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,

As Black History Month comes to a close, I want to thank you for your partnership with Emerson. Our community demonstrates our commitment to inclusion and equity in many ways. As we see more and more efforts to ban books and restrict teaching of African American history throughout our nation, we feel fortunate to live here in the Bay Area. It’s not too late to take a look at the BUSD Family Guide for Black History Month 22-23.pdf . This Guide includes a statement from our Superintendent Ford Morthell and links to activities that families can do together to participate in Black History Month.

The Final PTA Equity “Meeting on the Bridge'' takes place tonight, Thursday, February 23rd. Educational Consultant, Ms. Pamela Smalls will guide us with thought the topic “MicroAggressions: how to address and combat them”. Food and childcare are provided by our own Mr. John. We would love for you to join us, from 5:30- 7:30 pm. Please rsvp here: Here.

Have you seen our new and improved tent in the Garden? The new tent was paid for by the PTA and assembled by the Putzer’s family. Ms. Jeanette, Gardening Teacher, is very happy and I think you will agree it is an improvement. Our students in the PTA After School classes will benefit from this upgraded shelter. Thank you PTA and the Putzer family!

Good news! Governor Newsom will end the CA COVID state of emergency at the end of this month. Transmission rates are low in California. This means that the District’s policies are going to change. Covid testing has been discontinued at the Adult School. Emerson, and all BUSD schools, will shift to “response testing” which means that testing kits will be sent home with students only when there is an outbreak (meaning 3 or more cases in an overlapping time frame in a classroom or other shared space). In addition, we sent COVID testing kits home one last time before this coming 4-day weekend. After that we will no longer send them home, unless there is an outbreak. However, parents can request a kit from the front office anytime. Finally, masks will continue to be available for staff and students who request them. Thank you for all the lengths you have gone to during the past 3 years to keep our school community safe.

Sincerely,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, February 23: ‘Meeting on the Bridge’ equity workshop, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Friday, March 10: 1st Day of 2023 Read-a-Thon

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

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.

The Read-A-Thon Is Coming!

The Emerson Read-A-Thon is a school-wide celebration of reading! Beginning March 10th through the 19th, 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! More information will be sent home with your student next week. Keep an eye on those look folders!

Equity TEAM UPDATE

The Equity team presented at last week’s PTA Association meeting to share out about how we are showing up for our community *and* the ways we can all show up— Black Oratorical Fest, Meetings on the Bridge (Microaggressions + Microinterventions), Emerson Family Fund, and the upcoming Spring Equity Study Circle. There are also some important links out to districtwide initiatives like the African American Success Framework, Ethnic Studies, and ways to celebrate Black History Month. Click through here to check it out!

As always, please join us this Thursday from 5:30-7:30 for the last in our series on Microaggressions, facilitated by Ms. Pam— free childcare and free dinner is provided, as always. RSVP here (so we order in enough food + let us know about dietary preferences!). We hope to see you there!

-cielo, rachel, and silvia :: email us! equity@emersonelementary.org

ART CORNER

Art Show by our Art Teacher Ms. Ames! — Special Emerson Reception Date 3/5/23

Share your love of our Emerson art program with a visit to a gallery show by our very own Ms. Ames! BEAUTY IN THE BRANCHES is at the Annex by the El Cerrito Natural Grocery (10387 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito) from January 17 - April 17, 2023.

Join other Emerson families and students on March 5th from 2 to 4pm for a special viewing session and visit with the artist. RSVP encouraged but not required.

Celebrating Black History Month

Join School Board president Laura Babitt, City Council member Terry Taplin and Ben Bartlett to celebrate Black history and learn how Black inventors have reinvented the world! Food, refreshments, guest speakers, entertainment, and a showcase of student performances and presentations that is open to all high school, middle school, and elementary school students.

Cash prizes for the three best performances per education level (from $250 up to $400!) Sunday, February 26 2:00 - 6:00 pm City Center 3201 Shattuck Avenue

Sign up + request more information: 415.527.7765 or email bbartlett@cityofberkeley.info

Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project

Income qualified Berkeley residents can apply (by March 8!) to get a free electric bike— 50 awardees also get a helmet, locks, lights, safe riding training, and free maintenance for a year from Waterside Workshops! Learn more from the City of Berkeley here and apply here before the March 8th deadline!

Find Emerson Online

Website: https://emersonelementary.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 emersonelementary.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 bearfacts@emersonelementary.org. 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 and include alt-text. The deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.