Tuesday, April 29

Sen. Jim Marzilli and Rep. Sean Garballey, left, give students pointers at the State House on April 29.

The students and teachers from Nagaokakyo visited Harvard Yard, the State House, and Quincy Market on a rainy day.

The tour started from Alewife, where the group boarded a Red Line train to Harvard Square. They listened to the story about the bequest for the Widener Memorial Library and the famous John Harvard statue, before they went to Harvard Coop and bought souvenirs for their classmates, teachers, and family members back home. Some of the students bought a couple of dog collars with Harvard logo.

Then the group took the Red Line again to go to the State House, where Paul Schlichtman and state Senator Jim Marzilli greeted them at the entrance. Schlichtman led the group to the Gardner Auditorium, where the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) was holding its annual "Day on the Hill" conference. The group was introduced to the whole assembly with an applause from the School Committee members across the state.

Senator Marzilli took them to the State House tour after the appearance before MASC.  The group visited both the House Chamber and the Senate Chamber,  learned about the structure of the state government and legislatures. State Rep Sean Garballey and state Rep Will Brownsberger joined them at the House Chamber before going into session to discuss the state budget.

After the State House tour, the group walked through rain and wind to the Quincy Market, where they ate lunch and spent a couple of hours shopping.  At 3:30 p.m., the school bus picked them up and transferred them to Arlington Studio.

Danny Wolf, a member of Ottoson News Network, and Jeff Munro of the Arlington Studio greeted the group. The Ottoson News Network was creating a special program featuring the Nagaokakyo group and invited the whole group for a studio interview.

With the help of an interpreter, Danny asked many questions to the group while the Arlington Studio staff and other member of ONN videotape the interview. There seemed to be a lot of friendships born at the studio between the Arlington Studio staff member, ONN members, and Nagaokakyo students. 

Japanese students at Town Hall with Selectman Jack Hurd and Town Manager Brian Sullivan.

Monday, April 28

The group of students and teachers from Nagaokakyo gathered at Arlington Town Hall at 10 a.m., joined by several host family members. Selectman Jack Hurd and Marie Krepelka, the board administrator, welcomed the group. Hurd explained the Town Meeting system of government in Arlington, which is completely different from the city governments in Japan.

Town Manager Brian Sullivan joined them after Hurd's explanation. After group photos were taken, gifts were exchanged between Arlington and Nagaokakyo.

The student leader, Yuuna Benzaki, presented the gift they were entrusted from Mayor Oda of Nagaoakyo, a beautiful fan (see link to photo album).

Sullivan predented the gift of beautiful color drawing of Arlington Town Hall.  Also, each student received a gift bag from Ms. Krepelka.

Sullivan then talked to the group about the history of Town Meeting in New England.  A student asked a question about campaigning for town election.

After that, the group walked to the Robbins Library, where library director Maryellen Loud greeted them at the front door. Ms. Loud gave the group the tour of the entire building and talked about the history of the library and the Robbins family.  The students were very impressed with the architecture and the quality of service of the library. Some students commented that they wish they had such a beautiful and well-run library in their town.

After pizza lunch in the Town Hall, they visited Lexington visitor center and National Heritage Museum to learn about the first battle of the American Revolution. They also briefly visited the Old North Bridge in Concord.

After some rest and dinner with their host families, the group came back to the Town Hall at 8 p.m. to visit the opening of the 2008 Town Meeting.  They were impressed with the militia band, which marched onto the Town Meeting floor with fife and drums, and then played "The Star-Spangled Banner. "

Sister-city students present a traditional Japanese dance at First Parish Church on April 27.

Sunday, April 27

Sister-city students from Japan arrive at Logan on April 26.

After one of the host family members and UU church member, Anne Goodwin introduced the group to the audience, the student leader, Yuuna Benzaki (ninth grade) made a well-prepared speech in English.

She thanked the town of Arlington for hosting them and said they were very excited to be here.  She also explained about the song they were about to dance to.  "Nagaokakyo Ondo" was specially written for the city on Nagaokakyo and its lyrics features much of Nagaokakyo's beauty throughout the four seasons. 

After her speech was received enthusiastically by the audience, the students of Nagaokakyo formed a circle around the pews and invited the audiences to join them.  The music started, and so did their dance. The choreography consists of several movements and soon, Arlington residents were dancing with Nagaokakyo students, going round in a circle. 

After the dance performance was over, they joined church's coffee time.

April 27 was mostly "host family day," and visitors spent the afternoon and evening with their host family.

On April 28, they will visit Town Hall in the morning and have a historical tour of Lexington and Concord to learn about the beginning of the American Revolution. In the evening, they will visit and observe the opening of Town Meeting 2008. 

Ms. Toyama has been the coordinator since this exchange program started in 2004 and has been coming with the group every year.  She was also among the delagation with Mayor Oda when they visitedArlington in 2004 for 20th anniversary ceremony.  She coordinates both Nagaokakyo students visits to Arlington and Arlington students visits
to Nagaokakyo.

After retrieving their luggage on Saturday, April 26, the group was transfered to the Senior Center in Arlington, where host families were waiting to meet them. After a brief reception, each family took their guest home.

Students and teachers will stay with host families in Arlington, and they will have many public appearances throughout their stay. This includes visits to Town Hall, Town Meeting, the Hardy Elementary School, the Ottoson Middle School, the Arlington High School and a special appearance at an AHS Pops Concert.

The group from Japan will also experience a Red Sox game at Fenway (to cheer for Japanese players, no doubt), visit the State House and see Sen. Jim Marzilli, go whale-watching and perform dance at Arlington's Unitarian Universalist Church.

This program is supported by many volunteer efforts, including host families and other helpers.

Sue Sheffler, a School Committee member, is in charge of matching host family and students. She has been the main force of this exchange program since it began, in 2005.

No taxpayer's money is spent on this program. It is supported by many volunteers, including the host families, and the Japanese group pays all of its own expenses.

Rieko Tanaka is a schedule coordinator for the visit. She will accompany the group on all of its official visit and most of other activities as a interpreter plus a tour guide.
 

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