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,
Great news! The Omicron surge is subsiding - we tested the students and staff twice last week and did not detect any new cases. The Superintendent sent out an email last week, indicating that the COVID-19 mitigation strategies and protocols may soon be changing. Testing has been reduced to once a week, and soon, outdoor masking will be optional. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and stay up to date with boosters- let’s be as safe as possible! We hope that Spring will bring us the sun and a feeling of rebirth and a return to more health!
Besides keeping our health and safety at the forefront, we keep our commitment to educating our students with high academic standards. We promote a healthy social-emotional learning environment that encourages an inclusive and socially just society. We are in the midst of celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Black Lives Matter, and Black History Month with various read alouds, individual, and class projects, and our school-wide march which you can view here: https://youtu.be/r-NMb7zcgLQ. This morning the entire school learned about the significance and importance of the Lunar New Year and was treated to an exciting Lion Dance presentation. Near the end of the month, Emerson students will participate in Jazz and Friends Day, which will be February 24, 2022. This day is one to acknowledge that when students read books where they see characters like themselves who are valued in the world, they feel a sense of belonging. To learn more, you can visit this link: Jazz & Friends National Day of School & Community Readings.
If you would like to partner with us in our passion for equity, inclusion, and diversity at Emerson, we invite you to consider joining the PTA Equity Circle, hosted by Consultant Pamela Harrison Small. This is a free opportunity that will give you the chance to learn strategies to enable your child to grow up with a more welcoming understanding of people who are different from themselves. In the Equity Circle, you will have an invaluable experience that will provide the opportunity to learn in a safe environment, where you will get to know other Emerson parents and staff members. Despite the challenges of the school year, the Emerson PTA remains committed to offering the Equity Circle and is happy to be able to offer it again. If you have any questions, please feel free to email emersonequitypta@gmail.com, or ask other parents or staff in the community. Many of us have attended and have great things to say about our experience.
Thank you for your continued support of Emerson and Take Care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
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
March 15: PTA General Association Meeting
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 for 2022!
We are incredibly fortunate to offer an Equity Circle this new year, facilitated by Ms. 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). Our kickoff session on 2/26 will be on-campus, masked, with food and childcare with Mr. John on site! If you are interested in joining these incredible sessions, please complete this Google Form or email me with any questions at emersonequitypta@gmail.com. You can also check out videos created by past members of this important group to learn more firsthand here and here -cielo
¡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. -cielo
Teachers’ Corner - Art HEARTS
Kindergarten artists learned about an artist named Jessie Raulet (whose brand is called EttaVee). She loves to use bold bright colors in her painted hearts and then adds smaller details in gold. Kindergarten artists used paint sticks and metallic sharpies to create these beautiful hearts.
Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)
BUSD FAMILY GUIDE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Berkeley is fortunate to have Joemy Ito-Gates, the district’s Ethnic Studies TSA; please look at this month’s Listen/Learn/Lift Up/Love— this guide is thoughtfully put together and includes activities and ideas you and your student can do together. Check out the Ethnic Studies website here.
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: mable howard
Have you noticed the BART tracks that go underground at Alcatraz and Adeline? That familiar underground hum marking the passing of the day for South Berkeley residents came about due to the work of Mable “Mama” Howard (1905-1994). Mama Howard was a powerful and influential community figure that protected the South Berkeley community from further racial division by filing a lawsuit against BART in 1968, to prevent the new transit tracks from further dividing our community, when she was 63.
Construction workers had already begun tearing down 517 homes to make way for the new raised BART tracks that would run along Adeline Avenue; Mama Howard was able to see the placement of the tracks as another boundary that would further segregate the families in South Berkeley from the rest of the city*. Pollution, visual blight, and displacement were other issues that motivated the entire city to tax themselves to fund the underground BART track because BART intended to build the tracks aboveground, regardless of community input. Mama Howard’s lawsuit stopped BART for nine months and forced BART to move the trains underground, supported by 80% of Berkeley residents who taxed themselves to fund the work.
image of Mama Howard at the BART construction site, holding a white hard hat in her outstretched right hand, looking over her shoulder at the photographer, 1960’s, photographer unknown
Mama Howard’s impact can be seen more clearly in this documentary, “Welcome to the Neighborhood” (links to PBS video player) that tells her story alongside her daughter, Mildred Howard, an accomplished artist who champions her mother’s work to change our community for the better. While the grassroots effort to rename the Ashby BART station after Mama Howard continues, an apartment building at 1499 Alcatraz (at California) bears her name.
*HOLC redlining, the FHA, and restrictive covenants only allowed people of color to purchase homes in South Berkeley. For a more thorough history of gentrification in Berkeley, read Darrell Owens’ History of Gentrification in Berkeley.
THE 2022 READ-A-THON IS COMING!
The Emerson Read-A-Thon is a school-wide celebration of reading - coming up in March (3/11 - 3/20)! Keep an eye out for more information in next week’s BearFacts!
BALLET AND BOOKS
Ballet and Books is a national, non-profit organization striving to reduce the literacy gap through the hybrid storytelling of dance and reading. Through extracurricular programming led by UC Berkeley student mentors, 6-9 year olds have the opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and dialogic reading. Spring 2022 weekly program runs February 19 to April 23, in person outdoors at Willard Park each Saturday at 10:00 am. Dance will be a 45 minute session immediately followed by a 45 minute 1:1 mentoring session for a total 1.5 hours. Masks are required for ALL participants, parents, mentors, and family members.
Program information: English/Spanish. Download and complete this application (English/Spanish) For more information or to submit application, email berkeley@balletandbooks.com.
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.
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