By SYDNEY KENT
Loads of laughter filled the early July Norwell Community Schools Board meeting as students and teachers recounted their recent trip to Japan.
Superintendent Mike Springer explained how, during his first year of teaching at Norwell High School, Jacob Bowman had the idea to take a group of high school students halfway across the planet.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to start right away was because it takes a couple of years of planning,” Bowman explained. “For students to be able to go we started two years out and saved money each month. We knew we had a good group of students, but we didn’t know how good we had it. I think that’s a testament to things that are happening at this school corporation.”
While the execution of the trip went perfectly, the planning process took time and required support from the school board.
Bowman explained how the idea took root after it was approved at the fall board meeting in 2021. Over the next two years, meetings were held after school and during roundtables. Students had the opportunity to learn to use chopsticks, play games, and learn Japanese.
Bowman paid tribute to the chaperones, students, parents, board, and Judo – their tour guide with EF Tours. Fellow teacher Mark Weinert was instrumental in planning the trip alongside Bowman.
Anna Tanner, a student who attended the board meeting, said she was significantly impacted by the trip.
“It has completely changed how we think of going to places, even just traveling in general,” Tanner said. “I’m going to go to college to study Japanese.”
Tanner told the board about the beautiful scenery Japan offered and the stories she learned during the group’s six full days in the country.
She explained how the trip was different from typical tourist visits she had experienced.
“It was an incredible cultural and food experience and just general international travel,” Tanner said. “I got closer with the people I was with during this process. It was a unique irreplaceable experience that could only have happened with your guys’ help and the help of EF tours. I can’t wait for other students to experience it.”
Aiden Curry, another student who attended the trip, was present at the meeting to share his experience. Curry first described the beauty of Japan. As a lover of samurai, war tactics, and cheap convenience store food, he said he found the trip to be an enriching experience. Curry noted how clean Japan was and how the Japanese culture takes care of their community and people.
“It was amazing, I can call them my family,” Curry said about the students who attended the trip. “Some people you liked, some you didn’t, some you were annoyed. But overall you truly loved all of them, and you just wanted all of them to be safe.”
Board member Corey Krug asked Curry what the strangest thing someone tried to eat was.
“Fried eel in an omelet,” Curry responded. “That’s good, it’s safe. Me, in a convenience store,” Curry grinned and paused as the board laughed. “No. I can tell you that much.”
“I plan on going back, I just don’t know when,” Curry concluded. “Thank you guys so much.”
Herb Bergman, Norwell Industrial Technology teacher, also participated in the trip. He took the opportunity to give credit to Bowman.
“Mr. Bowman deserves some accolades,” Bergman began. “Everything he did, not only communicating with parents and kids. He even saved us from having to stay another day at the airport because our flight from Tokyo was late. He held the plane for us for 45 minutes. If it wouldn’t have been for him doing that … ”
“You don’t seem that forceful to me,” Board President Angie Topp said.
“I was just on the wing outside,” Bowman imitated hanging onto a plane wing with his arms. More laughter erupted.
“This trip was a great chance to get to know students,” Bergman explained. “Being new to Norwell, a lot of kids don’t know me and I don’t know them. I never thought I wanted to go to Japan but it was great. Now I’m watching Japanese documentaries at night.”
The room laughed as he trailed off.
“We’ve hired some great, great staff members,” Springer said. “People make programming – that’s how you grow things, staff members that are invested and engaging and good. We appreciate you two.”
sydney@news-banner.com
