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,
We are busy preparing for a return in person. We have socially distanced furniture in the classrooms, cleaned and sanitized, ordered and assembled supplies, decluttered, decorated, and much more. We know that the decision whether or not to continue in distance learning is yours to make. We will respect your choice, but we need you to complete the Superintendent’s survey today by noon if you have not done so already. Here is the survey.
This past week, I recorded a video intended to be shared with families to help you prepare for the changes on campus. I want to thank our video volunteers, including Mr. Phil and two fifth-grade students, Leo and Acadia. Some of the topics we covered were: what to expect with the daily health screening, changes in the way students move about campus, what you should bring to school, outdoor activities - such as lunch and recess, and safety and cleaning procedures and expectations. For students returning to campus, staff will spend a good deal of time addressing new school procedures and routines. We will also focus on our student’s social and emotional well-being as we adjust to our new normal.
In the weeks ahead we will face many challenges together. I thank you for your partnership. I encourage you to stay engaged and strive to learn about the changes on campus that are intended to keep us all safe. You will be expected to fill out a health screening each evening before bringing your student to school. Each student will need to be “checked in” every morning, and the process will be much smoother and faster if the health form is filled out as expected, the evening before. Another important change you should be aware of is that parents will not be allowed on campus. After clearing the health screening with your child at the gate, your child will say goodbye to you and then walk to the classroom to wash their hands and begin their day. We will follow the State and City of Berkeley health guidelines, which restrict visitors and parents from entering the school campus.
Although we will have students on campus for classes, we will limit our large group gatherings. All School meetings and parent’s meetings such as PTA and School Site Council will continue via Zoom. Social distancing and mask-wearing will continue until the federal, state, and local health agencies indicate it is no longer needed. Thankfully, the number of Bay Area citizens who are receiving the vaccine is increasing each day. We are grateful that we will soon be able to welcome students onto the campus. The light is at the end of the tunnel and we are grateful for your continued support.
Take care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
Thursday, Mar 11: Enrollment Survey due by noon (follow link to survey)
Friday, Mar 12 - Sunday, Mar 21: Emerson’s 2021 Read-a-Thon (see message below)
Tuesday, Mar 16: Family Literacy Night, Elephant and Piggie Storytime (see message below)
Apr 5 - Apr 9: Spring Recess (No School)
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.
Enrollment Survey for Remainder of 2020/2021 School Year
Berkeley Public Schools plans to reopen Elementary school campuses on March 29th for TK-2nd grade and April 12th for grades 3-5.
In order for principals and teachers to prepare for students, we need to know by Thursday, March 11th your enrollment choice - either for your child to continue in distance learning or return to in-person learning. Please make sure that you complete this survey by noon today.
Read-a-Thon Begins Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the first day of our 2021 Read-a-Thon. For the next ten days, we encourage all students to read as much as they can, while raising money for Emerson. We’re striving for full participation - meaning we hope every student will find some time to read at home! There will be prizes for the top three students in each grade who read the most minutes and a schoolwide prize if all together we read 100,000 minutes! If you haven’t already, please visit https://99pledges.com/fund/emersonreads to find your student’s page. You can forward the link to your student’s page to friends and family far and wide!
Here are forms you may need: Student and Family Guide/ Student and Family Guide-Spanish and the Reading Log
Questions: contact Ms. Jeannie at jeanniewang@berkeley.net or Ashleigh Kanat at ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com.
March Shout Outs
Hello, Emerson Community! We want to celebrate and congratulate our March Shout Out students! Please check out this Flipgrid to see special video shout outs from your teachers.
As always, have a fine, fine day!
Love, The Emerson Staff
Save the Date!
A fun Family Literacy Night is coming your way!
Do you love Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie stories?
So do we!
Join Ms. Rachel and Ms. Jeannie for an evening story time.
Here are the flyers for the event: English and Spanish
What: Elephant and Piggie Storytime
Date: Tuesday, March 16th
Time: 7:00-7:30pm
Where: Zoom webinar link on flyer
Why: Listen to some great stories! Add more minutes to your Read-A-Thon Reading Log!
Join the Spring Racial Equity Circle
Registration - Now Open
At Emerson, equity is more than just a word. We invite you to become part of a dynamic community of parents at the 8th Racial Equity Circle. The pandemic has shown clearly the huge disparities in our education system and we need our community now more than ever. As we emerge from this difficult year, let’s emerge stronger with an Emerson that is welcoming to all families.
Tuesdays March 16 - April 27 (total of six meetings), 6:30-8:30 pm via Zoom
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/yXq3T687T86qPJmq5
Find out more about racial equity efforts at Emerson: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/equity
CHECK OUT THE “DAD’S PAD”
The “Dad’s Pad” is a new offering by the BUSD Office of Family Engagement & Equity. This group will be an exciting space for African American fathers and father figures to regularly come together, under the Leadership of Dr. Khalid White, to build community in an empowering space. Please sign up now if you are interested.
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