SPRING EDITION SPRING EDITION
Fun to learn! Field trips can be so much fun for students!
Editors
LeadershipTeam
MeganRoe
SarahTurner
DanPallmann
BradSkarin
SosroKarsosoemo
NickMcquillin
Teacher/Staff
DanCusumano
DanielClaxton
DavidKim
AndyRoe
BobReed
JessicaSartore
PhotoContributors
ManamiAoki
AndrewLogan
TommyMahaffie
KeikoMizoguchi
MichalRuiz
AmmieRulida
JessicaSartore
MeganSnow
JodyStelly
DeenaVardhini
KathleenWeber
GraphicDesign
KeikoMizoguchi
EditorialInquires
Dual-accredited private Christian school (PK-12) in Okinawa, Japan
EQUIPPING STUDENTS TO WALK WITH JESUS AND IMPACT THE WORLD FOR HIM.
OCSI CONNECTIONS -2024 Spring Edition OKINAWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL 1835 Zakimi, Yomitan, Okinawa 904-0301 Japan www ocsi org | info@ocsi org EXCEL GROW SERVE The OCSI Connections is published by Okinawa Christian School International info@ocsi org
5 – Megan Roe FromtheHeadofSchool’sDesk 6 – Sarah Turner ElementaryPrincipalUpdate 10 – Dan Pallmann SecondaryPrincipalUpdate 16 – Brad Skarin TeachingandLearningDirectorUpdate 26 – Sosro Karsosoemo BusinessDirectorUpdate 27 – Nick McQuillin OperationsDirectorUpdate TABLE OF CONTENTS 17 – Andy Roe ChaplainUpdate 18 – Bob Reed ArtatOCSI 19 – Dan Cusumano Woodshop 20 – Jessica Sartore FromGuidanceCounselor 22 – Daniel Claxton FromTestingCoordinator 24 – David Kim AthleticsUpdate 28 MessagefromAlumni
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Fromthe
HEAD OF SCHOOL’S DESK
ACSI/WASCACCREDITATIONVISIT
ExcitementisbuildingatOkinawaChristianSchoolInternationalasweprepareforasignificant milestoneinourjourneyofeducationalexcellence:theupcomingaccreditationvisitinAprilwith ACSIandWASC.
OCSImaintainsdualaccreditationwithtwoaccreditingbodies-theAssociationofChristian SchoolsInternational(ACSI)andtheWesternAssociationofSchoolsandColleges(WASC) Accreditationisnotjustaformality;it'sarigorousself-studyprocessthatreflectsour commitmenttocontinuousimprovementandadherencetohighstandardsofeducation Italso providesanopportunityforusasaschooltoreflectonourpractices,celebrateour achievements,andidentifyareasforgrowth
OuraccreditationvisitinAprilwillinvolveateamofsixexperiencededucatorsandprofessionals whowillvisitourschooltoassessvariousaspects,includingcurriculum,teachingandlearning practices,studentsupportservices,andfacilities
Asweapproachthisimportantmilestone,Iwanttoassureyouthatwearediligentlypreparingto showcasetheexcellenceofOCSI Ourfacultyandsupportstaffhavebeenworkingtirelesslyto ensurethatourprogramsandpracticesalignwithourmissionandmeettheaccreditation standards.
Aswecountdowntotheaccreditationvisit,Iwanttoexpressmygratitudetoourentireschool communityforyoursupportanddedication YourcommitmenttoOCSIandourvaluesof excellence,growth,andserviceistrulyinspiring.
Together,letusapproachtheaccreditationvisitwithconfidence,knowingthatwehaveworked diligentlytoupholdthehigheststandardsofeducationalqualityandintegrity Ilookforwardto celebratingourachievementsandembarkingonthenextphaseofourjourneytogether.
Warmregards,
MeganRoe HeadofSchool
ELEMENTARY UPDATE
SarahTurner ElementaryPrincipal
ElementaryWeekofReading
AtOCSIWelovetocelebrateReading!
Dr.Seusssays:Themorethatyouread,the morethingsyouwillknow Themorethat youlearn,themoreplacesyou’llgo”
Readingisthefoundationofallother subjects-andaboveall,readingisfun!
FromMarch11-15th,theelementary studentscelebratedreadingbyhaving variousdressupdays,BuddyReadingwith asecondaryclass,aBookCharacter parade,areadingchallenge,andsomuch more!CollectivelytheOCSIElementary studentsreadforatotalof99,130minutes fromMarch1-15th
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Characterparade
Okinawa,Asia,&theWorld
TheKindergartnersand1stgraders participatedinaCarrotDiggingexperience atafarm5minutesawayfromOCSI
Formostof3rdquarter,1-5thgrade studentsspendtimebuildinguptoabig projectinMarch
The3-5thgradersworkonCultureFair, wheretheyareputintosmallgroupsand aregivenacountrytoresearch Theyhave toplanouttheirresearchanddecoratea trifoldpresentationboard.Thentheyhave towriteupapresentationonthecountry. OnMarch17th,the3-5thgraderspresented theircountriestotheyoungergradesand parents.Thisprojectsencompassesmany subjectsincludingsocialstudies,reading, writing,grammar,speaking,andmore!
The1-2ndgradersstartlearningaboutthe variousmembersofthecommunityin preparationforKidCity Thestudentslearn aboutwhathappensatvariousplaces aroundacityandpracticethe conversationsthathappenthere.OnKid Cityday,March22nd,thewholegymis convertedintoaminitownandthestudent taketurnsworking,aswellasshopping (withfakemoney),andpracticinggreat speakingskills!
ElementaryCamp
CultureFair
5thGradeReadIn
3 R D Q U A R T E R H I G H L I G H T S
1stGradeFieldTrip
CarrotHarvesting
KIDSCITY
ReadingBuddies
Oneofthebestpartsof beingaPK-12schoolis thechanceforourbig kidstospendtime readingwithourlittle kids Thankyoutoallof themiddleschool studentsforsharingyour loveofreadingonBuddy ReadingDay!
Thankyoutoallofthe OCSIfamilieswhocame outtohelpuscelebrate KiteDayandspendsome timeinyourchild’s classroom
Readingbuddy
KiteDay
KiteDay
SECONDARY UPDATE
DanPallmann
SecondaryPrincipal
TakingAdvantageofOpportunities
Wearealwayslookingforopportunitiestoenrichour students’livesandlearning Hereareacouplethings wehavebeenupto:
NHS
NewmembersoftheNationalHonorSocietywere inductedon3/12 Weexpectgreatthingsfrom thesefutureleaders!
HSCamp
HSCamptookplaceon3/13-3/15 Betweenthe SurvivalSkillsTraining,theObstacleCourse,and thepersonaltestimonies,itwasagreattimeof learningandbonding Seethepicturesinlater pages
LearningTrips
TheMarineBiologyClasslistenedtoalecture aboutseaturtlesinOkinawa Afterthelecture,they walkeddowntoSobeBeachandtheygaveusa demonstrationofhowtheorganizationlocates andprotectsthenestsandhowtheymarkand numbertheeggs
AMSJapaneseclassattendedalectureatOIST Thiswassurelyagreattestoftheircomprehension ability
ChamberSingers
WewereblessedtohavetheChamberSingers fromChristianAcademyJapancomeandperform twoconcertsforourstudents
10 Course Presentation
Chamber Singers from CAJ
MS Japanese Class Field Trip to OIST
UpcomingEvents
Herearesomethingswearelookingforwardto:
PTC/Coursesfornextyearpresentation
On3/20,therewasapresentationforparents regardingchoosingcoursesfornextschool year
StudentswillreceiveCourseRequestFormsin earlyApriltomaketheirrequests Weareexcitedtobeofferingacouplenew coursesfornextschoolyear
NJHS
TheNationalJuniorHonorSocietywillholdits InductionCeremonyon4/3 Thisisanexciting andimportantopportunityforourMSstudents.
JR/SRBanquet
JuniorshavebeenbusyplanningtheJuniorSeniorBanquetforthisyear.Thebanquetwill beheldon4/26
MSBanquet
TheMSstudentswillhavetheirownbanquet on5/10atalocalhotel Thisisalwaysagreat chancetodressupandpracticegood ettiquette!
APExams
StudentsthathaveregisteredforAPExamswill taketheseimportantexamsbetween5/75/23. Theschedulewillcomeoutshortly.
MAPTesting
OurSpringMAPTestingwilltakeplace between5/23-5/31.Itisalwaysgoodtosee howmuchourstudentshavegrown academicallythroughouttheyear
Graduation
Classof2024Graduationisscheduledtotake placeonFridayevening,6/7,7pm@Yomitan OtoriHall
8thGradePromotionCeremony
Wewillcelebrateour8thGradersfinishingup middleschoolwithaPromotionCeremony ThisceremonywilltakeplaceonMonday,6/10, 2pm@YomitanSmallHall.
New NHS Inductees
Lecture by Churamura Okinawa Sea Turtle Conservation Project
Lecture by Churamura Okinawa Sea Turtle Conservation Project
3 R D Q U A R T E R H I G H L I G H T S
OCSIisproudtohaveestablisheda partnershipwithTELL,acounseling servicebasedinOkinawa Recently, wehadtheprivilegeofhostingDr Wakako,whodeliveredahighly informativesessionononlinesafety andaddressingonlinebullying This sessionwasparticularlybeneficial forourmiddleschoolers,providing themwithvaluableinsightsand knowledge Wearegratefulforthe opportunitytocollaboratewithsuch dedicatedprofessionalsin promotingasaferonline environmentforourstudents.
FirstAidandCPRDemonstration(HSHealthClass) Eachyear,wearefortunatetoreceivetrainingfromthe NiraiFireDepartment,whogenerouslydedicatetheirtime toeducatemanyofourOCSIstaffinfirstaidandCPR Additionally,theyextendtheirinvaluableexpertisetotrain ourstudentsinCPRonceayear Weexpressourdeepest gratitudefortheirongoingcommitmentandservice, whichplaysavitalroleinensuringthesafetyandwellbeingofourschoolcommunity
OCSIHighSchoolCamp
Highschoolstudentshadan amazingtwonightsand threedaysinIshikawafor HighSchoolCamp
Studentslearnedsurvivalskills fromMr Reed
BIG SHOUT OUT & & THANK YOU
ThankyouEVERYONEinvolvedwithour annualeventWalkathonparticipantsand donors,businesssponsors,PTF,parentsand families,vendors,staff,volunteers,board members,andanybodyelsewe're forgettinghere!Wecannotdothiswithout youandwearesogratefulthatit'sall comingtogether!Thisyear,PTFraised 1,776,295yentogotowardaDelta playgroundrefreshproject
Tocelebratethefactthatthestudentscollectively reachedthegoal,Ms TurnerandMr MacHaffie werewearingcrazycostumes
PTF
tto o
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AswereflectonthejoyousseasonofEaster,atimeofrenewal andcelebrationoftheresurrectionofJesusChrist,weextend ourdeepestgratitudetotheParent-TeacherFellowshipfortheir dedicationandhardworkinorganizingthisyear'sEasteregg huntforourelementarystudents Thiseventwasnotonlya delightfulexperienceforourchildrenbutalsoabeautiful reminderofthepromiseofnewlifeandhopethatEasterbrings WeareblessedtohavesuchanactiveandcaringPTF.Yourwork continuouslyenrichesourschool’sculture,makingitaplace wherefaith,love,andlearningflourishtogether Maythejoyof Easterfillyourheartsandhomesthisseason,andmaywe continuetocometogetherinsupportofourstudentsandtheir journeyinfaith
Thankyouonceagaintoeveryoneinvolved Welookforwardto manymoreopportunitiestocelebrateandgrowasa communityinChrist
EASTER EGG HUNT
SATURDAY MARCH23
TEACHING & LEARNING AT OCSI
DirectorofTeachingandLearning
Elementaryteachershavebeenworkinghardto improveourreadinginstruction.Thisincludesa newphonicscurriculumforK-2thatincorporates handsonlearningthroughmanipulatives,sound walls,anddecodablereadingtextsforeachgrade level.Teachershavealsobeencollaboratingto sharehowtheymeetthereadingneedsofour studentsthroughsmallgroupinstruction Wewere abletopurchasenewchapterbooksthrougha generousPTFdonationthatwillhelpusimprove ourreadingskillsthroughtargetedpractice We areexcitedtoseehowthesenewinitiativeswill helpourgrowingreaders!
SecondaryteachersatOCSIrecentlyparticipated inacomprehensivetrainingsession,ledbyMr Claxton,focusedoneffectivelyteachingstudents howtocitesourcesinMLAformat Recognizingthe importanceofinstillingthisessentialskillearlyon, ourcurriculumfollowsascaffoldedapproach In middleschool,studentsareintroducedtothe fundamentalsofproperformatting, understandingwhentocitesources,and incorporatingin-textcitations Astheyprogressto highschool,whereresearchreportsbecomemore prevalentacrosssubjects,studentsareexpected toattributecreditappropriately,evenoutsideof Englishclass Thistrainingequipsourteachers withtheknowledgeandtoolsnecessaryto supportstudentsinmasteringthiscriticalaspect ofacademicintegrityandscholarship.
BradSkarin
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TO KNOW, LIVE AND SHAR THE LOVE OF CHRIST
InMatthew25:35-40,Jesusteachesusthe importanceofservingotherswithcompassion andlove.AtOCSI,westrivetoinstillthisvaluein ourstudents,preparingthemtoservenotonly theircommunitybutalsoChristhimselfthrough theiractions
Recently,ourstudentshadtheopportunitytoput thisintopracticebyparticipatinginvarious serviceactivities TheyvisitedDayServiceAi, wheretheyinteractedwiththeelderlyand contributedtomuch-neededlandscapingwork.It washeartwarmingtoseeourstudents enthusiasticallygettingtheirhandsdirtyand engaginginmeaningfulconversationswiththe elderlyresidents,spreadingjoyandkindness.
Additionally,agroupofhighschoolstudents visitedtheIshikawaYouthCenter,acampsite utilizedforourelementaryandhighschool camps Theydedicatedtheirtimetoprovidea deepcleaningoftheoutdoorcookingarea,tent storagespace,andwindowsofthefacility,while alsotidyingupthesurroundingneighborhood. Theappreciationfromthecenter'sstaffwas evident,astheyexpressedgratitudeand welcomedtheideaofhavingourstudentsreturn nextyear.
Throughtheseserviceexperiences,ourstudents notonlycontributepositivelytotheir communitiesbutalsolearntheprofoundimpact oftheiractionsinmakingadifferenceinthelives ofothers
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AndyRoe Chaplain
ART AT OCSI
BobReed SecondaryArt
“AChristianshoulduse[the] artstothegloryofGod,notjust astracts,mindyou,butas thingsofbeautytothepraise ofGod Anartworkcanbea doxologyinitself” Francis Schaeffer
Learningavarietyofmethods andmediaenablesstudentsto explorenichesandlikessothat theymaybloomintotheartists Godintendedthemtobe
ThisyearHighSchoolArtI,II, MiddleSchoolArt,APArtHistory andindividualstudentsused God-giventalentstoproduce worksofartworthyof professionals TheArtShow providedanopportunityfor studentstobecome professionalartistsby participatinginanactual gallery“showing,”andselling selectedartwork
InFebruary,allHSart,arthistory andartclubstudentsgotto visitTeamLabinteractive installationartexhibit,andthe OkinawaPrefecturalArt Museum
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WOODSHOP
Learningwoodworkingcan beameaningfulwayto connectwithouridentityas creationsofGod By engagingintheprocessof creatingtangibleobjects withourhands,wecangain adeeperappreciationfor thecreativeabilitiesthat Godhasbestoweduponus. JustasGodistheultimate Creator,wetoohavethe capacitytocreateand bringbeautyintotheworld throughwoodworkingand otherformsof craftsmanship.Thishandsonpracticeallowsstudents toexploretheirown creativity,developnew skills,andappreciatethe intricatedetailsoftheworld aroundthem Ultimately, woodworkingcanserveas areminderofourunique roleasco-creatorswith God,shapingand transformingtheworldin beautifulandmeaningful ways.
DanCusumano WoodShop
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR UPDATE
JessSartore GuidanceCounselor
“WhointheworldamI? Ah,that’sthegreatpuzzle.”
LewisCarroll
Alice’sAdventuresinWonderland
AliceasksherselfthisquestionasshefindsherselfnotonlytryingtofigureoutWonderland,but also discovering who she is and how she fits into a big world that challenges not only her perspectivebutherverysenseofself.
IimagineourhighschoolstudentshavemuchincommonwithAlice Nolongerchildrenyetnot quite adults, they are being asked big questions about how they plan to fit into the world and whatcontributiontheyhopetomakefortherestoftheirlives.Thiscanbeadauntingquestion toanswer,butIamheretohelp!
One of the most foundational aspects of helping anyone outline their plan for the future is developing an accurate sense of self-awareness. If a student has no idea what their skills, talents, and/or interests are, it is difficult to move forward With that in mind, a starting point I recommendforallstudentsImeetwithistocompletetheAchieveWorksAssessmentsontheir Cialfoprofile
These assessments have been designed based on over 25 years of data and are written specificallyforhighschoolstudents Oncecompleted,eachassessmentprovidesaninteractive report detailing the student’s interests, personality traits, and learning styles, as well as a extensive list of careers and courses of study that are likely to be a good fit for that student. Their personal report will also detail their strengths and weaknesses as well as practical suggestionstohelpthemgrowinallareas
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Once their Cialfo Assessments are completed, I recommend students at this point in the school year focus on the following:
9th graders:
Continuetoengageinandtrackallyourextracurricularactivities
Developandutilizegoodstudyhabits.
Startconsideringhowyouplantopayforcollege
10th graders:
SeekoutvirtualcollegefaireventsandexplorecollegesonCialfo
ConsiderchallengingyourselfbysigningupforAPcourses
Continue engaging in extracurricular activities Pursue leadership positions or try somethingnew.
11th graders:
Startbuildingyourcollegelist!
Seekoutandparticipateinvirtualcollegefairs
Researchscholarshipopportunitiesandstartapplying
Fill out a brag sheet or Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire to submit when askingteachersforaRecommendationLetter.
12th graders:
Finish strong! Colleges may revoke your admission offer if your grades take a significantdip
Compare financial aid award letters from schools (there are tools to help you do this).Appealifyouthinktheofferdoesn’talignwithyourneeds.
Makeafinalcollegedecision
Continuetoapplyforscholarships
All grades:
Stayfocusedonkeepingyourgradesup Don’tlosesteamnow! Exploresummerprograms(locally,online,orabroad)thatmatchaninterestyou’d liketopursue.
Email me or schedule a meeting with me if you need any help! I am here as a resourceforyou
Parents/Guardians:
Registerasaguardiancontactonyourchild’sCialfoaccountsoyoucanstayupto dateontheircollegesearchandapplicationprocess.
Encourageyourchildtodotheirbest,praisingtheireffortandhardwork. Beinvolvedintheirlearningandschoolworkasmuchaspossible Betheirsafeplace,listener,andbiggestcheerleader
If you have any questions or need support, please contact me at jessicasartore@ocsi org
TESTING COORDINATOR UPDATE
DanielClaxton TestingCoordinator
More colleges are abandoning the SAT and other standardized tests from their applications However, standardized tests still play a significant role in the college application process because they can help strengthen a student's overall application Students with a weaker GPA or a lack of extracurriculars can take a standardized test to enhance their application. Similarly, students who already excel can further prove their achievements with high scores on standardized tests We offer the ACT and SAT at OCSI.
DoesmychildneedtotaketheSAT?
OCSI will offer the SAT six times for Academic Year 2024-2025 (August, October, November, December, March, and May). OCSI will also offer the ACT in October and February for Academic Year 2024-2025 Please keep in mind that both SAT and ACT registration is on a firstcome, first-serve basis. OCSI only hosts the SAT, and we cannot guarantee a spot for our own students due to the College Board’s non-discriminatory policy Given that testing opportunities in Okinawa are limited, seats may fill up sooner than expected Students are advised to register for the SAT and/or ACT well in advance.
As many of you know, the SAT is fully conducted on an electronic device, and the testing experience is significantly shorter All tests will be taken using the College Board's Bluebook App The test format and required materials differ from the previous paper tests, so please check the College Board's website for more information The SAT is held on the 2nd Floor of the Middle School Building. Students will need to bring their own electronic device, i e OCSI Chromebook, personal laptop, or personal tablet The ACT is held in Room 324, the computer lab (desktop computer) Both the ACT and SAT start tests at 8:00 AM SHARP, and latecomers are denied access Please make sure students arrive by 7:45 AM at the latest!
What to Expect: Please contact me for more information or support: danielclaxton@ocsi.org
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Senior Senior
GRADUATION EVENTS
FRIDAY,JUNE7TH
SENIOR WALK @ 8:45AM
We'llbehavingourveryownSeniorWalkon Friday,June7th!Ourunderclassmenalways lovewatchingtheseniorsparadethroughthe schoolintheircapsandgowns
Parents,pleasefeelfreetocomeandwatch withyourlittles!!!
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION @ 7:00 PM
Everyoneisinvitedtojoinusin celebratingtheclassof2024!Ifyouaren’t abletomakeit,wedoplanontakinga videooftheceremonyandthelinkwillbe sharedlater
ATHLETICS
DavidKim AthleticDirector
Springishere,andsoissoccer!TheBoys’Soccerteamis3-1-1,withfourmatchesandtwotournaments leftontheregularseasonschedule Meanwhile,theladiesaresharpeningtheirskillsintheGirls’Soccer Club,aswebuildandconsolidateanathletepoolforaformalteamnextseason
MyforemostobservationthusfarasIsettleintoOCSIAthleticsisthecaliberofcharacterIseeinour Seniorathletepopulation Asweneartheendofthissportsseason,andtheschoolyearatlarge,I’ve askedsomeofourseniorstoreflectontheimpactofathleticsontheiracademicexperience Iamhopeful thatthelessonsofleadership,sportsmanship,andteamworkwillequipthemwellinthisnextseasonof life,toimpacttheworldforChrist!
JARINFERIDO
CALINAKANE
SEIYAOHKAWARA
Eversincemyeightgradeyear,I haveactivelyparticipatedinOCSI sports;Icanconfidentlysaythatit hasbeenoneofthebestchoices thatIhaveevermade Beingin sportsallowedmetobeactive andchallengemyselftoworkon mytimemanagementwhen tryingtobalancebothsportsand academics Furthermore,sports havealsoallowedmetoboth growasapersonandasaleader, growinmyrelationshipswith others,andgainabetter understandingofhowtoplaythe sportsIwasapartof Sportshave alwaysbeenahugepartofmylife andIknowtheywillcontinuetobe so,andIwillalwayscherishthe manyamazingmemoriesthatI havemadethroughoutmyHigh Schoolsportscareer
Ihavebeenabletogettoknow peoplethatIwouldn’thave otherwise Sportshelpyoubond withpeople,learnteamwork,test yourpatience,andoverallgrow yourpeopleskills Knowinghowto workwithpeoplethatyoumaynot clickwithissoimportant.You needtobeateamplayer, otherwise,itjustwon’tworkoutfor everyone.IreallylovedourFareasttripduringvolleyballseason Wegottobondonadeeperlevel, andtravelingwithsomany peoplebroughtmanylifelessons Iwillmisstheexcitementthat sportsbroughtand,ofcourse,the amazinggirlsthatIgottoknow andhavesomuchfunwith
Throughoutall5soccerseasons hereatOCSIsincethe8thGrade, itwasafreshfeelingtoseea differentteameachcoming season,withnewplayers, coaches,andoverallanew environmentforeveryone
AsIapproachmyfinalyearhere atOCSI,itwasamazingtosee howquicklytheteamadaptedto becomingteammatesand buildingourchemistryonandoff thefield
Ihopethatthroughthelittletime wehaveleftintheseason,wecan gointoFarEastandbringhome ourfirsteverbanner.
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CALL FOR COACHES FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
Inspired by these Senior athletes?
Come join OCSI Athletics for an opportunity to equip young men and women like these to walk with Jesus through coaching teamwork and excellence! Openings in volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, soccer, and track are available.
Email us at athleticdirector@ocsi.org if interested.
HARUNAKAYAMACARTWRIGHT
Reflectingmid-season,anotable eventformewasnotthesquad scoringgoalsorwinninggames;it wasobservingouryounger teammates'development
Theseyoungplayers,whoare frequentlyoverlookedduetotheir ageandexperience,haveworked hardintrainingdespiteadversity anddemonstratedanastounding degreeofbraveryagainstboth varsityandJVteams
Theirpathandaccomplishments haveshiftedmyperceptionofthe beautifulgameandpushedmeto begallantregardlessofthe circumstances
MAXMOYER
Mymostunforgettablemomentso farthisseasoncameonthebus ridebackfromourfirstgame With rainshowersgrowingthroughout thesecondhalf,weconcludedthe gamesoaked,andasaresultthe busridebackwassomewhat unpleasant.
Whilehavingabusfulloffifteen sweatyboyswasn'toptimal,one opportunityarosefromthegiven conditions:foggywindows I,along withmytwobroskis,Jarinand Schon,tookadvantageofthe momentandwrote"JesusLoves You"backwardstoserveasaW billboardforothervehiclesto observe
Attimeswewouldaccidentally writethelettersthewrongway,but seedswereplantednonetheless.It wasamazingtobeabletoconnect withmyfriendsandteammates overthisparamountmessage,and asaresult,Iwouldcertainly designatethisasoneofmy favoritememoriesoftheseason.
JAYLALANGFORD
DoingsportsatOCSIhas introducedmetonewpeoplethey otherwisewouldn'tnecessarilytalk to WhichsoundsbadbutI'vegot tomeetpeoplethatIabsolutely love
Especiallythepeopleonmycheer teamthisyear,Itrustallofthem tremendously,andIthinkthey wouldfeelthesamethingabout me
I’vemadealotofmemoriesinmy lasttwoyearscheeringforOCSI I thinkmyfavoritememoryis watchingtrustbuildovertimeand seeinghowourtrustbetteredour stunts I'lldefinitelymissitcause I'vegrownsoclosewithmyteam butifi'velearnedanythingit'sthat IcandoallthingsthroughChrist whostrengthensme.
BUSINESS UPDATE
BehindtheScenes
Theacademiccalendar,fromlateAugusttoearly June,formsthecoreofourworkatOCSI Thisperiodis bustlingwithteaching,learning,andopportunitiesfor growth Duringthequietersummermonths,ourteam worksdiligentlytopreparefortheupcomingschool year,ensuringaseamlessstart
JanuarytoMarchmarksoneofourmostactive phases Inthiscrucialwindow,wefocusonplanning fortheupcomingacademicyear Followingthe completionofre-enrollmentinFebruary,weshiftour attentiontowelcomingnewstudentstoOCSI Weare currentlynavigatingoursecondadmissionseason, withdecisionsforthenextschoolyearsettobe announcedbyJune10.
Anotherfocalpointduringthistimeisstaffing Atthe startoftheyear,weseekoutdedicatededucatorsto enhanceourteachingteam,withthegoaloffinalizing ourstaffrosterbyApril Thisschedulepermitsusto manageessentialarrangements,includingvisa processesforourinternationalstaffmembersandto ensuretheyarepreparedtowelcomeyourchildrenin August
InMarchwehaveconcentratedonwrappingupthe financialaspectsofthecurrentfiscalyearand establishingthebudgetforthenext,whichbeginson April1st Thoughthisaspectofouroperationsmight notbeasvisible,it'scriticalforupholdingthequality andsustainabilityofoureducationalprograms.
Thesebehind-the-sceneseffortsarefueledbyour dedicationtomakingOCSIaremarkableplacefor learning.Wedeeplyappreciateyourcontinued supportandtrustinus
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SosroKarsosoemo BusinessDirector
EnhancingOurClassrooms
Thissummer,ourschoolistakingaleapforward ineducationalexcellencewithaseriesof enhancementstoourclassroomfacilitiesand technology Teachersandstudentswillbe suppliedwithnewTVs,MacBooks,and Chromebooks,fosteringanimprovedEdTech learningenvironment Theseupdatesarepaired withsignificantstabilizationandrewiringofour campusnetworktomeetthedigitaldemandsof ourfacultyandstudents.
Moreover,we'recontinuingtheextensive renovationofover20classrooms,aprojectthat beganlastyear.Thiswillincludenewtilefloors,a freshcoatofpaint,soundproofingforselected walls,weatherproofingforwindows,andsome newflexiblefurniture,allcreatinganinvitingand well-equippedlearningspace.
Inconjunctionwiththeseimprovements,the expansionofourparkingfacilitiesisunderway, enhancingcampusaccessibilityand complementedbyacomprehensivesafety initiative,whichincludestheinstallationof additionalsecuritycameras
OPERATIONS UPDATE
NickMcquillin OperationsDirector
Furthermore,inoursteadfastcommitmentto studentsafety,weareupgradingourschool buseswithinternallive-feedcamerasandGPS trackingsystems Theseenhancementswill enablereal-timemonitoringandprovidean additionallayerofprotectionforourstudents duringtheircommutes Thisadvanced technologywillnotonlybolstersecuritybutalso offerpeaceofmindtoparentsandguardians, assuringthemoftheirchildren’ssafetywhilein transit
TheParent-TeacherFellowship's(PTF)
contributionsfromtheWalk-a-thonare designatedforplaygroundimprovementsinthe Deltaarea,ensuringasuperiorplayexperience forouryoungerstudents.
Wearegratefulforthecommunity'ssupportas wecontinuetoinvestinasecure,connected,and enrichingeducationalsettingforourstudents.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO?
Haisai!It'samazingtothinkthatIvegraduatedfromOCSI27yearsago!Sincethen, I'vemovedtoLosAngelesforcollegewhereIhavesettled I'mcurrentlyworkingasas DirectorofITConsultingatKaiserPermanente,oneofthelargesthospitalsystemsin theUSA Myjobistoleadatechnicalteamtointegratedatafrommedicaldevices flowintoelectronicmedicalrecords I'mveryblessedtobedoingsomethingnotonly excitingbutfulfilling!IalsoteachchildrenSundayschoolandpreachinyouthservice atmychurchonoccasion OCSIgavemethefoundationtolearntheimportanceof disciplineandleadership Ithashelpedmebeanadvocateformyselfandbe assertiveinadvancinginmycareer EnjoyyourtimeatOCSI!
KingLeungHar,Classof1997
Workingasaflightattendantforthepast8yearswithtwo differentcarriers Visited25countries,and45prefectures
ShunMiyagi,Classof2014
IgraduatedfromBethelUniversityinSaintPaul,MNin2020 SincethenI havebeenworkingatTreehousewhichisanonprofitthatworkstowards endinghopelessnessamongteens Iammarriedtomywife,AddieKay, andweenjoyparentingourbulldog,Bruce Wearealsoexpectingour firstchildinAprilthisyear Inmyfreetime,IcoachtrackatBetheland enjoyingsharingmyJapaneseculturewithfriendsandfamilythrough cookingfoodforthem
ShawnMonroe,Classof2016
IwenttocollegeinPhiladelphiaandgraduatedin2021withaBS inMicrobiologyand aMinorinStatistics Fromthere,IdecidedIwantedtofollowinmyDad'sfootstepssoI appliedandgotacceptedtoArmyOfficerCandidateSchoolandamcurrentlyserving asaLogisticsOfficer IfindmyroleveryrewardingasIgettoleadandpromotethe welfareofmorethan50menandwomenandtheirfamilieseachdayinplaceslike KoreaandSeattle IcreditOCSIforgivingmetheconfidenceandknowledgeneeded formyrole
DonaldOuellette,Classof2017
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WearealwaysexcitedtofeatureaMessagefromAlumniIfyoucouldshare withuswhatyouhavebeenupto,pleasecontactusatinfo@ocsiorgwith youryearofgraduationfromOCSIandarecentphoto
Godhasgreatlyblessedmesincemygraduationin2019!Ihavebeenstudyingat collegewhilebeingenrolledinaMarineCorpscommissioningprogram Forthelast twosummersIhavecompletedtwo6weekincrementsofOfficerCandidates SchoolintheUSThisyearinMayIwillfinallygraduatewithmybachelorsin marketing,andcommissionasa2ndLieutenantintheUnitedStatesMarineCorps! I’mprayingforeverystudentatOCSIastheynavigatetheiryearsofeducation! CongratulationsClassof2024!
MasakiEyre,Classof2019
HiI’mEllie!IgraduatedfromOCSIin2022andI’masophomoreatBarnardCollegeof ColumbiaUniversityinNYCstudyingCognitiveScience Collegehasbeenanincredibly liberatingexperiencedespiteitschallenges,andI’vefoundmyselfconstantlyundergoing personalgrowth AsIcontinuetonavigateunfamiliarsituationsandmeetnewpeople, whoeachofferauniqueoutlookonlife,Ifindmyselfgainingadeeperenjoymentforlife itselfwhilesimultaneouslycreatingspacefortrueself-discovery Lastsummer,Iinterned inJapanforToeiAnimationandthissummer,I'mplanningonundertakingaresearch internshipatmyschool!
EllieSuzuki,Classof2022
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