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,
We are finally getting a little relief from the relentless positive cases of COVID-19. Our daily numbers are gradually dropping. The health experts say the case numbers are falling in the Bay Area. New COVID-19 Public Health Guidance is expected Mid- February. In anticipation, during BUSD's Wednesday, February 2nd Board Meeting, the Superintendent reviewed a list of possible changes to mitigation measures. This was followed by a School Board discussion regarding the timeline for implementation, in terms of Now, Soon, or Later. Some of the changes proposed were: no more outside masking and reduced on-site COVID-19 testing to once a week. I am sharing these proposals with you now in an effort of transparency, and also to let you know that more changes are on the horizon. Let’s continue to expect the unexpected.
Good news: the BUSD Oratorical Festival is back! This year’s theme is “Black Resilience and Joy.” Students may create a video for submission. As in the past, Lily Howell, OFEE Coordinator, will help interested students during lunch. We will provide more information as we receive it from Instructional Services. The actual date of the event is To Be Determined.
We are looking forward to a Lunar New Year Celebration on Thursday, February 17th. The students and staff will be treated to an exciting performance with Percussion and a Lion, brought to us by San Francisco’s Leung's White Crane Kun Seng Keng, Dragon and Lion Dance Association. Parents are welcome to watch the performance through the gate. The performance will start at 8:30 am and last approximately 30 minutes. Thank you, PTA, for paying for this cultural event.
Please consider signing up for this Spring’s Equity Circle with Consultant, Ms. Pamela Harrison- Small. I was fortunate to participate in this workshop during the Fall of 2019. The relationships I built with staff and students have been invaluable. Through the Circle, you will learn more about how to integrate Equitable Practices in your lifestyle and how to have the tough conversions necessary for a truly inclusive community. The Equity Circle is free and kicks off on Saturday, February 26. If you are interested in joining, complete this Google Form or email any questions to emersonequitypta@gmail.com.
We are winding up assessments this month, with Kindergarten through 2nd Grade students taking the DIBELS test, and Grades 3-5 taking the STAR Reading and Math. Grades K- 2 are also completing Math Benchmark Assessments. The teachers will gain good data regarding students' progress, which will guide instruction for the rest of the year. 5th Grade Students are taking the California Healthy Kids Survey. You can expect 2nd Trimester Report Cards to be sent home Mid- March.
Thank you for your continued support and take care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
February 17: Lunar New Year Celebration on the Yard, 8:30am
February 18: Lincoln’s Birthday - No School
February 21: Presidents Day - No School
February 26: Spring Equity Circle, Session 1, 9am
March 14: School Site Council, 6pm
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.
Spring Equity Circle
We are incredibly fortunate to offer an Equity Circle this new year, facilitated by Pamela Harrison-Small and generously funded by the Emerson PTA for our entire community— parents, caregivers, and staff. During these 6 sessions, we will engage in real talk about diversity and inclusion, improving student achievement, and increasing engagement (for community of all backgrounds). There is a 10 hour minimum time commitment spread across 6 sessions (2/26, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/29). If you are interested in joining these incredible sessions, please complete this Google Form or email me with any questions at emersonequitypta@gmail.com.
¡Reunión de Equidad para 2022!
Somos afortunados en ofrecer un “Equity Circle” este año nuevo, facilita de Pamela Harrison-Small (una experta de educación y equidad) y generosamente financiado de él PTA para toda nuestra comunidad de Emerson— padres, cuidadores, y personal. Durante estas 6 sesiones, participamos en conversaciones (a vez son difíciles!) sobre diversidad y inclusión, ayudando nuestros estudiantes, y también como podemos tener un comunidad diverso donde todos puede contribuir, tener su voz, y ofrecer apoyo. Hay un compromiso de tiempo mínimo de 10 horas repartidas en 6 sesiones (2/26, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/29). Si esta interesado, por favor complete este formulario de Google or envíeme un correo electrónico con cualquier pregunta en emersonequitypta@gmail.com.
Teachers’ Corner - Black Lives Matter in Art Class
Kindergarten through 5th grade artists were shown a variety of artists who use their art to fight for social justice. We discussed different symbols that artists use, from peace signs to raised fists. Students worked independently or with partners to create their own mini posters. We used the fabulous new marker and crayon "Colors of the World" sets. Thank you again to the families that purchased those off of my wishlist. The artists also each drew a face in the large fist and colored it in a skin tone close to their own. This shows us how Emerson is a community that can work together to fight for social justice.
Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)
Emerson Students Stand United for Black Lives Matter Week!
Each student is represented in this school wide collage featured above.
Check out Emerson’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr All School March Video
Call for March Student Performances
We are requesting student performances for the March All School Meeting! Please email your video taped performances (2- 3 minutes long) to Mollysalyk@berkeley.net (Grades K- 2) or TaylorTotten@berkeley.net (Grades 3- 5). Performances are due by Friday, February 25.
Equity Corner: William Byron Rumford
William Byron Rumford (1908-1986) was a trail blazer, he owned Rumford Pharmacy (today the building houses his namesake medical clinic at 2960 Sacramento St.), and eventually became the first black state assembly member elected in California in 1948. Mr. Rumford is best remembered for 3 important pieces of legislation: the California Fair Employment Practices Act of 1959 (to reduce the impact of race in hiring decisions), the Good Samaritan Act of 1959 (the first law to protect professionals in emergency situations), and the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963. The Fair Housing Act was a very important piece of legislation that gave California important authority against race-based housing discrimination until the passage of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1968. Mr. Rumford understood the impacts of redlining firsthand because of Berkeley’s racially discriminatory housing practices that kept Black, Asian, and Latinx community from purchasing housing outside of South and West Berkeley through HOLC mapping. Mr. Rumford’s leadership, activism, civil rights championship, and care for community has had an incredible impact, and not just on Berkeley— to learn more about him and his legacy, please read https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/07/obituaries/william-byron-rumford-overlooked
Free One-on-one Music Tutoring
The Music Connection at UC Berkeley is a student-run volunteer organization that aims to provide free one-on-one music tutoring in collaboration with the Berkeley Unified School District. The Music Connection has expanded its piano and vocal tutoring to other instruments; however, other instruments will depend on tutor availability. All students in the private tutoring program will have the opportunity to participate at an end-of-the semester recital.
The Spring 2022 application process for private tutoring is underway! Please remember that if you have signed up before, you will need to fill out the application form each semester you are interested in being matched with a tutor. Lessons will be offered either virtually or in-person depending on which format both students and tutors feel to be most comfortable, effective, and safest.
Private music tutoring applications are due Friday, February 11th by 11:59 p.m. Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/fJ3Xk5UVePTHC3cL9
Please keep in mind there are often more interested students than volunteer tutors, so it is not guaranteed that your student will be matched with a private tutor upon filling out the application. However, The Music Connection does its best to prioritize reapplicants and students who qualify for their school’s free or reduced lunch program. For more information on The Music Connection and our programs, here is the website: https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~tmc/
BAMPFA Virtual Roundtable
This Saturday, February at 2:30, we will be reading Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia. It is a vibrant collection of short stories, comics, and poems through which we discover the power of joy and the wonder of Black boyhood. This will be BAMPFA’s LAST Virtual Roundtable Reading. We are hopeful to return to in-person Second Saturdays for Families starting March 12.
Free Masks and COVID-19 Tests for the Emerson Community
Free N95 masks (adult size)!
The U.S. Government is now giving 3 free adult-size masks to anyone who needs them. You can pick yours up at a nearby Community Health Center or pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Sam’s Club starting in mid-February.
Free At-Home COVID-19 tests
Residential households can order 1 set of free at-home COVID tests (you will receive 2 boxes; each box contains 2 tests) through the USPS here. If you have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order, you can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities place their orders. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9AM to 8PM ET, or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Submit Proof of COVID Vaccination
Take a picture of your child's full vaccination card and send it to Vax@berkeley.net for documentation.
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!
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.
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.
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