5th grade
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Some Japanese local governments have a system to provide financial assistance, which covers some of the cost for preparations for entering elementary school. Check with your local government office in advance if you wish to receive this assistance, as many governments’ application deadline is in November.
Who Is Eligible for the New Enrollment Subsidies?
You are eligible to receive this assistance if your child is entering elementary school in April of the coming fiscal year and if any of the following descriptions are applicable to you:
A) Public income support was suspended or ended during the previous fiscal year
B) Receiving childcare allowance (single-parent households, etc.). Note: childcare allowance is different from child allowance or child rearing allowance
Total household income for 2021 is considered below standard. Note: In this case, municipal tax declaration at the local municipal office taxation department is required.
You are not eligible if you are receiving public income support, as you can receive new enrollment subsidies from public income support.
How Do You Apply for New Enrollment Subsidies?
Application forms for new enrollment subsidies are sent by mail from the Board of Education. Fill in the required information on the application form, and mail it to the School Affairs Division. Note that if you wish to receive Financial Aid for School Expenses after you receive the New Enrollment Subsidies, you need to apply for it separately once your child starts going to school.
To apply, you need:
A) Application Form (Letter of Consent/Account Transfer Request Form) for New Enrollment Subsidies (Elementary School Expense Subsidies)
B) Copy of bankbook or cash card for transfer account
C) Required documents for applicable items if any of the following is applicable to you:
1. If you were not registered as a resident as of January 1st of this year in the town where you live now:
Original certificate showing income amount and number of dependents, issued at resident registration place as of January 1st, 2022 [Fiscal year 2022 resident tax taxation certificate, etc.]
2. If your public income support was suspended or ended in other municipality during the previous fiscal year:
Certificate of public income support receipt issued by the other municipality and proves that public income support was suspended or ended during the previous fiscal year
When Will the New Enrollment Subsidies Be Paid?
The screening result will be sent to you by mail in late February. If certified, ¥54,060 (fixed amount) will be paid into your bank account at the end of February.
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Japanese elementary school children need to prepare their own supplies to use in class. Please check our past article about school supplies needed when entering elementary school(Click here). Let’s look at the supplies needed as the school year goes on.
Supplies Needed in 1st - 4th Grade in Elementary School
Supplies needed in early grades include a mathematics set, keyboard harmonica, recorder, water color set and calligraphy set. Some schools plan to purchase these supplies together for all the students. If that is not the case, each family can purchase the supplies at mass retailers (such as AEON) or online (such as Amazon, Yahoo!, Rakuten). Check handouts from your child’s school as there may be specific information on what needs to be purchased. You can also ask your child’s homeroom teacher.
Supplies Needed in 5th – 6th Grade in Elementary School
As your child goes into late elementary grades, supplies needed include a protractor, compass, sewing set, graver and apron. Similar to early elementary supplies, some schools may purchase these supplies together for all the students. Students also go on a school trip in 6th grade and a large backpack may be needed for the trip.
Most of these supplies can be found used, on online sites and flea markets. Some supplies can be passed onto younger siblings. Make sure to purchase supplies while keeping in mind your family’s needs and budget.
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Japanese elementary schools do not have uniforms. Students can wear whatever clothes they like to go to school. Clothes that allow children to move easily and stay safe are recommended. It is convenient to use materials and designs that are easy to wash and easy for children to handle.
Choosing Clothes for Elementary School Children
1.Clothes that are easy to move in:
As elementary school students move a lot, you may want to choose materials that stretch and allow them to move easily. If choosing a skirt, you may want to choose one that is neither too short nor too long, and overpants (pants worn under a skirt and hide underwear) can be worn if necessary.
2.Clothes that are easy to change into:
At elementary schools, students change into gym clothes and swimsuits during physical education class. Try to choose clothes that have fewer buttons and fasteners to allow children to change easily by themselves.3.Clothes that hide stains:
Paints, ink, etc. are used in classes at elementary schools, and students’ clothes may get dirty. Sometimes food may be spilled during school lunches. It is best to choose clothes with colors that make stains less noticeable, so that children can spend their time at ease without worrying too much about dirtying their clothes.4.Clothes with pockets:
Elementary school children are encouraged to bring handkerchiefs and tissues. Children can put them in their pockets if they have them. It is also recommended to use mobile pockets. Mobile pockets are pockets that can be attached to clothes with clips. You can purchase them at the store or make them yourself.5.Clothes that are easy to wash:
When children spend the day energetically, their clothes get dirty. You may want to have your child wear clothes that are easy to wash. Clothes that do not get damaged even when washed in a washing machine, that dry easily and that do not wrinkle easily are recommended. As winter clothing like jackets can also get dirty, you may want to choose the materials that can be washed at home.
How Many Changes of Clothes Should Be Prepared?
Children sweat and get dirty. As sometimes they need to change clothes during the day, having about 5 sets of tops and bottoms each for spring/summer and fall/winter may be ideal. In addition, it is recommended to prepare underwear, socks, warm clothes and hats, according to the season.
Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing Clothes for Elementary School Children
You need to keep their safety in mind when choosing clothes for elementary school children. Injuries and accidents have been caused by hoods and strings attached to clothes. Hoods and strings getting caught on playground equipment, bicycles, escalators, doorknobs, etc. can sometimes lead to life-threatening accidents, such as falling or tightening children’s neck. Keep these points in mind when choosing clothes for your child.
Elementary school students spend a long time at school and have many opportunities to change their clothes at school. Make sure to write their name on clothes, underwear and socks. As children grow, their clothes preferences change. You may want to talk to your child about it and choose their clothes so that they can spend their time safely and comfortably at school.
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Japanese elementary school students may have an opportunity to go on a workplace tour during their comprehensive learning period. The purpose of the workplace tour is to help children understand the importance of working, and to increase children’s interest in the future and their awareness of issues, by visiting the places where adults work.
When Does a Workplace Tour Happen?
It often happens during students’ comprehensive learning period. The grade level for which the tour is given varies depending on the area you live in. It is often the case that a class will go on a tour to a company in the town where they live.
What Happens During a Workplace Tour?
Students will receive an explanation about the work being done at the workplace and observe how the work is done. In some cases, they may be able to experience part of the work or participate in a meeting. Students ask questions about the work to better understand what is going on.
What Can Students Learn From a Workplace Tour?
Workplace tours help students improve their view of their future. It is also expected to teach children how to take proactive steps toward their dreams for their futures.
The elementary school workplace tours will lead to workplace experiences that happen during junior high school. During the workplace experiences, children will be divided into small groups and work in various workplaces for a certain period of time. This is an opportunity for children to have good experiences in preparation for their future.
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Japanese elementary school club activities start when children are in 4th grade. Club activities happen after school on a specific day of the week or a couple of times a month. 4th, 5th and 6th grade students will do it together. Types of club activities include sports and cultural activities.
What Are the Club Activities For?
Club activities help children‘s development as they work with other grades and are given their own roles. It is also an opportunity for them to experience things that they might not experience at home or in class.
What Types of Club Activities Are There?
Club activities can be divided into sports and cultural activities. Sport clubs increase opportunities for children to exercise and help them build physical strength. They can also learn the rules of sports and how to cooperate with other club members through competition. Through cultural clubs, children can add to their experience and knowledge about what they are good at or what they like. They can also experience the joy of creation and discovery. Both types of club activities give children a chance to do things that they would not do in regular classes.
Here are specific types of club activities:Sports Activity Clubs:
- Track and field (mainly short-distance sprints and relay)
- Basketball
- Badminton
- Soccer
- Dance
- Gymnastics
Cultural Activity Clubs:
- Computers
- English
- Science
- Calligraphy
- Homemaking
- Choir
- Tea Ceremony (Japanese traditional tea ceremony – children will learn how to brew and drink tea)
Will Parents Help With Club Activities?
Club activities are held in elementary schools in order to help improve the independence of children. Therefore, children will make their own decisions on which club to join. It is also an opportunity for children to work together across grades and help their development. Parents are encouraged to support their children so that they can enjoy their club activities.
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Saturday classes are the classes held at schools on Saturdays. They are held once a month, and last about three hours. Not all public schools have Saturday classes. The situation varies depending on the area or school.
When Are Japanese Elementary Schools Off?
Japanese Elementary Schools are off on Saturdays, Sundays and National holidays. There used to be school on Saturdays, but Saturdays became a holiday in 2002 and the school system became five days a week.
Are There School Classes on Saturdays Now?
Saturday classes started to be held again in 2013, for the purpose of giving children enough learning opportunities. However, not all elementary schools have classes on Saturdays. Most schools have Saturday classes once a month, for about three hours. There is no school lunch on Saturday class days.
Check with your child’s school to see if Saturday classes are held or not.
Notes on Saturday Classes
You may need to make adjustments to after-school care and activities on Saturday class days. Make sure not to forget to make changes.
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Unfortunately, sexual abuse against children exists. Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education is working to detect sexual abuse against students by school staff as early on as possible.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
There are various examples of sexual abuse:
○Unnecessary physical contact
○Receiving lewd messages or images via social media
○Being secretly observed while changing clothes
○Being told sexual jokes or sexually teased
○Being stared at in a sexual way
○Being invited to dinner (or home) alone
Any sexual interaction with a child, regardless of their consent and whether or not they are assaulted or threatened, is defined as sexual abuse, including cases that are exempt from criminal penalty. You can consult with a designated organization regarding sexual abuse, if your child feels uncomfortable with the behavior of adults around them.
What Measures Are Schools Taking?
Many schools have established rules to prevent sexual abuse against children and prevent behavior that could be mistaken as sexual abuse, including requiring teachers/staff to tell the school when giving individual consultation to students, prohibiting personal communication with students that use social media, etc., and prohibiting physical contact with students other than assistance necessary for teaching.
What Approach Should Be Taken When Talking to Children About Sexual Abuse?
There are some cases when children may not recognize sexual abuse, like same-sex sexual violence. It is recommended that you create an opportunity to talk about school life with your children and listen carefully, especially if there is something that they feel is wrong or unpleasant, and then consult with school staff or a specified organization.
“Third-party consultation desk to protect children against sexual abuse by school staff”
offers consultation services by phone or email.
Is Special Consideration Necessary for Children With Foreign Roots?
Greeting gestures and someone’s sense of distance from others may vary depending on their cultural background. Consider cultural differences between Japan and a child’s roots when talking to children.
Other Consultation Organizations
Besides public consultation desks in Tokyo, there are some other places that offer consultation services regarding sexual abuse. It is recommended that you respond to the problem in accordance with the suggestions of the specialized organization (as in the police, one-stop support center for sexual crime victims and sexual abuse victims, child consultation center, etc.), with consideration to the child’s situation.
*There are more consultation organizations available other than those listed above, such as private organizations like NPOs.
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In Japan, there is a holiday called Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro-No-Hi in Japanese). This is a day to express gratitude to elders, and celebrate their good health and longevity, and sometimes give gifts.
Respect for the Aged Day Is a National Holiday
Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday that was established in 1966, and is now celebrated on the third Monday of September every year. It is a day to show respect to elders who have contributed to society for a long time, and celebrate their good health and longevity. It applies to elderly people around you including grandparents, parents, and former teachers.
What Age is Considered Elderly?
There is no age limit for elders who are celebrated on Respect for the Aged Day. As a rough guide, it seems that people over the age of 60 are considered to be elderly. It is best to start celebrating it at a time when you want to express gratitude, instead of being overly sensitive about age. These days, it is often celebrated when someone becomes a grandparent.
How Do You Celebrate Respect for the Aged Day?
Some families get together for dinner, or send gifts or letters to celebrate this holiday. However, what is important is respecting the elders and celebrating their longevity. Take it as an opportunity to express your gratitude to elders around you instead of worrying too much about giving gifts.
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There are many natural disasters in Japan, including typhoons, heavy rain, heavy snow, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. While you cannot predict natural disasters, you can take steps to prepare by assembling a disaster supply kit and getting into a habit of checking evacuation routes so as to minimize the impact of the unpredictable events.
What to Prepare for a Disaster Supply Kit
A disaster supply kit is a collection of various kinds of goods, and what you need to prepare will differ depending on when and where you will use it. It is a good idea to prepare three different kinds of disaster supply kits: a “portable” kit for use in the event of a disaster when you are away from home, an “evacuation” kit to take with you when you go to an evacuation center from home, and a “stay-at-home” kit for use when taking shelter at home during a disaster.
”Portable” Disaster Supply Kit to Take When You Are Away from Home
While you cannot predict when and where disasters happen, it may be comforting to have a disaster supply kit in your bag when going out. It may be a good idea to have it prepared in a small pouch. Here are the items you should prepare:
○Food:
・Water (about 500ml. Water is more recommended than tea as it can also be used to clean wounds, etc.)
・Candies, energy bars, etc. (quick and easy to eat)
○Cash (you may not be able to use transportation IC cards, apps, and credit cards)
○A small light (due to the possibility of moving during a power outage)
○A whistle (to let others know where you are)
○Mobile battery(s) for smartphone
○Valuables:
・Insurance card ・Driver’s license
○Hygiene products:
・Mask ・Sanitization sheet/spray ・Lightweight emergency blanket (available at 100 yen stores)
○Individual needs (as needed):
・Regular medicine ・Glasses ・Contact lenses ・Hearing aids
“Evacuation” Disaster Supply Kit to Take When You Go to an Evacuation Center
You may evacuate to a school gymnasium or community center in your neighborhood depending on the situation when a disaster happens. The evacuation disaster supply kit that you take to go to the evacuation center is sometimes called “emergency carry-out bag”, and it can carry items that allow you to spend 2-3 days at an emergency center. It may be a good idea to have one bag per person. You may want to prepare baby food and diapers as needed, if you have infants or elders in your household. If you are looking to prepare general emergency supplies, some bags are sold as a set of the supplies inside.
[Emergency carry-out bag for one person]
○Food
・Water (500ml x 4 bottles)
・Emergency food (food that can be eaten as is or cooked with water) x 3 days
Note: You may want to prepare food that provides protein, vitamins and dietary fiber including canned vegetables and fish, as carbohydrates such as bread and rice are often distributed at evacuation centers.
○Hygiene products:
・Toilet paper ・Sanitization gel ・Wet wipes ・Face towel ・Mask ・Toothpaste sheet (sheet for wiping the inside of the mouth. No water required) ・Sanitary items (as needed)
○Medical supplies:
・First aid kit ・Regular medicine ・Pain reliever ・Stomach medicine
○Electronics:
・LED light/lantern ・Mobile battery for smartphone ・Emergency radio
○Items to protect yourself:
・Helmet ・Work gloves ・Raincoat ・Hand warmers ・Lightweight emergency blanket(s) ・Utility knife ・Writing materials ・Copy of insurance card
“Stay-At-Home” Disaster Supply Kit for Use While Taking Shelter at Home During a Disaster
It may take up to a week for electricity and water to be restored after a disaster. Having supplies for your family ready will allow you to stay home without panicking. As for stockpile food, it is recommended to store it in a rolling stock method, “consume in order from the earliest expiration date and replace what you have consumed”.
[Household stockpile (1 adult x 7 days)]
・Water (2L x 11 bottles, *3L/day for drinking and cooking)
・Portable gas burner and gas canister (about 9 gas canisters)
・LED light/lantern (1 per person and 1 per room)
・Battery operated portable battery
・Dry-cell battery (as many as you need for your equipment)
・Dry noodles (thin wheat noodles and pasta, 600g x 2 bags)
・Packed cooked rice (9 packs)
・Canned food (proteins such as meat and fish, 9 cans)
・Instant soup
・Vegetable juice
・Canned fruit, chocolate, other snacks that last
・Portable toilet (7 uses/day x 7 days x number of family members)
・Emergency radio
・Gas canister operated heater and hand warmer
・Toilet paper
・Sanitary items* You may want to prepare baby food and diapers as needed, if you have infants or elders in your household.
In Japan, there is a saying, “If you are prepared, there is nothing to worry about.” Disasters can happen to anyone at any time. Anticipate these disasters and prepare for them as much as possible.
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Some Japanese public elementary schools give supplementary classes during summer vacation. The purpose of the supplementary classes is to help students retain what they have learned at school. Whether the supplementary classes happen or not depends on the local government.
What Are the Supplementary Classes Like?
Supplementary classes are held at elementary schools during summer vacation. The classes are to help students who are struggling to remember what they have learned or getting behind in school. Not all students attend these classes. The students who should participate in the supplementary classes will be notified by their teachers in advance. The supplementary classes may last for up to ten days.
What Will Happen in the Supplementary Classers?
The supplementary classes are different from regular school classes. Teachers will help students individually with what each student is struggling with, as the goal is to ensure that each student retains what they have learned. Students are encouraged to participate in the supplementary classes if they are struggling to keep up with regular school classes.
Do the Supplementary Classes Happen in Schools All Over the Country?
Summer supplementary classes do not always happen in public elementary schools. Each principal will decide whether they offer the supplementary classes or not. In some areas, the board of education will know the situation. You may want to contact the board of education in your community or the elementary school that your child is enrolled in for information on supplementary classes.