November 2009

From Sensei

Holiday Closures

Spring Term Registration Underway

14th Annual Mochitsuki Festival

Classroom Greeting

Communication with Sensei

Completed Homework Logs

Payment Installment Dates

Make Up Classes

Weather Closures

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From Sensei

Wow! The holidays are upon us! We’ve been zipping through the school year so far, and have really enjoyed watching all the students sharpen their skills. We’re looking forward to next year already, as it’s time to get registrations in for the Spring term. We’re also excited about 2010 as it will be the 10th Anniversary year for JAMS... time flies when you’re having fun! Please review this issue of The News Bead as it has important information about holiday closures and Spring registration! I hope you enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and this issue of The Bead!

Sensei Miwako

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JAMS Holiday Closures

JAMS will be closed from November 26-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday, and December 21 - January 1 for the year end. Classes will resume Monday, January 4th. Also, the final day of the Fall term is January 29th. Enjoy the holidays!

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Spring Term Registration Underway

We’re gearing up for our Spring term and looking forward to continuing our work with your children! Spring term registration forms and Spring schedules are now.

The early registration period runs until January 8! If you register before then, you’ll recieve a $25 discount! Open registration for new students begins on January 8th, as well.

Not sure what level to register your current student for? Sensei will be sending class level assignments to parents over the Thanksgiving break.

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14th Annual Mochitsuki Festival

Mark your calendars to join JAMS in celebrating the Japanese American New Year Fesitval on January 31 at the 14th Annual Mochitsuki Festival. Miwako Sensei invites all of her students and their families to join and participate in this fun festival, which will provide a great opportunity for the students to get up on stage and showcase their amazing abacus and anzan skills!

When: Sunday - January 31, 2010, Noon to 4 pm

Where: Scottish Rite Center

1512 SW Morrison Street, Portland

Mochitsuki will welcome the Year of the Tiger with the 14th annual Japanese New Year celebration in a new location in downtown Portland. Located at SW 15th and Morrison along the MAX line, the Scottish Rite Center features a beautiful theater and ball room in a historic building. There will be a show of storytelling by favorite Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, taiko and dance, along with lively mochi pounding to welcome the new year with a traditional gathering of the community. Dozens of community organizations will provide hands-on activities and displays, and community performers will enliven the cultural fair. There will be an opportunity to try pounding mochi with a wooden mallet and to sample the sticky rice cakes made in contemporary mochi machines. Gathering with friends and family to make and eat mochi is an auspicious start to the year. Plan to join us!

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Classroom Greeting

When children arrive in class I would like for them to greet myself and others with “konnichiwah” which means “hello” in Japanese. When they leave the class room they should use “sayonara” which means “good-bye” in Japanese. Also, I would like for children to refer to me as “Sensei.” Please help remind your children to use these greetings by using them yourselves.

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Communication with Sensei

If you would like to discuss your child’s performance or have any questions please email me at jamsportland@gmail.com to schedule an appointment from 1:30 – 3:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

I hope that you can all appreciate and respect my need for these classroom procedures. I sincerely want to do everything possible to make this a positive and effective learning experience for your child. I look forward to working with your during the year and seeing your child’s math skills grow!

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Completed Homework Logs

Homework Logs are an important tool for students to help with time management and to make sure that they are keeping pace with assignments and progress. Students who have completed their Homework Log will have the opportunity to select a trinket from the prize box during the last week of Fall Term.

Please send an email to Miwako Sensei for any special homework requests during the Holiday break.

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Payment Installment Dates

If you are paying tuition in installments, please make note of the following dates:

- November 30 : Installment #4 due

Payments received after the 5th of each month will be assessed a $25 late fee.

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Make Up Classes

Any and all make up classes need to be approved and completed before the last day of the term, 1/29/2010.

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Weather Closures

Please remember that JAMS follows the Beaverton School District for all school closures due to weather. There are no make-up courses for classes cancelled due to weather closures.

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The News Bead is a publication of JAMS. © 2010 JAMS. All rights reserved.

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