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 hope you enjoyed your long President’s Day Weekend. For me, it was a chance to reconnect with my family and look forward to the Spring Season ahead. I also ran into a few Bear Cubs around Elmwood during the long weekend. It’s a joy and a privilege to live so close to the community where I work. I love running into Emerson students and parents during the weekend, and I hope you feel the same way.
We have lots to be excited about, with the PTA Equity Circle starting up, the Cesar Chavez celebration in March, and the relaxation of some of the Covid mitigation strategies. Our positive case count has been dropping and we anticipate that as of next week, masks will be optional for students/staff outside. We will prepare students for these changes through school-wide classroom discussions.
The second trimester ends on Friday, March 4. Teachers are currently assessing students' progress with the STAR reading and math tests, Math Benchmarks, and DIBELS assessments. All of this data will be used to complete report cards, sent home with the Thursday Look Folder on March 17th. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please reach out to your classroom teacher.
Big Shout Out to the PTA for sponsoring our Lunar New Year celebration last Friday. The students and staff enjoyed an up-close Lion Dance with percussion. It was a beautiful day, one perfect for an outdoor school assembly, celebrating Asian culture and the Year of the Tiger. Ms. Jeannie Wang, Literacy Coach, kicked off the performance with an explanation of the importance of the holiday, which is practiced by billions of people around the world. The holiday signifies a time of hope and community. What a wonderful perspective for the Spring!
Take care and thank you for your support,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
February 26: Spring Equity Circle, Session 1, 9am, in the Emerson Garden
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.
New Option: Receive BearFacts Content by Email
Add yourself to the Emerson PTA Email List to receive the BearFacts by email (in addition to the usual Remind alert). As always, you can find current and old posts at Emerson News any time on the Emerson PTA website.
The Read-a-Thon is Coming!
The Emerson Read-A-Thon is a school-wide celebration of reading! Beginning March 11th through the 20th, we spotlight the power of reading, providing an opportunity for students and their families to focus on books and read together, with a little competition sprinkled in! We’re using a platform called 99Pledges to help us collect pledges. More information will be sent home with each student next week.
THANKS FROM MR. PHIL
Dear Emerson Families,
Today, February 3, 2022, John happened upon an envelope in the ball room. He opened it and realized that it was addressed to me as it had “Mr. Phil” printed on it. I was delighted to read the appreciative message and receive the very kind funds inside. It was a very timely arrival for me as today I realized that I have to buy more filament for the 3D printer. These funds will surely go to that cause.
Thank you very much. It is a pleasure being at the service of such a wonderful community.
Warmest regards,
Mr. Phil
FEBRUARY SHOUT-OUTS
Spring Equity Circle for 2022 starts THIS Saturday!
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 empieza ESTE Sábado!
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
Equity Corner: Mary Ann Pollar and Rainbow Sign
On the corner of Derby and Martin Luther King Jr. Way (formerly Grove Street), Rainbow Sign, a groundbreaking center for Black culture, art, and politics opened in 1971. Mary Ann Pollar (1927-1999), the founder, created the cultural center to host Black artists where they could be featured, respected, and appreciated with the support of ten well-connected and professionally active Black women like Belva Davis, Edith M. Austin, Mary Jane Johnson, and Dorothy Pitts.
Over the six years Rainbow Sign occupied that corner, the cultural center hosted James Baldwin, Nina Simone, Maya Angelou, Shirley Chisholm, Mrs. W. E. B. DuBois, and many other inspiring artists. Its proximity to Longfellow, Malcolm X, and Berkeley High meant that lots of young people were able to use the space as a figurative “shortcut” between home and school.
Rainbow Sign’s membership brochure helped explain what the space was designed for:
“Rainbow Sign is a Black-oriented cultural center
an art gallery
a theater of performing artists
a Third World cinema
“Rainbow Sign is a facility for rent and use by the total Bay Area community
a non-profit corporation
a membership club
“Rainbow Sign is a restaurant
a catering service
a banquet facility
a meeting room
a quiet place to sit and read
“Rainbow Sign is a showcase of the best there is of the Black experience
a unique, vibrant, and never-before-seen
element of the culture and heritage we
sprang from and, in our several ways,
are perpetuating”
Copied from Rainbow Sign membership brochure, please click here for the full document.
In VP Kamala Harris’ book, The Truths We Hold, she wrote about the Rainbow Sign as the place where she first saw Black activists and artists and "learned that artistic expression, ambition, and intelligence were cool. It was where I came to understand that there was no better way to feed someone's brain than by bringing together food, poetry, politics, music, dance, and art.”
Please read more about Rainbow Sign here, and listen to more history of Rainbow Sign here and here.
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