I am proud to let you know that Russian-American International School has been selected for the 2011 San Francisco Award in the Elementary Schools category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

I'm sure that our selection as a 2011 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only the school staff, but of people like you that have supported our business and contributed to the subsequent success of our school. Congratulations to all of us!

Eleonora Nayberg
Principal

Parents of all grades are invited.

Time:  6pm to 7pm
Please note that child care will not be provided.

6:00 – 6:10 – English teacher will tell everyone about her rules and expectations for this school year.
6:10 – 6:30 – parents ask the teacher questions
6:30 – 6:40 – Russian teacher enters the room and explains her expectations
6:40 – 7:00 – parents ask questions

Examples of Questions to ask on Parents Teachers Conference:
1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year?
2. How will my child be evaluated?
3. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
4. How do you accommodate differences in learning?

The first day of school is on Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Welcome ceremony

We will begin the ceremony at 9:00AM. Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to that time. Wearing school uniform is required for your child.

Also, to create a wonderful atmosphere and to continue old Russian school traditions, it would be nice if your child brings some flowers to his/her teachers.

Classes
After the ceremony all children head out to their classrooms to meet with their new and old schoolmates and teachers.
The students will have 2 classes on that day: one class with a Russian teacher, another one with an English teacher.

Orientation for new RAIS families

While children are in their in their classrooms, an orientation will take place in the assembly room. You will hear about our school’s daily and yearly routines, policies and more.
All questions will be answered then.

Pick up on September 1st
All classes are dismissed at 12:00 noon. Please pick up your child by that time.

Surprise Party for Children

It has become a nice tradition of our school to invite children’s performers on the first and last day of each school year.

On September 1st at 11:00 am our students and guests are all invited to a “Happy Birds” performing parrots show!  The performance is fast paced, upbeat with over 25 amazing tricks! Parrots will ride a bike and a scooter, play basketball and show lots of other fun activities.

Check out the performers’ website here: http://www.happybirds.com/home.html

Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe the end of the school year is right around the corner. The testing period is almost over and the progress reports should be delivered to you within the next two weeks.

I would like to let you know about the school’s schedule for the last day of school, Friday, June 10th.




SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule of our last school day on June 10th:
- 8:00 am                       School is open as usual;
- Morning snack            according to everyday schedule
- 11:00 am                    End of the School Year ceremony.
(Parents’ presence is welcomed, but not necessary or required)
- 12:30 pm                    Pizza party for all students
- 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm      Magic Show

-All children should be picked up before 3:30 pm (as stated in the school calendar)

PERFORMERS
It has become a good tradition to invite a professional performer for our last day of school. This year we are going to meet Magic Circus: Benny and Bebe with their European clowning, magic and mime show.
You can check out their website here: http://magiccircus.com/index.htm
 
Here are some review about their show: is what our satisfied clients are saying about  Magic Circus !

"Bay City Best" S.F. Chronicle 
"Spectacular, fantastic, genius – one of the most unique acts I have seen in years!" Mike Lano, CBS 
"I enjoy seeing your chapeau magic over and over again" Bob McKenzie, KTVU Channel 2 
"Entertainment to delight kids and parents" Marin Independent Journal 
"Funny, touching, intelligent" Luxembourg Review 
"Masters in the art of laughter" Tageszeitung, Munich 
"That was swell" Wavy Gravy, Camp Winnarainbow 
"The essence of entertainment" Marin County Fair 
"A terrific team of entertainers" Sausalito Arts Festival 
"You always draw such a huge crowd" Town Shopping Center. Corte Madera

Sincerely,
Eleonora NaybergPrincipal

We will have our yearly Talent Show on Friday, April 22nd  at 1pm.

All children’s acts should be ready by April 8th – the week of the first try-outs. Our school staff will review all individual performances of the students to make a decision if the performance is ready to be shown to the public.



Our preparation for the Talent Show is in full swing! There are no doubts the show is going to be one of the best ever! 

HELP ON THURSDAY, APRIL 21ST (the day before the show) 
We need several parents to help us to prepare for the show.
Please let me know if YOU can help.

STUDENTS‘ DRESS CODE  DURING THE SHOW: 
Boys – dark pants and a shirt of any color
Girls –  nice dress (not uniform dress!) 

VIDEO
A professional  videographer will record our show on video. 

Hope to see all of you on April 22nd at 1pm!

Have a great day,
Eleonora Nayberg
Principal

On Wednesday, January 26th at 2:30pm all RAIS students and parents are invited to a short concert performed by Leon Igudesman ( Nicole’s father) and his student Angela. The presentation is called “It’s all about cats” and will be held at our school.

The violinists will play the music of a famous European composer who writes music for modern Hollywood movies, Aleksey Igudesman.

If you have any questions about this presentation, or would like for your child to take violin classes, please contact Leon directly at 415/269-6986.

As has been announced before, Stanford University Education Program for Gifted Youth ( EPGY) is inviting RAIS students to participate in the Program. To receive more information an EPGY representative is ready to give us a presentation of the program highlights.
The new date is THURSDAY, January 20 at 4:30pm at RAIS.

Please come to talk about how parents might enhance their children’s education with math andlanguage arts courses offered through the EPGY’s Open Enrollment program.