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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 6, 2006 - 21 Students experience Japan on exchange By Meaghan Quennell, Grade 12 and Peter Verlinden, Grade 11 WHITE OAKS HIGH SCHOOL www.ourkids.net GO TO SCHOOL It had been months in the planning. Night school classes, fundraising and packing were now all in the past. On the morning of Sept. 7 before the sun rose, eight White Oaks students and two teachers boarded a plane bound for Neyagawa, Japan. The entire group of 31 included students and teachers from Blakelock and Loyola. The students arrived in Kansai International Airport after a grueling 17 hour flight with a brief layover in Vancouver. Despite being exhausted, the students attended a friendly welcome party and were overjoyed to finally meet their exchange students who had made big signs announcing their arrival. The first day was tough as jet lag took hold along with the shock of a completely different culture. Over the following week the students immersed themselves and enjoyed various excursions to such places as Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. During these excursions the students were amazed at the beauty of Kinkakuji, a golden temple built in 1397 and the cultural and historical aspects of Kiyomizudera. It was here that the students all had a try at walking with their eyes shut between two rocks that upon completion would guarantee them finding true love. Each Oakville school was hosted by a sister Japanese school thus providing opportunities for the White Oaks students to attend classes at Neyagawa University High School. The Canadian students were asked to take part in multiple classes on such topics as native Canadian animals, environment and culture. This facilitated discussions that let the students come alongside and help their Japanese counterparts in conversational English. The highlight of the trip for many of the students was the threeday expedition to Hiroshima. It was here that they walked through the Peace Park and with heavy hearts stood in front of the monument dedicated to the children who were victims of the atomic bomb. In the Atomic Bomb Museum, the students were taken aback by the realism of what had happened. They saw torn clothes worn by the victims, glass bottles and rock shingles that had melted together from the intensity of the bomb, and a watch that had stopped exactly at 8:15, the moment of the blast. A terribly large registry of those that had died brought home the incredible loss of human life. That night the students gathered together to hear a survivor of the atomic bomb tell her experience. The story painted a gruesome picture of the terrible events that have ultimately changed the lives of so many people. A painful experience that all agreed was necessary to avoid repeating the tragedies of the past. After such an emotional time, the students enjoyed a relaxing day of shopping in Kobe and a long bus ride back to their home stays. Two days of free time with the home stays followed, where students got the chance to see numerous attractions such as Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium, and Ninja and Geisha houses. White Oaks students and teacher then went back to Neyagawa High school for the last week of the exchange, where they attended school activities and sports clubs such as Aikido, Judo, Kendo and a tea ceremony. The students had a tearful goodbye on Sept. 23, but are now looking forward to the second half of the exchange which is scheduled to take place in the spring. Canada's essential guide to private education presents Canada's largest PRIVATE EDUCATION Oakville 25 schools already exhibiting Sunday, October 15 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 28 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Toronto 78 schools already exhibiting Oakville Conference Centre (near Holiday Inn Bronte) Roy Thomson Hall F I N D T H E R I G H T S C H O O L F O R YO U R C H I L D GET TO KNOW THE SCHOOLS! LEARN ABOUT admission process TALK TO school representatives chance students to media partner: by visit value each ) ing SCHOO Our Kids L FAIRS sponsor: 1 of 4 Tablet P Cs ($ 2 ,799 Win LEARN more about exhibiting schools and register online for FREE admission www.ourkids.net CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW FOR FALL AT OUR SHOWROOM FA LL FLYE R NOW RELEAS ED Toy Depot needs place to set up shop By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Oakville Salvation Army is gearing up for its annual Toy Depot to help make local children's Christmas a memorable one but needs a donated venue in which to host this initiative. In 2005, a socially-conscious property owner allowed the Sally Ann to use space on Speers Road but only weeks ago this was leased. As a result, the call has gone out once again for a Toy Depot site. "It's a challenge every year," said Community Services Co-ordinator Aisha King. Needed is a space of roughly 3,000 square feet to be used from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. In addition to the specified floorspace, the Salvation Army's wish-list includes a venue that's preferably on a bus route, is easily accessible to wheelchairs and strollers and has a side room for counseling plus a washroom. A storefront location would be perfect. A charitable receipt will also be issued. Anyone with space that fits the bill is encouraged to call King at 905-827-5324 ext. 22. The scheduled opening day is set for Dec. 11 so a site is needed by Nov. 27 to allow time for set-up. After rent and other obligations, some parents simply can't afford to buy their loved ones gifts. Passing through the Toy Depot, however, registered clients (who must reside in Oakville to receive services) pick out gifts and stocking stuffers from donations labeled according to gender and age. The Toy Depot cannot work without donations, of course, so these are always welcome. They should be new and unwrapped items which can be dropped off at the Salvation Army Community Church, 1225 Rebecca St., or at the Depot itself once a location is found. Especially needed are gifts appropriate for teenagers (12 to 16) such as clothing, cosmetics and shaving kits, plus gift certificates for music stores, movies etc. The Salvation Army is also collecting money to cover the cost of the Christmas voucher program. This initiative, which replaced the traditional Christmas hampers, offers families the chance to sit down to a real holiday dinner by providing chits worth $25 per adult and $15 per child. Because of the different cultural backgrounds of clients, vouchers rather than a turkey dinner allows them to buy whatever they want. See in-store for details. GERRIE ELECTRIC SHOWROOM POLICY If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, simply return it within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. TRAFALGAR R RD RD. INGLEHART RT 445 Inglehart Street, Oakville 905-845-2461 Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Fri. 9:30-6:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday 12 Noon - 5:00 p.m Q.E.W. SOUTH SERVICE RD. CORNWALL *OPEN SUNDAYS*