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MONTHLY LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Emerson Families,

Happy Holidays! During this festive season, I am reminded how grateful I am for our community. The generosity shown through your donations to the Heart of Emerson campaign and parent volunteer hours has been outstanding this fall. We are making steady progress towards our fundraising goal and look forward to the New Year, with a perspective of gratitude and hopefulness.

We hope you will consider joining us for a couple of evening events this month. This evening we will celebrate our LGBTQ community and allies with a Rainbow Families Night in the Library from 6-7 pm. This is an opportunity to make connections and share our hopes and goals for our community. Next Wednesday, December 13, is our Family Literacy Night, from 6- 7 pm. We will enjoy free books and hot chocolate- fun times!

The BUSD Toy Drive, sponsored by the City of Berkeley, in conjunction with our Office of Equity and Family Engagement, is this Saturday, December 9, from noon to 4 pm (or as long as supplies last) at the Berkeley Adult School. See this flyer for more information: Holiday Giveaway.

We are collecting gift cards for families in need at Emerson. If you can contribute, we are asking for gift cards to Target, Walmart, Ross, or Amazon. Thank you for supporting all our families. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lily at lilyhowell@berkeley.net or 510-609-5090.

We will be sending home Covid test kits to be used before your return to school after Winter Break. If your child tests positive, please keep them home from school and notify covidcase@berkeley.net and Leahlopez@berkeley.net to excuse your absence and receive directions from the district nurse. We wish you good health and happiness during this holiday season.

Mark your calendars for the Winter Equity Circle. We invite you to create lasting bonds and friendships with parents who are committed to building a welcoming and inclusive school for all. We will meet for six sessions, with a kick-off on January 20, and subsequent meetings on Thursday evenings through February. Dinner and childcare are provided- RSVP here. You can learn more about why you should join here: Why Equity Circle? and visit our program site at https://emersonelementary.org/equity.

Take care,

Jana Holmes

DECEMBER STUDENT SHOUT-OUTS!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, December 7: Rainbow Families Night, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Library)

Friday, December 8: BHS Jazz Assembly, 8:30am

Tuesday, December 12: School Site Council Meeting, 7:00 pm, ZOOM link: HERE

Wednesday, December 13: Family Literacy Night, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Multi-purpose Room & Library)

Friday, December 22: Fall PTA after school classes end

December 25 - January 5: Winter Break — NO SCHOOL

January 1- February 2- Round 1 enrollment dates for 2024- 2025 school year https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions/

Saturday, January 20: Winter Equity Circle series kick-off, 10am-2pm (Library) Dinner and childcare are provided - RSVP here. (Subsequent sessions will be on Thursday evenings through the end of February).

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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.

save the dateS!

Rainbow Families Night

Join us TONIGHT (12/7) to celebrate our Rainbow Families and to share our hopes and dreams for the Emerson community.

Where: Library

Time: 6:00- 7:00 pm

Allies are encouraged to join!

Rainbow Family Night Flyer

FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT

Emerson students, Families, and Staff: Do you like hot chocolate and books?

Join us for a Fun, Social, and Cozy Event!

When: Wednesday, December 13th

Where: Multipurpose Room and Library

Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm

Family Literacy Night Flyer

HEART OF EMERSON FUNDRAISer

We are in the home stretch and have just a few weeks left to meet our annual fundraising goal! As of this week, we have received $149K towards our $195K target. Donate and continue to track our progress here: https://emersonelementary.org/heart-of-emerson

Giving Tuesday was a success - congratulations to the prize winners! The prize drawing was so much fun, we’re doing it again! Donate TODAY (Thursday, 12/7) to be eligible to win a set of handmade cards by our very own Ms. Ames. Email fundraising@emersonelementary.org if you wish to be entered without donating.

An Emerson family has donated $20K and has challenged the community to match their gift! Let’s pool together to donate to help magnify the impact of their generous contribution.

As the 2023 calendar year draws to a close, a reminder that your donations to the Heart of Emerson are fully tax deductible. Didn’t get a receipt? Email fundraising@emersonelementary.org

LIBRARY CORNER

AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR VISIT

Last Wednesday, students in grades TK-3rd were treated to an author-illustrator visit from Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy, who presented their new book, One Tiny Treefrog, and gave a drawing demonstration! The students loved learning more about the red-eyed tree frog, what inspired the authors to write their book, and even how to draw their very own frog! If you'd like to order a copy of their book, Mrs. Dalloway's is offering 15% off HERE!

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Emerson Library is looking for 1-2 volunteers who are able to come in for an hour or so each week. The main job will be shelving books (the circulation rate at Emerson is HIGH!).

Please email Ms. Rachel at rachelbudge@berkeley.net if you are interested! Thank you!

ART CORNER WITH MS. AMES

AUTHOR’S VISIT CREATES SPECIAL ART EXPERIENCE

I read Mackenzie Joy's book, Wallflowers, with the third grade artists. It is a wonderful book that explores the world of those kids who don't mind being the quiet ones – ones who don't mind blending in (we want to be heard, we just don't want to have to SHOUT!)

In the book, Mackenzie draws the children in clothing that matches the wall behind them. We had a great discussion in class, pondering if we like to blend in or stand out (some kids said they are one way at home and another way at school). For our art project we created a patterned wall and then made self portrait figures that either contrasted or blended in with the wall.

After the authors' visit (which was about a different book they co-wrote) we invited them out into the hall and unveiled the art that we made inspired by Mackenzie's book. It was such a thrill! She was so touched and impressed by the kids' work.

MS. AMES' OPEN STUDIO DECEMBER 9th AND 10th, 11AM - 4PM

If you or your kids especially love art, you may enjoy stopping by Ms. Ames' backyard art studio in El Cerrito. Although she primarily creates wall art with a focus on trees now, she used to work with glass and other materials. She's clearing things out and has fused glass plates and jewelry and handmade gift items on sale. She'll also have a gel printing station and a little gift just for showing up, so don't be shy if you are curious.

Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm

1316 Norvell Street in El Cerrito

www.lucyames.com

EQUITY CORNER

WINTER EQUITY CIRCLE SERIES KICKS OFF IN JANUARY!

The PTA welcomes you to sign up for the Winter Equity Circle. We will meet for six sessions, with a kick-off on January 20, and subsequent meetings on Thursday evenings through February (1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/22, 2/29). Dinner and childcare are provided - RSVP here. You can learn more about why you should join here: Why Equity Circle? and visit our program site at https://emersonelementary.org/equity.

TEACHER AND STAFF LUNCH HOSTED BY 3rd GRADE CAREGIVERS

Each month, a different grade hosts a lunch for Emerson teachers and staff. Thanks to the 3rd grade parents for hosting the delicious and plentiful lunch last Friday. We love our families and our families love our staff and teachers!

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 submission deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.