September 5, 2020
Dear Kitten parents and guardians,
Thank you for your continued support, especially in preventing the spread of novel corona-virus.
Due to the limited time to communicate with the teachers brought about by the two-month online learning, the restriction in coming into the floor and the simplification of the pick-up/drop-off routines, you must have been feeling uncomfortable or nervous about what is happening in the class. We apologize for all the inconvenience.
Since the children are in the Kitten class now, they are in the process of adjusting themselves to their new schedule and environment. As their relationship with friends becomes closer and deeper, they tend to have more bickerings or fights. They may try to use mean words to friends at times. Also, the Kitten age is the time where they tend to feel unstable emotionally. They are still learning to manage their emotions and they need encouragement to practice self-control.
When there is a fight or an argument, etc., we, teachers and staff, always try to ask both children what happened and how they felt. We acknowledge and understand them, and help them communicate with each other or talk to them how to solve such situations. You may feel anxious or have questions when you hear our reports of an incident. Your child may also say something that makes you worried. We would like to ask for your understanding and cooperation in contacting us directly at those times. We may need some time before replying to you, but we shall take your words seriously and be sure to reply to you without failure. We would like to ask you to refrain from talking among parents about the incidents that happened in school. This is because it may cause unforeseen troubles, confusion or misunderstandings. Children will learn and grow together by going through various experiences at school. And we always work sincerely to boost their learning. We greatly appreciate it if you could trust us in this.
Also, we would like you to understand that we cannot avoid every injury. While we pay close attention to their safety all the time to prevent any serious injuries, children may have minor injuries as they play together actively. They learn and gain their strength, confidence, problem-solving and important life skills using trials and errors. Restricting them too much or discouraging them to take significant risks in play limits them to learn and master a new skill. Minor injuries are just proof of their learning experiences.
Each and every child is a precious treasure for all of us. We, adults, not only us teachers but also you, dear parents, want to be always affectionate, passionate and caring for every single child and find good points in them. We would like to be a good role model to them, love them, care for them and work together to help them grow healthy mentally, emotionally, socially and physically. Although we may still be in the process of learning to be better as a school or a teacher, we shall devote ourselves to offer a better environment and education for them. We would like to ask for your help to make the school a better place for every child.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Hidehiko OTSUKA
YGK Principal