Back-To-School
Developing Compassionate, Inquisitive Learners Prepared for Global Responsibility
Fall 2010 Flying High at ASIJ
2 ASIJ Transportation
4 ELC News Welcome to Tokyo and The
American School in Japan!
6 Elementary School Greetings to those who
are new to our school and
9 Middle School this wonderful city, and
happy returns to those
12 High School of you who are returning
home to ASIJ. If you are
15 The Harris Library
new, like me, you have
Information
Media Center and probably spent a good
Friends of the part of your summer packing, reading about Japan
Library (especially Tokyo), and trying to visualize your life here.
And, you have been searching for good guidebooks.
16 Center for School- Well, for me, after living in five countries over the past
Community 25 years, I know that change and beginnings may be
Partnership stressful, but they are also exciting and offer tremendous
opportunities for growth and learning. So, I found a
17 Health Center
great guidebook the ASIJ Strategic Plan. Seriously, this
18 ELC PTA document provides me with insights into the school, gives
Chofu PTA me advice to help me in my new role as head of school,
and sets goals for my learning. While I realize that this is
19 PTA Sponsored not the guidebook you will find at Barnes & Noble, what
Events it offers is a very personal and intimate snapshot of our
new ASIJ home.
20 Booster Club The ASIJ Mission is to develop compassionate,
and Friends of the inquisitive learners prepared for global responsibilities
Fine Arts (FOFA)
this tells us much about the ethos of the school. To be
22 ASIJ Board compassionate is to care about others, and I believe that
of Directors the students and teachers at ASIJ genuinely care about each
other. But more than that, they also care for others outside
23 Student Learning the school and believe in service to the greater community.
Outcomes Inquisitive learners describes how students learn
and how they view the world around them. ASIJ
24 Quick Contacts students are curious. They ask questions; they seek
answers. Students at ASIJ are not passive learners sitting
at desks and waiting for teachers to fill their brains with
knowledge. They are active learners who move about
a classroom or even outside the classroom, collaborate
with others, and engage in a variety of tools to learn
and find answers. ASIJ students are seekers.
Maybe my favorite two words in the mission statement
are Global Responsibility. There was a time in education
when the sole duty of our schools was to academically
prepare students for college or university. We still prepare
students academically, but our mandate is now much larger
and more compelling. ASIJ, as an international school,
recognizes that the world our students will join is a global
community, and the decisions that they make, both large
and small, will impact others around the globe. To this
end, we want our students to understand these delicate,
yet extensive bonds, that connect all of us to each other,
and to act in a responsible and impactful way. We want
our graduates to make a difference, and we want them to
have the confidence and the belief that they can make a
difference, not only in their lives, but the lives of others.
I have been asked many times over the past twelve
months about why I am coming to Japan and to ASIJ.
It is a fair question, and one that each of us should ask
ourselves. For me, the answer is simple: The American
School in Japans Mission speaks to me as an educator.
There is a challenge and an inspiration in this Mission
statement that resonates with me.
When I think of Japan, I am faced with a dichotomy
of images. One picture is of tradition: cherry blossoms,
geishas in bright colored kimonos, simple wooden
houses, and the iconic image of a snow peaked Mr.
Fuji. But there is also the other picture in my head
of modernity: bullet trains, high-rise office buildings,
creative technologies, and modern designs. It appears,
in my mind, that there are two Japans and a constant
tension between a revered past and tradition and a fast
paced, ultra modern reach for the future.
This is a good thing. A kite, no matter how high it
flies, is always anchored to the string reel held firmly in
your hand. If the kite breaks the string and departs this
anchor, the kite loses direction and purpose and is soon
lost on fickle winds. The same fragile balance is created
between tradition and the future.
I suspect this is true at The American School in Japan
as well. ASIJ has a long history and a deep tradition of
learning and excellence, but its Mission is clearly about
a desired future. All of us, both new and old, have the
opportunity to continue this quest as the 2010-2011
school year opens in August.
I look forward and welcome you to join me in this
flight to the skies above.
Regards,
Ed Ladd, Head of School
1
back-to-school fall 2010
Welcome to ASIJ Transportation
Janet Witt, Director of Transportation
Safety is our top priority at ASIJ Transportation and is a community
team effort. The team includes bus drivers, bus monitors, bus riders,
parents, and administration, faculty, and staff. Team members must
be aware of their roles and responsibilities and do their part to
successfully carry out our safety priority.
Listed below is useful information for parents and bus riders. For
further details, we ask that you read the Bus Handbook.
Throughout the year you may have questions about a particular
aspect of your childs transportation experience. Please dont
hesitate to call, email, or drop by my office. Welcome aboard and
have a great year.
The Role of Parents
Parents are an important part of ASIJ
Transportation. Following are some ways that
will help promote and maintain safety.
Help teach your children the importance of
good behavior aboard the bus.
Review bus rider rules, responsibilities, and
policies with your children.
Be sure your children understand the
consequences for breaking rules.
Review bus earthquake and emergency
procedures with your entire family.
Inform ASIJ if your child has a specific
medical concern and/or suffers from motion
sickness.
For ES children, provide a bus snack and
water for the bus ride home.
Ensure that your children are at the bus stop
5 minutes prior to pick-up time.
At the bus stop, remain outside the bus,
unless riding to ASIJ.
Parents should meet their young children
at the bus stop or form a pool of volunteers .
Please have a back-up plan if you cannot be
there to meet your children.
Communication
From the first bus ride, for ES students,
please fill out the bright yellow Bus Contact
Card. The completed card should be placed
in the front pocket of your childs backpack.
Cards will be distributed at new family
orientation and ES orientation.
Place pertinent school telephone numbers
in your cell phones or have them readily
available while your children are on a school
bus.
If possible, check MOL if the buses are
delayed.
If your grade 2 child will be riding an
alternate bus for the afternoon route, send a
2
The Role of the Bus Rider
Dont lose your riding privilege:
Follow the rules!
Bus Rules
Rules for Safe Boarding
Be at the bus stop 5 minutes prior
to pick-up time. In the morning, ride
your assigned bus.
Wait at the designated stop in a safe
place well back from the road.
Bus behavior rules apply to the bus
note or email the teacher or call the ES office,
stop.
stating the date, the bus number change, and
Remember to stay away from the
bus stop change. (See FAQ for more details).
danger zone, which is anywhere close
If you prefer that your children ride the late
enough to touch the bus. The driver
bus together, instruct them to wait for each
cannot see you when you are in the
other in front of the high school (we have a
danger zone.
designated place for siblings to wait for each
Dont push or shove.
other) and then board the bus at the same time.
Call Steve Mita if you have a routing
question and for any other questions or
Rules for Safe
concerns, call Janet Witt.
School Bus Riding
Take your seat promptly and sit
facing forward. ES students buckle-
Frequently Asked Questions
up.
Keep aisles clear. Hold bags in lap,
What happens if my child misses
place in overhead rack, or on the floor
his or her stop?
by your feet.
If a student accidentally misses his/her stop
Observe the same conduct as in the
on the way home, the monitor will work
classroom.
with the driver to return the student to his/
Be courteous. Keep language and
her stop either by the bus after the route is
actions appropriate.
completed, or by train or taxi accompanied
Talk quietly. The driver must
by the monitor. Using the emergency cell
concentrate to drive the bus safely.
phone available on the bus, the monitor will
Keep the bus clean.
alert the parents and/or call the Director
Snacks and beverages are permitted.
of Transportation if the parents cannot be
Water only for ES and MS students.
reached at that time. If parents realize that
Always follow the bus monitors and
their child missed his or her stop, please call
bus drivers instructions.
the Director of Transportation if you have not
already heard from the monitor.
Rules for Leaving
What happens if my child boards
the Bus Safely:
When you leave the bus, move
the wrong bus?
quickly away from the bus.
Once it is realized, the monitor will
If you drop something near the bus,
communicate with the parents and/or call
dont pick it up. Tell the driver or
the Director of Transportation if the parents
monitor.
cannot be reached. We will continue to call
If everyone is getting off the bus,
until we do reach you. The bus driver and
the people in front leave first. Do not
the monitor will determine how to return the
push.
child to the proper bus and/or get him home,
Be familiar with the rules for
accompanied by a bus monitor. If parents
emergencies.
realize that their child is on the wrong bus,
please call the Director of Transportation if
 BUS

you have not already heard from the monitor. or peanuts on a bus. This includes packed
lunches that go on buses. Please read labels
What should my child do if he or she leaves on packaged food carefully.
Information
items on the bus?
For New Families
Each school day, after 9:30 a.m., your child For the full policy, please see the bus or
If you find that you are still living in
can locate their lost items, both from the divisional handbooks.
temporary housing for a few days
afternoon before and the morning ride, in
at the start of school, we strongly
the bus-numbered bins just outside the ES.
suggest that you take a taxi to your
Valuable items, such as band instruments,
assigned bus stop near your new
watches, cell phones, and Gameboys can be
home in the morning. This will enable
found in Steve Mitas office.
your child to settle into their regular
bus routine, particularly with seating
What are the procedures if my child needs
assignments and the social aspects of
to ride an alternate bus in the afternoon?
their morning bus.
For parents and students convenience, we
allow grade 2-12 students to ride buses other
than their assigned bus in the afternoons to
accommodate for lessons, playdates, birthday
parties, appointments, etc. Students in grades
312 do not need notes or prior permission
Important Dates
from ASIJ, however, in order for a grade 2
Monday August 30
student to board a different bus, a parental
ES Bus Orientation en route to ES
note is required. (See Communication.)
Orientation
Students in kindergarten and grade 1 may
New and returning ES bus riders and
only ride their assigned afternoon bus to their
their parents, especially parents new
assigned bus stop in the afternoon
to ASIJ, are encouraged to ride the bus
for the bus orientation.
What are the procedures for the late buses?
Boarding for the late buses takes place in
Tuesday August 31
front of the HS. Buses are loaded in grade
MS Bus Orientation en route to MS
order beginning with kindergarten. ES
Orientation
students must be in their grade lines by 4:50
New and returning MS bus riders
p.m., MS students in the area by 4:52 p.m.,
and their parents, especially new ASIJ
and HS students at 5:00 p.m. The 6:00 p.m.
parents, are encouraged to ride the
late bus is for HS students only, unless special
bus.
permission has been given to an ES or MS
Bus Contact Information
student. The late bus runs a modified route
September 1-10
through the downtown area as well as the Steve Mita Parents are kindly requested not to ride
Setagaya area. Please see the Bus Handbook
for further details. Transportation Manager any buses.
School tel: 0422-34-5300 ext. 350
September 9
School Policy on Peanut/Nut Cell: 090-9823-7056
Emergency Evacuation Drills for all
Allergies and Anaphylactic Home tel: 0423-62-0777 buses upon arrival at ASIJ.
Reactions Email: <smita@asij.ac.jp>
ASIJ cannot guarantee a peanut/nut free September 2-8
environment either with school prepared ES Bus Safety Awareness classroom
and sold food items or with items brought Janet Witt sessions
to school by students and parents. ASIJ will
however, attempt to minimize the use of
Director of Transportation
peanuts/nuts in school prepared and sold School tel: 0422-34-5300 ext. 622
items and request that students and parents Cell: 090-3331-8653
not bring peanut/nut items to school. Home tel: 0423-60-4844
For ASIJ buses, parents and students are Email: <jwitt@asij.ac.jp>
requested not to carry any peanuts/nuts,
peanut butter, or any product with nuts

3
back-to-school fall 2010

Early Learning Center

Judy Beneventi, ELC Director

Welcome to the ELC and to the new school year! I can promise
a year of excitement, fun, learning and growth for your child, and
a community that is anxious to have you as a member. Please read
all the many things that youll be receiving from the school over the
next few weeks and feel free to call at any point should you have
questions. Ill be back in the office from Tuesday, Aug. 10 and will be
happy to assist you in any way that I can as you start the year. I look
forward to seeing all the returning families and to getting to know
all of our new families.
I can assure you that your children are in very capable, caring
hands. We have an outstanding staff, which is really the strength
of our school.
As we start this school year, it is important to me that channels of communication are open.
Please share your thoughts, ask your questions and raise your concerns with me. It is through
our working together that we can best serve your children. You are your childs first and primary
teacher, and you hold a wealth of information about him or her. You may have come from a
program that was very different from ours. Different is not better or worseit is just different. But
because of those differences, you may have questions about how or why we do things. Please be
assured that there are good reasons for the things we do, and we want you to understand them.
You have made an excellent choice of schools for your young children. We are accredited by
the same body that accredits the K-12 program at the Chofu campus, the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In our fine, accredited program, I believe that your children will
come to love school and will be confident and prepared for their school years ahead.

Start of School Schedule except in the case of the 3-year-olds. The

All of our teachers will be on duty from
Tuesday, Aug. 24, and will be preparing to
welcome your children on the first day of
school.
Screening for Three-Year-Olds
We are going to hold a screening for all 3-year-
olds (all children who will be enrolled in our
Nursery, 3/4 classes) on Monday, Aug. 30.
You will be getting a letter indicating whether
you should plan to bring your 3-year-old to
the 1 p.m. or the 2 p.m. screening session.
The teachers will use this time to observe
the children in play and to learn about their
language development before we finalize our
class lists for this age group. This time will
also serve to help the children become more
comfortable in the classrooms before the
start of school.
New Parent Orientation
On Monday, Aug. 30, there will be orientation
sessions scheduled at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. for new
parents. Those with older children at Chofu
will be scheduled into the 2 p.m. session, as
they may have already a morning session at
Chofu. These sessions are for parents only
3-year-olds will attend their screening session
at the same time that parents are receiving
their orientation. (In the past, many times it
has been helpful to have both parents attend
this day so that one can stay with their
Nursery child, if necessary, and the other can
sit in on the parent orientation.) The point
of the orientation is not to give a detailed
introduction to the program and curriculum,
but rather to share information about the
year with particular attention to the details
of getting started. Ill be answering questions
about things such as the transition schedule,
transportation, lunches and what to bring
the first day. We want you to feel perfectly
comfortable about what will be happening
so that your children can feel comfortable as
well. Theyll take their cue from you!
Transition Schedule
We start the year with a transition schedule.
For our transition schedule, half of the children
come to school at a time, half one day and
half the next. That way, your child will have
the opportunity to have his or her orientation
to the ELC in a much smaller group, which will
insure individual attention in the transition.

4

Half of the children will come on Wednesday,
Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 3, and Tuesday, Sept.
7. The other half will come on Thursday, Sept.
2, Monday, Sept.6, and Wednesday, Sept. 8.
The first of each of these three days is a half-
day only. (Dont worry; well schedule siblings
on the same three days!) In late August, you
will be informed as to which three days your
child will be attending and who his or her new
teachers will be. We start our regular schedule
with all children in attendance on Thursday,
Sept. 9. Please call if you have questions about
any of these schedule items.
Things to Bring
Your child will need to bring a number
of things to school on the first full day of
school. Children are asked to bring a lunch
in easy-to-open containers. We do not have
microwaves or refrigerators for student use,
so thermos containers and ice packs are
helpful. The children will also need a rest
mat. These can be real rest mats, Lands
End-style or a bath towel in a pillowcase with
the childrens names on them. The rest mat
needs to be something that the children can
carry back and forth, as they come home for
laundering every Friday. The children should
also have a change of clothes and rain gear
to keep at school because we go outside rain
or shine. The children need to be able to get
wet or dirty without worrying. Please label the
childrens clothing. We know you may not be
able to have everything at school on the first
day, but the sooner the better. Thanks for your
help with these things.
Off to a Good Start
Can you remember your first day of school?
You were probably nervous and excitedand
a bit lonely and lost when your mom or dad
left. Even when returning to a familiar setting
after summer vacation, children can feel a bit
intimidated. They will have new teachers and
maybe a special friend is gone. Its a big deal!
Before the program starts, you may want to
read your child a few books with a starting-
school theme. Such stories can help your child
get in touch with his or her feelings about
going to a new place and separating from you.
Reading also gives your child an opportunity to
talk about feelings or ask questions about what
to expect. For children returning to the ELC,
revisiting their photo journal or yearbook helps
them remember their experience at school.
Once you have the information, its a good
ELC
idea to go over the daily schedule talking about
some of the things that will be happening over
ELC Useful Dates
the course of the day. Important transitions
such as drop-off, lunch, outside time, rest time
Monday, Aug. 30
and pick-up are times when children generally
Nursery Screening
need more reassurance, so any advance
1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
information helps them get through it.
New Parent Orientation
On the first day, be sure to arrive on time. Its
1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
much more difficult for a child to walk into
a room where everyone is already engaged
Tuesday, Aug. 31
than to come in with the group and start from
ELC PTA Welcome Luncheon
the beginning. Starting with half-groups will
for Teachers
insure that your child gets the attention he or
she needs during the transition. Finally, when
Wednesday, Sept. 1
its time to leave, dont slip out when your
ELC Transition Schedule Begins
child isnt looking. Children need to know
theyre going to be able to say goodbye and
Thursday, Sept. 9
need to know when youll be back. Once
ELC Regular Schedule Begins
youve done that, dont linger and dont
ELC PTA Board Meeting
worry. Well take it from there.
Friday, Sept. 10
ELC Back-to-School Evening
Wednesday, Sept. 15
Substitute Teacher Workshop 9 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 16
ELCParent Education Workshop
9-11 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 23
ELC PTASchool Picnic 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 29
Nursery/Pre-K Coffee 9 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 30
Kindergarten Coffee 8:45 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 1
Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten
Applications for 2011-12 School Year
Begin
Thursday, Oct. 7
ELC PTA Board Meeting,
9:00 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 11
Fall Holiday - No Classes
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Professional Development Day
No Classes
5
back-to-school fall 2010

Elementary School
Dan Bender, ES Principal
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff at the Elementary School I want to welcome every ES family to this new school
year. We all share hopes for a year marked by growth in learning, new friendships and a quick realization of the sense of
belonging and comfort in a new group. Above all, as your childs educators we want to share our enthusiasm for the year.
We look forward to working supportively with each of you to stimulate growth in all your childs areas of development. This
time of year is exciting and busy for every family as we all shift from the routines of summer to those of school. To assist in
this adjustment, a steady flow of information will come to you as we communicate our plans for the year, the nature of our
program, and special dates that are on the horizon. Remember to regularly review the ES News on the Mustangs Online
(MOL), section of the website.
Start of the year event planning:
We have several important events in the near future, each of which is described below. The first is our ES student and new
parent orientation on Monday, Aug. 30. In close succession, we have our ES Back-to-School and ES parent share conferences
in September. Please read about each event. Since we appreciate the challenges faced by working parents in trying to come to
school so frequently in the first several weeks, we would encourage you to particularly focus on the Back-to-School event on Friday, Sept. 10.
As we start this year, dont hesitate to call us promptly if you are concerned or puzzled by anything you read or hear. Parents in a mobile international
community constantly worry about how their current school will fit with what their child has experienced in the past. ASIJ is truly a unique school and
will no doubt provide some contrasts for every new family. Yet, it should be reassuring that our feedback from past parents strongly suggest that your
child will be very well served by ASIJs program. Well strive to achieve a great year with you and your child.

ES Student and New Parent
Orientation Monday, Aug. 30
8:30-10:30 a.m.
ES student and new parent orientation is the first
in our series of welcoming, community building
and information sharing events of the year. ES
student orientation is important for all students.
Its a time when they first meet each other and
their teacher and begin building relationships that
will carry them through the year. Another goal
is simply to have parents and students become
familiar with and locate all the classroom spaces.
Most of the time during our ES orientation is
devoted to children working with their new
homeroom teacher and meeting the other
children in the classroom. Homeroom teachers
will meet students, present information about
the start of the year, and give students a chance
to become acquainted with each other. All these
events serve as an important ice-breaker to
ease the usual worries students, parents, and
teachers have about the first full day of school.
Buses will run their usual routes this morning and
his trip offers an initial shake-down experience
for new ES bus riders and will firm up locations of
bus stops and the bus schedule.
Once at school, students will find their name on
one of the class lists for their grade displayed in
the elementary entryway or lobby. Children will
then proceed to their homeroom to meet their
teacher and other classmates. Parents introduce
themselves to their childs teacher and leave their
children in the classroom.
After dropping off their children, new parents
proceed to the orientation session in the Multi-
Purpose Room (MPR). Signs posted on campus
provide guidance to the location of the MPR.
Returning parents who are on campus are
encouraged to come to ASIJs cafeteria to meet
and socialize over light refreshments. In an effort
to streamline our parent events we encourage
returning parents to view the student orientation
event as an optional one. While there will be a
chance to briefly meet your childs teacher, there
will be no classroom presentations for parents on
this orientation day; rather we are emphasizing
the elementary Back-to-School on Friday, Sept.
4 as the day dedicated to classroom curriculum
presentations on the entire ES program. Please
mark this key date on your calendars.
There will be a PTA sponsored Information Fair
in the cafeteria as part of the ES student and
new parent orientation. At this event, there will
be representatives from scout troops, the ES
swim team, and the PTA to provide you with
information as well as volunteer opportunities.
Janet Witt, ASIJ Director of Transportation, will
also be available to answer questions.
Kindergarten Parent Orientation
The start to the year for kindergarten students
and parents takes into account the needs of
our youngest learners on campus. During the
morning of Monday, Aug. 30, both kindergarten
students and parents participate in orientation
activities. Prior to that date, each kindergarten
childs parents will receive a letter with further
details about the start of the year. Kindergarten
students will be supervised in the Kindergarten
rooms and play area beginning at 8:35 a.m. All
kindergarten parents will receive their orientation
at 9:35 a.m. in Ms. Fullers music classroom near
the bus loading area.
All kindergarten students should attend school
on the first full day of classes, Wednesday, Sept.1.
During that day, we will involve the children in
a variety of group and individual experiences
designed to help us get to know them better.
The information and insights we gain from
spending even this short amount of time will
help us create and finalize more balanced class
sections. We will assign children to one of the
two kindergarten homerooms and advise
parents of their childs specific kindergarten
placement on the afternoon of Wednesday,
Sept.1. For the next four days of classes, each
kindergarten child will attend two full day, either
Thursday, Sept.2 and Monday, Sept.6 or Friday,
Sept.3 and Tuesday, Sept. 7. These days are part
of our kindergarten transition schedule in which
students attend in half-groups. With these
small groups, the kindergarten teachers can
help the children learn the classroom routines
more quickly and comfortably. Beginning on
Wednesday, Sept. 8, all Chofu kindergartners will
attend everyday. Please contact the ES Office if
you have any questions about our start of the
year procedures for your kindergarten child.
ES Back-to-School day
On Friday, Sept. 10, the ES faculty and
administration will be presenting to parents a
variety of information about the ES learning
program. We highlight what children will be
doing throughout the year. Homeroom teachers
will offer sessions that last about 45 minutes. As
well, specialists in art, music, physical education,
Japanese language, library, technology, learning
support and guidance will discuss the programs
they provide to students. The days schedule is
full and parents will receive information in the

6

first week of school to assist their planning.
Please plan to visit school and take in as much
of this event as your schedule will allow. For
working parents, this would be a priority
occasion, if your schedule limits your access to
our early year events.
Note: Special bus transportation will be available
to parents to get out to school from a set of
centralized downtown stops since the regular
morning buses operate at near capacity and
extra seating for parents will not be available.
Parent Share Conferences
A major goal at this time of year is proactive
communication between educators and parents
about children. To allow a fast partnership to
develop between ES parents and teachers we
devote a full day early in the year to parent share
conferences on Thursday, Sept. 16. This day
will offer parents the chance to come to school,
meet their childs homeroom teacher and other
specialists, and share their hopes and concerns
for the year ahead. Classes are not held on this
day for elementary students.
If the option of visiting school is particularly
inconvenient, we will schedule telephone
conferences on that day. However, we strongly
hope to meet face to face which allows us to
have the opportunity to really get to know each
other better. Playground supervision is provided
if parents wish to bring their children with them
to campus. Also, special bus transport will
be available at mid-day to a set of centralized
downtown Tokyo bus stops. Conferences will
be scheduled with you during the first week of
school, but the main point now is to reserve this
date on your calendar.
This type of conference is distinctly different
from the traditional conference in which teachers
present student progress information. In contrast,
the purpose of this early communication is
for parents to do most of the talking as they
share their perspective on their child to his/ her
teachers. To help parents prepare, elementary
homeroom teachers distribute a written survey
that seeks parent insight on their child as a
young person and a learner as well as their hopes
for his/her school year. The face-to-face parent
share conference provides the chance to further
elaborate on ideas and to build a stronger sense
of teamwork for the year.
Some of the questions wed like you to answer
include: What do you consider to be your childs
strengths and needs? What particular issues are
important to focus on early in the year? How
can we best support your childs growth this
year? Conferences should last about 15 minutes.
We also encourage parents to meet their childs
teachers in music, physical education, art,
Japanese and any learning specialists assigned to
them as well as the library staff.
More information on scheduling will come to you
early in the school year. All the time spent in good
communication early in the year gives teachers
and parents the opportunity for a productive,
cooperative relationship through the year. Please
take advantage of these opportunities.
Meet the ES Counselors
Naho Kikuchi (ext. 529) is the guidance counselor
for grades 1, 3 and 5. Steven Hisler (ext. 527)
is the guidance counselor for kindergarten and
grades 2 and 4.
Japanese Language Classes
Yokoso! The ES Japanese teachers extend a warm
welcome to both new and returning families.
Most ES students at the ES will be enrolled in
Japanese language classes and will be grouped
for study with others of similar language ability
at their grade level. Japanese classes meet every
other school day; classes at grades one and two
meet for 35 minutes and third, fourth and fifth
grade classes meet for 42 minutes.
Content for beginning and intermediate
Japanese classes focuses on basic Japanese skills
that students can use in daily life. Students learn
to say and understand important phrases within
eight general topic areas. A sample of these
topics includes: introduction to Japanese, my
day at school, shopping, mealtime, and getting
around. ES students review and add new skills
within these general themes in each year of
Japanese study. Japanese reading and writing
skills are introduced gradually each year, with
greater emphasis at higher levels.
A simple but meaningful homework assignment
is given at the end of each Japanese class. This
represents an important part of the learning
opportunity offered in Japanese class and parent
support and follow-up is appreciated. Please
look for your childs Japanese folder in his/her
backpack and regularly ask about what they are
learning in class.
Classes for students who already have a strong
proficiency in Japanese work on listening,
speaking, reading, and writing with the majority
of their effort focused on developing their skills
as readers and writers as they use Japanese to
study various topics. Our students make excellent
progress with their language skills from year to
year. However, as ASIJs language for academic
ES
study in all other areas is English, our program
does not offer students a full-day immersion in a
Japanese language environment. Consequently,
we understand that ASIJ students will gain
proficiency at a rate different from that of a
student in a Japanese school.
If you have any questions about any aspect of
our program, please contact your childs Japanese
language teacher. We are looking forward to
another great year with your child.
ES Musical Performance
Performance Arts Workshop is a half-year
program devoted to music, drama and creative
performance. Every 4th grader participates in
PAW for one term during theschool year. Students
develop skills in acting, expressive speaking,
singing, dancing and movement. Students write
their own scripts, gather costumes and props,
and design their own sets. Our main goal is to
work together in an ensemble, which encourages
cooperation and respect. The term culminates in
a performance starring PAW actors and singers in
the Ricketson Theater.
Students in grade 5 participate in elementary
choir. Choir practices occur twice a cycle in a
six-day schedule, with each 5th-grade class
participating for half of the school year. Students
have the opportunity to develop effective vocal
skills, develop a strong work ethic and experience
the rewards of being an important member of
a team. A variety of quality high interest vocal
material is used, and choir members celebrate
their achievements at concerts and assemblies
throughout the school year.
Kindergarten, First and Second
Grade Physical Education Classes
Mrs. Seevers PE classes will start their classes in the
ES gym. During September the weather can be
very hot and humid. Students are asked to wear
appropriate clothing, shorts, athletic shoes and
socks. Please do not have your child wear sandals
or Crocs on PE days. You might also want to send
in a water bottle, sunscreen and a hat with your
child on days that classes go outside. Karen Seevers
will teach all students in grades kindergarten
through grade 2. We look forward to a great year
of teaching! Please stop by and say hello during the
elementary school orientation day.
Grade Three, Four and Five
Physical Education Classes
Students in grades 3-5 (except one homeroom)
will have Craig Karnitz as their PE teacher and will
swim during the first nine weeks of the school
7
back-to-school fall 2010
Elementary School continued
year. All swimmers will need to have a bathing
suit (one-piece for girls), swimming capwhich
can be purchased in the school Bookstoreand
a plastic bag to hold their clothes when changing.
Please put your childs name on all items. Towels
are provided at school. Our swimming program
is based on the American Red Cross curriculum
and all students will learn at their own level of
aquatic competency. Students leave their suits at
school to dry for the next lesson. If you have any
questions concerning the swimming program,
please contact Craig Karnitz (ext. 551).
ES Swim Team Coachs Corner
Welcome to the 2010 Elementary School Swim
Team Season. The Elementary Swim Team is
open to all elementary children, grades 1-5
who can pass the age group prerequisites.
(parents who would like their Kindergarten child
to participate will need to contact the coach
directly.) All children aged 8 and younger must
be able to swim 25 meters without stopping and
be able to kick 50 meters without stopping using
a kickboard. All children 10 and over must be
able to swim 50 meters without stopping using
a reasonable turn at the wall. If your child knows
one, two, three or all four competitive strokes,
thats clearly better. However no prior experience
with competitive swimming is necessary. While
swim instruction of all strokes will be taught
throughout the season, this is a team activity and
not swim lessons. Your child will be expected to
compete in the meets.
The focus of the Elementary Swim Team is to
improve in all areas, not just learning to swim
better and faster. Sportsmanship, learning to
work together as a team, learning to support
each other, learning about commitment and
responsibility as well as being in meets are all
part of the team goals. The team will be divided
into A and B divisions depending on ability and
the number of children who come out. Team
tryouts will begin on the first day of school, with
our returning 2009 A Team members from last
year. Tryouts will continue the rest of the week
and next for different age groups and levels. The
official tryout schedule will be made available
for all interested students at the Elementary
Student and New Parent Orientation Day. The
A Team will have at least five meets throughout
the season, while the B Team has three. The
last meet of the season will be the Mustang
Invitational Meet for the A Team Swimmers
on Saturday, Nov.6. In the following weeks,
the Elementary Swim Season will end with two
separate banquets, one for each team, A and B.
(See ESST Schedule for dates). All swim parents
and coaches are invited to attend. A detailed
8
schedule and swim team information sheet will
be available at the start of the school year. If you ES Useful Dates
have any questions or concerns, please contact
Karen Seevers (ext. 550). Heres hoping you have Monday, Aug. 30
had a great vacation and are looking forward to ES All Student and New Parent
using all those swimming skills you learned last Orientation 8:30-10:30 a.m.
year and over the summer on this years team. I
am looking forward to another great year. Wednesday, Sept. 1
Chofu Classes Begin for ES
Karen Seevers
Thursday, Sept. 2
From the Library Kindergarten Transition Schedule Begins
The library is looking forward to another year
full of exciting activities. Over the past six years Wednesday, Sept. 8
the Sakura Medal program has matured into the Kindergarten Regular Schedule Begins
mainstay reading program of all international
school libraries in Japan. As before, students Monday-Tuesday , Sept. 13 & 14
in all elementary grades will be invited to ES Student Pictures Taken
nominate their favorite English and Japanese
language picture and chapter books, chosen Friday, Sept. 10
ES Back-to-School Day
from the shortlists selected by international
school librarians throughout the country. We will
Saturday, Sept. 11
continue the wildly popular Sakura Brainbowl, in ES Swim Meet - B Team
which teams of grade 4 and 5 students match
their knowledge of Sakura medal chapter books Tuesday, Sept. 14
with readers from other international schools in Chofu Substitute Teacher Workshop
Japan. For our budding writers out there, the
library will host a new edition of Picture This!, Thursday, Sept. 16
which will see the very best entries illustrated ES Parent Share Conferences
by professional illustrators and published. In - No ES Classes
combination with the Reading Challenge, all of
Saturday, Sept. 18
these programs will culminate in a Library Party
ES Swim Meet - A Team
and Library Sleepover in April 2011.
Author visits are a big part of what the library Saturday, Sept. 25
offers our community and the librarians seek to ES Swim Meet - A Team
continue this tradition. The ES library will put the
PTA visiting author grant to good use this year. Tuesday, Sept. 25
At the time of this writing, U.S. illustrator Frane ES Picture Retakes
Lessac, U.S. jazz performer Christian Swensson,
U.K. poet Andrew Fusek Peters and Australian Saturday, Oct. 2
musician Linsey Pollack are all confirmed. ES Swim Meet - A Team
We encourage all parents to take advantage of
Friday, Oct. 8
our ASIJ family library account. Each family may
ES Japanese Sports Afternoon
check out up to 25 books to help you create a
literature rich environment at home. Its easy to Monday, Oct. 11
use the online catalog to make your selections Fall Holiday - No Classes
and place your requests using our email or phone
ordering service. Well be happy to send books
you request home with your child.
Details on everything written above can be
found on the newly revamped ES library website
accessible from the ASIJ website. Our library
runs a full-on program, supported by generous
contributions from our wonderful PTA and Please look for more detailed
dedicated help from many volunteers. If you information regarding after school
would like to join our team of committed parent
volunteers, or have any further inquiries, contact activities on the ES MOL site or call the
Wouter Laleman at <wlaleman@asij.ac.jp>. ES Office at ext. 500.
Wouter Laleman, ES Librarian
Middle School MS
Scott Adams, MS Principal
Happy new school year! On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Middle School, I would like to welcome you and
your child to the start of our new school year. We look forward to working in partnership with you this year to make this a
memorable learning experience for your child. We are committed to making this an exceptional year for new and returning
students alike, and to offering you a well-rounded, student-centered, and hands-on academic and co-curricular program.
The middle school years are a journey through early adolescence where intellectual, social, and physical changes are
rapid and varied, so our faculty deliver a program aimed to meet these needs for the different grade level groups, while
keeping a close eye on teaching, molding and shaping each individual student as well. Our ultimate goal is not only to stretch
and develop each student to his or her maximum potential, but to also equip them with the critical affective, academic,
behavioral and study skills to guarantee success in high school and college.
To these ends we have developed information for both students and parents alike that we will need to share with you to
ensure a successful start to the new school year. First, I wish to invite you to the Middle School student/parent orientation
on Tuesday, Aug. 31 which will begin at 8:45 a.m. in the Middle School Gym. This orientation is important as it will present
information pertaining to the new school year, which starts with the first day of classes on Wednesday, Sept. 1. In addition, please put Thursday, Sept. 14 on
your calendar for Middle School Back-to-School Night. Another means of communication is the Middle School Student Handbook, which is a very important
document for students and parents since it explains policies, introduces the program and personnel and clarifies the calendar. I ask that you read through this
very carefully. (The opening pages, which describe our Middle School philosophy, will be especially helpful to new parents.)
All of these modes and documents of communication are essential in establishing a supportive, trusting relationship between students, parents and
the schoola key component of educational success. Granted, there is a lot of information to read through and much to do to get the new school year
off to a great start, but I know that it is worth the mutual effort because only together can we will help your child succeed. As Principal of this division,
I consider my main responsibility to be one of advocacyof students, parents and facultyso please give me a call or send me an email if you have a
question. You may also contact the Middle School Office (0422-34-5300 ext. 600) to get assistance with any question. Heres to a great school year.

Orientation Day successful in returning much over fifty

The 2010-11 ASIJ Middle School will kick off the
school year with orientation on Tuesday, Aug.
31. All returning students, new students and
new parents should attend orientation. Students
should bring a pencil or pen with them.
Buses will transport students and parents from
downtown Tokyo and arrive at ASIJ around 8:30
a.m. so there will be time for socializing prior to
the orientation sessions. Everyone should gather
in the Middle School Gym at 8:45 a.m. for
student orientation. At approximately 9:15 a.m.,
students will adjourn to their advisories where
they will receive information about the new year
and get acquainted with their groups. At the same
time, a parent orientation session will be held in
the cafeteria. This session is primarily intended for
new parents, but veterans are certainly welcome
to attend too! Orientation will conclude at 11:00
a.m. Buses will leave for downtown at 11:30 a.m.
Shopping List
The Middle School shopping list was sent via
email at the end of last year. A second copy will
be distributed to all students on Middle School
orientation day. The shopping list is also available
online on the Mustangs Online MS page.
Lost and Found
Each year, our students lose several hundred
pieces of clothing. While we try our hardest
to make sure that each student has a chance
to claim their missing clothing, we are not
percent of the items that are lost. Before MS Useful Dates
the clothing is given to a charity, students
are asked to retrieve their items. We have Tuesday, Aug. 31
even found that it is easier for clothing to MS Student/Parent Orientation
be identified by friends of the person who 8:45-11:00 am
has lost the item. Still, we would be more
successful if parents would use a marker Wednesday, Sept. 1
to place the childs last name on the labels MS Classes Begin
of their valuable clothing like jackets and First Day of Tryouts for Soccer
sweaters. We check each item of clothing
for names before we send the items off to Thursday, Sept. 2
charity. Because some clothing is marked with First Day of Tryouts for Volleyball
a students name, we are able to return several and Cross Country
dozen items that appear to be overlooked
by the student who has lost the item. Monday, Sept. 6
MS Students Pictures Taken
Attendance Procedures
Absences and tardiness should be reported Thursday, Sept. 14
by calling the Student Office at ext. 603 MS Back-to-School Night 6 p.m.
before 9 a.m. Alternately, parents may send
prior written notification. Written excuses Friday, Sept. 10
must include the date, time, reason and the MS Back-to-School Dance/Social
parents signature. Homework, if desired, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
should also be requested before 9 a.m. When
requesting homework, please designate a Friday, Oct. 8
friend or sibling who can deliver it. Please MS Progress Reports Available Online.
note that due to several reasons, we only
provide homework for students who have
been absent for more than one day.
If you have any questions regarding
attendance procedures, please contact the
Student Office assistant at ext. 603.

9
back-to-school fall 2010
Middle School continued
MS Parent Checklist
Attend MS Orientation: Join us on
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010.
Review MS Handbook Together:
Review the MS handbook with your
child during the first week of school.
Make a special effort to discuss the ASIJ
mission statement as well as the rights
and responsibilities section of the MS
handbook.
Sign Statement of Agreement: After
reviewing the MS handbook with
your child, sign his/her statement of
agreement form. These statements will
be collected from each student and kept
on file in the office. If you have questions
about signing this agreement, please call
the MS Office at ext. 600.
Discuss School Procedures: Determine
together where to display the ASIJ
calendar and where to set up special
mailboxes (hardcopy and electronic)
for information sent home to parents.
Develop expectations for study and
homework time as well as an appropriate
work place. Research has shown that
many students do better if they do
their homework in an area such as the
kitchen table rather than in their room by
themselves.
Review Course Overviews: Carefully
read the course overviews sent home by
each of your childs teachers during the
first week of school. You are expected to
sign that you have received and reviewed
these documents. It will help you
understand the various expectations your
childs teachers have for this year.
Attend Back-to-School Night: Join us on
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2010 at 6 p.m. More
information about this important evening
is forthcoming.
10
Notification of Parents Absence
from Tokyo
If at any time during the school year no
parent will be present in Tokyo, a guardian
should appointed and the school notified as
far in advance as possible. This is to be done
by completing the notification of parents
absence from Tokyo each time the parents
plan a trip away from Tokyo.
The notification of parents absence form
should be completed, signed and faxed or
sent to the principals office of your youngest
child at least one week prior to your planned
departure from Tokyo. One form will serve
for several children. The school will distribute
it to the appropriate offices. However, if
different guardians are involved, please
complete a separate form for each child in
the family.
Please complete a separate form for each trip
planned away from Tokyo. One form will not
cover several trips. Notification of parents
absence from Tokyo forms may be obtained
from the Student Office or you may print out
a copy from Middle School section of MOL
.If you have any questions, please call the
Student Office assistant at ext. 603.
MS Picture Day
Its time again for school pictures. Monday,
Sept. 6 is the date to circle on your calendars.
At that time, the photographer will be here
to preserve all students and staff for posterity,
or for the yearbook at least. Parents will have
the opportunity to order picture packets. Even
if you do not care to order, it is important
that your child be at school for the photo as
this is the picture that will grace the 2010-
11 Omoide, our school yearbook. Please
try to work around this date in scheduling
outside appointments. There are no special
dress requirements. So, get out that comb,
straighten that collar and get ready to smile!
Back-To-School Night
Mark you calendar for the Middle School
Back-to-School Night, Tuesday, Sept. 14 at
6 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to
meet each of their childs teachers and may
participate in short overview sessions with
them. There will also be short briefings on
the extended campus trips and buses will be
provided to and from downtown Tokyo.
Dance/Social
The first Middle School dance/social will be held
on Friday, Sept. 10 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. There
will be different types of activities going on
during the evening and the focus for the evening
is for students to enjoy themselves within the
chaperoned confines of the Middle School.
While dancing is popular with many students,
others prefer to play outside on the field, watch
videos, challenge each other in Ping-Pong or
take on some computer challenges. Even the
dancing is often focused on larger group dances
that involve many different students.
Almost all the students enjoy taking some
time to munch on one of the food items
offered for sale.
Progress Reports
First Quarter Middle School Progress Reports
will be available online on Friday, Oct. 8. For
the first quarter, some students will receive

progress reports in order to provide parents
with an indication of how their child has started
the school year. Teachers may issue progress
reports if there are reasons for concern.
If you have questions or concerns about the
contents of your childs progress reports,
please contact your childs teacher. As these
reports are intended to be a brief alert of
present or potential problems, parents may
wish to have more details by communicating
directly with the teacher. You may reach
Middle School faculty and staff by phone or
by email. Use the following formula for email:
the first letter of their first name and their last
name followed by asij.ac.jp For example,
counselor Julia Darrigans email address
would be <jdarrigan@asij. ac.jp>.
If you have questions about progress reports
or if youd like to schedule an appointment
with a counselor, please contact the Guidance
Assistant, Yukari Mizuno (ext. 601).
Parent/Teacher Conference
Appointments
In preparation for the Middle School parent/
teacher conference days in November, we will
be distributing appointment requests forms in
October. Please note that these conferences
are scheduled in the order we receive the
completed appointment forms. Parents
who send the forms in early will have their
conferences scheduled first.
Detailed information about parent/ teacher
conferences will be sent home by early
October. If you do not receive a parent/teacher
conference flyer by then, please contact the
Middle School Office at ext. 600 to receive one.
Homework, Assignment,
Test Guidelines
In order to practice and strengthen skills
and concepts learned in class, students will
receive homework for each of their classes.
Most often these assignments are from
their block academic classes, but elective
homework is assigned as well. The nature
of this homework will vary from immediate
assignments to be completed for the next
class to intermediate deadlines associated
with a long-term project. Regardless, it is the
responsibility of the student to know what
his/her homework is and its due date. To
help them track their homework and other
assignments we issue each student an agenda
(often called binder reminder), which is part
of the handbook, where they can write down
their homework assignments. In addition to
informing students of homework in class,
teachers often post it on their class website
or on Blackboard. While the total amount of
time a student spends doing homework each
night varies, the general guideline is about
30 minutes per subject, which shouldnt total
more than 2 hours. Because of our A/B day
schedule, students dont have the same classes
every day so their homework completion will
need to be carefully planned out in order
to meet the deadlines. We calendar tests
and assignment due dates very carefully so
students arent burdened with too many big
deal things to do at the same time. In this
way we aim to balance their workload and
assessments such as tests/quizzes.
Fall Sports
Welcome back to what we anticipate as
another very exciting year of Middle School
sports events. An area of emphasis for the
2010-11 sports year will be directed towards
creating a positive atmosphere at all games. A
cooperative effort among coaches, athletes,
officials and parents is critical to providing the
best setting for young athletes to grow and
to enjoy their experience. Please remember
that all students will need to have a physical
examination prior to playing any sports.
John Smith Athletic/Activities Director
From the Library
Its no use coming to school unless the library
is your final destination, said Ray Bradbury,
noted American author. Centrally located on
the second floor of the middle school, our
library is open from 8:00 to 4:30, save most
Wednesdays when faculty meets and students
are expected to leave school at 3:15. Our
library is the hub of guided research, reading
and related activities.
The library supports academic units in the
middle school by offering age-appropriate
books and supportive digital resources for the
electronic pages of Curriculum Links on the
MS
middle school library web site.
Thanks to the generosity of the Chofu PTA,
middle school students spend time with, and
learn valuable lessons from, award-winning,
visiting authors. In addition, middle school
students participate enthusiastically in the
annual Sakura Medal Reading Program, also
sponsored by the Chofu-PTA. The Sakura
Medal Reading Program promotes reading
for enjoyment from a diverse collection of
outstanding age appropriate literature in English
and Japanese. This is a unique, internationally
recognized award, wherein the students select
the winners. Students in other international
schools in Japan participate in the Sakura Medal
Reading Program as well.
There is no limit to the number of fiction books
a student may borrow; students may keep a
book for four weeks. There is a fine of 50, per
day, per book, for each overdue book (students
may read-off their fines in the library). Students
will receive reminders via e-mail if they keep a
book beyond the four-week borrowing period.
In addition, students will receive a reminder, via
e-mail, on the night before the end of the grace
period, notifying them that the grace period is
about to expire. We also offer summer check-
out for returning students. Students may borrow
up to twenty-five books for the summer.
There may be a restriction on borrowing non-
fiction materials when an entire class, or grade,
is studying a unit simultaneously. In those cases,
materials are placed on Reserve and will be
available in the library for all students, all day.
This year will bring 1:1 laptop computing to
the middle school and our library. We will truly
be a library without walls. Students will have
greater access to Destiny, our on-line catalog,
Curriculum Links to selected resources, on-
line encyclopedias and more than a dozen
other recommended digital resources. We look
forward to a great year with your child(ren).
Martin Swist and Mrs. Angela Onozuka,
MS Library Team
11
back-to-school fall 2010

High School
Rick Weinland, High School Principal

On behalf of our high school faculty and staff, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning
families as we kick off the 2010-11 school year. Were pleased to welcome many new students to the high school, and are
confident they will soon feel at home in the ASIJ community. I encourage all students to harness the energy youve brought
back from your summer holiday, and put it to good use as you take advantage of our rich course offerings and many co-
curricular opportunities.
What follows is important information that will help get you up and running during the first portion of the semester. We
have a variety of student and parent events scheduled for the first few weeks of school, which are designed to acquaint you
with our guidance program, our faculty, and our high school. I hope you are able to join us for these important events. We
will be conducting information sessions for parents of each grade level on the dates listed in this section as well as on our
calendar. Of course, we hope to see all of our parents in class for High School Back-to-School Night.
We have also provided information regarding attendance procedures, our new online gradebook system, mid-semester
reports, and semester exams. Please pay particular attention to the dates and policies regarding semester exams, especially
the fact that all of our first semester exams will be given December 14-17.
We value parent involvement and input, and we encourage you to share your resources or suggestions that will help us improve our program. Keep
an eye out for ways you can get involved with our many PTA events and parent organizations which help in so many ways to enhance the experience
our students have at ASIJ. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to drop by, call, or email me.
I look forward to a great 2010-11 school year!

Important Dates and Events
A more detailed description of the following
beginning-of-school dates and events can be
found on the high school guidance section of
the school website.
THURSDAY, Aug. 26
New Student Orientation
9:304:00 p.m. General Orientation
The day will begin with a general orientation
presented by the HS Counselors and Student
Ambassadors. Students will participate in
some get-acquainted activities and have
lunch. They will also take any needed
placement tests for music, modern languages,
and mathematics, review their schedules,
enter information into the school database,
pay student fees, select lockers, make train
pass requests, and take care of other details
that will help them prepare for the start of
the school year. There will be a bus to take
students home, via the late bus route.
A more detailed description is in the New
Student Packet, on the High School Guidance
Web Page, and available at the new family
orientation meetings.
FRIDAY, Aug. 27
Senior Breakfast
8:30 a.m Senior Breakfast
Seniors are asked to bring breakfast goodies
for a potluck breakfast before locker selection.
Girls should bring baked goods and boys
should bring fruit or fruit dishes. Alternatively,
students may bring cheese, salad, vegetables,
cold cuts, onigiri, or sandwiches. This event is
coordinated by the Senior Parents.
FRIDAY, Aug. 27
Locker Day
Students are asked to come to school on this
day to choose a locker, enter information into
the school database, pay fees, and make train
pass requests. There will be no school buses
available on this day.
8:30 a.m. Senior Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Senior Locker Selection
10:00 a.m. Junior Locker Selection
11:00 a.m. Sophomore Locker Selection
1:00 p.m. Freshman Locker Selection
New students in grades 9-12, who have
completed the Locker Day Checklist, do not
need to come to school on this day, but they
are welcome to participate.
Students who do not have a preference for
their locker location may pay their fees and
complete their sign-up when school begins on
Tuesday, Aug. 31.
Requirements for Locker Sign-Up
On this day, in order to select a locker, students
will need to:
1. Pick up a Locker Day Checklist in the main
lobby of the high school
2. Pay Student Fees
Gr. 10: 1,000 (Oct. PLAN Test)
Gr. 11: 1,500 (Oct. PSAT Test)
Gr. 12: 10,000 (Cap/Gown, Senior Gift, Senior
Stone, Senior Activities)
3. Bring or purchase a lock for the book locker (A
lock will also be required for a P.E. Locker)
4. Check and update their address and cell phone
number in the Student Database in the Library.
Complete the login process for Blackboard and
Library database computer accounts.
5. Sign up for a book locker, provide the
combination of the lock, and place the lock on
the assigned locker.
Students can also fill out a train pass request,
which must be completed 3 days before
purchasing a train pass.
TUESDAY, Aug. 31
Classes Begin For High School Students
Students will report to the Ricketson Theater
for a brief opening assembly, followed by
class meetings. At the class meetings, students
will receive their schedules, ASIJ Student
Handbook/Planner, and a brief orientation.
Students will then follow a modified schedule
as they attend all of their A and B day classes.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, Sept. 09-10
HS Student Pictures
All high school students are required to have their
photos taken during the school day, either before
or after school, or during their unscheduled
time. These pictures are for the high school
yearbook, student IDs, and for administration
and counseling use. Families will also have the
opportunity to purchase a photo package.
THURSDAY, Sept. 09
CIS College Fair and Workshops
More than 20 representatives from selective
U.S. colleges, who are part of the Council
of International Schools (CIS) Asia tour, will
tailor a College Fair and program for ASIJ
students and parents.
Senior Parent Meeting & College Panel
There will be a Senior Parent meeting on this

12

day just prior to the CIS College Fair. Parents
will then be invited to attend the College Fair,
with a little time to browse the tables before
the students arrive. At the meeting, we will
discuss the Senior year, plan special events,
review college information, and talk together
about the parenting of older teens. We will
also have several of the college admissions
representatives share their perspectives about
college admissions. This will include a question
and answer panel.
THURSDAY, Sept. 23
Grade 9 Parent Information Session 5:30-6:30
(Prior to Back-to-School Night)
Counselors will meet briefly with grade nine
parents just prior to Back-To-School Night to
share information about the start of the year
and answer any questions parents may have
about high school. Counselors will also be
available throughout the evening to chat.
THURSDAY, Sept. 23
HS Back-To-School Night
We invite you to attend this years Back-to-
School night, which will begin at 6:30 p.m.
After an opening assembly, you will be able to
follow your childs schedule, and experience a
brief glimpse into their school routine.
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 13
Grade 9
In the morning, testing and special activities are
planned. In the afternoon, all four classes take
place (in a shortened format).
Grade 10
PLAN Test
All sophomores will be taking the PLAN test
(the Preliminary ACT test). The PLAN is a
valuable practice tool for college entrance
exams and also provides some very useful
career information. A student information
meeting about the PLAN will be held during an
activity period in late September. The cost of
the test is 1,000 and payment is due on Locker
Selection Day, Friday, Aug. 27.
Grade 11
PSAT Test
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment
Test) will be administered to all juniors. An
information meeting about the PSAT will
be held during an activity period in late
September. The cost of the PSAT is 1,500
and payment must be made during the locker
selection process on Friday, Aug. 27.
The PSAT offers valuable practice for the Scholastic
Assessment Test (SAT), an examination which is
a requirement for entrance into most American
universities as well as for ASIJ students applying
to Japanese universities such as ICU and Sophia.
Students of U.S. citizenship who score very high
on the PSAT during their junior year (in the 98th
or 99th percentile) may qualify for the National
Merit Scholarship program or other corporate
scholarship programs.
Grade 12
Senior Seminar
A half-day program of workshops and
presentations regarding post-secondary planning
will be available for all seniors.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 3
Grade 10 Parent Meeting 8:4510:45 a.m.
We will meet in the morning for coffee and
pastries and then break into several groups to
share information about the sophomore year.
There will also be opportunities to ask questions
about the guidance program and the high school,
see some photos from grade 10 JUMP and to
interact with other parents.
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, Nov. 10-12
JUMP
All students will participate in the Japanese
Understanding and Motivation Project by
exploring Japan. The ninth graders will go as a
class to an area near Mt. Fuji, and the tenth graders
will go as a class to experience rural life in Japan.
Juniors and seniors will have an opportunity to
select from a variety of small-group trips exploring
the history, culture, and life in Japan.
College Visits
College representatives from many colleges visit
ASIJ in the Fall and Spring every year. A majority
of the colleges are from the U.S., but programs
from the U.K., Canada, Australia and Japan are
increasingly well-represented.
Students are given information about individual
and group visits by colleges via the Daily Bulletin,
the Naviance System, postings in the Career
Center and hallways, and on the high school
guidance section of the website. We update our
website frequently, so please check for colleges of
interest. Parents are most welcome to visit with
the individual college representatives when they
come to campus.
Note: a second college fair date is tentatively
set for Monday, Oct. 25. Stay tuned for more
HS
information in September.
HS Student Handbook
Parents and students are asked to read the
HS Student Handbook in hard copy or on the
ASIJ website. Please pay close attention to the
following areas:
School Policies
Attendance
Discipline Policy
Guidelines for School Conduct
ASIJ Policy on Plagiarism/Cheating
Responsibilities of Computer Users
Procedures for School Closures
Appendices
Suggested Guidelines for Parents of ASIJ High
School Students
Notification of Parents Absence from Tokyo
(this page may be downloaded/photocopied).
A new copy needs to be sent to the school each
time that both parents are away from Tokyo.
Absences Impact Learning
We understand the necessity of absences for illness
and family emergencies. However, we would like
families to undertake advanced planning so that
students are not out of school for family trips,
college trips, etc. When students are out of school,
it is difficult for them to make up the work that
they miss. It also impacts classes where material
has to be re-taught or where small group work is
crippled with one or more students missing from
a group. Several students have remarked about
the stress they feel by leaving school early before
a school vacation. They feel rushed and under
pressure to produce their normal quality work.
Students who miss important material may see
their grades affected.
Attendance Procedures
For more detail, please consult your childs copy or
the online version of the HS Student Handbook.
Unplanned Absence or Tardy: If a student
has an unplanned absence or tardy (usually for
illness), have a parent call the Student Office
0422-34-5300, ext. 402 (voice mail 24 hours
a day) before 9 a.m.
Excused or Unexcused Tardy: Students who
are tardy to school must report to the Student
Office for an absence admit slip.
Planned Absence or Early Leave: If a student
has a planned absence or early leave, a note
from a parent is needed, ideally five days in
advance of the proposed absence. Notes can
13
back-to-school fall 2010
High School continued
also be sent by email to <nsaji@asij.ac.jp>.
Permission to Leave Campus: ASIJ is a
closed campus. If a student should need to
go home because of illness, he/she must
report to the Health Center, then sign out
in the Student Office. If it is not a case of
illness, permission to leave campus for part
of the school day may only be granted by
the Student Office upon notification from the
parents and permission of an administrator.
Attendance Policies
For more detail, please consult your childs
copy or the online version of the HS Student
Handbook.
Reasons for an excused absence or tardy are:
Personal illness. Students who are ill should
not come to school.
Dental or medical appointments. Such
appointments should be made outside of
school time if at all possible.
A family emergency requiring immediate
attention.
Excused absences may also be granted for
religious holidays or any other reason deemed
necessary and desirable by the administration.
Family trips are discouraged by the school
during class time, and teachers will not be
asked to make special arrangements for
make-up work. Part-time employment
during the school day is not allowed and is
not excused.
Home/School Communication
Mid-Semester Reports, with teacher
comments and current grades to date
are issued to all students at the middle of
each semester, and report cards are issued
at the end of each semester. Starting this
year, all high school teachers will maintain
their gradebooks online, which may be
accessed by students and parents via our
NetClassroom site. Students and parents
are issued a login and password when
they first enroll at ASIJ. If you ever have
difficulty accessing our NetClassroom site,
please email our Director of Technology,
Gene Witt at <ewitt@asij.ac.jp>.
Teachers, counselors, and administrators are
always willing to meet with students and/
or their parents. We encourage parents to
call or email faculty members if they have
questions or concerns, or if they wish to set
up a conference. Teachers, counselors and
administrators may also contact parents when
they feel there is an immediate concern.
14
Semester One Exam Schedule
All semester one exams are scheduled in
December and will take place from Tuesday
Dec. 14 through Friday Dec. 17 (finishing at
2:30 p.m. on the 17th). All semester exams
must be taken during the scheduled time
period. A medical note is required for missed
finals due to illness. We ask that when you
make your holiday plans you schedule your
travel to avoid having your child miss these
essential school days. This is an important time
for high school students as semester grades
become part of their permanent records.
Activities/Athletics Office
Please see the calendar on the right for
the starting practice dates for Fall sports.
At the beginning of each year, a physical
examination is required of each participating
student. The forms are due the first day of
practice. They can be found on the Mustangs
Online website and must be given to the
Health Center. Each time we enter a U.S.
military base for an event, the base clearance
paperwork has to be sent 5-10 days prior, so
please complete the information found on
MOL and pass it on to us. If you have any
questions, please contact the Activities and
Athletics Secretary (ext. 272), John Smith,
Activities and Athletics Director (ext. 271)
or Carlos Aranda, Assistant Activities and
Athletics Director (ext. 282).
Calling All Actors!
Auditions for the Fall Play will be held
during the first week of September. Anyone
interested in taking part either in the
limelight or behind the scenes should look
out for notices giving more information, or
contact Mary Onions (ext. 460).
Yearbook Photos
Information for All HS Students
Clique Productions will take yearbook
photos for the Chochin in the High
School Conference Room on Thursday,
Sept. 9 and Friday, Sept. 10. All students
are required to have a photo taken. These
are free unless families take advantage
of the opportunity to order the photo
packages that are also available. Students
will sit for photos before or after school or
during free time.
Information for Seniors
All seniors are required to have a
yearbook photo taken (see above).
Since these photos occur within days
of school beginning, seniors should
plan their end-of-summer haircuts
accordingly. However, seniors also have
the option of bringing a photo in from
an outside source. Students still need
to have the school photo taken, but
they can then submit a professional
head shot to replace that photo if it fits
the requirements: appropriate dress*;
studio (inside) shot; head and shoulders
and a wallet-size print. If a student
chooses this option, we need the photo
by Friday, January 28. Seniors also need
to submit a color baby photo and colage
by Friday, January 28. This should be
a photo that is not a family keepsake.
We hope to return it at the end of
the school year when the yearbook is
distributed, but we cannot guarantee
it. Photocopies and digital photo prints
do not look as good as a real print, so
please do not turn in digital photos on
disk, CD or email. A square wallet-
size photo is best. Drop off the photo
in the Chochin box provided at the HS
Student Office, with your name written
clearly on the back. When you write
the information, be careful not to press
hard so the imprint goes through the
photo. Thank you for your help.
Chochin Staff
*Senior portraits and appropriate
apparel: This varies from formal attire
(suit, tie, tux, dress, drape) to a casual,
but dressy style (sweaters, collared
shirts, blouses). No T-shirts, hats, tube-
tops, beach wear, ads, sunglasses.
HS Useful Dates The Harris Library Information HS
Wednesday, Aug. 18
Media Center
HS Football Practice begins 5:00 p.m. Linda Hayakawa, Head Librarian
Tuesday, Aug. 24
Welcome to the High School Library! We are open on school
Tennis Open Practice begins 4:00 p.m.
days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and serve all members of the ASIJ
community. We have more than 32,000 books, 1000 AV materials,
Thursday, Aug. 26
subscribe to 50 magazines and five daily newspapers, and have a
New Student Orientation
state-of-the-art computer lab. Parents are welcome to come in, read
HS Cross Country begins at 4:00 p.m.
a magazine, borrow books and AV materials, and make use of the
many resources available in the media center.
Friday, Aug. 27
The Main Library website includes links to the online catalog,
Senior Breakfast
twenty two databases, library clubs and activities, a photo gallery,
Locker Day
and a citation guide. We have access through our databases to
more than a thousand journals and newspapers, including The New
Monday, Aug. 30
York Times and The Japan Times, five online encyclopedias, and
HS Volleyball begins at 4:00 p.m.
hundreds of online reference books. Please use your ASIJ website login for off-campus access to
the databases. If you would like to learn more about the library resources, please attend one of
Thursday-Friday, Sept. 9-10
our parent workshops. Details will be posted on Mustangs Online.
HS Student Pictures
The online catalog on our website searches all three library collections at Chofu and the
collection at the ELC, along with websites and certain library databases. If you see a high school
Thursday, Sept. 23
book youd like to borrow, please call or email the library <hslibrary@asij.ac.jp> and we will send
Grade 9 Parent Information Session
it home with your child.
HS Back-to-School Night
The library offers many programs for students, including book clubs in both English and
Japanese, a poetry club, author visits, and the Sakura Medal competitiona reading program
Wednesday, Oct. 13
designed to encourage reading and enjoyment of good quality books. Students in participating
Grade 9 (TBA)
international schools across Japan read books from short lists prepared by the international
Grade 10 PLAN Test
school library media specialists and vote in April of each year for a winner. The winning author
Grade 11 PSAT Test
receives the Sakura medal and a diploma containing a certificate and a piece of original art
Grade 12 Senior Seminar
created by a student from one of the schools. There is a student art competition to determine
whose work is sent to the authors.
Wednesday, Nov. 3
Each year we have a summer checkout program for returning students and their families. All
Grade 10 Parent Meeting
materials should be brought back at the beginning of the next school year.
Please consider becoming a library volunteer. The Friends of the Library group supports
Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 10-12
literacy at ASIJ through a number of activities in the Frederick Harris Libraries. Please visit the
JUMP
Friends of the Library page on Mustangs Online.
For more information of ASIJs Harris Library Information Media Center, contact Linda
Hayakawa at ext. 298, email <hslibrary@asij.ac.jp> or visit the Library section of the school
website. You can also check the new HS Library blog. Click the Friends of the Library link on the
Mustangs Online home page or go to <http://hslibrary.edublogs.org>.

Friends of the Library

If an international award should be given to the best library outside the USA, the ASIJ Frederick
Harris Library would win it without any doubt. Our library is a living place: far from resembling
the stereotype of a dusty and dull assortment of bookshelves, the high school library is the place
to be, the meeting point, the Hachiko of the school. And with all the resources it offers, the
library is well equipped to respond to the varied needs of our students and teachers and the
ASIJ community at large. The Friends of the Library are very proud to be part of this stimulating
environment. Sorting and processing books, inputting data, working on web pages, helping with
events such as author visits, sleepovers in the ES library, book sales, and entertaining our more
than 500 high school students around a theme party are rewarding experiences. Join us and be
part of the LibraryMovida!

15
back-to-school fall 2010

Center for School-Community Partnership

Matt Wilce, Director of Communications

The Center for School-Community Partnership (CSCP) works with all sectors of the
ASIJ community to provide print and web-based communication, parent and alumni
relations and raise money to support the school. The Center was established in 2007-
08 and is now in its third year.

The Center for School-Community Partnerships work includes the following:

Communications
The CSCP creates over 35 separate print projects each year for school divisions
and other groups that range from The Ambassador magazine and the school
calendar to divisional handbooks and materials for our summer programs.
Other projects include multimedia pieces such as interactive presentations and
products such as mugs, T-shirts and balloons.

Fundraising
The CSCP runs the schools Annual Fund, which includes a themed component each year. In addition, the CSCP
manages matching gifts, corporate fundraising, planned gifts and major donor prospects and supports the fundraising
efforts of the PTAs.

Website & Electronic Communication

With over 1,700 pages on our online community and an average of over 4,500 website visitors a day, the CSCP is
kept busy online. In addition to the main portal site, which contains information aimed at prospective families and
the outside world, the website also contains sections aimed at parents (Mustangs Online) and an Intranet for faculty
and staff. The CSCP is also responsible for sending all school email communications to parents, the parent e-News
and maintaining the ASIJ Journal of International Educational blog. The Center also coordinates the Schools social
media presence, sending daily Tweets and maintaining groups and pages on Facebook and LinkedIn that are used
by over 2,5000 individuals.

Outreach
Over the past year, the CSCP has worked closely with the Board of Directors Outreach Committee to look at the
Schools outreach and marketing activities and work on extending them. As a result, the CSCP has pursued several
new marketing initiatives and is working on projects to better inform and engage the wider community.

Special Events
Center staff work closely with the PTAs and volunteer groups to support events on and off campus, helping to make
Spirit Day, Winterfest and the Spring Gala run smoothly. The Center also coordinates other special events throughout
the year including the VEX Robotics Competition, receptions and meetings for trustees, and reunions and events for
alumni.

Alumni Relations
Our alumni relations officer keeps over 6,000 active alumni in touch with their classmates and the School through
our class news and online community. Supporting our Stateside reunions, working with our local alumni council
to promote events in Tokyo, and greeting alumni visitors to campus provide plenty of opportunity for our Alumni
Relations Officer to interact with the community. Last year 54 of our alumni were also present parents at school,
strengthening the ties between the alumni and current school community.

The Center runs an open door policy, so please feel free to stop by with any questions you may have about our work.
If you feel we may be able to help you in some way, please drop us a line. You can find us on the 3rd floor of the
cafeteria building on the Chofu Campus (please see the back page for our contact numbers).

16
Health Center ALL
Atsuko Hull, School Nurse

We would like to welcome all of our students back to school for a healthy and happy year of learning and
fun! The Health Center is available to care for students K-12 on school days from 8:15 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Health History forms for every student should be returned to us at the beginning of every school year
to ensure that we will be able to provide the best care possible for your child. A Physical is required for all
students participating in after school sports, all students entering grades 6 or 9 and all new students. These
forms are available from Mustangs Online or may be picked up from the Health Center.
All Elementary School students require parental permission in order to receive Tylenol or Ibuprofen if the
occasion should arise. Please be sure to complete the permission portion of the Health History form. We will
soon begin our annual vision and hearing screening program. If your child wears eye glasses please be sure
to send them with your child. If you child does not pass the test, a referral will be sent to the parents.
All ES students who plan on participating in after school sports program this fall need to have a current Atsuko Hull is a Registered
physical on file in the health center. It must have been completed no earlier than April of 2010. Head lice Nurse licensed in Japan and the
checks will be done periodically throughout the year. Parents are advised to check their children for head lice US and she has worked in both
regularly. We encourage parents of elementary students to have lice shampoo on hand in case a problem countries. Her favorite type of
arises. We have a nit free policy at ASIJ. nursing is surgical nursing. She
All middle school students will be tested for vision in November and scoliosis in February. If your child does has enjoyed helping students
not pass the screening, a referral will be sent to the parents. and the entire ASIJ community
Please review your childs immunization records and update them as needed. Remember that children for last 20 years.
need a tetanus booster every 10 years. For a reference to vaccinations please see the following web site:
<www.keepkidshealthy.com>. We encourage all students to be immunized to prevent illnesses and protect
others from contracting contagious diseases.
To ensure a healthy environment at school, please keep your child at home if they do not feel well. As with
any contagious disease, please follow these guidelines:

Keep your child at home if they exhibit any of the following signs or symptoms:

fever of 37.8 C or 99.5 F or higher in the morning

severe sore throat
persistant cough Ruth Harimoto is a Registered
vomiting Nurse, licensed in Washington
diarrhea State. She has worked at ASIJ
Your childs temperature needs to be normal for a full 24h before returning to school. for 6 years as associate school
Please be aware that if your child becomes ill with a fever or vomiting while at school, you will be notified nurse, and spent six years as
and asked to pick him/her up. Children who may be contagious are not allowed to ride the school bus. school nurse at Nishimachi
International School. Harimoto
Medication that is needed during the school day (routine or emergency medications) should be sent to is also an alumna of ASIJ.
the Health Center in the original container with instructions for administration. There is a form available on
the Mustangs Online site for permission to dispense medication at school. ES students may not carry their
own medication.
In addition, please notify us by phone or email that this medication is en route so it doesnt get lost
between home and school.

Health issues of concern or interest to the ASIJ community will be posted on MOL. Please check
periodically. Also dont hesitate to call with questions or concerns by phone on ext. 240 or via email
<health@asij.ac.jp>.

Atsuko Hull R.N. Yue Takigayama joined the

Ruth Harimoto R.N. ASIJ nurses team in 2005. She
Yue Takigayama R.N. went to school in upstate NY
and worked in NYC as a nurse
before coming to ASIJ. Yues
passion is volunteering, and
she has traveled extensively,
helping out after disasters in
various countries.

17
back-to-school fall 2010

ELC PTA
Abbie Chessler Salsberg, ELC PTA President

Welcome back to those of you returning to the ASIJ community and a warm welcome to those of you who are new. As we
begin another school year with high hopes and expectations, the ELC PTA invites you to join us as we work together with
the faculty, administration and staff as well as the Chofu PTA to enhance and enrich our childrens educational experience.
Our children are fortunate to have a genuinely dedicated group of teachers and staff willing to guide them through their
early learning years. At the same time, parent involvement and input are essential to your childrens education.
Throughout the school year, the ELC PTA sponsors numerous educational programs and cultural events which are funded
through the annual Spring Gala and Winterfest, both of which are hosted by the ELC and Chofu PTAs. These programs
and events are successful because of family participation and the tireless dedication of our parent volunteers throughout
the ASIJ community. As a result, our children are unlikely to forget such memorable ELC events as digging for sweet
potatoes, banging a taiko drum, tasting o-mochi, wrestling Sumo athletes and feeding animals on the playground. The
ELC PTA outreach, however, does not end with our children. In order to strengthen our overall school community, we
provide a number of resources and services to parents and the local community. These include, among other things,
presentations on childhood development and literacy as well as charitable giving to a local orphanage and family visits to a nearby home for seniors.
The ELC PTA is one of the best ways for parents to stay connected to each other, the teachers and their children. We invite each of you to show your
support by participating in the programs and events that we have scheduled for the coming school year. It is only through working together that we
can truly enhance the learning environment of our children.

Chofu PTA
Shizuka Zwaanstra, Chofu PTA President

Welcome back to Tokyo and warm greetings to those of you new to the ASIJ community.
The Chofu PTA invites you to become involved in the many activities we have organized for the school year.
Our PTA works in partnership with the administration, faculty, and the ELC PTA. We hold fundraising events, and
community building events throughout the year. The funds that we raise go towards programs and projects which
enrich the student learning environment. Our grants program has supported all divisions of the school and co-
curricular activities. We provide for speakers and authors to visit our school and hold workshops for the students. We
help student service groups in their fundraising efforts.
Last year the PTA was able to help bring speakers such as Vikas Swarup (author of Q & A, the source material for
the film Slumdog Millionaire) to the High School, as well as provide funding for Scholar-in-Residence Alan Gratzs
visit and workshops with students in Middle School. The Chofu PTA also provided funds towards the Picture This!
creative literary project in the Elementary School. We have given funding to revive a climbing wall club and purchase
additional musical instruments for the Fine Arts Department. In addition, weve approved funding for an innovative
musician/artist to conduct a workshop at the Elementary School next school year. The Chofu PTA also supports the school fundraising campaigns,
and this year we have pledged funding towards the Scholar-in-Residence program which will bring a marine robotics specialist to ASIJ.
The grant process which the Chofu PTA supports are made possible by the countless hours of volunteer time and effort put into our fundraising
events by the ASIJ parent community. The many talents and skills that the ASIJ parent community brings to PTA events are truly remarkable,
setting ASIJ apart from other schools. Thank you to the parents who support our projects and events throughout the year.
Last year the PTA welcomed the addition of Friends of Fine Arts and Booster Club to the PTA family. The two parent groups will continue to
support activities in their respective areas, but will work together as one team with the PTA. This enables the PTA to support a wider range of
programs and projects within the school.
Throughout the school year, watch for Parent Focus Meetings, which will present information and solicit discussion about pertinent school and
parenting topics. We hope you will join us for Spirit Day on October 16th, Winterfest on December 4th, and Spring Gala on March 12th. We
host these events with the ELC PTA, providing opportunities for both campuses to join together and celebrate our ASIJ community.
One of the best ways to get better acquainted with the community is by volunteering to help with some of the PTA sponsored activities. We
host a Teacher Staff Appreciation Lunch at the end of the school year, through Friends of the Fine Arts we support music and drama productions,
and support athletic programs through the Booster Club.
We especially invite all parents, new and returning, to our Welcome Coffee on Friday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Tokyo American
Club in Takanawa. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet the new Head of School, new and returning parents, and the Chofu PTA
Board. Welcome to ASIJ.

18
PTA Sponsored Events
Spirit Day/Homecoming,
Saturday, October 16
ASIJ Spirit Day/Homecoming is an event to
celebrate ASIJ school spirit. The day is full
of activities for all ages and includes games,
music, food, crafts, and performances by our
talented musical students. In the tradition
of Homecoming, alumni are encouraged to
return to watch The Mustangs win the football
game! The day ends with a High School dance
later in the evening.
If you would like to be part of this fun event,
contact Community Events Chair, Heather
Hoffman at <hbhoffman@mac.com>, or
return the volunteer flyer to any school office.
Winterfest
Saturday, December 4
This school-wide festival celebrates the
diversity of our international community at
ASIJ. We invite our friends and the neighboring
community to celebrate life at ASIJ while we
raise money to support our school and various
student charity groups.
We are looking for all kinds of help to make
this event successful. You could fill a time
slot at a booth, bake your favorite cookies or
organize a committee. No experience required
and we welcome help from all newcomers to
ASIJ. This is a great way to meet new people
and make friends doing something good for
our school. If any of the above activities sparks
an interest, or even if you just want to lend
a helping hand, fill out the volunteer survey
enclosed and return it to any school office or
PTA
please email the chairs of the festival: Hitomi Spring Gala
Hattori and Noriko Kido (Chofu) or Rebecca Saturday, March 12
Francis, Marianne Kiil and Heidi Mulcahy Join us on Saturday, March 12 at the ANA
(ELC).
Intercontinental Hotel for an exciting evening
at the PTAs Spring Gala. Following last years
Activities at Winterfest that you can be part
successful all-school fundraising auction the
of include:
bar has been set high, but we hope this years
International Food Booths:
event will be even bigger and better.
Celebrate your countrys culinary cuisine by
Lucky bidders on the night could walk away
sharing foods from different lands.
with a luxury travel package, a unique
International Bazaar:
experience for themselves or their kids, or one
Many crafts and vendors from all over the
of a multitude of fabulous items well have up
world! Shop till you drop!
for auction.
International Childrens Crafts:
Be sure to snap up your seats early, as this
Children can learn about various cultures as
will be one hot ticket! Tickets will go on sale
they make crafts from around the globe.
online on MOL approximately one month
Coffee Caf:
prior to the event.
Visit a caf for homemade baked goods, warm
Look out for more information in the coming
coffee and hot cocoa as you listen to our very
months on the many ways you can become
own students perform for your enjoyment.
involved and contribute to the PTAs main
Kimono Photo Booth:
fundraiser. The proceeds directly fund the
Dress in traditional Japanese Kimono for your
two PTA budgetsenabling many fantastic
familys next keepsake photo.
programs on both campuses and benefit the
Games:
schools annual giving campaign.
Your kids can try their luck at games run by
If youd like to be a part of this years Gala,
student groups that support charities. Win
please contact one of the PTA Gala Chairs:
prizes and give to a good cause trying!
Jane Hunsaker, Diane Harris (Chofu) and
Entertainment:
Emma Ward or Susan Lin (ELC).
Enjoy student performances at the Ricketson
Theatre, Coffee Caf and Field Stage
showcasing all of our many talented students.
Bouncy Houses:
Jump and play on the giant inflatables on the
lower field!
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back-to-school fall 2010
Booster Club
Emily Teo and Kelli Hadden, Booster Club Co-chairs
The Booster Club welcomes all new and
returning families for yet another exciting
Mustang Spirit filled year! We will continue
to lend support to various athletic events over
the course of this 2010/2011 school year as an
athletic arm of the PTA.
The Booster Club provides a vital link
between the athletic department, team coaches
and the parents of our dedicated and talented
athletes. We line up team parent volunteers
for each team to serve as a communication
liaison between parents and coaches. They
coordinate various activities to help the season
run smoothly. The Booster Club also gives
Friends of the Fine Arts
Marjorie Duray, FOFA Chair
Friends of the Fine Arts (FOFA) are a
committee within the PTA whose goal is to
support the many art programs offered at
ASIJ. At all grade levels, students have many
opportunities to explore and express their
creativity, in both the performing and visual
arts. Throughout the year, the ASIJ community
are treated to band, string and choir concerts,
drama productions, musicals, art exhibitions
and more. FOFA acts as a liaison between the
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collective feedback on the season to the athletic
department in order to bring greater success to
our Mustang athletic program in general. At
the culmination of each fall, winter and spring
season, we organize MS and HS banquets to
recognize the hard work and dedication of our
many ASIJ student athletes.
The Booster Club also promotes school
spirit through selling a variety of items
bearing the ASIJ logo; t-shirts, sweatshirts,
sweatpants, and tank tops, etc. Store dates
and hours are posted on (MOL) Mustangs
Online and announced in the daily bulletin.
The Booster Club not only plans fun school
faculty and administration and the general
parent population to promote these events,
facilitate performances, recognize student
achievement in the arts and research new ways
to enrich our programs.
As part of the PTA, FOFA helps to raise
funds throughout the year for grants, many of
which are focused on the arts. In past years,
grants have funded the hip hop dance program
for high school and middle school students,
spirit events on campus for students but is
always looking for ways to involve parents and
generate support for our athletes by promoting
regular attendance at home games and
matches. Watch for future announcements
on the Booster Club webpage on Mustangs
Online. Lets show our Mustang spirit and
make 2010/2011 a rewarding year for all of us!
If youd like to join in on any of the
Booster Club activities or have any questions,
please contact <ttnemily@gmail.com>,
<khadden63@aol.com> or other Booster
Committee member listed on the Booster
Club webpage on Mustangs Online.
workshops in mime theatre, stage lighting and
Kyogen theatre, and a ballet performance by
the Austrian Ballet, to name just a few.
FOFA is a dynamic group and were always
looking for new members. Please feel free to
contact me if youd like to join us or if you have
any questions about the arts at ASIJ.
If youd like to join in on any of the FOFA
activities or have any questions, please contact
Marje Duray <mduray2002@yahoo.com>.
 ALL

ELC PTA Dates ELC PTA Board Chofu PTA Board

2010-11 2010-11
Some important dates to keep in
mind at the begining of the year President President
are the following: Abbie Chessler Salsberg Shizuka Zwaanstra

VP/Fundraising Vice President

Thursday, Sept. 9 Susan Seltzer Halley Mistry
ELC PTA Board Meeting
VP/Communications Secretary
Friday, Sept.10 Christine Conner Michal Small
ELC Back-to-School Night
Winterfest Co-Chairs Treasurer
(no children at this event) Rebecca Francis, Marianne Kiil Keith Allen
and Heidi Mulcahy
Thursday, Sept. 23 ES Vol. Coord.
ELC PTA Family Picnic Gala Co-Chairs Montana Griffin
Susan Lin and Emma Ward
MS HS Vol. Cord.
Thursday, Sept. 16 Secretary Kristen Anderson
ELC Parent Education Yvette Hollingshead
Workshop-The ASIJ Way Grants
Treasurer Kathleen LEsperance
Ayako Owens
Saturday, Oct. 16
Winterfest Chair
Spirit Day/Homecoming N-2-N Hitomi Hattori
Griselda Suner
Winterfest Co-chair
Room Parent Coordinator Noriko Kido
Ellen Loomis
Chofu PTA Dates Spring Gala
Media Services Jane Hunsaker
Tuesday, Oct. 5 Stephanie Quinnild Diane Harris
Japanese Parent Focus
Group Meeting Social Committee Co-Chairs Event Coordinator
Stephanie Toppino, Robin Mayer Heather Hoffman
and Lori France
Wednesday, Oct. 6 Neighbor to Neighbor
Chofu PTA Board Meeting Yearbook Co-Chairs Susan Peiper Bailey
Gina Capizzi, Lottie Rezneck
and Kate Clark Parent Focus Group
Saturday, Oct. 16
Maya Moore (ES)
Spirit Day/Homecoming Community Services Co-Chairs LouAnne Leon (MS)
Lily Nguyen and Kazuko Daniel Luanne Heideman (MS)
Friday, Sept. 17 Karen Pond (HS)
Parent Ed Co-Chairs- Cassy Melissa Waters (HS)
Chofu PTA Board Meeting Yasuko Kent (Japanese)
Guttenfelder and Allison Leoni
Chofu PTA Welcome Coffee Tomi Malamud (Japanese)

Community Service
Non-Board Positions Janel Callon

Scholastic FOFA Chair

Miranda Howard Marje Duray

Omochi Pounding Booster Club Chair

Hiroko Barringer and Yuka Quantrille Kelli Hadden
Emily Teo

Headmaster
Ed Ladd

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back-to-school fall 2010

ASIJ Board of Directors

Allan OBryant, Board Chair

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all those who are new to ASIJ and
to our returning families. I would like to especially welcome our new Head of School Ed Ladd and his wife Carol.
The past year was one of transition for the Board as we worked with Tim Carr and Ed Ladd on their changeover
plan. Eds two visits to school smoothed that process and enabled him to meet with many constituents and
participate in decision making well ahead of his permanent arrival at ASIJ. Im confident that those visits and the
many conversations he has had with board members and school leaders will allow him to hit the ground running
now that he has joined us in Tokyo.
Every year the first order of business for the Board of Directors is the Board retreat in September, where we set our
goals for the year and take time to reflect on issues that may impact the school. The Boards role is strategic in nature
and provides oversight and long-term guidance on school affairs, practices and policies. One of our on-going goals
is to work towards better communication between the board and the school community and to actively engage our
Trustees and community members. The important role that the community played in the head of school search and
the transition process last year made it clear that school governance works best when the community comes together.
The Board is committed to furthering the opportunities for meaningful community engagement. We have invited the Trustees to participate in a
portion of the Board retreat. We will hold a Board Forum, or town hall meeting, again this year. We have established an Outreach Committee to
help us focus on building stronger relationships with our broad community. We believe that continued communication with our school community
is essential to understanding what is important to you.
As part of the Boards fiduciary responsibility we will continue to monitor the global financial situation to gauge its impact on ASIJ, and we
are committed to protecting the schools financial health. You can find our financial information and other Board documents on the Board
section of Mustangs Online.
The Board and I look forward to serving with you to help ASIJ achieve its vision to be an exemplary international learning community that
nurtures each students full potential. We encourage you to share with us your thoughts and ideas and invite you to lend your time and talent to
our students. Best wishes for a fantastic school year.

Richard Folsom Eugene Gregor Jesper Koll Ed Ladd Brad Maggart

Jere Miller Allan OBryant Abbie Chessler Salsberg Stephanie Toppino Miki Tsusaka

Paul Yonamine Mimi Yoshii Shizuka Zwaanstra Linda Suzukawa-Tseng* Frederick Morgenstern*
*Statutory Auditors
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ASIJ Student Learning Outcomes ALL

ASIJ educates students to become:

Effective Communicators who:

Express ideas, emotions and personal experiences clearly and creatively
through the written and spoken word and through the arts.
Listen critically with understanding and empathy.

Literate Individuals who:

Integrate learning and apply it to authentic situations.
Read fluently with comprehension for a variety of purposes.
Develop a strong foundation in all academic disciplines.
Access, analyze, evaluate and present information using diverse resources.

Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers who:

Apply creativity and persistence, and develop awareness of their
own thinking in defining problems and developing strategies to solve them.
Demonstrate flexibility in thinking.

Self-Directed, Productive Learners who:

Seek personal excellence in intellectual, artistic, practical and physical endeavors.
Independently pursue learning.
Set, achieve and reflect on personal and collective goals.
Make healthy choices.

Constructive Community Members who:

Have a clear sense of self and exhibit honesty and integrity.
Work collaboratively and effectively with others.
Show respect for the rights and tolerance of the values of others.
Develop an awareness and understanding of the host culture and other cultures.
Understand environmental issues and work to preserve the environment.
Contribute their time, energies and talents to improve the quality of life in our families,
schools, communities, nation and world.
Prepare themselves for citizenship in a democratic society.

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back-to-school fall 2010

Quick Contacts 0422-34-5300

Head of School Office Extension
Head of School Ed Ladd 200
Executive Assistant Kyoko Wakutsu 201

Early Learning Center

Director Judy Beneventi 03-5771-4344
Directors Secretary Yuko Hoshino 03-5771-4344

Elementary School
Principal Dan Bender 500
Assistant Principal Barbara Rynerson 500
Secretary Aileen Kanoh 500
Secretary Meenakshi Lahad 500
Counselor (Grades 1-3) Steve Hisler 527
Counselor (Grades K, 4-5) Naho Kikuchi 529

Middle School
Principal Scott Adams 600
Assistant Principal Angela Wooles 607
Principals Assistant Michelle Lee 600
Student Office Assistant 603
Counselor (Grade 8), LA Steve Bennett 605
Counselor (Grades 6-7) Julia Darrigan 604
Guidance Assistant Yukari Mizuno 601

High School
Principal Rick Weinland 401
Assistant Principal Nancy Kroonenberg 420
Principals Secretary Mariko Yokosuka 400
Student Office Secretary Noriko Saji 402
Counselor (Surnames A-G) Warren Lavender 407
Counselor (Surnames I-P) Sheri Neal 405
Counselor (Surnames H & Q-Z) Timothy Olson 406

Transportation Office
Director of Transportation Janet Witt 622
(while all buses are en route) 090-3331-8653
Transportation Manager Steve Mita 350
(while all buses are en route) 090-9823-7056

Activities and Athletics

Director John Smith 271
Secretary Marianne Haneda 272

Health Center
Head Nurse Atsuko Hull 240/241

The Center for School-Community Partnership

Director Tim Thornton 309
Communications and Alumni Relations Officer Lucy Williams 703
Director of Communications Matt Wilce 706

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