| Sathya Sai School Japan, Preschoolers Section |
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Greetings History A Day at the Sai School Yearly Schedule Educational Environment Enrollment About the Educator Sathya Sai Baba What is Sathya Sai Education? GreetingsWe are pleased to humbly announce, in response to the long held desires of a number of people, the opening of the Preschoolers Section of the First Sathya Sai School in Japan. The Institute of Sathya Sai Education, which has a history of 37 years, extending from India a network of 47 schools in 28 countries, including educational institutions at the primary, secondary schools and university levels. These schools, recognized as institutions of excellence by each nation’s government and educational ministries, receive high-praises such as being visited regularly as model schools by teachers and educators. Our school opens with official accreditation from the Institute of Sathya Sai Education, which has members in 34 countries. The school’s name derives from the name of the Chancellor Sathya Sai, which means respectively Truth (Sathya) and Mother (Sai). Based on the thinking that mothers are teachers, and vice-versa that teachers are mothers. Our teachers, with the heart of a mother, will assist the children to help their hearts bloom. The motto of all Sathya Sai Schools is, “Speak the Truth, Act Righteously.” The fundamental philosophy of our kindergarten is the blossoming of innate human excellence through the five universal human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Non-Violence. These Five Human Values form the basis of all systems of values education since ancient times, and are not the property of any one particular religion. In order to foster truly international children, we have incorporated a curriculum aimed at the furthering of understanding of various countries’ cultures, including foreign language and Japanese culture. Further, children will be encouraged to respect and revere their parents, teachers and elders. HistoryThis school is operated under the auspices of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education, ISSE. Since its inception in 1994, ISSE has been involved in: publishing materials related to morals and parenting; holding events for the revival of moral standards; sponsoring special teacher’s training seminars for the advancement of teacher’s pedagogical skills; and regularly conducting, with the official sponsorship of local Boards of Education, Human Values Drama Festivals for secondary school students. In addition to Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Ryuko Hira, who has been active ly working worldwide for the sake of human values education, the Japan branch of the Institute is composed of Directors Masayoshi Yamazaki, Emeritus Professor of Kyoto Educational University and educator for some 35 years, Makoto Ishii, graduate of the Law Department of Meiji University and possessor of a Tokyo Metropolitan Teacher’s Certification, Masanaga Higa, Okinawa Prefecture Public School Teacher, and numerous other volunteers. A Day at the Sathya Sai School 9:45 Arrival at School (Personal preparations, Free Time) 10:00 Morning Assembly, Prayer (Silent Sitting) 10:15 SSEHV Class (Story, Calisthenics, Music, Dance, Crafts) 11:30 Preparation for Lunch (Student-in-Charge of Lunch) Lunch (Pre-Meal Prayer) 12:30 Outdoor Activities Tree-Climbing, Jungle Gym, Sandpit (Walk to a nearby Park) 13:00 Closing Assembly (Sacred Songs, Silent Sitting) 14:00 End of the day Yearly ScheduleSpring:* Start of First Trimester (April) (April) Social Gathering for New Parents, Outdoor Activity (Digging Bamboo
Shoots (September) Outdoor Activity Acorn Gathering, Sports Festival (October) Outdoor Activity Yam Digging, Radish Digging Birthday of Chancellor Sathya Sai (November 23) Winter* (December) Christmas End of Second Trimester (December) Start of Third Trimester (January) (January) Traditional Japanese New Year’s Games (March) Hina (Girl’s) Festival, Music Festival, Parting Party, Graduation Educational EnvironmentOur school is located inside the facilities of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education, which has an area of approximately 250 heibei and is instilled with a holy, peaceful atmosphere. Starting with Setadani Park, the vicinity is blessed with abundantly green public facilities, and an environment where the children can move around to their heart's content and be in contact with nature. EnrollmentAges 3-5 Location 1-30-8 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo-to Time 10:00-14:00 Mon.-Fri. (Five-days/week system) Classes Three-Class System K3(3yrs.) K4(4yrs.) K5(5yrs) Tuition None Lunch Fees (Dairy Vegetarian Meals) and Educational Materials Costs are to be born by students About the Educator Sathya Sai BabaIn the long history of mankind, the persons who have contributed to many developments have been educators. In the turbulent transition period of the 20th Century, the educator Sathya Sai Baba, who has gathered respect in the same manner as Christ or Buddha, was born in 1926 in southern India. Sai Baba has infinitely contributed to individual, social, national, and worldwide advancements in education, medicine and social welfare. Amongst those who have sought Sai Baba’s counsel are Former Prime Ministers and Presidents, Prime Ministers, Royal Family from various nations, ordinary citizens, and countless people from throughout the world. Through the lofty volunteer spirit of these people, numerous service projects have been carried out. In regards to the educational field, starting with the Sathya Sai University, abundant schools and universities have been established. Further, with the aim of educing the intrinsic virtues of man, the SSEHV (Sathya Sai Education in Human Values) Program has been expounded, and introduced into many schools. Sai Baba has said that education should not be for a mere means for earning a living, but rather for fostering human virtue and cultivating a noble character and has placed it as the bearer of the most noble and holy role in the molding of the future of any nation. What is Sathya Sai Education?“Educare, “ the fundamental philosophy of Sathya Sai Education, which is presently incorporated into the curriculum of public and private educational institutions in over 100 countries worldwide, has its objective in fostering human excellence. “Educare” comes from the Latin word educare, which is the root of the word “education” and has the meaning of drawing out the innate wisdom and virtue of the child. Additionally, as the combination of “edu-“ and “care”, Educare connotes education conducted with consideration and heart. Through cultivation of an abundant heart respectful toward Nature, and the assimilation of habits of hearing good, seeing good, speaking good, and thinking good, children’s thought, word and deed become balanced and pure, and result in the outward manifestation of inherent human virtues. This process is Educare. In order to achieve such a process, it is crucial that the teachers themselves serve as good role models. Teachers who have been trained in the SSEHV method are themselves pupils of Sathya Sai Education alongside their students, and strive daily for self-improvement. Through the love and example of the dedicated teacher practicing a moral lifestyle, the virtues innate within the children will also be drawn out. This educational method of close relations between teacher and student has been seen as an ideal since ancient times. Sathya Sai Education has revived this ideal education for the present. In the actual SSEHV classes, self-confidence, growth, and excellence are cultivated through the use of the five central Teaching Techniques (Silent Sitting, Storytelling, Group Singing, Positive Thinking, Group Activity), amidst an atmosphere permeated by kindness and consideration. Q&AQ: Why is there no fee for tuition? A: Since ancient times, education has been thought of as the blessing of Heaven, and as something holy. It can be considered that the demand for money in exchange for education is at variance with this principle. In order to actualize a tuition-free school, wasteful spending is eliminated, and the costs are born by voluntary contributions from those who endorse the philosophy of Sathya Sai Education. Lunch fees and costs for a certain portion of personal educational materials will be paid for by the parents. Q: Why vegetarian? A: Our school has adopted a non-meat, non-fish, non-egg dairy vegetarian school lunch system. Foodstuffs are responsible for building up not only our physical bodies but also our minds and our thoughts. We must pay attention not only to nutrient and calorie levels, but also to the effect that the food will have on our minds. It has been said that those who eat animals will have animal-like thoughts. Vegetarianism is the optimum means to calm the mind and foster a pure and kind heart. In recent years, the population of vegetarians throughout the world is increasing, and a carefully planned vegetarian diet is gaining attention as the ideal way to maintain the health of the body and mind. Quote from the ChancellorMany believe that knowledge is power. But it is not so. Actually character is power. Education should confer humility. Education without humility, action without discrimination, scholasticism without wisdom, Untruthful words, friendship lacking in gratitude, Music without melody, governance lacking in morality or sincerity, These will never shine in society. When people hold knowledge together with humility, only then will the heart blossom And be a presence with Character. The aim of Education is Character. -Shri Sathya Sai Baba |
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