Kindergarten students at Katoh creatively said goodbye to their old school building. KIMBERLY GORE
On July 9, Katoh Kindergarten bid farewell to their 44-year-old building in order to make way for the new kindergarten building that is currently under construction.
The day began with a ceremony, which included a special farewell song and a few words from
Dr. Masahide Katoh, Katoh Gakuen’s president. Afterward, students and their families were invited inside to write messages of thanks on the walls and floors of the building. There was also a “Keyaki Corner” where students drew pictures on memorial plaques made from the keyaki tree that was a part of the kindergarten’s playground.
In addition, there was a slide show that displayed plans for the new building, a display filled with pictures of former teachers and students from over the years, and booths where one could enjoy some popcorn or cool off with a refreshing shaved-ice treat.
What could have been a melancholy day was, in actuality, one of celebration and remembrance. Many thanks go to the event’s committee, school staff, and parent volunteers from the PTA for organizing such a wonderful farewell.
For the remainder of this school year, Katoh Kindergarten will be held in a temporary building on school grounds. Everyone is eagerly watching, though, as the new building takes shape, to be filled with new memories in the years to come.
Katoh Kindergarten is located in Numazu, Shizuoka and is part of Katoh Gakuen. — KIMBERLY GORE
