Author: Matt Burnham

Did you miss the Info Night this winter? Below you can find the power point from Mr. Burnham’s presentation that night. Among many things, you can see the ethnic make up of our student body and an explanation of UDIO: A technology-rich learning environment to provide all students with meaningful literacy experiences, among other information.
If any of the information here prompts a question, please feel free to leave your question as a comment to this post and we’ll try to get you your answer.
Korematsu Information Night 2014

For the order form, please download the file below:
Celebrate Korematsu Printable Flyer

Schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, due to predictions of heavy rain and wind. Non-teaching employees of the District will report to work or take a day of leave. Maintenance staff has staged emergency equipment throughout the District in order to respond quickly to any flooding or other potential damage that may occur. All school events scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled, including after school and athletic events.

Download a pdf of the KMS newsletter here.

All are welcome to join us for the Korematsu Middle School INFORMATION NIGHT will be Thursday, November 13th 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the cafe (Room 35).

We’ll have a presentation about the school’s academic offerings, you’ll meet some of our teachers, we’ll explain the after-school options, school clubs, National Junior Honor Society and our incredible music program! Finally, we’ll talk about the move to the BRAND NEW BUILDING!

TO FIND CAMPUS: We are directly across the street from Cerrito Vista Park in El Cerrito. (950 Pomona Ave at Moeser Lane). Suggested parking: Park on Moeser Lane or Pomona Avenue. Enter campus at the Moeser entrance. We’ll have greeters to help you find your way!

Need information? PortolaPTSA@gmail.com or check out our website portolanews.com. We need current middle schoolers and some parents to volunteer. Please email us at PortolaPTSA@gmail.com to sign up.

See you there!

PTSA and Band Meetings

Tuesday, November 4th

Band 6-7pm in Room 43; PTSA 7-9pm in Room 8

After PTSA business is complete join us for

The Family University:  Common Core and Middle School Math

Please join us for our next PTSA meeting.  On the business side, we’ll review a proposal for the website update and talk about our new math tutor.  Then, we’ll welcome Phil Gonsalves and Drew Kravin from the WCCUSD Mathematics Center.  Phil, Drew and their crew train our teachers.

It isn’t often (maybe never)  that we get to combine “Math” and “Fun” in the same sentence, let alone in the same evening, but indeed, this is what you will get – a completely engaging evening about math.  We’ll cover the new Common Core standards, why we are changing and what the NEW MATH looks like.  We’ll also discuss where parents can find resources.

We couldn’t encourage you more to come on out and hear what these gentlemen have to say.  Yes, bring your kids!

Fright Fest brings ghoulish good fun to the KMS campus during lunch October 27th-31st.  We need volunteers to run a Fright Fest station!  Lunch times are 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday / 10:30 a.m. – Noon Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  It’s a short time on campus and super fun!  Any number of days you can help are greatly appreciated!  Contact PortolaPTSA@gmail.com to get your questions answered or to sign up.

National Junior Honors Society induction ceremony tonight 10/16 6-7 pm in Room 43. Congratulations to all the inductees in this prestigious program!

WCCUSD School Board Candidate Forum

Parents’ Voices Loud and Clear

Ten candidates gave opening statements and answered 6 questions from parents at Monday Night’s Candidates Forum, sponsored jointly by the PTAs of El Cerrito/Kensington schools. Three of the candidates will be elected on November 4th. Two of the candidates are incumbents.

The questions were about teacher quality; supporting and increasing the number of high-achieving students; follow-through on new programs; balancing charter schools and traditional public schools; and “What is the best book you have read recently about education?” The final question was from a Kensington fifth grader about how to fix school lunch.

View the Candidate bios.
You can review the campaign financing records of the candidates at the Contra Costa County Elections Division website: www.cocovote.us/campaigns/public-viewing-of-campaign-statements/

More than a hundred people attended, so ask around if you missed it and want to know more.  Please remember to vote on November 4th!

Cross Country meets are starting:

9/29 Golden Gate Fields- Albany
10/2 MLK-Berkeley
10/6 Orinda Intermediate School
10/16 Prospect Sierra
10/20 MLK-Berkeley
10/23 Venue has not been announced
10/27 Prospect Sierra
* all meets start at 4:15 p.m. and end around 5:30 p.m.

Championship Meets:
10/30 MLK-Berkeley
11/6 Kennedy Grove Park-El Sobrante
*meets start at 4