Eiji Kai, 10, lives with his mother, Yoshiko, and his brother Aska, 7, in a classroom with other families at Okaido Elementary School in Ishinomaki. Thousands were left homeless in the city following the March 11 tsunami in northeast Japan. Eiji is one of 11 children who both live in and attend class at the school. Educators at the school say they will observe the children closely before discussing the disaster in class. Erik Slavin/Stars and StripesBy Erik Slavin Stars and Stripes, April 28, 2011

ISHINOMAKI, Japan — Until 11:45 a.m., Ami Iimori, 8, goes to school on the first floor of Okaido Elementary School.

Afterward, she walks to the second floor classroom that she has called home for the last six weeks. She jumps around on the blankets laid out on the floor with her brother, Yoshi, 4, and sweeps up her little sister Miu, 1, in her arms. The children from the other families living in the classroom join in the horseplay sometimes.

“I’m happy here. It’s fun,” Ami says.

Her parents, Misuhiro and Kazuko Iimori, appear relieved at their children’s resilience. But they also worry about any trauma the March 11 earthquake and tsunami might have caused them.

FULL STORY:
http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/earthquake-disaster-in-japan/children-in-japan-city-adjust-to-studying-living-at-school-1.142201