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Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW A Junior Ambassador delegation from Takikawa a city in the center of Hokkaido island of Japan spent four days in Longmeadow last week. Comprised of six students and three adults, the group toured the district learning about local education and experiencing the culture by interacting with Longmeadow students and residing with host families. On Thursday Blueberry Hill Elementary School was just one of the stops on their packed agenda. Principal Marie Pratt welcomed the visitors before leading them through the school. Jennifer Quynn-Dale's classroom gave the group an impromptu song based on Eric Carle's book "The Very hungry Caterpillar." Deputy Director of International and Domestic Exchange Yasuhiro Yamauchi translated for students as Pratt explained class structures, the difference between half and full-day kindergarten, and the lunch program. On a whim, Takikawa students were allowed to join Blueberry children outside for recess. There, they interacted with the students showing them origami, creating shapes and airplanes with paper. Blueberry students were warm to their visitors, waving hello and posing for pictures. Pratt finished their visit by presenting them with a gift a Blueberry Hill Elementary School cookbook. The manual of recipes was contributed by school staff and families. Longmeadow Educational Excellence Fund (LEEF) Publicity Co-Chair Joe Aberdale said this visit was made possible in part by a LEEF grant for Asian Studies. For more photographs of the Takikawa Delegation's visit, click on photo gallery. |
