Announcements

A Message from our PTA President 

Dear All,

The summer is over. The summer we dreamt of, the summer of promises, swims in the lake, and yogurt with the freshest berries and fruit. And just like that, we are back in September.

Yet this September begins very differently. The news of the loss of one of our students has touched our entire community. There are no right words for a moment like this. For now, perhaps the most important thing is simply to be there for one another. And please reach out to the school counselors if you or your child needs support. 

September is still a month of exciting fresh starts. The PTA is here, as always, to help bring our community together, to support our families, and to create moments when we can connect with one another. We have our PTA Welcome Coffee on Thursday at 10AM at Tokyo American Club. We hope you will join us to listen, to chat and spend a couple of hours together.

As the weeks unfold, we will gradually return to parent coffees, dinners, clubs, school support opportunities and community events. Spirit Day is coming up on October 3, and Winterfest preparations will soon begin for December 5. We will share more information as we go. As usual - through enthusiastic parent volunteers, Tuesday PTA newsletters, PTA website and PTA Instagram account. Please stay informed, and please reach out — to us and to each other.

And most importantly, welcome back to everyone who left in June, and welcome to ASIJ to everyone who is new to our community! The PTA is here. And we will take this new school year one step at a time.

With love and care,

Indre 

Divisional Events

MS Parent Coffee - Sep 9 at 9:30AM

Join us next Wednesday, Sep 9 at 9:30AM at Azabu Gardens to kick off the new school year with new and returning Middle School parents. Swap summer break stories, trade tips on raising an almost (if not already) moody teenager, and chat over coffee and condiments. Sign up now! For questions, contact MS Social Coordinators: Monika and Sabina at mssocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

ES Welcome Parent Coffee - Sep 16 at 9:30AM
Kick off the school year with coffee, conversation, and community! All new and returning Elementary School parents are warmly invited to join us on September 16 at 9AM for a relaxed morning of connecting with old friends and meeting new faces in your child's grade. Please sign up here. For questions, contact ES Social Coordinators: Gwen, Eva, and Nicole at essocial@pta.asij.ac.jp.

ELC Back to School Night Social - Sep 25 at 7:30PM
ELC PTA is excited to invite you to our Back to School Night Parent Social Dinner! After the Back to School Night Teacher / Classroom Sessions, come join us in the ELC Community Room at 7:30PM for a catered dinner with drinks. Let’s kick off the year with community, conversation, and a whole lot of fun! ¥5,000 per person. Click here to sign up! Questions? Contact Maiko, Keiko and Josh at elcsocial@pta.asij.ac.jp

Volunteer Requests

Senior Parents and Donuts Needed for Senior Donut Day - Sep 7

Kick off senior year with your student at Senior Donut Day on Monday, Sep 7! We need parent volunteers from 9:45AM–11:45AM for setup, distribution, and cleanup, as well as donut donations. Full event details and volunteer shifts are available on the sign-up form. For questions about senior activities, email Meg and Nancy at senioractivities@pta.asij.ac.jp and don't forget to join the ASIJ Class of 2027 Whatsapp group for updates all year long!

Community Gratitude

Our ASIJ community is the best around! Help us honor our unsung heroes by nominating a community member who lets their Mustang Spirit shine. Each week, we’ll highlight your shout-outs. Submit an anonymous message here.

Sending a massive thank you to our incredible ELC PTA team: Keiko Fukunaga, Maiko Okamura, Josh Layne, Fumie Yorisue, Ivy Xu, Hanako Takaoka, Phoebe Lo, Stella Ryu, and Yumi Matsuya! Your presence and enthusiasm made the "It's My First Day of School!" orientation sessions such a success. Thank you for giving both new and returning families such a warm welcome to the ELC community!  – Ryuta Hiroi

Parent-Led Clubs

New to ASIJ, new to Tokyo, or want to share a hobby? The PTA is here to help you start, manage, and promote your own club! Have an idea or questions? Contact our Parent-Led Clubs Chair, Shino Torigoe-Yeh, at parentledclubs@pta.asij.ac.jp. You can also view the full directory and photos on our website.

Run Happy Walk Club - Sep 7 & 14 at 8AM (Nogawa Park)
A friendly Monday morning run or walk right next to ASIJ. All fitness paces are welcome, with an optional post-workout breakfast. Sign up here.

Flower Arranging Club - Sep 10 at 10AM (Azabudai Hills)

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, our skilled florist Nakaba will be with you to nurture your love for blooms. The cost is ¥7,000 pp (cash) including flowers and materials. Sign up here.

Grapevine Club - Sep 25 at 7PM (Macchan, Roppongi)
Join us for an evening of dinner, drinks, laughter, and good company! Enjoy a 2-hour all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink dinner featuring sushi and a variety of Japanese specialties. ¥5,000 pp (cash). Sign up here by Sep 23 at 5:00PM!

Jazz Club - Sep 26 at 6:30PM  (B Flat, Akasaka)
Join us for an evening of jazz standards and vibrant Latin rhythms featuring Jeff Torchon quartet and special guest  Cuban trumpeter Luis Valle! Doors open at 6PM and the group will gather at 6:30PM before the 7PM show. Cover is ¥4,400 for adults and ¥2,200 for students, plus one drink. Sign up here by Sep 22!

Grants and Speakers Program

Did you know the PTA has funds to bring unique projects and guest speakers to ASIJ? If you are a teacher, staff member, parent, or student group with an innovative idea that goes beyond the standard curriculum, we want to help fund it! Review the GSP guidelines and apply here. 

Columbia University Women’s Basketball Visit, August 2026

Thanks to the PTA’s Grants and Speakers Program, ASIJ recently hosted the Columbia University Women’s Basketball team and coaching staff for a powerful series of events, including an on-campus panel for 90 attendees, a clinic for high schoolers, and an exhibition game. D1 Head Coach Megan Griffith and her student-athletes shared invaluable insights on academic-athletic balance, mental resilience, and sports industry careers—leaving a profound impact on our community. Beyond providing our families with a rare real-world perspective on elite athletics, this event successfully laid the groundwork for future visits from world-class organizations. Have an innovative idea of your own that goes beyond the standard curriculum? Check out the GSP guidelines and apply for a grant today!

Don’t forget to follow ASIJ PTA on Instagram to check out our latest posts – @asij.pta