As the leavers prepare to go back home, re-contracters prepare to welcome the new 2005-2006 JETs and the temperatures steadily creep over 30 degrees C, we realize it can mean only one thing: Conference season is nearly upon us!

Upcoming Conference Info

The following is a list of the upcoming conferences and events for the next few months.

Conference	Dates	Description
Tokyo Orientation A	07/25-07/27	Only for new 2005-2006 Group A arrival JETs. Serge and Panda will be picking you up.
Tokyo Orientation B	08/01-08/03	Only for new 2005-2006 Group B arrival JETs. ?? will be picking you up.
Tokyo Orientation C	08/18-08/19	Only for new 2005-2006 Group C arrival JETs. Hariki-san? will be picking you up.
Engish Summer School	08/7-08/9	Mandatory for ALL new Group A&B SHS (prefectural) ALTS! Those of you 2nd/3rd years working as moderators should have been contacted by Erin M. (Izumigaoka SHS) already. Located at the Noto Seinen no ie.
Ishikawa Orientation	08/10-08/11	Mandatory for ALL new 2005-2006 JETs. Tells you all you need to know about living in ishikawa and the basics about your job. Those of you 2nd and 3rd years presenting/moderating sessions should have been contacted by myself already. At the Kanazawa Seinen Kaikan.
Education Day	08/12	Voluntary, but highly recommended. Oganised by Moby (Nonoichi Meirin), this repeat of last year's highly successful seminar provides you with practical, hands on information on how to teach effectively. At Nonoichi Meirin SHS.
Takamatsu Teachers Training Seminar	08/25-08/26	Mandatory for ALL SHS prefectural AND Municipal ALTS! (Different than last year!) Work with JTEs to improve your team teaching/lesson planning skills. I will be posting a call for 2nd/3rd years interested in volunteering/ moderating on the j-talk forums soon, or else contact me if interested. At the Kenritsu Kango Daigaku in Takamatsu.
ALT Midyear Conference	11/25?-11/26?	Mandatory for ALL 2005-2006 ALTs Date has yet to be fixed, but in the latter half of November. I will be posting a call for 2nd/3rd years interested in volunteering/moderating on the j-talk forums soon, or else contact me if interested. At the Ikoinomura in Shika.

"JET in action" pictures

CLAIR has sent a request to each prefecture asking we send them 10 pictures of "JET in action". I think some of you may remember this from last year - it's going to be used for a calendar and other JET promotional materials.

This is an open call for you to send in pictures of you teaching/interacting with the community/etc. - basically all the lovely things you do in your capacity as JET members to make the JET program a success.

Send your submissions to this address. Deadline is the end of the month.

There's also a thread about this over on the j-talk forums.

Returning JETs info

The handouts and other information Justin talked about at the Returning JETs Information Meeting last year is now up online at:

http://www.ishikawajets.org/support/returners2005/

You can download any relevant files you might need, including the application forms to extend your visa, get your pension refund and designate someone your tax affairs representative. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you still have any questions!

Farewell Party

The final farewell Party for all our dearly departing homies is going to take place at Poporo Foods (aka "Joel's house") in Nanao on Friday, July 19th. A great chance to wish all the leavers good-bye and much success for the future. Also, a fantastic opportunity to get rip-snorting drunk. You know what they say, be there or be square!!!

There's also a (rather passive-aggressive) thread about this on the j-talk forums.

Okay, that about does it for today. Try to stay outside of the sweltering sun - it's getting up and above 30 degrees all this week. At least tsuyu (the rainy season) isn't upon us - yet!!!

- Panda