Japan Tragedy - Heightened Anxiety in Schools

The devastating earthquake that hit northern Japan on March 11th and the tsunami that followed has affected the lives of nearly every resident of the country and international school community members are no exception.

While the main impact was felt in northern Japan, Tokyo and other southern towns and cities felt the aftershocks that followed. Even more devastating were the explosions at the nuclear power plants, with the threat of meltdowns which will have far-reaching effects for years to follow. The magnitude and scope of the disaster cannot be underestimated with the death toll estimated in the tens of thousands. Because the disaster is still unfolding, there is uncertainty about the scope and range of the impact and just how life will get back to normal in the weeks, months and years to come.

TIE has contacted heads of international schools in Japan to get a snapshot of how their schools are affected and how readers can offer assistance if desired. Here is a sampling as of press time:

Sendai

The largest city in the Tohoku region, Sendai was first hit by the massive 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that raged through the coastal city. Of all the international schools, Tohoku International has been most directly affected as it’s located in Sendai, the epicenter of the massive quake. Situated on the northern section of Japan’s main island of Honshu, TIS serves 100 students in grades K – 12. The US Embassy in Tokyo has requested evacuation for all US citizens who live within a 50 mile (80km) radius from the nuclear power plants. Sendai Station is approximately 95km from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Power Station.

When asked by CNN’s Off-Set Blog what happened at the school when the earthquake struck, James Steward, Headmaster of TIS said: “Everybody reacted extremely well under the circumstances. They took cover immediately—they are instructed to take cover under tables, desks and in doorways—anything that’s solid. And as soon as there was a chance to evacuate the building—which was approx two minutes after the quake had started—students and staff evacuated superbly.” Steward gave credit to the students, staff and parents for coming together and making sure everyone was safe.

Steward also told of the challenges of getting kids home to their parents, especially with phone service cut. The 15 children who were unable to reach their parents that night, were divided between two homes where teachers hosted kids for a sleepover. Fortunately, everyone was reunited with their families Steward said with relief: “I am 100 percent sure that all students are accounted for and safe.”

Steward said the school is planning to reopen on March 28 -- the day after spring break. “Mostly, we have to clean up the inside—lots of books and shelves are strewn everywhere–and also repairing the glass. It’s a very solid building,” Steward explained in the blog.

Tokyo

Tokyo supply chains had been severed so food, fuel and transportation have been sporadic along with power due to rolling black-outs. Fortunately, all international schools TIE contacted were reporting that their students and staff were safe and accounted for. Most schools in the Tokyo region have scheduled early spring breaks with plans to reopen on March 28th.

American School in Japan head, Ed Ladd reported that when the earthquake struck all ASIJ students, faculty and staff were evacuated. There was no structural damage to buildings on either of the school’s campuses and fortunately no injuries reported. After the quake hit Sendai, Aoba Japan Int’l School prepared students and staff for evacuation within a half hour after shocks began. According to Head of School Neal Dilk, “This was the strongest earthquake I’ve ever experienced . . . we could actually feel the ground undulating under our feet.” Efforts were made to get students home and the decision was made to close the school until March 28th. Headmistress Yvonne Hayes of the International School of the Sacred Heart reports that “We are all safe and grateful at ISSH. We had no injuries and no damage to the school building.”

At the Nishimachi International School, Headmaster, Terry Christian also reports that all is well with their school: “We were able to safely evacuate students and staff during a very intense earthquake.” Like most schools in the Tokyo region, they have closed early for spring break with plans to reopen on March 28th. Christian reports that they will provide e-learning opportunities for their students through Studywiz. Christian is advising members of Nishimachi school community, and the international school community at large, that the best way to offer help and support immediately following the earthquake is through the Red Cross.

Yokohama

When the earthquake hit on Friday March 11th, St. Maur International School students were in their last period class and safe inside the school buildings. Deputy Head of School, Catherine O. Endo said that “Considering the potential aftershocks and the effects of radioactivity from the nuclear plant explosion in Fukushima (approx 300km away), we have closed the school until we reconvene on April 4 after spring break.”

Kobe and Osaka

Located in the southern region of Kansai, approximately 1,000 km away from the disaster area, schools in Kobe and Osaka are reporting that they have thus far not been directly affected. In Kobe, both the Canadian Academy and St. Michael’s International School were planning their spring break for March 18th. The Osaka International School was closed for spring break when the quake hit, and was relatively unscathed according to John Searle, Head of school. They are looking for ways to assist other international schools that were affected by the quake.

Planning for the Future

In the coming weeks and months TIE, through our website, www.tieonline.com, will be posting updates on the status of schools in the region, along with information on how subscribers and members of the international school community can offer help at this critical time.

In the midst of Japan’s worst natural disaster, the world has witnessed the people of Japan face this tragedy with grace, dignity and bravery. James Steward sums it up beautifully, “There’s a spirit in Sendai and northern Japan that cannot be, and will not be, broken . . . Everything I have seen was extremely orderly, and that just shows the true character of Sendai, Tohoku, and Japan as a country. They will rise up from this and be a hundred times stronger because of it.”

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Comments

04/23/2011 - Sandy
Santds back from the keyboard in amazement! Thanks!

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04/20/2011 - Stasy
Very touching composition about the tragedy of the Japanese people from the Ukrainian musicians: http://zlatao.com/japan/ Ukraine pray for Japan(

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