Day 5: Hiroshima International Language High School

Sakuragicho- landmark tower Pokemon center.

Train statio stop same name

3.6 m ppl

240 high schools

Center of Yokohama prefecture

Room next door has English speakers set up (?)

8 stories

A/c

Earthquake proof

School yard martials arts area

Pool and gymnasium

Japanese traditional room tea ceremony music room

Lunc room

Cookig sewing room

Computer library

Bio and physics lab

Language lab

75 students

Municip mins sohgih to hS

Prefer no photos of special Ed class - hyperactivity

80% girls

Day 5: Hiroshima High School

Hiroshima high school

Public schools. 

295 students

Ordinary and general school

Back ground and physical strength is ordinary

In the district: 164 elementary, 64 junior high an 8 HS. 75% don't attend HS (but its not called a drop out rate. This explains the childishness in the culture and the desire for women to behave like young girls. And the boys school uniform is a white shirt and black pants. Possibly a reason for wearing the same "uniform" later in life.

Teachers select a principal who interviewed by the BOE. Teachers rotate between schools. There's a large groups retiring Ina few years and try will need to hire more teachers then. 

Observe dodgeball game

Tourii m b

26 years ago students made a. Video to introduce my school. 

PTA chair attended

Share the opinions of PTA and teach ers.

26 year old video

In the tee school meetings were all official - so questions that might be perceive negatively are avoided and beat around the bush. 

But 1 on 1 husband intentionally stood next to the principal and started chatting and while we walked around they discussed more openly (not 100%) school system issues in both countries.

Women here don't wear nail polish. But seems like the travelers do.

Kids came running up saying hello who are you my name is, not taking turns but all at once!! So we would ask individually what is ur name? I repeat and they'd laug at my mispronunciation. 

What is your impression if my school?

8:25-4:30 class

Can stay til 6:30 for club

In he us anyone can make it in school

Itadakimas start eat

Ohsosama stop eat

5 yearly exams , mid term and final included over 3 days in each subject

Day 5: School Visit Hiroshima Junior High School

Our 2nd school visit was to a Junior School that had their "Field Day" playing dodgeball competitions.

We were pretty tired. And it's starting to get warm as we tour the school.

School art and previous class graduations.

Kids kept running up to us and introduce themselves

Katy's group kept growing!

Shared space, teachers and assistant principals room.

Science lab

Library and Japanese I-Spy books

Candid shot and then their reaction

Our cool gift "have you ever" all about Japanese culture, food and norms.

Happy travels

Day 5: Hiroshima Elementary School Visit and Peace Program

The school we visited is driven by a Peace Program emphasized throughout the area. after removing our shoes and putting on slippers. as customary in every visit we were welcomed to the Principals office. The principal showed us a photo sketch of the school, in the center of which was a tree. She introduced us to the schools peace program this way:

"On August 6, 1945 at 8:15 am was the accident. After the accident many people died. Nearly 700 were brought here, where this tree grows, to be buried. This tree, which is used to make incense for the Shrines, grows here in remeberence."

As you may know the United States dropped the first bomb, the center was Hiroshima City, a military hub. Our visit to this school was awesome. Current teaching practices my husband looks for in his teachers were exemplified here. A great experience and a great visit at this school! 

Take off you Filthy shoes and put on our nice clean slippers!!

The Principals office: the tree in the middle of this photo represents a spot where 700 dead were brought after the "accident" and buried.

Meetings are more relaxed here in Hiroshima, they are comfortable being here talking and know what to say do. Clearly they have experience in high level meeting. 

Everyone exchanges cards and has a cold drink for us, coffee, green tea, orange juice. 

We Start the meeting with customary introductions, we the guests first, and then the local staff.

Women don't cross their legs or ankles! They are confident, and dynamic. Husband is the only man in the meeting.

 A lesson on the day "of the accident

Samurai Art completed by 6th graders

Husband receives  his paper crane gift 

Kids said there names before we started- I repeated one row and husband the second.

What is your favorite color

Did you have an atomic bomb

What city will u see in Japan

What do u like in Japan (bullet train, sushi, calligraphy, 

We asked the kids: What do u want to be when u grow up? Chef, desserts, baseball, noodle maker, comedian, rocket maker, some were silent, police man1 1 doctor , cartoonist many chefs, kindergarten teacher, teacher

What is your favorite color

Have you ever been to Japan

Have you seen New York

Why did you becomes teacher

One girl said she's been to New Zealand

What should we buy our kids: pancakes, stuffed animals, dragon ball, ice cream, 

Kids had us sign a hat at the end

Shake hands at the end

The playlot

Hand washing station 

After lunch saying goodbye and hacking hands

Pencil cases 

Excellent and dynamic lesson and teacher in action

The tree

Japanese calligraphy 

The students clean the schools

Quick facts:

The schools Class size is on average similar to the USA with 6th grade having 31-40 students. 

Teacher is supposed to appt 1 teacher aid to focus on students who takes care of them and their extra needs, Mentally & physically of the kids and she assists them. 

Husband asked: How do they deal with the why if the accident? And natural curiosity of students that age? (= handling of faults, violence in the world) etc.  

A teacher explained the students have peer groups peer to exchange ideas. Symbolism is also used.

School Symbols: School name - 4 faces symbolism

Kah = distinguish Good and bad

Ko = Behave and act well

Gah = Hold on. Nevergive up

hah = Healthy body

2nd teacher used methods and strategies we see and used them well. 

Teachers meet for Peace Education weekly.

Symbolism usage is similar in the USA and their efforts are evident and effective.

Sodoko and the 1,000 paper cranes 7th grade - it's a good read to help understand this subject. Katy gives it to her students.

The local staff said to us "We feel you energy and hope. We will share some ideas with the students."   

Teacher Evaluations:

2 x year 

evaluated in an open class teachers and principal

Principal interview 1-1

Self evaluation

Compile all reports send to BOE

School requests BOE goes to school for advice them

In jPN kids clean the school

Wash hands before lunch

Taxi driver wants our driver to go first, she has a GPS luckily.

Happy travels!!