOL NEWS ISSUE 068 • JANUARY 2016

NILE C. KINNICK HIGH SCHOOL

Kinnick High School Band Performs Winter Concert

 Steve Parker

THE NILE C. Kinnick High School performed their Winter Music Concert on De- cember third, 2015 to a room filled with over 200 parents, siblings, teachers, ad- ministrators and peers. Kinnick is located on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) on Yokosuka Navy Base. Kinnick High School’s Band program led by Jonathan Parker is a legend in the Far East and Thursday Night’s performance was exemplary. The Winter Concert included 10 different pieces performed by 10 different ensem- bles. The opening numbers were solo performances presented by Sasha Anguiano on piano and Emily Arnold on flute, followed by the performances culminated with a Christmas Melody performed by the KHS Orchestra. The entire orchestra num- bered more than 100 students and had the audience singing and clapping along with the familiar Christmas songs.

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Students pick up litter in the local community. JINGUMAE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SCHOOL

Pika Pika Keyakki

 Sara Matthews and Kris Vanderweit The full cast of the musical “The First Christmas” in colorful costumes prior to their performance. KAILUA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL THIS NOVEMBER, Jingumae Interna- Performing Arts Musicals and Concerts Galore tional Exchange School joined their sister Japanese public school for an-  Robert L. Gomez other exchange activity called Pika Pika Keyakki that helps the community and TWO MINI MUSICALS and three con- Two terms of performing arts activi- strengthens the bond between the stu- certs – that’s how happily busy Kailua ties culminated in the Kailua Concert dents of different cultures. Everyone children had been in November and 2015 held at the school hall on Decem- worked together to collect and sort lit- December. A performing arts program ber 11 where two short musicals were ter from the ground and streets around that develops children’s skills in speak- performed. The Drama Club and the their local community in an effort to ing, acting, singing and dancing, and Oyako class presented “Looking for keep the area looking beautiful for both most importantly building confidence, Friends on Christmas Day”, a 20-min- residents and visitors. Each group pa- really pays. ute musical where three fairies, three trolled a different area of Omotesando The first concert was at the Chiba dinosaurs, a friendly lion, a frog, a mon- in , Tokyo. They were led by the Kougyou Technical University in Tsu- key, and two Tiki gods become friends local organization, Green Birds, who danuma that invited us to be part of waiting for Christmas. joined the students in the activity as their annual festival. Kindergarten children then enter- role models. The goal of the activity is Saturday School children then per- tained a packed house with our version to create better relationships between formed the next concerts (morning and of “The Story of the First Christmas”. the local and international students afternoon) at the Tsudanuma Mori- The younger children became carol- while promoting caring and principled sia shopping center and JR East invited lers whose numbers signalled the start attitudes towards the environment and Kailua to be part of their annual Christ- of the stage play. The graduating class community. This tradition was estab- mas program held at Tsudanuma Sta- played the main characters - Mary, Jo- lished between the two schools at the tion. Over 70 students representing reg- seph, 2 innkeepers, an angel, a shep- beginning of JIES and is one of many ular homerooms, Saturday school, after herd, and the Three Kings. The children activities that the two schools take part school and winter school had a 40-min- did their parts so well that many par- in together. ute performance of songs and dances. ents were moved to tears. Aloha!

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