2012 Travel Group
Passport and Alaska Airline Information

​Please complete the following form.  Also, when you have your passport please take it in to Colleen Castle to make a photo copy of it. 

Your Passport MUST be complete by January 15 or you will NOT be eligible to travel.

ALL Passports must be valid 6 months after date of return. Example, you return on June 15 your passport must be valid until December 15.

Expectations of Those Who Are
​Part of the Exchange Group

  • To participate in all fundraising events.
  • To participate in Japanese school.
  • Attendance is mandatory to learn what you need to know to succeed in Japan
  • Write and learn Introduction speech in Japanese
  • To participate in all activities that the scheduled during the time the Kanayama students are in Ketchikan.
  • House a student from Kanayama
  • Take the student with you to church, other meetings, the store, music lessons, dance lessons, games, practice, etc.  where ever you would go, take your student with you.
  • Show them the town, take shopping, hiking, etc.
  • Communicate with them however you can – draw pictures, charades, dictionary, trial and error.
  • To communicate with chaperone's and leaders.
  • Chaperone's are the primary contact.
  • Parents become part of a committee.
  • Students – if you will be absent from any activity or need to leave early, pre-arrange with the chaperones prior to the date of the event.
What is expected of me?
  • I will be on time.
  • I will be an active participant.
  • I will write a self-introduction speech and learn it in Japanese.
  • I will learn and join the group performance (songs/dances/skits).
  • I will use polite language and refrain from using inappropriate language.
  • I will be respectful of others, honest and responsible.
  • I will interact with other students and adults and show that I am a team member.
  • I will not put down Japanese food, culture or language, or other’s efforts to speak Japanese & English.
  • I will sit straight in class and at meals.
  • I will not wear jewelry, make-up or nail polish in Kanayama.
  • I will leave my laptop at home and not take them with me on the trip.
  • I will wear socks and will remove my outdoor shoes at homes and schools.
  • I will wear appropriate indoor shoes for school and in homes.
  • I will not eat candy, snacks, or chew gum on school grounds in Japan.
  • I will not groom myself in public.
  • I will follow ALL rules and directions given by teachers, chaperones and adults. 
  • I will not leave the group without a buddy and without permission from a chaperone.
  • I want to learn and have fun!
  • I will conduct myself honorably to avoid embarrassing my housing family, my group, and myself.
  • I will refrain from putting down or teasing others.
  • I will participate in all activities scheduled during the time the group from Kanayama is in Ketchikan.
Participation is VERY important. 

  Chaperones WILL keep record of student participation in Japanese School and Fundraising activities.
COMMITTEES . . .
Every Chaperone and Parent needs to be a part of a committee to make this trip a success.  The chaperones are not the head of the committee they are part of committees to keep connection with the parents and the student group.

Committees can meet on Sundays when the students meet or at another time of their choice. 

Committees do not need to meet every week. Each committee can decide what is the best for it to meet.

The chaperones do not have to be at all committee meetings, but need to be kept in the loop as to what is taking place. ​

I’m a part of the Student Exchange . . . Now what?

Welcome to the
Ketchikan – Gero & Kanayama Exchange Program
You are now part of a Student Exchange that has been going since 1987and we are glad that you are a part of our exchange.  Hopefully this webpage will answer many questions that you have about the exchange as you prepare to travel to Japan
History of the Ketchikan • Gero • Kanayama Exchange 
The Ketchikan-Kanayama Exchange program started in 1986, beginning with teacher exchanges and annual exchanges of students in 1987. The exchange started as part of a school district program, and then the Ketchikan-Kanayama Exchange Association was formed in 1989 to administer the program. It is a non-profit organization run totally by volunteers dedicated to keeping the program running well.

Funding from the school district and the borough is minimal, and covers only expenses for the teacher exchange and some of the expenses incurred during the Kanayama student visit. The first visit from Kanayama delegates (the Mayor and Superintendent, etc.) to Ketchikan to decide whether or not to start an exchange, took place in November 1986.  Ketchikan delegates (Ketchikan’s Mayor and Superintendent) then visited Kanayama in March 1987 for the first time.  Following that, Christa Bruce and family went over, and the Ketchikan and Kanayama students first visited each other.
Japanese School
Japanese school starts in January meeting every other week on Sundays 1:00 – 3:30

Japanese school AFTER spring break every week on Sundays 1:00 – 3:30.  
Time may be longer when working on performance. 

This time is used to build group unity, write and practice speeches, performance practice. 

Japanese school is required. 

Attendance of students is necessary only three (3) unexcused absences allowed then you will be cut from the exchange.

Academic Workshop required – All traveling students will be in Japanese Academic Workshop Spring Semester before travel.  
 
Fundraising:  
​Takes 100% from everyone
Everyone in the group is expected to help with all fundraising, whether you like to or not.  This is your trip and you need to raise the funds for your travel.  You can always hold other fundraisers beyond the already planned ones as you prepare for your travel.  You want to raise more funds than your estimated travel to cover any unexpected expenses and it is a good idea to leave some funds for the next year as they start their fundraising.
Japan Dance &
​Bake Sale
Dance held when Gero-Kanayama students in town.  Parents chaperone the dance. (They also make cookies to sell.)  Have the kids make posters before Spring Break advertising the dance that they will hang around the school.  
​ 
  The group gets the proceeds from the dance and bake sale.  This is not a large fundraiser, it is more of a service providing a snack for students for a nominal fee.
Fourth of July Parade ​
Parade - Contact the Chamber of Commerce in May and get an application for the parade entry. Walking group. When asked for a Chamber Member support enter: Robert Boyle, KGBSD. Pick up the banners from Schoenbar before the end of the school year.  
 
 ALL Students and Chaperones are expected to participate in the parade.  

This is a way to thank the community for all the support they have given us through the year.  If you will not be in town on the Fourth please let someone know in advance.  If you are back to work, please arrange for the time off for the parade.  

When walking in the parade wear your t-shirts and carry the banners so that the community will recognize you.