Parent Handbook

Kyoto International School (KIS) has been serving the beautiful city of Kyoto since 1957. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The school is known for its inclusive sense of community and personalised learning for every student. As a not-for-profit school KIS can channel all our resources into effective learning and developing students who thrive in positively influencing the global community.

Quick Facts

• Started in 1957. Been on current site since 1997.
• Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) since 1992. Most recent evaluation was April 2021.
• Authorised to implement the International Baccalaureate Organisation Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) since 2006. Most recent evaluation was April 2021.
• Kyoto International School is a candidate school for the MYP*, application was submitted Summer 2021. *note on MSHS page
• Member of the East Asian Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS)
• Founding member of  the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS)
• Officially registered with the Kyoto Prefectural Government, with Kakushu Gakko status, since 2007
• Legally incorporated educational institution (Gakko Houjin) financed by tuition fees, with occasional reimbursements from the Kyoto Prefectural Government for resources.

Vision, Mission & Values

Kyoto International School (KIS) has been serving the beautiful city of Kyoto since 1957. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The school is known for its inclusive sense of community and personalised learning for every student. As a not-for-profit school KIS can channel all our resources into effective learning and developing students who thrive in positively influencing the global community.

Our Vision

Inspiring active learners, developing global citizens

Our Mission

In our community we foster passionate, collaborative, and internationally minded individuals through an engaging and supportive education.

Our Core Values*

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

*The Core Values were developed from the IB Learner Profile traits.
Each KIS grade level undertook a vision activity for a trait and developed these KIS definitions.

Governance

The governance structure at KIS consists of the Executive Board, Board of Trustees and the Principal. There are clear distinctions between the roles and responsibilities of each group.

• Principal oversees the school’s operations and implements school policy;
• Executive Board, employs the Principal, provides the strategic direction for the school, oversees finances and sets school policy;
• Board of Trustees approves major actions taken by the school (eg: budget, policies), and advises the Executive Board;

The Executive Board holds monthly meetings, the minutes of which are available in the school office. Any member of the KIS community can request to observe a meeting if a written request is sent to the Board Chair at least two days in advance. Members of the Executive Board have no authority as individuals and can only act officially when they meet with a quorum. Members of the Executive Board and Board of Trustees do this work on a voluntary basis (no payment is provided for their duties).

Auditors (Julian Chapple & Masao Mizuna) review and approve the school’s finances annually. In addition, they are responsible for submitting an annual report regarding the financial status of the school to the Prefectural Government.

Executive Board Members 

Michi Saki Board Chair (until Dec ‘22)	Hillary Pederson Vice Chair	Myles Jackson Principal
Martin Roth Board Chair (from Jan ‘23)	John Doyle	Luke Fujii
Makoto Yamamura

Board of Trustees Members

Joseph Kelley	Shigenori Shibata	Rebecca Jennison
Hitoshi Yamada	Atsushi Horiba	Felicity Tillack
Hiroshi Nakao	Masaho Suzuki	Ayano Ohmi
Luke Fujii	Martin Roth	Hillary Pederson
John Doyle	Makoto Yamamura	Myles Jackson

Community Liaison Committee

Luke Fujii Executive Board Member

TBA Executive Board Member

Financial Committee

Luke Fujii Executive Board Member

Makoto Yamamura Executive Board Member

Nicholas McQuillin ICT & Marketing Director

---

2022-23 School Staff

Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

Myles Jackson Principal

Chinagi Duff Business Manager

Nicholas McQuillin ICT & Marketing Director

Educational Leadership Team (ELT)

Myles Jackson Principal

Arpita Saxena PYP Coordinator

Smita Gangola MYP Coordinator

Operations Team

Mai Hayashi Business Assistant

Kiyoe Matsui Admissions Manager

Venera Torobekova Saturday School Coordinator

PYP Teaching Team

Pre-K/Kindergarten	Queenie Requiero	Homeroom Teacher
Pre-K/Kindergarten	Michelle Augustine	Teacher Assistant
Grade 1	Anna Abola	Homeroom Teacher
Grade 1	Reiko Ueda	Teacher Assistant
Grade 2	Heena Thapar	Homeroom Teacher
Grade 3	Jean Solano	Homeroom Teacher
Grade 4	Felicity Tillack	Homeroom Teacher
Grade 5	Craig Rishworth	Homeroom Teacher

MYP Teaching Team

Art & Design	Wendy Carrol
Language & Literature (English)	Smita Gangola
Individuals & Societies	Michael Laurent
Science (Grade 8-10)	Chris Corrigan
Mathematics Science (Grade 6-7)	Anders Järnkrok

Specialists & Other Teachers

Japanese (Lang & Literature)	Keiko Ishii
Japanese (Acquisition)	Rika Nishita
PSPE/PHE	Michael Laurent
Music	Myles Jackson
Art/Visual Arts	Wendy Carroll
PHE (Pre-K/Kindergarten) Learning Support	Chris Corrigan
EAL Support	Emily DeLue

After-school Instructors

Aikido (Japanese martial art)	Mugenjuku
Ballet	Ballet Creative
Ikebana (Flower arrangement)	Miyuki Koike
Piano	Yukiko Yamada
Soccer	Oliver Wellman

---

Parent Teacher Association

As a collaborative and supportive community, we welcome activities led by PTA in a variety of forms. Please see the PTA Constitution here.

Purpose

The purpose of the PTA is to support the school’s mission through various activities, the PTA aims to:

• develop and deepen relationships amongst community members;
• assist the running of school events
• fundraise money for educational equipment

Finances

PTA fees are collected each year (3000 yen per family) to support various PTA activities. All PTA finances are controlled by the PTA Executive Committee. 

Saturday School Mission

The mission of KIS Saturdays is to promote English language learning within a well-rounded, teacher-guided/student-driven, academic environment. Our program seeks to nurture discovery, collaboration, communication, self-expression, and confidence in all students. We further seek to develop a diverse student skill-set that can be applied to further academic experiences, friendships, and the greater mission of being responsible local and global citizens.

Saturday Program Overview

Saturdays (9:00 am to 3:00 pm)

Students are placed in their appropriate course according to their age and language level. Age placement follows the Japanese education system’s age placement, which commences from April 1st.

Saturday School Handbook

Saturday School Portal

School Hours

Program	Start Time	Morning Break	Lunch Break	Finish Time
Pre-K & Kindergarten	8:30 am	10:15 – 10:35 am	12:30 – 1:25 pm (Eat: 12:30 – 12:55)	2:30 pm
Grade 2 & Grade 3	8:30 am	10:15 – 10:35 am	12:30 – 1:25 pm (Eat: 12:30 – 12:55)	3:30 pm (Wednesday at 2:30 pm)
Grade 4 to Grade 10	8:30 am	10:15 – 10:35 am	12:30 – 1:25 pm (Eat: 1:00 – 1:23)	3:30 pm (Wednesday at 2:30 pm)

---

Before & After School Supervision

• Parents are responsible for their children before and after school. Students who remain unsupervised after dismissal time will be sent home or placed in the office. 
• All students are permitted to enter the campus each day from 8:15 am.
• Students are not permitted to play on the field without supervision. 

---

Dismissal & Pickup

• Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are dismissed from school to only an authorized parent or guardian. A Permanent Pickup Release Form (Download PDF) is required for a change in the release to another parent or guardian.
• Grade 1 students may be dismissed and return home themselves only if a parent or guardian has informed the office (kis@kis.ac.jp) and Homeroom teacher. Please complete a Grade 1 Release Permission Form to have your child released daily to return home alone. Parents who would like to release students on a one-time case, must inform the office and homeroom teacher.
• For Pre-K & Kindergarten students; If your child is to be picked up by someone other than an immediate family member, you are required to inform the school office and fill out the appropriate form (Pickup Release Form).

---

Attendance

• Please inform the school by submitting attendance excusals with ManageBac.
• Please complete late form or early dismissal form if planned attendance changes.
• Students leaving early must report to the office to be signed out.
• Students arriving after 8:30 am are recorded as late. Late students must report to the school office and pick up a late slip before entering class. 
• Students may not go off campus during school hours without prior permission from their parents and the Principal.
• Students are required to attend school for at least 85% of the school year to qualify for completion of a grade level. If a pattern of lateness or absenteeism is seen, the student and/or family will be requested to meet with the Principal.
• Early withdrawal at the end of a term, or late returns at the beginning of term, are discouraged. Parents are encouraged not to schedule holidays or family outings during school time. 
• Teachers are under no obligation to give extra work for absent students.

In order to help ensure a safe environment, the school is implementing an absence policy for students and staff.

• If your child needs to go home during the school day with any flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, headache, abdominal pain, sore throat, fatigue, cough or difficulty breathing, etc.), then your child is required to stay home for the following day as well.
• If your child calls in sick with flu-like symptoms (same as above) then your child will be required to stay home the following day as well. 
• Your child has to be symptom free to return to school.
• If your child is absent from school any other reason, please write to the school through ManageBac with the specific reason so that we can mark your child as absent for personal reasons and not as sick so that your child may attend school the following day. 

Attendance Definition

Absence: 

• Explained Absence – Students who are absent for a day due to sickness or other emergency must record the absence on ManageBac to explain the reason why they could not attend school. Parents/guardians can also telephone the school office on the morning of the absence to alert the school as to the absence. Failure to do so makes it difficult to account for all of the students and may compromise the student’s safety. After an explained absence, when students complete the work that they missed, grades will be awarded.
   
• Unexplained Absence – No record on ManageBac or telephone call from parent/guardian explaining the absence has been presented to the school. No grades will be awarded for make-up work completed and the student risks further disciplinary action.
  
• Excused Absence – Excused absences may be granted for such things as a serious or long-term illness, an accident, to attend the funeral of a close relative, or to sit for an entrance exam. The Principal must approve an excused absence in advance. A parent or guardian must apply for the excused absence by letter or via the online Absence Form. Upon return from the excused absence, the student must submit written proof of the exam or other event for which the absence was excused. All work missed during an excused absence must be completed within two weeks of returning to school; otherwise the excused absence will lapse. 
  
  The school requires every student to achieve 85% attendance in the academic year. In calculating the 85% attendance, we are permitted to include “Excused” and “Medical” (explained) absences. 

Late arrival / Early leavers:

• Late Arrival – Students arriving after the 8:30 a.m. bell must go to the front office to get a late slip from office staff. Office staff will update the students’ attendance to Late Arrival which may be Excused or Unexcused depending on the reasons.
• Early leavers –  any student leaving the school prior to the last period of their day
  
  NOTE – After a total of six (6) late arrivals/ early leavers in a semester, a letter goes home. After another six (6), the second letter goes home. Another late arrival/ early leaver, leadership will contact the family.

Letters sent home due to attendance
Letters are sent home to parents regarding attendance, in three circumstances: 

• Attendance notification – After a total of six (6) late arrivals/ early leavers in a semester, a letter goes home from KIS Administration. After another six (6), the second letter goes home from KIS Administration. Another late arrival/ early leaver, leadership will contact the family. The Homeroom teacher is notified as well.
• Absence notification – The KIS Administration will send a notification letter home to parents and guardians (where applicable) when the student has nine (9) absences in a semester. The Homeroom teacher is notified as well.
• Excessive Absence warning – The KIS Administration will send a warning letter home to parents and guardians (where applicable) when the student has  ten (10) or more absences in a semester. The Homeroom teacher is notified as well.

---

KIS Attendance Guidelines (PDF)

Communication & Technology

• Please use the KIS Community Portal (https://portal.kis.ac.jp/) for news, important dates, and finding additional information. This is a private site for students & families, therefore an account is required to access. All parents-guardians are supplied login details at enrolment, additional requests for access can be sent to ict@kis.ac.jp.
• KIS communicates with parents in the following methods:
  • Email – providing reminders, emergency, and specific information
  • School Shimbun (newsletter) – published weekly on the community portal
  • OpenApply – admissions, enrolment, and re-enrolment communication
  • ManageBac – academic, attendance, reports related communication
  • SchoolsBuddy – school trips, after-school activities and related communication
  • Seesaw – teacher and student driven sharing photos, videos, and activities related to classroom learning
  • LINE – schoolwide quick links, notices, requests, and announcements
  • informal meetings – discussing issues in the school grounds any time
  • formal meetings – parent/teacher interviews, scheduled meetings
  • phone calls – when face-to-face conversations are not available
• Community members will be informed about school updates, news, and upcoming events and developments of our school via a newsletter sent each week.
• Teachers are expected to inform parents about learning engagements in the classroom and communicate special requests and announcements unique to the individual class.
• All teachers aim to reply to an email sent from a parent/caregiver within a 24 hour period (within school hours, during weekdays and within term time)

• Students are required to complete a Digital Citizenship & Responsible Use Agreement each year.

Digital Media & Release Policy

Main School – Digital Media Use (Photos, Video, Audio)

All staff and students will sometimes have their teaching and learning digitally recorded at KIS during normal hours, field trips, and activities. It should be understood that these photographs, videos, audio clips or other media will be shared both internally and externally, as a way to document learning.

The internal domain refers to Seesaw, ManageBac, and Community Portal. Throughout the year these internal posts, including the school shimbun (newsletter), are directly shared to the KIS Community members. It should be understood that this content is used as a way to document the teaching and learning but also communicate such to the parents and extended KIS Community. Internal posts frequently will list names, grades, and other information about the student.

The external domain refers to Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.) and the public school website (www.kis.ac.jp). It should be understood that this content is used as a way to communicate the vision and mission of KIS to a global audience, potential families and teachers. External posts attempt to refrain from using full names and personal information without prior or individual permission.

Saturday School – Digital Media Use (Photos & Video)

All Saturday School teachers and students will sometimes have their teaching and learning digitally recorded each week. It should be understood that these photographs, videos or other media will be shared both internally and externally, as a way to document learning. ‘Internally’ refers to Seesaw, which is directly shared to the parents and these posts frequently will list names and other information about the student. ‘Externally’ refers to public advertisements, printed magazines, newspaper, Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.) and the school website (www.kis.ac.jp). It should be understood that this content is used as a way to communicate the vision and mission of the school to a wider audience. External posts will not publish personal information.

Behaviour Management

• All community members contribute to a safe environment and are responsible for all students in the school. Modelling safe behaviours is an important component to providing a safe environment. Staff have a duty to correct any behaviours deemed unsafe immediately.

---

Inquiries & Grievance Procedures

If parents have concerns or questions, they are expected to follow the appropriate lines of communication.

Inquiry Type	Contact Person	Examples
Admissions	Kiyoe Matsui	– admissions (enrollment forms and fees)
Business & Administration	Chinagi Duff	– invoices (billing and fees)
Attendance Lunch Order Study Trips	Mai Hayashi	– absences – lunch orders – study trips
After-school activities Technology  Portal systems	Nicholas McQuillin	– after-school activities and registration – shimbun notices – communication – student device questions – portal account issues
Teaching & learning	Arpita Saxena (PYP) Smita Gangola (MYP)	– curriculum development – student behaviour
Administration Policy	Myles Jackson	– school decision making – school organisation – security

Issues pertaining to individual students should be directed in the first instance to the classroom or subject teacher and, if necessary, be escalated according to the following process:

• Step 1 – Communicate with the classroom or subject teacher
• Step 2 – Communicate with the Principal if there is still a question that remains unresolved.
• Step 3 – Communicate with the Community Liaison Committee if there is still a question that remains unresolved.
• Step 4 – Appeal to the Board after the above steps have been taken, and if the question or concern has still not been resolved.

---

Personal Items

The school will not be held responsible for any trading, breakage, loss or theft of any personal items or toys. We highly encourage you to not bring personal items or toys to school. A lost and found box is located in the basement stairwell of the main building.

---

Library

All students visit the library every week to sign out books. The books are due back to the library the following week or two. If a book is lost or damaged, parents must reimburse the school either 1000 yen or 2000 yen (depending on the price of the book). This is payable in cash to the office.

---

Dress Code

• Students have the option to wear a school uniform each day. This uniform includes a hat that should be worn when outside, especially on sunny days.
• Students will be asked to remove piercings and jewellery for safety reasons during PE.
• Students are required to bring two pairs of shoes – one pair for outdoor use, the other for indoor use. Both shoe types should be suitable for PE lessons and in case of emergency.
• Indoor shoes are to be worn inside the school building and the school gym.
• “Flip flops” and other types of beach sandals, as well as high heels are not acceptable for safety reasons.
• Students from Grade 4 and up are required to change in and out of appropriate clothing for PE lessons. Students failing to bring appropriate clothing to PE lessons (including footwear) will be asked not to participate, with parents being contacted.

---

Transportation & Parking

• For the safety of our students cars are not permitted in KIS. Parents are to park outside of the school using one of the public parking facilities available.
• Drop off area: Cars can stop momentarily to drop students off in front of the main entrance. This will be monitored by a KIS staff member to ensure the safety of students walking into school. Please note that the ‘drop off area’ is not part of the KIS campus. Please be respectful of our community and other local businesses. 
• All children are required to wear a helmet when on a bicycle.
• Students are able to apply for a transportation pass (teikiken) for Kyoto City buses and JR, Kintetsu and Keihan trains.
• Students should be mindful that they are representing the school community when traveling to and from school. Students should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects an understanding of the Japanese culture and respect for others and themselves, while riding on public transportation, when on study trips, or walking throughout Kyoto.

Emergency Campus Closure

• Campus may be closed in the case of inclement weather or other situations which may endanger our students and staff.
• We use the Warning & Advisory System and the Emergency Warning System issued by the Japanese Meteorological Agency to decide if the campus needs to be closed for the day.
• School campus closure decisions are made by 6:30 am and shared with the school community via the school website. Anyone who usually leaves home before 6:30 am is advised to use their own discretion.
• In the event that school must close while students are at school, students are kept at school until a parent is able to pick them up or give alternative instructions.
• In the case of a major emergency, we ask parents not to phone the school as this will only congest the lines and prevent us from contacting emergency services or others we need to make contact with urgently.
• Days will not be made up for such closures.

---

Emergency Evacuations

• Fire and earthquake drills are scheduled periodically. The teacher in each classroom will give instructions to students. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the correct procedures.
• Emergency kits for each child are purchased by their parents when the child first enrolled (and every 5 years after ) and stored outside the classroom for easy access.
• The school playground is a temporary neighbourhood gathering point in case of a serious earthquake. For longer wait periods, the grounds of the Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle are official emergency zones. If the school population were to be moved to either of these locations, the school will leave written directions at the school.
• It is quite possible that during a major disaster that telephones/transportation will NOT function. In this event, all students will be kept at the school, the evacuation point, or housed out with other parents/staff members until a parent or designated adult retrieves them. A member of staff will be posted at the school to give information on students’ whereabouts. 
• KIS faculty regularly undergo emergency and CPR training. 
• The Kyoto Trip+ App (available in both Apple App Store and Google Play) has excellent disaster information tips and advice in a variety of languages

Additional information regarding school emergency evacuation procedures can be found in the following document: KIS Evacuation Policy & Procedures (Community Edition).

---

Medication

• Any student needing to take medicine during school time must submit the school’s medication form which must be signed by a parent/guardian. 
• All medications are to be kept with the homeroom teacher. 
• If an Epi-pen is ever required to be used, the school will follow this up by calling an ambulance.

---

Illness & Injury

• Students who are contagiously sick, have a fever, heavy coughing, diarrhoea, earache, nausea or vomiting, skin rash or a sore throat, need to stay home. 
• Students who cannot participate in any school activities (including PE) also need to stay at home. If, for medical reasons, a student cannot participate in PE classes for a time exceeding three days, a written statement from a physician is required. For times of less than three days, a note from a parent will suffice.
• Students should not return to school until they have completely recovered. If a child shows any of the symptoms listed below, or returns to school too early after sickness, the school will contact the parent and arrange for the child to be taken home.
• The school uses +37.4 degrees celsius as an indicator that a child has a fever and needs to be sent home.
• First-aid for minor cuts, scratches, bumps and illnesses will be attended to by school personnel. If a staff member determines that the injury needs further treatment, the parents will be notified as soon as possible and may be asked to come and get their child.
• Students will not be sent home with anyone unless the parent of the sick or injured child gives prior permission. 
• Any seriously injured students will be taken to a doctor or hospital at the discretion of the Principal.
• All absences are marked as “absent” on school records (even due to sickness).

---

Communicable Diseases Guidelines

Type 1

Type of Disease	Criteria of prohibition of school attendance
Ebola hemorrhagic fever Crimean-Condo hemorrhagic fever Smallpox South American hemorrhagic fever Plague Marburg hemorrhagic fever Lassa fever Acute poliomyelitis Diphtheria Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS / Coronavirus) Avian flu (H5N1) Novel influenza or related infection Designated infection Novel infection	Until healed

Type 2

Type of Disease	Criteria of prohibition of school attendance
Influenza or COVID	Keep home for 5 days after showing symptoms, 2 days being free of fever and symptoms, return to school from the 6th day
Whooping cough (Pertussis)	Until the characteristic coughing disappears or after 5 days of effective antibiotics treatment
Measles (rubeola)	Until 3 days have passed following a decline of fever
Mumps (epidemic parotitis)	Until 5 days after the swelling of the parotid gland, submandibular gland or sublingual gland has gone down. As well as having recovered to a normal healthy condition
Rubella (3-day measles)	Until the rash disappears
Chicken Pox	Until all the rashes become crusted
Pharyngoconjunctival fever (swimming pool fever)	Until 2 days have passed following all the major symptoms are resolved
Tuberculosis Meningococcal meningitis	Until the school physician or another physician acknowledge that there is no longer any risk of infection based on his/her medical condition

Type 3

Type of Disease	Criteria of prohibition of school attendance
Cholera Bacillary dysentery Enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection Typhoid fever Paratyphoid fever Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis Other infectious disease *	Until the school physician or another physician acknowledge that there is no longer any risk of infection based on his/her medical condition

Please help us keep the school community healthy by following these basic rules:

• If any symptoms of Influenza are present (keeping in mind it is different for every child), please take your child to a doctor.
• If your child has confirmed influenza or COVID, keep them home for 5 days with a minimum of 2 days after fever returns to normal.
• If your child has a fever or appears unwell, please do not send them to school and inform the school. If the illness is not influenza, students must stay home for a minimum of 24 hours after a fever returns to normal to reduce the risk of spreading viruses.

---

Tuition Payment

• Tuition details are listed on KIS website and are updated each spring with the rates for the following academic year. Tuition rates and fees are traditionally reviewed annually, and adjusted every two years.
• Tuition and supplementary fees are charged by arranged installments. 
• Three payment plans are available. Families should submit their preferred payment arrangements with the office.
• The school’s Business Assistant will help with any questions about tuition and fees. 
• Pupils withdrawing mid-semester are not eligible for a refund of tuition or fees.
• Students entering the school after the commencement of the semester may be charged a prorated amount on the tuition for that semester. A different fee breakdown may apply.
• All installments are billed 14 days prior to the due date. Tuition & fees can be paid with wire transfer or by credit card (4% service fee applied).
• Accounts overdue shall be billed a surcharge of ¥20,000 per month, cumulative.

---

Miscellaneous Payments

• A money envelope will be provided by the school office to pay for different events and items. Please use this envelope when you send money to school. It will be stamped and returned each time, and acts as a receipt. 
• If your money envelope ever gets misplaced please the office ask for a new one.
• Parents are responsible for paying for Japanese textbooks for their child. Japanese teachers will buy the books, and then parents will bring in the money via the school envelope. Textbooks are then the property of the students and they may keep them at year end.

Assessment & Reporting

Reporting to parents occurs via:

• parent teacher conferences
• student-led conferences
• student portfolios on Seesaw & ManageBac
• formal written reports
• formal & informal meetings

---

Policies

Introduction to the PYP (PDF)

KIS Academic Integrity Policy (PDF)

KIS Admissions Policy (PDF)

KIS Assessment Policy (PDF)

KIS EAL Guidelines (PDF)

KIS Homework Guidelines (PDF)

KIS Learning Support Policy (PDF)

KIS Language Policy (PDF)

---

Homework

“As a growing child, the most important thing that students need at home is plenty of love, sleep, mother tongue conversations, and nutritious meals.” 

At KIS we believe that home support and practice of skills is essential to academic development. 

From research we have reviewed and in dialogue with other educators from around the world, it is apparent that a one size fits all model of homework does not support quality learning.

Therefore, we have adopted the following as our approach to homework across the school.

Pre-K to Grade 5	Grade 6	Grade 7 to 10
–Read every night (reading to self, or being read to) -At home support, as requested by the teacher, based on individual needs -Discuss what happened today at school (using SeeSaw and ManageBac to support)	As a transition to Middle School, students will be expected to: –Read every night. -Do online skills practice -Finish incomplete tasks as requested by the teacher -At home support, as requested by the teacher, based on individual needs -Discuss what happened today at school (using SeeSaw and ManageBac to support)	–Read every night -Teachers will clearly state what the homework is  -Teachers will track and make sure that homework has been completed and it will be included in their final grade -Homework should not exceed 45 minutes total -Discuss what happened today at school (using SeeSaw and ManageBac to support)

---

After-School Bukatsu & Lessons

After-School Bukatsu or Lessons, formerly known as Clubs & Lessons, are offered and managed through SchoolsBuddy. SchoolsBuddy helps organise extracurricular activities from sign up, to allocation, communication and management. Sign up dates will be communicated through the calendar and newsletter postings.

Bukatsu Examples: Art, Card/Board Games, Chess, Dodgeball, Gardening, Lego, Table Tennis, Ukulele, and Yoga.

Lessons Options: Aikido (Japanese martial art), Ballet, Ikebana (Flower arrangement), Piano, Programming (Scratch & Python), and Soccer.

Register on SchoolsBuddy
Withdraw Form

---

Teacher-Run (Free) Bukatsu

• Weekdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, not available on Wednesdays
• Registration will begin 2 weeks prior to the start and communicated in the Friday Shimbun (newsletter)
• A maximum number places may be set for each bukatsu
• Offered in 12-weeks each semester

2022-2023 Bukatsu Dates:

• Bukatsu Semester 1
  • Registration begins August 29th, 2022
  • Starts on September 12th, 2022
  • Ends on December 9th, 2022
• Bukatsu Semester 2
  • Registration begins January 30th, 2023
  • Starts on February 13th, 2023
  • Ends on May 19th, 2023

---

Externally-Provided (Paid) Lessons

• Lessons will be offered weekly
• Lesson registration will be confirmed and invoiced each semester
• Content, cost, timing and number of students are determined by the instructor
• Invoiced directly via SchoolsBuddy upon registration each semester
• Cancellations are possible during the first 2 weeks only (it is not a free trial and will incur a charge)
• KIS will inform parents/caregivers of any cancellations & work with the instructor to arrange a make-up lesson whenever possible
• If a student fails to attend, the school cannot guarantee a replacement lesson nor a refund. Special Condition (YouCode Only): YouCode can provide online replacement lessons, for absent students up to 3 absences in each semester.
• Only students currently enrolled at the school are permitted to take part in externally-provided lessons

After-school Instructors

Aikido (Japanese martial art)	Mugenjuku
Ballet	Ballet Creative
Ikebana (Flower arrangement)	Miyuki Koike
Piano	Yukiko Yamada
Programming (Scratch & Python)	YouCode
Soccer	Oliver Wellman

2022-2023 After-school Lesson Dates:

• Lessons Semester 1
  • Registration begins August 15th, 2022
  • Starts on August 29th, 2022
  • Ends on January 27th, 2023
• Lessons Semester 2
  • Registration begins January 16th, 2023
  • Starts on January 30th, 2023
  • Ends on June 9th, 2023

The following dates are based on the 2022-2023 Calendar and subject to change. Please confirm with your registration on SchoolsBuddy.

---

Ballet Creative 2022-2023
Monday 3:30-4:30 (Whole School) 

Ballet – Semester 1 (11 lessons)

• October 3, 17, 24,
• November 7, 14, 21, 28,
• December 5, 12,
• January 16, 23,

Ballet – Semester 2 (18 lessons)

• January 30,
• February 6, 13, 20, 27,
• March 6, 13, 20,
• April 3, 10, 17, 24,
• May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29,
• June 5,

---

Childcare Service

• Our after school care is available daily from dismissal time until 5:00 pm. 
• All sign-ups must be made before 2:30 pm 3 days prior through SchoolsBuddy. We will not accept last minute calls for childcare.
• If a student has clubs or lessons, it is the students’ responsibility to make their own way to Bukatsu and Lessons from childcare and to be responsible and respectful of the school environment while they do.
• This is a charged service (500 yen for 30 minutes), billed at a later date.
• Students must bring their own snack and drink if they wish to eat during this time.
• Limited to younger students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2.