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por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com
Message from the Principal
Dear Emerson Community,
As I write this week’s message, I, like many Americans, am not sure what to anticipate on Election Night. In our homes, our children may be feeling some anxiety. We all know this election is very charged and there is no doubt America is divided. Yet we can create a teachable moment in our families where we model empathy and the art of civil disagreement without demonizing those we don’t agree with. Here are some suggestions for managing this complex topic with your child: article link.
It is good news that COVID cases continue to decline in Alameda County. We anticipate that next week the State of CA will reclassify us from the Orange, Moderate Tier to the Yellow, Minimal Tier. The Berkeley Unified School District is taking a phased approach to reopening, with programs opening at four elementary schools with a target date of November 9. Emerson is not one of the schools that will reopen in November; however, we are poised to learn from the open elementary programs and will continue preparations for a return to campus. K- 2 grades return target date is January 13 and the 3-5 grade target date is January 20. For updated information about the district’s path to reopening please visit the Elementary School Reopening Readiness Dashboard. You can also stay informed by listening to the Wednesday School Board meeting.
Emerson’s site-specific completed preparations include:
Touchless faucets in classrooms
Air purifiers in classrooms
Updated cleaning protocols
Hand sanitizer in classrooms and hallway stations
Plexiglass in office
Safety signage and stickers throughout and outside the school
PPE supplies available for staff/students
Covid Liasion Site Response Team- trained by Berkeley Health Dept.
Temporary School Safety Officer Assigned to Emerson
A partial list of tasks yet to be completed:
Additional signage on classrooms, throughout the school
Finalized egress plans for the entering, exiting, and school day movement
COVID training and testing protocols for staff
Family enrollment in Daily Self Screening program
Approval of safety plan by Alameda County Office of Education
Creation of hybrid learning schedule specifics after negotiations with labor partners is finalized
I realize you may have growing questions about how the reopening of school will look. We are planning an Informational Session with the PTA and School Staff to provide you with a forum for updates and questions. We care about your family and want you to be safe. We want to provide the best educational environment possible, given our current limitations. We anticipate the hybrid school model will be considerably different than the school practices you are used to. However, what won’t change is our dedication to your student’ safety, academic, and social-emotional success. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out.
Take care, Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events & Key Dates
Friday, Nov 6, 9:00AM - All-School Meeting (zoom link to follow)
Wednesday, Nov 11 - No School - Veterans Day
Wednesday, Nov 11 - Saturday, Nov 14 - Mrs. Dalloway’s Fundraiser (details below)
Saturday, Nov 14 - PTA Equity Retreat (details below)
Monday, Nov 16 - Friday, Nov 20 - Rescheduled - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Nov 19: Black Lives Matter workshop (details below)
Friday, Nov 20 - Schedule change - No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Monday, Nov 23 - Friday, Nov 27 - No School - Thanksgiving holiday
Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
MRS. DALLOWAYS 12th ANNUAL SCHOOL BENEFIT FUNDRAISER
Wednesday - Saturday, Nov 11-14 - Online event. All day. All night. 4 days!
How it Works: Purchase gift certificates online from Mrs Dolloay’s Bookstore during our 4-day fundraiser, Nov 11-14 and Mrs. Dalloway’s will donate 15% of your purchase to Emerson-Elementary-Berkeley. Purchase as many gift certificates as you want, in any denomination, and redeem either online or in person (when the store reopens). Mrs. Dalloway's keeps a digital record of all gift certificates, and they never expire. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and out-of-town family. Anyone anywhere can participate and support our school.
IMPORTANT:
In order for your purchase to be counted, YOU MUST ENTER “Emerson - BERKELEY” IN THE ORDER COMMENTS FIELD at the bottom of the Checkout page. Please note there is an Emerson Elementary in Oakland so it it important to write “Emerson- BERKELEY”
Gift certificates MUST be purchased between November 11-14.
Click HERE to purchase gift certificates!
Mrs. Dalloway's School Fundraiser is an easy and safe way to raise money for your school!
Looking for gift ideas or book suggestions? Visit Mrs. Dalloway's website and check out our
Holiday Recommendations for Adults & Kids.
Questions? Contact info@mrsdalloways.com
Equity Corner:
The Emerson Equity Team is happy to share some upcoming ways to work together and learn about racial equity in our school and beyond.
We welcome everyone to Monthly Racial Equity Discussions for the Emerson community on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7-8:30pm. Our whole community is invited to have a facilitated discussion about racial equity with Ms. Pamela Small at these discussions (Zoom links to follow):
Nov 19: Black Lives Matter. A workshop to help Emerson parents better understand the BLM movement, its origins, and why it is relevant to all of our children's lives, regardless of their race.
Dec 17: Having Hard Conversations about Race: the practice (just in time for the holidays!)
Come find out why the Emerson PTA focuses our efforts on racial equity. Everyone is welcome to join us for a deeper dive with the PTA Equity Retreat. We will build community, look at the opportunity gap at Emerson, and learn important skills that parents can use to welcome and support all of our families (and how far we have to go!).
Nov 14, 9am - 1pm: PTA Equity Retreat (Zoom link to follow)
Stay tuned for a Racial Equity Circle invitation for the Spring.
Email us with any questions or ideas:
Kelly Shimoda (Winnie, 1st) kelly.shimoda@gmail.com
Viv White (Ace, 4th) vivwhite@gmail.com
Support Emerson PTA - BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
The Emerson Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) brings together parents/guardians, teachers/staff and friends of Emerson to work for a positive school experience for all children at our school. As a member, you can vote on programming and spending decisions. Parents, guardians, extended family members or friends of all Emerson students are invited. Please renew membership every year. Please sign up ONLINE at https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/pta-membership. A donation of $10/person is suggested but NOT required. For questions, contact cluetters09@gmail.com.
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. It is distributed each Thursday in students' Look Folders and via email.
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