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,
We hope you enjoyed your November Break and found time to reconnect with your loved ones. Can you believe that there are only a few weeks left in 2021? This year has certainly been eventful. I am thankful that our community is back in school together, in person, despite the continued challenges. We have been having lots of fun together on campus and appreciate learning and enjoying each other’s presence.
As you may be aware, we did have a positive case of COVID-19 on campus prior to the break, which was revealed through our weekly testing on Friday mornings. This is a good reminder that testing is an effective tool for the mitigation of the spreading virus. In addition, as travels increase due to the holiday season, let us be vigilant in the monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms. We are encouraging families to take advantage of the 5-year-old and up COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments can be found at https://myturn.ca.gov/ and the vaccine is free to everyone age 5 and up. We are also asking families to send a copy of their child's vaccination card to Office Staff Leahlopez@berkeley.net or Gabriellaparra@berkeley.net and we update students’ immunization status in our records. The School Board has approved a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all students for the 2022- 2023 school year.
Your child may experience COVID-19 symptoms after they are vaccinated. In some cases, students will need to stay home from school and be tested for COVID-19. Here is a handout from the county that details when students should stay home after receiving the vaccination, and when they can come to school. Note that this only applies when students are not in close contact with a case. Please see this document for more details about what you can expect:
Guidance for Symptoms after Vaccination
The Office Staff would like to remind you that if your child displays any of the symptoms below, you should not send them to school. Instead keep them at home and email or our office staff, and your child’s teacher with the reason for the absence. Students with COVID-19 symptoms will need a negative test, doctor's note, or complete a 10-day quarantine before they can return to school.
COVID-19 Symptoms:
runny nose/congestion
fever of 100 degrees/chills
cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
sore throat
fatigue
headache
muscle aches
nausea, vomiting
diarrhea
new loss of smell or taste
If you read the Superintendent’s letters and updates you know that BUSD is facing significant budget challenges for the 2022- 2023 school year. Just as many school districts in the Bay Area are required, our district must submit a list of proposed budget cuts to the Alameda County Office of Education in December. The early budget requirement is a reflection of the concern over tightened state-wide budgets. Our projected shortfall is $6.6 Million. For now, the proposed cuts are not at the site level. On the bright side, the state of California is projecting a $31Billion surplus—let’s hope some of that is directed toward schools.
Thank you for your continued support of Emerson, especially through our Heart of Emerson campaign! We have met our fundraising goal for the 2022- 2023 school year. This means you have made it possible to fund another year of Art and PE, Office Support, Equity Programs, and more for our community! A special thank you to our fundraising chairs: Ms. Krysten Curtis and Ms. Arabelle Malinis. We are so thankful for their hard work and dedication, leading to a successful campaign for all.
Sincerely,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
December 4: Cal Football Parking Fundraiser - Kindergarten
December 13: School Site Council Meeting
December 20 - 31: Winter Break - No School
Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!
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.
Heart of Emerson: Thank You!
Dear Emerson Community,
We are deeply humbled by your generosity for Giving Tuesday and throughout the campaign. We have reached the matching challenge maximum of $10,500 AND we have met and exceeded our overall campaign goal of $110,000!! (We raised $27,200 on Giving Tuesday!) You have made it possible to fund another year of Art and PE for our students, office support, racial equity programs, and more for our community! You have demonstrated truly the Heart of Emerson!
All Giving Tuesday donors will have their names entered into an online randomizer to decide the giveaway winners. Please stay tuned. If donors need a receipt, please email heartofemerson@gmail.com
As a prize to celebrate our collective accomplishment, the Emerson PTA will give each student and staff a special Emerson, Berkeley t-shirt!
Thank you again for your generosity and support of Emerson!
Please continue to share the Heart of Emerson with your friends and family during the holidays and Winter Break. Every donation counts, through the end of the school year.
With Gratitude,
Krysten Curtis (Henry 3rd Barnes, Koraline 1st Salyk) Fundraising Co-chair
Arabelle Malinis (Taj 3rd Stuppi) Fundraising Co-chair
Teachers’ Corner: Drawing Paint Brushes in the Art Room
First Grade artists drew these unicorns after hearing the story Never Let a Unicorn Scribble by Diane Alber. Then they filled up a paper with colorful scribbles and glued down their cut out unicorn.
Jesus Sosa, Wood Carver from Oaxaca, Mexico will be at Emerson on Tuesday, December 7th
He will be demonstrating his carving and painting process for the classes on the playground during the school day. At the end of the day, carvings will be on sale from 2:20 to 5pm in front of the school on Forest Avenue. If you are interested in doing a little shopping, please come by after school. Cash preferred, checks accepted. Prices start at $10.
Equity Corner: Hanukkah
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is an 8 day Jewish holiday that celebrates the power of light and miracles. Each night, a candle is lit on a menorah, to represent the sacred oil that that was only supposed to last for a single night but actually lasted for 8 nights. Hanukah means dedication in Hebrew and this celebration is sometimes also called the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah might have extra meaning for families this year, especially since this holiday can help remind us that the smallest of miracles can keep darkness away...
This year, Hanukah began on November 28th and continues until next Monday, December 6th. Some families celebrate Hanukkah by gathering to eat delicious dinner (like latkes and sufganiyot— jelly filled donuts!), and afterwards, light a candle for each day of the miracle, recite blessings, and sing songs. Sometimes there are gifts, dreidel games, gelt (chocolate coins) and other fun family traditions. -cielo
Esquina del Equidad: Hanukkah
Hanukkah (también escrito Chanukah) es una festividad Judía de 8 días que celebra el poder de la luz y los milagros. Cada noche, se enciende una vela en una menorá, para representar el aceite sagrado que se suponía que solo duraría una noche, pero en realidad duró 8 noches. Hanukah significa “dedicación" en Hebreo y esta celebración a veces también se llama "Festival de las Luces". Hanukkah podría tener un significado adicional para las familias este año, especialmente porque esta festividad puede ayudarnos a recordar que el más pequeño de los milagros puede alejar la oscuridad ...
Este año, Hanukah comenzó el 28 de Noviembre y continúa hasta el próximo lunes 6 de Diciembre. Algunas familias celebran Hanukkah reuniéndose para comer una cena deliciosa (como latkes y sufganiyot, ¡donas rellenas de gelatina!), Y luego encienden una vela por cada día del milagro, recitan bendiciones y cantan canciones. A veces hay regalos, juegos de dreidel, gelt (monedas de chocolate) y otras divertidas tradiciones familiares. -cielo
Holiday Gift Cards for Families in Need
The Berkeley Public Schools Fund and the Office of Family Engagement and Equity are working together to fundraise for Holiday Gift Cards for families in need in our schools. To support this effort, donations for Holiday Gift Cards can be made here. (Click on the link and then select Holiday Gift Cards as the program and complete the rest of the form.) If your family is needing support during the holiday season, please contact Lily Howell at lilyhowell@berkeley.net.
COVID Vaccine and Testing Resources
COVID vaccinations are available at a number of locations within our community. Please review and share this document for vaccine and testing locations often. It will be updated with new information as it becomes available. If you have information to add to this list, please email emersonequitypta@gmail.com.
How to Connect!
Do you want to talk to another parent about Emerson, learn ways to connect with other families and support the school? Here are four things you can do:
1) Visit the PTA table on Friday mornings at drop-off!
2) Set up your profile in Where’s Waldo, Emerson’s online family directory.
3) Join the PTA .
4) Learn about the Heart of Emerson campaign!
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