BearFacts News
March 15, 2018
Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
This Wednesday, our school community took part in the March 14th Day of Action Against Gun Violence. In the morning, teachers provided age appropriate teaching and learning for their students on a range of topics, depending on the age group. Topics included safety, how to make individuals feel more welcome and included, what they could do to make the world better, gun safety, and gun violence. At 10:00 am, all classes and staff gathered in the cafeteria for a whole school teach-in with a focus on hope and empowerment. We saw a video of Kid President, “How to Change the World” and sang-along to Jack Johnson’s song, “With My Own Two Hands.” I spoke directly to the group about taking part in something big: a sit was happening across the nation on this day and about their rights and responsibilities as future citizens. I reminded them that they are important and that what they do matters. I want them to remember that they can make a difference with “their own two hands.”
Resources used:
Kid President – “How to Change the World:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1rtQ7E5C4E
Jack Johnson - “My Own Two Hands:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRjDBd6tBBY
Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
Ms. Hodge
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- Friday, March 16, Free coffee and baked goods on the yard at 8am
- Wednesday, March 21, Student Governance Council (SGC) meeting, 5:30pm
- Friday, March 23, Free coffee and baked goods on the yard at 8am
- Friday, March 23, Silent Auction & Party, 6-9pm
- Friday, March 30, César Chávez Day of Service & Learning
- Monday, April 2 – Friday, April 6, NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
- Friday, April 13, All school meeting (8:30); Free coffee and baked goods on the yard at 8am
- Friday, April 20 – Sunday, April 29 Emerson Read-a-thon
Find more dates/details: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
Bid for the Kids!
Emerson’s ONLINE AUCTION is currently LIVE at bit.ly/EmersonAuction2018. When the Online Auction closes on March 20th at 9:15 p.m. sharp, 99 terrific items will go to the highest bidder. Don’t miss out!
- Haven’t planned out your child’s summer yet? Bid on discounts at 15+ summer camps.
- Looking for a fantastic date night? Bid on meals at wonderful restaurants, a wine tasting, a chocolate tasting, and movies and theater.
- Craving new fun activities with your family? Bid on a one week family pass to the Claremont Club and Pool.
These amazing deals are only available through the online portion of our auction. And every dollar goes directly to enriching the lives of our school.
Bidding is open to everyone. Please spread the word to neighbors, friends, and family by sharing this link: bit.ly/EmersonAuction2018.
Happy Bidding!
Buy Auction Party Tickets & Reserve FREE Childcare!
Support our amazing school on March 23rd from 6 - 9 pm at St. John's Church, 2727 College Avenue! Buy your Auction Party tickets now at bit.ly/EmersonAuction2018. Ticket prices too high for your family's budget? Select the “Pay What You Can” option.
Reserve free childcare for the night of the Auction Party (for kids ages 5 – 12) at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCYGFDQ.
Visit the Emerson Auction link to preview the items that will only be up for bid at the March 23rd Auction Party, including your child(ren)’s class art project(s) and special outings with Emerson teachers and staff.
Auction Party Volunteers Needed!
Help make the March 23rd Auction Party a big success. Sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities – big and small – at
www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f44a8aa23a2f94-emerson4.
Help Build an Elementary School Library in Ghana!
Fourth graders are leading a school-wide book donation drive through the African Library Project to help build an elementary school library for children in Ghana. They are in need of gently used, or new books that are appropriate for grades K-5. You can drop off at either 4th grade classroom, or at the main book donation bin in our office of parent engagement, near the front of the school by Friday, April 13. For more information or if you’d like to help out please reach out to Tangy Franks at tangyfranks@gmail.com.
Thank you, Sports Basement!
We are happy to share that Sports Basement donated $965 to the PTA as part of their Basementeer profit-sharing program. Thank you to Sports Basement, and everyone who joined Sports Basement's Basementeers program and chose Emerson as their preferred beneficiary. With every purchase you made at Sports Basement, funds were allocated to our school’s PTA.
See Peter & The Wolf in English, Spanish or Mandarin
On March 17th there will be three performances of Prokofiev's “Peter and the Wolf” at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley with a small professional orchestra.
Each performance will be narrated in a different language (English, Mandarin, and Spanish). Tickets are $15. For more information, go to:
https://fccbpeterandthewolf.brownpapertickets.com/
Join the PTA Budget Subcommittee
Want a voice in how the Emerson PTA plans its programs and budget? We're looking for people to join the budget sub-committee to help us plan for next year.
We will hold a few small, evening sub-committee meetings to work on the budget, then the budget will be presented to the PTA Board and then to the entire Emerson PTA for approval. Everyone is welcome and anyone may join.
Learn more here: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/budget-programs/
If interested, email: emersonptatreasurer@gmail.com
Meet Children’s Book Author Andy Griffiths
Calling all Treehouse Series fans! Join bestselling author Andy Griffiths as he presents the newest release in his award-winning series, The 78-Story Treehouse. This free event is best for 5-10 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Buy your book at the theater, or before the event, at Mrs. Dalloway’s, and have it signed after the presentation. Reserve seats at Eventbrite.com. Saturday, March 24, 11am at Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, 2966 College Ave.
Join Emerson’s PTA Board for the 2018-2019 School Year!
The Emerson PTA sponsors programs and activities that enhance the education and school experience of all students. Please support Emerson by joining the PTA Board and helping to make programmatic and funding decisions on behalf of our community.
Being a part of the Board is an excellent opportunity to get to know other parents, to learn about and influence the workings of the school, and to share your skills and ideas to benefit all of our children.
For more information, contact Ashleigh Kanat, PTA Vice President, or David Rose, PTA President, on the school yard or via email at emersonbearcubspta@gmail.com.
PTA Board elections will take place at the PTA Association later this spring. We invite interested parents to submit their names, preferably by April 1st.
Weekly Zumba at Emerson: 5:15-6:15 pm; $5 per class (no childcare).
Shop for Emerson!
Click here to raise money for Emerson when you shop at Amazon
Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org
Email: Not getting BearFacts via email? Email us to subscribe: emersonschoolnews@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emersonpta (or follow @emersonPTA)
About BearFacts News:
BearFacts News is a weekly publication created by parent volunteers. It is distributed each Thursday in students' Look Folders and via email.
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. The deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.
Copyright © 2018. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705