The HJIS Herald

Dear HJIS Community,

This past week has been an exhilarating showcase of creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm as we celebrated STEAM Week across our school. It was truly inspiring to see our students engaged in a variety of activities that spanned the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics.

As we approach the final week before the much-anticipated Golden Week holiday, I am excited to announce that we have a lineup of engaging events that promise to make it a memorable one. On Tuesday, April 23rd, we will host our annual Movie Night under in the gymnasium. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for students, parents, and staff to gather and enjoy a film together, fostering our community spirit and providing a relaxing evening for all.

Furthermore, on Friday, April 26th, we will be holding our much-loved 'Horizon's Got Talent' show. This event is a highlight of our school year, where our students showcase their diverse talents ranging from singing and dancing to magic and comedy.

As we look forward to these events, let us also take a moment to appreciate the hard work and achievements of our entire school community this past week. The success of STEAM Week is a reflection of the collective effort and passion that characterizes our school.

Let’s continue to support each other and make the upcoming week as successful and enjoyable as possible. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and enthusiasm. Here’s to a fantastic final week before our well-deserved break!

Warm regards,

Mr. Mehmet Deniz

Head of School

We are excited to announce that Keyshots is now ready to take orders for this year's yearbooks! This is your chance to preserve the memories of the school year and cherish them for years to come.

As usual we are providing a digital version of the yearbook at no cost to all students and staff. This digital copy will allow you to easily access and share your memories with friends and family.

For those who prefer a tangible keepsake, Keyshots are also offering a physical hardcopy version of the yearbook. To order your hardcopy, please follow the QR code link below and fill out the order form:

Please note that there is a cost associated with the physical hardcopy to cover printing and production expenses.

Dear HJIS Community,

We hope that you are all doing well.

As the HJIS PTA and Youth For Future (YFF) branch @ HJIS, we are organizing a collaborative movie night at the HJIS gym on April 23, starting at 17:15.

Here is the schedule for the event:

• 17:15 - Doors Open & Food Stalls Open

• 17:30 - Movie Starts

• 19:15 - 19:30 - Movie Ends

• 19:30 - 20:00 - Clean Up & Gym Closes

Below are some important notes about the movie night:

• Food such as pizza, popcorn, etc., will be available during the movie night to raise funds for Mvita Primary School and other causes supporting education in underprivileged communities. We encourage attendees to purchase food to support the fundraiser.

• Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 200 attendees accepted

• Grade 3 and below students need parental attendance at the event. However, students in grades 4-12 can attend on their own and be self-dismissed.

• Please also bring your own sitting mats.

To register for this event, please kindly fill out this form.

For any questions or concerns regarding parental supervision during the event or other relevant issues about the movie night, please contact Ms. Shailja Datt, the PYP Coordinator, at sdatt@horizon.ac.jp

Regards,

PTA and YFF Branch @HJIS

Dear HJIS Parents,

The PTA is a vital part of our school community, supporting our students, teachers, and families in many ways. It provides opportunities for parents to get involved in school events and activities, and to have a say in decisions that affect our community.

We are now looking for volunteers to join the PTA for the 2024-2025 school year. There are two types of positions available: PTA Board members and Class Representatives.

• The Board is the PTA’s decision-making body. It serves as the primary liaison between the parent body and the school, and coordinates events such as the ICF. The PTA Board consists of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, and is open for more positions as needed. Time-wise the only minimum commitment is a monthly meeting with school representatives.

• Class Reps serve as a liaison between the parents and teachers of a particular class or grade. They keep parents informed about school news and encourage participation in school events.

If you are interested in joining the PTA for the 2024-2025 academic school year, please fill out the PTA Registration Form.

If you have any questions please contact Mr. Bill Nguyen, our Marketing & Communications Manager (bnguyen@horizon.ac.jp).

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

This week, our PYP students have been immersing themselves in a colorful world of flowers in Mr. Bobby's Art class. With the arrival of beautiful tulips from the city of Yokohama, our young artists have been busy drawing, coloring, and painting these lovely blooms. Each stroke of the brush brings out their creativity and enthusiasm!

These activities are not just about art; they're a delightful preparation for the annual Yokohama Tulip Art Contest held over the summer. Our students' artworks might just be the budding beginnings of future masterpieces!

We can't wait to see their finished tulip artworks and are cheering on all participants who will be showcasing their talent in the upcoming contest. Keep blooming, young artists!

This week in P.E., our PYP students had a blast as they took to the floor for a lively game of Four Square! It was all about quick reflexes and strategic plays as each student aimed to keep the ball in play and move up the squares.

Four Square is more than just a fun game; it teaches our students about sportsmanship, agility, and strategy, all while they're actively engaged in physical exercise. The laughter and cheers filled the air, making it a joyous time for everyone involved.

What a fantastic way to keep our students moving and learning! Here’s to more active and fun-filled P.E. sessions!

This week, our MYP students wowed us all with an exhilarating group jump rope performance in P.E.! They took to the gym with energy and enthusiasm, demonstrating impressive routines that they had practiced as teams.

The highlight of the event was the array of partner jump rope tricks that included synchronizations and intricate maneuvers, showcasing not just their physical agility but also their ability to work cohesively as a team. From double unders to criss-crosses and even some creative new moves, our students pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved with a simple jump rope.

Their performance was not only a display of physical skills but also a testament to their dedication and the spirit of collaboration. Kudos to all the participants for putting on such a fantastic show!

This week our EYP students got the opportunity to plant a variety of vegetables and herbs in our new growing containers at school. They were very excited to get their hands dirty and feel the fresh soil in between their fingers! We have developed a new found love for mint! Our little friends now often go to our mint plants, and gently rub the leaves to enjoy the relaxing scent! But in reality, we are all imagining chocolate mint delicacies!

This week, our Grade 5 students have been immersed in their PYP Exhibition projects, pouring their hearts and minds into their work. It’s a pivotal moment in their PYP journey, as they delve deep into research and presentations that showcase their learning and growth.

Adding to the excitement, our alumni and staff members have been lending their expertise and support, collaborating with our young learners. It’s truly inspiring to see such strong community involvement, as these experienced voices help guide our students through their projects.

We're proud of the hard work our students are putting into their exhibitions and grateful for the support of our school community. It’s these collaborations that enrich the learning experience and make the PYP Exhibition a memorable event for everyone involved.

This week, Grade 2 students hosted their much-anticipated Handmade Market Sale in the community center, showcasing an array of beautifully crafted items!

Our creative students put their skills and imagination to work, crafting everything from colorful bookmarks and sturdy pen stands to heartfelt cards, stylish bracelets, quirky keychains, and charming magnets. Each piece not only displayed their incredible talent but also their dedication to learning and creating.

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and staff who joined us and made the day extra special for our students. Your support and encouragement mean the world to them and to us. Here's to many more creative ventures in our school community!

Exciting news! Our Summer School Program applications are now open. To secure a spot for your child, please visit the link provided below and complete the application form. Classes have limited capacity and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Apply soon to ensure your child's spot in our Summer School Program!

Exciting news from our playground! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new raised garden area, a hands-on learning space where our EYP, Kinder, G1, and G2 students are getting their green thumbs in action. Our young gardeners have been busy planting a vibrant assortment of vegetables and herbs, including tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, bell peppers, and more.

This initiative not only promotes environmental awareness but also provides our students with valuable lessons in responsibility, teamwork, and the joy of watching something grow. We can't wait to see our garden flourish and look forward to sharing the harvest with our school community!

Stay tuned for more updates and happy gardening!

This week, our Grade 5 students had another fantastic MYP Day, filled with collaborative activities and insights as they prepare for their transition into the Middle Years Programme (MYP). A highlight of the day was the special peek into the Design class with Mr. Martin!

Our enthusiastic Grade 5 learners teamed up with older MYP students to explore the world of Design, Visual Arts, and Media – courses that await them in their upcoming school years. They were thrilled to see the creativity and technology blend in Mr. Martin's class, offering them a glimpse into the innovative and engaging curriculum of the MYP.

This week, our MYP Media students have taken their creativity and technical skills to the next level as they began filming their projects. One standout group is currently producing an interview-style video, demonstrating the power of teamwork in filmmaking.

The production involves roles for everyone: a diligent camera operator keeps the shots steady and well-composed, while the 'talent'—our interviewees and interviewers—bring the story to life with their engaging dialogue. Behind the scenes, students handle everything from lighting to sound, ensuring that every detail is just right.

This hands-on experience not only enhances their technical abilities but also fosters important collaborative skills. We can't wait to see the final products of their hard work and imagination. Great job, filmmakers!

This week in Mr. Panacci's class, our Grade 8 students are sharpening their investigative skills with a research project on diamonds. Their journey begins with formulating an Essential Question, a guiding star that illuminates their path to in-depth understanding.

Students are encouraged to consider all facets of diamonds, delving into the 'who, what, when, where, why, and how' of these precious gems. With solo or partner work, they're brainstorming sub-questions and criteria that define a successful inquiry.

Our young researchers are piecing together information, learning to sift through sources and record valuable data. As they navigate through this process, they're learning not just about diamonds but also about the collaborative and iterative nature of research. With Mr. Panacci's guidance, they're on their way to become critical thinkers and knowledge builders!

This week Grade 7 students used Vernier sensors for the first time to explore and compare water quality. In a hands-on session, students grouped together to investigate various chemical properties of water, each group focusing on different elements like nitrates, chloride, calcium, dissolved oxygen, and ammonium.

The lesson wasn’t just about using sophisticated equipment; it was an engaging way for students to compare water samples and discuss the implications of different chemical levels in real-world contexts. This exercise sparked curiosity and set the stage for deeper investigations they will conduct in future grades.

As they progress through their science education, these practical experiences will form the backbone of their understanding of environmental science and its impact on global issues. Who knew science could reveal so much through a simple question: Who has the best water?

Stay tuned as our budding scientists continue to explore and make discoveries that connect classroom learning to real-world challenges!

This week, The Grade 10 Japanese Language and Literature class was practicing for Kogen Presentation. They will be renting a hall called the Yokohama Nigiwaiza in Sakuragicho on May 20th (Monday) to hold a performance of Kyogen and Rakugo. Kyogen a form of traditional Japanese comic theater. This unit explores the theme of "laughter," examining the effects of laughter on humans and whether laughter can transcend national boundaries to become a bridge for peace through Kyogen and Rakugo.

This week, G10 and G11 were preparing for Celebration of Learning, that will happen next Wednesday! Throughout this year, they were working so hard on TOK exhibition and Personal Project and it is a time to present these wonderful works to other students, teachers, and parents. Please stop by them to listen the student's excellent works on next Wednesday!

G10 spent the day at the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine. At the facility they learned about molecules and their importance in helping develop new innovative medical procedures to cure and prevent diseases. Students were able to participate in 4 lab experiments: gel electrophoresis, synthesis lab with glove bag, nanoparticle size measurements, and imaging live cells. They then finished their time by hearing from Professor Kataoka, a top chemist in Japan, who is up for a Nobel Prize for developing nanomachines to help treat and prevent cancer with less symptoms than chemotherapy.

On Tuesday, our Grade 11 students went on an exciting journey to Enoshima for their Collaborative Sciences Project (CSP). As part of the Diploma Programme, the CSP is an innovative initiative where students from different science disciplines come together to apply general scientific methods, focusing on global issues and local contexts.

The day was filled with collaboration and discovery as students explored Enoshima, applying real-world scientific methods to understand the complex interplay of factors in environmental and ecological studies. The CSP emphasizes not just the knowledge gained in their specific science courses but the broader application of this knowledge in real-world contexts and the power of working together.

We eagerly await the results of their investigations, which will be shared with the school community on May 10th. Stay tuned for insights and findings from our young scientists’ exploration of Enoshima!

Before their DP exams next week, our Grade 12 students took a much-needed pause from their studies to de-stress with our compassionate Secondary Counselor, Ms. Paddy. Originally planned as an outdoor session, the weather had other plans, but that didn’t dampen our spirits!

Inside the cozy comfort of their classroom, students engaged in a calming coloring activity. With each stroke of color, the pressures of the upcoming exams faded into the background, replaced by a peaceful atmosphere of relaxation and mindfulness.

This session was a gentle reminder of the importance of taking a step back, caring for our mental well-being, and finding tranquility even amidst the most stressful times. Our students are heading into their exams with refreshed minds and spirits, thanks to this serene interlude!

STEAM Week 2024 was packed with a diverse range of activities designed to spark your creativity and challenge your intellect. Students participated in fun activities such as the Egg Drop Challenge, Paper Airplane Contest, Robotics Challenge, Marble Run and Spaghetti Bridges. Stay tuned next week for photos and announcement of winners of the challenges!