The Tidings. Message from the president

Transcription

1 Association of Florida Teachers of Japanese Summer, 2011 June The Tidings Message from the president AFTJ 会長という名誉あるお役目を授かり 2 年間何とか無事に終了させていただけましたのもひとえに会員の皆様の御協力の賜物です この場をお借りして心より御礼申し上げます おかげさまで この 2 年の間に AFTJ は会員相互の親睦が深まり 会の運営もスムーズになりました 次の 2 年はボードにディレクターとして残らせていただき 小村直子会長を初めとする新役員を支えながらより一層の発展を願って躍進していく所存です 今回は若さみなぎるボードメンバーですので 皆様のアドバイスをお願いすると共に 引き続きご協力していただけますようお願い申し上げます Inside this issue: Message from the president School reports 2-7 FFLA annual conference Japan Immersion Days report Report for the meetings Speech and skit contest Japan Culture Day & Other News AFTJ I feel honored to complete the two-year term as an AFTJ president, and by your kindness and dedication to our fantastic organization; we have become closer and now have smoother operation. I will remain as a director. I am planning to support the young board members to make an even better AFTJ. I sincerely urge everyone to provide their continued cooperation and involvement. BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT Mieko Avello VICE PRESIDENT Naoko Komura SECRETARY Etsuko Woodbury DIRECTOR Mako Nozu TRESURE Thank you very much. - Mieko Avello, President of AFTJ Marci Muench ********************* NESLETTER EDITOR Naoko Komura

2 School Reports K-12 Watkins Elementary Magnet School, Hollywood Here at Watkins Elementary Magnet School, we had another exciting year. We had annual magnet showcase in Fort Lauderdale, which was a great success. I believe this opportunity helped parents and guardians to choose Japanese program at Watkins, the only elementary Japanese program in South Florida. We also had a fundraising project for Japan Tsunami and Earthquake relief. Japanese students also teamed up with O Ambassodor s club (school s extracurricular program which organize charity events) and collaborate with Western High school s project Crane for Kids (another Tsunami/Earthquake relief). After many hours of folding, many 5 th graders are now masters of Origami! We also had a field trip to Morikami Museum and learned about Japan and Japanese culture. Not so many students are familiar with Japanese house, and they were amazed to experience Japanese house s mixture of modern technology and tradition! We recently had a mother s day presentation and sang a song Kata tataki for hard working mothers. The picture shown is of my 3 rd graders as you see, they are energetic, fun-loving and full of curiosity! - Fusako Lang Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Miami Miami Palmetto Senior had a wonderful year. We started our year as the first place in Homecoming. We also won first place in the Panther Prowl skit contest, and second place in the hallway decoration competition. No other club in our school ever achieved our record. We have been the winner of these contests for the last three years. We are greatly respected in our school. 8 Kagoshima exchange students visited us in February for 3days. My students became hosts brothers/sisters, and made wonderful friends. We also participated in the Asian Culture Festival and the Japan Culture Day by performing the Soran dance. It now has become our tradition to dance the Soran Bushi. We also had two teams that competed in the National Japan Bowl. Our level III team won fourth place once again, and the level II team won twelfth place in the nation. It was Summer, 2011 Page 2

3 our pleasure to participate in Mrs. Columba Bush, the wife of the former Florida governor, Jeff Bush. Her project was to make and bring one thousand origami paper cranes to the Hiroshima Peace Park. Our school collaborated with Gulliver schools in Miami, Tampa Bay Technical high school, and Middleton high school in Tampa. One of our students, Anastasia Clegg, was chosen as one of thirty two 2011 JET Memorial Invitation Program for U.S. High School students. I feel so fortunate to have so many dedicated students. I look forward to having another exciting year in the curriculum year at Miami Palmetto Senior HS. - Mieko Avello Mainland High School, Daytona Beach It was such a productive year at Mainland HS! Students are eager not only to participate in projects and contests but also bringing great recognitions. Paul Turner received an honorable mention at FFLA post card advocacy contest in January, 7 students won the first prize for Japanese culture projects at Volusia County Foreign Language Festival in February, our video entry received an grand prize at AFTJ Speech contest. Our Japanese club also had a busy year. We invited a local shamisen teacher and student for a mini live in December. We danced TANKO-BUSH with Mrs. Yoko Sheffield and Mrs. Mitzi Dykes. In March, 20 students attended Morikami Museum field trip. We enjoyed tea ceremony, kimono exhibit. Students had most fun at new Yamato kan s hands-on activities. Some students volunteered at a charity 5K run Waves of Hope for Japan to help earthquake recovery effort in late April. We are very proud to be part of this event helping with origami booth and water stations. The two local library teen programs were also successful in March and April. Patrons participated in calligraphy, vocabulary game and other Japanese cultural activities. I am again invited to do a similar program in June. - Etsuko Woodbury Summer, 2011 Page 3

4 Western High School, Davie We had a busy school year at Western High. In January we hosted the Japan Immersion Day the first time at Western High. Broward students enjoyed Fushudaiko concert, Kendo demonstration, a various workshops, and bento catered by a local restaurant. We hope to host the fun event again next year - if our campus is allowed to be used. In February four of our students participated in Broward County Academic Competition. They received 12 gold medals in total, and 3 Best of the County trophies for level I, II, and IV. After the unfortunate earthquake/tsunami in Japan in March, we collected change from Western students everyday for 2 weeks. We raised more than $3300 and donated it to the Japan Red Cross via the Consulate of Japan in Miami. We also folded more than 1500 paper cranes for the student rebuild program and Carter's to help the victims from the earthquake in Japan. In addition, we sold cookies to raise money for Morikami Park, and donated $1000. This is our 3rd year of donating money to Morikami. We hope that Morikami will use the money to promote Japanese culture in our community. I am very pleased to announce that one of our students, Brandon Dong was accepted to the JET memorial fund to visit Japan this summer. He was one of 3 students who were selected to go to Japan from Florida. - Satoko Fisher Middleton High School & Tampa Bay Technical High School, Tampa Now as June is upon us, events are ending one by one as the students and I are focusing on final exams now. This year as usual was very busy filled with school activities. Between the two schools, there were scheduled activities almost every day. The strength to do these activities came only from seeing the students happy and delighted faces. I had great support from the parents at the various events, so I am very grateful for their enthusiasm and unceasing assistance. We will have just one more event this year, which is a field day. The high school students and alumni will get together at a local park and have a fun time. We are very happy to know that Ms.Ann Welsh is going to join us also. I am happy to report that students have made great achievements this year: students from Middleton high school and Tampa Bay Technical high school received senior awards for Japanese. A Japanese skit team was also recognized at the school board meeting and received an award, which is the forth over all. As far as school activities, due to the earthquake and tsunami disaster, we added some events and lectures this year. We joined a community fundraising event for the victims of the earthquake. Many students participated in this event by inviting people they know, making signs and posters, or dancing Soranbushi. In the classroom, a teacher in the county made a very informative powerpoint about Summer, 2011 Page 4

5 earthquakes and let us use it in class. My students then made cards for Japanese high school students. With all of this said, I feel somewhat bitter sweet to announce that I will be leaving my job at the end of this school year to have time to devote to my family. I was truly blessed to have enthusiastic students and be able to share my culture and language. I am truly thankful to have been a member of AFTJ also. Without the association, many events and programs would not have been possible and it was sincerely a privilege to get to know other hard working outstanding teachers who share a goal to spread the Japanese language to others. I have made dear friends whom will last long after the teaching career. Lastly, I wish to thank Ann Welsh who for the past ten years has been my boss, my mentor, my consultant, my relief, and my friend. She also has made the Japanese program in Tampa firm and made my job much easier. It was truly a privileged to work with such an incredible and outstanding person. - Hiroko Watanabe 追記 : 渡辺先生 お疲れ様でした University University of South Florida, Tampa At the University of South Florida, we finished the busy but great school year. On November 13, we had our third annual Japanese Social Picnic at USF Riverfront Park. More than 60 people, including USF students in Japanese program and Japanese exchange students from Kansai Gaidai, friends in the local community, participated. We enjoyed the food, drink and games and made a lot of new friends. On January 29, USF Japanese Club hosted an event called A Night in Tokyo. They had Kimono fashion show, martial art demonstrations, Okinawa folk dances with food and drink provided by the local Japanese restaurants. There were over 200 attendees and it was really successful. A few days after the Earthquake and Tsunami disaster in northern Japan, former students in Japanese program and Japanese exchange students from Kansai Gaidai have established a website SaveJapanNow.com and started selling relief T- shirts. They have sold over 700 T-shirts by the end of the spring semester. Japanese students at USF also started asking for donations and selling wristbands in front of Marshall Student Center on every Wednesday and some sports events. On April 2, we participated in a Japan relief event called Japan Day and we had calligraphy, kimono try-on, tea ceremony, T-shirt sale, garage sale and bake sale, as well as high school students Soranbushi. A lot of high school and Summer, 2011 Page 5

6 college students at Middleton High School, Tampa Bay Tech High School, USF, and Eckerd College also participated and cooperated in raising money for Japan. - Mako Nozu University of Florida, Gainsville In late March we enjoyed the Spring Festival, presented by the UF Japanese Club. There were traditional and modern dancing, tea ceremony, kendo & aikido performances, a fashion show, cultural tables, fundraising to support relief efforts in Japan, and more. We would like to thank the AFTJ for supporting the event. In late April, several students participated in Mid Florida Japanese Speech and Skit Contest in Tampa. The girls below received first place in Skit Contest Level IV (2 nd -yer Japanese at college level). Mako-sensei, Watanabe-sensei, and Otani-sensei, thank you for all of your hard work in organizing the event. This spring our program had 15 majors receive their BA degree in East Asian Languages and Literatures - Japanese track. Our graduates will go on to become graduate students, JET ALTs, a representative at a video game company and so on. For information about our program, please visit: Explore our major - Japanese: - Yasuo Uotate Summer, 2011 Page 6

7 Florida International University, Miami We had a lot of events that the students in the Japanese program participated in this year. First, the French club at FIU hosted the Halloween party in October and some our students participated the foreign languages talent show. Students sung and danced the Japanese song Hyokkori hyoutanjima, rapped the Japanese Hayakuchi kotoba, and read some Japanese Haiku. Audiences were impressed with our students Japanese talent! In March after Grater Eastern Japan Earthquake, the Japan club opened a Japanese maid café for one day only for fundraising for Japan. Because of their hard work, they made about $1,000 and sent a check to the Japan Read Cross. On March 26, several students participated the Japanese speech and skit contest in East and one of students from FIU received the grand champion. Congratulations, Mr. Kenneth Rouldac! Finally in May, AFTJ hosted the Japan Earthquake Charity event and many FIU students came to volunteers for this event. We really appreciated their effort and willingness to succeed this event. - Naoko Komura FFLA Annual Conference Florida Foreign Languages Association s annual conference was held at Hilton Clearwater beach in Clearwater on October 14-16,2010. Seven members from AFTJ, Mieko Avello, Naoko Komura, Juan Carlos Morales, Yukari Nakamura, Mako Nozu, Yasuo Uotate and Hiroko Watanabe, attended the conference. We carried out our presentations and exchanged our ideas. This year, AFTJ received a small cultural grant from the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles and we invited Ms. Kuniko Yamamoto to do her professional Storygami workshop. It was amazing and very informative. We can use this to help our teaching in class. Also, at this conference, Watanabe sensei from Tampa received the Best Japanese Teacher of the Year award. Congratulations, Watanabe sensei! Summer, 2011 Page 7

8 Japan Immersion Day in Miami-Dade One of our main events of the year Japanese Immersion Day for Miami-Date county schools was held on December 15, 2010 at Florida International University. This year, we decided to have two separate events for Miami-Date schools and Broward schools. The total of 125 students from Miami Palmetto High School, TERRA Green School and Florida International University participated in this event. This year, we offered Kendo, Origami, Bon Odori, Robotics in Japan, Kimono try-on, Tea ceremony, Chopsticks, Keitai strap, Sushi, Anime drawing, and Shuji. All students took two workshops and they really enjoyed their classes. After the workshops in the morning, we had a delicious Obento from Maido Restarurant in Doral and during lunch, the group from Miami Palmetto High School performed Yosakoi Soran Bushi. Their performance was excellent as usual! We had another success year in our Japan Immersion Day! Japan Immersion Day in Broward Another Japanese Immersion Day was held at Western High School in Broward County on January 29, All 85 students from Western High School and Deerfield Beach High School participated in this event. At the opening ceremony, Mieko Avello Sensei, the president of AFTJ, and Brandon Dong, the president of Japan club at Western High School, welcomed us. Then, the Honorable Hayato Nakamura from the consul-general of Japan in Miami and Ms, Blanca Guerra from Broward School District World Languages made remarks. Fushu Daiko s dynamic Taiko performance was followed by. The people who came to this event were so lucky to see their amazing live performance. After Fushu Diako performance, our member William Collazo sensei and his teammates demonstrated Kendo. Collazo sensei explained us about some Kendo techniques and everyone s eyes were glued to their performance. After the opening ceremony, the workshops started. The workshops we offered in this event were: Sushi, Shuji, Cosplay, Kimono try on, Anime, Machimaki making, Kendo, decollating chopsticks, Koto, and making Keitai Strap. Students took two workshops and everyone enjoyed them. This was our first time having another immersion day in Broward county and it was great success. Summer, 2011 Page 8

9 10th High School Immersion Day in Tampa Mrs. Melissa Morgado, the supervisor of the World Languages Department, again offered us the use of wonderful facility at Instructional Services Center of Hillsborough County Public Schools. AFTJ members, Hiroko Watanabe and Sachi Ann Welsh, were assisted by 11 volunteers from the community to conduct 15 classes in 7 different subjects (Aikido; calligraphy; flower arranging; headband painting; kimono try-on; tea ceremony; and traditional toys). A total of 74 students enjoyed participating in 3 classes of their choice. The Immersion left us $63.80 in black, and with a profit of $ from the sales table. - Sachi Ann Welsh 3rd Middle School Immersion Day in Tampa Dowdell, Rodgers, and Young Middle School students enjoyed participating in 3 classes and eating obento lunch on March 14, 2011, at Instructional Services Center. Led by 3 teachers (all JET returnees) and transported by a dozen chaperons, over 80 students participated in the same variety of lessons as done on Dec. 16, 2010, for the high schools. Mieko Avello, AFTJ President, drove from Miami to lend us her help, and Ann Welsh was the only other member there. Thankfully 11 volunteers from the community assisted in the event. Mrs. Melissa Morgado, the district supervisor, stopped by to encourage us. It was an ideal chance for articulation activity. At the end of the day, a dozen of Hiroko Watanabe s high school students came to perform two dance numbers, introduce the high school Jpn. language classes, and answer the questions. We came with an excess of $12.95, but raised $ by selling the handmade items, etc. - Sachi Ann Welsh Summer, 2011 Page 9

10 Meeting with the Consulate General Of Japan On February 26, we had the information exchange meeting with the Consulate General of Japan at the residence of the Consulate General of Japan. 11 members who came from Tampa, Orlando, and Miami area participated in the meeting in Miami. At the meeting, the AFTJ members explained about the current situation of Japanese language education in FL and discussed about the future of the Japanese language education in FL. The meeting was extremely positive and productive. All the participants were thankful to the Consul general and his staffs for making this kind of meeting happen as well as the fantastic lunch. Meetings in Orlando AFTJ members had two meetings at Hanamizuki Restaurant in Orlando on November 13, 2010 and February 19, 2011 to meet new and prospective members in Orlando. At the meetings, we explained about AFTJ activities and exchanged some teaching ideas. We are hoping and thrilled to have some events in Orlando area soon. Summer, 2011 Page 10

11 Speech and Skit Contest in West On April 23, we held the 5 th Mid-Florida Japanese Speech and Skit Contest in Marshall Student Center at USF. More than 34 students from Middleton High School, Tampa Bay Tech High School, University of Florida and University of South Florida participated. We also had the Japanese Song section at the end of the contest and three students performed their favorite songs in Japanese. The following are the results: Speech Level-I: 1 st Place: Natalia Mora (Tampa Bay Tech High School) Level-II: 1 st Place: Jovanna Williams (University of South Florida) 2 nd Place: Jacob Pierce (University of South Florida) 3 rd Place: Stacia Gorniak (University of South Florida) Level-IV: 1 st Place: Ariadna Lobo (University of South Florida) 2 nd Place: Jesus Martinez (University of South Florida) Level-VI: 1 st Place: Anthony Shima (University of South Florida) 2 nd Place: Jacqueline Collier (General Private tutoring) 3 rd Place: Patrick Brown (University of Florida) Skit Level-II: 1 st Place: Jacob Pierce, Nic Stemm, Hannah Wapshott (University of South Florida) Level-IV: 1 st Place: Amy Bradley, Marisa Figueroa, Julia Ford, Grace Pilgrim, Emily Xu (University of Florida) - Mako Nozu Summer, 2011 Page 11

12 Speech and Skit Contest in East We had the annual speech and skit contest in East on March 26, 2011 at Florida International University. This year, 111 students from six high schools(lyman high school, Mainland high school, Gulliver high school, Hallandale high school, Palmetto senior high school and TERRA Green School) and two universities(the University of Florida, and Florida International University) had participated in the contest including the categories of the 4 koma manga, the music video, and the Japanese promotional video, as well as speech and skit. Speech: Grand Champion: Skit: Kenneth Rouldac, Florida International University Grand Champion: Miami Palmetto Tanabata team Music Video: Grand Champion: Mainland High School Japanese Promotional Video: Grand Champion: University of Florida 4Koma Manga: Grand Champion: Isabel Segera, Miami Palmetto High School Speech: High School Level 1 1. Christopher Hidalgo 私の夢 (My Dream) Hallandale Level 2 1.Julian McFarlane 文化 (Culture)Hallandale Level 3 1. Samantha Agron 知識は力なり (Knowledge is Power ) Miami Palmetto 1. Anastasia Clegg 友人 (Friend) Miami Palmetto 3. Caitlin Baisley 父と日本 ( My Father s Time in Japan ) Hallandale 4. Julian Santblo みんなつかまえなくちゃ (Gotta Catch Them All) Level 4 1. Emma Holrook ソーラン (Soran ) Miami Palmetto 2. Natalia Conterus アメリカと日本の相違点 (Difference Between America and Japan) Speech: University Level 1 1. Kenneth Roulhac 日本に行きます (I m Going to Japan) FIU 2. Juan Jaramillo フアン2 分 (2 Minutes with Juan) FIU Summer, 2011 Page 12

13 Level 2 1.Charlane-Jade Service 私の日本語の活動 (My Japanese Activities)FIU 2. Philip Ho 私が好きなガンダム ( My Favorite Gundom) FIU Level 3 1. Barbara Jeons 日本語を勉強して得たこと (What I gained from Learning Japanese ) FIU 2. Caity Strickland Miyabi: ギターの侍 ( Miyabi: Guiter Samurai ) FIU Skit: All levels 1. Miami Palmetto Senior スタープリンセスと彦星 Star princess and Hikoboshi 2. Miami Palmetto Seniorフグの毒 Fugu Poisoning 3. Hallandale きっさてんでのrenion 4. Terra おにばば Onibaba Music Video: All levels 1. Mainland High School 2. FIU 3. Lyman High School Japanese Promotional Video: All levels 1. University of Florida 2. Miami Palmetto 3. University of Florida 4Koma Manga: All levels Comical 1. Kelly Ma Cultural 1. Isabel Historical 1. Kendall Armstrong Summer, 2011 Page 13

14 Japan Culture Day in Miami AFTJ and the FIU Asian Studies Program had a joint project for the Japan earthquake charity event named Japan Culture Day. The Miami Kagoshima Sister City Committee also collaborated with us. We are thankful to FIU SIPA (School of International & Public Affairs) for offering its building for our event. We had the following 22 supporters: FIU School of International and Public Affairs Japan Club at FIU Miami Hoshuko City of Miami Morikami Museum and Japanese gardens Fushu Daiko Ikebana International Mieko Kubota Friends of Koto Yoshiko Carlton South Florida kendo and Iaido clubs Frank Nieves Matsuri Japanese Restaurant Shibui Japanese Restaurant Maido Japanese Restaurant Fujiya Japanese Restaurant Miami String Project, Miriam Stern Miriam Stern George Moss Sayuri Horai Sole farms Tate s Comics K s America Inc Koji Tsuchiya FIU Miami Palmetto Senior High Gulliver Schools University of Miami We had seven workshops and one game contest followed by wonderful entertainments that included music performances, martial arts demonstrations, and a Japanese folk dance. We are very grateful to Wendy Lo from the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens for the wonderful raffle and enormous amount of fantastic Japanese item donations for the garage sale. We raised $3, (Tampa members raised $700, Arigatogozaimasita!!) to be donated to UC-Japan Council Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Thanks to all of you who helped make this event so successful. - Mieko Avello Summer, 2011 Page 14

15 Other Mainland High school students made their version of the song which is called I love you and I need you Fukushima. Please check it out! Also, here is the site you can check for their first place of the Music Video contest. - Etsuko Woodbury Articulation Day in Orlando The Articulation Day will be in Orlando on August 6th and 7th as an overnight stay. AFTJ will cover the lodging cost. Depending on the number of participants, help for transportation costs is being considered. By being in a more central location, we can have more members attend, get away for one night, and share our best ideas. We hope to have fun and learn from each other at the same time! Please check your calendar. See you in Orlando!! Conference Information There are two major conferences soon. Please check the website as follow. (1) Florida Foreign Language Association(FFLA) Annual Conference Cape Canaveral, FL on October (2) ACTFL Annual Conference Denver, CO on November ******************************************************************************* 楽しい夏休みをお過ごしください! Have a wonderful summer! Summer, 2011 Page 15

16 Association of Florida Teachers of Japanese President Mieko Avello AFTJ Website: AFTJ Annual Membership If you have not paid your AFTJ membership for please pay by November 1, You can download the membership form from Please make your check payable to AFTJ and submit to: Yasuo Uotate, AFTJ Treasurer PO Box , 333 Pugh Hall University of Florida Gainesville, FL AFTJ Calendar of Events FFLA Annual Conference October 13-15, 2011 Cape Canaveral ACTFL Annual Conference November 18-20, 2011 Denver, CO Japan Immersion Day East December 12, 2011(tentative) FIU campus Japan Immersion Day West TBA TBA Speech committee meeting - East January, 2012 TBA Japanese Speech and Skit Contest West TBA TBA Japanese Speech and Skit Contest -East March 24, 2012(tentative) FIU campus National Japan Bowl Competition April 11 and 12, 2012 Maryland AFTJ Board Meeting April, 2011 TBA Annual Meeting May, 2012 The Morikami Museum, Delray Beach If you have any comment or question, please contact Naoko Komura (komuran@fiu.edu).