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A
Few Letters Fom Students, Parents, School Administrators and Other
Chess Programs About Success Chess School
John’s
had a wonderful time in Chess Club this year, plus, as icing on the
cake, his motivation in school has improved a lot. And based on his
analytical chess aptitude, I got him GATE tested (despite no
recommendation from teacher or principal) and he got into GATE just
a couple of weeks ago.
We’re so pleased with John’s enjoyment
in Chess Club and his improved attitude and competitive
spirit.
Thank you so much for all your time, effort and expertise
in running the top-notch program.
Sincerely, Susan Fay and
Family
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Just wanted to send
this note on how efficient, captivating and motivating your
instructors are!! My daughter and son started their first Chess
Instruction experience this year at Milpitas Christian School. My
son, Neil has had Kevin Batangan from the start and he has
thoroughly enjoyed his learning experience with Kevin. Lana finds it
really awesome when coach Kevin plays chess kind of blind folded
(not having to see the chess board and the pieces - what an amazing
memory!)
My daughter (who is 6), Lana had coach Moe to start
with and she enjoyed the suburb guidance that coach Moe gave her and built
her confidence. My daughter is really shy with men and kind of
afraid to have a man as her instructor. When coach Moe left our
school, coach Chris Plummer took over...Lana was really afraid
to go to his class... Last Wednesday she finally went to his class
with so much of reluctance but you should have seen her face when
she came out from the class. She was so excited, bubbly and
happy that she went for her chess class and I owe it all to Coach
Chris Plummer. He made it a wonderful experience for her. Since
I couldn't find Chris Plummer's email id on your web site. I thought
I will send this to you and maybe you can forward my
Special Thanks to Chris for being an outstanding coach! I know my
daughter is going to enjoy playing chess under Chris's
guidance!
Thanks to you for your wonderful organisation and
the effort you put in to make it a happy experiecence for our
kids!
Jane Berenson
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Thank you very much for
the chess scholarship this year. I had a lot of fun and I
learned a lot. I really liked our teachers, David and
Hans. They were really fair with each of us and helpful. Thank
you again!
From, Chap Retislen
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I just wanted to let
you know that Sangria has graduated from Weibel. You may be offering
Chess instruction for Junior High student but Sangria is going to
join a private Junior high school so unfortunately she will not be
able to continue with Weibel Chess program.
She has
thoroughly enjoyed all those years she played chess for Weibel. I
have no doubt that Weibel community is very thankful to you for
teaching and enhancing knowledge of chess of these kids . Thank you very
much for your dedication, hard work and enthusiasm. Your guidance has
molded Sandria's life and personality in a very positive manner and
we will be grateful to you forever for that.
I hope you will
continue to share your wealth of knowledge with young kids' and I am
sure they and their families will be grateful to you forever like
us.
Thanks once again to you and your team.
Heta
Dravidian (Sangria's mom)
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Thank you Dr.
Kirshner. It is all your hardwork toward the chess program for the
children. It has taught them a number of things: focus,
concentration, fun, competition and the game itself. The children
and the parents thank you for your effort. We are and will always
be grateful to you. Learnings of Chess from you will be with them
through out their life in many different ways as they grow. So, the
seed from you is very important without which they would not have
even come this far.
Thanks Best wishes and
regards Jennifer
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XXXXX has enjoyed
another terrific year of chess with Success Chess. Thanks go to you
and your teachers who come to XXXXXX and lead the children.
One
boy whom I've worked with on his math and reading for the past 3 years
moved from being a beginner to the highest group before the team
this year. His self-confidence and intellectual development is
miraculous to me. And, the usual suspects are continuing to
thrive.
This isn't the first time a non-academic kids has
excelled. Last year, a dad thanked me over and over again for
bringing you to XXXXXX. His dyslexic kid shone in chess, and it helped him
do much better in school for the confidence it gave
him!
Thank you for controlling the noise mid-year.
Chris' management style REALLY helps ensure the children maintain
their decorum. Friday afternoons are a challenging time, and the
children are ready to party down. Thank goodness that Chris is not
only a tremendous person, and a talented coach, but also excellent
in managing a hundred squirrelly kids.
Cheers,
Samantha
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Thank
you ever so much for your willingness to create a chess program at
our school this year. I have heard nothing but favorable reports
about you, your instructors and your program. I will be very happy
to have Success Chess with us again in the Fall.
Kent Sandia,
Principal
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Thank you for
implementing such a beneficial program at Mission Valley. my
son, Nikit, has really taken a liking to chess as well as becoming a
very strong player on his team. I also want to compliment the
wonderful, caring and knowledgeable teachers. Hanz and the female
teacher overlooking the club are great.
My daughter Sara is
enjoyin the club too. She likes her teacher and is learning
well.
Sincerely,
Karan Sharma
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Thank you for your
email. I read it! Seriously. My son, who is in 1st grade at xxxxxx,
has participated in this program all year. What a wonderful
opportunity! It is so nice for our children to have a choice of
non-athletic related, after school activites. We hope to participate again
next year. Thank you again.
Pam (A parent at a school where over
half the chess club members are on the federal lunch program and,
therefore, have full scholarships for SCS)
My
husband and I want to thank you so very much for starting the chess
club at Silver Oak. My boys are having such a wonderful time and we
are very pleased with their enthusiasm and learning
experience.
Warm Regards, Jan Hymm
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Thanks for the great
update. My son, Johnny Fan, at James Leitch greatly enjoys your
chess classes. When we forgot to re-new for Spring semester, he
reminded us several times. His interest carries over to the home
front where he is constantly bugging his dad to play with him.
Your dedication to this game and your efforts with the
children is impressive. I am very grateful to you for exposing our
children to this wonderful, intelligent
sport.
Regards, Michelle
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I wanted to let
you know my children (Arnav and Jayodita) enjoyed the program you
designed this year. They also were thrilled with the certificated and
trophys you and your staff provided to each of the students. It had a
hugh positive impact upon my children and many thanks to you and
your staff for making the last day a big sucess for our
children.
Looking forward to joining your fall program.
Regards, Harsha Singh
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FROM SCOTT PFEIFER, PINEDALE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Dear
Dr. Kirshner,
It's been
a while since I last spoke with you, but, I thought a progress
report was in order.This was my first full year as chess instructor
in a bi-weekly, after-school program at Pinedale Elementary School
in Jacksonville,Florida.We modeled our program , to some extent,
after your very successful program at Weibel Elementary. We took to
heart your advice on implementing a "hands-on" approach to
instruction by providing club members an opportunity to purchase
small pocket magnetic sets for home games. Many students took
advantage of this opportunity. With funding from the Paxon Full Service
Schools Program, we were able to purchase 20+ sets, demo board, pay my
salary, and use the remaining funds for travel expenses to a
Jacksonville Chess Club Scholastic Chess Tournament.We recently
hosted the First Annual Pinedale Invitational at the school, drawing
50 participants from the various elementary schools in our Duval
County School System and from as far away as Statesboro,Georgia (a
3-hour drive!) Rewarding the kids with certificates of
participation, trophies for 1st and 2nd place finishers, and door
prizes for ALL attendees seems to be the right ingredients for
motivating the kids.It's truly amazing to see the progress our students
have made over the year.It's no wonder that the "Green Pawns" walked
away with 5 of the 6 trophies at the Invitational ! We were truly
blessed with a tremendous outpouring of support that the
administration, staff, teachers, and parents provided over the
year.Having taught chess at several local schools, this was the 1st
time for me that everything fell together to create SUCCESS. The key
is to have ALL the elements working together on behalf of the kids.
Like chess pieces, people function best as a team in working
toward a common goal and when there is genuine solidarity, success
is a given.
I periodically revisit your website for
inspiration and to note the many nice upgrades.We are hopeful that our
initial success at Pinedale will be the springboard for infusing chess
into the local school landscape.There is a tremendous need for this
type of activity in our Jacksonville Schools, which is a huge school
system with over 100 elementary schools.We believe that Pinedale's
Green Pawns will be the model for other programs to follow, just as
your Weibel Elementary School is.
If you would like to get a
better picture of our efforts at Pindale, please review the
following article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/050303/neR_12428033.shtml Thanks
again and look forward to hearing from you again.
Yours in Chess,
Scott Pfeiffer
PS: Here is a small point of interest
concerning Pinedale which might be worth mentioning. At the
beginning of the school year, when our chess club first met, we decided to
"vote" on a team name.Various candidates were submitted and the
children were allowed to orally explain why they chose a particular
nickname.When her time came, India Wishart, a 4th grader, spoke up
and pointed out that since GREEN was a school color, she thought a
good name would be the Pinedale Green Pawns.We asked her why she
chose "Pawns" and she replied "because pawns are LOYAL!" ( I love
it!!!) This nickname won by an overwhelming margin.Apparently ,it
had struck a chord with the children.
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My name is Lotus Jeng.
My son Jacob Jeng is in the chess team in Dilworth Elementary
School. Last Tuesday, Josh was their substitute teacher for
Sandi. I happened to be there during his class for most of the time.
I wrote to let you know that he did a very good job in disciplining
the children and giving instructions. My son enjoyed his
teaching very much.
I also want to express my appreciation
towards my son’s regular teacher, Sandi. He has made a lot of
efforts in his teaching.
I am glad that my son is a member of
your chess school. He definitely learned a lot from your staff.
Thank you for providing this opportunity.
Best regards,
Lotus
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