Announcements

A message from our PTA president 

A big congratulations to all those talented and courageous kids who grabbed their spotlight on the ASIJ stage this past Saturday! And an equally big congratulations to the parents who made it all happen—supporting their kids’ talents on and off stage, helping organize the show, and, perhaps most importantly, possessing that essential life skill: a driver’s license. Because behind every child on stage is a parent who drove them there.

And now for a couple of very cool announcements.

Families have a unique chance to help transform the ES upper playground.

Follow the information and come help paint a large-scale mural—bring the kids, bring your creativity, and let those artistic juices flow! This colorful initiative is proudly supported by the PTA Grants and Speakers Program.

Got toys? The Global Issues Network is hosting a toy drive! Middle schoolers are collecting donations in good condition to bring some joy to children in local orphanages. Please have your child drop off donations in front of the ES, MS, or HS office by April 1.

And finally—“I hate holidays,” said no one ever. Time to spring break out of the routine, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved downtime! But before that - find that toy you will donate to a child in need.

Warm regards,

Indre Mackeviciute
On behalf of the ASIJ PTA Board

Volunteer Requests

Senior Lunch - April 15

Please join us and sign up here to help with our very last Senior lunch of the year. We will be celebrating the Sakura season with a Cherry Blossom themed Senior Lunch, offering a combination of Japanese and Korean food. Please join us to enjoy the festivities by volunteering your time, donating a dessert or just stopping by to say hello.

Note: April 15 is a PACT Day. The lunch starts at 12:25pm and finishes around 13:30. Seniors will stay for a video shooting after lunch.

Coordinators for the lunch are Chie Sonoda and Naomi Fukumoto. For questions, please contact our Senior Activity Chairs at senioractivities@pta.asij.ac.jp.

Community Gratitude

Our ASIJ community is the best around! We want to honor our unsung heroes by creating space in our PTA weekly emails to recognize members of our community who have let their Mustang Spirit shine bright. Each week, we will highlight those who you have nominated in this space. You may leave an anonymous message here.

• A huge thank you to our Middle School Social Chair, Monika, and our MS Division Chair, Pascal. What a fantastic evening! It was wonderful to see such a great turnout for our MS Social Dinner on March 17th. Seeing so many parents come together to relax, connect, and share a laugh truly highlights what a vibrant and supportive community we have here at ASIJ. We also want to extend a special note of gratitude to fellow parent Preeti, the owner of DIYA Modern Indian Dining. The food was absolutely incredible, and the warm, welcoming ambiance provided the perfect backdrop for our evening. We are so lucky to have such talented and generous families in our school. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the night so much fun. We look forward to seeing you all at our next community event!

Divisional Events

HS Spring Social Dinner - Apr 10 at Scarpetta Tokyo

Sign up now for the HS Spring Social Dinner! It has been great to see and meet so many of you HS parents at various social events throughout the school year. Join us at Scarpetta Tokyo for a night of warm company of fellow High School parents. Enjoy delicious Italian cuisine at this lovely restaurant located conveniently in Toranomon. We look forward to enjoying the evening with you.

-Date and time: Friday, April 10 at 7-10PM

-Location: Scarpetta Tokyo (Tokyo World Gate Building, 4 chome-1-1- 1F, Toranomon, Tokyo)

-Cost: depending on the number of attendees, between ¥11,500 - 16,100  per person

-Dress: Smart Casual

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Draper or Emi Chachra at hssocial@pta.asij.ac.jp

ELC Spring Family Picnic in Yoyogi Koen - Apr 11 at 10AM

ELC PTA invites you to come join us at Yoyogi Koen on April 11th for a day of fun where you can meet new families or catch up with old friends. Bring your picnic mats, food, drinks, and park toys. It will be a great day! Feel free to contact Jenna Holdgrafer at elcdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp if you have any questions.

ELC Literacy Week Parent Performances - Apr 16 at 8:45AM

Literacy Week is one of everyone’s favorite weeks at the ELC and now it’s your turn to be part of the magic! We’re looking for parent volunteers to help out in three ways: join us on Craft Day in the Community Room on April 9, step into the spotlight as an Actor, or help things run smoothly as an Usher. No matter your comfort level, there’s a perfect role for you! Sign up and we’ll contact you with a role you feel comfortable with! Feel free to contact Jenna Holdgrafer at elcdivision@pta.asij.ac.jp if you have any questions.

ES Spring Family Picnic at the Park - Apr 25 at 11AM

Spring is almost here! Let’s celebrate the warmer weather with a relaxed family picnic at Yoyogi Park. Bring your own lunch and blanket, and enjoy time chatting with other parents while the kids run and play. We’d love to see you there. Sign up for the event here.

Parent-Led Clubs

Are you new to ASIJ or to Tokyo, or maybe a returning parent? Do you have hobbies or interests that you would like to share with the ASIJ community? We encourage you to establish a new club. The PTA will support you in starting, managing and promoting the club. If you have a club idea or questions, please contact Parent-led Clubs Chair, Jennifer Min at parentledclubs@pta.asij.ac.jp. 

View the full list of parent-led clubs on our website, including current photos. 

Global Cooking Club - Mar 18 at 10AM (Setagaya City)
This event is closed but check the sign up soon for the next event in April!

Hello Nihongo Club - Mar 19 at 10AM (ELC Roppongi)
Sign up for this club’s next meeting for new arrivals and absolute beginners in Japanese who want to learn daily conversation skills. Also enjoy hands-on experience of Japanese culture, including calligraphy and origami (paper folding), etc. This club is led by Kimiyo, an ASIJ parent and nationally licensed Japanese language teacher with extensive experience teaching at a Japanese school for expatriates and their families. The fee per class is ¥1,500 (cash) for learning materials and a short tea break with Japanese sweets.

Run Happy Walk Happy Club - Mar 30 at 8AM (Nogawa Park)
Sign up to join a fun run or walk with optional breakfast afterwards. We meet on Monday mornings around 8AM in the parking area at Nogawa Park (next to ASIJ). All paces are encouraged to join this fun and friendly group!

Christian Parents Club - Mar 31 at 9AM (Zoom)
Sign up to join this weekly club on Tuesday mornings via Zoom. Are you seeking a supportive community where you can pray for your children and their school? We invite you to participate in a time of worship, praise, and intercessory prayer. Our prayers are conducted in English and Japanese.

Flower Arranging Club - Apr 2 at 10AM (Azabu Gardens West)
Sign up to make a Spring flower arrangement using a variety of colors. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, our skilled florists and ASIJ parents Nakaba and Rika will be with you to nurture your love for blooms. The cost is ¥6,500/person (cash) including flowers and materials.

Offline Experiences Club - Apr 3 at 10AM (Nihonbashi)
Sign up here to explore the streets of Nihonbashi for three uninterrupted offline hours. A few landmarks to visit are identified in advance by the club’s leader, Juan Felipe, but part of the plan is to let interests and conversations guide the offline experience. Don’t miss out on this one-time event!

Neighborhood Explorers Club - Apr 3 at 10:15AM (Hokusai along the Sumida River)
Sign up to explore an "off the beaten path" area of the Sumida River and stop at shrines that are featured in the work of the famous artist Hokusai. We will meet at the Burger King Asakusa Azumabashi (outside of Asakusa Station near Azuma Bridge).

Bark & Bond Club - Apr 9 at 10AM (Yoyogi Park)
Sign up to attend this club of dog lovers and their four-legged companions. We're all about creating a fun, safe, and social environment for dogs of all breeds, personalities and sizes. Whether you're looking for a new walking buddy, exchange information on boarding, vets, insurance or supplies, want to practice some agility skills, or just want to hang out with other dog people our club has something for everyone. The club will meet outside the Yoyogi Park Dog Run.

Grapevine Club - Apr 11 at 7PM (Big Iowa BBQ, Roppongi)
Sign up to make some new friends or catch up with some old ones! Enjoy 2-1/2 hours of free flowing drinks and a delicious buffet of American barbecue on Apr 11 at 7-9:30PM at Big Iowa BBQ in Roppongi. Cost is ¥8,000/person (cash).

Grant and Speakers Program (GSP)

About GSP

The PTA has funds to help bring cool projects and guest speakers to ASIJ! If you’re a teacher, staff member, student group, or parent with a great idea to boost learning or add something special to school that would go beyond the standard curriculum, you can apply for financial support through the PTA Grants and Speakers Program (GSP). From author visits and student-led gardens to virtual reality in the classroom, past grants have made a difference.

Want to know more or ready to apply? Check out the guidelines and the application form.