Contents > Elementary School Life > 3.School Year Calendar

3.School Year Calendar

This is a calendar of events happening throughout the school year.
(Period and contents may vary from school to school.)

MonthEventDescriptionStudents partici-pation Parents partici-pation Parents obser-vation
Apr. Inaugural
Ceremony
Welcome ceremony for new teachers
At the start of the new school year
○    
Entrance Ceremony Welcome ceremony for 1st years, guardians also participate ○ 1st graders  
Meeting the first graders Everyone meets the 1st graders and it gives the new students a chance to enjoy interaction with the whole student body for the first time. ○    
Physical Measurement Measurements of height, weight, seated height, vision, hearing ○    
Health checkup Checkup to evaluate the general well-being of the student.
This includes internal medicine, dentistry, eyes, ENT, urology, and a check for pinworms.
○    
May Road Safety Class Class to learn about how to ride a bicycle safely and road safety rules. ○    
Excursion
Outside Study
Study outside of the school.
Study tours or excursions in nature might be organized.
In many cases children will have to bring their own lunch.
(There are schools that take this field trip in the fall and others that don't do it at all.)
○    
June Outdoor class Study outside of the school and overnight in the place of study.
Study amidst nature and learn how to work in groups and to cooperate with friends.
(Participating grades might vary according to schools)
○    
Marathon Compete with others by running a set long distance.
(Some schools hold this even in the fall and others that do not hold this event)
○   ○
Sumo Competitions of Japan's traditional sport, Sumo.
(Some schools do not hold this event)
○   ○
July Swimming Swimming lessons start after June.
Students improve their swimming ability in the school's swimming pool.
○    
Summer Vacation
Aug Swimming Trials Trials to beat personal records and cheer on others. ○   ○
Sep Sports Day Competition involving physical activities, races, and teamwork. Some schools have Sports Day in spring. ○ ○ ○
School Trip School trip outside of the prefecture for the 6th graders.
This trip is to learn about the history and culture of the area visited.
This event strengthens the bonds of friendship and remains a very happy memory over time.
(Some schools have School Trips in spring)
○    
Oct.
Nov
Study Report Presentation of studies done in front of families and people from the neighborhood. ○   ○
Dec.Winter Vacation
Jan. New Year's Calligraphy Students from lower grades write calligraphy with pencils for the start of the new year. Students from higher grades use brushes. ○    
Feb. Ski Class
Snow School
1st and 2nd graders ride sleighs and tubes or use cross country skis to explore the surrounding nature.
3rd graders and above learn how to ski in ski resorts.
Participating grades might vary according to schools.
○    
Mar. Completion Ceremony Ceremony to recognize the completion of one year of study. ○    
Graduation Ceremony 6th graders who have completed their studies will receive a Graduation Diploma.
All of the school's students and the parents of the 6th graders are expected to attend.
(Graduating students often wear the school uniform from the junior high school they will be attending to the ceremony.)
○ 6th graders  
Spring Vacation
Teacher Farewell Ceremony Ceremony to say goodbye to the teachers who have taken care of the students. ○    

Vacations

Summer vacation
One-month long, from mid-July to mid-August.
Winter vacation
Two-weeks long, from late December to early January.
Spring vacation
From the day after graduation to the day of the entrance ceremony.
The Teacher's Farewell Ceremony (farewell to teachers that are changing schools), students just graduating from sixth grade will also attend.

Schools have either 2 or 3 semesters. Schools with the 2-semester system will have a short autumn vacation between the first and second semester.

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