Nadia and I enjoyed the prom probably more than my son Owen. The Osaka International School annual holds prom in the first week in June at a hotel. Owen is in grade 10 and this is his second prom. Together with some other parents, we rented a limousine for Owen’s friends. The parents took a lot of pictures. Our children are growing up and high school prom is one of those events that mark the passing of time for parents, as our children are children are entering their teenage years (we have two teens and one that thinks she is a teenager). It is so rewarding to see the succession of events as they proceed through school and eventually leave us :(.
Prom is an old American tradition, beginning in the 1800s on the university level in the north east. Graduating classes held a “promenade” or formal dance to help the students polish their social skills. I taught the boys how to put on a tie and it is funny to see them squirm in their formal wear. The tradition of prom eventually passed down to high schools and after World War II, many proms moved from being held in the school gymnasium to nice hotels.
In some ways Japan is a great place for teenagers. The conservative nature of the Japanese limits teenagers use of alcohol and drugs and other risky behaviors. It is quite innocent here compared to other countries.
As a leader in the school, I always try to attend prom as a chaperone and with my children now attending, it is extra special. We tried to stay out of way and help out. Nadia and I had a nice dinner afterwards and Owen went out with his friends after the prom. The prom started at 5:00 PM and ended at 8:00 PM, so we all got home at a decent hour.
Bill's Blog 
Hi Bill,
I am sorry for the sudden contact!
My name is Momo, and I’m conducting a research project focusing on the evolving landscape of education in Japan. I recently came across your insightful blogs where you share your experiences with Osaka international school. Your unique perspective, as a parent navigating the international school system, is of great interest to me.
My project aims to gather diverse experiences and insights from families involved in international schooling in Japan. Our goal is to contribute meaningfully to discussions around educational improvement and innovation in the country.
I truly believe your observations would be incredibly valuable in enriching our understanding. Your contribution would directly help us identify key strengths, challenges, and opportunities within the current educational environment, ultimately supporting efforts to enhance educational pathways in Japan.
I would be honored if you would consider participating in a interview, which typically lasts around only 30-60 mins. I’m very flexible and would be pleased to schedule this at a time that’s most convenient for you.
As a token of my sincere appreciation for your time and invaluable contribution to this important research, I’d like to offer a compensation as a gesture of gratitude.
Please let me know if this is something you’d be willing to explore further. I’d be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Momo
Momo- I am happy to participate in the interview. Please contact me (director@tashschool.org) and my assistant (execassistant@tashschool.org). I now am leading a school in Uzbekistan (UTC +5). Bill
Hi Bill,
Thank you so much for your reply!
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your time and expertise regarding our project, the evolving landscape of education in Japan. We truly appreciate you taking the time to consider this opportunity and share your insights with us.
Your background and experience in the evolving landscape of education in Japan are highly impressive, and we were very excited about the potential you brought to the project.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to close the project. I understand this is disappointing news, and I want to apologize for any inconvenience or disruption this may cause.
We deeply value your expertise and the time you were willing to dedicate. It is our sincere hope that we have the opportunity to collaborate with you on a future project. We will be sure to keep you informed of any upcoming opportunities that may be a good fit for your skills and experience. Thank you again for your interest in our project this time.
Sincerely,
Momo