As hundreds of cyclists poured through the Summit City, there was hope that the event would not only bring some exercise and entertainment to the participants but hopefully a changed view of the community in general.Japanese Saturday School helps students of Japanese citizens living in the area keep up academically with their peers in Japan.
The IPFW-sponsored program, which started in 2006, meets 46 weeks a year. Japanese-speaking students attend local schools during the week.
The extra education follows the requirements of the Japanese Ministry of Education and Foreign Affairs and helps prepare students for their eventual return to Japan.
“Temporarily (they are) living here, but they have to go back to Japan, and that is why they don’t want to lose the Japanese education,” said Sachi Mylera, Japanese Saturday School second-grade teacher.
The traditional program for the children of Japanese executives who are assigned to northeast Indiana helps them maintain their educational path so that when they go back home, “they are on the right path to get into the university,” said Michael Kelly, director of personal and professional development at IPFW.
Non-Japanese-speaking students also can attend Japanese Saturday School. Offered by the Division of Continuing Studies at IPFW, this program is open to area residents of any age, nationality or ability. The next class starts in April. For more information, call the Japanese Saturday School office at 481-4171.
