Daily Life Lessons · School
Learn what the main school events involving parents mean (open classes, parents' meetings, individual meetings, home visits, sports day, etc.), check notices from the school, and be able to tell the school yourself whether you will attend or be absent.
Japanese schools hold events throughout the year in which parents and guardians take part or help. Examples include entrance and graduation ceremonies, open classes (授業参観: days when parents watch lessons), parents' meetings and class meetings (保護者会・学級懇談会), individual meetings (個人面談: one-on-one talks with the teacher), home visits (家庭訪問: the teacher comes to your home to talk), sports day (運動会), excursions (遠足) and school trips (修学旅行). The types and timing of events differ by school.
Schedules and things to bring are announced through printed notices called otayori (お便り), the communication notebook (連絡帳), and school apps or email. Check your child's bag every day for notices. Some of them require a reply or something to be submitted.
If you cannot attend an event, or if your child will be absent from school, contact the school in advance using the method the school has set. If you are worried about your Japanese, or if physical circumstances make it hard for you to attend, talk to your child's homeroom teacher (担任). Some schools and municipalities offer interpretation or translation support.
日本の 学校には、保護者（ほごしゃ）が 行く 行事（ぎょうじ）が あります。
- 入学式（にゅうがくしき）・卒業式（そつぎょうしき） - 授業参観（じゅぎょうさんかん）：授業を 見に 行きます。 - 保護者会（ほごしゃかい）：先生と 保護者が 話します。 - 個人面談（こじんめんだん）：先生と 1対1で 話します。 - 家庭訪問（かていほうもん）：先生が 家に 来ます。 - 運動会（うんどうかい）など
学校の お知らせは、「お便り（おたより）」の 紙や、連絡帳（れんらくちょう）、アプリ などで 来ます。 毎日、子どもの かばんを 見ましょう。
行けない ときや、子どもが 休む ときは、学校に 連絡（れんらく）します。 わからない ときは、担任（たんにん）の 先生に 聞きましょう。
What is jugyo sankan (授業参観)?
Jugyo sankan is a day when parents watch lessons in the classroom.
What is katei homon (家庭訪問)?
Katei homon is when the homeroom teacher comes to your home to talk about how your child is doing and similar topics. Whether it is held differs by school.
How do notices from the school mainly arrive?
Notices often come as otayori or through the communication notebook, so check your child's bag every day.
What should you do when your child will be absent from school?
Contact the school using the method it has set, such as phone, the communication notebook or an app.
What should you do if you cannot attend an event or are worried about your Japanese?
If you explain your situation, the school may be able to help, for example by holding a meeting on another day. Some schools and municipalities offer support such as interpreters.
Q. Do I need to take time off work for school events?
A. You don't always have to attend. If you cannot attend, let the school know in advance. For things like individual meetings, you may be able to say which dates and times suit you.
Q. I can't read the Japanese in the school notices.
A. Tell the homeroom teacher that you can't read them and ask for help. They may explain in easy Japanese (やさしい日本語) or through translation. You can also take a photo and read it with a translation app on your smartphone.
Q. Can I take photos at sports day or open classes?
A. Rules on taking photos differ by school. Other children may appear in your photos, so check the school's rules in the notices and be careful about posting on social media.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original