Based on notes taken by parent representatives

Attendees

Parent Representatives: Mrs. Després, Mr. Dumerc, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Mahjoubi

School Leadership Staff: Mrs. Campels, Mr. Ragouvin, Mr. Teissonnière, Mr. Jublot, Mr. Dahmane, Mr. Bonnet (Languages Attaché)

Student Representatives: Miss Kiku Grossas, Mr. Haroun Ben Youssef

Councillors for French Citizens Abroad: Mr. Consigny, Mr. Roussel, Mr. Seguela

Summary of Key Agenda Items

Approval of the Minutes from the November 19, 2025 School Council

Mr. Roussel requests two amendments, which are approved.

School Calendar

The calendar had already been voted on in the various councils prior to the School Council meeting:

• Teachers’ Council (January 14, 2026): No alternative calendar proposed, no requested changes, unanimously approved.
• Primary School Council (January 22, 2026): No alternative calendar proposed, approved unanimously with 2 votes against.
• Secondary School Council (January 22, 2026): No alternative calendar proposed, no requested changes, unanimously approved.
• Secondary School Quality of Life Representative Council (January 23, 2026): No alternative proposal; a possible request to extend the Christmas holidays by one or two days (without proposing replacement school days); approved unanimously with one abstention.

The calendar is not ideal, particularly during “Silver Week,” but keeping all public holidays during that period would require shortening other holiday breaks.
The calendar was adopted unanimously.

Preparation for the New School Year

For the 2026 school year, LFIT expects 33 primary classes (including 8 kindergarten classes) and 34 secondary classes (one more class than currently)

Curriculum Changes

Combination of Optional classes

Special attention will be given to the accumulation of elective options. The high school may limit the number of options for some students, considering timetable conflicts and the overall workload on students. Students and families will, of course, be informed prior to entry into Première.

Latin in 5ème

Latin will now be offered as an optional subject starting in 5ème (rather than being compulsory as it was previously), in accordance with official regulations. The French department will actively promote the option at the end of 6ème to encourage voluntary enrolment. There will be no impact on teaching positions.

Opening of Specialty or Optional classes

Given current budgetary constraints, particular attention will be paid to enrolment numbers in options and specialty subjects. A case-by-case review will be conducted and if the number of enrolled students is considered insufficient, the specialty class, language class, or optional course may not open for the 2026 school year.

These last two proposals are put to the vote (Latin as an option: 11 in favor, 1 against; Opening groups subject to sufficient enrollment: 7 in favor, 2 against, 3 abstentions)

Miscellaneous questions:

1. Questions from Mr. Roussel (Councillor for French Citizens Abroad)

• Organization of the 2026 school year: What priority is given to maintaining continuity within the teaching team?

Response: Usual staffing changes (replacement of departing staff and recruitment of new staff). Ongoing, as further information is provided by personnel.

• School Psychologist: Update on recruitment and organization within the school (non-financial aspects).

Response: Several strong applications reviewed. An offer was made to one professional, but availability would only begin in September.
Follow-up: Her conditions could not be accepted. A proposal will be made to a second shortlisted candidate.

• Smartphone Break: Could a pilot project be tested in a limited number of classes?

Response: Reviewed by CESCE. A late request from 5ème homeroom teachers to experiment with a smartphone break was approved. It will be implemented at that grade level. Communication and purchase of required pouches are underway thanks to a generous donor.

• Tree Preservation: Could the school reflect on its contribution to tree preservation?

Response: Planting is scheduled along the primary playground fence (CP/CE1). Ongoing reflection on sowing melliferous flowers on the green roof (for the beehive). Regular plantings at the Annex and in kindergarten classes. The school does not own the land; space is limited and additional tree planting would involve costs (gardener, pruning services, etc.).

2. Questions from Mr. Séguéla (Councillor for French Citizens Abroad)

• Applicability of the French Education Code abroad: Does Article L.111-1-1 (display of the 1789 Declaration of Human Rights) apply? Could the Charter of Secularism also be displayed?

Response: Article L.111-1-1 does not directly apply as a legal obligation to AEFE-affiliated schools abroad, which operate under local law.
However, displaying the 1789 Declaration is consistent with the fundamental principles of French education and the network’s mission. If not already displayed, it will be posted.
The Charter of Secularism is already displayed; the Declaration may be displayed alongside it.
A Japanese translation could become a pedagogical project led by a teacher.

• Student Rights & Duties Booklet: Following the discontinuation of the student handbook, could a printed booklet on rights and responsibilities be distributed?

Response: The lycée is not competent to produce such a document. Prevention efforts are coordinated by CESCE with professional interventions.
A parent representative notes that the former handbook provided an opportunity for parents to review rules with their children.

• Training on Japanese Law: do newly recruited staff receive training or information on japanese law (regarding bullying, tobacco and drugs, importation of medicine or meat and fresh produce, highway code, other risky behaviour, etc) ? Could such training be extended to volunteer staff who haven’t received it in the past ?

Response: No such request has been made through the continuing education system. Moreover, as formulated, this type of training does not fall within the school’s scope of responsibility.

• Communication of Internal Regulations as previously requested:

Response: Document has been communicated.

• Annual Information Meeting on Students’ Rights and Duties in Japan: This was previously approved in principle (including potential joint intervention with the Consulate). Would it be possible to know the date and format of this meeting ?

Response: This meeting has been incorporated into a broader citizenship and addiction-prevention education project within the annual CESCE action plan. Scheduling depends on the availability of external speakers. Work ongoing.

3. Questions from Parent Representatives (Submitted Late)

• Class Photos: Could next year’s class photos be outsourced and billed via tuition fees to ensure high-resolution digital copies?

Post-meeting Response: The objective was to provide additional services (individual photos, printed orders, early delivery) while reducing staff workload.
Charging via tuition fees would be difficult to validate as costs.
A review with the provider concluded that next year higher-resolution digital photos will be offered. Overall, the operation was successful.

• Post-Baccalaureate Orientation in Japan: Which organization should students contact for scholarships when pursuing higher education in Japan?

Post-meeting Response: Students should contact Japanese higher education institutions directly, which should provide information regarding scholarship procedures during the admissions process.