Announcements

A message from our PTA president 

And I would like to believe we passed that test with grace. Every volunteer made the day extraordinary. There are not enough words to thank those who dedicated months, weeks, and days to bringing all the puzzle pieces together (Maricris, we are in debt forever!) The smaller gestures — parents who showed up asking where they could be most helpful — were no less meaningful. And of course, the students (your wonderful kids!) who worked so hard to make a difference. All of these contributions shaped the day into what it became: a vibrant gathering of people, a melting pot of cuisines and flavors, a carousel of smiling, engaged, generous faces.

Finding an amazing ceramic vase at one of the student booths supporting a social cause, reconnecting with friends I hadn’t seen since Winterfest last year, and proudly watching my daughter make the effort to donate blood were just a few of the many heartwarming moments of my day. I hope you had plenty of your own. I invite you to share them — and to never hold back a compliment when one is due. So many fellow parents deserve more than one, and unspoken gratitude is gratitude unheard.

Winterfest once again reminded us of something we’ve long known: a community’s strength is woven from the ties between its members. Whatever you hope for yourself or your family in the New Year, I hope it comes to you. Whatever changes the year brings, may they be for the better; whatever stays the same, may it remind you of the good life we share.

And — as cheesy as this may sound — I’m on my way to making a list of the people and moments that made my days special this year. The list is long, and I cannot wait to thank them one by one.

Enjoy your break, travel safely, rest well, read plenty — and forget about PTA volunteering for a bit!

Indre Mackeviciute
On behalf of the ASIJ PTA Board

From Polarizing Rants to Respectful Dialogue — A Student-led initiative with Braver Angels

On the morning of January 12, from 8:30 - 10:00AM at the ELC, HS will co-host a Mustang Connection for parents with Braver Angels consultants. Please mark your calendars and RSVP by filling out this form. Families of any grade students are welcome.

Braver Angels is a nonprofit group working to reduce polarization by helping people practice honest and respectful dialogue. Their partnership with HS is possible due to the support of our PTA Grants & Speakers Program. A workshop for parents is one in a series of events. Braver Angels will also host an HS assembly, lead training sessions for students on how to engage in important conversations that allow us to better understand each other, as well as offer sessions for faculty about how to keep brave conversations happening in the classroom. Their teen-specific workshops focus on LAPP skills (listen, acknowledge, pivot, perspective) and practice applying them to simulated scenarios relevant to teens.

PTA Mid-Year Welcome Event

New ASIJ parents as well as returning parents are welcome to join our PTA mid-year welcome coffee on Thursday, Jan 22, 9:30–11:30AM (Location: TBC). This is an opportunity to connect with other parents and learn more about PTA events, activities and volunteer opportunities this semester. No registration is needed. If you have any questions about the event, don’t hesitate to contact communications@pta.asij.ac.jp.

Do you want to know your awesome PTA board members? Here’s the full column from the ‘Get Acquainted with Our PTA Board Members’ series!

Follow ASIJ PTA on Instagram – @asij.pta

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. 

• To all families who contributed to the Annual Fund in December: Thank you sincerely for your generosity, trust, and support to our community. Your contribution directly enriches every student’s experience and strengthens our community. We are all deeply grateful for your commitment and partnership.

• Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday for Winterfest! It was such a great day made even better by all your energy, excitement and smiles throughout the day. From our entire Winterfest Committee and the PTA, we truly hope you, your family and friends had a wonderful time.

To our Winterfest leads, volunteers, student groups and ASIJ staff,
I sincerely thank you for all your efforts, patience, support and everything you put into making Winterfest 2025 an amazingly memorable event. The joy I saw and felt this Saturday from our community was because of all of you. I’m sure I’ll miss people here, but I’ll try my best. To Indre Mackeviciute, Katsui Ishihara, Matt Wilce, Johnson Lin, Zelda Edmunds, Mike Nelson, Sabina Huang, Brad Ellis, Isabella Rogovin, Anne Cunningham, Nikki Torchon, Ryosuke Suzuki, Meenakshi Lahad, Mariko Ohno, Ron Schnell, Craig Noon, Pete Vergel and your entire team, Beth Crissy and your entire team, Adam Carlson, Meg Chapple, Maddi Mondin, Carrie Iwasaki, Jeff Iwasaki, Atsuko Chiyoda, Sandra Wong, Bryan Battenfelder, Ryoko Kijima, Jun Yoshifuku, Koji Kadotani, Miho Katagiri, Yumi Sato, Yumi Noon, Kristen Willden, Lalaka Fukuma, Chelsea Shi, Valentina Salerno, Yuriko Imai, Jacob Semetko, David Neale, Shino Torigoe-Yeh, Jennifer Min, David Charron, Sanae Ishihara and your team, Caroline Haddad, Kelly Wormann, Saori Lachovitzki, Aki Okazaki, Eri Okamoto, Mariko Yokosuka, Sumino Hirano, Nami Komaki, Luyi Chen, Jenn Qin, Aiko Matsumoto, Alberto Rinon, Miho Matsumoto, Yasu Nakayoshi and your team, Aileen Kanoh, Sean Bryson, Michal Kubo, Makiko Ogasawara, Greg Krauth and your team, Tai Dirkse and your team, Anne Oommen, Nakaba Momma-Milstein, Rika Chen, Raul Gumagay, Adrienne Waller, Kate Fabianowicz, Andrew Conrad, Ivar Eimon, Jason Durkee, Fumie Durkee, Eiko Matsumoto, Miwako Shimizu, Tae Young, Mitsuko Phillips, Jinly Zee, Susan Huang, Yifat Bavli, Blair Perilman Roth, Pascal Buckley, Massimo Locatelli, Etsuko Kohari, Keiko Namba, Maria Kobori, Sion Kanegawa, YoonJin Kim, Andrea Murrieta, Maki Akaishi, Naho Ogawa, Taka Go, Natasha Shih, Irene Yang, Dao Van Der Sande, our 28 student groups and their faculty advisors, our performers, and our over 220 volunteers, THANK YOU!

• Shout out and a double thank you to Lauren Kawasaki (on site treasurer), Alberto Rinon (Parking), Raul Gumagay (WhatsApp Communications) and Lalaka Fukuma (Bakesale) for volunteering in their roles for both Winterfest AND Spirit Day this year. Thank you for stepping up twice. Your expertise and enthusiasm are invaluable and our community is so lucky to have you!

Thank You from ASIJ

Thank you to the many parents who made gifts to ASIJ for Giving Tuesday or at another point this fiscal year! Your support helps moments become milestones, turning everyday experiences into sparks of inspiration that our students will remember for years to come. Thank you for helping to keep ASIJ home to possibility.

If you haven't yet made your gift, ASIJ's giving season runs from July 1 to June 30 every year. Make your gift at https://www.asij.ac.jp/giving/how-to-give

Divisional Events

ES Mid-Year Coffee - Jan 21 at 9:30AM

Please join us for the Elementary School Mid-Year winter coffee on Wednesday, January 21st from 9:30-11:30am at Azabu Gardens West - Club Hall. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and reconnecting in the New Year! Click here for more details and to sign up. Any questions please contact ES Social Coordinators Jamie Holyfield and Massimo Locatelli at essocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

HS Mid-Winter Parent Coffee - Jan 28 at 9:30AM

We are looking forward to seeing you in the New Year! Please join us at the High School (HS) Mid-Winter Parent Coffee on Wednesday, January 28 at 9:30-11 AM at Azabu Gardens. Can’t wait to see you there! Questions? Contact HS Social Coordinators Lisa and Emi at hssocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

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. 

Flower Arranging Club - Dec 10 at 10AM (Azabu Gardens)

A few spots have opened so sign up to join this special event! Come make a Christmas wreath and optional candle arrangement (a simple 30-minute design that you can enjoy making during the session or later at home as a DIY kit). 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 each including flowers and materials.

Christian Parents Club - Dec 10 at 9PM (Zoom)

Sign up to join this weekly club on Wed evenings 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.

Neighborhood Explorers Club - Dec 11 at 9AM (Ebisu station)

Sign up to see the Yokohama Yamate Holiday Decorations on Dec 11 from 9AM-3PM. We will meet at Ebisu station and travel together via train to Yokohama to see the homes of former foreign residents decorated for the holidays. We will have coffee and cafe lunch along the way. We will return to Tokyo mid-afternoon, around 3 pm, but participants are welcome to leave at any time.

Bark & Bond Club - Dec 11 at 10AM (Yoyogi Park)

Sign up to attend this new 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. This month, the club will meet outside the Yoyogi Park Dog Run.

Book Club - Dec 12 at 12:30PM (Vibhu's residence)

Sign up to join the next Book Club meeting! We will be discussing If We Were Villains by ML Rio

at 12:30PM on Dec 12 at Vibhu's residence (details on WhatsApp).

Run Happy Walk Happy Club - Jan 5 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!

Grapevine Club - Jan 10 at 6PM (Sukha Cafe, Motoazabu)

Sign up to enjoy an amazing buffet of delicious Peruvian food and 3 hours of free flowing cocktails after the winter break! The event will be held on Jan 10 at 6-9PM at Sukha Cafe in Motoazabu. Cost is ¥10,000/person (cash).

Jazz Club - Jan 10 at 6:30PM (Jazz Dining Bb, Akasaka)

Sign up for the next Jazz Club event! Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to support the incredible talents of our own ASIJ teachers and students! The Jeff Torchon Quartet will be performing, sharing exciting new approaches to jazz standards and some Cuban classics. The quartet features Jeff Torchon on piano (ASIJ MS/HS music teacher), Lila Kikuchi on vocals (ASIJ former student), Mark Tourian on upright bass (ASIJ music sub and a sought-after bassist in Tokyo), and Dennis Frehse on drums (popular drummer on the Tokyo music scene). Music charge: ¥4,400 for adults / ¥2,200 for students + 1 drink per person. Doors open at 6 PM. While the first set starts at 7 PM, we plan to meet by 6:30 PM. Deadline for cancellation is January 7th.  

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.