Korematsu

The Korematsu Science Fair & Finger Food Potluck is Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 6:00-9::00 p.m., Room 35 (Café).This is a great opportunity to come out and see what our young, creative minds submitted. This event is open to Korematsu families and incoming or prospective families. You’ll also view the projects that will advance to the WCCUSD Science Fair to be held on Wednesday, February 25th.

Map of Campus Here: http://li996-204.members.linode.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/portola-middle-school-map-of-temp-campus.pdf

After the fair, projects are available for pick up. Please leave those with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons. They will go on to the District Science Fair.

WE NEED HELP!
We need a handful of people to carry the hundreds of projects to the cafe and help set up. this is not hard, but many hands make light work. Can you give us an hour or so to help? Start time 4:30-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11th. Meet at the Cafe. Contact: Keith Mueller kmueller@ccsf.edu
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B73yTuZm8LwCpIyXiy-G00Ym0QIoj636Xbe6ycbNJmo/edit#gid=1071115742
FINGER FOOD!
Bring a finger food snack to share…..
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B73yTuZm8LwCpIyXiy-G00Ym0QIoj636Xbe6ycbNJmo/edit#gid=1071115742

Did you know that the Korematsu Library has digital academic and literature resources for families to access? Here is the presentation given at the PTSA meeting by Ms. Bogie about the digital resources that are available through the library department at all times: KMS_Digital Library Resources.

Here are the links included in the presentation:
Online school library catalog: http://destiny.wccusd.net/
Ebook & audiobook app (Brytewave) directions: http://aboutfollettebooks.com/pdfs/guides/QRG-BryteWave-and-App.pdf
Brytewave username: firstname.lastname
Brytewave password: student ID number
Follett Shelf URL for Korematsu: http://wbb38282.follettshelf.com
Ed1Stop research resources: www.ed1stop.net
All of this information is permanently available on Ms. Bogie’s webpage: http://korematsumiddlelibrary.weebly.com/

Digital resources are available at all times, including over the summer. Ms. Bogie will be on maternity leave through June. The library will be staffed by a substitute beginning on January 26th. You can reach the library at (510) 524-0405 ext. 114 or in Room 14. You can also email Ms. Bogie at abogie@wccusd.net and she can refer you to the substitute librarian if she’s unable to field your question at that time.

Korematsu’s 7th grade counselor, Ms. Gail Simpson, is presenting a series of parent education workshops entitled, “How to Help Your Child Succeed in Middle School”. The first session, “Getting Organized” occurred on November 17th. If you missed it, you can see the take home summary on printable pdf here: KMS_Helping Your Child Succeed in Middle School _Session 1.

The next session, “Study Skills”, will be held in Room 8 on the KMS temporary campus on Thursday, January 29th at 1:00pm. The sessions are geared toward parents and guardians of 6th and 7th graders, but everyone is welcome!

The Korematsu Middle School boys and girls basketball seasons are underway and off to a great start!

The girls season starts earlier, and they have already established a strong winning record at 7-1!
Recent games:
King MS W 41-11
Piedmont W 34-28
Summit W 31-22
Realm W 46-0

Upcoming Games:
1/12/15 at Martinez 5pm
1/14/15 at Summit 3:30pm
1/15/15 at Foothill Middle School
1/24/15 League Tournament-all day at Piedmont Middle School

The boys team has played one game, a 39-9 win over Summit! Here is their season schedule: http://goo.gl/FnZXUh, also available in a printable version.

Come out to cheer our KMS sports team on to more victories. These kids have been demonstrating real heart and sportsmanship on the court!

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!