Hinoki International School

Hinoki International School
ひのきインターナショナルスクール
Address
29230 West 12 Mile Rd.
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
USA
Information
Type Charter
Motto To provide Japanese and American students with an opportunity to learn from each other, and become bilingual, bicultural, and globally-minded individuals.
Established 2010
Faculty 10
Enrollment 133 (Grades K-3 2013–14)
Website www.hinoki-school.org

Hinoki International School (previously known as the Japanese American School of South East Michigan or JASSEM) was a two-way Japanese-English language immersion elementary school in Farmington Hills, Michigan in Metro Detroit which opened in 2010 as a charter school. In 2014, the school's charter was withdrawn by its original authorizer, Livonia Public Schools (LPS). In February 2015, the school received a new charter from Saginaw Valley State University[1] and was continuing operations at a new facility in Farmington Hills. It closed later that year.

History

Hinoki International School was established in 2010 as the Japanese American School of South East Michigan (JASSEM, or 南東ミシガン日米学校), by Ted Delphia, co-owner of Himawari Preschool and head of the Michigan Japanese Bilingual Education Foundation (MJBEF), a 501(c)(3) public charity. The elementary school was started as a charter school with Livonia Public Schools (LPS) as charter authorizer and landlord. Using over $500,000 in Federal Charter school program grants and input from Eastern Michigan University's World Language Department, Hinoki grew from a single kindergarten class of 13 students in 2010, to 133 students in grades K-3 in 2013-14. The school was originally housed in the former McKinley Elementary School,[2] and later moved to the former Taylor Elementary School.[3]

Hinoki had 185 students enrolled for 2014-15 when it received notice that MJBEF would be withdrawing as educational service provider. Randy Liepa, the superintendent of Livonia schools, asked the board of the Hinoki school to merge with the Livonia School District. In May 2014, the Hinoki board voted to follow the recommendations of Hinoki parents and the PTO, and remain a charter school while entering into talks with LPS about possibly becoming part of that district in 2015-16.[4] Liepa declined to renew the lease of the Livonia school facility.[2] On July 28,[3] Livonia Public Schools (LPS) revoked the Hinoki charter since the charter school had no building.[2] LPS then opened a district-operated school-of-choice elementary school with a similar program, called the Niji-Iro Japanese Immersion Elementary School, located at the former Hinoki campus.

Hinoki pursued and was granted a new charter from Saginaw Valley State University, moved to its current facility in Farmington Hills, and began enrolling students grades K through 5 for fall 2015.[5] Hinoki received the support of the Japanese Business Society of Detroit Foundation, Hinoki Foundation, Japan Foundation, and other organizations and individuals.[6] Hinoki began subleasing space in 29230 W. Twelve Mile Road in Farmington Hills in March 2015.[7]

Hinoki International's current growth as chartered with Saginaw Valley State University had the school serving children from grades K through 8th grade within 3 years.

Around June 2015 29230 W. Twelve Mile Road, was sold to a private school, Aim High School. Hinoki was required to vacate the building by October 2015.[7]

Curriculum

Hinoki's Japanese-English immersion program is a blend of both Japanese pedagogy and Michigan’s educational standards within the framework of a dual language classroom. Each class is taught by a pair of teachers—one native speaker of English and one native speaker of Japanese—who take turns instructing the students in all core subjects areas, alternating the language of instruction for each lesson. The student body includes both native Japanese speakers and native English speakers, so that students have a "target language" in which they can strengthen their skills with the help of their teachers and peers.[8]

Closure

The Hinoki School was able to find a new building for the 2015-2016 school year. 115 students enrolled in the school including approximately many parents who were attending the competitor school Niji Iro. However, on June 1, 2015 the owner of the building sent a letter trying to evict the school so the owner could sell the building. Hinoki hired legal console to fight the eviction noting that the school was entitled to 120 days notice to find another location. The owner agreed and the school began researching other locations, however the owner refused to honor other lease provisions that entitled Hinoki to the use of additional classrooms. The new owner AIM HS made several statements to the Hinoki school board including that they would not honor the lease provisions for the additional rooms and would tie Hinoki up in litigation past the start of school. With no recourse which provide relief in time to open on time for school the Hinoki School informed parents and staff. On September 11, 2015 the Hinoki School board voted to dissolve.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2015/02/saginaw_valley_state_universit_101.html
  2. 1 2 3 Smith, Karen. "Livonia district eyes charter school" (Archive). The Livonia Observer. June 18, 2010. Retrieved on March 4, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "New school year opens new chapter for Japanese school" (Archive). Hometown Life. September 3, 2014. Retrieved on October 18, 2014. Alternate page
  4. ↑ Minutes of Hinoki Board of Directors Meetings. "" May 8, 2014.
  5. ↑ Smith, Karen. "Hinoki International School to reopen under new charter" (Archive). O&E Media. February 17, 2015. Retrieved on April 17, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Hinoki Board Meeting Minutes". Hinoki International Board of Directors. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Mueller, Nathan. "Parents reeling from closure of Schoolhouse Montessori" (Archive). O&E Media. July 5, 2015. Retrieved on April 17, 2016.
  8. ↑ "New Hinoki School in Livonia Blending Languages and Cultures". WDIV-TV (Click on Detroit). July 28, 2011.

Further reading

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