SpecialEditionSchool
Education

Town Information

GARAPA English

Multicultural Cooperation Division, Oizumi Town Hall
Address: Oizumi-machi Hinode 55-1
Phone: 0276-63-3111(ext. 262)
Fax: 0276-63-3921 E-mail:tabunka@town.oizumi.gunma.jp
September 10th, 2021

Education in Japan [ 日本の教育]Children of foreign nationals are not obligated to enroll in Japanese public schools.
However, public schools allow foreign children to enroll if they strongly desire to do so.
In this GARAPA English Special Edition, we will explain the process of procedures required when you wish your child toenroll in a Japanese school. And we will also introduce you to school life.
Japanese children who have reached 6 years old as of April 1st are obligated to receive education by the Constitution ofJapan. When they enter public schools, they can receive nine years of education (6 years of primary school and 3 years ofjunior high school) free of charge. On the other hand, children of foreign nationals are not obligated to receive education inJapanese schools, because they can choose to be educated in Japanese or foreign schools.
However, guardians must recognize that sociality is acquired from an early age by the child. When children can develop selfconfidence, self-understanding, creativity, sensitivity, emotions, and etc., they will be able to be responsible, judgmental, andhave a positive attitude in any social situation. Changing schools repeatedly may eventually have a serious impact onchildren's growth and development of abilities. Regardless of whether you choose to educate your child in a Japanese schoolor a foreign school, the town would like to ask you to think carefully and make the right choice.
Incidentally, if you choose to educate your child in a Japanese school, the most important thing is to learn Japanese. So
please encourage your child to study Japanese so that he/she can understand the content of the class and conversations withfriends. In addition, in order for your child to continue his/her studies smoothly at a Japanese school, you need to study
Japanese as well.

Events until entering primary school and their schedule ［小学校入学までの各種行事と日程］
1st STEP

Acceptance of School Enrollment Requests ［就学希望の受付］

September

The Board of Education accepts school enrollment requests for guardians of foreign children.
As notices are sent to eligible guardians, please be sure to come to the Educational Administration Division (Kyoiku-Kanrika) in the town hall during the request period if you and your child wish to enter Japanese public schools in the town.
If you or your child do not wish to enroll in the public schools, please submit the "Choritsu-Shogakko-Nyugaku-JitaiRenrakuhyo (Notification form to decline enrollment in the town's primary schools)".

2nd STEP

Medical Checkup for Admission to Primary School ［就学時健康診断］

OctoberThis is a medical checkup for children to enter primary school newly.
Children who wish to enter primary school must receive the checkup with their guardian accompanied.
【Things to bring】① Medical Checkup Sheet for Admission to Primary School② Notification of Medical Checkup for Admission to Primary School(The item ① and ② are handed to guardians at the time of "Acceptance of School Enrollment Request" in September.
Please fill out the required information in the guardian's entry field of the sheet.)③ Indoor shoes for your child and guardians (you)【Things to do on the day of the medical checkup】◆ Internal Medical, Dental, Ophthalmological,
and Otolaryngological checkups are conducted by doctors.
Also intelligence test is carried out.
◆ The result of the medical checkup is issued
as "Notification of Medical Checkup for Admission toPrimary School (Shugakuji Kenko Shindan no Oshirase)"on the same day. If your child has an illness
that requires medical treatment, please be sure to visit
a doctor for treatment. After the treatment, please ask
the doctor to fill out "Medical Treatment Report (Jushin Hokokusho)",and submit it to the school your child enters on the day of the entrance ceremony (or after that).
13rd STEP

Acceptance of Application for Admission to Primary School ［就学申請受付］

January■ Foreign children are not obligated to attend school even if they are of school-going age. If you wish toenroll your child in school newly, you must apply for admission. Without this application, your child will
not be allowed to enter school.
■ Guardians who wish to enroll their child in school are notified in writing of application procedures
at a later date.
【Things to bring】① Residence Cards (Zairyu Cards) of the child applying for admission and his/her guardian② A Seal Stamp (Inkan)③ A Bankbook of Gunma Bank and its registered seal
(They will be used to apply for bank account transfers for school meals.)

4th STEP

Explanatory Meeting for Admission to Primary School ［入学説明会］

February■ This meeting is held for guardians at the school

where their child plans to enter.
■ The schedule is announced in writing at the timeof "Acceptance of Application for Admission to Primary
School (Shugaku Shinsei Uketsuke)" in January.
■ Explanation for admission to the school is given,and school supplies are sold.
【Things to bring】① Indoor Shoes for Guardians② (Eco-)Bags for school supplies you may purchase

Last STEP

Entrance Ceremony ［入学式］

April

The entrance ceremony is held in the gymnasium of the primary school where your child is enrolled.
Please attend the ceremony with your child who enters the school.
【Things to bring】① Notification of Admission to Primary School (Nyugaku Tsuchisho):This is handed at the time of the "Acceptance of Application for Admission to Primary School (Shugaku ShinseiUketsuke)". Please keep it with you until the entrance ceremony so that you don't lose it.
② Indoor Shoes: for the child who enters the school and his/her guardians③ Medical Treatment Report (Jushin Hokokusho):
If your child has received medical treatment as a result of the Medical Checkup for Admission to Primary School(Shugakuji Kenko Shindan) conducted in October, please submit the "Medical Treatment Report (Jushin Hokokusho)"to the receptionist.
④ Others
Please bring any items that the school instructed you to bring at the "Explanatory Meeting for Admission to Primary
School (Nyugaku Setsumeikai)" in February.
The Entrance Ceremony is also attended by teachers, PTA, and other guests. After the ceremony, the children and theirguardians take commemorative photos under the cherry blossom tree, and then gather in each class to listen to thehomeroom teacher's talk, take a photo together, and then go home.
By the way, on the day of the ceremony, it is common to wear some formal attire, rather than T-shirts and other normal
clothes. But the children are the star of the ceremony, so guardians should try not to dress too flamboyantly.

2School Life [ 学校生活について］
Please note that the following is a standard school life and may be subject to change depending on circumstances.

A Day at School ［学校の一日］
The number of class hours and dismissal times vary depending on the day of the week and grade level. Sixth graders haveabout five to six periods a day. (One period is generally 45 minutes for primary school and 50 minutes for junior highschool.) Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays are closed. In primary school, classes are led by the homeroom teacher.
In junior high school, the teacher changes each subject.
◆ Lunch Time ［給食時間］In most cases, school lunches are provided in primary and junior high schools as partof school educational activities. In school lunches, children serve the food and clean
up afterwards. In addition, through having a fun and nutritious meal together they learn
what a proper meal should be and how to develop good human relations, which will
help them lead healthy lives throughout their lives.
※ Of the costs associated with school lunches, the cost of food ingredients must be borne by the guardians.
The amount varies depending on the region and grade, it rages from ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 per month. In addition,guardians are also required to pay for the purchase of teaching materials and other necessary expenses.
◆ Cleaning Time ［清掃時間］
In Japanese schools, everyone shares responsibility of cleaning up the classrooms
and school grounds that they use.
◆ Club Activity ［部活動］Children and students who wish to do so can participate in physical and culturalactivities after school.

A Year at School ［学校の一年］
Japanese school starts in April and ends in March of the following year. The school year is divided into several period(semesters), and most schools divide the year into three semesters.
Major school events for each semester are as follows. (The examples below are based on a three semester system, and thenames, forms, and timing of school events may vary by region and school.)

The 1st Semester: April - July ［一学期］● Shigyo-shiki (First Assembly of Term): April
This event marks the beginning of the first semester.
● Nyugaku-shiki (Entrance Ceremony): April
This is an event to welcome and congratulate the newly enrolled children and students. New enrolled
children/students and their guardians usually attend the entrance ceremony in formal attire.
● Shintai-Sokutei, Teiki-Kenko-Shindan (Physical Measurements, Periodic Medical Checkups): April ~ June
The height, weight, and other development characteristics of children and students are measured.
A doctor examines the physical condition and health of the children and students.
● Shugaku-Ryoko (School Trip)
This is an event that involves several days of travel and lodging for all studentsof the same grade, mainly the highest grade students.
● Ensoku (Field Trip)
This is a field trip to get out the school and experience nature, history, and culture,and learn things that cannot be learned in the classroom.
● Jyugyo-Sankan, Gakkyu-Kondankai (Open School Day, Parent-Teacher-Conference)
This is an opportunity for guardians to come together to watch classroom activities and exchange information between
guardians and homeroom teachers in order to learn more about how children and students are doing at school and athome each day.
● Shugyo-shiki (Final Assembly of Term): July
This event marks the end of the first semester.
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● Natsu-Yasumi (Summer Holidays/Break): End of July ~ End of AugustThis is a long summer holiday of about 30 ~ 40 days.
Children and students can do activities at school such as special studies or club activities.

The 2nd Semester: August - December ［二学期］● Shigyo-shiki (First Assembly of Term): AugustThis event marks the beginning of the second semester.
● Undo-kai / Taiiku-taikai (Sports Day)
This is an event to get intimate with physical activities such as shortdistance races, relay races, tama-ire (beanbag toss), dancing, and cheering
on classmate. Some schools offer events that families can participate in.
● Ongaku, Engeki-Kanshokai (Music Appreciation, Theater Appreciation)
These are events to enrich the minds of children and students byappreciating and listening to the arts.
● Gakugekai / Bunkasai (School Play / School Festival)
This is an event to display artworks created in "arts and craft" and"technology and home economics", and reports studied in "social studies","sciences", and etc., as well as to present musical performances, chorus
performances, plays, etc., and appreciate them.
● Shugyo-shiki (Final Assembly of Term): December
This event marks the end of the second semester.
● Fuyu-Yasumi (Winter Holidays/Break): End of December ~ Beginning of JanuaryThis is a long winter holiday of about 2 weeks.

The 3rd Semester: January - March ［三学期］● Shigyo-shiki (First Assembly of Term): JanuaryThis event marks the beginning of the third semester.
● Sotsugyo-shiki (Graduation Ceremony): MarchThis is an event to celebrate the graduation of the most senior
students from school.
● Shuryo-shiki (Closing Ceremony)This is the closing ceremony for the third semester,and also an event to conclude the year.
● Haru-Yashimi (Spring Break)After the closing ceremony, it is spring break. After this break,
students will be promoted to the next grade and will start studying
at the new grade level in April.
When a new school year begins, the grades, classrooms, andteachers change. Students who go on to junior high school willattend a different school.
For entering junior high school, various preparations such asbicycles, uniforms, bags, etc. start around December of theprevious year, just like in primary school. It costs money, so start
preparing now.

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