〔For Grade 1 in April 2023〕

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIFE IN JAPAN(HIROSHIMA prefecture version)
For children and their parents/guardiansfrom abroad*JIDO - elementary school children*HOGOSHA - parents/guardians

Backpack (Randsel)
For books and supplies.
Any color is okay.

A school hat
Many schools haveschool hats.

School uniforms
Many schools haveoriginal uniforms.

Emergency Alarm
Alarm/whistle
attached to
backpack forchildren’s safety.

Monday-set/Friday-set
Each set includes P.E.
clothes, school lunch
uniforms, and luncheon
mat. Please ask school for
more details.

Water bottle(Water or tea)

A bag for indooronly shoes

The allowed color of student socks
may be decided by each school.

Edit: BUILD

Table of Contents
１．A Day in School

２

２．Rules and Regulations (Examples)３

３．School’s Daily Schedule

４４．Assessment

４５．What parents need to do at home

５

６．Tools used at School

６

７．Necessary money at School

７

８．Vital connection between the schooland each child’s parents/guardians

８９．Annual Events

９

１０．Get to know the School

１１

１１．Consultations

１２

１２．What parents to wear (Entrance Ceremony)

１３

１３．Enrollment Information Session

１３This is a brief guide to elementary schools in Hiroshima.
Details may differ depending on each school.
Make sure to attend the Enrollment Information Session atyour school.
Please ask your schools when you have questions.
1１．A Day in School
Meeting
Time

Coming to School ・Children living in the same area will usually go to school together in agroup.
・They travel a fixed route from home to school and back home.
・Always inform school between 7:30 and 8：20 am if children will belate or absent, either by telephone or email.
(Your school will instruct you on how to contact them.)

At 8:20 am Morning Meeting - Greet everyone in your classroom and listen toteachers every day.
Morning Meetings - All students usually get together.
Morning

Classes＊ ・Your homeroom teachers will teach you.
＊ Classes ＝ study in School・One class lasts 45 minutes. There are 4 classes before lunch.
Classes are different every day. Please check the correspondence
notebook.
・There is a short break between classes.
・Children may use the bathroom during the short break.

Lunch

School Lunch・Schools will provide lunches. School Lunch fees are mandatory.
(Pay every month.)・Sometimes there are days with no School Lunch.
・Children will help serve food. (School Lunch toban).
・Schools will make lunch menus and lists available.

After

Recess or Lunch break － Children are free to rest or play.

Lunch

Cleaning － Children clean the school building by themselves. Teachers
may help them.

Afternoon Classes

・There are not always Classes in the afternoon.
・End of the Day Meeting － Children listen to teachers and say“good-bye”.

Going Home（GEKOU） － Children can go home.
After School（HOUKAGO） － The time after Classes.
※At the beginning of the 1st grade, children will practice how to go home.

２After School Clubs・・・Children can go there after school until evening.
Children must apply for clubs. Documents to sign up for clubs areavailable at school information sessions.
*（Applications should be submitted at City Hall in your town or area.)various 「tayori/letter」※also called 「otayori」

・School Letter・・・News/Announcement for all children
・Grade Letter（Classroom letter）
・・・News for each grade or classroom
・Health care Letter・・・News on child health care・School Lunch Letter・・・News on School Lunch
Please read menus carefully if children have a food allergy.
「tayori/letter」 has important news!
Ask your teacher to mark important news items on the letter.
Some schools distribute tayori/letter by email.

２．Rules and Regulations (Examples)× Dyed hair is not allowed.
× Wearing accessories, such as (pierced) earrings, is not allowed.
× Do not bring any money, foods, snacks or portable games to School.
× Do not go to School by bicycle.
× Do not forget to contact School if children will be absent.
× Do not go home from School without informing teachers at School.
× Do not bring mobile phones or devices to School.
（Please consult classroom teachers if children need phones at School.）３３. Daily Schedule
・School finishing time may differ
depending on day and grade.
・Children must record homework andDay

the next-day’s timetable in theircorrespondence notebook before goinghome every day.

2nd period

Subject

・No School on Saturdays, Sundays or
holidays.
・Homeroom teachers usually teach all
subjects.

＜Elementary School Subjects＞
KokugoSansu/Math/Japanese

Zuga Kosaku/Drawing
craftsandRika/Science

Doutoku/Moral education

Gakkyu Katsudo/Classroom activities

Taiiku/P.E.

Ongaku/Music

Seikatsu

Shakai/Life Studies<Grade 1 & 2>

/Social Studies<Grade 3 to 6>

Sogoteki na Gakusyu no Kateika
Jikan
/Home

<Grade 3 to 6> /Integrated Studies<Grade 3 to 6>

Economics<Grade 5 & 6>

Gaikokugo Katsudo/YICA <Grade 3 & 4>

Gaikokugo/Foreign Languages<Grade 5 & 6>

４．Assessment①Exams・To evaluate how much children have understood and learned.
②Assessment Sheet called AYUMI・At the end of each term, homeroom teachers will make assessments
and talk to each child about their School life at Kondankai/individualor three-person-meetings. Teachers will give each student anassessment sheet/Ayumi.
※Each April, students will go on to the next grade.

４５．What parents should do at home
① Children back home after school・・・
１． Parents should check Correspondence Notebook(Renrakuchou)for homework duties and the next

day’s schedule. This information should be written byeach child. Teachers also use this notebook tocommunicate with parents/guardians.
２． Read news and bulletins (tayori) issued by School.
３． Check children’s homework. （Signature is required.）＊Signature ＝ print simple letters. Hanko is ok.
４． Prepare for the next School day before going to bed.

②Contact School if children will either be absent, late or haveto leave early from School.
・Make sure to contact School by phone/email/ correspondence notebook.
・When children are late, parents/guardians must go to School with them.
・When children leave early from School, parents/guardians must come to Schooland pick children up.
Please DO NOT forget to contact School
when children are absent. Teachers must
confirm the whereabouts of each child andwill worry that there was an accident.

＜Late＞I am the mother of Anna of Grade 1B. She will be late today.
We will go to the hospital and arriveat school at 10:30am.

＜Absent＞
I am the dad of Ken ofGrade 1-A.
He will be absent today
because he has a fever.

<Leave Early>
Mother of Ken of Grade 1-B.
Today I will pick up my son at
1pm. He must go to hospital.

５６．Things to use at School（Differs depending on School. Ask for details at the enrollment information session.）
Make sure to put children’s names on all items. （Some people order name stickers.）① Items provided by School
Name Tag

Textbooks

Notebooks

Personal Alarm／Whistle

Correspondence Notebook

Tablet Computerwith Bag（rental only）② Item-list for purchase before Entrance Ceremony
Randsel Backpack

Shoes (outside-use)（any color is OK）

Weekly Set Bag

Shoes （inside-use）with shoes-bag★

Cleaning Cloths ★

（Ex. Monday Set or Friday

Luncheon Mat（For School lunch）

Set）★

A bag for P.E. clothes

stationery
２B pencils，red color pencils，a ball-point pen，an eraser，a sheet to place under paper,
a ruler/triangle，a pencil case★A handout will be given at the enrollment information session.
It will describe the size of the bag and the items you need to order.

６

③ Items to order/purchase at School（Some Schools ask parents/guardians to order at enrollment information sessions.
Please measure in advance or know your child’s height and clothes sizes.）
Melodica/Pianica

Colored Plastic Pencils

Scotch Tape, Glue,/Colored

Scissors

Pencils

Math Set

ToolboxP.E. Clothes,a white-red cap※ Item-lists may differ depending on School. Ex: different shapes/kinds of pencils.
Please ask homeroom teachers if you have any questions.
※ It is easy to order at School when possible.
※ 50,000 to 60,000 yen is necessary to get listed items other than Randsels.

７．School Monthly Expenses
Tuition and Textbooks\０.-

Tuition and textbooks are free.

Expenses

About \5,000 per monthMaterials used at School

PTA fee

About \3,000 per monthParental events and so on

School Lunch

About \5,000 per month

About \250/mealtimes about 20 days

otherIncluding School Trip, differs depending on Grade.

※ Expenses can be transferred from a specified bank account, indicated by Schoolin advance. Please make sure that you keep a sufficient balance in the bankaccount.
※ Some Schools ask children to bring cash on certain dates.

７

８．Contact between Family (Parents) and School
If children are going to be late or absent, parents/guardians should inform the
School. Teachers worry when children don’t arrive and haven’t informed the Schoolof their absence or tardiness.
How to report School:① Parents/guardians should call or email directly to classroom teachers.
(Some Schools have different rules.)② Write a message to your child ’ s homeroom teacher in thecorrespondence notebook and have other siblings or students in yourcommuting group give it to the School.
(Some Schools have different rules due to COVID19.)★If you are not sure or cannot read Japanese…
If parents/guardians cannot
read Japanese, pleasecontact the School directly.

Ask parents at your School!
＊「Mama-tomo」 or 「Papa-tomo」

Making Friends 「Mama-tomo」「Papa-tomo」

・Your Elementary School has a Parent-Teachers Association(PTA) for all parents and guardians. PTA officers are selectedeach school year on the day of the entrance ceremony.
Members of the PTA, especially in Elementary School, have
many opportunities to make friends with other parents andguardians.
・Some places/cities/towns have sports teams likebaseball, soccer, or volleyball, not connected to
the School. Such teams are also a good place forparents and children to make friends.
８９．Annual events
Schools are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
1st term

Entrance Ceremony ― an event to welcome new students of（April to

Grade 1.

July） Opening Ceremony ― an event to begin the new term.
Health checkup ― Doctors check general health, as well asheight and weight of children.
（Includes eye test, urinalysis and dental exam.）End of the term ceremony ― an event to close the term.
An assessment sheet＊ will be given to each child.
SummerVacationChildren may go to Summer School, sometimes called Tokobi.
Children have homework/assignments to finish during Tokobi or(August)by Opening Ceremony day in September.

nd

Opening ceremony ― an event to start the new term.

2

term

（September ～ End of the term ceremony ― an event to finish the term.
December）
Aｎ assessment sheet＊ will be given to each child.
Winter break

The winter vacation break is about 2-weeks long.

(Late DecemberChildren have homework/assignments to finish by the day of the～Early January)

Opening Ceremony in January.

rd

3 termOpening Ceremony ― an event to start the new term.

(January

Graduation Ceremony ― an event for children of Grade 6 to
～March) graduate from elementary school.
End of the term ceremony ― an event to finish the school year.
An assessment sheet＊ will be given to each child.

Spring BreakChildren often have homework/assignments. In April, all children
will move up to the next grade.

＊Assessment sheet …A teacher report of each child’s progress forparents/guardians.
The assessment sheet is called 「Tsuchihyo」 or 「Ayumi」 in Japanese,
depending on the School. It is given at the end of the term. Some Schools do
not have such assessments.
★Disaster drill… A drill to learn how to evacuate at disaster such as fire and earthquake.
Some Schools may ask parents/guardians to join drills to pick up children.
★Individual interview about assessment sheet… Homeroom teachers will meet with parents/guardians at School once or twice a
year.
Some Schools may visit children’s homes, called Home Visits.

９Joyful events （Event names and details may differ from each School.）Sports festival

Children can enjoy sports such as running,
dancing and so on. All students join this event.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.

Excursion

Children take a short trip with bento lunch boxes.
Have a good day!

Local Visit

Tours of local facilities.
Children go by bus with bento lunch boxes.

School trips

In grade 6, all children go on an overnight trip.

Camping

In grade 5, all children have two overnight, twonight trips and various outside activities.

Music RecitalChildren by grades sing or play musicalinstruments. Parents/guardians are encouraged
to watch. Sometimes children perform dramas
about what they have learned in classes.

Swimming Class

Swimming class. On the day of this class, children（June～July）

must check their body temperatures and record it
on a swimming card. They should bring this card
to school. If not, they cannot swim, but only
observe the class.

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Swimsuits

Swimming cap

A large towel forchanging clothes

Clearly put your child’s name on swimsuit and cap.
Please ask School for details, such as where and how big
to write full name or last name.

１０．Learn about School
Talk with teachers and other parents/guardians of your child’s classmates.

① Observation day/”Let’s go to School” week
Parents/guardians will have an opportunity
to observe classes, short-break time, or
lunch time to get to know how Children are

Get to know
parents/guardiansof children’s friends.

doing at School.

② Parents/guardian meetings
After observing classes, in the homerooms, teachers andparents/guardians will talk about children’s learning, school lives
and how children do at home.

③ Individual meetings/an assessment sheet is given
Parents/guardians and homeroom teachers meet and talk.
An assessment sheet of Children may be given.
※Some Schools may give such assessment
sheets to Children directly on the last day of
the term.

④ Home visit
Teachers will visit your house/place and talk.
Teachers often do not actually enter the rooms.
Some Schools do not have Home visits.

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Parent/guardian andhomeroom teachers will talkabout your children. It is apersonal conversation
between you and theteacher.

１１．Consultation available when you have concerns.
① Children’s growth and bullying
・Please consult homeroom teachers about your concerns.
・School counselors and nurses are available for consultations about
Children’s progress and health.
*School counselors are specialists in parental consultation.

② Money assistance・Financial assistance system ― Residential cities, towns or villages
may have this financial assistance for school lunches andsupplies. Please ask your child’s teacher for more details.
※Information handouts will be given out at the enrollment information
session.
③ Children’s Japanese language
・ Teachers to teach Japanese language skills to non-Japanese
speakers. Children raised by non-Japanese speakers sometimes
have difficulty learning in Japanese. In that case, Japanese
language teachers are available. Please ask your child’s teacher
for details before the school year begins.
④ Parents/guardianship language
・There are free-Japanese lesson classes in Hiroshima prefecture, as
well as classes you can pay for.

Please check on the Live in

Hiroshima website!
に ほ ん ご きょうしつ

日本語教室 Live in Hiroshima☆When you need an interpreter/language assistant・ You can ask for an interpreter/language assistant at School
meetings. Reservation is required, so please ask your child ’ steacher for more details.
The School staff or homeroom teachers will contact the HIC(Hiroshima International Center in Hiroshima city) consultation
window.
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12．What to wear to Entrance Ceremony (parents/guardians)
Most parents/guardians wear suits, like in this photo. Color: black, gray, or beige.
Some mothers wear a corsage flower or necklace.
A corsage is pinned to the upper part of woman ’ sclothes.

13．Enrollment Information Session (Late January to early February)
Many handouts are given.
There are many things to explain in a hurry.
The following items will be explained, but the order may be different at each school.
★ This star means that documents are required and must be submitted!
‘①～ ⑰ also require to submit order sheets such as school uniforms, stationary andso on.
Handouts

Explanation① Traffic safety

Traffic safety advice to avoid accidents② After school clubs

Children can remain at school until evening.
★ Application forms must be submitted.

③ Special education

There are special classes for children withhandicaps or need of assistance. Please ask
classroom teachers for more details.

④ Student guidance regulations

Rules for clothing and items brought to School.
There are also rules for outside of school.

⑤ InjuryandAccident

MutualAid Insurance for injuries at School.

Benefit System⑥ School lunch and food allergy

Explanation on how School lunches are made.
★ Please submit an application form if
children have any food allergy or religious
dietary restriction.

⑦ Application forms for School Lunch

Apply for School Lunches. ★ The due date is
fixed. Everyone must submit an application.

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⑧ Before entering Grade 1

School may inform parents/guardians ofＡ）Simple tasks children should be able to doＢ）Rules that children should be prepared
to follow. (Each school may have different
rules.)⑨ Questionnaire on Children andfamilyQuestions on Children and family members.
★Due date is fixed. Everyone must submit.

⑩ Register email delivery service
for Children/students’ safetymeasureSafety measures and news on suspicious
persons are delivered by email. You mustregister for this service by yourself.
Instructions will be provided.

⑪ Announcement: educational
financial support system

Residential cities, towns or villages may havefinancial assistance services and may provide
financial support for school.
★Application form is required!

⑫ Announcement: educational
financial support system forhandicapped students※If you apply for ⑪, then you are
not eligible for ⑫

Handicapped children and children who go to
special educational schools are eligible forfinancial support. Such parents/guardians
may be able to seek this educational financial
support, depending on one’s income.
★ Application requirements are many, andinclude receipts. The due date is in May.

⑬ Announcement: PTA

Announcement by parent/guardian group.

⑭ PTA directors’ election survey

Please write if you would like to become amember of PTA directors and submit this slip
to School.
★Due date is fixed. Everyone must submit.

⑮ Student (Elementary and juniorhigh schools) comprehensive
mutual insurance system

Insurance for not only your children’s injury,
but any injury caused by your child at or awayfrom School.
★This Insurance is optional. Please apply if
you want this insurance.

⑯ Announcement: entrance
ceremony

Time and remarks about ceremony.

⑰ Maps of each neighborhood
association(main routes to School）

Routes Children should take to and from
School.

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About your child’s nameFor all school related items and documents, parents/guardians must write theirchild’s name in Hiragana Japanese.
Children will practice writing their own names in Hiragana every day at School onclasswork and written quizzes.
You may consult with your homeroom teacher about possible nicknames to use at
School if your child’s name is too long to write.
Such nicknames may also be written on name tags, school items, belongings, andeven on name stickers on classroom desks.

References：「Elementary School life in Kure City」（Edited in February 2021）（Editor: Japanese Language Network Sumi tsudukete Kure）「Elementary School life in Fukuyama City」（Edited in January 2022）（Editor： BUILD）

Elementary School life in Japan(Hiroshima Prefecture)
Editor and issue：BUILD
Supported by International Affairs Division Hiroshima
Prefectural Government
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