Korematsu

TEACHER LUNCHEON

THE TEACHER LUNCHEON IS TOMORROW FRIDAY MARCH 9TH
THERE’S STILL TIME TO SIGN UP TO CONTRIBUTE!

The theme this month is Salad Bar.
Bring your favorite salad to share with the teachers.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

THANK YOU TO THE FAMILIES WHO ALREADY HAVE!!!

KOREMATSU STUDENTS SUCCEED AT DISTRICT SCIENCE FAIR

Congratulations to Korematsu’s students on their success at the District Science Fair! Here is the list of winners:

Biological Science
Jayden Balmaceda, 4th place, 7th grade
Lauren Bjeldanes, 3rd place, 7th grade
Tess Roorda, 2nd place, 7th grade
Ben Pilling, 1st place, 7th grade
Piper Gillern, 4th place, 8th grade
Milan Willett, 2nd place, 8th grade

Engineering/Math/Technology
Johan Phan, 2nd place, 7th grade
Caroline Zwiebach, 1st place, 8th grade

Physical Science
Sean Stokowski, 4th place, 7th grade
Rika Adam, 3rd place, 7th grade
Eleanor Addison, 3rd place, 7th grade
Tobias Glassen, 2nd place, 7th grade
Henry Warmerdam, 1st place, 7th grade
Kathryn Hennig, 4th place, 8th grade
Chloe Liang, 4th place, 8th grade
Miya Escalante, 3rd place, 8th grade
Eamonn O’Leary, 3rd place, 8th grade
Ayaz Earley, 1st place, 8th grade

Social Behavioral
Christopher Hill, 4th place, 7th grade
Sophie Gillern, 2nd place, 7th grade
Grace Maguire, 1st place, 7th grade
William Flowers, 2nd place, 8th grade

In addition, Ben Pilling and Grace Maguire took home $50 Bio-Rad awards, and Ben Pilling also won the Norm Seraphin Award!

YEARBOOKS

Don’t let the memories get away.
Order your yearbook today!

Only a limited supply of Korematsu yearbooks remain. Order yours to make sure you get your hands on your very own book of memories.

And a bonus! Order your yearbook online by March 16 and you’re automatically entered for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card*.

Order Yearbook

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY | SEE RULES

MARCH 14 “CALL OUT” TO END GUN VIOLENCE

‘On March 14, California State PTA is asking for your help to “call out” our federal legislators and demand stronger gun-violence prevention legislation.

Stand together with the voices of students and call your federal legislators on March 14 to demand stronger gun-violence prevention legislation including:

* Prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons including automatic and semi-automatic weapons
* Mandatory background checks
* Waiting periods for all firearm purchases.

https://www.votervoice.net/CAPTA/campaigns/57206/respond

Once you enter your name and address, the site automatically generates the names and numbers of your legislators and a script that you can use when you call.

PLEASE RESERVE A FEW MINUTES ON MARCH 14th and make calls to your legislators. Calling can be a very effective way to bring about change. Legislation offices do note the number of calls, the areas from which the calls originate and the caller’s positions – for/against.

California State PTA has a number of resources on its website.

http://capta.org/

Additional Resources:

* California State PTA Position * Statement “Firearms and Assault Weapons”
* California State PTA Position Statement “Student Participation in Public Demonstrations”
* National PTA Position Statement “Gun Safety and Violence Prevention”
* Checklist to Prevent Violence in Schools
* National PTA FAQs on Gun Violence
* National PTA Press Statement
* Talking Points for PTAs – Gun Violence and Student Voice
* Proposition 63 “The Safety for All Act of 2016” Support Full Analysis

CHAPERONES NEEDED FOR 8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP

Mr Vedder has been busy organizing the 8th Grade end-of-the-year field trip, to celebrate the students’ success in achieving their reading goals this year.
The field trip will be to Kennedy Grove Park. It will be on Wednesday, May 2nd, from 9:30-1:00.
They will be going by bus.
As you can see, he has firmed up most of the details for the field trip,
and he needs help with the most important part of it – CHAPERONES!
He needs 5-6 more parent chaperones, without whom this field trip cannot happen.
Thank you to those who have signed up!
If you can chaperone, please click HERE TO SIGN UP!
Contact Mr Vedder for all the details.

KOREMATSU PTSA MEETING

FEATURING SPECIAL SESSION
“LOOKING AHEAD: WHAT TO EXPECT AT El Cerrito High School” AND BAND PARENTS MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 13

The PTSA will meet at 7 PM in the Multipurpose Room.

Agenda
​
After covering PTSA business, we will hold a session on ECHS, along the lines of “what to expect,” which is specially designed to help 8th graders and their families navigate their way through the first few months of high school. This year, ECHS Principal Edith Jordan-McCormick and Assistant Principals Charlotte Betson and Jay Eirvin will be on hand to talk about academic and administrative matters, as well as extra curricular programs at the high school.

Learn also about what it’s like to be a Gaucho from our panel of student speakers.

So come with questions and get your answers.

Preceding the PTSA meeting is the Band Parents meeting in the band room, starting at 6 PM.

See you there!

NEW DATE!!! BLACK MOVIE NIGHT

The African American Committee will be hosting our

Black History Movie Night on

Thursday, March 15, 2018 @ 6:15pm in the

Multipurpose Room (*This is a FREE Event*).

We will watch

MARSHALL – (pg-13) – About a young Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases.

Food from Southern Café and drinks will be provided.

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and pillows.*

ID and PERMISSION SLIP REQUIRED*

A Conversation with Matthew Duffy

Tuesday March 20th 2018
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Harding Elementary School Auditorium

We are proud to present with our neighboring PTAs…..
Join us for a Conversation with our School Superintendent Matthew Duffy.

Duffy Invite English

Duffy Invite Spanish

The Hispanic and Chicano committee will be hosting their 3rd Movie Night

March 23rd 2018 at 6:15 pm in the Multi Purpose Room

Click on the link for the details: Movie Night March Cesar Chavez.pdf

JR. LIFEGUARD TRAINING

EL CERRITO SWIM CENTER

is offering Junior Lifeguard training during Spring Break for 13-14 year olds.

Click on the link for detail: El Cerrito Jr Lifeguard Training Flyer 2018.pdf

GIRLS IN ENGINEERING

UC Berkeley’s Girls in Engineering program is actively recruiting applicants who are eligible for our need-based scholarships. If you work with girls in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade, I hope you will share this opportunity with them! Applications are due TODAY March 1st.

Families are automatically awarded full scholarships if they demonstrate financial need (by qualifying for free or reduced price lunch, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal). All girls need to complete the normal camp application, but no additional scholarship application is required.

Information about our program, and a link to the online application, is available on our website: http://girlsinengineering.berkeley.edu/

TEACHER LUNCHEON

MARCH 9TH IS COMING UP SOON!
SIGN UP TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEACHER LUNCHEON!

The theme this month is Salad Bar. Bring your favorite salad to share with the teachers.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

CHAPERONES NEEDED FOR 8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP

Mr Vedder has been busy organizing the 8th Grade end-of-the-year field trip, to celebrate the students’ success in achieving their reading goals this year.
The field trip will be to Kennedy Grove Park. It will be on Wednesday, May 2nd, from 9:30-1:00.
They will be going by bus.
As you can see, he has firmed up most of the details for the field trip,
and he needs help with the most important part of it – CHAPERONES!
He needs 15-16 parent chaperones, without whom this field trip cannot happen.
If you can chaperone, please click HERE TO SIGN UP!
Contact Mr Vedder for all the details.

KOREMATSU PTSA MEETING

FEATURING SPECIAL SESSION
“LOOKING AHEAD: WHAT TO EXPECT AT El Cerrito High School” AND BAND PARENTS MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 13

The PTSA will meet at 7 PM in the Multipurpose Room.

Here is the Agenda
​
After covering PTSA business, we will hold a session on ECHS, along the lines of “what to expect,” which is specially designed to help 8th graders and their families navigate their way through the first few months of high school. This year, ECHS Principal Edith Jordan-McCormick and Assistant Principals Charlotte Betson and Jay Eirvin will be on hand to talk about academic and administrative matters, as well as extra curricular programs at the high school.

Learn also about what it’s like to be a Gaucho from our panel of student speakers.

So come with questions and get your answers.

Preceding the PTSA meeting is the Band Parents meeting in the band room, starting at 6 PM.

See you there!

NEW DATE!!! BLACK MOVIE NIGHT

The African American Committee will be hosting our

Black History Movie Night on

Thursday, March 15, 2018 @ 6:15pm in the

Multipurpose Room (*This is a FREE Event*).

We will watch

MARSHALL – (pg-13) – About a young Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases.

Food from Southern Café and drinks will be provided.

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and pillows.*

ID and PERMISSION SLIP REQUIRED*

A Conversation with Matthew Duffy

Tuesday March 20th 2018
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Harding Elementary School Auditorium

We are proud to present with our neighboring PTAs…..
Join us for a Conversation with our School Superintendent Matthew Duffy.

Duffy Invite English

Duffy Invite Spanish

MARCH 14 “CALL OUT” TO END GUN VIOLENCE

‘On March 14, California State PTA is asking for your help to “call out” our federal legislators and demand stronger gun-violence prevention legislation.

Stand together with the voices of students and call your federal legislators on March 14 to demand stronger gun-violence prevention legislation including:

* Prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons including automatic and semi-automatic weapons
* Mandatory background checks
* Waiting periods for all firearm purchases.

https://www.votervoice.net/CAPTA/campaigns/57206/respond

Once you enter your name and address, the site automatically generates the names and numbers of your legislators and a script that you can use when you call.

PLEASE RESERVE A FEW MINUTES ON MARCH 14th and make calls to your legislators. Calling can be a very effective way to bring about change. Legislation offices do note the number of calls, the areas from which the calls originate and the caller’s positions – for/against.

California State PTA has a number of resources on its website.

http://capta.org/

Additional Resources:

* California State PTA Position * Statement “Firearms and Assault Weapons”
* California State PTA Position Statement “Student Participation in Public Demonstrations”
* National PTA Position Statement “Gun Safety and Violence Prevention”
* Checklist to Prevent Violence in Schools
* National PTA FAQs on Gun Violence
* National PTA Press Statement
* Talking Points for PTAs – Gun Violence and Student Voice
* Proposition 63 “The Safety for All Act of 2016” Support Full Analysis

THE ULTIMATE CRAB FEED!!!

El Cerrito High School/Korematsu Middle School Ultimate Frisbee Club presents its
Third Annual Ultimate Crab Feed!!
WHEN? Saturday February 24th, 5:30-9:30 pm
WHERE? El Cerrito Community Center.

Come stuff your face with crab and support the EC High and Korematsu Ultimate Frisbee teams all in the same night!!! This is not your typical fundraiser of burritos and pizza. The “Ultimate Crab Feed” will be a night of delicious all you can eat crab, pasta, salad and bread. Yuuuuuummmy!

There will be fantastic raffle prizes, including authentic signed Golden State Warriors jerseys by “Splash Brother” Steph Curry and the best basketball player on the planet, Kevin Durant. The tickets are going fast so be sure to get your tickets today before they sell out.
$50/person.

For tickets: eccrabfeed2018.eventbrite.com
For information: eccrabfeed2018@gmail.com

2017-2018 YEARBOOK

THERE’S STILL TIME BEFORE YEARBOOK PRICE GOES UP, SO BUY TODAY!

You have a couple more days to buy your 2017-2018 Yearbook for the lower price of $30.
So ORDER TODAY!

The price goes up to $40 between Feb 26, 2018
and mid-April, when sales end.
Reserve your 64 page, full-color memory book now
and save $10.

Order online now

Click on “2018 Yearbook”

Many customizations are available for additional fees, including your student’s name.

Paper order forms are also available. Just drop into the school office.

Black History Movie Night

The African American Committee will be hosting our

Black History Movie Night on

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 @ 6:15pm in the

Multipurpose Room.

We will watch

MARSHALL – (pg-13) – About a young Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American

Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases.

Southern Café Soul Food and drinks will be provided!
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and pillows.

* ID and PERMISSION SLIP REQUIRED*

POWERSCHOOL

The bugs have been fixed and online registration is now available in PowerSchool for incoming 9th grade students. Once you’ve logged on to PowerSchool, on the left hand side there is a tab for Class Registration. Click that and follow the directions on the screen. Be sure to hit submit when you have finished. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Eirvin at jeirvin2@wccusd.net.

A Conversation with Matthew Duffy

Tuesday March 20th 2018
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Harding Elementary School Auditorium

We are proud to present with our neighboring PTAs…..
Join us for a Conversation with our School Superintendent Matthew Duffy.

Duffy Invite English

Duffy Invite Spanish

PRESIDENTS WEEK RECESS

School is closed February 19 to February 23, 2018. Classes will resume on Monday, February 26.

Enjoy the break!

THE ULTIMATE CRAB FEED!!!

El Cerrito High School/Korematsu Middle School Ultimate Frisbee Club presents its
Third Annual Ultimate Crab Feed!!
WHEN? Saturday February 24th, 5:30-9:30 pm
WHERE? El Cerrito Community Center.

Unlimited crab with salad, pasta and bread, and fantastic raffle prizes!
$50/person.

For tickets: eccrabfeed2018.eventbrite.com.
For information: eccrabfeed2018@gmail.com.

Black History Movie Night

The African American Committee will be hosting our Black History Movie Night on

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 @ 6:15pm in the

Multipurpose Room.

We will watch

MARSHALL – (pg-13) – About a young Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases.

Southern Café Soul Food and drinks will be provided!

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and pillows.

* ID and PERMISSION SLIP REQUIRED*

HEARTFELT THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

A great big thank you to all who have helped or contributed to the Teachers’ Luncheon, Science Fair, the Valentine’s Day Dance, sports events and everything else that’s going on in our Korematsu community.

SCIENCE FAIR

It was great to see so many families at Science Fair Night! Congratulations to our Korematsu students on their scientific explorations and good luck to those whose projects are moving on to the WCCUSD Science Fair!

Attached is a list of projects and placements from the Korematsu fair.

First, second, and third place winners will move on to the district fair. The district fair’s awards ceremony and viewing night will be on Thursday, March 1 at El Cerrito High School.

SCIENCE FAIR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Chair, Jeff Walker

A big thank you goes to the Science Fair judges for the many hours they spent evaluating projects: Melissa Ehman, Ricardo Gonzalez, Gary Hlady, Jon Lebeck, Kazue Nakahara, Crystal Nie, Jeff Norman, and Marit Oieroset.

Many thanks also go to Susan Gonzalez for helping set up the fair and to Judy Chin for providing refreshments for the judges on judging day.

We owe a special thank you to Mr. Kunz for running the fair every year, for providing his room and for much sound advice.

Finally, thank you to Mr. Burnham for his support of the Science Fair, including the logistics of Science Fair Night.

Korematsu Spelling Bee Winners!

Overall First Place – Kai Sokolowski (8th Grade)
Overall 2nd Place – Dominic Harrington

1st Place 7th grade – Julia Schweitzer
2nd Place 7th grade – Amalia Clark

A Conversation with Matthew Duffy

Tuesday March 20th 2018
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Harding Elementary School Auditorium

We are proud to present with our neighboring PTAs…..
Join us for a Conversation with our School Superintendent Matthew Duffy.

Duffy Invite English

Duffy Invite Spanish

Korematsu Middle School Academic Strategies Night Tonight

Thursday February 8th 6:30 – 8pm

Parents and guardians are invited to come and get some tips and tools for supporting your students.

Childcare will be provided!

2017-2018
YEARBOOK — PRICES GO UP THIS WEEKEND SO BUY TODAY!

You have just a few more days to buy your 2017-2018 Yearbook for the lower price of $30. So ORDER TODAY!

The price goes up to $40 between Feb 10, 2018 and mid-April, when sales end. Reserve your 64 page, full-color memory book now and save $10.

Order online now at http://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1003883/Fred-T.-Korematsu-Middle-School/ then click on “2018 Yearbook”. Many customizations are available for additional fees, including your student’s name.

Paper order forms are also available. Just drop into the school office.

February Teacher Luncheon ~ Valentine’s Brunch ~ February 9th !

In keeping with the theme of February we will treat the teachers to a Valentines’ Brunch.
If it’s waffles or pancakes, sausages or brunch casseroles ,vegan dishes or meat anything is welcome!.
Bring your favorite brunch dishes to share for the teachers.

Here is the link to sign up to help out​

Softball and Baseball To start soon

Monday February 12th during lunch students need to attend an informational meeting.
The softball meeting will be in Room A217 and the baseball meeting will be in room A219.

Baseball tryouts will be Wednesday 2/14 from 2:45 – 4:45

Softball tryouts will be Monday 2/26 and Wednesday 2/28 after school.

Lunchtime Spelling Bee

2/13 – Lunchtime Spelling Bee for top English class spellers.

KOREMATSU SCIENCE FAIR NIGHT 2018!

DON’T MISS KOREMATSU SCIENCE FAIR NIGHT 2018!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 6:30 TO 8:00 PM

KOREMATSU MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

Come see the projects that made the final round of the Korematsu Science Fair at Science Fair Night next week! The first, second, and third place winners will proceed to the WCCUSD Science Fair next month.

Congratulations to our students who worked so hard on their projects!

Valentine’s Day Dance

We still have a need for a few more parents to help at the Valentines’ Day Dance

It’s on Wednesday February 14th 2018 in the MPR 1:30 – 3.00pm

Click on the links to sign up to help create a fun event for the students:

Valentine’s Day Dance Volunteers

Black History Month Movie Night

The African American Committee will be hosting our
Black History Month Movie Night
on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 @ 6:15 pm in the Multipurpose Room

We will watch: MARSHALL (PG 13) About a young Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice,
as he battle through one of his career-defining cases.

There will be food, and drinks will be provided.
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and pillows.

*ID and PERMISSION SLIP REQUIRED

Last chance to get the tickets!

See the NBA champion Warriors live at West Contra Costa Public Education Fund Night on February 22 when Golden State hosts the Los Angeles Clippers. Discounted tickets are available for the WCCUSD community with a portion of the ticket sales benefiting the Ed Fund and the District. Get your tickets here and use the promo code WCCUSD. The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, February 2.

The Ed Fund is also offering up to a $1,000 prize to spend on the arts to the top school within each of our six family of schools that sells or buys the most tickets. More details about the Ed Fund’s announcement is here.

PTSA ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN

Local Control Accountability Plan Community Town Hall Meeting

Saturday 2/3/2018 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Pinole Middle School Cafeteria 15775 Mann Dr., Pinole, CA 94564
WCCUSD welcomes students, families, staff, and community members to attend our
Community Town Hall Meetings!
Attending a town hall meeting is a great opportunity for parents, teachers, and community members to engage in the decisions that impact their children and schools.
District staff will listen to the concerns and suggestions of all stakeholders regarding the development of the LCAP.
17-18 Town Hall Flyer (Sp).pdf
​​17-18 Town Hall Flyer (Eng).pdf

PANDA EXPRESS

Join us at Panda Express El Cerrito Plaza, next Tuesday February 6, 2018, from 3:00 – 9:00 pm for take-away or eat in. We receive 20% of the proceeds, which we spend on improving classroom, student and teacher experience.
Click HERE for the flyer. You can show paper or digital version of it.
THANK YOU!!! for your support.

2017-2018 YEARBOOK — ORDER NOW!

Now is the time to order your 2017-2018 Yearbook! 64+ colored pages!
The basic book is $30 until Feb. 9, 2018. Order today!
The price goes up to $40 between Feb 10, 2018 and mid-April, when sales end.

We are currently accepting online orders only. Please go to http://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1003883/Fred-T.-Korematsu-Middle-School/ then click on “2018 Yearbook”. Many customizations are available for additional fees, including your student’s name.

Orders can be placed via cash/check and order form in the school office after January 16th, 2018.

February Teacher Luncheon ~ Valentine’s Brunch ~ February 9th !

In keeping with the theme of February we will treat the teachers to a Valentines’ Brunch.
If it’s waffles or pancakes, sausages or brunch casseroles ,vegan dishes or meat anything is welcome!.
Bring your favorite brunch dishes to share for the teachers.

Here is the link to sign up to help out​

It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About College…

The Rho Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is pleased to announce their 28th Annual Black College Awareness Fair. This signature event will be held at Stanford University’s Tresidder Memorial Union on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Registration begins at 9:30 AM (continental breakfast will be served), and the fair program begins promptly at 10:00 AM.

SAVE THE DATE FOR SCIENCE FAIR NIGHT 2018!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM IN THE MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

Don’t forget to mark your calendars! Science Fair Night will be on Tuesday, February 13. This is the only opportunity for families to view the 70 projects that made the final round of the Korematsu Science Fair. Our students have put together some great experiments! First, second, and third place winners will be advancing to the WCCUSD Science Fair in early March.

Valentine’s Day Dance

Wednesday February 14th 2018 in the MPR 1:30 – 3.00pm

Click on the links to sign up to help create a fun event for the students and for the cool flyer from Ms. Alcocer

Valentine’s Day Dance Volunteers
​​
Valentine’s Day Dance2.pdf

Recruiting teens for UC Berkeley Public Science Center summer programs

The Lawrence Hall of Science is currently recruiting youth for our Engineering Lab, and Floor and Special Events programs. We would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word and promoting these opportunities for young people throughout the Bay Area.

We’re looking for more applicants that will become part of our internship program. Our youths have the option to join a year-round science education and youth development program that helps support STEM exploration and the college admissions process.

Through joining our program, teens have the opportunity to:

• Fulfill community service requirements
• Develop job skills that include public speaking and customer service, self confidence and leadership, adaptability and flexibility to manage multiple assignments under changing conditions, and the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.
• Learn about communicating science to the public
• Find a safe way and a place to socialize with other youth and build interpersonal relationships
• Enjoy the benefits of experiencing a work-related environment with Hall staff, UC Berkeley college interns, and other teens from all around the Bay Area.

Ideal candidates are must be entering 9th grade or above and be
able to attend the Mandatory Teen Orientation on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Youth who demonstrate a passion for science, technology, engineering, math, or education and/or are interested in working with the public are particularly well suited for the program. We hope to serve as the critical difference in our youth’s choice or opportunity to pursue a STEM career and/or education.

Youth can apply HERE; the application deadline is March 24.

YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED

Do you have any photos from any school events you have attended, this school year?
Cross country meets? Band Concerts? Performances? Basketball games?
And any other memorable school events.

The Yearbook Committee is still gathering photos for the yearbook, and would appreciate your help, to get more.

If you have any questions and/or photos that you would like to submit for inclusion in the yearbook, you can email them to timwarner@fairmontschool.org or tiffany.jamison@wccusd.net

Tips on proper photo submission:

• Screen shots do not work!
• Hi-res quality
• Please include a narrative/description, date of event, names, and grades
• Photos including nudity, profanity, copyright violations, etc will immediately be discarded and reported