Registration Form (Adult Students) 2023-2024

Thank you for registering at the Steveston Japanese Language School. Please read the following IMPORTANT information on our general policies.

1. Payment
Payment is required in full by credit card at time of registration. Consideration for payment by instalments with post-dated cheques are at the discretion of the Steveston Japanese Language School. If you wish to be considered for payment by instalments, contact the school by email at [email protected]. If paying by instalments, please see the following note regarding NSF cheques.

Note: NSF Cheques
In the event of an NSF cheque, a fee including a $45 NSF charge, the amount of the NSF cheque, plus any outstanding tuition must be paid immediately by e-transfer upon notification from the school. Until such outstanding amount is paid in full by e-transfer, attendance to school may be suspended or may result in termination.

2. Refund Procedure
If a student wishes to withdraw from a term, a withdrawal form must be given to the school prior to the beginning of the third lesson in the term to receive a pro-rated tuition refund. No refunds will be issued if the withdrawal form is given after the beginning of the third lesson in the term.

A $30.00 administrative fee is charged per each withdrawing student. Withdrawal forms are available upon request at the school office or by emailing [email protected].

Once the withdrawal form is submitted, we will do our best to process refunds as quickly as possible, however they may take up to 14 business days to be processed and another 4-14 days to be posted to your credit card account.

Note: If you decide to withdraw, please submit your form before June 18 or after September 5. Withdrawal forms that are submitted between June 18 and September 5 inclusive will NOT be processed until the school term begins in September.

3. Membership
Individuals enrolled in adult classes are granted automatic membership. Members have a say in the running of the school through their vote at the Annual General Meeting or through an extraordinary general meeting if convened. Where membership is registered in the name of two or more persons, only one of the members may vote.

4. Volunteering
The Steveston Japanese Language School is a non-profit charitable society run by parents, guardians, and members who volunteer to be on the Board of Directors. To keep the tuition fees reasonable, to operate the school soundly and to build community, volunteering is essential. We may be asking every member to commit to volunteering at least once this year as needed and more is always appreciated. The school is an active part of the Steveston community, and as such we participate in many of the local events, including the Canada Day Steveston Salmon Festival, Doors Open and the Cherry Blossom Festival. As a historically important, dedicated and prominent organization in our community, we need members to volunteer for these and other events. Your volunteerism benefits our school and our students.

5. Code of Conduct
The school has a Code of Conduct by which all students, teachers and parents must abide. If a student does not follow the Code of Conduct, they may be suspended or expelled from the school.

6. Parking
Please refrain from parking at and driving into the parking lot in front of the school building. It is a parking lot reserved for the seniors. Please use the general parking lot for the community centre facing Moncton Street.

7. Privacy Act
The personal information in the registration form will assist the school authority in making an informed decision as to your suitability, appropriate placement and safety in the school. Steveston Japanese Language School does not share personal information with any other organizations, contractors and services for purposes other than those stated above. In addition, teachers, staff and the Board are required to respect and protect the confidentiality of all student information.

8. Photographs
Steveston Japanese Language School on occasion will use photos and work samples of students in the media, on our website and promotional materials. In principle, the school will not use names of our students on such venues. If names are to be shown, the school will obtain approval from you in advance.

9. School Closures
Unplanned closures of the school may occur on days when weather, facility or other conditions make in-person attendance hazardous for staff and students. In these circumstances, you will be notified of the in-person class closure as soon as possible by email. Please note there will be no refund or makeup classes.

The Steveston Japanese Language School (SJLS) is obligated to provide a safe, positive and productive learning environment for all of our students, staff and members of our school community.

To this end, the code of conduct applies to everyone in our school and at school functions.

As we learn and work together, we will:

1. Be respectful of teachers, students and other members of our school community.
2. Behave in a safe, considerate and courteous manner.
3. Respect the diversity of the school community.
4. Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of (for example), race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.
5. Not threaten, harass, intimidate or assault, in any way, any person within our school community, through physical violence, offensive language, verbal abuse, print or electronic media.
6. Not be in possession of weapons, dangerous articles, alcohol or illegal drugs while in school or work.
7. Show respect and pride in the Steveston Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre building and school equipment through care and appropriate use of school property.
8. Respect the non-smoking environment of our school.

Any violation of the code of conduct will warrant intervention and/or disciplinary action.

Expectation of Students:

As described in the Code of Conduct, students are expected to behave in a respectful and non-disruptive behavior towards teachers and staff, other students, parents and guests of our school community. Name calling, swearing, hitting, pushing, and offensive facial expressions are not tolerated.

Should the behaviours of individual students make it difficult or impossible for teachers to provide a safe and/or productive learning environment, the following steps will be taken:

1. The adult student, or if a child, the student’s parents/guardians, will be provided with a first written notice of violation of the Code of Conduct.
2. If the issues are not resolved following the first notice, the adult student or parents/guardians will receive a second written notification. For children, a meeting with teachers and the principal will be held to create a plan to improve the student’s behaviour involving the active participation of the student’s parents/guardians.
3. All reasonable efforts will be made by the school to work together with the adult student or parents/guardians to resolve the issues. However, if the student’s behaviour does not improve after these steps, the school will ask the student(s) in question to withdraw from the program. As such, SJLS reserves the right to withdraw students who repeatedly violate the school’s Code of Conduct.

Expectation of Volunteers and Board of Directors:

While it is not possible to list all forms of behaviour that are considered acceptable or unacceptable, the following is a partial list of the types of behaviour or conduct that are expected:

• Treating others with respect, dignity and impartiality;
• Avoid practices which force or infer exclusion;
• Behaving in an honest, trustworthy and ethical manner;
• Maintaining appropriate office etiquette (this includes timeliness and adequate preparation for meetings), if applicable

Note that prior to the submission of your registration, you will confirm that you have read and agree to these policies and Code of Conduct as described herein.

By executing this form, whether online or by signature, the Participant agrees that while attending or participating in the events of the Steveston Japanese Language School (SJLS) or attending at the SJLS facilities, the Participant:

1. Will follow the laws, recommended guidelines, and protocols issued by the Government of BC in respect of COVID-19, and will do so to the best of the Participant’s ability;
2. Will follow the guidelines and protocols mandated by the SJLS in respect of COVID-19;
3. Will complete a health check* before participating in SJLS activities and/or entering SJLS facilities;
4. Will, in the event that the Participant experiences any of the known symptoms of COVID-19, immediately:
   • Inform a representative of the SJLS, and
   • Depart from the event or facility;
5. Will sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting the facility with soap or sanitizer;
6. Will sanitize any school equipment used with approved cleaning products provided by the SJLS;
7. Will continue to follow physical distancing protocols;
8. Understands that if they do not abide by the aforementioned guidelines and protocols, they may be asked to leave the event or class;
9. Understands that continued abuse of the guidelines and/or protocols may result in suspension or expulsion of the Participant from the registered class; and
10. Acknowledges that there are risks associated with entering the SJLS facilities and/or participating in the SJLS activities, and that the measures taken by the SJLS and participants will not entirely eliminate those risks.

*A health check means checking for new symptoms of illness, including symptoms of COVID-19. If you are unsure about your symptoms, you can use this self-assessment tool, contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1.