Submitted by Sachiko Liou:

How was your summer?  I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer.  During summer vacation Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Oga , Mrs. Ueda and I discussed the  new school year’s curriculum and decided to make some changes.
 
Up until last year we had Nyumon Class, first grade through eighth grade, Enrichment Class and Adult Class. This year we are reorganizing our program starting with  Nyumon Class, Japanese 1, Japanese 2-A & B, Japanese 3-A & B, Japanese 4-A & B, Advance Class and Adult & Teen Class.

Nyumon Class and Japanese 1 are introductory classes. Japanese 2 through 4 are our core classes and the importance on these classes cannot be overemphasized. In these core classes the student learns all the basic vocabulary and sentence patterns needed to communicate in daily life.  Progression to the Advanced Class requires successful completion of all the previous levels. Even if you were in the sixth grade and up last year, we recommend that you join one of these classes to make sure you have mastered the material in Japanese 2 through 4.  Most important is that you can communicate by speaking and writing in Japanese when you graduate from our school.

Nyumon and Japanese 1 are both one year classes. Japanese 1 will use the existing primary textbook.
Japanese 2 through 4 classes are divided into Part A and Part B thus taking 2 years to finish each level.  The curriculums are based on our primary textbooks that have been used for the credit test.  We will expand the curriculum and add versatility with supplemental textbooks helpful to those who are already familiar with our original texts.

At the end of the last school year most of the students took an evaluation test.  Based on the test scores and last year’s performance in class the students have been  placed in the various levels.  In any new program, we know adjustments will need to be made.  Please feel free to talk to the teachers if you think your student has been placed incorrectly and we will evaluate your needs.

Students who have graduated from our school and return to take the  high school credit test will be placed in the Advance Class.  Those who are taking the more advanced levels of the credit test will remain in the Advanced Class.  In the final grade that will be reported to their high school will be based on their classroom performance and the result of the credit test. 

Every student who starts from Nyumon and  successfully completes nine years of attendance will graduate.  Ideally we want you to finish the Advanced Class before graduation but it is not mandatory.  Upon completion of our Advanced Class, you should be able to communicate freely in the world of Japanese speaking society.  We welcome your ideas and suggestions for a better Japanese school of today!  I look forward to speaking to each one of you soon and am always here if you have any concerns or wishes.  Good luck in your next school year!

The teaching staff for 2004/2005 school year:
Nyumon: Mrs. Noriko Caudill
Japanese 1: Mrs. Sachiko Liou
Japanese 2-A: Mrs. Tsugako Tokumitsu
Japanese 3-A: Mrs. Michiko Oga
Japanese 4-A: Mrs. Noriko Kim
Advance Class: Mrs. Noriko Murata
Adult & Teen:  Mrs. Hiroko Ueda