Dear Zama/Atsugi Complex Families,
We hope that this FAQ page will answer some of the questions you may have about the sixth grade transition. If your questions are unanswered, please submit them by using the link at the bottom of the page.
Do I have to register my child at Zama Middle High School?
Yes, during re-registration parents would select Zama Middle High School as their school.
What time does school start and what time does my child have to catch the bus?
ZMHS school day is from 0730-1430 (regular days, M, W, Th, F) and 0730-1330 (early release days, T).
SHA : Buses depart from SHA and surrounding areas near CZ at:
Bus #11 – 06:43, Bus #12 – 06:44, Bus #13 – 06:44, Bus #14 – 06:44 (Stops at Odakyu Sagamihara & Sobudai-Mae Stations with a departure @ 06:55 from Sobudai-Mae station if needed)
NAFA: Buses depart NAFA at: Bus #16 – 06:35, Bus #18 – 06:35, Bus #19 – 06:35, Bus #21 – 06:35, Bus #22 – 06:40.
How can I get more information about the school/s?
Parents are always welcome to email, Facebook or call the school. However both USAG Zama and NAFA have School Liaison Officers (SLO) that help new and current families with information.
POCs
NAFA:
Hannah McCarthy
School Liaison Officer
Building 294
Child and Youth Programs (CYP)
NAF Atsugi, Japan
DSN: 315-264-4732
CIV: 046-763-4732
hannah.mccarthy@fe.navy.mil
USAG Zama:
Lucinda F. Ward
Relocation Readiness Program Manager/ Volunteer Coordination Manager Army Community Service
U.S. Army Garrison Japan
DSN: 263-8091
COMM: 046-407-8091
lucinda.f.ward.civ@mail.mil
Will my child have to ride the bus?
Yes, all students who ride the bus (SHA and NAFA will have to register with the transportation office to register their child).
POC Mr. Chris Smith Zama/Atsugi Transportation office 263.4151 located at ZMHS Building 919 Room 508.
Will 6th and 7th graders ride the bus with high school students? Are there monitors in the buses?
Yes, currently all grade levels ride the bus together. Middle and High School busses are not authorized as a bus monitor. However, all buses are equipped with cameras.
Where are the bus stops on NAFA?
We do not believe the current bus pick up zones on NAFA will change.
Is there an activity bus available for my middle school student to utilize?
Buses depart the school at 14:30 or 13:30 respectively, staff members are always on bus duty in the morning and the afternoon to ensure the safety of our students and help our students get to their correct bus safely.
ZMHS operates 2 different sets of activity buses for our students use, both require reservation with/through a teacher or club sponsor/coach. One: 16:30 NAFA bus this bus leaves promptly at 16:30 for NAFA. Two: SHA & NAFA 17:30 Activity bus which brings most of our athletes back to their respective home bases.
Will my child interact with high schoolers?
In most cases no, although some teachers may teach MS classes MS students are not usually in the same class together as HS students.
Will my child eat lunch with high schoolers?
It is our intention to have a dedicated MS lunch and HS lunch. If COVID requires us to maintain 3 lunches we may have to move 8th grade in with a second lunch, so 6th and 7th will be separate from other grade levels.
What sports/extracurriculars will be available for my MS student?
DoDEA does not support Middle School Athletics, the exceptions being Cross County and Wrestling along with other limiting criteria. Traditionally MWR's account for middle school athletics. In our planning with MWR on CZ and NAFA, both bodies are ready to support our middle school populations with regard to sports. We do intend to open and invite our MS student into our current after school clubs as well as stand up new clubs that are of interest to our middle school students, more information will be provided at a later date with regard to our after school programs.
Side Note: the Teen Center here on Camp Zama makes no distinction with reward to home base location/s. Students assigned to NAFA are welcome to attend the CZ Teen Center located right up the street from the school. The POC for the CZ Teen Center is Hannah Maza, DSN 263-4500.
Will there be an orientation for my middle school student?
Plan A (HPCON B) A new student orientation will be held (TBA/D) some time before the 1st day of school where the Student Ambassadors will take new students on a tour of the school and show them location of and teach new students how to open a combination lock. Sneak Peak, scheduled time on Friday afternoon before school starts on Monday where students are parents are allowed on campus to find their respective home rooms, etc.
Plan B (HPCON C) A virtual orientation will be arranged, filmed and distributed via Facebook.
If we are in HPCON C how will my child receive books, computers, etc.?
Parents can expect a plan much like last summer, we will forward a detailed plan that communicates the specifics of who, when, and what will be issued to students before school starts.
What happens if NAFA is in HPCON B and USAG Zama is in HPCON C or vice versa?
In the event of CZ being in HPCON C and NAFA being in HPCON B, school will operate remotely, if the situation is reversed the NAFA Commander will determine if NAFA students will be allowed to to travel to CZ for school.
What will my child's normal day look like?
Zama Middle/High School operates on a block schedule which consists of four 90 minutes classes on A days and three 90 minutes classes on B day with the last period being seminar which is used to meet with teacher/s for extra help or to complete missed assignments. Passing times between classes are 5 minutes, transition time is limited and students must move expeditiously to ensure they are not late for their next class.
In the case of MS students, we have deliberately planned to have MS teachers in close proximity to one another, the only exception potentially being elective teachers.
Lunches regardless of number of lunch period are between 40-45 minutes each.
We encourage all parents to read our parent/student handbook.
Where can I find the list of core classes and electives available to 6th grade? So, there are 7 periods over the A/B day, plus the seminar period for 8. How many of those periods are core classes/how many are electives?
We have not yet determined the makeup of our school day with reward to the a traditional block schedule or hybrid of some sort. More information will be forthcoming with regard to our teaching/learning schedule. Traditionally, 6-8th grade take wheel classes that are designed to expose students to different subjects. For example, Art, Computer Aps, Band/Choir/Strings, AVID, are all classes that are usually offered to MS Students.
Who will my child’s teacher be?
At this point, 6th grade teachers have not yet been hired and last year's 6th grade teachers have elected not to join the middle school team.
Will other MS/HS teachers teach 6th grade?
It is our intention to the best of our ability to create and maintain a pure middle school team, which means middle school students will only have core classes with other middle school teachers. Elective classes based on student enrollment may see specific teachers teaching both HS and MS classes, at no time will MS and HS students be in the same elective class.
Will my child be issued a locker?
Plan A (HPCON A) If the situation warrants it we will return to “normal” school operations which allows students to be issued a locker.
Plan B (HPCON B) CZ Public Health has determined that issuing lockers is not in the best interest of keeping our community safe.
I have authorized student to use rolling back packs should they need one, under normal circumstances rolling back packs are not authorized for student use.
What if we are in HPCON C when school starts?
We will operate much like we did to open the 20-21 school year. Which included various communications regarding technology and materials pickups,