Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com
Message from the Principal
Dear Emerson Community,
Welcome to fall! Let it bring us rain, clean air, and vaccinations for the children.
You may have heard that schools are getting funds due to COVID-19. I want to review with you where that money is going at Emerson:
-Additional Therapist Intern
-Additional School Campus Aide
-Increased English Language Learner Teacher Hours
-Increased Office Assistant Hours
-Release Time for Teacher Collaboration
This list was approved last Spring by the School Site Council, the School Leadership Team, and the BUSD Assistant Superintendent. These supports help us with the emotional and social growth of our students, COVID-19 responses, safety on campus, and curriculum planning and implementation.
Thank you for working together to keep our campus COVID-19 free. The Office Assistants are diligently monitoring sick students. This is a friendly reminder NOT to send your child to school if they are sick.
It is very important that we know why your child is absent as soon as possible.
In the morning, email Leahlopez@berkeley.net, Attendance Clerk, and the teacher, to report an absence.
We will work with you to inform you of the steps needed to clear your student to return back to school. If your child is home sick, they will need a doctor’s note or COVID-19 test administered by a medical professional to return. We understand this is burdensome, but working together, we are following health guidelines set by the City of Berkeley Health Department and the BUSD School Board.
We are in need of clothing donations for students. Did you know we often need to give students a change of clothes after they have a bathroom accident or get sick on campus? We need pants and underwear for boys (size 6- 10) and girl’s underwear (size 6-10). Please send it with your child or bring it to Ms. Michelle, in front of the school in the morning.
Thank you for your support,
Jana Holmes
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL ELECTIONS CLOSE TODAY AT NOON
It is time to elect the 2021- 2022 Parent Representatives. Voting closes at noon on Thursday, Sept 30. We appreciate all the nominated community members.
The School Site Council is always open to all Emerson parents, with or without voting privilege.
Thank you for your participation.
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
Thursday, September 30: Grade Parent Equity Training, 6 pm, Zoom Link
Monday, October 11: Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL for Students)
Week of October 25: Parent Teacher Conferences - MINIMUM DAYS (Students will be released at 1:10)
Friday, October 29: Parent Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL for Students)
Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
Note to Readers: BearFacts articles and calendar items are based on submissions from the community and reviewed and edited under the PTA communication policy. Inclusion of an item in BearFacts by itself does not indicate sponsorship or endorsement by the PTA, Emerson school staff, or BUSD.
Subscribe to the PTA Calendar
Stay up to date on key dates for Emerson! Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours! Click here to open and subscribe.
EQUITY CORNER
Do you know the story of Sylvia Mendez, the namesake of BUSD’s Two-Way Immersion elementary school? You should!
In 1944, Sylvia Mendez was 9 years old and attending 3rd grade in Southern California. After her family moved to a new school district, they were told she couldn’t enroll at the nearby school— it was "whites only”. Mexican children were segregated into schools with few resources and were not able to receive an equitable public school education. Sylvia’s family fought to end the discriminatory practices against Mexican students and ultimately succeeded in the courts, and further, when the Governor signed a bill to end school segregation in California.
Please watch and share this reading of an excellent book by Donald Tonatiuh about Sylvia and her family’s work to desegregate schools in California, “Separate is never Equal” or check this book out at the Emerson library
ESQUINA DE EQUIDAD
¿Conoce la historia de Sylvia Méndez, la tocaya de la escuela primaria de inmersión bidireccional de BUSD?
En 1944, Sylvia Méndez tenía 9 años y esta en el tercer grado en Orange County. Después de que su familia se mudó a un nuevo distrito escolar, les dijeron que no podía inscribirse en la escuela cercana, era "solo para blancos". Los niños Mexicanos fueron segregados en escuelas con pocos recursos y no pudieron recibir una educación pública equitativa. La familia de Sylvia luchó para poner fin a las prácticas discriminatorias contra los estudiantes Mexicanos y finalmente tuvo éxito en los tribunales y, además, cuando el gobernador firmó un ley para poner fin a la segregación escolar en California.
PTA UPDATE
Community Building Events Meeting: Tuesday, October 5 ~ 4:45 - 5:30 pm
Come Join us with your ideas + help us plan Community Events for the 2021-22 school year. Zoom Meeting: Tuesday October 5, 4:45-5:30pm
Email both Shawna and Ariel with YOUR interest in participating in planning or volunteering in Community Events: shnawa1@gmail.com cluteariel@gmail.com
Watch our first PTA Meeting held last Tuesday, September 21, featuring guest speaker Vice Mayor (and Emerson parent!) Lori Droste presented the Willard Park Clubhouse proposals for community feedback. Recorded Zoom Meeting HERE
Connect with the PTA by completing the PTA Sign-up Form.
Join the PTA today to help Emerson! Each year your membership must be renewed, and, if needed, we will gladly cover your $10 fee: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/pta-membership
INTRODUCING YOUR GRADE PARENTS
Thank you to the 33 parents/guardians who have volunteered to serve as Grade Parents this year working together at each grade to support our students, teachers, and families! Your commitment and teamwork are critical to building the connection that creates Emerson’s supportive community.
In the coming weeks, families will be hearing from Grade Parents through your grade level’s Remind class. Find out who is on your Grade Parent Team HERE and see some open spots! Email tylerrickieblack@gmail.com if you are interested in joining a team for Ms. Barnes, Ms. Totten, Ms. Griz, or Ms. Lewis/Schafer.
TEACHER’S CORNER
Fourth Graders recently finished up an art project where they learned about shape, pattern and color. The artists divided their papers into 3 or 4 sections and then wrote either their full name or a very short sentence about themselves. They made sure to have each letter touch the line or edge above and below so that the thick, black India ink lines would create interesting shapes. They used crayons to fill these shapes with patterns and then painted the shapes with watercolor. They are proudly displayed on the bulletin board by the library.
Greetings Families,
It has been so very wonderful to have the students back in the art room!
This year, I want our art classes to include age-appropriate discussions that help us work toward recognizing biases and stereotypes, and help us appreciate each other as individuals.
We need books and materials in the art room that can help our student artists explore these ideas through artistic expression.
In past years I could write a grant through the Berkeley Schools Fund. This is no longer an option as they have changed their mission and grants to specific classrooms are no longer available.
If you feel moved to support these efforts, a purchase from my Amazon Wishlist would be most appreciated.
And if not, no worries! I recognize you have been supporting the art program at Emerson in many ways, whether that be by asking your child what they did in art this week, by contributing to the Heart of Emerson or volunteering in the classroom.
With Gratitude,
Lucy Ames
BUSD FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SEMINAR SERIES
BUSD’s Family Engagement Seminar Series begins this Monday, October 4th from 6-7:30 with “Every Shut Eye Ain’t Sleep”, Celebrating the Historical and Contemporary Cultural Capital of African American Families. This series is designed specifically for AA/Black families to address the disproportionality of AA/Black students in special education disability categories and although the first session is designed for AA/Black families, this series is appropriate for all families and BUSD employees who want to become more knowledgeable. Please join the Zoom session HERE.
FREE AIR FILTERS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
Do you need an air filter at home for smokey days?
There’s a new program from RAMP (Regional Asthma Management and Prevention) that provides portable air units to protect vulnerable families from harmful air quality in Alameda county. To see if your family qualifies, please contact AirFilters@baaqmd.gov or click this link to learn more: https://bit.ly/3htuDfR
COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC
DATE: Saturday, 10/2 from 9 am - 1 pm LOCATION: Lake Merritt UMC 1255 First Ave, Oakland 94606
Click here for multilingual downloadable flyers.
No appointment, no ID, no insurance required. Walk-ins welcome! All vaccine types, and if you need a ride, get a $10 Lyft credit when you register online. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for those who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago and who meet at least one of the following: 65 years and older, 18+ who have underlying medical conditions, 18+who work or live in high-risk settings.
On-Campus COVID-19 Testing
Every Friday
Scan this QR code with your device to complete the Primary Health Registration form one time for weekly COVID-19 testing.
CITY OF BERKELEY TESTING SITES
Note: BUSD on-campus testing registration is found at https://my.primary.health/l/berkeley_usd
The City of Berkeley coordinates several COVID-19 testing sites, which are available to all, whether you have insurance or not. Please click this link to learn about locations and appointments. Translation is provided directly on the site along the left-hand side.
Nota: El registro de exámenes BUSD en el campus se encuentra en https://my.primary.health/l/berkeley_usd
La ciudad de Berkeley coordina varios sitios de prueba COVID-19, que están disponibles para todos, si tenga seguro médico o no. Haga clic en este enlace para obtener información sobre ubicaciones y citas. La traducción se proporciona directamente en el sitio a lo largo del lado izquierdo.
Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org
Remind: Text @7f6hb to 81010; or go to www.remind.com/join/7f6hb
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emersonpta (or follow @emersonPTA)
About BearFacts News:
BearFacts News is a weekly publication created by parent volunteers and posted online at emerson.berkeleypta.org.
BearFacts articles and calendar items are based on submissions from the community and reviewed and edited under the PTA communication policy. Inclusion of an item in BearFacts by itself does not indicate sponsorship or endorsement by the PTA, Emerson school staff, or BUSD.
If you have a news item or announcement to include in the BearFacts News, please send an email to emersonschoolnews@gmail.com. Please keep your message brief and include all the pertinent details including dates, times, locations and contact information. Send images as an e-mail attachment. The deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.
Copyright © 2021. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705