Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month: Greenwich Japanese School to host student performance

The Greenwich Japanese School in Riverside will be honoring Japanese culture for Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month through a schoolwide dance performance.

Students are in the rehearsal stages of the performance, which will be presented in front of their parents on Sports Day.

It’s a traditional day in Japan when students showcase multiple sports, including a dance.

The school originally planted roots in Jamaica, Queens, in New York back in 1975 but moved to Greenwich in 1992.

Students typically take Japanese and English along with basic classes like math, social studies, science and art.

Okada said many of the students who attend the private school are originally from Japan and have relocated to the U.S. due to their parents’ jobs.

"My students learn American history, American culture, American sports, American society,” says Okada.

Students usually attend first grade through ninth grade, then return to Japan to finish their studies.

Staff members say they put on events such Sports Day to help students stay connected with their culture.

"We hope that students will have Japanese identity and be able to communicate well,” says principal Masahiko Okada.