Author: PTSA

MARCH 11, 2020 DISTRICT COMMUNICATION ON CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Dear WCCUSD community,

The safety of the students and staff that call WCCUSD home is our top priority. Over the past two weeks, the anxiety around the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has heightened. On Monday, we had our first confirmed case of a student’s relative testing positive on Sunday, March 8. Contra Costa County Health Services (CCCHS) has assured us that the risk of exposure is low and that the county will step in and communicate directly with that school if/when a positive case is confirmed. 

To the best of our knowledge, no student or staff at a WCCUSD school has tested positive for COVID-19.

We continue to work closely with CCHS, the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and are following their guidance. On Tuesday, March 10, CCHS released a new set of public guidance around social interactions. In light of the new CCHS guidance, we are postponing non-essential events with 50 or more people. This means that the following upcoming events have been postponed until further notice.  We hope to be able to reevaluate future events as additional guidance is received. For now, those events include, but are not limited to:

• Open House
• Math and/or STEAM Nights
• Literacy Nights
• Dance Festival
• District Spelling Bee
• Elementary School Basketball League
• In-school assemblies or plays, including Nightmare on Puberty assemblies
• Spring music concerts
• Essential professional development/training with expected participation of more than 50 people will be offered virtually.
• Any other events meeting the above-mentioned criteria

In addition we will limit the attendance at the following events:

• Athletic events will be played without spectators (This will occur in all school districts in Contra Costa County).
• We have also canceled outside facility use permits for events with 50 or more people.

At schools, we will also practice social distancing as much as possible. School administrators are urged to make any possible changes to daily scheduled large student gatherings. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to make necessary changes to daily school activities. 

According to the CDE and CDPH guidelines, our district and Contra Costa County are in Scenario II, which are measures to be taken if there are two or more community transmission cases of COVID-19, but no individuals within the school test positive. We will follow the recommended steps in both Scenario I and II.  Additionally, we will deep clean impacted areas, targeting all frequently touched objects and surfaces with disinfectant.

Additionally, we will continue to follow these guidelines from CDPH:

• Exclude students, teachers, or staff who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to China, South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan.
• Exclude those who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for 14 days from the day of their last exposure.
• Send students, teachers, and staff who present with fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms home immediately.
• Encourage flu vaccine for those persons over 6 months of age who have not had it this season.
• Encourage all students, families, and staff to take everyday preventive actions.
• Teachers and staff with any fever and/or respiratory infection symptoms should not come to work. Teachers and staff should self- screen (i.e., check themselves for subjective fever and/or respiratory symptoms such as cough) for respiratory infection symptoms each morning before interacting with students.
• Limit visitors to the school by not allowing those with symptoms of fever and/or respiratory infection or who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to China, South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan.

This is also time to take individual precautionary measures as advised by the CDC:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The district has set up a coronavirus page on the main website www.wccusd.net/coronavirus where we have placed updates and resources. 

This is also time to make sure we have your correct contact information. You can update or provide your contact information at https://www.wccusd.net/Page/11026. To sign up for community updates visit the communications department page at https://www.wccusd.net/Domain/24 and input your email address on the bottom right of the page.

Thank you again for your patience as we manage this very difficult and fluid situation.

In Community,

Matthew Duffy
Superintendent

CHECK THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FREQUENTLY

Please bookmark and check our school calendar frequently.  https://korematsumiddleschool.org/?page_id=13 You can even subscribe to the calendar by clicking on the  “+Google Calendar” and events will appear/disappear as the calendar is modified. We will do our best to keep the calendar as accurate as possible. 

TEACHER TREAT DAY CANCELED

Out of an abundance of caution, we’ve canceled Teacher Treat Day, Friday, March 13, 2020. Thank you to all that have volunteered to bring a meal/volunteer your time.

ASIAN ART MUSEUM STUDY TRIP POSTPONED

Mr. Lee’s Asian Art Museum Study Trip (orignially March 18, 2020) has been postponed to May 27, 2020.

EL CERRITO RIALTO/MULAN FIELD TRIP CANCELED

Mr. Lee’s El Cerrito Rialto/Mulan Field Trip has been canceled.

OPEN HOUSE CANCELED

Open House, previously scheduled for March 19, is now canceled.

SPRING BANDS CONCERT CANCELED

The March 18 Spring Band Concert is Canceled. A video will be made and distributed so that all can view.
Santa Cruz is canceled as well.

Contra Costa County National History Day

BUT, THERE’S GOOD NEWS!!!

We’ve got winners from Contra Costa County National History Day and we are sending students to the State Competition!

National History Day (NHD) is a premier competition that engages more than half a million students nationally.  As part of NHD, Contra Costa County History Day allows students to participate in authentic, challenging, project-based learning that lasts an entire school year.  Students select topics and research them as historians would – by using libraries, archives, museums and oral history interviews.  Their analysis and interpretations come together with the facts and evidence they’ve gathered to become their final projects. This year’s theme is, “Breaking Barriers in History.” Many Many THANKS!!!! to History Teacher, Mr. U. States are May 8-10, 2020 in Rocklin, CA.

CHAMPIONSJunior Documentary Category

#Me Too Movement

A. Brown, D. Rojas, T. Doss

Junior Website Category

Alan Turing: Enigma

B. Moore, S. Nguyen, A. Hasley, R. Weitzer

HONORABLE MENTIONJunior Documentary Category 

Breaking the Sound Barrier	M. Hassner, A. Espinoza
Ellen DeGeneres	A. Calderon, M. Mendo, M. Perdomo, M. Duff

More on the competition here:https://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/programs/for_parents_students/academic_events/national_history_day
You can view the full list of winners and projects here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tozeMfbB24KymzBhY6i3APWGq29CxhjC3-oxAPVXGTU/edit#gid=0

CONGRATS TO OUR STUDENTS!!

Korematsu sweeps awards at WCCUSD District STEM Fair, getting highest medal in every category!

It was a stellar year for Korematsu at the West Contra Costa District Science Fair Awards. Our school took home the top awarded prize in every one of the 7th and 8th grade categories: Biological (BIO), Engineering (ENG), Physical (PHY) and Social/Behavioral (SOC) Sciences, for a total of 25 prizes!

In an exciting new format this year, students winners selected to go onward from our Korematsu Science Fair were driven on a special school field trip to meet and discuss their projects with three scientist judges. Several days later students from across the district gathered with their family and friends for an awards evening at the new Pinole Valley High School auditorium. Following a fascinating talk on spiders and communication by an inspiring young scientist and self-described “Spider Woman” from UC Berkeley, District leaders and Superintendent Duffy presented this year’s awards on stage:

In 8th Grade, First Place medals went to Korematsu students Chaitanya D.(ENG), Demarrion M. J. (PHY), and Brenna M. (SOC). Winning 2nd place prizes were Meah B. (BIO) and Maeve U. (PHY); while in 3rd place prizes were won by Vienna K-T & Emilia W. (BIO), Michael H. (PHY), and Romy W. & Zoe T. (PHY); and rounding out 8th grade awards in 4th place were: Eghosa O. & Thomas R. (PHY).

In 7th Grade Korematsu winners included: in First Place, Henry A. (PHY) and Elsa B. (SOC), and in 2nd place Lachlan M. (BIO), Benjamin D. (ENG), Umar A. (PHY) and Clara H. (SOC). Third place prizes went to Edda G. & Juliana P. (BIO), Daniel G. & Madeleine N.(PHY), and Oona C. (SOC); and in 4th place Iris F. (BIO) & Nicolai C. H. (PHY).

The first place winners received engraved medals and checks from sponsor BioRad for $50 each as a reward for their efforts. Our schools’ top projects have also been invited onward to the prestigious Golden Gate STEM Fair covering the entire Bay Area and being held in March at the Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model. We wish them luck and congratulate all our young scientists and their teachers for the great effort again this year.

Table of awards

KOREMATSU HAS A TEACHER OF THE YEAR!!

Congrats to 7th grade English teacher Sydney Schantz who was awarded EdFund’s Teacher of the Year award! She joins three other Korematsu educators that have won this prestigious award
Tiffany Carrico
Sarah LaDue
Bruce McCormick
Ms. Schantz said, “One of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher is the growth of trust and personal relationships with students and families.”
She’ll be honored at Ed Funds Soaring to Excellence celebration in early May, and enters the running for Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 DROP IN TEACHER LOUNGE

NLT 10:30 a.m.

Let’s brunch!! It’s time for the teacher luncheon! Share the spring joy with your favorite brunch dish. Is it a casserole, quiche, salad, waffles, pancakes, sausages? Whatever strikes your fancy will be popular with our teachers! Friday March 13th!!!

SIGN UP IN THIS LINK

PARENT CHAPERONES WANTED

WALKING CLASS TRIP TO EL CERRITO RIALTO
MUST BE BADGED
On March 31st and April 1st, the 7th-grade class will be going on a walking study trip to the El Cerrito Rialto Cinemas for a private screening of Mulan. The 7th-grade History classes plan to have students compare the Ballad of Mulan (primary source) to the live-action film to analyze continuity and change over time. We are looking for approximately 30 chaperones. If parents can chaperone, please email Ms. Schantz at sydney.schantz@wccusd.net with their WCCUSD Badge, the date they can attend (March 31st or April 1st), phone, and email.

When we have enough chaperones, study trip forms will be distributed and collected in History class.

Our itinerary is as follows,
8:00 to 9:00 Walking to El Cerrito Rialto Cinemas from Korematsu (1.5 miles)
9:15 to 10:00 Purchasing snacks and getting to seats
10 to 12:15 Private screening of Mulan
12:15 to 1:15 Walking back to Korematsu from El Cerrito Rialto Cinemas

Best,
Jackson Lee

THE ULTIMATE CRAB FEED!!!

El Cerrito High School/Korematsu Middle School Ultimate Frisbee Club presents its

Fifth Annual Ultimate Crab Feed!!

WHEN: Saturday, March 14th 5:30-9:30 pm

WHERE: El Cerrito Community Center

Unlimited crab with salad, pasta and bread, and fantastic raffle prizes!

$60/person

Tickets

YOUTH TRUTH SURVEY

Please take the survey and distribute to your school community!

http://bit.ly/wccfamily20

U.S. CENSUS

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN U.S. CENSUS 2020 MATTERS!
The U.S. census is a count that is conducted every 10 years of all the people living in the United States. Please take a few minutes to respond, because having a complete count is important. Why? Because the results of the 2020 Census will shape your future in many ways.

Census data determines congressional representation, and guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed for schools, healthcare facilities, roads and transportation, recreation centers, social services, and much more!

In terms of education and schools, the census count impacts the next 10 years’ worth of funds that your community’s schools will receive for classroom technology, teacher training, after-school programs, school lunch assistance, Head Start, Pell Grants, rural education, adult education, and grants for preschool special education. If your child is in second grade now, the census count will have an impact on her education until she graduates from high school!

To read more about the U.S. Census on the California State PTA website, click here.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

In mid-March, households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census. By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate.

You will have three options for responding:

By mail
By phone
Online

Online and phone responses can be completed in 13 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese). For more information on ways to respond to the Census, click here.

Remember to count EVERYONE in your household, including any friends or family members who live or stay with you most of the time, roommates, young children, foster children, newborns, and anyone who is renting a space in your home. For more information on who to count and not count, click here.

PRIVACY AND SAFETY

Some of you may have heard myths and rumors about what personal information is asked on the census, and whether your answers could adversely affect you or your family.

Please be aware that the Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your personal information and keep it strictly confidential. That includes every answer to every question. Here are the facts:

NO questions are asked about citizenship status.
Your answers CANNOT be shared with law enforcement, any government agency or any court.
Your answers CANNOT be used to impact your eligibility for government benefits.

To see a sample Census form, click here.

You should also be aware of potential fraud. The Census Bureau or its employees will never ask for your Social Security number, money, donations, your bank or credit card account numbers, or anything on behalf of a political party. If you get a phone call, email or personal visit from someone claiming to be from the Census and they ask for personal, political or financial information, you are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-923-8282 or your local police department.

WCCUSD MESSAGE

Link

Dear WCCUSD Community,

On Wednesday night, the Board of Education made the difficult decision to notify nearly 300 certificated employees that their positions may be reduced or eliminated for the 2020-21 school year. The affected teachers, counselors, and administrators will receive official notices in the next week.

This was a painful but necessary step in the process to ensure that the District is able to solve its budget challenges for the 2020-21 school year in the event it is unable to implement negotiated agreements with each of our bargaining units. The District is actively negotiating with all 4 groups to minimize the impact of these cuts on our students and employees.

The District has a $47.8 million budget deficit that it plans to solve over a two-year period. We have made a commitment to reduce expenses by $32 million in the 2020-21 school year and have decided to reduce the remaining $16 million in the 2021-22 school year.

The Board has already taken steps to significantly reduce spending by approving a $6 million reduction in non-salary expenses and a $2 million cut from the discretionary funds allocated to individual schools. There will also be a $2 million reduction in unrepresented central management personnel costs, many of which were included in the resolution.

The remaining $22 million must be negotiated with our bargaining units. If we are unable to reach agreements that allow us to reach the $22 million target, the layoff notices could become permanent. However, our discussions with our union partners are progressing and I am confident that we will reach agreements soon and be able to rescind many of the notices.

You should know that this action is not the last layoff decision the Board of Education will be asked to make. In April, a similar action for classified employees will take place in order to hopefully finish the last budget reductions necessary for the 2020-21 budget.

In the meantime, we will continue negotiations and continue advocating for the state to fund our public schools at a level more in line with the state’s status in the global economy.

More information about the budget process can be found at www.wccusd.net/budget.

In partnership,

Matthew Duffy
Superintendent

WCCUSD MESSAGE

Link

Dear Community,

Welcome back from the Presidents’ Week recess. First, we continue to work through the budget challenge and you can find all the updates at the District’s budget update page wccusd.net/budget. Also we have been monitoring the coronavirus and have been in contact several times with the Contra Costa County Health Services and office of education and are following their advice.

I want to highlight a number of events this month that celebrate Black History. Lake Elementary started Black History Month with its annual African American Read-In. Several other schools including Coronado and DeJean also hosted read ins.

Chevron Richmond’s Black Employee Network hosted its 21st annual Black History Awareness Celebration and awarded the Dr. William F. King scholarship to Middle College’s Hawi Abraham and Shreejal Luitel and Richmond’s Ryan Saechao. Crespi Middle School, Hercules Middle School, Grant Elementary and Richmond High School all hosted Black History Month celebrations or events. There was also the annual celebration at the final Board meeting in February where students from Riverside and Olinda elementary schools and Hercules and Pinole Valley high schools performed.

We entered February on the heels of a historic resolution led by the family leaders from the African American Site Advisory Team (AASAT). The AASAT Resolution adopted in January highlights the community and district’s commitment to ensure that every student, particularly African American students can and do succeed.

The Director of African-American Student Achievement Omar Wandera was instrumental in collaborating with AASAT leadership Zelon Harrison and Yolanda Vierra-Allen on the resolution. Mr. Wandera has been working to hone and enhance the current District work around African American student success. We know we have much more work to do to ensure the success of African American students and have progress to build on. Currently, WCCUSD college-going rate for African American students is higher than the state average with 64 percent UC and CSU eligible compared to 59 percent for the state. Look for a question and answer with Mr. Wandera next month.

Over the break, Coca-Cola’s History Shakers advertisements launched celebrating Black History month and highlighting six African Americans. Two of the highlighted individuals, Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel and opera singer Davone Tines, had their commercials filmed at the Kennedy Swim Center and Richmond High School’s theater, respectively. You can see a preview of the campaign here and you might recognize the pool and theater.

Finally, this also a great time for your student to sign up for the District’s first Oratorical Festival on Saturday, April 18. The Oratorical Festival is modeled after Oakland Unified’s MLK Oratorical that was just featured in an HBO documentary.

Antoinette Henry-Evans, who spent 34 years with the district as a teacher, principal and administrator, is leading the event. There is no theme to this year’s oratorical but Ms. Henry-Evans said students can perform their own piece, recite a poem or speech. The focal point is getting students to perform. If your student is interested in participating in the oratorical, please contact your school principal as soon as possible.

Lastly, don’t forget to take the culture and climate survey at http://bit.ly/wccfamily20

Again, welcome back and I look forward to getting back to work.

In community,

Matthew Duffy,
Superintendent

CELEBRATE KOREMATSU THANK YOU!!

Thank you to all volunteers and attendees that made Celebrate Korematsu happen….Special shout-outs to our auctioneers Mr. Vedder and Ms. Jamison and especially to Tiffany Carrico and our student musicians.
We’ve made about $18,000 to support Band and PTSA needs.

Thank you again!

CELEBRATE KOREMATSU AUCTION ONLINE ITEMS!

We’ve got some items that did not sell at auction.
Take a look at what we’ve got!

HIGHLIGHTED ITEM COLLEGE BOOT CAMP SEMINAR!
Prepare yourself & your child for the College Admissions Process!
This exclusive day-long seminar (for 9 lucky parents) will provide you an educational
road map for high school to best prepare your child for their college and career interests.
National admissions expert Michael Trevino, former Director of Undergraduate
Admissions for the UC System, and faculty for the Harvard Summer Institute on College
Admissions will lead this powerful and comprehensive seminar. This is a unique
opportunity to have your questions answered and develop a plan (and peace of mind).
College is right around the corner! This seminar is the best investment you will make!
AWESOME lunch will also be served. Kensington Location, Reckler/Moore residence.

BID HERE IN THIS LINK!

TAKE THE “YOUTH TRUTH” FAMILY SURVEY

West Contra Costa Unified School District is requesting families take the Youth Truth Family Survey, which measures school climate.

Below you will find some helpful information about the Youth Truth Survey:

1) The survey window is 2/10/2020 – 3/6/2020
2) The family survey will focus on Engagement. Relationships, Culture, Communication. Empowerment, School Safety, Feedback, and Resources.
3) The feedback is anonymous.
4) WCCUSD welcomes your feedback.

The link to the Climate: Youth Truth Family Survey is listed below:

bit.ly/wccfamily20

Your participation in completing this survey is greatly appreciated.

THE ULTIMATE CRAB FEED!!!

El Cerrito High School/Korematsu Middle School Ultimate Frisbee Club presents its

Fifth Annual Ultimate Crab Feed!!

WHEN: Saturday, March 14th 5:30-9:30 pm
WHERE: El Cerrito Community Center

Unlimited crab with salad, pasta and bread, and fantastic raffle prizes!
$60/person

For tickets: ultimatecrabfeed2020.eventbrite.com

For information: ultimatecrabfeed@gmail.com

Crab Feed 2020 Flyer.pdf

NO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK

February Break
FEBRUARY 17-21, 2010
See you Monday, February 24, 2020

St. VALENTINE’S DAY TEACHER LUNCHEON

Friday, February 14, 2020
Contribute or Volunteer your Time

Valentine’s Day is coming up! Time to show some love! Let’s treat our teachers, show them love and appreciation. Bring some food, salads, pasta, or rice dishes, bread and pizzas! The luncheon will be Friday February 14th. Questions to liissausa@aol.com. Thanks!

SIGN UP IN THIS LINK!

BASEBALL TRYOUTS

Friday, February 14, 2020
Baseball Tryouts
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
3:00 p.m.
CASTRO FIELD
NEXT TO THE SCHOOL

Please bring gloves, bat, helmet and cleats if you own them.
No worries if you don’t.

29 Korematsu Students Win at School Fair and Move on to District Finals!

Korematsu held its annual Family Science Night and Science Fair Awards last Thursday, February 6th. Over a hundred came to view our young scientist’s projects, partake in demos with the American Chemical Society and Chevron Slime Team, and be wowed by an extravaganza of explosions and flames by ACS scientist Brian Balazs. Following a welcome by Principal Burnham, and hands-on demos, the winning students were invited on stage to have their pictures taken with their teachers.

Out of all student projects completed at the school, 67 were selected by their teachers to present at the fair. A dedicated team of parents, teachers and scientists then reviewed these in an intensive day of judging. Twenty-nine of these received 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons and move on to the District Science Fair, with the rest receiving Honorable Mentions.

Earning ribbons at Korematsu for First Place in 7th Grade were Lachlan M. and Alma C. (BIO), Elsa B. (BEH), and Henry A. (ENG). In 7th Grade 2nd Place our winners were: Umar A. (PHY), and Iris F., Juliana P. and Mya de H. (BIO). In 3rd place in 7th Grade were: Nicolai H., Daniel G. and Madeline N. (PHY), Edda G. (ENV), Clara H. and Oona C. (BEH), Benjamin D. (ENG), and Hazel N. (BIO).

In 8th Grade, our First Place honors went to: Maeve U. and Thomas R. (PHY), Michael H. (ENV), and Romy W. (BEH). In 2nd place were: Chaitanya D. (ENG), Eghosa O. (PHY), Meah B. and Emilia W. (BIO), Vienna K.-T. (ENV), and Brenna M. (BEH). In 3rd place were: Demarrion J. (ENV), Micaela J. (BIO), and Zoe T. (BEH).

Congratulations to all our young scientists for all the extra time and effort to complete their projects!

All our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners got rewarded with a field trip to Pinole Valley High School on Tuesday of this week. After a pizza lunch, they had a chance to talk to scientist judges and explain their projects. All families are invited on Thursday, February 12 to the District awards ceremony at 7pm at the Pinole Valley High School Theater.

GO FUND ME FOR KOREMATSU SPORTS

LAST DAY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020

As most of you are aware, the West Contra Costa Unified School District has serious budget challenges. Even before the current crisis, middle school athletics funding had basically been eliminated. Many middle schools no longer have competitive sports programs. Here at Korematsu, we have been successful at maintaining many athletic programs through largely volunteer efforts of teachers and parents. For example, our four basketball teams are currently coached by volunteers that don’t even have kids in the school but realize how important these programs are for the overall welfare of our students.

These programs have been funded by small fundraising efforts and minimal fees to participating families. The purpose of this campaign is to provide funds to maintain and increase the current offerings, pay for referees and umpires, tournaments, uniforms and supplies and hopefully training for our student athletes. Without some funding, it is impossible to even maintain what we have. This effort will also ensure that the cost is not a barrier to any student. Please do what you can through a one time or ongoing donation. Please share this with all of your friends, family and co-workers and post on all of your social media accounts. Let’s create programs we will all be proud of and allow hundreds of students to participate in after school athletic activities.

Thank you in Advance-

Matthew Burnham

Principal

DONATE IN THE LINK HERE

SPECIAL JOINT STATEMENT ON THE BUDGET

CLICK ON THIS LINK.

Camp Ravencliff

http://www.el-cerrito.org/eccampravencliff

Jenya Jawad
Youth Programs & Sports Coordinator
Camp Ravencliff, Camp Director
City of El Cerrito Recreation Department
7007 Moeser Lane El Cerrito CA 94530
Phone: (510) 559-7012

Community Center Office Hours Are:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am-4pm (Closed every other Friday)
Tuesday and Thursday 8am-6pm

FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT

TONIGHT!!
Family-Friendly Science Night.
Siblings Welcome!
Fire! Smoke! Explosions!
Join us!
MANY THANKS TO THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY!!!

GIRLS’ SOFTBALL TRYOUTS

Thursday, February 6, 2020
3:00 p.m.
CASTRO FIELD
NEXT TO THE SCHOOL

Please bring gloves, bat, helmet and cleats if you own them.
No worries if you don’t.

BOYS’ BASEBALL TRYOUTS

Friday, February 14, 2020
3:00 p.m.
CASTRO FIELD
NEXT TO THE SCHOOL

Please bring gloves, bat, helmet and cleats if you own them.
No worries if you don’t.

Teacher Treat Day!

Friday February 14th
Contribute a loving lunch to our Buffet!
SIGN UP IN THIS LINK!

MESSAGE FROM TIFFANY JAMISON, FORMER OFFICE MANAGER

Dear Korematsu Community,

It was such a pleasure serving Korematsu Middle Schools’ students, parents, faculty and staff for almost 3 years as the Office Manager. It’s effortless working to support students who have a lasting supportive community encouraging them to succeed beyond their limits.

I’m doing very well in a graduate program but still have a long road ahead in pursuit to fulfill a career in the medical/health field!

Good luck and Blessings in 2020!

Forever a Korematsu Phoenix,
Ms. Jamison

PS. See you Saturday @ Celebrate Korematsu!!

CELEBRATE KOREMATSU

We are Close to Selling Out
Buy Tickets Now!

GO FUND ME FOR KOREMATSU SPORTS

As most of you are aware, the West Contra Costa Unified School District has serious budget challenges. Even before the current crisis, middle school athletics funding had basically been eliminated. Many middle schools no longer have competitive sports programs. Here at Korematsu, we have been successful at maintaining many athletic programs through largely volunteer efforts of teachers and parents. For example, our four basketball teams are currently coached by volunteers that don’t even have kids in the school but realize how important these programs are for the overall welfare of our students.

These programs have been funded by small fundraising efforts and minimal fees to participating families. The purpose of this campaign is to provide funds to maintain and increase the current offerings, pay for referees and umpires, tournaments, uniforms and supplies and hopefully training for our student athletes. Without some funding, it is impossible to even maintain what we have. This effort will also ensure that the cost is not a barrier to any student. Please do what you can through a one time or ongoing donation. Please share this with all of your friends, family and co-workers and post on all of your social media accounts. Let’s create programs we will all be proud of and allow hundreds of students to participate in after school athletic activities.

Thank you in Advance-
Matthew Burnham
Principal

DONATE

BUDGET UPDATE FROM SUPT. DUFFY

Read the update