Winter session: Letter of gratitude

January 13, 2013

To Whom It May Concern,

 My name is Jennifer Smith and I am a graduator of California Academy of Mathematics and Science. More than two years I work as a doctor at Children's Hospital Oakland. I want to gratitude to my school and to my teachers for the opportunity that I got.

I grew up in a poor family and my parents never thought that their daughter will become a doctor. Now they are proud of me and I am glad that I did not let them down. I really got a chance to start a new life.

Studying in CAMS all students worked hard and it is worth it. During the entire period of study, I did not miss any classes because our teachers made the lessons very interesting and informative. As a result, I passed my tests perfectly.

As for the practical lessons I must say that we had well equipped laboratories and all possibilities to develop. We spent most of our time there, worked, interested of news of science.

The advantage of this school is of such that our school took part in different scientific competitions and regularly won the prize places.

CAMS give a big choice for students to choose their future universities. After graduating from CAMS students can enter to Massachusetts university, Yale, Harvard university, Stanford university and others. I tried to say that they may be a part of the most famous universities in the world.

I am very grateful to California Academy of Mathematics and Science and to its teachers.

Sincerely,

Jinnifer Smith

Winter session: Education in the united States

The American education system is slightly different in many other countries.

The United States facilitates top notch resources and qualitative education for wide variety of curriculums that enable students to pursue world-class education at the most renowned location. For every student aspiring education in USA it is essential to be aware of the structure of educational system in USA. The system comprises of 12 years of primary and high school education, which is mandatory for getting admission in any graduate college, university, or for any professional and technical schools. It is not compulsory to accomplish these 12 years of elementary education within United States. Therefore students from overseas are also welcomed for higher education in United States.

Primary/Elementary School

Usually the education for Americans starts at around 5 years of age. The tenure of primary schooling will be about five to six years. In this level students will be completing five grades of their education. Students have choice to select their education held either in public schools, or private schools, or home school

High/Secondary School

Upon completion of five grades of education in primary school, students will enter high/secondary school. The tenure of secondary school will be about six to seven years, by which students will be completing their 12 grades. After completion of their secondary education, successful students will be obtaining a high school diploma which gives eligibility to get admission in any college or university. International students applying for graduation in U.S should have an equivalent grade of this diploma.

There are also: Undergraduate School, Professional School, Graduate School.

http://www.impeloverseas.com/StudyAbroad/USA/USA-Education-System.aspx

http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~el6/presentations/pres_c2_uss/TheAmericanSchoolSystem.htm

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-structure-us.html

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States

Winter session: California Academy of Science (CAMS) Summarizer

1.      What kind of school is CAMS?

It is a school of mathematics and science.

2.      Is this a private school?

No, it is a comprehensive public, four-year high school.

3.      What are the main subjects taught in the school?

The main subjects taught in the school are: science, math, biotechnology, physics.

4.      What is the social status of the most of the families?

Students of poor, low, risk status study there.

5.      In what way can CAMS change the life of the students which study there?

Students from poor families after graduating this school can choose different successful professions (doctor, scientist etc.)

6.      What are main reasons to motivate students to study well in school?

They realize that good studying is the opportunity to improve their lives.

7.      What Universities can students enter after graduating from CAMS?

After graduating from CAMS students can enter to Massachusetts university, Yale, Harvard university, Stanford university and others.

8.      What is the International Science Fair?

International competitions on biology (3-rd place).

9.      What does statistics say to characterize the level of education in CAMS?

90 % of graduates enter the colleges, universities and others.

10.  What are the main professions the CAMS graduators choose more often?

The main professions the CAMS graduators choose more often are engineers, physics.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday with a long story.

In 1620 about hundred Europeans arrived to the New World. They were seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith. They started work to establish a village at Plymouth. But the first winter was very brutal and only half of Europeans survived and saw their first spring on new land.

Later they were visited by Indians who spoke English. They taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans.

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of ˮThanksgiving“.

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, and was attended by 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.

The American holiday is particularly rich in legend and symbolism. Thanksgiving Day is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables. Thanksgiving Day is a time for many people to give thanks for what they have.

Today Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/thanksgiving-day 

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_%28United_States%29