Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Tuesday June 30

Back to school – communiqué #11

Dear Parents,

Here was the last day of this school year. A particular school year which allows me once again to thank you for your collaboration throughout these months, these weeks of remote work.

The school will resume its normal rhythm in September. If for health reasons, it was necessary to adapt again, I will let you know quickly.

But let’s move forward and hope that this pandemic is behind us and allow, as for this last day, our teachers and LFIK staff to find their students with great pleasure. Back to school will take place on Wednesday September 2.

More information on the organization of next school year will be sent to you later.

In the meantime, the staff of the school join me in wishing your children a good holiday and each of your families happy moments during these two summer months. We also wish good luck to the parents and students who are leaving us. Do not hesitate to write to us about your new destination.

Emmanuel RESBEUT
Principal

Wednesday May 6

School-closure for students – communiqué #10

Message from the Embassy

Dear Parents,

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on May 4, 2020 the extension of the state of emergency across Japan until May 31. He confirmed the maintenance in “special vigilance” of the 13 prefectures which correspond to the big cities of the country. As you know, Tokyo and Kyoto are part of it. In a largely decentralized system, local authorities in Tokyo and Kyoto have announced that schools will remain closed until the end of the month, in order to better prepare for welcoming students in conditions that will have to follow the latest recommendations. from the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT), with a view to a gradual and partial resumption of school activities, including a reduction in class sizes.

Also, in agreement with the French Embassy, the Consulate General of France in Kyoto and after consultation with the AEFE, it was decided to comply with the schedule adopted by the local authorities in Tokyo and Kyoto, according to terms which will take into account the specificities of the two establishments.

This deadline will make it possible to set up, in collaboration with the entire school community and the social dialogue bodies of our establishments, an organization that respects health safety requirements in order to be able to welcome students in the best possible way. conditions. We know how much this extension of distance education is weighing on families, but rest assured that everything is being done to make it happen in the best of circumstances.

We also know that some families are affected by the economic consequences of the health crisis. At the initiative of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the AEFE, the deadline for submitting scholarship applications, which families in difficulty may need, was notably extended. If necessary, do not hesitate to approach the management of your establishment to discuss with them the possibilities of taking your situation into account.
 

Wednesday April 23

School-closure for students – communiqué #9

Dear Parents,
Dear LFIK staff,
Dear students,

Despite this long time, seven weeks, the impatience that can win, the weight of uncertainty, I draw a positive note from it: the affirmation of the essential link between the work done in the classroom and the follow-up at home. During these 7 weeks, it was certainly very strongly marked. But to maintain this continuity between school and home, the eyes of adults on the work of pupils and children is fundamental. It is meaningful.

The holidays are going for many of you, I hope, to be able to begin and allow this long-awaited breath.

After the holidays, I don’t know what May 11 will be like. But depending on the evolution of the situation in Kansai and Kyoto, measures decided by the Japanese and French authorities, I will send you a press release to clarify the operating conditions of the school. Hoping, like you, for a recovery, it will above all ensure the health security of children as well as that of adults. Material but also time adjustments will therefore be necessary. A health and safety and working conditions committee (CHSCT) as well as a school council will be required to meet to discuss and be informed of the envisaged recovery scenario.

During these school holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Japanese holidays, we will be available for you by email or telephone.

For communications in French at: 080 3801 0873

For communications in Japanese and English at: 080 8031 7548

By asking you to believe in the search for the best solutions, thanking you once again for the confidence which was yours by thanking you, as well as the teachers and the staff of LFIK, for the daily implication in this pedagogical continuity , I wish you all a good vacation.

Best regards,

Thursday April 2

School-closure for students – communiqué #8

Message from the Embassy

In the last days, the Covid-19 pandemic in Japan progresses in a continuous and regular way, measured in number of cases, in particular in Tokyo and in the surrounding prefectures, like in those of Osaka and Hyogo, neighbors of Kyoto. The expert committee, in its press conference on April 1, divided Japan into 3 zones, Tokyo and Osaka being among the most affected regions. Several members of this committee called for strong measures. As a result, the Japanese Ministry of Education has asked schools to reconsider the start of the spring school dates, depending on local circumstances. In Tokyo, the authorities asked the 250 high schools under his supervision to remain closed until 6 May inclusive and invited the district mayors to give similar instructions to primary and secondary schools, which are under their authority. The main universities of the country have postponed their return to school or the reception of students, by setting up distance learning. Most private and international schools have postponed resumption of courses, some even announcing their closure until the end of the school year.

In this context and in agreement with the AEFE, the French Embassy in Japan and the French Consulate General in Kyoto, it is not possible to resume classes, as planned, on April 6, without taking a risk to the whole school community, starting with the students. It was therefore decided not to reopen our establishments in Tokyo and Kyoto before May 11, after the spring break scheduled from April 25 to May 10 inclusive. This period will be used to pursue distance teaching continuity which allows students to continue learning within the framework of teaching programs and to organize the end of the school year, in the light of the directives which will be given and the evolution of the situation in Japan. Announcements are notably expected this week from the French Minister of National Education, in particular on the organization of exams (Brevet and Baccalaureate).

In this context of an uncertain and rapid evolution of the pandemic, our priority is the health of your children and the staff of the two establishments and indirectly of all their relatives. We obviously continue to remain at the disposal of the whole school community to seek solutions to the difficulties that the loopholes or the staff would face.

Thursday March 26

School-closure for students – communiqué #7

Dear Parents,

In its recommendations issued on March 19, the scientific committee placed under the Prime Minister of Japan did not rule out the reopening of schools, as planned after the school holidays, on April 6. Almost all international schools have already aligned themselves on this date for the resumption of their courses. In the same report, the committee is concerned, however, about a possible acceleration of the pandemic in the next three weeks, in large urban centers like Tokyo or Osaka, and calls for remaining vigilant. In this regard, the governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, declared, on the evening of March 25, that the capital was at a critical point and asked its inhabitants to respect a certain number of recommendations, such as not to go out, except emergency , next weekend.

In this evolving situation and consistent with the instructions of the local authorities, as in agreement with the French Embassy in Tokyo, the French Consulate General in Kyoto and the AEFE, it was decided not to reopen our establishments in Tokyo and Kyoto, before April 6. This additional time will allow us to check how the situation is evolving, as well as to determine how to implement the recommendations of the Japanese Ministry of Education, MEXT, recommended in the light of the work of the committee of experts. For the record, the recommendations of MEXT mainly relate to maximum ventilation of spaces, the distance between teachers and students, learning and respect for barrier gestures by students (hand washing and distance, in particular) and the systematic taking of temperature by students and staff.

The situation will be closely monitored in the coming days. We obviously remain attentive to the staff and parents of students, in particular to seek solutions to the problems that families would face.

Emmanuel RESBEUT
Principal

Wednesday March 18

School-closure for students – communiqué #6

Dear Parents,

You will find below the press release from the Embassy on the extension of the closure of the school. Be assured of the educational team’s investment in monitoring your children.

Press release from the French Embassy to French high schools in Japan :

“Dear parents, 

As you know, the health crisis linked to the coronavirus continues, in Japan as everywhere else. Schools remain closed, as do all international schools. In the same spirit of responsibility which led to contributing to the efforts made in Japan to contain the spread of Covid-19 and in agreement with the AEFE, the French Embassy in Japan and the French Consulate General in Kyoto, it appears preferable and safer to extend the closure of the establishment until Sunday, March 29, inclusive. 

Incidentally, this date has been chosen by almost all international schools, in Tokyo as in Kyoto. The measures put in place to ensure the continuity of education for your children will be maintained during this period. The teachers, who contribute, and the parents, whose personal involvement is essential in supporting the children, deserve the gratitude of the school community. 

Well aware of the difficulties that the suspension of lessons creates for this whole community, starting with the students and the parents, I thank you for your understanding and reiterate to you the unfailing mobilization of the Lycée, for which we would like to thank all the staff, teachers and administrative staff, who continue to face this exceptional situation which concerns us all. 

Any information on the development of the situation in Japan and its consequences on the reopening of the establishment on March 30 will be sent to you as soon as possible.”

Emmanuel RESBEUT
Principal

Thursday March 12

School-closure for students – communiqué #5

Dear Parents,

Please find attached the press release from the French authorities which extends the closure of the two French lycées in Japan.

 ≪ By decision of the Prime Minister, the Japanese authorities have asked schools to anticipate the end of school holidays and to close their doors as of March 2. In a spirit of responsibility and consistent with efforts in Japan to limit the spread of Covid-19, international and private schools have fully applied this measure, remaining closed for periods up to March 30 or until the start of the school year (around April 6). Some universities have already announced the postponement of the resumption of courses to follow this movement. Regarding the Lycée français international de Tokyo / Kyoto, in agreement with the AEFE, the French Embassy in Japan and the French Consulate General in Kyoto, it was decided, at first, to leave the establishment closed to students until Sunday March 15 included. In the light of the evolution of the situation and the report awaited by the Japanese authorities, for next March 19, on the effectiveness of the measures taken in the management of this health crisis, it was considered necessary, in agreement with the ‘AEFE, the French Embassy in Japan and the French Consulate General in Kyoto, to extend the closure of the establishment until Sunday, March 22, inclusive. The measures put in place to ensure the continuity of education for your children will be extended during this period. Consequently, the reopening of the establishment is postponed until Monday, March 23, subject to further developments and according to the guidelines which will be given by the Japanese authorities. Any useful information in this regard will be sent to you when the time comes. ≫

Please be assured of our support in the help we can give you in this unique situation.

Emmanuel RESBEUT
Principal

Monday March 9

School-closure for students – communiqué #4

Dear parents,

Following the meeting held this morning, here are the arrangements and methods adopted.
On the home page of the school and following this link : https://www.lfikyoto.org/enseignement-a-distance/  you will find a distance learning area. By clicking on your child’s class, you will be directed to each workspace. 

• In secondary school (middle and high school), lessons will be based on the timetables of each class. On the Pronote text book tab, links to documents to download will allow students to find the various exercises. Students will have to submit their work in the space indicated and according to the teachers’ instructions. They can scan their production in PDF format or take a photograph. The teachers will stay in touch with the pupils and will be available to answer questions about the times indicated in the timetables. If you did not have the codes to access Pronote, please notify Mr. TEILLON: jteillon@lfikyoto.org
•  In primary (elementary and kindergarten), teachers will transmit content on basic activities first: math and French . They will be available to answer questions about the times indicated in the timetables.

These devices will start progressively from Monday, March 9 in the afternoon. For those of you who may have difficulty using the computer, possibilities of borrowing computers in high school can be considered. Please send us an email in this case.

However and to vary the materials, secondary teachers will use the textbooks. If they had stayed in high school, your children can pick them up on Monday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. 

For information, and given the evolution of the situation, the decision will be made at the end of this week to reopen or not Established for students. 

Present in high school or working remotely, all LFIK staff will be attentive to nurturing ties with their students and with you, and we will move forward together and by your side in this new and temporary situation. of your trust.

Best regards,
Emmanuel RESBEUT

Principal

Friday March 6

School-closure for students – communiqué #3

Dear Sir or Madame

Please find below further information regarding the week of school-closure for LFIK students from March 9th to March 13th. 

Online education:

The goal is to enable educational continuity, with various forms according to grades and subjects, using tools already known by students and teachers. First elements of this online education plan should be ready for the afternoon of Monday, March 9th, and should be developed within the following days. A new section “Enseignement à distance”(online education) will be created on the homepage. 

Return from vacation:

The Japanese government has put in place measures restricting access to the territory for people from China, South Korea and Iran. You are strongly invited to consult the website of the French Embassy in Japan, which lists them and is updated very regularly : https://jp.ambafrance.org/Informations-Coronavirus-Covid-19

Families who’ve returned from exposed areas (China, including Hong-Kong and Macao, South Korea, Singapore, Lombardy and Veneto regions in Italy), are requested not to come to school during 14 days from their return to Japan, and are invited to inform school secretariat starting from Monday, March 9th. With reservations, depending on the evolution of the situation, prevention measures should be implemented, such as they are described by the AEFE : 

“Within 14 days following the date of return, following preventive actions are recommended by French “Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé”:

• – watch your body temperature twice a day
• – watch for symptoms of respiratory inflammation (cough, breathing difficulties…)
• – use a facemask when you’re in front of someone else and when you need to go out
• – wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer 
• – avoid any contact with pregnant women, people who suffer from chronic diseases, the elderly and any other people who have health problem
• – avoid going out with no essential purpose (meetings, restaurants, movies…)

You can have the lastest information about Covid-2019 on this French Ambassy’s website : https://jp.ambafrance.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Point-de-situation-au-Japon  

 Help for home childcare
 If some of you have not found a childcare solution, please let us know : viescolaire@lfikyoto.org. In order to help you as well as possible, the LFIK staff performing day nurseries or surveillance within the establishment can try to offer their service to you.

We, board and direction, are currently in contact with French Consulat in Kyoto, French Embassy, the AEFE, and we will regularly communicate new information. Information is also posted on our website http://www.lfikyoto.org. 

We are aware of the difficulties created by this situation but please rest assured that LFIK teams will make every effort to  help you and maintain educational continuity for your children.

Best regards

Emmanuel RESBEUT

Next communiqué: Monday, March 9th 

Wednesday March 4

School-closure for students – communiqué #2

Dear Sir or Madame

Please find below further information regarding the week of school-closure for LFIK students from March 9th to March 13th. 

Online education:

The goal is to enable educational continuity, with various forms according to grades and subjects, using tools already known by students and teachers. First elements of this online education plan should be ready for the afternoon of Monday, March 9th, and should be developed within the following days. 

Return from vacation:

Families who’ve returned from exposed areas (China, including Hong-Kong and Macao, South Korea, Singapore, Lombardy and Veneto regions in Italy), are requested not to come to school during 14 days from their return to Japan, and are invited to inform primary and secondary school secrétariat starting from Monday, March 9th. With reservations, depending on the evolution of the situation, prevention measures should be implemented, such as they are described by the AEFE (on March 1st): 

“Within 14 days following the date of return, following preventive actions are recommended by French “Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé”:

• – watch your body temperature twice a day
• – watch for symptoms of respiratory inflammation (cough, breathing difficulties…)
• – use a facemask when you’re in front of someone else and when you need to go out
• – wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer 
• – avoid any contact with pregnant women, people who suffer from chronic diseases, the elderly and any other people who have health problem
• – avoid going out with no essential purpose (meetings, restaurants, movies…)

We, board and direction, are currently in contact with French Embassy, the AEFE, and we will regularly communicate new information. Information is also posted on our website http://www.lfikyoto.org. A new section “Enseignement à distance”(online education) has been created on the homepage.

We are aware of the difficulties created by this situation but please rest assured that LFIK teams will make every effort to maintain educational continuity for your children.

Best regards

Emmanuel RESBEUT

Next communiqué: Friday, March 6th 

Friday 28 february

School-closure for students – communiqué #1

Information for parents,

The Japanese Prime Minister made the announcement that all schools will be closed from Monday March 2 in an attempt to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. Lycée français international de Kyoto will also be closed from Monday March 9 until Sunday March 15 and all activities after school including garderie will be cancelled.

We ask for your understanding and cooperation.

Informations