Wellbeing

Counseling

As a community we care a great deal about our students and their well-being. While all faculty members play an active role in helping students, our elementary, middle school, and high school counselors provide additional support through individual and group counseling services, and other forms of outreach and connections to the school community.

Students at YIS engage in reflective practices and learning activities that encourage them to identify strengths and abilities, pursue their interests, and develop resiliency. Counselors encourage the personal, social, and academic growth of our students through social-emotional learning, wellness programs, and academic advising delivered in classroom and tutor group sessions, seminars, retreats, and individual and family meetings. Our goal is to have our students cultivate the interpersonal skills that will enable meaningful participation in a global society as responsible citizens.

We welcome new students and families into our community through orientation sessions and ongoing individual and family meetings. Our counselors are experienced, supportive, and committed to making the student experience at YIS a positive one.

Preparation for life beyond YIS plays a central role in our university and career counseling programs. Students are well-prepared to make thoughtful choices about their post-secondary paths, considering a wide array of opportunities and seeking their best fit outcomes. Over ninety percent of students matriculate directly to university, while a smaller group of students pursue gap year experiences.

Adam Clark
Counseling Team Leader/Middle School Counselor

Eliza Kumamoto
Elementary School Counselor

Middle aged white male with beard in black shirt facing camera standing

Anthony Mastreani
High School Social-Emotional and College Counselor

Middle aged white female wearing paisley black and white blouse facing camera

Monna McDiarmid
High School Social-Emotional and College Counselor

Health Office

The YIS Health Office, located on the first floor of the South Building near the playground equipment on The Street, serves as the school infirmary and health information resource center for the YIS community.

Should you have any health-related questions, feel free to contact our school nurse, Michiko Bowering, by phone at 045-621-4027 or by email to nurse@yis.ac.jp. The office is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on school days.

When should my sick child stay home from school?
Mask-wearing Policy

When should my sick child stay home from school?

While going to school regularly is very important, a sick child in the classroom probably will not be fit to learn and may spread a contagious disease to her/his classmates. It is in your child’s and their classmates’ best interest to keep them home from school when they are not feeling well.

You should not send your child to school if she/he has:

a temperature reading of above 37.5C in the past 24 hours (Child should not return to school until they have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours.)
been confirmed with influenza/COVID-19. It is essential that Mrs. Bowering be informed about the positive test at the earliest opportunity. A child needs to stay away from school 5 days after the start of symptoms and should be fever free for 24 hours without using medication. The onset of symptoms (such as having high fever) is considered to be day 0, so in total students should stay away from school for 6 days.
cold-like symptoms (chills, sore throat, fever, running nose, bad cough, etc)
vomiting in the past 24 hours
diarrhea in the past 24 hours
Strep Throat (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
a rash where the cause is unknown
suspected conjunctivitis (Pink eye)

If your child has been diagnosed with COVID-19, Flu A or B, or any other contagious disease, inform the school nurse and follow the school's guidelines on when it is safe for your child to return to school.

If you have any questions about whether or not your child should stay home from school, please call your doctor or the Health Office.

Mask-wearing Policy

In keeping with the new national government guidelines on wearing masks at schools, beginning Monday, March 13, our mask-wearing policy will be as follows:

Masks are optional indoors and outdoors on the YIS campus for all YIS community members (students, staff, parents) and visitors;
All community members are advised to have a mask available and are requested to wear a mask in the following situations:
- They have mild cold symptoms (but no fever)
- For at least 5 days after recovering from COVID-19, the flu or a bad cold
- For at least 5 days if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or the flu
- If asked by an individual with serious health concerns when meeting in a small enclosed space.
With the relaxation of mask requirements, it is more important than ever that people stay home if they are sick.

Medicine Administration During School

The Medical Authorization form can be found on the School Forms page.

General Health Information & Resources

The Medical Directory contains a list of hospitals, clinics and other medical resources that may be useful for parents.

Immunizations

Guidance from the Health Office regarding recommended immunizations.