MARYSVILLE – The Marysville Board of Education approved an agreement with the Columbus Japanese Language School (CJLS) to serve as the host school district for their Saturday school. The CJLS will rent space from Marysville Schools each week to continue a tradition of education that began forty years ago.
“Marysville Schools is thrilled to host the Columbus Japanese Language School in our school district,” states Superintendent Diane Allen. “This agreement will allow Saturday school to take place in Creekview Intermediate School every Saturday starting September 4th.”
The Columbus Japanese Language School began in 1980 for both U.S. citizens and international employees and their families during their assignment at various Japanese businesses in the area. It was founded by a group of Japanese parents in Central Ohio who were seeking ways to help their children maintain and expand Japanese language skills and culture while in the United States.
After over a year of online learning, Yuki Watanabe of CJLS is looking forward to having students come together once again in person.
“We are really grateful to Marysville Schools and are excited to restart the in-person classroom program,” he added. “We hope to build a long and strong relationship with the Marysville community.”
Over 400 students will gather every Saturday in an atmosphere close to that of schools in their home country. The CJLS teaches rules and guidelines typical of the Japanese education system in order to help students become successful members of Japanese society. Along with the Japanese national standards and curriculum, the Columbus Japanese Language School offers a supportive environment to nurture self-confidence and creativity, as well as encouraging a self-control and cooperative attitude in each student.
Terry Emery, Marysville City Manager added: “The City of Marysville is excited to welcome the Columbus Japanese Language School (CJLS) to Marysville. With 24 Japanese companies in the community, our friendship city and student exchange relationship with Yorii, Japan, and the largest K-12 Japanese Language Program in Ohio, CJLS will advance our strong relationship with the Japanese community. We thank CJLS for their commitment to Marysville and thank the Marysville Schools for their partnership and leadership.”
In fact, Marysville Schools offers the largest Japanese program in the state.
“With our proximity to so many Japanese based companies and the importance of that industry in our community, Central Ohio, and the state, we feel it’s important to provide opportunities for our students and the community to engage with the Japanese culture and the language,” added Allen. “Our partnership with CJLS is another opportunity for us to embrace and enhance this important relationship.”
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