--Elementary School--

This leaflet was produced by the Intercultural Information Corner with the cooperation of parents of children and

school teachers who have made use of the services offered by the I.I.C.

2015/11/11 作成

〈Contents〉

Forward

1. Papers necessary for transferring school

2. School term and school time

3. Money collection

4. Going to school in groups “Tsugaku-han”

5. Subjects and Report cards

6. Things to prepare

7. School events

8. The school lunch program “Kyushoku

9. School events

10. Health

11. Action flow in a Disaster

Check list for the first day

Whenever you go to your child’s school・・・,

・Remember to take your indoor slippers or shoes.

・Take an ID card for school safety

(This system is different depending on the school)

Parents join the PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) when their children enter school.

PTA Class representatives will be chosen at the first parents meeting in April, but through the year parents

cooperate to help their children and the school. The PTA does some activities like class recreation, school

clean up and cooperating with the athletic meeting and other school activities. The PTA also cooperates to

ensure the traffic safety of the children while walking to school. There is a monthly fee of the PTA.

“Kotsu shido” system by PTA

To ensure safety in the morning when pupils go to school, parents take turns

doing traffic patrol at the designated spots with a yellow flag. You are

expected to do traffic patrol and will be notified about it.

Forward

Ａ）Foreign residents are eligible to enroll their children in Japanese public schools.(under “Convention on the Rights

of the Child”)

*Contact Intercultural Information Corner or Board of Education School affairs division if you can’t get resident

qualification for a long time

Ｂ）If your child attends a public elementary school, they must enroll in the designated school at your residential area.

.

Ｃ）There are 6 years of elementary school (children aged 6-12 years) and 3 years of junior high school (children

aged 12-15years) (For children of Japanese nationality, these 9 years are compulsory Education)

(A child’s legal guardian must send the child to school in this period)

Ｄ）Has your child finished the needed immunization shots?

Intercultural Information Corner has a check list. Please check

Ｅ）Parents are expected to cooperate and be involved with their children’s school life:

・ Daily life

Be responsible and aware of your child’s general health

(Check their temperature etc.)

Read the messages and the dairy correspondence notebook

“Renrakucho” from the teacher carefully.

Make sure your child takes the necessary items to school

Do not make your child forget anything

・ PTA activities

Even if you are not a class committee member,

your cooperation with PTA and school events is appreciated.

・Telephone network “Renrakumo”

There are 2 types of telephone network (class and PTA). Messages from school or the PTA comes via the

network. After receiving the message, you have to pass it on to the next person. If you have difficulty in

hearing or speaking Japanese, talk your classroom teacher or contact the Intercultural Information Corner.

The school may provide urgent information and information about school activities to the Parent(s) through

computer email address, cell phone email address. (You need to register in advance)

Study

Encourage your children to complete their homework.

Ｆ)There is difference between the Japanese ability required for daily conversation and for study. Even if your child

is good at daily conversation, be sure to give them the chance to learn “Japanese for studying” when going to

school. This is especially important if your child will stay long term in Japan. Practice reading numbers, Hiragana

or anything you can do at home.

≪Hanko(Inkan)≫

Check “Renrakucho” correspondence

notebook every day and put Hanko for

confirmation

You’ll need “Hanko” for swimming

class, marathon permission and to

participate other school activities.

Contact Intercultural Information Corner

if you don’t have “Hanko”, you can

order.

≪shukudai (homework)≫

Japanese school has homework almost

everyday. What to do is written in

“RENRAKUCHO”

1. Papers necessary for transferring school

(1) Residence Card and a Resident registration are required.

(2)Submit an application form to Board of Education. After that you will have an interview at school.

※You need to submit some documents ( Family background questionnaire, Pupil’s health questionnaire, insurance)

to the school.

※Visit The Intercultural Information Corner! We will help entrance interview for the school, buying items, writing

documents and studying Japanese. We also help procedure to Board of Education

2. School terms and school time jyugyoujikan

The school year begins in April.

(1) The first term “Ichi gakki”:

April ( ) ~July ( )

(2) The second term “Ni gakki”:

September ( ) ~December ( )

(3) The third term “San gakki”:

January ( ) ~March ( )

＊ On the first few days and the last few days of school, there will be no school lunch, fewer classes and your

child will be let out of school early. Read the notices from the school carefully to know of the each day’s

schedule. (The school provide a letter.)

School begins about 8:30am and finishes at either 2:00 ~ 4:00pm.

After school child care.

If for some reasons (work etc.)you are unable to look after your child after school, there are child care centers

“Gakudo Hoiku” where your child can go.

For more information, inquire at the City Hall Kosodate-shien-ka (Tel. 922-0151 ext.3224)

≪GAKUDO HOIKU≫

There are child care centers if for some reasons (work

etc.) you are unable to look after your child after

school. (You need to pay)

For more information, inquire at the City Hall

Kosodate-Shien-Ka (Tel.922-0151 ext.3224)

３. Money collection

The tuition fee and textbooks are free in public elementary and junior high schools.

Please pay other expenses when notified by the school

—school lunch, studying materials, a PTA membership fee of, etc.

(1) Collection in cash:

A notice and envelope will be handed out.

Put the exact amount into the envelope and

have your child take it to school on the designated

day. (In some cases, the money is collected only on

that one day.)

(2) Bank transfers: Open an account at the designated bank. Expenses are transferred automatically. The school

will notify you of the amount and the details.

＊ Cash( )

＊ Transferring( )

Teaching materials ( )

≪Financial Support to

Attend School≫”Shuugaku enjo”

There is a support program for families who need

financial assistance to send their children to school.

This covers reduced charges for school items,

lunches, excursions and medical expenses. Consult

with your classroom teacher.

4. Going to school in groups “Tsugaku-han”

Pupils meet near their house and go to school in groups “Tsugaku-han”. Fill in the following at the entrance

interview. A highest grader in the group mostly fifth- or sixth- grader will be the group leader.

(1)When your child will be absent from school, write the reason in the correspondence notebook ”Renraku cho”

and hand it to the group leader, who will hand it to your child’s teacher at school.

＊If you have a difficulty writing Japanese, please use the correspondence cards at the back of this booklet.

(2)For safety reason, pupils are not permitted to return home alone to pick up forgotten items.

(3)If your child goes home alone and not in a group, they are expected to go straight home and not drop in

anywhere (for playing, shopping, etc.)

(4)At the start of the school year, first graders go home in groups for the first few weeks.

In elementary school, the following subjects are taught.

Japanese language Kokugo

Arithmetic Sansu

Life Environment studies Seikatsu

(1st and 2nd grade)

Social study (3~6th grade) Shakai

Science (3~6th grade) Rika

Physical Education Taiiku

Music Ongaku

Drawing and Handicrafts Suga-kosaku

Moral Education Dotoku

＊ Special activities Tokubetsukatsudo, integrated studies Sogo and foreign language activities Gaikokugokatsudo

are also taught

＊ There are swimming classes as P.E during summer.

＊

＊ The report card “Tsuchihyo” is handed to pupils on the last day of every term. “Tsuchihyo” contains student’s

academic record, how your child behaves at school and height and weight measurements.

＊ Each subject is checked by a circle. If the left side column is checked, that means your child is very good in

that category. The middle column means average and the right hand column indicated a less than average

grade.

＊ After you have read the report card, you put your (Hanko/Inkan) on it and send it back to school after the

vacation. (In March, when pupils complete each grade, they bring the report card home so remember to keep it

in a safe place.)

＊Group No. ( )

Leader’s name ( ) (Leader=Hancho)

Leader’s grade and class ( )

＊Meeting time ( )

Meeting place ( )

5. Subjects and Report cards “Tsuchihyo”

《SOJI》

Pupils clean the classroom, hallways, lavatories, etc. which they themselves use.

In Japanese school, cleaning is considered an important part of the students’education.

≪Gakushu Yoteihyo≫

Learning Schedule of each week the learning

schedule is handed out in advance. The Gakushu

Yoteihyo contains learning schedule and things to

bring. Check the schedule and be sure to bring

everything your child needs.

Do not make your child leave anything behind.

See the enclosed sheet “Things to prepare guide for the each school”

《BENTO》

6. Things to prepare

(1) School bag “Randoseru”: All pupils use these satchels.

Everyday students should look at the class schedule and take the necessary textbook and note book to school in

the Randoseru.

(2) Indoor shoes “Uwabaki”: Pupils must wear indoor shoes at school. Place your shoes properly on the shoe box

after you take them off

The color of the indoor shoes is ( ).

(3) PE (physical education) clothes “Taisogi”: PE clothes are worn in PE classes and school events. Buy them at

a designated store.

(4) School cap “Anzen-bo”: A yellow cap with the school emblem on it is worn on the way to and from school.

Buy one at a designated store.

(5) Name card “Nafuda”: For safety reasons pupils should always wear a name card at school with their

name, grade, blood type, etc. (Some schools require to put name tag during going to school and leaving)

(6) Safety hood “Bosai zukin”: Ordinarily, this is used as a cushion on the chair. In case of an emergency, such as

an earthquake, the pupil wears it for protection.

(7) Umbrella “Kasa” Prepare 2 plastic tripped ends for safety umbrellas for children. Leave one umbrella at

school in the case of sudden rain. (“okigasa”)

(9)School lunch set: Chopsticks, napkin, etc. wash school lunch set every day. Bring clean items.

＊Cell phone, Money, toys, jewelry, watches, games etc and other items not regarded necessary for study are not

permitted at school..

＊Write your child’s name on all belongings, including each pencils and erasers and other small things .

＊For some of the items the name must be written in the designated place. See the guide book “Tennyu no shiori”

to know where to write your child’s name,

≪SUITO≫

Tap water at school is safe to drink. However pupils may

not have enough time to drink water during the short recess

in summer therefore it’s permitted to bring your own bottle

for prevention of heat stroke.

(you’ll receive a letter from school when the time comes .

Write your signature and hand in to the teacher.)You can bring

only water or Non-sweet tea

８. School lunch program “Kyushoku”

Lunch “kyushoku” is served at school. Everybody eats the same menu.

(1) Your child has to bring a place mat, chopsticks and spoon, a toothbrush, and gauze mask etc.

(2) Each month the menu is handed out in advance.

(3) If your child is allergic to certain foods, please notify the school.

(4) If your child can’t eat school lunch for religious or health reasons, talk with the teacher about it.

In the case of (3) or (4), you need to notify the school teacher when you have the first interview at school.

(5) The fee for the school lunch program must be paid on a predetermined date. (Refer to 3. Money collection)

(6) Class groups take turns every week serving lunch. When serving food, the pupil must wear a school apron

and a gauze mask. The apron will come home on Friday, so please wash and iron it and send it back to

school on the following Monday.

(7) Lunch start after 12:30. Pupils would be hungry so please make your child eat breakfast every morning.

７．Clothes

Clothes should be comfortable to move . Students feel hot when they exercise so It’s convenient to wear

adjustable clothes.

*Students change into gym clothes for physical education classes. So the clothes should be easy to put on and take

off by yourself.

*The gym clothes are half pants and short sleeved shirt even in winter. Students have to take off long sleeved under

shirt . so It’s better to wear short sleeved under shirt.

*Shoes should be comfortable for running and for outdoor sports. Wear Sports shoes. sandals are not permitted.

Students have to wear your own shoes in P.E class.

*accessories(pierced earrings etc.) are not allowed at school. Nails are also not allowed. It’s dangerous to dangle a

charm from your child’s neck.

*Camisoles are not suitable for school.

*Tie up her hair if your child has long hair.

９. School events

Various events are planned at schools.

(1)Athletic meet “Undo kai”: Pupils perform what they have learned in PE classes (running races and rhythmic

exercises.)

This is a family event so if you can take a day off, you are welcome to come to school and enjoy the event.

At lunch time everyone enjoys a picnic so bring lunch for the whole family (including your child).

If you can’t attend the Undo-Kai make a packed lunch for your child.

(2)One-day excursion “Ensoku“,

Field trip “Shakaika kengaku”: The purpose of the excursion and field trip is often to enjoy nature, have

physical activity or observe various things. A packed lunch is necessary. Pay close attention to what your child

has to take. You have to be aware of what will happen, in case of rain, whether they will have classes or go

even if it is raining. (Read the notice carefully)

※You can buy photos after the events, There is a place you can see photos near your child’s classroom. Go to

school and write the number of the photo you want to buy to the envelope and put the money in it. Bring it to

school.

(3)Teacher home visits “Katei homon”: The teacher visits your home to learn about home life. It is also a good

chance to talk with the teacher. (Once a year)

※the time is limited so you’d better organize what you want to discuss in advance. (Some schools don’t have it)

(4)Open days at school “Jugyo sankan”: Parents can go to school to view classes. (Once a term)

(5)Parents and teachers meeting “Hogoshakai”: Parents and teachers meet at school and talk about how pupils are

doing at school and at home. Teachers may explain school events and the PTA may have something to talk

about.(Once a term)

(6)Individual consultation “Hogosha mendan”: Parents visit the school and have an individual meeting with the

teacher about how the pupil is doing at school. (Once a year)

You will get a letter for detailed date and time from school.

(7)Nature school “Shizen kyoshitsu”: Fifth graders take part and stay at the Oku-Nikko Nature House around

summer (In Tochigi prefecture). The four-day trip including hiking, cooking outdoors, nature observation, etc.

(8)School trip”Shugaku ryoko”: Sixth graders take part and learn about the food, special products, etc. of the district

they visit. (A two-day trip) (around fall)

≪Packed lunch “BENTO”≫

Everyone bring Bento when there is an school event such

as Athletic meet “Undo kai”: or One-day excursion

“Ensoku“,It’s common to put rice or rice ball and several

accompanying dishes. Many people think about color

combination from reds to greens to yellows. Avoid very

moist food..

写真

All pupils have medical checkups at school in spring. WhatThey do may vary depending on the grade, but the

following checkups are common. In some cases you have to fill in a questionnaire about your child’s health and

hand it beforehand.

(1) Measurement of Height & weight.

(2) Eyesight Test: If your child wears glasses, be sure to

take them to school..

(3) Hearing Test:

(4) General checkup: A doctor examines the pupils.

(5) Dental checkup: A dentist checks the pupils’ teeth. If decayed teeth are found, or the alignment of teeth or

the gum needs treatment, the pupil must see a dentist. When the treatment is finished, use the designated

paper attached to the notice to notify the school.

(6) Urine analysis: Take an urine sample at home in the morning and take it to school. This is to test for kidney

damage etc..

(7) Life style disease prevention test 4th graders . obesity and a blood tes

(8) Tuberculosis self-check sheet will be handed out

If your child comes to Japan recently, your child may have to go

designated place on designated date to take an X-ray.

(9) Heart examination heart examination survey form will be handed out

so please fill out and answer every questions precisely as possible.

All pupils take an electrocardiogram.

１０. Health

≪ＨＯＫＥＮＳＨＩＴＳＵ≫

If a child becomes ill or is injured, he or she will

receive first aid in the nurse’s office, and when

necessary a hospital and /or the child’s home will be

contacted.

Girls can go to the nurse’s office to get sanitary

goods in the case of sudden period.

１１. Disasters

(1)If there is an earthquake or any other disasters

※Parents should come to school to pick up your child. Your child stays at school until you pick up.

※Depending the weather condition such as Typhoon, it could be that students go home early.

The school will send information to you. Be prepared to receive a massage from school.

(2)In the case of Approaching Typhoon or other disasters.

The school might change the time or cancel. The school will send you information by urgent calls, letter, and

e-mail. or school HP

≪School insurance≫

When your child get hurt inside the

school, you will use school insurance.

Contact your school for more

information

≪Suspension of attendance≫

When you got designated sick to be

infected, you must not go to school until

you get a doctor’s permission. In this case,

It’s a 「suspension of attendance」 it

doesn’t count as an absent.

≪Trouble with a friend≫

If you’ve done something by your friend

= talk to your teacher as soon as possible

If you did something to your friend

=Please contact the school to know what to look for, and to help your

child deal with the problem quickly and efficiently. In Japan parent

go to a friend house to apologize when your child breaks his or her

friend’s belongings or hart friends.

１2 The place to learn , The place to consult jyugyoujikan

Private group that helps you study

◎「Nihongo」de benkyokai (NPO Living in Japan) ※Free

(Yatsukabunka center) volunteers help your Japanese and subjects study (Junior high and high

school students) We have an education conference every July for 3rd graders in junior high school and

their parents.

・Target: junior high school students, high school students

・Day :every Sunday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm ( the place changes or close sometimes)

・Tel :090-6123-1835

(Dokkyo University) Mainly university students help your study. You can bring up your future aim

and will by contacting a university students.

・Target: Junior high school students, high school students

・Place : Dokkyo university

・Day: every Monday 1:30pm~6pm ( close at the time of university holidays or vacation)

・Tel : 080-2049-4117

( spring vacation, summer vacation)

Spring vacation study classes Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays

Summer vacation study classes Tuesdays and Sundays

Tel : 080-2049-4117

◎ Tagengo gakushu-jyuku ※ Free

Volunteers help your Japanese study and homework for school

Target : elementaly school students ~ high school student

・Place : 2nd floor at the libraly

・Day : 2nd and 4th Saturday 1:30pm~4:30

・Tel : 090-6528-4892

◎ Other Japanese classes

There are some more places you can study with local volunteer groups.

Target : Adult, some are accept children

For more detailed imformation please contact them

・Saturday 11am~12:30pm at chuo-kominkan by Soka NihongonoKai

・Sunday 10:00am~12:00pm at Shinden-mini community center

・Monday 7:00pm~9:00pm at Yatsuka-bunka center

※ List of Japanese Classes in Soka 」Available at The Intercultural Information Corner

※ There is a weekday morning and afternoon class if your child wants to study Japanese before

admission to a school.

The Intercultural Information Corner offers the following free assistance for your child’s school life.

○ At the entrance interview, helping you and your child communicate with your teacher.

○ Helping your child to study Japanese and getting used to classes.

○ Helping you to understand the notices from school.

○ Helping you to buy items your child needs at school.

○ Helping to check your child’s immunization record.

Intercultural Information Corner Tel. 048-922-2970 048-922-0151 ext.6121

Fax. 048-924-8672

Soka City Hall

（Open on Mondays , Wednesdays, Fridays 月・水・金 9：00am～5:00pm）

【consult to a school】

◎Soka Terakoya (Saturday class)(2nd and 4th Saturday 18times a year)

At each elementary school and . For elementally school students and junior high school students who want to

study Basic Japanese and math and review the things they learned at school. Children have to bring their own

study materials and study by themselves. For more information to enroll, contact your school.

◎ After classes at each school

Schools may offer after classes after school and during long term vacations. For more information, please

contact to a school.

≪Cram school “Juku”≫private schools that offer lessons conducted after regular school hours. There are

Juku that to prepare students for private junior high school entrance examinations.

<<Kumon>> Kumon is worksheet based math and reading program. Instructors determine an appropriate

starting point and do the worksheet repeatedly.

<< Study support for poor families “Seikatsu Konkyusyasetai gakushu sien”>>

There is a free learning support for the poor. Please contact to the help desk “ Fukusika ( Social Welfare

Section)” at the city hall.

【Places to play with local children after school】

◎ After class for children. “Hokago kodomo kyoshitsu”

Local volunteers offer the place where your children can stay at school facilities safety after school , weekends

and long term holidays. Children can play with their friends, learn traditional Japanese games from local adults

and do their homework. Local volunteers “ Zido supporters” spend time with your child together but this place is

not a child care center. Each family has to take a responsibility to participate. 19 schools in the city (out of 21

schools) (2015)

Checklist for the first day

Have you got all the information you need for your first day of the school?

1) Do you know what to take?

2) Do you know what time and where to meet the “Tsugaku-han” ?

3) Do you know where the shoe box “Getabako” is?

4) Do you know where to go after arriving at school, to the classroom or the teacher’s room?

5) Do you know what time school finishes?

6) Do you know how your child will go home? Individually?

In a group? Do you meet your child?

7) Do you feel that your child needs help on the first day? If so, juare you going to do it or are you going to ask

for help?

8) Do you know what to do if your child is going to be absent from school?

Now you and your child are ready for school life.

We wish you the best for a happy school life!

≪ＮＹＵＧＡＫＵＳＨＩＫＩ≫

This is a ceremony to welcome the new first-year students. The parents of the new students also attend this

ceremony.

Formal clothes are . The will take a class photo.

Bring a big bag. The school gives you textbooks.

Parents need indoor slippers or other footwear.

Date and Time: