GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. GENERAL STUDENT RULES
  2. TIME SCHEDULE FOR CLASSES
  3. DRESS CODE
  4. LUNCH
  5. MEDICAL SUPPORT
  6. NISHIMACHI PRIVACY POLICY
  7. CAMPUS SECURITY
  8. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
  9. EMERGENCY GUIDELINES
  10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. General Student Rules

Discipline

The ultimate goal of the school is to assist each student in developing self-discipline and accepting responsibility for his or her actions, with the help of parents and teachers.

Students are expected to respect and work with others within the community. This includes conformity to school rules and regulations, community standards, and those provisions of local law that apply to the conduct of juveniles or minors. Students should respect the rights and privileges of others and cooperate with members of the school community.

All Nishimachi students are expected at all times to:

  • Show respect towards others and their property;
  • Show appropriate and positive behavior;
  • Use appropriate positive language;
  • Work cooperatively with others.

In the interest of safety, the following are not permitted on the school campus.

  • Climbing on trees, buildings, school gates, or metal structures
  • Using bicycles, roller blades, scooters, skateboards, razors, or heelies
  • Tying jump ropes to trees, poles, or other objects
  • Bringing pets into the campus
  • Kicking balls
  • Glass bottles of any kind
  • Use of the playground without principal/headmaster permission, outside of the official student use hours

School is a place where students study and associate with friends. The following are not permitted on the school campus.

  • Listening to music devices during school hours
  • Electronic games
  • Objects associated with acts of violence, such as knives, guns, even if they are toys
  • Reading inappropriate comic books
  • Chewing gum

School expectations apply on field trips and for all other school-related activities held off campus.

Bullying Policy

We believe that each student has the right to a safe learning environment free from harassment or bullying. All students have the right to feel valued in an environment where individual differences are appreciated and accepted.

Definition

Bullying or harassment is any behavior that causes either physical or emotional hurt to another person. Bullying or harassment is an abuse of power that makes people feel uncomfortable or threatened whether this is intended or not.

2. Time Schedule for Classes

The morning bell rings at 8:10 a.m. to remind children to proceed to their classrooms. Kindergarten doors open at 8:00 a.m. The school day begins for students at 8:15 a.m.

Kindergarten: 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (every day)
Grades 1-5: 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.)
Grades 6-9: 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Wednesday, 2:45 p.m.)

3. Dress Code

The dress code is designed to respect the student's need to express their identities as well as to uphold the school's requirement that a student's appearance be neat, clean and socially appropriate.

Students are not permitted to wear:

  • Hats, baseball caps, hoods, or sunglasses in classrooms;
  • Clothing imprinted with slang, offensive or bad language or sexual innuendo; messages relating to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco;
  • Ragged or purposely torn clothing;
  • For reasons of safety, footwear without a strap around the heel, platform or high-heeled footwear;
  • Make-up and jewelry for elementary students;
  • Excessive make-up and jewelry for middle school students;
  • Body piercings; and
  • Inappropriate shorts, skirts, and other clothing.

Special Dress Code

Nishimachi students are required to follow the special dress code for formal occasions, including concerts or performances.

Boys:

  • Dress slacks/trousers
  • Dress shirts that button completely down the front
  • Shoes other than athletic shoes

Girls:

  • Skirts and blouses, dresses, or appropriate dress slacks
  • Shoes other than athletic shoes

P.E. Clothes
Elementary School:

Sports shoes, which are to be used exclusively in the gym and in P.E classes.

Middle School:

MS students are required to wear the official school P.E. uniform. Uniforms are available at the P.E. office.

4. Lunch

Students must bring well-balanced nutritious lunches to school each day. Please do not deliver lunches after the school day commences at 8:15 a.m. as it is the student's responsibility to bring his or her own lunch. Milk may be ordered through the business office. Fizzy soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola, are not allowed for ES students. The parents’ organization, Tomo no Kai (TNK), organizes optional lunch services two days a week.

If a student forgets his/her lunch the school will provide a simple lunch only on the first occasion. The homebase teacher or advisor will inform parents of the student / family responsibility for this via email.

5. Medical Support and Guidelines

School Nurse

A nurse is on the school premises every day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Times may vary during summer school.)

The nurse is responsible for:

  • Attending to minor injuries and illnesses that occur at school
  • Dispensing medication when necessary
  • Maintaining annual height and weight records
  • Conducting regular vision and hearing screenings, scoliosis screening and lice checks

Her/his duties include conducting CPR classes for school faculty and staff.

In case of an emergency, if neither parent nor designated emergency contact can be reached, the student will be taken by a staff member to a nearby clinic or general hospital, depending on the type of injury.

Medication

Medications for students in kindergarten through grade 5 should be brought to the front office or the health room along with a note which includes the child's name and grade, the name of the medication, the dose and the time it should be given, the purpose of the medication, and any other special instructions. Middle school students may take medication on their own.

Medical Examinations

Medical examinations by a doctor are required twice during a student's years at Nishimachi.

  • The first is required upon entering Nishimachi, to be completed by a physician.
  • The second is to be submitted at, or before, the start of sixth grade, to ascertain, insofar as possible, that the child is in good health and able to participate in interscholastic sports and a more active physical education program.

Although Nishimachi does not have a required immunization schedule, students are expected to follow either the Japanese schedule or that of their own home country.

Illness

Sick students do not benefit from being at school and put others at risk of infection. Please use the following guidelines and put your child's health first. Students are required to remain at home until the following conditions are observed:

  • Chicken pox: All blisters have become dry scabs.
  • German measles: Rash has disappeared.
  • Measles: Three days after the fever has gone
  • Mumps: The swelling subsides.
  • Whooping cough: The cough ceases.
  • Strep throat: Doctor's recommendation
  • Infectious eye diseases: A doctor's clearance is required.

In order to prevent the spread of viruses or infectious ailments, we ask parents to observe the following general guidelines:

  • Inform the school if your child contracts any communicable disease.
  • Keep any child with a fever at home. Children should stay home for a full 24 hours after the fever has returned to normal. Often a temperature spikes in the afternoon, so a normal reading in the morning does not necessarily indicate recovery.
  • Keep any child with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea at home. Again, the child should be kept at home for 24 hours after these symptoms are gone to be sure of recovery.
  • If antibiotics are needed, the child should stay home for the first 24-48 hours of the medication course. This will ensure that the child is not contagious to other children.
  • In the case of emergency situations, be aware of school web site information or governmental guidance.

6. Nishimachi Privacy Policy

In accordance with the personal data protection law, Nishimachi pledges to be responsible when gathering personal information from students and to protect your privacy. Family contact information submitted to the school will be used for school services only, including emergencies or interactions with Tomo no Kai (TNK).

7. Campus Security

In order to assure adequate campus security, the school, in conjunction with its security company, provides the following.

Vigilance on Campus


  • Security guards are on duty from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on normal school days. One security guard maintains permanent vigilance at the main gate. A second security guard regularly patrols the campus and is also responsible for general supervision of the surrounding external school environment.
  • All faculty and staff are asked to be vigilant during the day and to report anything out of the ordinary to the school administration.
  • The kindergarten area is under the protection of the Moto Azabu Hills security system, and the main door will remain closed during the day.

In Preparation for Emergencies

  • The majority of classrooms and learning/playing areas have direct telephone access.
  • For emergency contact with staff and students the school operates a public address system, which can be activated from the front office or by remote control microphone.
  • The front office, school nurse, and the community liaison officer can easily access local emergency services.
  • At least one emergency evacuation/lock down, or earthquake drill is practiced each term.

8. Disaster Preparedness

Parents and students should make themselves aware of the school's emergency procedures. Discussing emergency plans as a family is important to helping every family member feel prepared.

Earthquakes

If a severe earthquake occurs during school hours, it will be impossible for children to return home immediately since one or more of the following conditions will likely exist:

  • Transportation will be disrupted and roads blocked.
  • Telephone communication will be heavily burdened and disrupted. In some areas, only emergency calls will have priority.
  • Water and fuel supplies will be disrupted.

Evacuation Plans

Nishimachi has two plans, depending on the amount of damage to the school campus. Please note that school will not contact parents immediately after an earthquake.

1. When we are able to remain at school.

  • Children will not be sent home but will remain under the supervision of school employees until picked up by a parent or designated adult. Siblings may not act as designated adults.
  • First aid and emergency supplies are available on campus.

2. When we must evacuate the school and go to Arisugawa Park.

(Arisugawa Park is the designated evacuation site for the school area.)

  • Children will not be sent home but will be evacuated from the school to Arisugawa Park under the supervision of school employees.
  • Arisugawa Park will be the pickup point for parents or designated adults. Siblings may not act as designated adults.

It is important to consider what to do if an earthquake occurs while a student is in transit to or from school. The following suggestions may be helpful:

  • If trains or buses are stopped, students must follow the instructions of drivers or train officials.
  • If a student does not speak Japanese well, it is best to follow the majority to a place of refuge.
  • Students who walk or use public transport should study a map of their route with their parents and note designated "places of refuge."
  • Family members should agree to meet eventually at home or at the evacuation area nearest home.

9. Emergency Guidelines

Emergency School Closing

In the event that a decision is made to close the school before the school day begins, parents will be informed via the telephone tree.

Announcements may also be made on InterFM Radio (76.1MHz) or as a taped message at the main school telephone number. Parents are asked to pay close attention to public announcements when a typhoon or heavy snowfall is forecast.

Emergency Procedures

Parents and visitors on campus are requested to act according to the school's evacuation procedures. Discussing emergency plans as a family is important so that everyone feels prepared.

Parental Absence

In the case of parental absence from Tokyo, parents are asked to notify the front office in writing.

10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE CLASS SIZE?

Average class size is about 20 students per class. There are three classes in the kindergarten through grade five.


HOW DO THE STUDENTS COMMUTE TO SCHOOL?

Nishimachi is 10-15 minutes walk from subway stations in the area. Many students take the public transportation to the school. If you drive, please be reminded that parking in the area close to school is very limited.


ARE THERE AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AVIALABLE FOR STUDENTS?

Yes, we offer a wide range of activities before and after school. Activities include soccer, netball, taiko, gymnastics, drama, o’shuji, Chinese, aikido, tennis,yoga, guitar, violin and many more. In addition, Nishimachi hosts a Brownies Scouts activity at school.