April 10, 2011
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As you may already know, we are presently at the last quarter of the seventh grade year. I understand that the students are tired, but we need to continue working and studying up to the finish line!
Regarding the math, the seventh graders are studying algebra which consists of solving equations with logical step-by-step operations. I have reminded students that algebra is a challenging form of math and that reviewing on a daily basis, whether it be re-working problems, re-reading explanations, and/or working online, is an utmost necessity. For the fourth quarter, we will be studying a lesson per week. The weeks math agenda will be: introduction to the lesson, working on examples, explaining, student's participation in explaining, working on exercises, correcting, reviewing and reinforcing, time for questions and answers,reviewing and reinforcing online with the math tutor, and cooperative learning with partnering classmates. Since you are your child's primary educator, please make sure that your child understands the math lesson before the quiz on Friday. Again, I am available during the lunch recess and after school by appointment.
I am happy to announce that we are having a grand Renaissance Faire on Friday, May 27th. The St. Andrew's Guild will again join us and provide support and enrichment to our studies of the Renaissance. A fundraiser would be a good idea to have during the faire; if you could possibly do some research as to simple "Renaissance" type of desserts to make, bring, and sell, your help would be appreciated by the seventh graders. Again, the seventh graders are trying to raise funds to add to their account for next years activities. Parent help during the faire would be most welcome!
On Wednesday, April 20th, the seventh graders are going on a field trip to Japantown. We will be given a free tour of the Japantown area and learn of its history. $1.00 donation to the Historical Japanese Society would express our appreciation for their time and lectures. Parent chaperones are welcome. If weather permits, students could bring a bag lunch and eat around the Pagoda area.
Another reminder that the seventh grade parents are responsible for hosting the graduation reception scheduled for Friday, June 3rd, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.(approx.) in the school's auditorium. Our room parents, Mrs. Roque and Eva Coverson, will be contacting you before the date. We will need parents to help with setting up the auditorium, serving coffee, tea, punch, and cake; then cleaning up. We will want your child to experience a most wonderful graduation ceremony and reception next year, and hopefully, next years seventh grade class will be as kind and considerate.
Unfortunately, it has come to my attention that there has been problems of gossip among some seventh grade students. Throughout the year, I have seriously discouraged gossiping and had lectured about the evils of gossip. I sense that this problem of gossiping has seriously affected academic progress from a few of the students. In regards to religious faith which is absolutely necessary in life, I hope that people are not using religious faith as a mask for wrongdoing. As I have taught the students, God is in our minds and in our hearts and is always with us.
God Bless All of You!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sharon Owyang-Lee

March 15, 2011
Dear Parent / Guardian:
The appointment schedule for the Parent-Teacher Conferences will be sent home with your child tomorrow; please send in your preferred time(s)ASAP.
I am proud to announce that the overall class scores for the Math Benchmark exams have greatly improved. You will notice the improvements on your child's Math Benchmark report card soon.
Ms. Coreen Abbott from the Museo-Italeo will be coming to visit us on Thursdays, March 17th and 24th. We are fortunate to have such a talented and knowledgeable artist come to speak to the students about the Italian Renaissance!
Our next fundraiser is scheduled before the Easter vacation. Last year, the seventh graders sold plastic Easter egg containers filled with foil wrapped chocolates. Since this fundraiser was such a big success, earning the class over one-hundred dollars, we have decided to duplicate this fundraiser idea for this year. I am asking for your help in donating these plastic Easter egg containers and / or foil wrapped chocolates. These items can be found at Safeway and Walgreens. We plan to sell these Easter eggs during the recesses the week of April 11th. Each egg filled with about three foil wrapped chocolates will sell for $1.00 each.
We hope to again host a grand Renaissance Faire in mid May. As we approach the date, I will inform you by updating the blog.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Owyang-Lee
Grade 7 Teacher
Mission Dolores School

January 25, 2011
Dear Parent / Guardian:
A reminder that the next book report is due on Monday, January 31st. The students received another book report format / outline that I will be reviewing with them again tomorrow during our Language Arts class. As I have mentioned at the start of this academic year, studying a short story each week is not enough reading; students should have been picking and choosing a book of their choice borrowed from the library or purchased at a book store. The credit earned on the book report will be the equivalent of an exam grade for English, Reading, and Spelling/Vocabulary.
We have completed the chapter on the history of China in our Social Studies textbook; students will soon be working on a project on Ancient China. The project consists of a research report from each student and the art and speech portion of the project is the cooperative group work. By now, the seventh graders are very much familiar with the requirements of a project: file folder containing research information, notes, drafts of the report, written speech, daily journal of work progress, sketches and plans for the art. You may not be seeing the Social Studies textbook for the next few weeks, but there is DEFINITELY Social Studies homework daily: continual work on the China project. The scheduled deadline for the China project is Friday, February 18th. Since this project will be one of the major projects this academic year, the grading may be the equivalency of two Social Studies exam grades.
Our next major fundraiser will be for Easter. Last years fundraiser was a major success; the students put together Easter eggs consisting of foil wrapped chocolate Easter eggs stuffed into colorful plastic Easter egg containers, sold for $1.00 each. When the time comes, and when these materials are made available at Safeway's, Walgreen's, Target, and/or Costco, we would appreciate parents' participation in donating the necessary materials for this fundraiser. Again, the seventh graders are trying to build up their account in order to treat the graduating class to a farewell breakfast and graduation reception; this has been an ongoing tradition here at Mission Dolores School. Hopefully, for next year, the upcoming seventh graders and parents will be as supportive to these fundraising events in order for your child to enjoy a memorable graduation reception and breakfast! Whatever funds are left over from this year will follow the students into the eighth grade year to enjoy!
Please remember to send $1.00 donation with your child soon for the Chinese lion dancing scheduled for Chinese New Year Day, Thursday, February 3rd, in the morning! Your generosity will bring you good luck and fortune!
HAPPY NEW YEAR OF THE RABBIT!
Regards,
Mrs. Owyang-Lee

January 19, 2011

Happy New Year of the Rabbit!
We are pleased to announce that once again the Jing Mo Martial Arts group will be coming to our school to welcome the new year with lion dancing on Chinese New Year's Day, February 3rd. We are asking that each student donate $1.00 to express our gratitude for their visit. Please have your child bring this donation of $1.00 before February 3rd.
A reminder that the seventh graders have two field trips coming up next week: Tuesday, January 25th to Good Tidings Art Studio and Thursday, January 27th to the Asian Art Museum for the exhibit of the Samurai! Both of these fields trips will take place in the morning and we will be back to school in time for lunch. Students will need Muni fare: $1.50 (in change) for the round trip. If you are available on these days to join us and chaperone, you are most welcome and should be earning parent hours.
Please be reminded again that students are very much capable of accessing more academic help and tutoring online; especially in Math and French. I frequently remind students that I am available for extra help during the lunch recess (30 minutes) in my classroom and / or after school by appointment only. Also, for the seventh graders, from 12 noon until 12:30 p.m. daily, study hall and extra help are available. If students choose to waste time socializing during the school day, then there will be more homework, right? As teachers, we try to discipline and guide our students, but we cannot control them. Please continue to help strengthen your child in the educational process by supporting the teachers and remember, "Parents are the primary teachers". Your child's grades and homework continue to be posted online on a daily basis.
In regards to academic progress, do not underestimate the power of the student: the student has the power to excel in academic studies and the power to choose not to work on academics.
I especially love the third quarter, because it will end with Parent-Teacher Conferences!
Good Health, Happiness, and Success for 2011!
Mrs. Owyang-Lee