BearFacts News - 02.01.24

 
 

Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com


MONTHLY LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Emerson Families,

We are happy to celebrate the 100th Day of School! On Wednesday night, the Kindergarten Teachers hosted a Math Night, highlighting students' 100 day projects. We were inspired by the students’ creativity and enjoyed experiencing this exciting milestone together. The Emerson staff is truly thankful that you trust us with the education of your children and we look forward to Spring 2024. 

You are invited to the February All School meeting tomorrow, Feb. 2nd. We hope you can join us for Coffee on the Yard at 8:00 am, and then come into the Multi-Purpose Room for the meeting. This month we will honor Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and Black Lives Matter Week of Action (February 5-9). Students will learn about the various BLM tenets, adopted by BUSD School Board resolution. Here is a “kid friendly version” you can reference in your family discussions: http://tinyurl.com/13PrinciplesElementary. We appreciate your partnership with us in this important work. 

Students in Grades 3-5 are invited to participate in the BUSD 2024 Oratorical Competition. This year’s topic is Black Artists: Art for Change. Art for Joy. As in years past, Lily Howell, Office of Family Engagement and Equity, will volunteer to help students prepare during recess meetings. Emerson students will be judged by our site panel during the March 1st All School Meeting. One finalist team (or individual) will be selected to participate in the district competition on March 21, 5:30 pm (location to be determined). You can find more information at http://tinyurl.com/OratoricalFest. As usual, we are expecting Emerson to have strong representation for the annual Oratorical contest! 

The BUSD Technology department is offering free workshops for parents during February and March. Caregivers have an opportunity to attend two evening sessions. The first one is titled: Digital Citizenship: Your Student + Tech. The second session is called: Stay Connected: Technology Tools for Parents/Guardians. Childcare will be available at some of the sessions. Please go to http://tinyurl.com/busdTech to learn more and RSVP. 

The second Trimester ends on Friday, February 2nd. Teachers are working to finalize report cards, taking into consideration student assessment results and classroom progress. Check your child’s backpack on Friday, February 9th. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Let’s enjoy the final and third trimester of the school year together! 

Thank you for your support of Emerson and take care,
Jana Holmes


UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, February 1: Equity Circle Meeting #3, 5:30-7:30pm (Emerson Library)

Friday, February 2: Last day for BUSD Round 1 enrollment for 2024-25 school year: https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions/ 

Friday, February 2: All School Meeting, 8:30am (PTA Coffee on the yard at 8:00 am)

Saturday, February 3: Last day to register for PTA Afterschool Classes (by 11pm PST)

February 5-9: Black Lives Matter At School Week

Thursday, February 8: Equity Circle Meeting #4, 5:30-7:30pm (Emerson Library)

Wednesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day

Friday, February 16: Lincoln’s Birthday Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Monday, February 19: Presidents’ Day Holiday (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.


FROM THE PTA TREASURER

JOIN THE PTA BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE

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 work to create the budget and present it at the final Emerson PTA Association Meeting for approval. Everyone is welcome and anyone may join. If interested, email: treasurer@emersonelementary.org

TAX RECEIPTS ARE HERE! 

Tax receipts were emailed this week (check your junk mail folders). Email questions to: treasurer@emersonelementary.org


FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

illustration by Sharee Miller, pastel block letters spelling out “Black History Month” with line art patterns and illustrations depicting Black people young and old, celebrating Black lives and achievements

Art by Sharee Miller

BUSD RESOURCES

Please go to https://www.berkeleyschools.net/black-history-month/ to read all about how BUSD is celebrating Black history, stories, and voices in the month of February.

Learn how you and your family can celebrate Black History Month with the BUSD Family Guide: http://tinyurl.com/bhmFamilyGuide


BLACK HISTORY MONTH STUDENT CONTEST

Black History Month Student Contest!

You can participate in the Black History Month Contest with an original piece of visual art, oral tradition, music, literature, historical exhibit, or dance. Entries are due by Friday, February 9th, and a community celebration will take place on February 17th, from 12-5 pm at the Henry Ramsey Senior Center in Berkeley.

Fill out the application form here: http://tinyurl.com/busdBHMContest 

Cash prizes will be awarded to winning entries! See details in the flier linked below and reach out to berkeleyblackhistory@gmail.com with any questions.

Black History Month Contest Flyer


ART CORNER WITH MS. AMES

a 3x3 panel of colorful dragon head illustrations in marker on paper. To the right of the illustrations are photos of students in art class working on their dragon head art and holding up their finished work

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR - YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Artists in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade drew dragon heads in honor of the Lunar New Year. We drew the dragons step by step together (and I even started the first graders with eyes and mouths) but encouraged the artists to make their dragons unique. Afterall, dragons are made up creatures! It was fun to see the different ways that the students drew the dragons. This was also an unusual project in that the dragon we drew had no outline around its head. Some kids chose to draw the outline whereas others enjoyed the contrast of the colored features against the white background. 

- Ms. Ames


PTA AFTERSCHOOL CLASSES ENROLLING NOW 

PTA Afterschool Classes for Spring 2024: http://tinyurl.com/ptaAfterschoolInfo  

Registration CLOSES Saturday, February 3 at 11pm PST

Program Dates: February 5 - May 24

REDUCED Schedule*: There will only be ONE class after main dismissal (2:25 - 3:25p on M/T/Th/F, 1:30 - 2:30p on Wednesdays).

TK/Kinder Classes: 1:30 - 2:20p M/T/W/Th/F (depends on instructor availability)

Register for classes here: http://tinyurl.com/emersonEnrich 

*We need parent volunteers in order to offer a 2nd class at 3:30p (2:30p on Weds). Join us to make this possible: enrichment@emersonelementary.org


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.

Copyright © 2023. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
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Berkeley, CA 94705

BUSD Celebrates Black History, Feb. 2024

Black History Month Events


BUSD January & February Family Engagement Event Summary (English & Spanish)