Hello Korematsu Community,
5/1/2020
We have another news segment for you all. We are getting more participation from students which is great. We want more! Please email me with submissions or suggestions (mburnham@wccusd.net).
In the coming weeks we will start to clarify some upcoming activities around the school. We are working with WCCUSD to come up with plans for textbook returns, locker clean outs, and yearbook distribution (if purchased). As this information becomes finalized we will incorporate it within the Weekly News. All of these activities will be done following the CDC and local Contra Costa Health Services guidelines.
Anyone planning to submit their baking project to the contest please do so by May 6th. I look forward to the projects.
Have a great weekend KMS community!
Mr. B
Counselor Simpson’s Meetings. VOLUNTARY! Open to all. Talk, laugh, have fun….what you feel is up to you and no-one else. Zoom links and passwords can be found by students in Google Classroom.
Ms. S’ 7th grade support group
May 1, 2020 11:00
May 1, 2020 11:00
May 4, 2020 11:00
May 8, 2020 11:00
May 11, 2020 11:00
May 15, 2020 11:00
May 18, 2020 11:00
May 22, 2020 11:00
May 25, 2020 11:00
May 29, 2020 11:00
Jun 1, 2020 11:00
Ms. S’ 8th grade support group
Apr 28, 2020 12:00
Apr 28, 2020 12:00
Apr 30, 2020 12:00
May 5, 2020 12:00
May 7, 2020 12:00
May 12, 2020 12:00
May 14, 2020 12:00
May 19, 2020 12:00
May 21, 2020 12:00
May 26, 2020 12:00
May 28, 2020 12:00
Jun 2, 2020 12:00
4/17/2020
Hello Korematsu Community,
I hope you are safe, healthy and taking care of your families. We are wrapping up another week of distance learning. For educators, this has been an entirely new challenge, and one we are constantly learning from. Since this week began, we have seen more and more students completing assignments on Google Classroom. While this number is increasing, we still need to see more teenagers logging on and getting active with their learning. These are difficult and complicated times, but we need to work together to ensure everyone has an opportunity to learn.
Students are expected to log into Google Classroom daily. Teachers are regularly posting assignments, commenting on completed work, and providing support as needed. While some may want more work, and others less, our teachers are working hard to meet expectations outlined in the agreement between the United Teachers of Richmond and WCCUSD. We, as learners ourselves, will continue to evolve as days go by. At Korematsu, we are always in a cycle of inquiry. Distance learning is no different. We are always developing as a school, and as a community.
Many teachers are offering live office hours. I want to encourage students to participate in these whenever possible. Students can find information posted on Google Classroom (how to log on to a meeting, when they start, etc.). We have also posted the hours at www.korematsumiddleschool.org. Please continue to check this website for more information as online learning moves forward. We are in the process of developing resources for students and families that are looking for additional learning opportunities.
I want to encourage families and students with questions to reach out to teachers directly. They are available through email, and are there to support our students. You can also reach out to counselors, Ms. Ivey and of course, me, anytime. I’ve put together a first attempt at a weekly news segment that I am hoping provides some information, keeps us connected, and in the future is propelled by student voices.
Please stay safe and keep supporting one another.
Sincerely,
Matt Burnham
| English | Monday | Ms. Schantz 11-1:00 | Ms. Pulley 11-1:00 | Ms. Soto 10-12:00 | Mr. Vedder: 9:00-12:00 | Ms. Davis 11-1:00 | |||
| Math | Tuesday | Mr. Lee (math7 – 10-12), (Geometry- 12-1 on Thursday) | Mr. Hameed (no virtual office hours; students comment/email to get questions answered) | Ms. Cachero M/W/F 11:00 – 11:30 T/Th. 2:30-3:30 | Mr. Zechlin 9:30-10:30 & 2 – 3 Daily | Mr. Kunz 9:30 — 10:30 | |||
| History | Wednesday | Mr. Lee, J (available by appointment),1-3 | Ms. Schmidt 10-12:00 | Mr. Uriostegue: 9-12:00 | Mr. Fulumirani (email or appointment) | ||||
| Science | Thursday | Mr. Kunz 9:30-10:30 | Ms. Pavlich 10-1:30 | Mr. Nelson 1:30-2:30 | Ms. Wardle 9-12:00 | Writer coaches with ELD students 10-12 pm, 1-3 pm | |||
| Electives | Friday | Ms. Alcocer 1-2:05 | Mr. Pohl: 8:30-9:30 & 3-4 Daily | Carrico Friday 10:30-11 I will send zoom link each week in e-mail | Ms. Smith, J Mon-Fri 11:00-1:00 and as needed (no virtual office ours: student and parent questions via email and Google classroom) | Ms. Jenkins 9-10:00 | |||
| Special Education | Ms. Krug Daily 1:00-2:00 | Mr. Armen 2-3:00 | Ms. Smith Daily 10-11:00 | Ms. Woods Thurs 10-11:00 | Mr. Wallacker- Daily 8AM- 2PM via email | Mr. Klingele Daily 9-10:00 and as needed | Ms. Cummings 8-2:30 | Mr. Pickrell Daily AllSkills10-11 Tutorial 1-2 |
Dear WCCUSD Families,
I hope you are well. We are in the fifth week that school campuses have been closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. This has been a difficult time for everyone as we have had to adjust to this new normal. However, the public health experts are telling us that the efforts we have made to stay at home have made a significant difference in how this situation is playing out. For the first time since the start of this crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom is discussing re-opening businesses and possibly relaxing some of the stay-at-home orders. I am convinced, now more than ever, that we will get through this together and be stronger for doing so.
Despite the uncertainty, it is important that we keep working to provide the support students need to continue learning. Monday, we started Phase 2 of Distance Learning. We are very proud of the work we have done to date and I am personally so proud of our staff and community working in such a united fashion. All over the distance learning landscape, students, teachers and families are working together to provide engaging, empowering and challenging educational experiences.
We know there are some areas that need more attention and improvement, and we are working on solutions in those areas. The focus of our needs assessment and support is around working to close the digital divide and equity gaps that face many of our historically underserved communities, including low income, African-American and Latino students and families who have little in the way of technology and internet and who benefit most from the in person-personal support and relationships at school. By the end of this week, we will be aggressive in monitoring where any student has not engaged and figure out what is needed.
DISTANCE LEARNING GUIDES:With the help of parent/family leaders we created these Distance Learning Guides for Preschool; TK, K, 1st; 2nd-6th, and Middle and High school.The guides are available in English and Spanish at https://www.wccusd.net/dlguides.
We know some families want more work for students and others need less right now. We continue to navigate all of the different needs. Teachers, librarians, counselors and principals are providing rich content and support for students. Early during the closures, Ohlone Elementary teacher Chandra Sherr released her trout fry her class had been raising into a local creek and sent the video to her students. She is not the only one. Everyday, I hear about other fantastic ways that WCCUSD educators are engaging students and families in distance learning.
The students have been amazing. They are engaging in instruction and advocating for themselves and each other. For instance, throughout this crisis, the students in Maya Kosover’s class at Richmond High have continued their Weekly News Broadcast despite not having access to their classroom.
The food services team and a lot of wonderful volunteers have been serving grab-and-go meals since the beginning. We are now serving more than 28,000 meals every day to any child 18 and under regardless of socio-economic status or the school they attend.
WCCUSD’s parent leaders have been great partners throughout this, meeting with me and other district leaders virtually to discuss ways we can better support the students and families we serve. Parents have been hubs of information and helped us identify needs we may have missed.
There are other great stories of collaboration and cooperation out there and these are why I am convinced we will get through this together.
Even with these positive stories, there are still those who have needs that aren’t being met. There are people who need additional resources in order to navigate this crisis. While we do not have all of the answers, there are resources that can help. We have compiled a list of these supports at www.wccusd.net/districtclosure.
If you have any questions about Distance Learning, please contact your child’s teacher or principal. You can also get instructional support by sending an email to elearning@wccusd.net or technical support for devices, software or internet access at parent@wccusd.net or by calling (510) 243-3901.
Answers to other questions can be obtained at questions@wccusd.net or by calling (510) 965-4444 or (510) 965-4443 for assistance in Spanish.Thank you again for your patience, trust and collaboration as we navigate this crisis. I will see you, in person, on the other side.
In Community,
Matthew Duffy
Superintendent
En Español