2023 Summer Program @ Hokkaido International School 

Welcome to Our Summer Program! 

Hokkaido International School is pleased to announce the return of the Summer Program at HIS beginning in June 2023. This summer, we have an exciting menu of learning activities which are based upon the framework of place-based education. Our summer program is sure to engage and educate your child in a fun, supportive environment. 

Place-based education (PBE) immerses students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences, using these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects across the curriculum. Each week, students will cap off their learning with an outdoor learning excursion connected to their theme. 

In our school song, we reference HIS as the star of the northern sky in Hokkaido. Connecting with that, our guiding theme for this year’s summer program is: 

Explore Hokkaido’s Northern Beauty. 

Let’s take a look at each week’s theme and dates…

 

Weekly Themes

Week 1 - Monday June 19th ~ Thursday June 22nd, 2023 
Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s History 

Known for its rich agriculture and plentiful aquatic resources, Hokkaido has a rich and interesting history as Japan’s star in the Northern Sky. From the times of the early indigenous Ainu people to Hokkaido being recognized as an official prefecture in Japan in 1947 to hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 1972, Hokkaido has seen many changes over the decades. Students will explore different milestones in Hokkaido’s history and will leave this week knowing that they are living in a truly unique location! 

Week 2 - Monday June 26th ~ Thursday June 29th, 2023
Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s Landforms 

Hokkaido is home to magnificent mountains, extensive wetlands, forests, and boasts some of the best farmland in all of Japan. The land and soil of Hokkaido produces a variety of agricultural, dairy, and livestock products. In addition, Hokkaido contains volcanic zones, which contain active and dormant volcanoes, and those contribute to the rich onsen culture on the island. Students will explore the different landforms and terrain that make our northern island such an intriguing location in terms of its geography.   

Week 3 - Monday July 3rd ~ Thursday July 6th, 2023
Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s Waterways 

Surrounded in all four directions by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk, Hokkaido has a special relationship with aquatic environments. Within the island there are beautiful lakes, marshes, and rivers that allow access to a bounty of resources for Hokkaido’s inhabitants. This week, students will discover more about how these waterways are used in Hokkaido and how they add to the wonder and beauty of the island. 

Week 4 - Monday July 10th ~ Thursday July 13th, 2023
Theme Focus: Explore Hokkaido’s Wildlife 

From impressive and imposing brown bears to giant sea eagles to small flying squirrels to sea otters, Hokkaido boasts a wide range of wildlife which inhabit the terrestrial and aquatic environments on the island. This week, students will explore how these different species interact with their environment and how we can ensure the survival of these creatures for future generations. This is sure to be a fun, exciting week to cap off this year’s place based education of Hokkaido’s splendor! 

 

Sample Timetable

 
Admissions Information 

Class Groupings

Lower Elementary Group 

*Weeks 3 & 4 are now full for lower elementary. 
Ages 6-8
Student was enrolled in KG-Grade 2 (Year 1 - 3) during the 2022/23 academic year.

Upper Elementary Group
*Weeks 3 & 4 are now full for upper elementary. 
Ages 9-11
Student was enrolled in Grade 3-Grade 5 (Year 4 - 6) during the 2022/23 academic year. 

Middle School Group

Ages 12-14 
Student was enrolled in Grade 6-Grade 8 (Year 7 -9)  during the 2022/23 academic year. 

 

Fee Structure

 *Payment can be made via bank transfer, details will be provided upon successful admission to the program. 

 

Miscellaneous Information

Please plan ahead to ensure that your child has suitable transportation to arrive between 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. and to be picked up at 3:00 p.m. dismissal time. There is no additional supervision for attendees beyond 3:00 p.m. Depending on the level of interest, there is the possibility of running the regular school bus route for pickup/drop-off at an additional charge to families. Please indicate your interest in that option on the registration form. 

Families will be responsible for ensuring that their child has a reusable water bottle, a nutritious snack for the morning, and a packed lunch. There will be no catering/cafeteria service provided during the summer program. As part of the off-campus outdoor learning days, there may be lunch included in the day’s plan, and this will be communicated by the group’s lead teacher well in advance. Students will not be permitted to leave campus at lunch to visit a convenience store or other food venue. 

 

Registration Form 

Please begin the registration process for the 2023 Summer Program at Hokkaido International School through the following links listed below: 

Current HIS Families:

Click here to apply 

External Families:

Click here to apply

 

Contact Information

For all inquiries related to the 2023 Summer Program, please contact:

Mr. Justin Rankin
Summer Program Principal 
summer_school@his.ac.jp
 (81) 11-816-5000