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 Families,
Wow - what an intense return back to school after Winter Break! At the time of this letter, we’ve had eight COVID cases on campus, spread amongst grades 1, 2, 3, and 5. We also had a few staff members infected with COVID. This new variant is definitely presenting new challenges for us. This week the District Office is sending over an additional certificated staff member, who typically works as a Lead Librarian, to help us with classroom coverage. We appreciate all the support and encouragement that the parents have shown. The surprise donuts, muffins, and monthly grade level sponsored PTA lunches really do a lot to lift our spirits - food is comfort!
On-campus, we continue to be as safe as possible. Thankfully, the weather has permitted us to eat outside every day and the future forecast is for more sunny days. It does get chilly, so please continue to send your children to school with layers. This week, we are having classroom reminder conversations about how to safely wear masks over our mouth and nose. We offer N95 and double masks to students. Teachers and school staff have cleaning products and sanitizer available to them. The custodians disinfect every classroom that has a COVID case.
As you may know, BUSD has adopted the newly-revised quarantine recommendations from the CDC. Vaccinated staff and students may now return to school on the sixth day of their quarantine, as long as their symptoms have improved and they test negative for COVID-19. The test needs to be proctored by a medical professional and results shared with Office Staff at LeahLopez@berkeley.net or janaholmes@berkeley.net. The Berkeley Adult School continues to be open for free, proctored COVID-19 rapid tests between the hours of 9:00 - 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Please utilize this resource for your testing needs.
Schoolwide COVID Testing will continue on Friday mornings. Testing at school may prevent at-home quarantine if a positive case occurs on campus. If you have not signed up for testing, you may do so here: https://my.primary.health/l/berkeley_usd. If your child is fully vaccinated, please send a copy of the vaccination card to: vax@berkeley.net. BUSD will require COVID vaccinations for all students by March 2022, see the policy at: https://www.berkeleyschools.net/vaxupbusd/.
With all that is going on, let us not forget to celebrate and be thankful for the courageous and important work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If it wasn't for his vision, accomplishments, and peaceful protests, I, a Black Woman, would never be able to be Principal of Emerson Elementary School. I am thankful for the diversity and freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices of civil rights leaders and their allies. Please enjoy your long weekend safely.
Take care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
January 17: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Observed - No School
January 20: Superintendent’s State of the District - Webinar Link
January 31: District Professional Development Day - No School for Students
February 18: Lincoln’s Birthday - No School
February 21: Presidents’ Day - 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.
Congratulations to January’s Shout Out Students
Mindful Mark-Making in Art
3rd, 4th and 5th grade artists were introduced to the beautiful work of an Oakland-based artist named Michele Theberge. Michele has had a meditation practice for decades and wants her work to invite quiet contemplation as well. Her repetitive arcs are like a mantra, a meditation for her. We, too, practiced mindful art by creating repeated marks while listening to meditative music. I hope that the young artists learned that art is always something one can turn to in an effort to relax during these not-so-easy times.
Ms. Ames
PTA Planning Season - We Need Your Help
We are so thankful for your support through volunteering and fundraising. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our PTA hosted playdates, raised (exceeded!) our Heart of Emerson fundraising goal, and mobilized for canceled buses and testing signups. We now have a firm foundation to build on in order to consider the future of Emerson Elementary. That means planning for 2022-2023, and we invite you to participate in building our future together. Here are some ways to help:
Afterschool Care/Enrichment Survey
First and foremost, we hear you - we all need more afterschool care and enrichment. After two years of no on-campus enrichment, we are motivated to consider alternatives to serve our afterschool care and enrichment needs.
Please fill out this survey about Afterschool Care/Enrichment. Your responses will help guide our efforts to create Care/Enrichment options that can take place during the pandemic: https://forms.gle/wiZ2F4vriL3amtSN8
PTA Committees: Low Commitment + Big Impact
1) Enrichment Committee
Work with Rahul Brown to create a plan for after-school enrichment opportunities (and childcare) for Emerson families. Sign-up HERE.
2) Mission Statement Committee
Work with Arabelle Malinis to revise and renew the Emerson Elementary PTA's Mission Statement, our guiding principles. Sign-up HERE.
3) 2022-23 Emerson PTA Board Nominating Committee
Work with Erica Carter to recruit next year's PTA Board! Sign-up HERE.
Submit Proof of COVID Vaccination
Take a picture of your child's full vaccination card and send it to Vax@berkeley.net for documentation.
COVID Vaccine and Testing Resources
COVID vaccinations and tests 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.
Help BUSD Operationalize COVID Testing
Can you help us help the district with COVID testing? BUSD is asking for any and all volunteers to step up and support COVID testing during the next 3-4 weeks of the surge. During 2-3 hour shifts, volunteers will be paired with and support a testing technician in the testing of students, staff and active volunteers. All training will be provided and “the work” will be either outdoors, in hallways, or in auditoriums.
This week the need for volunteers is greatest at the Berkeley Adult School, where testing is being conducted everyday 8:45am-4:30pm. Testing will ramp up next week at all school sites, and schedules and sign-ups will be available soon. Please note that you may volunteer at more than one testing location.
*** For details and sign-up links to COVID Testing Shifts and all open School Support volunteer opportunities, click HERE ***
Email if you have questions: sallymclaughlin@berkeley.net.
Thank you for supporting our students during this intense time.
As always, we are stronger together!
After-School Musical Theater Classes
Would You Like to Receive BearFacts by Email?
Would you like to receive the BearFacts newsletter in an email? You may opt-in by completing this online form and adding yourself to the Emerson PTA Email List. If you have already done so, you will start to receive the BearFacts by email in addition to the Remind alert in the next few weeks. As always, you can find current and old posts at Emerson News any time on the Emerson PTA website.
WHERE'S WALDO - EMERSON'S COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
Did you know our school directory can be found on our school website? Playdates, ride shares, resource sharing and more can be possible when Where’s Waldo is complete! It’s all available securely online and printable. Paper submissions are being updated as they come. If you have not done so already, please create an account to access the directory, make your own updates, and adjust your preferences by using the email you provided. Click here for the steps to joining Where's Waldo! Questions: email emersonschoolnews@gmail.com
STEM Ambassador Tutoring Program - Free
The CalTeach program is a teaching credential program for STEM majors at UC Berkeley. Free virtual tutoring program grew out of an effort to meet the needs many families currently have while they are at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, during the transition back to in-person, free virtual tutoring through the STEM Ambassador Enrichment Program will continue online in the spring serving K-12 students. If you are interested, sign-up HERE.
Questions? Contact CalTeach Student Services Coordinator by email: advising_calteach@berkeley.edu.
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