6.+Japan+trip+and+Sister+School+Information

=Trip info also on my other site= =toc= Check [|here] for more info on the trip. = = =Host Family info= Host family profiles have arrived. You now have a little over three weeks to get to know your host family a bit and to figure out what omiyage you want to get for them. I have also received a schedule of events that will take place while we are at Narita

Emergency contact number
If you have an emergency and need to get in touch with me immediately you may call +81 90 3804 0779. Usually you have to dial 011 before the 81, but it is best to check with your phone provider first. You can also e-mail me at carolinsensei@gmail.com.

= = =Host School rules and expectations= MEMO REGARDING HOST SCHOOLS The host school portion of the New Perspectives: Japan program is a great way to learn about the Japanese school environment. The rules and schedule are different from the American school system. Here are some reminders: Clothing Japanese students wear uniforms to class. NP:J students may wear casual clothes, but they should be neat and tidy. The following clothing/behavior are not appropriate at school. -Sleeveless dress/shirts -Low-cut dress or short skirts -Cutoffs, knee-length pants, or shorts -Cap/hat, sunglasses, scarves/bandannas -Chewing gum -Visible tattoos (must cover up during school session) -No jewelry (also includes earrings or facial piercing) Room -Tank tops, halter-tops or strapless tops -Showing midriff or cleavage -Jeans with holes, pants that are too baggy -Inappropriate phrases on t-shirts -Makeup, accessories, or unnatural hair color Your host school may prepare a room for your group. It is your group’s responsibility to keep the room clean by taking out the trash and pushing the chairs in. Your host teacher can explain how to separate garbage (combustibles and non-combustibles). Showing Appreciation The host schools are very excited to learn about your school, hometown, the American language and culture. You and your students are still in a learning environment so please be aware of the school rules and Japanese etiquette. It is also important to keep good relations by being in contact with the host school and family before, during and after the NP:J program. =Itinerary= The complete itinerary is here. = = =TSA Guidelines and other luggage/packing tips=

Please be familiar with the guidelines in this link, especially those for the 3-1-1 rules for carry-on luggage. [|TSA Guidelines]

1. Plan to pack a week's worth of clothes. You will be able to do laundry at your host family's home. 2. Avoid bringing a big (29 inch) suitcase. A medium sized suitcase and a duffel bag for extra luggage to bring home is the best way to go. 3. Tie a yellow ribbon on your suitcase. Actually any color will do. But since most luggage is black, it is a good idea to tie something that will make it more easily identifiable as it comes out on the conveyor belt. 4. Use only TSA approved locks. As a cheaper alternative, you can use twist ties to 'lock' your luggage. This is what I always do. It will stop a dishonest baggage handler and still be easy to open in case security needs to inspect it. = = =Money Matters= The easiest way to deal with money in Japan is an ATM card. We can stop at an ATM in Narita airport upon arrival and/or when we arrive at the Olympic Center in Tokyo. Please do NOT bring traveler's checks as they are time consuming. There are plenty of ATM's at post offices and convenience stores that accept American cards and are safe to use. There is usually a small user fee. Be sure to contact your bank to let them know that the card will be used in Japan from 6/16-30th. You also might want to raise the daily withdrawal limit. If the students withdraw 20, 000 yen at a time that will be approximately $240.

= = = = =Cell phone rental information= Cell phones can be rented at Narita Airport for a reasonable fee. This would make it easier for students to contact me in an emergency while we are in Tokyo and Kyoto if we happen to get separated. While we are doing the homestay students will most likely be with their host brother or sister who will have a cell phone. I will also be carrying a cell loaned to me by TLI in Japan and students will get the number shortly after we arrive.

Here is the link to the general information page. http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_19.html

In the past I have used JAL's service and recommend them. It will be easier for anyone renting a cell if we all use the same company so pick up and drop off goes more smoothly. Here is the link.

http://www.jalabc.com/rental/domestic_eng/index.html

= = = = =THE KENNEDY TRIP TO JAPAN IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE FROM 6/16/11 TO 6/30/11=



[| New Perspectives Japan]

3/11/11 earthquake
To the best of my knowledge the disaster that has struck northeastern Japan will have no impact on our June trip to Japan. We will be 250 miles or so from the epicenter, and it is entirely likely that the Tokyo area will be back to normal by then. At this time one of the chief concerns is radiation from the nuclear power plants that have been damaged. I am monitoring the situation and will continue to do so and encourage parents to do so as well so we can share information.

What if there is an earthquake/tsunami?
The earthquake of 3/11/11 in Touhoku (northeastern) Japan undoubtedly raises the question about what would happen if there were a major disaster while we are on the trip. The first step, of course would be that Mr. Evans And I would do whatever is required to ensure the safety of all of the students on the trip. If medical attention were needed, we would attend to that as quickly as possible. I have a cell phone with me at all times, and would be in touch with the Tokyo office if the Laurasian Institution immediately (they have a 24/7 hot line number available). They would then either make direct contact with parents or call the Seattle office and have them contact parents.

What if my child has a medical emergency?
Simply put, they will be treated first and asked about insurance later. On a previous trip we had a student who needed to be taken to a hospital by ambulance for a severe asthma attack. The student was taken care of in the ambulance and insisted that she felt fine after getting oxygen and did not need to go to the hospital. The ambulance team informed us that they were knot permitted to release a patient directly from the ambulance and took her to a hospital. She was thoroughly checked by the doctor and was told that she needed a chest X-ray because her white blood cell count was high. The student insisted she was fine and ready to leave the hospital, but again they said they had to follow protocol, even though they assumed she only had a cold. She was indeed fine, and at discharge we paid $100 from our emergency fund and were told that the rest of the bill would be sent to the TLI office on the next business day. The grand total was about $250, which, as I understand, was reimbursed by the insurance agency after we returned home. Bottom line 1. Japanese doctors and hospitals will take good care of your child if they need medical attention 2. I will follow the advice of the medical professionals and will not allow/encourage your child to bypass protocol 3. You will not go broke if an emergency occurs.

What if my child forgets his/her medication?
The simple answer is DON'T. I will have a list of medications that students are taking, and I will be checking to see that everyone has what he/she needs. If someone is missing medications, I will ask a parent to return home to pick them up. The medication your child needs might not be available in Japan. It would be unfair to all the other participants if one unprepared student took too much of my time and energy in trying to find medication.

What if there is a disciplinary issue?
Anyone who has difficulty behaving as expected risks being sent home early at the parents' expense. One of the chief concerns is alcohol consumption. I am upfront about this with students--alcohol can be easily purchased in Japan, and asking for ID is almost unheard of. All the students are repeatedly reminded that if they cross this line they will be removed from the program immediately. TLI has sent students home in the past. Several years ago two Kennedy students violated this policy one day before the end of the trip. We decided to confine them to their hotel room for the day and they traveled with the rest of the group.

Another issue that comes up at times is lateness. If any participant(s) hold up the rest of the group their penalty will be spending twice the amount of time they made wait sitting with me while the rest of the group gets to go sightseeing. Subsequent violations will entail longer periods of sitting with me. If the problem continues the student may be sent home.

I do consider the students on the trip to be young ambassadors and expect them to be constantly aware that they need to make a positive impression. This does not mean that they have to be serious at all times. They simply need to show good judgment.