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 back! We hope you enjoyed a safe Thanksgiving holiday with your family. We have lots planned for the three weeks leading up to Winter Break. Through distance learning, we are doing our best to keep the Spirit of Emerson alive. Our plan is to return in person, stronger than ever, knowing that we pulled together during these challenging times.
As you are probably aware, almost the entire state of California is experiencing rising COVID cases and we have returned to the Purple (widespread) most restrictive tier. This means that in-person learning can not take place until we return and remain in the Red (substantial) tier for at least two weeks. In the meantime, the district and our school site will continue preparations for a return to campus. Please join us next Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00 pm for an Emerson Town Hall meeting I will be hosting with the PTA Co-Presidents, and Emerson staff. We will provide an update from District and leave time for questions and concerns.
I want to thank the PTA Equity Committee for their continued commitment to raising inclusion awareness in our community. You are invited to join us tonight, Thursday, December 3, at 6:00, for a workshop hosted by Emerson Parent, Sara, and Ms. M, first-grade teacher, on the topic of Gender Identity for students. You will be provided with resources and a thought-provoking discussion. As a follow-up, join us on December 17, at 6:00 pm, when Ms. Pamela Small will guide us in a workshop around the Art of Having Hard Conversations about Race. Come learn and build an accepting community with us!
Come to the distribution of the materials, on Tuesdays from 3- 5 pm, this month to pick up your PTA donated cup of hot chocolate. This is to be enjoyed during our special holiday family literacy event on Wednesday, Dec. 16th. This event will take place during the 9 am morning meeting. Our hosts will be Ms. Jeannie Wang, Literary Coach, and Ms. Rachel Budge, our New Librarian. A special guest appearance will be made by Mr. Michael from the City of Berkeley library. Don’t miss this cozy storytime with a sweet treat, which will jump-start us into Winter Break!
We understand that this pandemic and its continued stress can be difficult to manage. We are pleased to announce that Ms. Marlies Rosmark, School-Based Therapist, is now offering a support group for single parents coping with the stress of COVID. This group will meet weekly in the late afternoon. If you are interested, please email mrosmark@bacr.org call or text 510- 559-3039.
The Heart of Emerson campaign is in full swing. Please donate during this season of giving. We need your support more than ever. We want to hold onto our full-time Art, PE, and Office Support positions for the 2021- 2022 school year, but without your donations, it may not be possible. Your contributions also go toward an expanded English Learner program, field trips for students, and teaching supplies for classrooms. We hope you will give as generously as you can this month. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Emerson.
Sincerely,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
Thursday, Dec 3: Let’s Talk Gender with Ms. Melgoza, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (details below)
Friday, Dec 4: All School Meeting, 9:00am
Tuesday, Dec 8: Emerson Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Reopening Plans, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (zoom link to follow)
Wednesday, Dec 16: Family Literacy Event, A Cozy Winter Story Time, 9:00am - 9:30am (details below)
Wednesday, Dec 16: School Site Council Meeting, 5:30pm
Thursday, Dec 17: Racial Equity Discussion - Having Hard Conversations about Race, 7:00pm - 8:30pm (details below)
Friday, Dec 18: Spirit and Pajama Day
Monday, Dec 21 - Friday, Jan 1: Winter Recess Break, No School
Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
PTA Equity Discussion: Let’s Talk about Gender
Join the fabulous Ms. Melgoza, 1st grade teacher at Emerson, as she shares welcoming ways to talk with children about gender and identity.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 3
Time: 6:00 pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89622066741
Meeting ID: 896 2206 6741
Please join us for a special
Emerson Family Literacy Event!
A Cozy Winter Story Time
Featuring our favorite Berkeley Public Librarian, Mr. Michael
Date: Wednesday, December 16
Time: 9:00-9:30am
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83614551216
*Packets of hot chocolate will be in your library book bags (see schedule below). Please save your hot chocolate for this special event.
Upcoming Library Book Bags Schedule:
4/5 - Tuesday, December 1, 3:00-5:00
K/1 - Tuesday, December 8, 3:00-5:00
2/3 - Tuesday, December 15, 3:00-5:00
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 from 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):
Dec 17: Having Hard Conversations about Race: the practice (just in time for the holidays!)
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
We are the Heart of Emerson! This year more than ever the Emerson PTA is depending on you AND your communities to reach our fundraising goal. More donations no matter what amount, from more people, so please share the Heart of Emerson with your friends and family during November Break. Look for our paper letter in the mail, with "heart" inside!
Please note that our Venmo account @EmersonPTA may ask for the last four digits of the account holder's phone. THIS IS 9291 and NOT the landline listed on the Emerson website.
Another way to help: choose Emerson Elementary PTA as your Amazon Smile donation charity, and 0.5% of your purchase amount will be donated to Emerson. You must have an Amazon account, and use the smile.amazon.com link EACH time for the purchase to count towards Emerson. Click on this link to choose Emerson as your Amazon Smile charity.
Virtual Small Group Tutoring
We are excited to offer small group tutoring during the last hour of the Emerson school day. The fourth grade has been piloting this new program and the students are using the time with a volunteer to check in on assignments and to practice new skills. For example, one group is learning sign language!
If you are interested in learning more, ask your teacher during your Parent Teacher conference or email Ms. Totten (taylortotten@berkeley.net).
Mrs. Dalloway’s Fundraiser Update - Thank You!
Thank you to the Emerson Community for supporting our November Mrs. Dalloway's Fundraiser! A grand total of $4,525.00 in gift certificates was purchased. Mrs. Dalloway's will donate 15% ($678.75) to Emerson!!!!
Thank you for your generosity!
Yearbook Planning
Currently there are no plans for a 2020/21 Emerson Yearbook. Is anyone interested in pulling something together? Perhaps a 5th grade parent who would like to assemble an abbreviated version for the graduating students, or anyone with ideas and bandwidth? We are happy to give you access to our existing yearbook platform, especially while there's plenty of time. Drop a note to Michelle (mfalise@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. 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.
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