Less than 4 weeks to go! Flat Classroom Conference Japan - Updates

[Julie Lindsay]

Some updates for everyone attending - in person or virtual!

Monday February 11 Updates

Less than 4 weeks to go and we see you in Yokohama. Here are some important updates for you to be aware of:

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
We ask that all REGISTRATION and PAYMENTS are finalized this week. Registration will remain open however we are close to being full. Do not leave this to chance - remember to complete all registration details, respond to the invoice, and make sure we confirm your place. This is important!

YAMANOTE TRIP: We need to know who is coming
On what we call Day 0 - Thursday March 7, 9:30-4:30. This trip is designed for students coming to the conference to get to know each other better and to have some fun in Japan. Teachers are also invited - in fact teachers bringing students must also act as chaperones for the teams. All details are on the website. We must know who is coming and ask ONE teacher from each school to complete this online form asap.

HOTEL UPDATE
Once again we remind everyone to book their hotel through the online booking form found on the Accommodation website. An problems at all please contact Julie.

VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
We invite teachers and students who are not able to come to Yokohama to be part of the conference virtually. Yes! They can be team members, or they can watch and interact via the UStream and Backchannel provided. Virtual participation details are on the website, and if you want to be a teams member there is a FORM to complete.

The messages below went out a week ago:

The Flat Classroom Conference is only 4 weeks away! We are planning and organising and putting together a wonderful event for everyone. This email is aimed at those coming outside of Tokyo/Yokohama. Apologies to those living locally.

AIRPORT TRANSFER to Yokohama
http://blogs.yis.ac.jp/fcc/getting-to-yis/
Make sure you READ and PRINT information about transport from Haneda or Narita airports. Let me know if you have any questions. DO NOT get a taxi from Narita as this will cost far too much!

HOTEL BOOKINGS
http://blogs.yis.ac.jp/fcc/accommodation/
Make sure you use the booking forms found on the website AND you send the completed form directly to the hotel as indicated on the form (email or fax). There are rooms available still but you need to use the form to get acknowledgment for attending the conference and therefore the discount rate.

DRESS CODE and WEATHER
The conference dress code is casual. It has been suggested to wear layers as the weather is unpredictable at this time of year. For example last week it was 20 C and then 10C in the space of a day or two. Be prepared for rain as well, and the fact you will be walking to and from the hotel and school. An umbrella and/or raincoat is advisable.

VISA
Once again check http://blogs.yis.ac.jp/fcc/getting-to-yis/ for VISA information. If you need a letter of invitation for a Visa, please let me know by Tuesday February 5, and let me know what format your embassy is telling you it wants that letter in. You must contact the Japan embassy and find this out to help me provide the correct document for you.

Many thanks everyone for your attention to these details.

Julie Lindsay
Flat Classroom Conference Chair, Japan 2013