BearFacts News
October 12, 2017
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
This week I'd like to let you know how we manage lost belongings at Emerson. First, we ask that you label as many items as you can, including backpacks, lunch boxes, jackets, sweaters, etc. I would venture to say that for some families, the price of one sharpie marker and its regular use could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of your child's stay at Emerson. Money well spent!
When we do find items left out and about, they are relocated to the lost and found area on the breezeway. We keep a table there along with a coat rack. We try to keep items organized so that those passing by can see them. I check and tidy the area regularly and always make sure that labeled items are returned to their owners.
Every 3 to 5 weeks we spread out the contents of the lost and found on the cafeteria tables and have all the students walk through to try and identify their personal belongings. We write names in whatever the children find and we bag up the remainder for donation.
A lot of items actually get lost during Kids’ World because the children are moving from location to location, they often take out lunch boxes for snack and the go to and leave the yard several times during the afternoon. These transitions are all opportunities to forget ones belongings. Kids' World staff helps out by reminding students and collecting items left behind.
You can help out by labeling items ahead of time, checking the lost and found regularly and making a plan for your own child. If forgetfulness is a current habit, you could work out a daily plan to help build responsibility. A mental or written checklist for you and your child at the end of the day could help. Finally, if you pick up your students at the end of the day, especially from Kids' World, have your child check to see if they have their belongings, especially their jackets. Please involve your child in this process -- a little planning ahead of time and ongoing vigilance could go a long way in building life long habits of responsibility and organization.
Thanks,
Susan Hodge
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- Oct-16-18, 5th Grade Camping Trip @ Camp Arroyo
- Saturday, Oct. 21, Racial Equity Study Circle #1, 9am-2pm
- Sunday, Oct. 22, The Emerson Walkathon!, 11am
- Thursday, Oct. 26, Racial Equity Study Circle #2, 6-8pm
- Tuesday, Oct 31, Halloween parade, 12:45pm
Find more dates/details: http://emerson.berkeleypta.org/emerson-calendar
Emerson’s creepiest fundraiser, full of fun and prizes!
Volunteers Needed!! Please help us and SIGN UP at bit.ly/emersonwalkathon to volunteer!!
Creepy-Crawly Walk-A-Thon is on October 22nd, less than TWO weeks away!! Please return registration forms by Monday, October 16th, and keep collecting pledges.
Sample pledge letter that can be printed or emailed to family, friends, and co-workers can be found on bit.ly/emersonwalkathon under Forms & Pledge Request Letter.
SUPER CREEPY-CRAWLY WALKERS:
It's a great time to encourage your kids to earn 2017 Walkathon Super Walker customized ribbons by doing one or more of the following:
- Getting 10 pledges or more; OR
- Raising $100 (Pledge On-line at: bit.ly/emersonpledge) or more; OR
- Walking (or skipping, jumping, freestyling) a bunch!
- Kindergarteners - 5 laps
- 1st graders - 10 laps
- 2nd/3rd graders - 12 laps
- 4th/5th graders - 15 laps
Top walkers and top money earners in each grade will be honored at an all-school meeting awards ceremony on Dec 1st.Class with the most student walkathon participation will get PIZZA AND ICE CREAM PARTY!!
See you at the Creepy Crawly Walkathon!!!Books and Cookies This Friday (10/13)!
What: Wonderful free books and yummy cookies are available for students/families.
When: One Friday a month from 5:00-6:00pm
Where: Emerson’s main hallway
Who: Lily Howell, Family Engagement/Equity Coordinator & Ms. Jeannie, Literacy Coach
Why:
- Do you need contact information for available community resources?
- Do you have questions about your child’s reading and/or writing?
- We are happy to offer any assistance you may need!
Emerson PTA Membership Drive Continues
Thanks to all the parents and teachers who have signed up for the Emerson PTA. So far, we have 119 new member sign-ups. Can you help us meet our goal of getting 300 total member sign-ups this school year? With membership, you have the power to vote on decisions related to your child’s health, safety and education, the PTA budget and proposed grants.
Please fill out the sign-up form you received in your child’s Look Folder, or help yourself to the forms on the PTA board outside the main office. There is no time commitment! A donation of $10 is suggested but not required. Each parent, guardian, extended family member or friend of an Emerson student is invited to sign up. Note that membership needs to be renewed EVERY year. For every membership form completed, your child will get a small treat from their teacher. For questions, reach out to Elif Kale-Lostuvali (elifkale@yahoo.com).
Thank you for supporting the Emerson PTA!
Calling All Dads!
Emerson Dad Nathan Stahlhut here (Dad to 2nd Grader Ryan). I’m looking to start an Emerson Dad’s Club - will you join me? The Dad’s club would be an informal arm of the PTA targeted towards ‘hands on’ volunteers (paint a classroom?, serve the pancake breakfast?); fundraising (run a car wash?); and socializing (monthly beers anyone?).
If you are a dad who wants to be involved but doesn’t quite know how, this is your chance.
Please reach out to me at emersondadsclub@gmail.com and let’s start the conversation.
This club is not a full-time commitment and will be a lot of fun, good for our kids, and a great support to the school.
Emerson Celebrates Dia de los Muertos - Volunteers needed!
- 10/20: help us construct the altar/offrenda
- 10/25 (12-1pm) & 10/26 (12-1pm): 5th grade parents needed to help 5th graders make sugar skulls
- 11/2: serve Pan de Muerto and Hot Chocolate to the whole school (10am-1pm)
- 11/6: help us take down the altar/offrenda
To help with Dia de los Muertos, please contact: marjhenriquez@gmail.com
Emerson Equity Circle
Emerson is convening Equity Circles to engage parents and teachers in “real talk” about improving achievement and parent engagement from diverse backgrounds: Saturday, October 21st (9am - 2pm); and then Thurs. 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16 and 11/30 from 6:00pm-8:00pm, childcare and food provided. There is a minimum 12-hour time commitment. Equity Circles will be facilitated by Pamela Harrison-Small and supported by the Emerson PTA. All parents and teachers are invited. Interested? Email jean kawahara: j.kawa@mac.com, Marjorie Henriquez: marjhenriquez@gmail.com or Emily Nathan: enathan7@gmail.com
Weekly Zumba Classes
Emerson Community Adults are welcome to join us in the Cafetorium for weekly Zumba classes, led by our own Kirstin Snyder! $5 per class, Wed. 5:15 – 6:15 (no childcare)
Shop for Emerson!
Click below to raise money for Emerson when you shop at Amazon
Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org
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