ES School Information

Attendance

Faithful attendance is an important requirement for our life together and one of the keys to academic success. But sometimes a student might not be able to attend school, and at those times we ask that he/she tell us what's happened so we won't worry unnecessarily.

• Unplanned absences (for example, sickness): Parents are asked to call the school office between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. (9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays) on the day the student is absent to give notice of the absence and the anticipated duration. Another way to inform the school is to send an email to attendance@caj.ac.jp before the school start time. If the school is not contacted, a call home will be attempted to make sure the student hasn't had some unexpected difficulty on the way to school.
• Planned absences (absences of one day and more) should be arranged at least one week in advance of the absence using the Elementary Planned Absence Form (available at Elementary Resources on the CAJ website). Students are expected to complete assignments by the due dates set by the teacher.
• Half-day/whole-day absences: Students who miss class beyond 1:00 p.m. are considered absent for the entire day, even if they come to school for some portion of the day. Students who miss class up until 1:00 p.m. are considered absent for one-half day.
• Truancy: Students who are absent without parental permission are considered truant. Truant students are ineligible to make up tests/quizzes but are eligible to submit assignments, which will be penalized for being late. The principal may take additional disciplinary steps to address truancy.
  

Communicating with CAJ

• Parents and guardians are expected to participate in their child's education by being informed and responsible for all CAJ expectations and communications. See Parent Responsibility Agreement.
• CAJ asks that parents make an appointment in order to discuss an important issue with a teacher or principal. Important matters should not be raised in impromptu settings such as school hallways, co-curricular events, or workshop services.
• If a question or concern is not resolved, please contact the principal.
• Requests for school transcripts, school records including documentation of attendance, enrollment, etc. can be made by contacting the registrar. All requests should be made one week in advance of the date needed.
• Parents are asked to inform the school of any email changes and make necessary updates in order to receive all important information from the school.
• Email and the website are our primary methods of contact for general information, calendars, grades, and announcements about disruptions to our program (closures and delayed openings). Having the ability to check your email and our website is necessary for ongoing communication with CAJ.
• An internet connection and computer access is also necessary for students to complete homework, practice keyboarding, and be in communication with the school and their teachers from third grade.
• Closing: If school is closed because of bad weather or some other emergency, we will:
  • Post the closure on the **Post the closure on the CAJ website
  • Activate a school closing message in the academic office 042-471-0022
    

Campus Security

• Official supervision for elementary students begins at 8:00 am (9:00 am on Wednesdays) and ends at 4:00 pm each day, Monday through Friday.
• Students are allowed in the building at 8:15 am on rainy days, 9:15 am on Wednesdays.
• Students involved in before school programs should not arrive before 7:15 am.
• At 4:00, when the bell rings, elementary students need to leave the playground and either go home or to the library until 4:25 pm.
• At 4:30, we encourage all elementary students to go home. If they need to wait for a parent or older sibling, they can wait in the gym lobby.
• If you are on campus with your children after 4:00, please make sure you can see your child. Many times students are hurt after school when they are not being closely watched by an adult.
• We ask that any elementary students who attend concerts, sporting events, plays, and other after school programs are accompanied by an adult.
• Parents/guardians are asked to always wear their nametag on campus or check in at the reception desk to get a visitor tag.
• Parents/guardians are welcome in the elementary hallways when special class events are taking place. Other times please check in at the office(For forgotten items, or picking up a child early).
• Students are asked to use the outside entrances by the playground unless arriving late and checking in at the office.
• If you bring a visitor on campus, please be sure to have them check in at the reception desk and receive a visitor tag.
• Dangerous items such as real or realistic weapons (knives, etc.), lighters, and fireworks are not permitted on campus and will be confiscated.
• CAJ forbids the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs on or near school grounds, and at any school-sponsored events.

Chapel

All students attend chapel regularly. Chapel is designed to be a time of inspiration, worship, praise, teaching from God's Word, and promotion of spiritual growth.

• Elementary chapel will generally be twice a month, on the first and third Thursday mornings from 8:30-9:00 am.
• Parents are welcome to attend elementary chapels.
• Please watch the community calendar and classroom newsletters for dates and who will be leading or speaking.
  

Curriculum

• The elementary curriculum provides regular instruction in Bible, language arts (reading, writing, grammar, and word study), health, mathematics, social studies, and science. Instruction in music, physical education, art, and library is offered on a regular basis. Japanese instruction is also provided for Grades 1-5 (with the exception of EAL (ESL) students who require pull-out/small group work). Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. Band is offered to students in Grade 5.
• All grades take school-day field trips coordinated with the curriculum. All policies of the school and expectations for behavior are in effect during these trips. Existing and proposed outings are under constant review. Fifth grade has an overnight camping excursion in the fall.
• All elementary students are tested for reading levels using the Baseline Assessment System(BAS) at least 2 times in a year. Kindergarten, first grade and second grade will be assessed on the Curriculum based measure(EasyCBM) at least twice a year. Grades three, four and five will take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) 3 times a year.
• English as an Additional Language students will be assessed with WIDA (test for English language learners).
• An online portfolio for your child is available through Seesaw. You will receive sign up information at the beginning of the school year.
  

Homework

• As an elementary division we want to instill a love for learning and curiosity in the world around our students. So we want homework to be meaningful and beneficial.
• Generally homework is not assigned over weekends.
• Students are generally expected to be reading every night 10-30 minutes depending on the grade level.
  

Co-curricular activities

• A ¥5000 fee for each activity per semester will be charged.
• Choir, Language Enrichment, Think Tank and Newspaper club are available for grades 3-5 after school.
• Art club is available for grades 4-5 after school.
• Language Enrichment and Think Tank are available for grades 1-2 after school.
• Other clubs or activities may be available depending on teachers or registered volunteers to lead them.
  

Parent-teacher conferences in November

• CAJ desires to partner with parents in the education of their child.
• All parents are expected to attend conferences.
• Parents may contact the teacher to arrange a conference if the set dates are not available.
• Students are not expected to participate in the conference.
• Parents are asked to sign up to view their child’s online portfolio through SeeSaw.
  

Parent-teacher conferences in April

• Last week of April, Monday to Thursday from 3:00-5:00 pm
• Students will be supervised on the playground or in a classroom during the conference times
• Parents will be invited to sign up
• Conferences will be 10-15 minutes between parents and teachers
  

Cheating

• Students who have been caught cheating will automatically receive a zero on the assignment and parents will be notified. *Cheating is defined as copying someone else’s work. Students who knowingly allow others to cheat, copy their work or do someone else's work may also face similar consequences.
  

Dress Code

• At CAJ we want to make a positive impression with the way we present ourselves to the world.
• As a community we want to reflect that we are made in God’s image through our modesty and by showing respect for ourselves and others.
• Our environment should promote learning.
• By attending CAJ, students have agreed to dress appropriately, according to the school’s definition of appropriate dress and appearance.
• CAJ dress code applies whenever a student is on or off campus for school events, either as a participant or as a spectator. This includes sporting events, field trips and concerts.
• Footwear must be worn at all times.
• Hats or hoods should not be worn during class.
• Clothing that might project a negative impression should not be worn.
• Underwear should be covered.
• We do not want to see excessive bare skin or excessively form-fitting clothes.
• Dress code violations:
  • First violation - change of clothes(supplied by principal) - violation is recorded
  • Second violation - change of clothes(supplied by principal) - warning note home to parents
  • Third violation - change of clothes(supplied by principal) - parents contacted
    

Volunteers

• We are grateful for volunteers. Request for volunteers are initiated by the classroom teacher based on the classroom needs and events.

• Since we want all CAJ students to be safe and well cared for on a field trip, we ask that you…
  • Please model Christ-like behavior as you care for and speak to students.
  • Please follow the directions of the staff member in charge.
  • Please be on time when meeting the group throughout the day.
  • Please monitor the students closely and make sure that each child is safe.
  • Please stay with the group and let a CAJ staff member know if you need to leave for any reason.
  • Please dress appropriately for the field trip.
  • Please do not give medicine to any children.
  • Please do not bring younger siblings on a field trips.

Food Services

• CAJ contracts with Cezars Kitchen to run our lunch program and provide food services for events.
• Pricing
  • A la carte plate lunches are available in small and large sizes for ¥300 and ¥450 each.
  • Set lunches include a main dish plus three side dishes for ¥500 and ¥650 respectively for small and large sets.
  • Drinks and ice cream are available from ¥100 to ¥130 each.
• Billing

CAJ will continue to charge families for cafeteria usage. Charges are added to your account each month for purchases made.

• Contact:

For billing questions contact the CAJ business office

To contact Cezars at CAJ: cafeteria@caj.ac.jp