MS 10-11 handbook Chofu Campus: 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0031 Tel: 0422-34-5300, Fax: 0422-34-5303 Early Learning Center: 6-16-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 Tel: 03-5771-4344, Fax: 03-5771-4341 Email: <info@asij ac.jp> Web: <www.asij.ac.jp> Table of Contents Welcome 2 ASIJ Middle School Philosophy 4 The MS Program 5 Advisory Program, Extended Campus Programs, Guidance Program, Recognition Program, Service Program, Student Leadership, Laptop Program Co-curricular Activities 11 Sports, Other Activities MS Schedule 14 Academic Program 15 Learning Support Program, Academic Probation, Homework or Out-of-Class Work, Tests and Major Projects Attendance 17 Excused Absence or Tardiness, Extended Illnesses, Absence Procedures, Tardiness, Unexcused Absences, Leaving School Early, Early Leave for Vacations, Student Guests ASIJ Board Statement on Discipline 19 MS Statement on Discipline Student Rights, Responsibilities and Expectations 20 Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Legal, Be Proud, Dress Code, Bullying, Technology Acceptable Use Policy, Discipline Consequences, Behavioral Probation, ASIJ Policy on Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment Policy ASIJ Transportation 31 Riding the ASIJ Bus, On the Train, Other Modes of Transportation People, Places and Things to Know 34 MS Educators; Principal; Counselors; Office Staff; Maintenance and Cafeteria Staff; Health Center Staff; MS Office; MS Library; Cafeteria; Kiosk; Bookstore; Transportation Office; Resource Centers; Technology Resource Center; Commons; Teachers’ Offices, Workroom and Faculty Room; Lost and Found Area; Lockers; Progress Reports; Every Other Week Report System Disaster Prevention 39 Special Notes for Parents 39 MS Hours; After-School Activities; Back-to-School Night; Parent-Teacher and Student-led Conferences; Special Parent Sessions; Parent Volunteers; Parent-Teacher Association, Booster Club and Friends of the Fine Arts; PTA Parent Advisory Council; Open Door Policy; Report Cards; Substitute Teachers; Helping with Homework; School Closure; Withdrawal from School; Early Leave for Vacations; Contact with School; Suggested Guidelines for Parents; Tokyo Teen Scene: What Parents Need to Know, Guidelines for Parents’ Absence from Tokyo MS Course List 49 2010-11 MS Faculty and Staff 52 All-School Calendar 53 ASIJ-MS Bibliography Format 68 Getting to the to ASIJ Chofu Campus 70 MS Floorplan 72 1 Welcome On behalf of the faculty and staff, I’d like to give all of our students, especially our new students, a big welcome to the ASIJ Middle School for this new school year. I hope you had a great summer break and are enthusiastically looking forward to this new year. This Handbook is replete with all types of information for our students and their parents, including the basic philosophy of the Middle School division, operational rules, and policies that guide the function of our school. It explains the many opportunities students have in their classes and in activities/sports to grow, learn, develop and challenge themselves. We explain these things in order to make it easier to understand the different dimensions of the school. It is important, as a total school community, that not only do our students understand the information in this handbook, but support it as well. In this vein I ask that you carefully read through the information and digest it the best you can. Our teacher/advisors will do so likewise at the beginning of the school year. If you or your child have any questions, please contact me or your child’s advisor; we will be glad to answer them for you. ASIJ’s mission of “developing compassionate, inquisitive learners prepared for global responsibility” is especially apropos as we find ourselves in a figuratively smaller world environment here in the early part of the 21st century. Our middle school students, who will be the leaders of the next generation, need to make the most out of their middle school years, for this period of their education forms skills, habits, relationships, likes/ dislikes, attitudes and personalities—characteristics they will forge and carry with them through the rest of their school life, their professional life, and their personal life. My credo for students is simple—say “Yes” to as many potentially enriching experiences as possible during these years—to opportunities, relationships, challenges, etcetera. Though you may not always succeed in these endeavors or they might not work out as you had hoped, you will be the better for having experienced them. I look forward to serving and supporting our students in their academic and personal growth this year, and I hope that all of you have a great school year. Work hard, do your best, have some fun, and challenge yourself to make the most of your ASIJ education. Scott Adams Middle School Principal 2 ASIJ Middle School Welcome to The American School in Japan. We hope this year will be very enjoyable and memorable. First of all, we are the Student Leadership Team, otherwise known as the SLT. We help to make our students feel more welcome at the Middle School and we try to help them as they adapt in this new learning environment. We also help organize the dance/socials and other activities for students. Our goal is to make the time while students are at school enjoyable. The dance/socials are located in the Middle School Gym where the SLT, or other advisories, DJ the dances and arrange for other social activities. Throughout the year, there are usually six dance/socials and each one of them is categorized for that season/month. The SLT’s job is to make these activities the best and to help students in developing good social relationships. Throughout the year, there are various opportunities for students to experience different things, such as sports, drama, clubs and other recreational activities. Also, each grade has two extended campus trips during the year. The sixth-grade students experience three days in Kiyosato at KEEP, as well as a week of Japanese culture and visits to various sights around Tokyo. The seventh-grade students experience a historical trip to Hiroshima and a scientific trip to the Izu Peninsula for a week. The eighth- grade students experience an outdoor challenge trip to Lake Sai near Mt. Fuji and a ski trip to the mountain area near Nagano. We also have a program called Peer Helpers in which students go through training to help incoming students and to assist departing students. As written, this program is about peer helpers so students who are determined to meet with them understand that they are talking with peers not teachers. We think that this program helps both new and returning students. One goal we try to achieve is to make this a good environment for all of our students. At school there are playing fields, trees and courtyards. You can do your homework, eat lunch and just chat there. We try to make the environment comfortable for the students at the Middle School. The Middle School Student Leadership Team 2010 -11 Handbook 3 ASIJ Middle School Philosophy The ASIJ Middle School Philosophy promotes challenging academic programs and diverse educational opportunities in an international school setting. While encouraging individual responsibility and choice in a structured environment, the Philosophy also recognizes that middle school students are undergoing dramatic development in all phases of life. For this reason, appropriate experiences and expectations provide for developmental and cultural differences. The American School in Japan’s Mission is to developing compassionate, inquisitive learners prepared for global responsibility. We believe that our mission is best realized when: The learning environment is: • Functional, well maintained and safe. • Friendly, inclusive and welcoming. • Student centered. • Academically and socially stimulating. • Extended beyond the ASIJ campus, reflecting a sense of global community. • Responsive to the transitional needs of individual students. The learners are: • Supported by parents and the ASIJ community. • Taught with respect for wide ranges of physical, emotional and cognitive development. • Encouraged to develop healthy peer relationships. • Stimulated by new experiences and challenged to explore. • Entrusted with increasing autonomy and responsibility. • Made aware of the uniqueness and privilege of being a part of an international community. • Respectful of and seek to uphold the goals of the ASIJ mission statement. The educators are: • Enthusiastic, energetic and positive about their work and the Middle School learner. • Knowledgeable in their content area and of Middle School curriculum. • Supportive of the Middle School Philosophy and program. • Lifelong learners who model commitment to personal and professional growth. • Respectful, appreciative and understanding of the differences in people. • Flexible with an openness to educational innovation. • Effective in collaborating and communicating with students, parents and colleagues. • Understanding of the cognitive, emotional and social needs of early adolescent students. 4 ASIJ Middle School The Middle School program is: • Instructionally rich and appropriately challenging. • Focused on the process of learning and experiential in nature. • Responsive to opportunities for educational activities outside of the classroom. • Integrated and connected within and across grade levels. • Sensitive to the needs of the individual student through a relevant advisory/guidance program. • Connected to our host culture and to the international community. • Committed to a spirit of