Ohana International School, Asahi Yochien in Minami Sanriku and OGA in Aomori have created a triangular relationship that links all three schools. The children make cards and send messages via video to one another during the year, at special times. Having this triangular relationship with one another brings our communities together across Japan and will further lead to an exchange of ideas, teacher training, visits and more in the future. Bringing us together as Early Childhood Educators, from varying backgrounds and with different philosophies, is what Ohana International School lives in one of it’s Mission Statements – Embracing and Celebrating Difference. We are all different and yet we are the same and have so much that we can all learn from one another.
The Asahi kindergarten logo is designed with the concept of children’s chikara.
It expresses that the existence of children is the future, and that the shining hope is there.
The three inner edges of the child are made up of rings.
Pink represents passion, green represents an honest heart, and blue represents an ambition, which means the educational philosophy of Asahi kindergarten.
Considered from the elements of children’s “chikara” and “future,” this design conveys “chikara” to everyone.
Our aim is to create opportunities in our community to inspire others to either start or continue their journeys to attaining more sustainable lifestyles.
We (Deborah, Pamela, Marisa and Karen) would like to announce the launch of our mission to live on a healthy planet…It is so EAS-Y:
Educate & create awareness.
Act everyday!
Sustain green habits.
YOU are where it starts!
International schools in Japan are growing rapidly as more parents—both expatriate and Japanese—seek an education that goes beyond rote memorization, focusing instead on creativity, critical thinking, global awareness, and English proficiency. These schools emphasize holistic development through personalized learning, arts, sports, and multicultural experiences, preparing children not just academically but for success in an increasingly connected world.
It gives us the freedom to be creative. When children are encouraged to explore, collaborate, express thoughts, and embrace differences, they will naturally develop a love of learning. The case for putting play first in preschool is not a theory. Learning through “Purposeful Play” is natural for children. Read our article about play-based learning in Tokyo Families magazine written by our school director, Shelley Sacks, of our Preschool in Tokyo, Ohana International School.
We are a part of the Tokyo Association of International Preschools and OGA for Aid. We have created a triangular support network with two other preschools in Japan—the World Association for Cambodia Schools.
We share Professional Development opportunities and bring in speakers for parents and teachers. We travelled to Minamisanriku for children and families to see where our fundraising money went, and we also worked on an art project with locals. Our learning goes beyond the classroom at Ohana International School. It goes to communities outside of our own, where we all learn that we have a lot in common and plenty to give. We built a preschool classroom in rural Cambodia called Ohana Learning Tree, through American Assistance for Cambodia. We travelled with children and their parents, as well as some teachers, to Cambodia for the opening of the school.
Yes.
We worked together to create an environmentally friendly environment.
Parents are always welcome to participate in school projects and are encouraged to initiate new ones.
