BearFacts News
March 8, 2018
Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the plate donations. We are fully plated now and we'll be able to continue warming those leftovers you send in for your children's lunches. While it is a lot of work for staff and student service 5th graders to heat food for children, I feel that it is worth it in order to see them eat all those wonderful meals you send. There are a few things that we'd like to avoid such as Cup of Noodles and frozen meals because they take a lot of time to heat/make - not to mention containing loads of sodium. Other things to avoid sending in school lunches would be candy and sugary drinks. Overall, I am proud to say the vast majority of children are doing a fine good job of eating their healthy foods! Thank you again for donating so many plates!
On a separate note, I want to remind parents that students have lots to keep them busy at school each day. We are asking that students do not bring toys, cards, and other items from home which can be distractions or a source of conflict between students. For example, big necklaces, sunglasses, game cards and other similar items can be very distracting to young students in class. The only day of the week that children should be bringing any toys or special items from home is on Fridays. Lastly, I am asking that you keep all "slime" at home everyday. As I told the children at our last All School Meeting. Slime is fun, slime is cool. Keep it at home; not at school. Thank you!
Warmly,
Ms. Hodge
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- Wednesday, March 7 – March 20, PTA online auction
- Friday, March 9, Free coffee and baked goods on the yard at 8am
- Tuesday, March 13 Parent puberty education workshop, 6:30-8pm
- Friday, March 16, Free coffee and baked goods on the yard at 8am
- 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)
Find more dates/details: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
Emerson’s Online Auction is OPEN!
BID NOW on meals at local restaurants, deals on camps and classes, fun family activities, theater tickets, and more at Emerson’s ONLINE AUCTION. Visit bit.ly/EmersonAuction2018 to view over 120 items, including previews of your child(ren)’s amazing class art project(s) and special outings with Emerson teachers and staff (biddable only at the March 23rd Auction Party).
The Online Auction closes at 9:15 p.m. sharp on MARCH 20th. Please share this link with neighbors, friends, and family for great buys and a winning way to support our school. Ready, set, bid!
Buy 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.
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.
Art Night Rocked!! Thank you!!
We hope that those of you who came to Family Art Night had a wonderful time. We have received so much positive feedback and of course, amazing art was created by all! We want to extend a gigantic thank you Lucy Ames and Kim Haji for their dedication and leadership on this event, as well as for their time, energy, and talent. Without them, Art Night could not happen. The success of this amazing art night is also due to our amazing parent volunteers. We appreciate all the hard work, patience, and creativity that you put forward to make sure the night went so smoothly.
-- Christina Collinsworth
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.
How do we thank our teachers and staff? We feed them, of course!
Our teacher/staff luncheons are one of the most direct ways we show our appreciation for Emerson's teachers and staff. Jenna Lewis has been doing a fabulous job coordinating these luncheons, but she has a graduating 5th grader and we need someone who can take over next year. There is one remaining luncheon scheduled for March 21st, which means we have a great opportunity to train next year's coordinator. Please contact Ashleigh Kanat at ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com or Jenna Lewis at jennalewis28@gmail.com to learn more.
Parent Puberty Education Workshop: How to Become an "Askable Parent"
All parents welcome at this PTA-sponsored event.
On Tues, March 13th, 6:30 to 8pm in the Emerson Library sex education expert Jennifer Devine, founder of Superstar Health Education, provides parents with a workshop to review the health education program on puberty that will be offered to all Emerson 5th grade students the following week. Parents will develop skills to talk to children about puberty, the teen years, sexual health, and growing up. Parents of children of all ages welcome!
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: 5:30-6:30pm; $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