December 2009

From Sensei

Holiday & Weather Closures

Spring Term Registration Underway

14th Annual Mochitsuki Festival

Testimonial

Communication with Sensei

Completed Homework Logs

Make Up Classes

Download the PDF Version

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From Sensei

It seems like a blink of an eye and the year has passed! We're excited about 2010 as we'll be celebrating our 10th Anniversary - an event that wouldn't be possible without all of you! We're winding down for the end of the year and the holidays, and looking forward to our Spring Term - register as soon as you can to reserve your spot! Enjoy the holidays and this issue of The Bead!

Sensei Miwako

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JAMS Holiday & Weather Closures

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

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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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.

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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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Testimonial

Our 6 year old started JAMS six months ago. It has been a very positive learning experience for him. In just a few months, we noticed a steep rise in his math capabilities along with mental math skills. We believe this program helps boost self-confidence in kids and is an excellent program to enhance math skills.

Ms. Miwako is a very dedicated teacher with ability to motivate kids to achieve challenging goals. She has a very unique ability to keep students focused on their work. She maintains a very small class size and is able to provide individual attention to each student. Enrolling our son in Ms. Miwako’s Abacus math has been one of the best decisions we have made. -- Kiran & Priya

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

JAMS – Where your child’s success really adds up!
Call JAMS today at 503.520.1063 to schedule your no obligation preview of our Abacus math classes!