|
Sister-city visitors in dance at Senior Center before returning to Japan |
|
|
|
|
Written by Rieko Tanaka
|
|
Page 2 of 4
 Japanese visitors go whale-watching on May 2, and even see some whales (inset). FRIDAY, May 2The group of students and teachers from Nagaokakyo were joined by members of their host families to board a whale-watching boat from the Gloucester. After 45 minutes of travel, the boat "Yankee Clipper" arrived at the summer habitat of humpback whales. There were no other boats in the area, and Yankee Clippers was able to observe one group of whales -- a mother, a calf, and an escort -- for an hour an half without any interruption. The sea was calm and students were awed by the beauty of those magnificent creatures.
After the boat landed, the group headed to Rockport. Julie Dunn, an Arlington resident and a supporter of this exchange program, opened her house near downtown Rockport for the group. The group walked over the rocks with a view of the harbor and Bearskin Neck, had lunch at Top Dog, A hot dog shop. They strolled downtown and took pictures before heading back to Arlington.
In the evening, some of the host families and Nagaokakyo students attended the performance of "Swan Lake" by Boston Ballet.
The excursion s,both whale watching and Boston Ballet, were made possible by generosity of former Arlington resident and pharmacist, Donna Harris, who was a member of the group who established the sister-city relationship between Arlington and Nagaokakyo. In the 1980s, she visited Nagaokakyo three times as a member of adult exchange program. She accompanied the group all day and the group brought gifts, both from the group and from individuals, as the token of their appreciation for her kindness.
On Saturday, May 3, the group plans to visit Museum of Fine Arts in the morning and host families will hold a farewell party at the senior center in the afternoon. They are also invited to the annual Arlington High School Pops Concert as honored guests. They will perform their dance at the beginning of second half of the concert. They will leave Arlington on Sunday, May 4.
Thursday, May 1
 Eric Saum, Ottoson assistent principal, greets a visiting student from Japan on May 1.
Principal Judy Malone Neville was out of country, but Assistant Principal Eric Saum welcomed the group warmly. Members of PTO, host
family members Cindy Starks and Kim Kay Holt, and the students who
volunteered to be shadowed by Nagaokakyo students whose host family had
no Ottoson students were there to welcome the group at the Media
Center.
After the gift exchange and speeches by Mr. Saum, student leader Yuuna
Benzaki, and Principal Matsumiya from Nagaoka Dai-yon Middle School,
Nagaokakyo students went off to the classrooms and shadowed Ottoson
students until the end of lunch time.
Meanwhile, the teachers from Nagaokakyo observed eighth-grade English,
World History, and Gym classes during the morning periods. Mr.
Kawashimo, an English Teacher from one of the four middle schools in
Nagaokakyo, said he was very impressed with Ottoson's classes and the
ability of students in classrooms to discuss and articulate their
thoughts.
After lunch, Mr. Saum gave the group a school tour. The group walked
through the school building and learned about Ottoson's curriculum, the
role of administrators, and about detentions. Japanese school
administrators do not use detensions for discipline.
At seventh period, the Nagaokakyo group was treated with the Ottoson chorus
practice. At the end of period, the group performed Naruko-Odori and
sang two songs -- "Let It Be" by Beatles and Japanese song, "Furusato."
The Nagaokakyo students also demonstrated Japanese traditional art and
games from 2:30 to 3:30. With Ottoson students, they did Origami,
calligraphy, and played Japanese traditional games such as Kendama,
Daruma-otoshi, and Koma (Spinner).
On May 2, the group plans to go on a voyage to watch whales and spend time
in the town of Rockport. In the evening, many tour members of the
group will attend the performance of "Swan Lake" by Boston Ballet at
Wang Center.
|
|
|
POLL: Plowing the bikeway
|
Enuma Elish
performs "Metropolis" Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. at the Regent
Theater. General admission...
