8th GRADE MEETING / TOPIC: HIGH SCHOOL

Gail Simpson is inviting you to a scheduled 8th GRADE Zoom meeting.

Topic: HIGH SCHOOL meeting for 8th grade STUDENTS ONLY (no parents, siblings, etc)
TUESDAY May 26, 2020 12:00

HIGH SCHOOL MEETING FOR PARENTS

TOPIC: HIGH SCHOOL

Please come early. In the event the Zoom meeting runs out of room, more meetings will be scheduled.

Gail Simpson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Parents’/guardians’ HIGH SCHOOL information meeting
Time: May 27, 2020 11:00 Pacific Time (US and Canada)

EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR KOREMATSU FAMILIES

The COST team has created a Go Fund Me with the goal of supporting families in our community during this difficult time. I wanted to shoot out the link in hopes that many of us could share it on social media and any other way you may deem appropriate.

The link for you to share/donate is available here.

Below I have also included what I wrote on my own social media when sharing the GFM if you would like to see an example.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about this. Thank you for taking the time to support our community!!

“Hey all, my school has created a Go Fund Me to support families that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Any support you can provide (whether financial or by sharing this post) would be much appreciated!

My experience in the classroom has shown me how important mental health can be to student success. Financial resources for food and other personal necessities are crucial in this. With 43% of Korematsu families classified as low-income we know there is need in our community and we believe that by providing this much needed financial support we will, in turn, be better supporting the social, emotional and academic needs of our community.

If we meet our goal of $5,000, we will be able to provide 10 families with $500 gift cards to purchase food and other personal necessities. Recipients of this support will be determined by the COST (Coordination of Services Team) at Korematsu Middle School, using data collected through a survey that has been distributed to students and families through email and social media.

Thank you so much for your partnership!”

Alison Schmidt

Social Studies Teacher

Fred T. Korematsu Middle School

M.A. in Urban Education Policy and Administration

THE ARLINGTON

During this time of struggle, I’d like to take a moment to thank The Arlington and all that they’ve given to Korematsu and ECHS, and ask you to help show appreciation by supporting them.

The Arlington owners (who are also parents in our ECHS family) have been more than generous to our students and events. Throughout the years, they’ve gone above and beyond – supporting events at cost, and asking very little in return. As the co-chair of the Korematsu auctions, the 2019 Grad Night Committee, the Ultimate Crab Feed, and many others, I can honestly say these events couldn’t have happened without their generosity. We are forever grateful!

Please help show our gratitude by ordering a family dinner with them. I assure you it will be delicious!
https://269thearlington.com/

SCHOOL BUDGET ADVOCACY

(largely adapted from CA State PTA)CA State PTA is urging all members and (non-members) to take action right now to prevent school funding cuts. Use and share the links below.  CALIFORNIA BUDGET: BAD NEWS FOR SCHOOLS ADVOCACY NEEDED NOW Despite efforts by Governor Newsom to minimize cuts to education and children’s services, the revised May California budget proposal leaves schools and other programs facing significant cuts.The largest cut to K-12 funding is a 10 percent reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula ($6.5 billion in 2020-21).Schools throughout the state, already bracing for cuts before the pandemic, now have to cut budgets even further. The financial hurt stretches beyond the coming school year, with even greater economic challenges in the following years.The pandemic has overwhelmed the state’s capacity to adequately support the education, health and welfare of California’s children. What does that look like her in the WCCUSD? Understand that changes occur daily. So, as of yesterday…… Bracing for cuts before the pandemic: 2020-2021  -$29.8 million Already WCCUSD Board-Approved 2021-2022  -$22.5 million bracing for cuts before the pandemic 2021 -2022  -$18.5 million additional caused by COVID-19  TOTAL       -$41 million To put it in terms that we can understand, $1 million dollars = 10 teachers. So, the cuts in 2021-2022 are equivalent to more than 400 teaching jobs.  410 to be exact. Time for Advocacy We all must act now to cushion this blow. We need to speak up and advocate for more money: More money from the federal government, more money at the ballot box, and more revenue in the state budget. Even consider local measures. Contact your state representatives: Let them know what the impact of the proposed budget will be on your school.To find your representatives click here. Let them know in our district $1 million dollars is the salary of 10 teachers.  We cannot afford any more cuts to our district.  http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ Advocate for More Federal Funding: Contact your federal representatives and ask them to support an additional $200 billion in federal funds for schools. It is very likely that CA’s representatives already support this legislation. Send a message to your federal representatives  anyway. Then, share this link with friends and relatives that live in other states and urge them to sign. Unless Congress acts – specifically the Senate – schools will experience major budget cuts triggered by the pandemic.  https://www.votervoice.net/CAPTA/campaigns/74058/respond Help pass the Schools and Communities First ballot initiative which is on the November ballot: This could raise about $11.5 billion dollars each year for our schools and local communities. In an average year with normal business and industry operations, this might mean $18 million for our school district.  Click here to learn more.  https://www.schoolsandcommunitiesfirst.org/ TAKE THE CENSUS Census results affect planning and funding for education—including programs such as Head Start, Pell Grants, school lunches, rural education, adult education, and grants for preschool special education. Your information is secure and won’t be shared. The future counts more than ever! https://2020census.gov/ Be open to the discussion of a local funding measure. The WCCUSD may well put a local funding measure on the November ballot. Understandably, it is a difficult topic in this unprecedented time. Be open to this discussion. Please remember….. $10 million dollars = 100 teaching jobs.  It is going to take all of us to change the tide and weather this storm. Thank you for your support.

RISING 8th GRADERS…..

Are you passionate about student leadership? 

Want to learn more? 

YES, YOU!!! THINK ABOUT IT!

Announcing the Ed100 Online Summer Academy for California Student Leaders

Student Leaders: Apply by June 6. It’s Free!

California’s student leaders are essential — this year more than ever. So, it’s time for something new: an online conference that prepares California high school student leaders with the knowledge and connections they need to make a difference.

Apply now and mark your calendar: July 20-23. We invite California’s high school student leaders to join together at the Ed100 Online Academy for Student Leaders, a new virtual conference for students who in the coming school year will be serving: 

• on a school site council or ELAC
• on their school board, 
• on a PTA board or nonprofit school organization
• in other student led or student-focused organizations

Students who aren’t yet in these roles but aspire to them may also apply.

Ed100 Student Academy Partners

Spread the Word!

We need your help.

• Please share this email with high school student leaders in your school community —  especially rising juniors and sophomores. We want to make sure that there is at least one applicant from every single high school!
• Please share this email beyond your own school community. The price to attend is zero, but we worry that some schools will be left out just because they don’t hear about it. That’s an equity issue.
• We are not charging students to participate in this event. We are actively seeking donations and sponsors.

We’ve been working with students and organizations around the state to develop a great program. Want to join us to help make it happen? If you have available time and this project speaks to you please email us: student-academy@ed100.org.

KMS NEWS EPISODE 5

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Ms. Simpson is hosting a ZOOM Meeting !!!

Topic: 8th grade HIGH SCHOOL informational meeting
Time: May 15, 2020 13:00 Pacific Time (US and Canada)

ANYONE INTERESTED SHOULD EMAIL: gsimpson@wccusd.net

CAPTURE HISTORY WITH THE 2020 YEARBOOK

This is one you definitely don’t want to miss. Act now.
Since copies are limited and school schedules continue to change, we ask that you please order your yearbook online.

ORDER YEARBOOK

May 12 Closure Update: End of school procedures coming soon; sobering state budget news

Dear WCCUSD Families,

As the weather continues to improve and the shelter-in-place orders are being relaxed, I hope that you are finding ways to keep yourselves entertained and engaged while staying safe and healthy. The last two months have not been easy and this summer will not be a typical summer. But I hope that we can all have a strong finish to the school year. 

We are hearing from a number of students and staff who want to return to their campuses to clean out lockers, desks and classrooms. We are working on arrangements to facilitate this work. We will have a plan in place next week and will communicate it to you at that time.

I also want to share some information with you about the budget situation. While we have come very close to meeting the budget reduction targets we set for next school year, the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis has significantly affected the fiscal outlook for the nation, the state and this school district.

As you know, we have worked our way through most of our intended budget reductions. We started the year with a goal of reducing $48 million for next year. We amended that goal to $32 million with the plan to push out that other $16 million in reductions for one more year. 

With a lot of hard work, we have been able to reduce our expenditures by $30 million, coming $2 million short of our target for this year. We have always planned to cover that $16 million shortfall through our last bit of extra reserves. Our hope was that new revenue might help us–additional funding from the state, the Schools and Communities First ballot initiative, new money for Special Education, increased enrollment, or improved attendance. 

We have been implementing our plan and doing so collaboratively with our labor partners but we had no idea what was coming: COVID-19. The state anticipates an $18 billion reduction to education funding. The Governor released his May Revision this week and we may have to reduce $26 million or more for the 2020-21 school year. It is also possible that the State may announce additional cuts beyond this amount in the late summer or fall. 

This is sobering news, but I truly believe that we will get through this crisis, as with all the others, together. As I get more clarity around what impact the economy will have on our work, I will make sure we communicate that with you.

Thank you again for your continued patience and support. 

In community,

Matthew Duffy
Superintendent

En Español

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.

ONLINE PTSA MEETING VIA ZOOM

Tuesday, May 12, 20207:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
ELECTIONS
CATCH UP WITH MR. BURNHAM
EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

We’ll have presentations from both Principal Burnham and Principal Crespo. They will join us for general questions and the  2020 enrollment process (as much as we know).
We’re sending links to registrants directly Tuesday afternoon after 5:00 p.m.  Please submit questions by Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. 
To maintain an orderly meeting and be efficient with our time, we are taking questions in advance. We will combine the similar ones together and will submit them to our guests in advance so they are prepared to answer them. 
SIGN UP FOR THE MEETING/SUBMIT A QUESTION HERE

AGENDA HERE

PTSA ELECTED AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

COUNSELOR SIMPSON’S ZOOM MEETING SCHEDULES

MS. SIMPSON’S 8th WEEKLY GRADE SUPPORT GROUPS
12:00 noon Pacific Time (US and Canada)
PASSCODES IN ZOOM
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

MS. SIMPSON’S 7th WEEKLY GRADE SUPPORT GROUPS
11:00 a.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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

SURVEY

Dear Korematsu families, during these trying times the staff and teachers at Korematsu wanted to reach out and find ways in which we can support one another within our school community. We recognize that it’s challenging to identify trusted information in a time of crisis. And understand parents are struggling to balance work, child care and self-care while keeping worries — both your children’s and your own — under control. You don’t have to do it alone.

We recognize that families have lost their jobs, and do not have enough money to pay their bills. While the district has been distributing meals, many families continue to struggle to provide food for their loved ones. In this time of major uncertainty, we ask families to provide us with information regarding support and services they may need or support and services they can offer. In an effort to support one another, we want to find ways in which families can support/sponsor those who may be facing an urgent financial crisis. 

Please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey. The information gathered will help us identify school wide and individual needs. Additionally, all the information will be kept confidential. 

As a community, we must come together and encourage, lift, and strengthen one another. 

Thank you for your time! 

TAKE THE SURVEY IN ENGLISH HERE

Estimadas familias de Korematsu, durante estos tiempos difíciles, el personal y los maestros de Korematsu querían conectar y encontrar formas de apoyarnos unos a otros dentro de nuestra comunidad escolar. Reconocemos que es difícil identificar información confiable en tiempos de crisis. Y comprendemos que los padres están luchando por equilibrar el trabajo, el cuidado de los niños y el cuidado personal mientras mantienen las preocupaciones, tanto las de sus hijos como las suyas, bajo control. No tienen que hacerlo solos.

Reconocemos que familias han perdido sus empleos y no tienen suficiente dinero para pagar sus cuentas. Mientras el distrito ha estado distribuyendo comidas, muchas familias continúan luchando para proporcionar alimentos a sus seres queridos. En este momento de gran incertidumbre, pedimos a las familias que nos brindecn información sobre el apoyo y los servicios que puedan necesitar o el apoyo y los servicios que pueden ofrecer. En un esfuerzo por apoyarnos unos a otros, queremos encontrar formas en que las familias puedan apoyar / patrocinar a quienes se enfrentan en una crisis financiera urgente.

Por favor, tomen unos minutos para completar esta breve encuesta. La información recopilada nos ayudará a identificar las necesidades individuales y de toda la escuela. Además, toda la información se mantendrá confidencial.

Como comunidad, debemos unirnos, levantarnos y fortalecernos unos a otros.

¡Gracias por tu tiempo!

ESPANOL AQUI

A DISCUSSION ABOUT WCCUSD DURING THE SCHOOL CLOSURES

Monday, May 11, 20205:00 p.m.
Via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96046455980 or by phone 669-900-6833, ID 960 4645 5980

WCCUSD MESSAGE

May 8, 2020 Dear WCCUSD Families,First, I would like to wish all of the mothers a Happy Mothers Day and Día de las Madres. Even though a normal celebration may not be possible due to the stay-at-home orders, I hope that you all find a time to celebrate the mothers in your life. It’s hard to believe, but we are in the eighth week of our school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Time has moved quickly and we are just over a month away from the end of the school year. I want to thank you all for your continued patience and perseverance as we continue navigating the challenges associated with keeping students learning from home.I have spent a lot of time hearing from students and families about how they have been affected by this crisis and trying to understand what we can do to provide the resources they need. Each week, I meet with a small focus group of students to get their impressions and hear their ideas on what we can do better. I also meet weekly with parent leaders and this week, we held a community conversation where more than 500 people joined to ask questions and express their concerns. This feedback is invaluable and has helped me and the senior leaders of this district focus our efforts on areas of concern.Two of the largest areas are around grading and graduations. We have finalized the grading policy for the work being done during the time school buildings are closed and we are close to having a plan to celebrate the Class of 2020.This week, the Board of Education approved a temporary grading policy that will keep students on track for graduation and college. The Board approved a Pass/No Mark grading standard for secondary students and a narrative progress report for elementary students for the last grading cycle of the 2019-2020 academic year. This is consistent with California Department of Educationand University of California grading and admissions policies.Elementary school students will receive clear and meaningful teacher feedback on report cards, using strengths-based narratives in place of marks for the third trimester. Middle  and high schools will adhere to a Pass/No Mark system. Students who complete work at a level equivalent to C- or higher will receive a “Pass” and shall receive credit towards the A-G requirements for the class. Students who complete work at a level that is lower than a C- will receive a “No Mark” but will receive credit toward high school graduation. A “No Mark” will not be eligible for credit towards the A-G requirements.We are also close to finalizing plans for each high school to celebrate their graduating seniors. I know this is an important milestone that needs to be properly acknowledged. It is our hope that we are able to get our law enforcement partners, county health department and county office of education to approve the plans being submitted by the high schools. It is my hope to have more clarity and be able to announce those plans in the next week.In recent days, there has been a lot of discussion about easing some of the stay-at-home restrictions and reopening businesses and recreational opportunities. This is welcome and positive news. However, we urge you to continue to follow all social distancing guidelines and respiratory etiquette when the restrictions are relaxed. While some recreational facilities have been reopened, District facilities, including playgrounds and athletic fields, remain closed. We are working on a plan to reopen them, but we currently do not have the staff available to monitor and maintain our athletic fields and playgrounds.Finally, please remember that there are a number of resources available if you or someone you know needs assistance. You can access many of those resources at www.wccusd.net/districtclosure. If you have questions, please send an email to questions@wccusd.net or call us at (510) 965-4444 or (510) 965-4443 for Spanish.Thank you again for your support and patience.In community,Matthew Duffy Superintendent En Español

DISTANCE LEARNING GUIDES

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.

Dear Korematsu families,

During these trying times the staff and teachers at Korematsu wanted to reach out and find ways in which we can support one another within our school community. We recognize that it’s challenging to identify trusted information in a time of crisis. And understand parents are struggling to balance work, child care and self-care while keeping worries — both your children’s and your own — under control. You don’t have to do it alone.

We recognize that families have lost their jobs, and do not have enough money to pay their bills. While the district has been distributing meals, many families continue to struggle to provide food for their loved ones. In this time of major uncertainty, we ask families to provide us with information regarding support and services they may need or support and services they can offer. In an effort to support one another, we want to find ways in which families can support/sponsor those who may be facing an urgent financial crisis. 

Please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey. The information gathered will help us identify school wide and individual needs. Additionally, all the information will be kept confidential. 

As a community, we must come together and encourage, lift, and strengthen one another. 

Thank you for your time! 

TAKE THE BRIEF SURVEY HERE!

Estimadas familias de Korematsu,

Durante estos tiempos difíciles, el personal y los maestros de Korematsu querían conectar y encontrar formas de apoyarnos unos a otros dentro de nuestra comunidad escolar. Reconocemos que es difícil identificar información confiable en tiempos de crisis. Y comprendemos que los padres están luchando por equilibrar el trabajo, el cuidado de los niños y el cuidado personal mientras mantienen las preocupaciones, tanto las de sus hijos como las suyas, bajo control. No tienen que hacerlo solos.

Reconocemos que familias han perdido sus empleos y no tienen suficiente dinero para pagar sus cuentas. Mientras el distrito ha estado distribuyendo comidas, muchas familias continúan luchando para proporcionar alimentos a sus seres queridos. En este momento de gran incertidumbre, pedimos a las familias que nos brinden información sobre el apoyo y los servicios que puedan necesitar o el apoyo y los servicios que pueden ofrecer. En un esfuerzo por apoyarnos unos a otros, queremos encontrar formas en que las familias puedan apoyar / patrocinar a quienes se enfrentan en una crisis financiera urgente.

Por favor, tomen unos minutos para completar esta breve encuesta. La información recopilada nos ayudará a identificar las necesidades individuales y de toda la escuela. Además, toda la información se mantendrá confidencial.

Como comunidad, debemos unirnos, levantarnos y fortalecernos unos a otros.

¡Gracias por tu tiempo!

LLENA EL FORMULARIO EN ESTE LINK

7th and 8th Grade – Support Meetings Up and Running!

Counselor Simpson’s Meetings are up and running.  The meetings are Voluntary and are 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 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

Weigh in on Future Academic Calendars 2021 – 2024

The WCCUSD, along with labor partners, is working to incorporate “Reserve Days” into school academic calendars. These “Reserve Days” will be used much like “Snow Days” in the Northeast. If school is interrupted – smoke, power failure, bomb threat, etc., these days can be used to make up instruction. 

There are a number of limitations that are placed on the formation of school calendars.  Calendars are bargained with union partners.There are state reporting deadlines that must be met. We are being asked to give feedback on two drafts listed below.

There will be NO SCHOOL on yellow days unless an unforeseen event causes a closure.  Then, the yellow will be used to make up instruction.  Please note that there could be further changes to May calendars so that the AP Exam schedule is considered. College Board has not published schedules yet. 

The Deadline for feedback is May 1st.

Please share with your units. Feedback will be shared anonymously with the WCCUSD and United Teachers of Richmond, and with all of you. Contact: baysidepta@gmail.com

Learn more and take the survey in the link below:

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE!

WCCUSD APRIL NEWSLETTER

WCCUSD APRIL NEWSLETTER

FACEBOOK LIVE WEEKLY SERIES

Join District administrators this Friday at 11 am as they host their first Facebook Live weekly series “60 Minutes in Faculty Lounge” with Riverside Principal Christine Hatcher as the host. Principal Hatcher will be talking with various WCCUSD community members about Distance Learning and ways to support one another during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Every Friday through June 5, 2020. 11:00-Noon. WCCAA West Contra Costa Administrators Association

BAY AREA BOOK FESTIVAL #UNBOUND VIRTUAL SERIES – LAUNCHING MAY 1

BAY AREA BOOK FESTIVAL #UNBOUND VIRTUAL SERIES – LAUNCHING MAY 1

On May 1-3, the Bay Area Book Festival will launch the “BAY AREA BOOK FESTIVAL #UNBOUND”: a series of world-class live and recorded virtual author programs on the Festival’s YouTube channel. Most events are FREE and programs will roll out through June. Amongst pressing family/parenting topics, the series will present an uplifting slate of YA and children’s programming every Wednesday and Saturday through May and June.
The adult schedule can be found here: https://www.baybookfest.org/unbound
The YA/children’s schedule can be found here: https://www.baybookfest.org/virtualkids
SOME HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Our Six Session VOTING RIGHTS Programming will be distributed nationally through a coalition of a dozen book festivals nationwide, along with inclusion on C-SPAN BookTV and other major media.

Young Adult Panel:
The Future is Ours: Restoring Democracy for the Next Generation with Carol Anderson, Jeff Fleischer, and Elizabeth Rusch – moderated by Khepera Lyons-Clark
What’s wrong with the American election cycle, why does it matter, and how can we empower young people to become involved, take action to have their voices heard, and restore democracy?

• Speaker: Carol Anderson, National Book Critics Award Circle winner and bestselling author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Nation’s Divide (Bloomsbury/2016), One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy (Bloomsbury/2018), and the young-adult edition, One Person, No Vote: How Not All Voters Are Treated Equally (Bloomsbury YA/2019)
• Speaker: Jeff Fleischer, author of Votes of Confidence: A Young Person’s Guide to American Elections (Zest Books/March 2020)
• Speaker: Elizabeth Rusch, author of You Call THIS Democracy? (HMH Books for Young Readers/March 2020)
• Moderator: Khepera Lyons-Clark, one of the fierce young women of Cinnamongirl, Inc., an Oakland-based organization that strives to provide girls of color with the access, experiences and a network to grow into successful, global leaders.

2. Our WELLNESS PROGRAMS focus on mental and physical health, science, and related topics, including family and parenting. Two panels of note:
Parenting in a Time of Crisis with Sarah Jacquette Ray, Madeline Levine, and Christine Carter – moderated by Dacher Keltner
Parents all over the world are facing a dilemma: what do we tell children about threatening truths, from COVID-19 to climate change? How do we balance their need to be informed and prepared with their equally important right to experience the carefree joy of youth and dream of the future? 

• Speaker: Christine Carter, Ph.D., The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction (BenBella Books/February 2020)
• Speaker: Sarah Jaquette Ray, A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet  (University of California Press/April 21, 2020)
• Speaker: Madeline Levine, New York Times bestselling author and psychologist, Ready or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World (Harper/Feb 2020)
• Moderator: Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center.

How to Raise a Reader with Pamela Paul of The New York Times, moderated by developmental psychologist Diana Divecha of the Yale Child Study CenterBased on her book, How to Raise a Reader, Pamela Paul discusses how to instill the joy of reading in children, which is more relevant than ever now that schools are closed, kids are sheltered in place, and parents are looking for bonding opportunities that are constructive, comforting, and simple.
3. Our YOUTH LITERARY PROGRAMMING includes a NaNoWriMo Middle Grade & Young Adult Challenge, moderated by Grant Faulkner, executive director of National Novel Writing Month, and an online version of the wildly popular Book Club for Kids podcast, with award-winning middle grade author Anne Nesbet.
In addition, here are some upcoming sessions to look forward to:
Picture Books:
May 2, 10 am: We’re All Part of Outside with Deborah Underwood and illustrator Cindy Derby
Celebrated author Deborah Underwood (author of the New York Times bestseller The Quiet Book) and illustrator Cindy Derby collaborated to create Outside In (HMH Books for Young Readers/April 2020), a beautiful, imagination-sparking love letter between the inside and outside worlds. This event is the perfect session for kids in the sheltering-in-place era, with its tender message of how we are all connected and part of a larger universe, even if we’re separated from each other. 

Middle Grade:May 2, 10:30 am: Courage and Heart in Adversity: Writer-to-Writer with Kate O’Shaughnessy and Ernesto Cisneros – moderated by Renée Diop, Cinnamongirl, Inc.

In this Writer-to-Writer program, two top middle grade authors Kate O’Shaughnessy (The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane) andErnesto Cisneros (Efren Divided) explore young people’s inner and outer courage. Moderated by Renée Diop, one of the fierce young women of Cinnamongirl, Inc., an Oakland-based organization that strives to provide girls of color with the access, experiences and a network to grow into successful, global leaders.

STAY INVOLVED WITH WARRIORS BASKETBALL AT HOME!

Warriors Basketball Academy is here for you. We want to help Warriors fans of all ages from all across the Bay stay sharp and ready.  Here is how!

Instagram Live: Brush up on your basketball skills with 30 minute Instagram workouts facilitated by our Warriors Basketball Academy coaches every Tuesday & Thursday at 1PM.
*Instagram Live is only accessible from your mobile device.

YouTube Channel: Don’t have access to Instagram through your mobile device? Don’t worry – The Academy is now on YouTube! From recaps of our Instagram Live workouts to our feature episode on Warriors Ground TV, you won’t miss any exclusive content with our new YouTube channel. 

For more information and ways to stay involved with Warriors Basketball, visit the Warriors Basketball Academy home page for the latest updates.

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Reminders from Mr. Burnham’s Robocall

• Start classwork in the morning every day
• Find work in Google Classroom
• Join your 7th and 8th Grade Class through Google Classroom
  • 7th Grade Code qpumqx7
  • 8th Grade Code  pa3rwro
• Distance Learning resources and information at Korematsumiddleschool.org
• Resources and Support Information at WCCUSD
  • https://www.wccusd.net/districtclosure
• The kids received a survey about Distance Learning to gauge work and assignments. Please take it.

THE PRACTICE SPACE SUMMER CAMP

Interested in joining the speech and debate team when you go to high school? The Practice Space, a non-profit organization in El Cerrito, offers affordable public speaking summer camps, including a one- or two-week debate camp in July, led by Joel Jacobs, the coach of the state champion El Cerrito High School debate team. The debate camp will be offered online if a stay at home order is still in effect. Scholarships are available based on need.For more information, go to https://www.practice-space.org/event-type/summer-camp/