Cherry Blossom Centennial Stamps

USPS: Cherry Blossom Centennial Stamps

In 2012, the U. S. Postal Service commemorates the centennial of the gift of more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C with the Cherry Blossom Centennial (Forever®) stamp design. The two stamps, which are near mirror images, form the left and right halves of a panoramic view of blooming cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin. The stamp on the left depicts blossoming trees arching over two girls dressed in bright kimonos, and a family on a stroll with the Washington Monument in the background. On the second stamp, the Jefferson Memorial forms the backdrop for tourists taking in the sights under a canopy of pink blooms.

West Wing Week: 4/18/14 or, "Pull Together, Fight Back, and Win"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 4/18/14 or, "Pull Together, Fight Back, and Win"

This week, the President nominated Sylvia Burwell as Secretary of Health and Human Services, hosted an Easter Prayer Breakfast and a Passover Seder, discussed immigration reform with Faith leaders, welcomed the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride, announced a major milestone in the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and hit the road to New York City and Oakdale, Pennsylvania.

Washington Cherry Trees Sign of Harmony, Friendship with Japan

I just returned from Tokyo so I really appreciated this video from VOA News whose Washington DC headquarters I visited last year--Teacher Jennifer.

VOAVideo: Washington Cherry Trees Sign of Harmony, Friendship with Japan

Washington's iconic cherry trees were originally a gift to thank the United States for recognizing Japan as a member of the international community. More than 100 years after their arrival, the trees are a symbol of the relationship between the two countries, the brevity of life, and the beauty of nature. VOA's David Byrd spoke with U.S Park Ranger Brad Berger about the trees, what they represent, and what they have come to symbolize for millions of visitors to Washington each year.

USCIS Volunteer Training

USCIS VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Introduction

Volunteers are vital to the success of adult citizenship education programs. This series of training modules provides essential introductory information to volunteers in adult citizenship education classrooms or other learning environments. These training modules are designed to provide volunteers with a basic understanding of adult second language acquisition and the naturalization process, including the interview and test. After reviewing the modules, volunteers can use this information to help prepare learners for the naturalization process. The volunteer modules can be reviewed in any order.

Module 1: Understanding the Naturalization Process

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of the naturalization process.

Module 2: Learning About Who Applies for Naturalization

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of who is applying for naturalization and the benefits and privileges of U.S. citizenship.

Module 3: Meeting the Educational Needs of Adult Learners

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of the characteristics and educational needs of adult learners as well as how their needs are different from other learners.

Module 4: Identifying the English Language Skills and Civics Knowledge Needed for Naturalization

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of the English language skills and civics knowledge needed for the naturalization interview and test.

Module 5: Helping Adult Learners Prepare for the Naturalization Interview and Test

This module will provide you with basic strategies for helping adult learners acquire the English language skills and civics knowledge they will need for the naturalization interview and test.

Module 6: Developing a Lesson Plan

This module will provide you with basic ideas on how to prepare and develop a lesson plan.

Module 7: Assessing if Learners are Making Progress

This module will provide you with basic ways to assess learner proficiency levels and how to determine if learners are making progress.

Module 8: Finding Additional Materials and Resources

This module will provide you with links to educational resources.

New Quiz for April 15 Income Tax Day!

New Citizenship Quiz: Fifteen Questions for April 15 Income Tax Day!

Download PDF

USCIS Grant Program

USCIS Grant Program

FY 2014 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Funding Opportunity Announcement

On April 1, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting applications for a competitive grant funding opportunity to promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship. USCIS will offer up to $10 million in competitive funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. This funding opportunity is for public or non-profit organizations that prepare permanent residents for citizenship by offering both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services. Applications are due by May 16, 2014. Find out how to apply.

Revised N-400 Section 11 Overview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 11 Overview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Citizenship Day in San Jose April 12

Citizenship Day in San Jose April 12
http://www.immigrantinfo.org/events/Citizenship_day/CD_Schedule_041214.pdf

Santa Clara County residents are invited to participate in the Annual Citizenship Day on April 12, 2014. 

The SCC Citizenship Collaborative holds an annual Citizenship Day in 14 languages.  This year marks the 17th year and the 25^rdCitizenship Day in Santa Clara County.  It is the only event of its type in the nation as outreach and presentations occur simultaneously in 14 languages.  Last year, the event had over 1,200 participants.

This year the event take place on April 12 from 9 am to 3 pm. 

San José City College Tech Building (Corner of S. Bascom Ave & Moorpark Ave) 600 South Bascom Avenue San Jose, CA 95128 Go to http://www.immigrantinfo.org/events/Citizenship_day/CD_Schedule_041214.pdf for the schedule of orientations in various languages:

·  Amharic

·  Arabic 

·  Chinese Traditional

·  Chinese Simplified

·  English 

·  Farsi 

·  Korean 

·  Russian 

·  Somalian  

·  Spanish 

·  Tagalog 

·  Tigrinya

·  Vietnamese 

Presentations will be held in English and Spanish in Gilroy at:

St. Francis Center 7950 Church St. Gilroy, CA 95020

  

Please  share the information with your clients, family and neighbors if you think they might be interested.  Thank you much, T

Teresa Castellanos

Immigrant Relations & Integration Servcies

2310 N. First Street, Suite 100

San Jose, CA 95131

Revised N-400 Section 10 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 10 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 9 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 9 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 8 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 8 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 7 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 7 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 6 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 6 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 5 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 5 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 4 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 4 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 3 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 3 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 2 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 2 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.

More scripts will be posted in April.

Revised N-400 Section 1 Interview

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Revised N-400 Section 1 Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf.  Corrected 4/15/14!

More scripts will be posted in April.

Easy Interview based on the Revised N-400

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Easy Interview based on the Revised N-400.

Download pdf

I just noticed an error on question 11. I will fix it when I. Return on vacation April 14. Sorry for the inconvenience.  FIXED! (04/13/14)

Simple Interview based on the Revised N-400

Get ready for your citizenship interview with a new Simple Interview based on the Revised N-400. More scripts will be posted in April.
Download pdf.

Also check out Notes from Building and Maintaining a Comprehensive Adult Citizenship Education Program Feb 19-20, 2014 USCIS San Francisco District Office

And these revised N-400 resources from USCIS:

USCIS Revised N-400 Application for Naturalization http://1.usa.gov/1dBDEwu

Instructions for the N-400 http://1.usa.gov/1k2LGQB

Video;  USCIS Revises Form N-400, Application for Naturalization http://bit.ly/1cDCByb

USCIS Presentation about the Revised N-400 http://1.usa.gov/1dBCLE5