Monthly Archives: June 2016

Day #6 The first day of school visits

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

What an amazing welcome we got: from the school’s band playing “All Hail the Chief as we filed in” to an amazing set of performances by their marching band and orchestra, to the lovely school song and speeches, we were … Continue reading →

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Day #5, Part 2, Arrival in Kita City

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Tons of excitement and the right amount of pomp and circumstance greeted us in Kita City. What a lovely opening assembly. What an honor!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, Japan, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged #sevenhillsjapan2016 | Leave a comment

Day #4 Part 2 Samurai Land

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The lesson of the day: what happens in Samurai Land stays in Samurai Land. Well, sort of… I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves! The evening ended with a group dinner all together at a traditional Japanese meal! More on … Continue reading →

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Japan Day #4 Part 1

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This morning, after our performance rehearsal, we visited the Kiyomizu Temple. Beautiful vistas of Kyoto, an amazing Buddhist Temple and a walk through village area with gift shops and foodie items. Notice Mr. Roquet’s new Hello Kitty fan! Some students … Continue reading →

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Getting ready to perform when we get to Tokyo

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We have been performing, flash mob style, in various venues in Kyoto to practice for our host schools. Here we are on Saturday morning in the lower lobby of our hotel! Now we are off for a day of sightseeing! … Continue reading →

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Japan Day #3 or “How to Write a Postcard”…

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

So it turns out that the art of postcard writing, that is to say, where to write the message, where the stamp goes, what’s a stamp and what constitutes a full address… these are interesting gaps in our students’ knowledge … Continue reading →

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Japan Day #2 Hiroshima and the bullet train to Kyoto!

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Breakfast in the hotel, than a walk across the street to the Peace Park. So we had an amazing, somber, eye-opening and memorable morning in Hiroshima, starting with a hotel breakfast and a walk to the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum. … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, diversity, education, global education, gratitude, helping children cope with tragedy, Japan, leadership, leadership in children, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged #sevenhillsjapan2016, education, seven hills school walnut creek | Leave a comment

Japan Day #1 on the ground here: our first 24 hours of travel is complete…

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We are checked into our hotel in Hiroshima after one long flight and one short one with a layer that included noodles and some treats at the Narita airport. It is 9:30pm on Wednesday in Hiroshima, 5:30 am Wednesday morning … Continue reading →

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Landed in Hiroshima and ready for sleep!

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

More tomorrow after we sleep!