MS Co-curricular Information

Our Life Together

Philosophy

Whenever people gather together as a community they tend to establish ways to get along with each other and function as a group. At Christian Academy in Japan, our goal is to learn and grow together in truth as a community, reflecting God’s image individually and as a group. At times we all fall short of loving each other as we ought. We desire for reconciliation and recognize that these are essential skills not only for our life together here at CAJ but also for our lives outside of school as well.

Expectations of Each Community Member

In our life together at CAJ we expect

• For students
  • To be responsible to the CAJ community as well as the greater Japanese community.
  • To make choices that promote a safe, healthy environment in which they fully participate.
  • To be respectful to God, self and others in all circumstances.
• For parents:
  • To know, understand and support the Parent Responsibility Agreement.
• For staff:
  • To provide diligent, responsible, caring attention to the needs of the whole child
  • To communicate with students and parents regarding academic and or behavioral progress.
  • To model a Christ-like lifestyle.

When and if these expectations are not met or broken, we at CAJ will always try to follow the teachings from the Bible when we need to address issues with each other, as well as following the Child Protection Policy. (link to CPP) We would like to see and support the growth and a heart change in the behavior of the person(s) involved.

Disciplinary Terms Defined

• Monitoring: a status most commonly used for new admissions, whereby the student is observed to ensure s/he can succeed academically, behaviorally and socially at CAJ .
• Attendance class: a class on specific Wednesday mornings from 8:15 am - 9:15 am in Room 107. An attendance class is assigned to students when they have accumulated 10 unprepared taries over the course of one semester. Students are expected to bring homework to work on during this time.
• Probation: a status in which a student is placed for a specified period of time, because of misconduct or lack of achievement. This may result in suspension or expulsion, if no improvement is made.
• Suspension: a penalty under which a student is not permitted to attend classes for a specified period of time.
• Expulsion: the exclusion of a student from the school with no credit being given for that semester’s work.
• Withdrawal: an action taken by the parents to remove their child from school.
• Denial of Re-enrollment: the student is allowed to finish the school year but is not allowed to return.

Due Process and Appeals:

• Parents of students who are placed on probation or are suspended will be notified in writing.
• Parents will be notified in person and in writing of the head of school’s recommendation for expulsion prior to board action on this recommendation.
• All disciplinary actions may be appealed using the Grievance Policy.

School Safety

Bicycle Safety

• Japanese official guidelines for safely riding a bicycle:
  • Bicycles must, in principle, use the road. Using the sidewalk is an exception.
  • You must ride on the left side of the road.
  • On the sidewalk, pedestrians have priority. If you ride on the sidewalk, you must ride slowly on the road side of the sidewalk.
  • Observe safety rules:
    • No riding under the influence of alcohol, having two people on a bike (except when one is a child who is below six years old), or riding parallel (side by side).
    • Turn on your bike light at night.
    • At an intersection, observe the traffic light or signs, come to a complete stop, and make sure it's safe before proceeding.
    • Children should wear a helmet.
• Japanese regulations state that when riding a bike, do not:
  • Ignore a traffic light.
  • Ignore a stop sign.
  • Interfere with pedestrians.
  • Ride in the pedestrian crosswalk (when this interferes with the pedestrians).
  • Ride bicycles in parallel (side by side).
  • Ride on the sidewalk (see guidelines above).
  • Ride on the right side of the road.
  • Ride with 2 people on a single bicycle (except when one is a child who is below six years old).
  • Ride without a bike light when it is getting dark and is dark.
  • Ride while holding an open umbrella.
  • Ride an improperly maintained bicycle (brake problems, no reflectors, etc.).
  • Ride where riding is prohibited.
  • Ride under the influence of alcohol.
  • Ride with excessive speed.
  • Enter a railroad crossing when the bars are coming down or down.
  • Use a cell-phone (talking, looking at the screen).
  • Carry big baggage.
  • Use headphones.
• You will be held responsible if you cause an accident with your bicycle:
  • If you cause the injury or death of another person, you may be held criminally liable for "gross negligence resulting in death or bodily injury."
  • For civil liability, you will be responsible for compensating the victim for damages.

Campus Security

• The campus is private property, reserved for the use of CAJ community members and others by invitation.
• Official supervision by teachers on campus begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday. CAJ assumes no responsibility for students on campus before 8:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. or on weekends. It is the parents’ job to monitor the whereabouts of their children and exercise appropriate intervention if the parents’ wishes are not obeyed. School buildings will be closed after 4:30 pm. Offices will be closed at 5:00pm.
• Once students have arrived on campus in the morning, they may not leave until the school day is over.
• At no time should students be inside any facility without the permission and supervision of an adult. Students who want to use a facility outside of school hours must ask a supervisor to complete and submit a Facilities Request Form at least one week in advance.
• CAJ holds students accountable for appropriate behavior to and from school. Any misbehavior before, during, and after school hours (including smoking, drinking, stealing, vandalism and other disrespectful behavior) will be handled by the principal as if it had occurred on the campus.

Playground
CAJ's playground is:

• A hub of student activity before and after school and during recess.
• Used for secondary sports practices and games throughout the school year.
• The annex, auditorium, cafeteria, elementary school building and fences bound the playground area.

Playground Rules

• Soccer play is to be only in the large open area.
• Playing is not allowed on auditorium ramp and ramp bars, in or around the dumpster area, and between the tennis courts and cafeteria.
• No food on the playground; eat snacks by the cafeteria.
• Snacks should not be eaten while running around or playing on the playground equipment.
  • Dispose of trash properly.
  • Sharing of food is discouraged.
• Any form of glass, such as glass bottles, is not allowed on the playground.
• If a ball goes over the fence onto the tracks, consult the recess teacher. The recess teacher will notify the academic office.
• No throwing of the small gravel a round the play structure.

Dangerous items such as real or realistic weapons (knives, etc.), lighters, and fireworks are not permitted and will be confiscated.

CAJ forbids the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs on or near school grounds, at any school-sponsored events, or anywhere within the jurisdiction of the school.

Vandalism is defined as intentional damage to property and includes student (private), public, and school property.

Students may not write on or carve into desks, tables, picnic tables, or other school property.

Vandalism and graffiti policies apply to CAJ laptops and electronic devices.

Drills

• Various types of emergency drills are practiced throughout the year.
• Students should remain calm and quiet to be able to hear directions from staff members.

Chapel Guidelines

• At CAJ, chapel holds a special meaning because it is a time for worship and learning more about God and His Word. However, it is also an example of a public lecture with an audience, and there are certain behaviors society expects from an audience.
• As an audience in a chapel service, there are many appropriate behaviors. It is appropriate to sing when led to do so, to stand or sit as directed, to listen actively and think carefully and critically. It is appropriate to laugh when the speaker says something funny and to clap when he or she is finished with the talk.
• In any formal public speaking occasion, there are also inappropriate behaviors. These would include using electronic devices, doing homework, talking to others or sleeping. In a chapel, there are some behaviors that might not be considered inappropriate in other settings, but appear disrespectful in chapel. For example, it appears disrespectful when students choose to sit when others are standing during prayer or singing. This is not a comprehensive list of all disrespectful or inappropriate behaviors, but we expect students to follow normal rules of polite society.

Conflict Resolution

We are people created in God’s image and a part of the CAJ community. Conflict does happen between students and students and adults. As a community we wish to resolve and find ways we can be together as a community. We encourage students to try to find ways to work through conflict. Many times it is best to include the counselor or a teacher or the principal to help moderate your conflict.

Dress code

At CAJ, we try to make a positive impression on each other and on those outside our community. We also do whatever we can think of to provide an environment that promotes learning. In order to do these two things, we need to decide on a standard of what is appropriate in many areas, including dress. Students are here voluntarily, which means that their parents choose to enroll them. Consequently, as a school, we assume students have agreed to dress appropriately, according to the school’s definition of appropriate dress and/or according to the principal’s interpretation of this definition.

Dress code is a school function code. It applies whenever a staff member or student is on campus for school events (either as participants or spectators) or off campus and representing the school (either as participants or spectators) on school functions (field trips, concerts, games, etc.).

All students must wear:

• Clothes that cover the following at all times: buttocks, mid-chest, midriff and undergarments.
  
• Tops that cover areas from one armpit across to the other armpit and have straps.
  
• Any see-through or mesh garments must be worn with appropriate coverage underneath.
  
• Skirts and shorts that are at fingertip in length. This is approximately 10 - 15 cm above the knee. Final decisions about length may still be made by the principal, since skirts and shorts vary in style. The rips or tears in pants/skirts must be below this area as well.
  
• Footwear at all times.
  

Students cannot wear:

• Clothing that shows undergarments, features violent language or image, or features language or images that may embarrass or discriminate against another student.
  
• Clothing that has tears in areas that are supposed to be covered.
  
• Leggings/spats without a cover (can only be worn under shorts or skirts that are of proper length).
  
• Clothing that represents cross-dressing.
  
• Clothing, hairstyles, or body accessories that might distract, intimidate, or leave a negative or misleading impression with fellow students, younger children, guests at our school, or with the outlying Japanese community of which our school is a guest (includes areas through which our students commute).
• Middle School students are not permitted to wear hats indoors.
  

In addition:

• There is a supplemental athletic handbooks dress code.

Dress code violations:
Violations of the dress code will be handled as follows:

1. First violation • change of clothes (supplied by principal) • violation is recorded
2. Second violation • change of clothes (supplied by principal) • warning note home to parents
3. Third violation • change of clothes (supplied by principal) • one-hour detention arranged by the principal
4. Fourth violation • change of clothes (supplied by principal) • parents contacted • students and parents will sign a letter of compliance
5. Fifth violation • change of clothes (supplied by principal) • possible out-of-school suspension assigned by head of school • meeting with parents must take place to discuss the status of the student at the school before student will be allowed to return to school

Technology

Please read the Computer and Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Acceptable Use and Care

• Students are expected to follow the Computer and Technology Acceptable Use Policy at all times, both on and off campus.
• Students (or families) will be responsible for a ¥5,000 deductible for any charges associated with repair of the student laptop.
• Irresponsible damage and destruction of a student laptop will be brought to the principal and school leadership for consideration in line with our vandalism and restitution policies.

Personal Device Policy

• We value communication and interactions that happen between all members of the CAJ community. Although we acknowledge that technology can help us communicate and interact with others, we believe that this cannot replace what we gain through face-to-face interactions. Therefore, to encourage healthy communication and interactions, we are implementing the following guidelines:
• Cell phones or other personal electronic devices (including the Apple Watch, personal computers, or similar communication devices) may not be used on campus during school hours by middle/high school students. (“School hours” begin when a student passes through the gate.) Students must keep personal devices in their bags or lockers during school hours, not in their pockets. Students may not have ear buds or other headphones (unless they have permission) in their ear during school hours unless in study hall or during lunch in the designated area (see below). *Students may not use their devices during break even if they are off campus. Chromebooks may not be used in-between classes for non-educational purposes.

Exceptions to this are the following situations:

• High School students may use personal devices in the cafeteria and on the cafeteria porch during high school lunch hours.
• Teachers may give permission to use personal devices for educational purposes during class. (If students are working outside of the classroom, they need to have a device pass.)
• Middle and high school students may use their personal devices after the last block, but not in the academic building.
• Students may listen to music during study hall or in class if the teacher allows, as long the personal device is kept in bag.

Consequences:
Cell phones and other electronic devices used inappropriately will be confiscated and must be reclaimed from the principal at the end of the school day.

• Consequences are the following:
  1. First offense: warning
  2. Second offense: parents notified
  3. Third offense: parents notified and 1 hour detention
  4. Fourth offense: conference with parents and contract issued
  5. Fifth offense: in-school suspension, conference with parents, discussion of future
• If a cell phone or other electronic device is confiscated because certain types of inappropriate behavior are suspected (harassment, cheating, pornography, illegal activities, etc.), the principal may examine the contents of the device. At least one other staff person will be present during the examination.
• Students may be required to provide access and show the administrator what is preserved in the memory.
  

Email

• Students are required to check their CAJ mail account at least two times a day, especially after school as sometimes there are announcements or new information shared.
• Not having accessed their email will not be an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline, assignment or special instructions.