AWIS Newsletter April 2026 Issue

Dear AWIS Families,

As we reflect on the beginning of our school year, I extend a warm welcome to both our returning families and those who are joining our community for the first time.

The start of a school year always brings a special kind of energy—one filled with possibility, growth, and renewed purpose. This past April, I’ve been reflecting on the idea of beginnings—and how, in early years education, these moments are not simply about starting school, but about laying the foundations for a child’s lifelong relationship with learning.

It has been especially meaningful to welcome siblings into our community, see our graduates return through after-school programs, and have even our teachers’ own children join us. These moments reflect the trust, connection, and shared belief that continue to shape our growing school community.

In these early days, I often find myself noticing the small but meaningful moments—a child quietly observing before stepping in, another confidently sharing their ideas, or the simple joy of new friendships beginning. These moments may seem small, but they are the foundations of learning, confidence, and connection.

As Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, once said:
“The child has a hundred languages… but they steal ninety-nine.”

Children naturally express themselves in many different ways. As educators and parents, we share the responsibility to protect and value these ways—ensuring that each child’s curiosity, creativity, and voice are not only preserved, but allowed to flourish.

In an international learning environment like ours, these “hundred languages” take on even deeper meaning. Our students come with diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives, and they express themselves not only through words, but through play, movement, creativity, inquiry, and their growing understanding of the world and one another across cultures. 

At the beginning of the school year, our role is to intentionally create spaces where children feel a strong sense of belonging—where they are seen, heard, and respected. When children feel safe and valued, they are more willing to take risks, explore new ideas, and develop the confidence to express themselves in authentic ways.

For our returning families, thank you for your continued trust and partnership. For our new families, we are honored to walk alongside you in your child’s learning journey.

Together, we begin this year with purpose—committed to nurturing each child as a capable learner, a thoughtful communicator, and a valued member of our community.

In partnership,

Darlin Okada
Head of School

April has been a vibrant month across our campuses, filled with meaningful celebrations and opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.

Our school community came together for a special online Earth Day assembly, connecting all four campuses in a shared celebration. It was powerful for our students to know they were joining 193 countries and over one billion people around the world—reminding them that even small actions can contribute to a much bigger impact.

Guided by the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” students explored how their everyday choices help shape the future of our world. They were inspired by the work of Rachel Carson, learning how one voice can spark meaningful change.

Through songs, movement, and reflection, students expressed ways they can care for the Earth. Their “power pledges,” created with your support at home, are now proudly displayed on our Earth Day Wall.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our families for guiding and supporting your children in making these pledges. They are more than just words—they are living promises that reflect the values we are nurturing together.

Despite the rainy weather outdoors, our school community was still able to enjoy the much-anticipated Easter egg hunts under the comfort of our covered spaces. What could have been a disruption became an opportunity for creativity, flexibility, and shared joy.

Beyond the excitement of the celebration, students engaged in learning about the cultural background of Easter while naturally demonstrating the Learner Profile in action. We saw caring learners supporting friends who were still searching for their eggs, principled choices as children ensured fairness so that everyone had a chance to participate, and thinkers navigating obstacles and finding creative ways to reach their goals.

Moments like these remind us that children do not need perfect conditions to learn and grow—they simply need the space and the opportunity. When given this, they begin to discover for themselves the kind of learners they are capable of becoming.

We were grateful to welcome the Toyonaka Police to our school for a Road and Traffic Safety Workshop. This meaningful session provided our students with practical guidance on how to stay safe in their daily environments, particularly as pedestrians.

Through interactive discussions and practical demonstrations with both teachers and students, learners were able to actively engage, make choices, and reflect on safe behaviors—supporting student agency in real-life contexts. Students learned about road awareness, safe crossing practices, and the importance of being attentive in their surroundings.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Toyonaka Police for their time, care, and commitment to keeping our children safe.

Our youngest learners have begun exploring units that nurture a strong sense of identity, belonging, and connection to others—laying important foundations for their growth as confident and capable learners.

 Learning in our Early Nursery and Nursery classes is grounded in a play-based and routine-based approach, where children learn through exploration, repetition, and meaningful interactions within a safe and nurturing environment.

Our learning map begins with the child’s unique sense of self, gradually expanding to a wider scope of understanding as they move through the school year. Through play and daily experiences, students explore their bodies, how they express themselves, and how they connect with family and friends. At the same time, they develop an understanding of their own uniqueness, recognize similarities and differences, build on their interests, and grow in independence and self-confidence.

 As students grow, their learning deepens into concept-based inquiry, where they explore broader ideas about identity, relationships, and community.

Our Programme of Inquiry is thoughtfully designed to be both rich and rigorous, while allowing students the space to discover what is meaningful, interesting, and relevant to them.

Students have embarked on their learning journey using our Inquiry Learning Cycle:
We Wonder → We Investigate → We Discover → We Reflect → We Take Action

Through developmentally appropriate central ideas, students are encouraged to ask questions, explore relationships, understand similarities and differences, and develop empathy and social awareness—supporting them in becoming active participants in their own learning.

Connecting Learning Across Experiences
Across all levels, learning is not confined to the classroom. It connects and transcends into different parts of school life—whether through cooking activities, GREEN Farming, or outdoor play. These experiences allow students to apply their understanding in meaningful, real-world contexts, making learning both engaging and purposeful.

 We are excited to launch our international collaboration project, Across the Oceans, in June in partnership with KoolBeanz Academy in Australia.
 

Students will have opportunities to:

• Engage in pen pal exchanges
• Participate in cultural sharing activities
• Develop global awareness and communication skills

In addition, our Kindy class in Toyonaka will be collaborating with another IB PYP school in India, GD Goenka International School, for a global exchange. Students will have the opportunity to share and reflect on their understanding of their central ideas under the transdisciplinary theme Who We Are. This exchange will allow learners to see different perspectives, make connections across cultures, and deepen their understanding of themselves and others within a global context.

This month, our leadership team—including our School President, Executive Director, Operations and Strategy Coordinator, and myself—had the valuable opportunity to visit AICJ International School, an authorized IB PYP school, and connect with their school leadership, including their Principal Mr. Kumagai, alongside their Vice principal Mr. Nishiyama , PYP coordinator Ms. Phant, teachers, and students.

One of the most meaningful highlights of the visit was reconnecting with our AWIS alumni and seeing them thriving in their new learning environment. It was a proud and affirming moment for our community.

We were equally inspired by the wonderful work of the AICJ school community. From classroom practices to student engagement, it was evident that a shared commitment to inquiry, student agency, and holistic development continues to drive meaningful learning experiences.

It was especially affirming to see how seamlessly our students transition into AICJ, carrying with them the strong foundation of lifelong learning nurtured during their time at AWIS.

As innovators in education, IB PYP schools work hand in hand to continuously transform learning. Opportunities like these allow us to exchange ideas, reflect on best practices, and strengthen our shared purpose.

We extend our sincere thanks to the entire AICJ International School community for their warm welcome and the meaningful insights we were able to share. We look forward to building a continued and fruitful relationship in the years ahead.

Our teachers from all four campuses recently came together for a meaningful Professional Development Day dedicated to planning, collaboration, and alignment as we begin the school year together.

This valuable opportunity allowed our team to strengthen shared practices, reflect on our goals, and ensure consistency across campuses in supporting high-quality learning experiences for our students. This year, we revisited our child safeguarding practices, reaffirming our collective responsibility to create safe, caring, and supportive environments for every child.

We also engaged in thoughtful discussions around both local and international standards of education and care, strengthening our shared understanding of best practices as an international learning community. By continuing to learn and grow together as educators, we ensure that our students continue to receive meaningful, responsive, and high-quality educational experiences.

As part of our efforts to build community and celebrate individuality, our schools will be holding School Spirit Days this term. Some campuses will enjoy a Hat Day, while others will have a Crazy Hair Day, as thoughtfully selected by our teachers prior to the start of the school year.

Beyond the fun and creativity, these experiences are designed to spark conversations about similarities, differences, personal preferences, and self-expression—encouraging students to engage with curiosity, respect, and appreciation for one another.

For more information, please check the separate announcement shared through Codmon.

We are excited to announce the opening of a Ballet Class at our Senriyama Campus as part of our continued initiative to enrich student learning beyond academics.

Through movement and creative expression, students will have opportunities to develop coordination, discipline, confidence, and an appreciation for the arts within a supportive environment.

For interested families, please feel free to reach out to our office coordinators, and we will be happy to connect you with our Senriyama Campus for further details.

We are excited to announce our upcoming AWIS Family Day—a special thank you to all families who signed up for the event and for the potluck. Although this is a regular school day, we warmly encourage all families to join us and be part of this meaningful time together. More details will be shared soon.

 Our GREEN Farming program will begin in May and continue on til first week of Term 2, offering more hands-on learning experiences for our students. This is a regular school day with different morning drop off locations. For schedule and details, please refer to previous CODMON announcements. 

 Our Aiwin Academy Program is now open not only to AWIS graduates but also to external students. This program provides continued learning opportunities and supports students in their ongoing academic journey.

We are pleased to offer our Baby Class for babies and toddlers. This program provides:

• A gentle transition into Early Nursery
• Enriching early experiences in an international school environment
• Opportunities for social interaction and developmental growth

For more details and updates, please check your Codmon announcements as well as teacher communications through Codmon.

Key events and important dates for the coming weeks will be shared through Codmon. We encourage all families to regularly check announcements to stay updated.