In May 21 Issue
Special to the Times Journal

Keiko Fukuzaki, a Japanese Outreach Coordinator from the University of Kentucky, recently spent May 5th and 6th with students and teachers in Russell County.

Fukuzaki presented a program called "Japan in a Suitcase," designed to familiarize students with a day in the life of a Japanese student through photos and school supplies. Students were then able to compare and contrast their lives with that of a Japanese student.

During the presentation Miss Fukuzaki displayed a Japanese backpack, winter and summer school uniforms, Japanese writing, school books, indoor shoes, and informal male and female kimonos.

She taught students to count to five in Japanese. She showed them how to fold a samurai hat from a Japanese newspaper, and taught them how to sing Japanese songs.

Miss Fukuzaki's two day whirlwind schedule at the schools included:

Mrs. Mickie Tarter's 6th grade gifted class from Jamestown Elementary School who met at the Russell County Middle School with the 7th and 8th grade gifted students

Mrs. Susan Walters and Mrs. Audra Roberts 4th grade students at Union Chapel Elementary School

Mrs. Tarter's 4th and 5th grade gifted classes at Jamestown Elementary School and 4th and 6th grade gifted classes at Russell Springs Elementary School

Mrs. Karen Owens and Mr. Larold Gosser's 6th grade students at Salem Elementary School with 4th and 5th grade gifted students

Mrs. Dawn Shaw, Mrs. Erin Barnes, Mrs. Julie Burton, Mrs. Amber Stephens, and Mrs. Jennifer Stephens 5th grade classes at Russell Springs Elementary School

Several students in the fifth grade at Russell Springs Elementary School enjoyed Miss Fukuzaki's presentation so much they wrote illustrated thank-you notes to her.

In addition to visiting all the elementary schools in the county and the middle school, Miss Fukuzaki presented "Japan In A Suitcase" to the members of Kappa Kappa Iota, a teacher's organization, at Guthrie's in Jamestown on Tuesday afternoon.

Taking in the lessons were Irene Loy, Eunice Thomas, Nila Antle, Marisa Popplewell, Ann Craig, Mickie Tarter, Alice Luttrell, Kathy Robertson, Marilyn Roy, Jane Johnson and Candi Wilson.

Teachers and students fortunate enough to participate in Miss Fukuzaki's first-hand presentation caught a rare glimpse into Japanese culture.