ARCHIVE
2008.10.01
Generally, the implementation of the community service program at Nishimachi is managed by the grade-level teaching teams and overseen by the educational leadership team. Teachers and students initiate and get actively involved in community service projects which are developed from community service ideas arising from curriculum themes. TNK is also involved in promoting community service projects and coordinates with the school in assisting to organize events and activities. Additionally, the development office works to raise funds and support from corporate donors to help achieve our schoolwide community service goals.
To share the spirit of and get the whole community involved in community-service-related activities, Nishimachi held its first ever Community Service Day on May 25, 2008, with the theme:
"What can you as an individual do to contribute to making the world a better place?"
The day began with a 5-km sponsored run for Kirivorn, which was organized by Mr. Montgomery and the cross-country running club.
We were honored to have, as our main guest speaker, Dr. Makato Murase, a k a “Dr. Rainwater.“ Our guest showed us in practical terms how he has been working to educate people about, and to improve, water conservation efforts. He is a pioneer in developing new ways of recycling urban rainwater and received the Rolex Award in 2002 for his revolutionary project carrying the message, "Replace Battle Tanks for War with Water Tanks for Peace."
Nishimachi students then demonstrated how they had tried to make the world a better place by describing, grade by grade, the many community service projects they had been involved in or had initiated over the past school year. Here are a few, by way of example, on which they worked hard for many weeks:
After a tasty BBQ lunch, we held a flea market in the gym, which generated excitement and an amazing total of 1,000,000 yen.
Proceeds from the day’s activities were used to benefit various charities, with the Kirivorn School in Cambodia being the primary beneficiary. In addition, some of the proceeds went to support Myanmar cyclone relief efforts and earthquake relief activities in China.
Thanks to so many successful outcomes for the day, we intend to repeat the program annually at Nishimachi. Our next Community Service Day is scheduled for April 29, 2009.
Community Service at Nishimachi (The Internationalist, vol. 42, Fall 2008)
The Internationalist, vol. 42, Fall 2008
The aim of community service at Nishimachi is:
To nurture in our students the natural response to contribute to their communities, local, global and immediate, and develop a lifelong commitment to community service.
The Nishimachi Educational Leadership
and Community Service Teams
and Community Service Teams
Generally, the implementation of the community service program at Nishimachi is managed by the grade-level teaching teams and overseen by the educational leadership team. Teachers and students initiate and get actively involved in community service projects which are developed from community service ideas arising from curriculum themes. TNK is also involved in promoting community service projects and coordinates with the school in assisting to organize events and activities. Additionally, the development office works to raise funds and support from corporate donors to help achieve our schoolwide community service goals.
To share the spirit of and get the whole community involved in community-service-related activities, Nishimachi held its first ever Community Service Day on May 25, 2008, with the theme:
"What can you as an individual do to contribute to making the world a better place?"
The day began with a 5-km sponsored run for Kirivorn, which was organized by Mr. Montgomery and the cross-country running club.
We were honored to have, as our main guest speaker, Dr. Makato Murase, a k a “Dr. Rainwater.“ Our guest showed us in practical terms how he has been working to educate people about, and to improve, water conservation efforts. He is a pioneer in developing new ways of recycling urban rainwater and received the Rolex Award in 2002 for his revolutionary project carrying the message, "Replace Battle Tanks for War with Water Tanks for Peace."Nishimachi students then demonstrated how they had tried to make the world a better place by describing, grade by grade, the many community service projects they had been involved in or had initiated over the past school year. Here are a few, by way of example, on which they worked hard for many weeks:
| Grade 2 initiated a pencil drive for schools in Laos. Grade 3 initiated PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle caps recycling project. Grade 4 (1) initiated sayonara DVD project, with proceeds to be donated to charity; (2) supported Tiger Haven project. Tiger Haven is a sanctuary and rescue facility in Kingston, Tennesse, for big cats in need—e.g., lions, tigers, jaguars. It is similar to an animal shelter for dogs and domestic cats, except that the animals are given a permanent home. For more information see http://www.tigerhaven.org/; and (3) got involved in Dr. Murase’s presentations. Grade 5 (1) organized the annual one yen makes a difference project, this time in support of an accident victim in Mongolia; (2) introduced a hand-made kite project, with the aim of promoting self-help activities for the disabled in Nagasaki; and (3) supported a rice drive by donating rice to Second Harvest Japan, which distributes food to emergency shelters, single mothers, and migrant workers. ES Stuco collected English books to enhance the village library collection, on behalf of the Enzaro Dream Library, Enzaro, Kenya. Grade 6 promoted Japan Service Dog Resource Academy (JSDRA). Grade 7 promoted CARE Japan (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) and the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Grade 8 (1) continued to raise funds through a variety of money-making project for the direct benefit of Kirivorn School in Cambodia; and (2) supported the fight against poverty in Bangkok by selling T-shirts to raise funds. Grade 9 (1) raised funds for Malaria No More, an organization that provides mosquito nets for families in Kenya to protect against malaria; and (2) initiated various fund-raising and interactive activities to raise awareness of and support for “Habitat for Humanity.” MS exploratory group raised awareness about the killing of baby seals. MS drama exploratory group raised awareness about the dangers of nuclear arms and raised funds to help support this cause. This was achieved through donations received for performances of the very successful play, “A Thousand Cranes.” The following organizations participated in the special day events as well:
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After a tasty BBQ lunch, we held a flea market in the gym, which generated excitement and an amazing total of 1,000,000 yen.
Proceeds from the day’s activities were used to benefit various charities, with the Kirivorn School in Cambodia being the primary beneficiary. In addition, some of the proceeds went to support Myanmar cyclone relief efforts and earthquake relief activities in China.
Thanks to so many successful outcomes for the day, we intend to repeat the program annually at Nishimachi. Our next Community Service Day is scheduled for April 29, 2009.