The Owl 3/22/23
5th Grade Capstone Study Abroad Update!
All 3 of our track groups are now abroad and in the thick of their Capstone experience!
Japan
Most of the group arrived over the weekend and got settled in Tokyo. So far this week, their activities have included:
- Visiting the Edo Open-Air Architectural Museum, where they learned about the history of Japanese homes and historical ways of life
- Exploring the surrounding park, Koganei Park, where they viewed early blooms of sakura/cherry blossoms
- Navigating the Tokyo train system- thankfully with Taka Sensei’s help!
- Going to the National Museum of Nature and Science and Tokyo Hydrogen Museum
- Seeing the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world at 2,080 ft/634 m
- Visiting “Japan’s Food Town,” Tsukiji Fish Market
- Observing the Hongan-ji Temple
Mexico
Since last week, the students and chaperones relocated to Nayarit, where they’ve been visiting a number of artisans and farmers, learning about their crafts and hearing stories about their life experiences. Their week has included:
-Doing workshops with: a potter; a couple that cultivates fruit trees and tropical flowers using sustainable methods; a working farm/farm-to-table restaurant; a tapestry weaver; a beadwork artist; and a woodworker- wow!
-Visiting local markets
-Having fun splashing around in the ocean/hotel pool!
Today they will begin their second school visit.
Taiwan
Since finishing their school visit, the group has been exploring the area, seeing many amazing sights both urban and natural! Some highlights:
-Beitou Park: Hot Spring Museum
-National Palace Museum
-Yangmingshan National Park
-Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple; Wenwu Temple; Longshan Temple; Nishi Honganji (historical relics of a Japanese temple)
-Yehliu Geopark
-Shifen Waterfall (known as “Mini Niagara Falls”) and sky lantern release
-Sun Moon Lake
And, uniformly across the Capstone trips, our travelers have eaten lots of delicious food, from farm-to-table meals in Mexico and udon & shrimp in Japan to delicious Taiwanese snacks like red bean cake, tea ice cream, and shaved ice. Yum!
Celebrating Hideko Sensei!
Our longtime Japanese Kindergarten teacher, Hideko Forzley, has been honored as an Amazing Educator by the Portland Tribune. She is so deserving of this recognition and we couldn’t be more proud to have her at ISP.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Reminder: No School April 7
Heads up: Friday, April 7 is a No School day for teacher inservice.
Green Corner: Earth Day Save the Date!
You’re invited: Earth Day on ISP Campus! On Saturday, April 22, we’d love to have you join us on campus for a variety of activities including:
- A neighborhood cleanup sponsored by SOLVE
- Helping install a beautiful butterfly garden to support pollinators
- Egg carton seed planting
- Bulky waste disposal drop-off sponsored by Metro (things you would have to take to the dump, except construction waste)
- Running “Bike Buses” so people can test out riding their bikes to school in preparation for Walk and Roll to School Month in May
Mark your calendars and come on by!!