kodomo No Ie
1: Word of the Month ・・・Doushitano? (“What’s happened?”)
2: March Schedule
3: March Goals
4: March 2nd Hinamatsuri Musical Performance
5: March Songs
6: Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival)
7: Dear Parents
8: A new piano has arrived for the 30th Anniversary
9: News and a request from Kodomo No Ie the 30th Anniversary Planning Committee

Newsletter March 2017

Word of the Month ・・・Doushitano? (“What’s happened?”)


Have you noticed that the jasmine flowers near the school entrance are beginning to blossom? Same with the sakura (cherry blossom) tree we received as a gift from past graduates, although it’s taking longer than usual this year, as a result of recent rain and cooler days. We are excited to see them go into a full bloom soon.
The daikon radishes in our garden are growing rapidly as well, and children cannot wait to harvest them. They’re always asking, “Can we pull them out now?” and “Is it time?” We tell them that we need to wait just a bit longer, but we will be able to harvest them together right before the start of the spring break.
The spring break begins at the end of this month. We hope everyone enjoys the break, wherever you may be.

March Schedule


March 2nd (Thu) ・・・Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day Festival) event (musical performance by Sakura Class) at the church hall (3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

March 1st (Wed), 2nd, (Thu), 3rd (Fri) ・・・Hinamatsuri Open House (information already provided)

March 15th (Wed), 16th (Thu), 17th (Fri) ・・・March birthday parties and offerings

March 20th (Mon) to April 1st (Sat) ・・・Spring break

April 3rd (Mon) ・・・Third semester begins

March Goals


• Display handmade hina dolls and enjoy the Hinamatsuri event through songs and stories
• Enjoy the changing of the season by appreciating elements from nature, such as growing grass, blossoming flowers, the breeze and the warm rays
• Accomplish goals by completing jump rope chart (Kiku and Ume) and “ganbari” chart (Sakura)
• Continue to develop good hygiene by washing hands and gargling

March 2nd Hinamatsuri Musical Performance


Please invite friends and family.

March Songs


Renge Class・・・Shaberu de hoi (Dig with a shovel)
Momo・・・Kawaii kakurenbo (Cute Hide and Seek)
Sumire・・・Renge mo sumire mo sakimashitatte (I heard that lotus and violet flowers have blossomed)

Kiku・・・ Inu no omawarisan (Puppy Police)
Ume・・・ Haru desuyo (It’s springtime)

Sakura・・・ Hanawa saku (Flowers will blossom)
All classes・・・Ureshii Hinamatsuri (Happy Girls’ Day Festival)

Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival)


Hinamatsuri originated in China as a celebration during which people cleansed their body with water to pray for a good harvest when the rice was cultivated in March. This tradition came to Japan as “Nagashi bina” (doll floating). During the Heian period (794-1185), this tradition was carried out as “Hina asobi” (doll playing) by the aristocrats but it eventually spread amongst all the classes with a combined form of “Nagashi bina” and “Hina asobi”. The dolls are believed to function as effigies, which take away the evil spirits. By displaying the dolls once a year, parents wish for their daughters’ long and healthy life. Have you seen Kodomo No Ie’s “Hina ningyo” (Hina matsuri dolls)? Four years ago, a friend of one of our graduates kindly donated it to us. We set up the “Hinadan” (a seven tiered stand covered with a red carpet) with the “Hina ningyo” (the dolls) for Hina Matsuri right after Setsubun (bean tossing holiday). We then put the display away right after the ceremony to ensure good luck for our girls in the hopes that they will not have to wait too long to find a good marriage.

Dear Parents


This is a season when many people are catching colds. If your child is sick (fever, cough, runny nose, etc.), please have your child take a day off from Kodomo No Ie so that he/she can get plenty of rest and in order to ensure everyone else’s wellbeing as well. Please take good care of your child, your family and your health in this season.

A new piano has arrived for the 30th Anniversary


Our brand new piano arrived at Kodomo No Ie on 2/23/17, just as Sakura-gumi was about to start their class. The Sakura-gumi kids were very surprised to see the new piano. As soon as the teacher started playing some songs, the students commented, “The new piano sounds so different from the previous one! It sounds so much better!!” We did not expect them to notice such a big difference in the sound and that made us smile.

News and a request from Kodomo No Ie the 30th Anniversary Planning Committee


Kodomo No Ie original 30th Anniversary eco-friendly reusable bag & T shirt Sale
You will soon be able to purchase original Kodomo No Ie Anniversary eco-friendly reusable bags & T shirts designed by Ms. Miki Yokoyama , a mother of a KNI graduate and an artist in Los Angeles. We will have samples out on the Kodomo No Ie playground as soon as they are ready. We ask for your participation by purchasing these special edition items. The sales from these items will go towards the fund for the Kodomo No Ie 30th Anniversary event.
Cash donation needed!
We are asking for cash donations for the Kodomo No Ie 30th Anniversary event through GoFundMe, which you can access by going to the KNI 30th Anniversary page on our official website. We will provide more detailed information by email. We are looking forward to your participation in this event. We plan to hold the 30th Anniversary event for current students/parents on the morning of 8/19/17 (Saturday) on the school playground. More information regarding this event will be announced soon.




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