Dear LFI Tokyo families, 

Writing to you at the end of each period has become a tradition… A way for us to keep you informed of the topics and activities that are keeping the parent association busy.

The 3rd period came to an end with a final week full of meetings involving the elected parents representatives: Junior High and High School Student Council, Primary School Council, Junior High and High School Council and the overall School Council. 

We are actively working on drafting trilingual summaries that will be published on our website and distributed to all FLT members. 

The main topics discussed were next year’s school calendar (attached is the current provisional version which still requires validation by the AEFE), as well as changes to the language curriculum (proposal attached) which aims to ensure continuity between the primary and secondary school.

The proposed language reform has two components:

• A simplification in primary school with 9 hours for the international sections and 4.5 hours for all PARLE sections from moyenne section to CM2 
• The opening of the Japanese International Section (SIJ) in 6e, as well as a Japanese-English dual language section; a reinforced English program starting in 6e; and the option of choosing Japanese as a second language in 5e (in addition to German and Spanish currently); the curriculum remains unchanged from 4e to Terminale. 

This proposal was not validated by the School Council as it stands, as the parent and teacher representatives lacked the proper information to make a decision. The reading of the minutes of the school councils will allow the more curious among you to know the arguments brought forward by the various parties. 

Since the beginning of January, we have pursued our activities with:

• The Lycée café on January 25, which was an opportunity to exchange in particular on the teaching of modern languages in high school
• The textbook and school supplies survey for families with children from CM2 to 1ere, launched on January 31 and inviting relevant families to respond by February 28 to allow us to propose a solution to simplify the purchase of supplies and textbooks required by the lycée
• 2 meetings of the Canteen commission during which we insisted in particular on the fact that the children and teenagers can have additional servings of the main course even if they have not finished the starter or the soup. A visit of the canteen was proposed to members on February 3. The “galette des rois” was also a big topic… and was finally served on February 16th without frangipane (strict “no nuts” policy of the provider to avoid allergic reactions) after the oven was repaired. Thank you for your feedback on the canteen HERE
• The Eco Team FLT workshop on January 28th for the children on the theme of plastic
• Benedicte’s reading workshop on February 5th on the theme of Candlemas
• A video conference on February 16 between the FLT association board and the embassy, with the ambassador Mr. Setton, his collaborators in charge of LFI Tokyo, Mrs. Penilla and Mr. Quilleré and the cultural advisor, Mr. Brosseau, to share the concerns of the families

After the break, there are several important deadlines: 

• Re-registration before March 13 noon (e-mail from the school)
• The Board of Trustees meeting on March 16 and the Board of Directors meeting on March 20, on a rather late schedule this year (usually in February), where among other things the tuition fees for 2023-24 will be voted on

In this regard, we have expressed the families’ concern about the possibility of an increase in tuition, as well as the request to decide on re-enrollment before knowing the new fees. It is good to note that the non-refundable re-enrollment fee will only be invoiced in April, therefore it will still be possible to cancel re-enrollment before making a financial commitment. Having an accurate estimate of the re-enrollment rate ahead of the Board of Directors will allow for a better adjustment of the school fees. As always, the parent representatives on the Board of Directors will ensure that any tuition increases this year are contained and justified, as well as request that proper measures are taken to control expenses.

As the end of the second term approaches, the junior-high and high school class councils will take place from March 13 to 23. We thank all parent delegates for their commitment and for sharing with us feedback about their class or broader school. 

We wish good luck to the Terminale students who will be working on the first BAC 2023 exams from the end of March.

Also please note in your diaries:

• On Saturday March 11, a giant climate fresco workshop will be held by Eco Team FLT and the ecology club. It is open to parents, LFI Tokyo staff and high school students (Seconde, Première and Terminale)
• On Saturday March 18, Eco Team FLT will hold a workshop on deforestation for 6-9 year old children
• A coffee meet for families of children with special educational needs (EBEP) will be co-organized by the Lycée and the FLT Inclusive School group in March or April (invitation to be sent by email to the families who have expressed interest)
• On April 5, a Lycée Café at the Omotesando Starbucks (register here) will take place
• New Easter-themed reading workshop to happen early April
• On Saturday April 15, co-organized yard sale by AFJ (French resident association) and FLT at the school (stay tuned and watch for our registration/stand communications)
• On Sunday May 14, a zero waste picnic is being organized by the Eco Team FLT in collaboration with the ecology club 
• Finally, the long-awaited year-end school party will return,May 27 (  June 3rd in case of rain): this will be an opportunity for all elementary and secondary school students, as well as their parents to share a convivial moment.

The FLT board and elected representatives to the school councils are at your disposal, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or suggestions. We answer to all parents, FLT members or not. 

However, there is still time to become a member, for a modest fee of ¥1000 per family per school year. The funds allow us to maintain our website, cover our dues to the FAPEE and OLES, finance our activities or  make donations to the School’s solidarity fund to support families in need so all students can participate in trips and school outings.

Thank you to those who have read this message in its entirety!

Happy school break to the children and families lucky enough to benefit from a few days away from the city!

Sincerely yours,

The FLT Team