October at Horizon: A Celebration of Spirit, Service, and Spooky Fun

While the cheers from the sports field may have been the loudest sounds in October, the true heartbeat of Horizon Japan International School this month was found in its classrooms, hallways, and community efforts. October was a month dedicated to creativity, global citizenship, and the vibrant "Horizon Hawks" spirit.

Unleashing Creativity: Spirit Week

The school hallways were transformed during Spirit Week, a highlight of the month that allowed students from ELC to Secondary to showcase their personality and school pride. It wasn't just about dressing up; it was a celebration of the school's diverse and creative identity.

Students and staff traded their uniforms for costumes and themed attire, bringing a wave of color and energy to campus. The week served as a fantastic mid-semester morale booster, strengthening the bond between grade levels and allowing the unique personalities of the student body to shine through.

PYP Spirit Week Highlights

Tuesday: Matching Day

Wednesday: Opposite Day

Thursday: Dress Like An Adult Day

Friday: Sports Day

Secondary Spirit Week Highlights

Monday: Pajama Day

Tuesday: Twin Day

Wednesday: School Stereotypes Day

Thursday: Past & Future Day

Friday: Student-Teacher Swap Day

Experiential Learning: From Rice Fields to Concert Halls

Instead of just reading about the world, Horizon students stepped out to experience it firsthand this month.

Harvesting Success: EYP Rice Field Trip Our preschoolers embarked on their first field trip of the year, heading out to the rice fields for a hands-on lesson in nature's cycles. Continuing an inquiry that began with planting back in May, the children excitedly harvested the rice they had sown. Supported by Mr. Fujii and helpful parents, the students witnessed the results of their patience and care, gaining a deeper appreciation for how nature provides our food.

Masters of the Baroque: A Musical Journey Students also took a cultural excursion to the Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall for the "Organ One Hour Concert." Featuring organist Kazuki Tomita, the "Masters of the Baroque Era" program introduced many students to the powerful sounds of live pipe organ music for the very first time, connecting classroom music theory to a real-world cultural experience.

Building Connections: MYP Interview Project In the classroom, MYP English Language Acquisition students launched a heartwarming project to welcome new staff. They conducted interviews with new teachers to learn about their backgrounds and first impressions of HJIS, then crafted thoughtful welcome letters to introduce them to the community.

Athletics: History Made and New Teams Launched

October was a landmark month for our Hawks athletics program.

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  Historic Volleyball Win: The Boys Volleyball Team achieved a school-first victory in the ISTAA League. Their performance was defined by powerful serves and unstoppable teamwork, proving that their hard work and "grit, focus, and heart" are paying off.

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  Pickleball Arrives: Thanks to support from the parent community and the Tokyo Minato Pickleball Club, HJIS launched its first-ever Pickleball Team for Grades 1–4, with tryouts and Saturday training sessions now underway.

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  Winter Basketball: Looking ahead, we are proud to collaborate with Elite Basketball Japan for a 3-day Winter Basketball Camp in December. This intensive camp will feature elite-level coaches and is open to students in Grades 6–10.

Service & Community: Pinkaholics and Partnerships

Service learning took center stage as the school had Breast Cancer Awareness Week (Oct 27–31). The community came together for a week of unity and empathy, featuring:

• Educational Seminars: Led by Run for the Cure, these sessions for Grades 6–12 focus on early detection and awareness using silicone models.

  

  

  

• "Thrive Together" Event: A special community gathering on October 30th featuring guest speaker Libby Pentland-Smith, a "thriver" living with cancer, who will share her inspiring journey.

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  Pinkaholics Day: A "Pink Theme" dress-up day along with Fall Festival on October 31st to celebrate fall with a twist of support.

We are also thrilled to announce a new partnership with Miraino Mori, a non-profit supporting marginalized youth in Japan. HJIS has signed its first MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to support their programs, inviting families to join their upcoming Charity Run.

Looking Ahead: November Highlights

As we say goodbye to October, the calendar for November is already packed with excitement.

• Secondary Sports Day (Nov 1): This event will double as a fundraiser to support the Hawks Volleyball and Basketball teams' upcoming tournament trip to Hokkaido in February.

• Literacy Week (Nov 10–14): A celebration of the "Joy of Reading" with author visits and a Story Character Dress-Up Day.

• Open House (Nov 15): We look forward to opening our doors to prospective families interested in joining the Horizon community.

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  Breakfast Club: Starting in late October, a new "Breakfast Club" will run every Tuesday morning, offering students a healthy start to the day with fruit and planning time.

  
  

Thank you to everyone—students, staff, and parents—for making October a month of growth and "sunshine." Let’s carry this momentum into November! Go Hawks!