School Policies
Table of Contents
1. Class Attendance / 2. Traffic rules / 3. Early dismissal / 4. Contact by phone / 5. Internet use in the school / 6. Dress Code / 7. Testing Policy / 8. Textbooks and Supplies / 9. School Events / 10. Expenses / 11. Student ID Cards / 12. Contact with School / 13. Parent-Teacher Meetings / 14. Parental Participation / 15. Safety and Crisis Management / 16. Injuries & Illness at School / 17. What is Expected of Students / 18. Regarding Homework / 19. Learning & Living at Home / 20. Grade Report / 21. Grading System / 22. About Testing / 23. Drugs / 24. Medication / 25. What Not to Bring to School / 26. Abuse Policy / 27. Property Damage / 28. In the Event of a Weather Warning / 29. Correspondence with Board of Education / 30. Infection control measures / 31. Affiliated Medical Facilities / 32. Physical Examination / 33. Sports Safety Insurance
1. Class Attendance
Class attendance determines the quality of a student's academic progress and achievement. If you are or will be absent from school, please email us with the student's name, the reason for the absence, the date, and a phone number where you can be reached during the day.
Unauthorized absences and tardiness have a significant impact on your child's school day and safety.
If we do not hear from you within 24 hours of an absence and the absence continues, we will notify the appropriate authorities.
〇 Tardiness due to public transportation delays, traffic congestion, etc.
In case of tardiness due to public transportation delays, please submit a certificate of delay.
If you are picking up or dropping off your child by your own car, if you are likely to be late due to traffic congestion, please do not force yourself to call us on the way to the school, but rather check for safety and then contact us by e-mail or other means, or report your arrival.
〇 Examples of absences that can be recognized with a 0-notification
​1. If the person becomes ill
2. When there is a medical appointment that cannot be changed
3. Death of a family member
4. Religious holidays
5. Participation in events or activities sponsored by the school in which the student is enrolled
6. for reasons beyond the control of the parents, accidents, natural disasters, etc.
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〇 Examples of unauthorized absences
1. related to babysitter
2. travel (negotiable)
3. shopping
4. absences without a valid reason
Students who have 20 unexcused absences in a school year or 10 or more unexcused absences in a school semester may have their credits cancelled. If you are going to be absent for an extended period of time, please notify the school and ask for instructions.
2. Traffic rules
Since students frequently go out of the school to move from one classroom to another, the school provides traffic safety instruction throughout the year. Please teach your children about traffic safety at home as well.
3. Early dismissal
Only the person listed on the Student Card is allowed to take students home. If you know in advance when you will be leaving early, please let us know by e-mail. If you are leaving early due to a sudden illness, please let us know who will be picking up your student (or if the student will be going home alone).
4. Contact by phone
We cannot take messages to students by phone. Please contact students in advance.
5. Internet use in the school
Students must obtain permission from their teachers before using the school Internet. The school prohibits the transmission of copyrighted, threatening, obscene, or trade secret protected material. Use for product advertising, commercial activities, political campaigns, or solicitations is also prohibited. Violators of this rule will have their tablets or PCs taken away and will not have Internet access. During this time, homework and classroom assignments will receive a grade of zero.
6. Dress Code
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YES International does not have a dress code, but students may be asked to change their clothes if they are deemed to be offensive to others.
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The same applies to students who are uncomfortable in class; they may be asked to change their clothes or haircut.
Especially on days when there is a physical education class, please be sure to wear clothes that do not interfere with your body movements and a hairstyle that does not get in the way. Hair that is longer than shoulder length should be tied up in one or two buns on days when PE class is held, and hair that is longer than elbow length should be braided. (Hairpins may also be an obstacle during certain activities.)
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During the daytime when the average temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius, bare feet are recommended indoors.
Indoor shoes may be worn from December to the end of February.
7. Testing Policy
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YES International will administer in-class and other tests as necessary.
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Frequent testing may increase scores, but it has been shown that excessive stress can lead to depression, which can be very detrimental to mental health. In addition, studying with the sole purpose of increasing test scores can lead children to mistakenly believe that it is okay to forget their knowledge as soon as the test is over.
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We are careful about the timing and frequency of our tests, noting that test scores do not always directly correlate with student learning outcomes and that we do not mistake purpose for means.
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Rather than memorizing the answers to tests, students are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and grasp the answers on their own as they enjoy learning in informative classes. This is the philosophy of our school.
8. Textbooks and Supplies
Textbooks distributed by the Board of Education are not usually used, but instructors may use textbooks, supplementary readers, drills, etc. selected by the instructor as needed.
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For the first year of enrollment, a set of calligraphy tools, colored pencils, rulers, and notebooks will be provided, but after that, please purchase additional tools as needed.
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If you are unsure about the format of the notebooks, please contact your instructor or the office.
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Tablet devices, ukuleles and other instruments are loaned items unless otherwise instructed. In case of damage or loss, actual expenses may be charged.
9. School Events
Field trips, school camps, Halloween, Sports day, and other events are scheduled throughout the year. The annual schedule will be distributed at the beginning of the school year, but the schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions.
10. Expenses
The tuition, facilities, and materials fees are paid to YES International, Inc. and are used to pay for teachers, classroom rent, printers, tablets, PCs, and other school maintenance costs. There may be additional fees for special programs such as field trips and school camps.
11. Student ID Cards
Students will be issued an individual student ID card at the beginning of the school year, which will be renewed every 1, 3, 5, and 7 years.
Please use it when you purchase a commuter pass.​
Please use and keep it responsibly. If you need to have the card reissued due to loss, etc., you will be charged an additional fee.
12. Contact with School
All school communications are generally posted on the parent site (Basecamp).
Please follow the instructions to register for Basecamp, which will be sent to you by e-mail after you have been admitted (transferred).
You will receive an email notification when a topic is posted on the bulletin board. Please be sure to check it.
We may also send out paper notices for attendance confirmation, questionnaires, and announcements of major events.
13. Parent-Teacher Meetings
All parent-teacher meetings are requested at the end of the first semester, and at the end of the second semester or school year when deemed necessary by the parents or the school. If you have any concerns or problems in your study or daily life, please contact the office first. We will set up an interview. The school may also request an interview as appropriate.
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In addition, if it is determined that there is some problem or point that needs attention not only in terms of study but also in terms of daily life, a parent-teacher meeting will be held. If necessary, we may ask the student to consult or see a specialist.
14. Parental Participation
Although YES International does not have a PTA organization, there are opportunities for everyone to get together for events and meetings. Volunteers are also needed to support school events as needed. Please check the Basecamp for details.
15. Safety and Crisis Management
We strive to create a safe learning environment for all students. Fire extinguishers and AEDs are provided as safety measures. We also conduct evacuation drills on a regular basis.
16. Injuries & Illness at School
If a student is injured, we will report it in the contact book or by e-mail if the injury or illness is minor.
If the injury or illness is deemed serious, the teacher in charge will contact the parents. If the person listed on the Emergency Card cannot be reached, the school may, at its discretion, call an ambulance or send the student to a hospital for medical attention.
17. What is Expected of Students
For children, "getting an education" is their role. The following are the things that are expected of them in their work.
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〇 Be prepared for class the day or morning before. Make sure you have what you need for each class. Don't forget your stationery!
〇 Books and other materials loaned by the school will be used by others later. Treat them with care.
〇 Try to do your best at all times. There is nothing wrong with not being able to do something or not understanding something. However, it is not good to give up from the beginning or to turn a blind eye to your own mistakes.
〇 For Parents: Please check backpacks with your children from time to time. Forgotten school notices or returned printouts may be found...
18. Regarding Homework
Our policy is to assign as little homework as possible, and even if homework is assigned, it should be completed over a prolonged period of time. Homework will be assigned as needed, so please ask at home, "Do you have homework today? Please ask your child, "Do you have any homework for today?
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If homework is forgotten, it may affect your school life, for example, you may have to do homework during recess, or you may not be able to understand the day's lesson.
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In some subjects, homework may have to be done using the Internet. Please use the Internet under the supervision of your parents or guardians.
19. Learning & Living at Home
Let's be actively involved in household chores and be taught good manners.
Let's show what we have studied in class to our parents/guardians.
Let's eat well-balanced meals.
Let's live a clean life every day.
Let's get enough sleep for a regular life and activities.
(Try to get at least 9 hours of sleep a day)
Do assigned homework as instructed, while considering the meaning of the assignments.
Submit homework assignments to the teacher on the designated due date.
20. Grade Report
Our school operates on a three-term system, and grades are given each term.
In order to keep parents informed of their student's academic and life progress, a grade report is issued at the end of each term.
In the third semester, we issue a final report card that includes extracurricular activities, integrated learning, and attendance.
21. Grading System
Academic grades are based on a student's ability benchmark against grade level. The school's academic age does not necessarily correspond to the school's academic age in Japan.
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Behavior is used to assess the student's life, social development, and personal growth for the benefit of the student and parents.
22. About Testing
Throughout the year, in addition to quizzes prepared by teachers, TOEFL, Kanji examinations, and other tests are administered multiple times. The results of the TOEFL test are used as reference for class placement.
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The Kanji Proficiency Test is administered approximately during the third semester in order to assess students' kanji mastery over the course of the year. (If students do not pass the test in the third semester, they may retake the test in the first half of the next school year if they wish.)
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Please note that the examination fee will be posted to your bank account in the month following the month you take the examination.
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In some years, we also introduce tests for Japanese, arithmetic, and other subjects. Since our school promotes active learning through bilingual education, it is difficult to cover all the contents of the Courses of Study, so these tests are used to check which areas of study are being omitted. If you are considering taking the test in Japan, please consider how to proceed with your home study based on the results of this test.
23. Drugs
Students who possess, sell, or receive drugs that affect the mind will be suspended or expelled from school and will be reported to the police.
24. Medication
Please avoid taking medication at school if at all possible. If you have a prescription that must be taken at school, please write down the details in your contact book or email. The school does not administer prescription medication. Please take them at your own risk.
25. What Not to Bring to School
Please do not bring anything that is not related to learning or that interferes with classes. Under no circumstances are weapons or dangerous items to be brought to school. Our first priority is to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students.
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If a student brings a dangerous item to school, the parents will be notified and the student will be immediately suspended.
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If a student is found to have brought a hazardous material to school, a conference review will be held with teachers, staff, and school administrators. In addition, threats of violence, physical violence, or sexual violence will result in immediate expulsion from school and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
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Toys and personal items brought to class for use in class should be put away immediately in your bag without playing with them to avoid breaking or losing them.
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Exchanging souvenirs, gifts, etc. is not allowed inside the school as it may cause trouble. Please do so outside of the school.
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Dangerous items include: weapons, fireworks, illegal drugs, prescription drugs that have not been reported to staff, poisons, pornography, alcohol, cigarettes, and any other items deemed dangerous by the school.
26. Abuse Policy
At YES International, the safety and happiness of children is our first priority. In the event that physical, sexual, or emotional abuse is suspected, we will contact the relevant authorities, including the Child Guidance Center.
27. Property Damage
Notebooks, writing materials, and school supplies (calligraphy tools, jump ropes, rulers, colored pencils, etc.) provided by the school at the time of enrollment or transfer are personal property, but all other equipment is shared.
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In principle, we do not ask for any damage to equipment due to force majeure, but we do ask for reimbursement for the tablet and its accessories. In the case of damage caused by repeated carelessness or failure to follow the instructions of staff, we will ask for reimbursement. In the event of stains or damage to personal belongings between students, cleaning, laundering, and reimbursement may be requested.
28. In the Event of a Weather Warning
In the event that a "Windstorm Warning," "Heavy Snowstorm Warning," "Snow Storm Warning," "Heavy Rainstorm Warning (or Advisory)," or "Flood Warning (or Advisory)" is issued for Yokohama City, we will discuss how to respond and notify students via Basecamp.
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〇 As a rule, school closure notices will be posted on Basecamp by 7:00 a.m.
〇 In the event of a school closure, after-school classes will also be cancelled.
〇 In the event that a warning is issued while students are in school, we will discuss what time we will stay at school and when we will pick up the students from school.
〇 We have enough stockpiles to last all of our students and faculty for two days. However, since we do not anticipate a long-term evacuation, we will consider moving to a wide-area evacuation site or a regional evacuation facility in the event of a prolonged evacuation.
Wide-area evacuation site: Sanzawa Stadium area
Local evacuation site: Hiranuma Elementary School
29. Correspondence with Board of Education
As we are a free school, we may be asked to provide proof of enrollment by the Board of Education or the public school in which the student was enrolled.
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Some people still have negative opinions about free schools, and it may take some time to complete the necessary procedures.
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Please feel free to contact our office if you have any problems. We can issue a certificate of enrollment, prepare materials, and attend explanations at school boards and public schools.
30. Infection control measures
Due to the spread of the new type of coronavirus infection and other mutated viruses, measures such as school closures may be taken in the event that a state of emergency is declared or the Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases Act, etc. is issued.
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In addition, please be advised that the rules for coming to and from school, in the classroom, and for picking up and dropping off students may be changed in order to prevent infectious diseases.