Announcements

How vividly somber the HS Fall play was last week! And yet, how alive with color and talent. At a time when I find myself increasingly wary of AI taking over the arts, looking around the Black box reminded me that art is nothing without an artist and black is never just black.

Friday’s ES Halloween parade will add another splash of color and personality! Multihued delight to watch and a sign of golden autumn.  Not to mention the frantic technicolor of those Halloween preparations – the costumes don’t just appear out of the blue!

And what about the true colour of silence? Based on this amazing PTA grant supported treat to ELC kids, I would suggest sunflower yellow!

With kaleidoscopic wishes,
Indre

P.S. If any of you wondered who in the PTA organises what, where and when, keep on reading! There are plenty of things not to miss at school and in life. Especially the colourful session for parents right below!

Virtual Parent Session with Cartoonist Matt Smith - Nov 16 at 7PM

Ever wondered if graphic novels count as "real reading"? Join HS Asst. Librarian Caroline Haddad and special guest Matt Smith—professional cartoonist and former ASIJ teacher—on Zoom for an eye-opening session on the literary value of visual storytelling. Sign up here to learn how graphic novels support readers of all ages, from early childhood to high school! This session is sponsored by the Grants and Speakers Program. 

Divisional Events   

HS Fall Social Dinner - Nov 6 at 6:30PM

Come join us for a fun night at Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo Ginza, where you can connect with HS parents over delicious Italian cuisine for ¥10,000 per person. Click here for details and to secure your spot! For questions, reach out to Shuchandrima and Naomi at hssocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

ES Parents Social Dinner - Nov 13 at 7PM

It’s time to take a break from the busy school routine! Join us for an ES parents dinner at DIYA Modern Indian Dining for delicious food and free flowing drinks for ¥9,000 per person.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with other ES parents. Please sign up here. Questions? Contact ES Social Coordinators Eva, Gwen or Nicole at ESSocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

ELC Fall Movie Festival - Nov 18 at 1PM 

Our Fall Movie Festival is coming up on Wednesday, November 18, after PACT dismissal! Movie sign-ups open this Friday, so please check the ELC Mustang Bulletin for details. Would you like to help make this a fun afternoon for our children? We'd love your help! Please sign up to volunteer here. For questions or more information, please contact the ELC Division Events Team.

Volunteer Requests 

Senior Lunch for Halloween - Oct 30

All Senior parents are warmly invited to join us on campus this Friday, Oct 30, for our Halloween-themed Senior Lunch! Costumes are encouraged as we serve our seniors spooky Italian food. We need dessert donations as well as volunteers from 11:45AM-2:30PM for setup, decorating, serving, and cleanup. Please sign up here to help or donate! Questions? Contact Meg and Nancy at senioractivities@pta.asij.ac.jp and don't forget to join the ASIJ Class of 2027 Whatsapp group for updates all year long!

Winterfest

Winterfest is gearing up for Dec 5, and we need your help to make it magical! Questions? Reach out to Joanna, Maricris and Massimo at winterfest@pta.asij.ac.jp. 

Global Candy Donations - Drop off at ES Halloween Parade
If you're shopping for Halloween candy, please consider buying an extra bag or two to donate to our Winterfest Global Candy Booth!  We are collecting individually wrapped, nut-free global treats! Drop off at the ES Office during the Halloween Parade this Friday, Oct 30. Questions or need to schedule an alternate drop-off? Email Kristen at wf.candybooth@pta.asij.ac.jp.

FOFA Talent Spotlight Applications are Open! 

We’re bringing the FOFA Talent Spotlight to Winterfest on Dec 5 with three dynamic stages! Students from all grades are encouraged to apply in a wide range of performing arts categories, including instrumental performance, voice, dance, stand-up comedy, martial arts, poetry reading, magic, short film and visual art, MC hosting, and more. If your child would like to perform, please submit their application by Thursday, Nov 5 via the Winterfest Talent Spotlight Application Form. Space is limited based on schedule and technical capacity, so be sure to apply early! Contact the Talent Spotlight Committee if you have any questions.

Village Connections

Village Connections brings together ASIJ families living in the same neighborhoods to build community, catch up over coffee and explore local cultural activities together. For questions, please contact Alicia Andrea Murrieta Fernandez at villageconnections@pta.asij.ac.jp.

Village Connections Coffee - Tokyo East - Oct 29

Live in Roppongi, Azabujuban, Minato, etc? Connect with local families at Le Pain Quotidien in Tokyo Midtown on Thursday, Oct 29 from 9:30–11:30AM. Sign up here to attend! 

Zen Temple Visit - Nov 5 

Meditate and eat like a Buddhist monk! Soji-ji, a Soto Zen Buddhism Head Monastery in Yokohama  (a short 7-minute walk from Tsurumi Station) invites us for a guided tour of the temple grounds, Zazen meditation practice, and a traditional Buddhist vegetarian meal on Thursday, Nov 5, from 10AM-1PM. The cost is ¥5,500 per person. There’s a few spots left, please sign up here.

Community Gratitude

Our ASIJ community is the best around! Help us honor our unsung heroes by nominating a community member who lets their Mustang Spirit shine. Each week, we’ll highlight your shout-outs. Submit an anonymous message here. 

Parent-Led Clubs

New to ASIJ, new to Tokyo, or eager to share a hobby? Join a Parent-Led Club or start your own by filling out our interest form! Registration opens Tuesdays at 12:00 PM as events are announced in the newsletter, and you can explore the full club directory and photos on our website. For questions, contact Parent-Led Clubs Chair Shino Torigoe-Yeh at parentledclubs@pta.asij.ac.jp.

Christian Parents Club - every Thursdays (except holidays & PACT days) at 10AM (Zoom)
Join our supportive community for worship, praise, and prayer for our children and their school on Thursday mornings via Zoom. Prayers are offered in both English and Japanese. Sign up here.

Run Happy Walk Happy Club - every Mondays (except holidays) at 8AM (Nogawa Park)
A friendly Monday morning run or walk right next to ASIJ. All fitness paces are welcome, with an optional post-workout breakfast. Sign up here.

Pakistani Kitchen Club - Oct 28 at 10:30AM (Private residence in Setagaya)
This event is full, but check the sign up to join the waitlist. Oct menu includes Dahi Barra, Tarka Daal, and Aalo Tikki. Cost: ¥600 (cash).

Flower Arranging Club - Nov 5 at 10AM (Azabudai Hills)

Join us for a Thanksgiving-themed flower arranging workshop with florist Nakaba. Cost: ¥7,000 (cash) including flowers and materials. Sign up here.

Pickleballers Club - Nov 9 at 11AM (Sansan, Ikebukuro)
Join us for outdoor pickleball! All levels welcome. Court cost (¥6,600) will be shared among participants. Sign up here.

Explore Tokyo Club - Nov 10 at 10AM (Yanaka)

Explore Yanaka, a historic working-class neighborhood, and see how this area from Tokyo’s shogun era is transforming in modern times. Sign up here.

Ikebana Experience Club - Nov 10 at 11AM (Global Front Tower, Shibaura)
Immerse yourself in the elegant world of ikebana, in a workshop led by Rikako, a licensed teacher from the Ikenobo school of floral art. Cost: ¥5,500 (cash). Sign up here.

Hello Nihongo Club - Nov 11 at 10AM (Izumi Garden Residence, Roppongi)
Practice Japanese small talk about the weather and learn to make triangle-shaped onigiri while enjoying a cultural experience! Cost: ¥1,500 (cash) Sign up here.

Brisk Walk Club - Nov 12 at 10AM (Hiroo to Toranomon Hills)
Enjoy a scenic walk through Tokyo while meeting new friends! Walk through Arisugawa Park, past Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple, ending at Toranomon Hills. Sign up here.

Grapevine Club - Nov 14 at 7PM (Snack Sasaeai, Ebisu)
Come sing, mingle, and experience a true slice of Tokyo nightlife at a snack bar with unlimited drinks, food, and karaoke! Cost: ¥8,000 (cash). Sign up here.

Don’t forget to follow ASIJ PTA on Instagram – @ASIJ.PTA