The Phoenix April 26, 2018

TONIGHT!!! Korematsu Orientation Night

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CHINA TRIP APPLICATIONS DEADLINE EXTENDED!

ChinaYOU’VE GOT THE WEEKEND!

Early Bird ($650) Applications for the China Trip are now due in the Main Office End of Day Monday, April 30, 2018.
If you are expediting a passport, please hand in proof that you expedited (copy your payment receipt or other) with your application. If not, you’ve got the weekend to finish that essay or apply for a passport.

Please hand in:
Application for Participation Summer 2018 China
​​China Trip Health and Medical Form 2018.pdf

If you are applying for aid or scholarship, please include:
​China Trip Scholarship Application

Still time to decide if the trip is for you!

Read:
​Minutes China Trip Both Sessions 4:00 and 5:30
​​2018 Summer China Study Tour- Important Travel

Passport information and all the postings on the China trip are on the website:
www.korematsumiddleschool.org

PROMOTION CEREMONY

Dear Korematsu Families,

Can you believe we only have 7 weeks until graduation? This year has zoomed by!

Graduation is a special time for 8th grade families. Many of them move on together to El Cerrito High, and some fly off to other schools, so for our 8th graders, the graduation commencement events are vastly important.

That being said, we can not pull off all the activities without your help!

There are 3 events that need 7th AND 8th grade families to help with. We have included a link to a google doc that you can sign up.

The events are as follows:
6/5
1. Promotion practice: Before the picnic, parents are needed to help organize and supervise the 8th graders as they practice for the promotion ceremony.

2. Help with the 8th grade picnic: This happens prior to the kids vs. teachers softball game. We have 3 point persons already and need people to sign ups for food, set-up, clean-up etc. BOTH 7th & 8th Grade families can help!

6/6
3. Graduation: This is a huge event where the kids cross the stage. Tradition has been 7th grade families sign up to help with some of the larger day of jobs so 8th grade families can watch their babies cross the stage! Then next year, we continue that tradition and you get to sit back and watch your babies cross the stage!

There are other day/night-of items for 8th grade families as well as a sign-up to help order, pick-up & deliver appetizers, drinks & desserts to the school.

Please note there are 3 tabs on the sign up sheet!

Please contact either Rula Craner at rula_craner@yahoo.com OR Negar Souza at thesouzafamily@comcast.net for more info, clarification or questions.

CLICK HERE TO HELP!

WE NEED YOU! We cannot do this without your help!

Thank you,
Rula & Negar

SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

NewImageEL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL AND KOREMATSU MIDDLE SCHOOL:

El Cerrito High School’s Investing in Academic Excellence Parent Group
Korematsu PTSA

Our generous parent groups
are now offering scholarships and financial aid mini grants for this trip.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Four (4) $700 scholarships per school
Eight Total Scholarships
to be awarded to Free and Reduced Lunch Students
$650 trip cost + $50 Visa

Our aim is to award Two (2) to Free Lunch and Two (2) to Reduced Lunch Students per school,
but is subject to change based upon the number of categorical requests received.
If there are more applicants that scholarships, we’ll hold a lottery.

FINANCIAL AID MINI GRANTS
Each school will also offer $1,000 to students in mini grants
Any student may apply for any denomination up to $200 per grant.

ELIGIBILITY
Korematsu Middle School
Current Korematsu 7th grader returning for 8th Grade at Korematsu 2018/2019 School Year
Current Korematsu 8th Grader returning to a WCCUSD high school for 2018/2019 School Year

El Cerrito High School
Current ECHS 9th, 10th, 11th graders returning to a WCCUSD high school for 2018/2019 School Year

Click on this Link for the Scholarship and Financial Aid Form

Posted in: Uncategorized

CHINA TRIP UPDATE! PASSPORTS AND SCHOLARSHIP INFO

REMINDER!
INFO SESSION

Friday, April 20th
Korematsu Middle School Library
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m.

NewImage

NEW PASSPORT INFORMATION

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT,
YOU CAN STILL APPLY FOR THE CHINA TRIP

We’ve been able to work out a solution with the trip’s sponsor.
Students may now apply WITHOUT A PASSPORT IF
the student submits evidence of submission of an application for an expedited passport by the April 28th Deadline.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN EXPEDITED PASSPORT

https://www.510families.com/get-passport-20-minutes/
https://recsports.berkeley.edu/u-s-passports/
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/hurry.html

There is a US Dept of State Passport Center on the UC Berkeley campus (at the Rec Center) and it has an expediting service.

There are significant additional fees for expedited processing. Base fee is $115 (under 16 y.o.) to $145 (> 16 y.o.) + $60 expediting fee + ~$20-$40 for rush shipping back to you.

Hours: 9am to 7pm, Mon-Fri
9am to 2pm, Saturdays

Address:
2301 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 94720

We don’t believe you’ll be asked for proof of travel to have a passport application expedited, but just in case, bring this letter with you to the passport office.

Letter for Expedited Passport

Posted in: Uncategorized

The Phoenix April 19, 2018

WE NEED YOU

Korematsu PTSA has a number of openings for the next school year. PLEASE JOIN US! We are a great group!
You’ll meet people, share your skills, learn new ones and support our students, school and community.

WE CANNOT HAVE A PTA WITHOUT A PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND SECRETARY.
WE’VE GOT TWO OF THE THREE FILLED.
CONTACT US! We are fun!!!!
korematsuptsa@gmail.com

President: Manu Wong
Executive Vice President: Stacey Steele
Secretary:OPEN
Treasurer: Filled
Financial Secretary: Evelyn Smith
Vice President Fundraising: OPEN
Membership Chair: Anita Miller
Auditor: Jenny Jensen
Volunteer Chair: OPEN
Parliamentarian:OPEN
Historian: OPEN
Yard Sale Chair: Cindy Spade
Annual Giving Co-chairs: OPEN
Restaurant Fundraisers Coordinator: Tiffany Hill
Golden Gate Fields Coordinator: Jody Lengyel
Info Night Chair: OPEN
Teacher Luncheon Day Chair:OPEN
Yearbook Chair:Tim Warner
Parent Librarian: Kim Paige
Fright Write Chair: OPEN
Fright Fest Chair: OPEN
Science Fair Chair: OPEN
Math Club Co-Chairs: OPEN
Band Parents Association Chair: FILLED
Fairmont Elem Comm Liaison: Saidah Said
Harding Elem Comm Liaison: Beth Dawson
Kensington Elem Comm Liaison: Kim Paige
Madera Elem Comm Liaison: FILLED
Stege Elem Comm Liaison: OPEN
Washington Elem Comm Liaison: FILLED
ELAC Parent Liaison: OPEN
Website Maintenance/Development: Doug Diego

If you, or someone you know, would be able and willing to fill a vacancy, and for any corrections, suggestions and questions,
please reply to this email ASAP.
korematsuptsa@gmail.com

We will have Elections for the Board Members at our May meeting.

And here’s a spreadsheet you can enter names into.

2018/19 Korematsu PTSA Slate

INFORMATION SESSION for the SUMMER STUDENT AMBASSADOR CHINA TRIP

China
Friday, April 20, 2018

KOREMATSU MIDDLE SCHOOL
LIBRARY
7125 Donal Avenue
El Cerrito, CA

Two Sessions:

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Students and families from these schools are welcome!

El Cerrito High
Kennedy High
De Anza High
Richmond High
Pinole Valley High
Hercules High
Middle College High
Helms Middle
Korematsu Middle

REMINDER, this trip is open only to WCCUSD students from the above listed schools.

Enter the school through the orange gates.
Follow the orange poles to the Library.

Unnamed

Preliminary trip information and the application can be found on our website

*VISITING REMINDER*
Please respect our neighborhood when coming to visit.
Please refrain from double-parking, blocking driveways and the like.
Consider parking a couple of blocks away from school and walking to ease some congestion.
Our neighbors thank you!

See you There!

WCCUSD 5th Annual BEST PRACTICES FAIR

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CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY

Please take some time to take the California Healthy Kids Survey

bit.ly/koremastsuparent18

6th Grade Students and Families: KOREMATSU ORIENTATION NIGHT

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El Cerrito Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan

Unnamed

To date, the community outreach process for the El Cerrito Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan has included an online survey and online mapping forum, two community workshops, and a series of stakeholder interviews.

Themes that have emerged as important to the community so far include:

Youth recreation – toddler amenities, teen programming, youth enrichment opportunities

To update and improve the City’s existing recreation facilities and programs

The Hillside Natural Area and Ohlone Greenway as valued recreation amenities that are unique to El Cerrito

Improved general maintenance in the City’s parks and recreation facilities

Pedestrian access throughout the City’s parks and recreation network – walking, hiking and biking

A Senior Center as an important recreation amenity

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard. There will be two more Public Meetings on Thursday, April 26th at the El Cerrito Community Center,7007 Moeser Lane and Wednesday, May 23rd at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave. Both meetings will take place 6:30-8:30pm.

For more information, please visit www.el-cerrito.org/ParksMP

8th Grade Promotion Activities

Dear Korematsu Families,

Can you believe we only have 7 weeks until graduation? This year has zoomed by!

Graduation is a special time for 8th grade families. Many of them move on together to El Cerrito High, and some fly off to other schools, so for our 8th graders, the graduation commencement events are vastly important.

That being said, we can not pull off all the activities without your help!

There are 3 events that need 7th AND 8th grade families to help with. We have included a link to a google doc that you can sign up.

The events are as follows:
6/5
1. Promotion practice: Before the picnic, parents are needed to help organize and supervise the 8th graders as they practice for the promotion ceremony.

2. Help with the 8th grade picnic: This happens prior to the kids vs. teachers softball game. We have 3 point persons already and need people to sign ups for food, set-up, clean-up etc. BOTH 7th & 8th Grade families can help!

6/6
3. Graduation: This is a huge event where the kids cross the stage. Tradition has been 7th grade families sign up to help with some of the larger day of jobs so 8th grade families can watch their babies cross the stage! Then next year, we continue that tradition and you get to sit back and watch your babies cross the stage!

There are other day/night-of items for 8th grade families as well as a sign-up to help order, pick-up & deliver appetizers, drinks & desserts to the school.

Please note there are 3 tabs on the sign up sheet!

Please contact either Rula Craner at rula_craner@yahoo.com OR Negar Souza at thesouzafamily@comcast.net for more info, clarification or questions.

CLICK HERE TO HELP!

WE NEED YOU! We cannot do this without your help!

Thank you,
Rula & Negar

8th Grade Promotion Activities

Dear Korematsu Families,

Can you believe we only have 7 weeks until graduation? This year has zoomed by!

Graduation is a special time for 8th grade families. Many of them move on together to El Cerrito High, and some fly off to other schools, so for our 8th graders, the graduation commencement events are vastly important.

That being said, we can not pull off all the activities without your help!

There are 3 events that need 7th AND 8th grade families to help with. We have included a link to a google doc that you can sign up.

The events are as follows:
6/5
1. Promotion practice: Before the picnic, parents are needed to help organize and supervise the 8th graders as they practice for the promotion ceremony.

2. Help with the 8th grade picnic: This happens prior to the kids vs. teachers softball game. We have 3 point persons already and need people to sign ups for food, set-up, clean-up etc. BOTH 7th & 8th Grade families can help!

6/6
3. Graduation: This is a huge event where the kids cross the stage. Tradition has been 7th grade families sign up to help with some of the larger day of jobs so 8th grade families can watch their babies cross the stage! Then next year, we continue that tradition and you get to sit back and watch your babies cross the stage!

There are other day/night-of items for 8th grade families as well as a sign-up to help order, pick-up & deliver appetizers, drinks & desserts to the school.

Please note there are 3 tabs on the sign up sheet!

Please contact either Rula Craner at rula_craner@yahoo.com OR Negar Souza at thesouzafamily@comcast.net for more info, clarification or questions.

CLICK HERE TO HELP!

WE NEED YOU! We cannot do this without your help!

Thank you,
Rula & Negar

Posted in: Uncategorized

INFORMATION SESSION for the STUDENT AMBASSADOR SUMMER CHINA TRIP

Friday, April 20, 2018

KOREMATSU MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY
7125 Donal Avenue
El Cerrito, CA

Two Sessions:
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Students and families from these schools are welcome!

El Cerrito High
Kennedy High
De Anza High
Richmond High
Pinole Valley High
Hercules High
Middle College High
Helms Middle
Korematsu Middle

REMINDER, this trip is open only to WCCUSD students from the above listed schools.

Enter the school through the orange gates.
Follow the orange poles to the Library.

Unnamed
Preliminary trip information and the application can be found on our website

VISITING REMIDER
Please respect our neighborhood when coming to visit.
Please refrain from double-parking, blocking driveways and the like.
Consider parking a couple of blocks away from school and walking to ease some congestion.
Our neighbors thank you!

See you There!

Posted in: Uncategorized

CHINA. THIS SUMMER.

China Korematsu students have an opportunity to be student ambassadors in China this summer.

OPTION 1: 16 – Day Itinerary July 10 – July 25
OPTION 2: 21 – Day Itinerary July 8 – July 28

On the 16 to 21 day trip, students will engage in cultural exchange activities with Chinese students and visit Chinese historical landmarks (Great Wall, Forbidden City, etc.). Contra Costa College is also sending an instructor and students can earn 3 semester units of college credit for attending (this equates to 10 high school credits on their transcript).

The per student trip cost is highly subsidized, and District students only need to pay $650 towards the $3,250 per student cost.

The flyer and the application are attached. Applications need to be submitted by April 28 (late applications incur an additional fee of $150). Students must have a valid passport before they can apply. Students need to submit applications to their school principal.

The program is open to district high school students and students at Korematsu and Helms Middle Schools (these two middle schools have established sister schools in China). We’ve been invited back after a very successful Spring Break trip with DeAnza High School.

ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS
El Cerrito High
Kennedy High
De Anza High
Richmond High
Pinole Valley High
Hercules High
Middle College High
Korematsu Middle
Helms Middle

If demand warrants, we can hold an informational meeting late afternoon/evening of Friday, April 20th. Please email: Korematsuptsa@gmail.com if you are interested so that we can gauge interest and set a time.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • You must have a valid passport now, as applications are due April 28. After, add $150.
  • Cost: $650 After April 28: $800 (late fee).

  • Hand in the application to your school principal.
  • Email Korematsuptsa@gmail.com if you have interest in an in-person informational evening late afternoon/evening Friday, April 20th.

If you have questions about the trip, you may contact:

Eric Peterson, Ph.D., NBCT
Director, International Programs and Mandarin Immersion
Principal, West County Mandarin School
West Contra Costa Unified School District
510-231-1529 (Office)

Don’t let this opportunity pass!

Chinese Ambassador Informational Flyer
Chinese Ambassador Application.pdf

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