A Note from the New Kindergarten Manager

There is a large cedar tree next to the main gate of Suwa Kindergarten.
Like a towering cedar tree that has watched over generations, Suwa Kindergarten celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Over these seven decades, countless children have run through its gates, played under its trees, and carried its memories into the world. The kindergarten’s history resembles a mighty tree—its roots deeply intertwined with the community, its branches spreading wide with new possibilities.

Cedar trees are revered across the world for their longevity and their quiet presence as guardians of the past, present, and future. Today, we reflect on Suwa Kindergarten’s journey through the lens of these timeless trees.

A Story Woven with Great Cedars

In the kindergarten’s garden stands an old, sturdy tree. Under its shade, children play tag, whisper secrets, and watch the seasons change. The sight reminds me of an old Japanese folktale about a talkative cedar tree that knew all the village secrets.

This tree, legend has it, would murmur to the wind:
“That child had a great day playing today.”
“The teacher snuck a snack when no one was looking.”

Much like this mythical cedar, the teachers of Suwa Kindergarten observe, nurture, and protect each child’s growth. Their wisdom, passed down through generations, has shaped the very foundation of this institution.

70 Years of Growth, Reaching for the Next Century

Seventy years ago, Suwa Kindergarten was just a young sapling, nurtured with the love of teachers, parents, and the community. Today, it stands strong, its roots deep, its canopy wide.

In Celtic mythology, great trees are seen as bridges between the past, present, and future. Likewise, Suwa Kindergarten remains committed to preserving its traditions while adapting to modern education, ensuring that its branches continue to spread for generations to come.

The North America Great Cedars and the Future of Our Children

In the forests of California stand the ancient redwoods—giants that have lived for thousands of years. One tale tells of a man who claimed to be “the world’s greatest tree climber”. With great enthusiasm, he climbed one of these towering redwoods, only to realize at the top:

“Wait… how do I get down?”

The villagers, amused, held a quick lesson on problem-solving.

“Alright, class, let’s discuss ways to get him down!”
“Forget the discussion—just help me already!”

Eventually, they lowered him with a rope, but from that day on, he was known not as “the world’s greatest tree climber” but “the man who forgot to climb down.”

This amusing tale carries an important lesson—planning for the future is as important as reaching new heights. At Suwa Kindergarten, we strive to instill this mindset in our children, helping them grow into individuals who can navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and curiosity.

One day, the children of Suwa Kindergarten will become parents themselves, returning with their own little ones to the same playground under the same great tree. With this vision, we will continue to provide a nurturing and inspiring environment—just like the mighty cedar that has watched over us all.

We look forward to many more years of growing together. Thank you for your continued support of Suwa Kindergarten.

諏訪幼稚園の正門の横に大杉があります。まるで大きな杉の木が時を超えて見守るように、諏訪幼稚園は今年で創立70周年を迎えます。これまでの70年間、たくさんの子どもたちがこの園で学び、遊び、成長し、やがて社会へと羽ばたいていきました。その歴史は、根を深く張り、枝を大きく広げる一本の大樹のようなもの。

杉の木は、世界中で「長寿の象徴」や「見守る存在」として語り継がれています。今回は、諏訪幼稚園の70年の歩みを、そんな世界の大杉たちの物語と重ねながら振り返ってみたいと思います。

大杉とともに刻む歴史

園庭にそびえ立つ大きな木。その下では、子どもたちが鬼ごっこをしたり、葉っぱの影に隠れたりしながら、毎日たくさんの思い出をつくっています。そんな光景を見ていると、日本の昔話に登場する「おしゃべりな大杉」のことを思い出します。

この杉の木は、村のあらゆる出来事を見守っていて、なんでも知っているおしゃべり好きな存在。風にそよぐ葉を通じて、こんなことをささやくのです。
「今日もあの子は元気に走り回っていたよ」
「先生はこっそりおやつを食べていたね」

まるで、諏訪幼稚園の先生たちが子どもたちの成長をあたたかく見守っているようです。

70年の歩み、そして次の100年へ

70年前、諏訪幼稚園は小さな苗木のような存在でした。しかし、先生方や地域の方々、そして子どもたち一人ひとりの力によって、しっかりと根を張り、大きな木へと成長しました。

ケルト神話では、「大きな木は過去と現在、そして未来をつなぐ存在」とされています。諏訪幼稚園もまた、これまでの歴史を大切にしながら、新たな時代に向けて芽を育て続けます。

アメリカの大杉と、子どもたちの未来

アメリカのカリフォルニアには、何千年も生きる巨大なレッドウッドの木があります。昔、「世界一の木登り名人」と名乗る男が、その大杉に挑戦しました。

彼は見事に頂上まで登り切りましたが、その瞬間、ふと気づいたのです。
「……降り方考えてなかった！」

村人たちは大笑いし、子どもたちは「授業ごっこ」を始めました。

「じゃあ、降りる方法を考えましょう！」
「そんなのいいから、早く助けてくれぇ！」

結局ロープで救出されましたが、それ以来、彼は「降りられない名人」と呼ばれるようになったとか。

この話が教えてくれるのは、「目標を達成することも大事だけれど、その先のことを考えることも同じくらい重要だ」ということ。諏訪幼稚園もまた、大杉のように未来へ枝を広げ、子どもたちが安心して成長できる環境を守り続けます。

そして、ここを巣立った子どもたちが、大人になり、自分の子どもを連れてまた戻ってくる——そんな日が訪れることを願いながら、私たちはこれからも「大杉」のような幼稚園であり続けたいと思います。

これからも、諏訪幼稚園をどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

理事長のつぶやきでした

A Note from the New Kindergarten Manager

If you’ve ever taken a moment to admire the Suwa Kindergarten flag, you might have noticed its bold two-tone color scheme—a vibrant orange background with a deep green logo. It’s not just a random design choice. Oh no, my friends, there’s a tale behind it. And as any good storyteller (or slightly eccentric kindergarten manager) will tell you, colors always have a hidden story.

A Tale of Two Colors

Orange and green—what a dynamic duo! If this were a fairy tale, orange would be the daring hero, charging into adventure with boundless energy. Green, on the other hand, would be the wise old sage, whispering words of encouragement and keeping things grounded. The combination? A perfect balance between fearless exploration and a safe place to return to.

Ever heard of Jack and the Beanstalk? That magical green vine growing towards the sky? That’s our kids, reaching for their dreams. And the orange? That’s the boldness of Jack, climbing up, facing the unknown, and saying, “Bring it on!”—hopefully minus the part where a giant chases him. (We don’t encourage that in our curriculum.)

Or how about Cinderella? You know, that humble little pumpkin turning into a magnificent carriage? That’s the magic we see every day at Suwa Kindergarten—kids transforming before our very eyes, gaining confidence, and growing into their potential. (And unlike Cinderella’s ride, our magic doesn’t disappear at midnight.)

Why These Colors?

When the founder of Suwa Kindergarten envisioned this school, safety was the top priority. The orange was chosen to represent energy, warmth, and visibility, ensuring that our little adventurers are always seen and cared for. The green? A symbol of growth, peace, and the nurturing environment we strive to create. Together, these colors remind us that childhood should be a mix of excitement and security—a place where kids can run wild with imagination but always find their way back to safety.

So next time you see our flag waving in the breeze, remember—it’s more than just a combination of colors. It’s a promise. A promise that at Suwa Kindergarten, every child gets the chance to grow, explore, and thrive in a place that values both adventure and security.