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,
Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year, often considered the last month of Winter. We have lots to celebrate, including Groundhog Day, Presidents Day weekend, Valentines Day, and Black History. All week we placed a special emphasis on Black Lives Matter, and tomorrow during our All School Meeting we will continue our reflection on the challenges and accomplishments of our African American community. We are so grateful for the many student performances we receive and we look forward to highlighting our youth with Shout Outs and recognitions- please join us as we usher in a new month.
If you had a chance to listen in to the Superintendent’s State of the Union address, followed by the Parent TownHall you will see that the viewpoints and perspectives about how to safely reopen our schools remain varied. You have probably seen the BFT position, here: http://berkeleyteachers.org/resource/community-faq-about-reopening-schools-person-instruction. My understanding is the BUSD PTA Council may be creating a position statement as well. District leadership is committed to reopening safely once we are permitted to do so and collective bargaining agreements are completed.
In terms of vaccines, we should register with California’s pilot program at https://myturn.ca.gov/screening, a central hub we can learn when we are eligible for vaccines and schedule appointments. At this time, Covid vaccines are not coordinated for staff, students, or families by BUSD.
At Emerson, we have now received Air Purifiers for the majority of classrooms and offices, with five more delivered last week. In addition, the district has contracted to install new HEPA air filters in each passive ventilation system. School staff has reviewed a list of additional items to be purchased for school safety, which has been priced out, itemized, and submitted to the PTA. After PTA review and approval, the Office staff and I will begin ordering the supplemental supplies. Shout out to Ms. Leah Lopez, Office Assistant, for all her hard work researching and pricing these items! Our goal is to return to campus in the safest way possible for all students and staff.
Thanks to Ms. Rachel, Librarian, the Library Book distribution is returning this month. Distributions for Kindergartners and 1st graders are from 3-5 pm on Tuesday the 9th. During our Room Parent meeting last week, we discussed a need for parent volunteers to drop off materials to families who are unable to make it to the school during distribution. Please be on the lookup for a signup document from your Room Parent if you can volunteer to help with home deliveries.
As a friendly reminder, please don’t forget to turn in your Admissions paperwork for incoming Kindergarten and Middle Schooler students. Registration forms are due to the district office by February 5, 20201. You may refer to the BUSD Admissions page for more information at https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions.
Take good care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
Friday, Feb 5, 9:00AM: All School Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 9, 3:00 - 5:00PM: K & 1st grade Library distribution
Friday, Feb 12: Lincoln’s Birthday, NO SCHOOL for students
Monday, Feb 15: Presidents’ Day, NO SCHOOL for students
Tuesday, Feb 16, 3:00 - 5:00PM: 2nd & 3rd grade Library distribution
Tuesday, Feb 16, 6:00 - 7:00PM: Black Parent & Principal Learning Circle
Wednesday, Feb17, 5:30 - 7:00PM: School Site Council Meeting
Thursday Feb 18, 7:00PM: Racial Equity Discussion
Friday, Feb 19, 9:00AM: Black History Month All School Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 23, 3:00 - 5:00PM: 4th & 5th grade Library distribution
Wednesday, Feb 24, 7:00 - 8:30PM: PTA Association meeting
Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
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.
BLM@SCHOOL WEEK RESOURCES
We have been celebrating, educating, and discussing the Black Lives Matter movement as part of BLM@School this week. Teachers are covering content in class, so be ready to discuss with your students. Here are some great resources to keep the conversations going!
‘Open Schools’ Convention
Date: Sat., Feb. 6, 12:00 Noon. Place: MLK Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 MLK Jr. Way, Berkeley.
Students, parents, allies and supporters of opening schools for live in-person instruction here in Berkeley, and across California, will gather to hear updates and organize for action.
More information: https://www.busdparents.com/event-details/open-schools-convention
HeART PROJECT ON THE FENCE
We are still collecting hearts for the fence outside Emerson! Return your student’s artwork next time you swing by Emerson for a materials pick-up or library book return, or send by mail to Emerson Heart Project, 2800 Forest Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94705. Art should be 4” wide x 6” tall, so we can laminate and protect it from the elements.
We're looking for Spring Enrichment Recommendations...
In this era of zoom learning, we are looking for recommendations for fun and engaging after school enrichment classes that other Emerson students might enjoy. We're collecting a list to share with Emerson families along with the Spring 2021 BUSD catalog of online enrichment classes.
Please send ideas and recommendations to: emersonenrichment@gmail.com.
Thanks!
CHECK OUT COACH ROBINSON’S NEW PE WEBSITE
The website is full of health and fitness tips and includes links to videos. Bookmark it and check back often - it’s a work-in-progress and more material is being added. Let's stay healthy together!
ZOOM FRIENDLY RULE REMINDERS
Be prepared for class by wearing clothes, putting away toys and ready to participate
Be aware of your surroundings- remember your teacher and class can see behind you. Try to find a quiet place to join the Zoom meeting.
Mute yourself when you enter the meeting use the microphone bottom and wait for the teacher to call on you to unmute.
Raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you- take turns and practice being patient.
Be respectful- contribute to class positively and be a Zoom leader by participating responsibly.
Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.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. Typically, it is distributed each Thursday in students' Look Folders and posted online at emerson.berkeleypta.org. During Distance Learning, it is only posted on the website.
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 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 © 2020. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705