Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions 2020

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よくあるご質問 (Japanese Version)

Why is CAJ operating with a distance learning model?[edit]

On February 27, Prime Minister Abe issued a statement that advised all schools to close in response to flattening the curve of the coronavirus (COVID-19). After consulting with the other members of the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS) and CAJ’s leadership, we initiated distance learning to protect the health of our students and our surrounding community.

On April 1, the Tokyo government asked all Tokyo high schools to close until after the Golden Week holidays. Because CAJ is most similar to Tokyo high schools, with commuting students, we are going to follow the same protocols for campus closure. We have extended our Distance Learning program to last until May 11.

When will CAJ return to “normal” school on campus?[edit]

We will continue to monitor the situation. We will respect the advice of the Japanese government (national and metropolitan); we will carefully consider the advice of health experts (international and local); we will discuss the needs and implications of our decisions on our students and their families. Our hope now is to reopen our campus on May 11. We will continue to monitor and adjust as necessary.

Who is allowed on campus?[edit]

  • CAJ staff, if necessary.
  • Students who make arrangements with the principal, parents and visitors by appointment. We ask anyone coming to campus to complete the health screening (online or at reception).

Is my child really getting the same education through distance learning as he or she would in the classroom?[edit]

Yes and no. Distance learning will not be exactly the same, but we are providing the best education possible, adjusted to a different way of learning. Teachers will be covering the same content, preparing students to reach the same standards, and assessing students’ progress as learning happens. This does require different teaching strategies and different ways of assessing learning, as well as finding creative resources for students to be independent learners. We are grateful for technology solutions and abundant resources available for learning to continue. Teachers have found interesting options for collaboration and cooperative learning through video chat options, and students have even been able to access counseling through similar systems. We firmly believe good learning is happening while students are not able to attend school on campus.

Can my child come to campus at all when distance learning is happening?[edit]

As long as Tokyo is not in a lockdown protocol, students may come to campus if they email their principal. As long as students have an appointment, they are able to come pick up supplies or meet with a staff member.

The library will continue to be open by appointment as well, as long as no lockdown is in place.

What will the end of school look like?[edit]

We hope our students are back on campus on May 11, but we are also preparing for Distance Learning to continue if we need to.

We will celebrate the seniors’ culmination of high school. We don’t know yet what it will look like, but we will communicate more as details become clearer.

We are planning on extending students’ learning through June 16 to allow students to have the regular number of learning days in a school year.