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,
Happy Holidays! I hope your family is safe and healthy. This is the time to be grateful for what we have and reflect before we start a new year. I am thankful for the Emerson community of students, parents, and staff. The resilience demonstrated by our community is truly amazing. I am inspired by the many parent volunteers who have stepped up in many meaningful ways during these difficult times. Thank you for making space and time in your hearts for Emerson.
We continue to raise funds for the Heart of Emerson campaign. Happily, we are well on our way to our goal. Please consider donating to help us close the remaining fundraising gap. We hope your child participates in Art class with Ms. Ames this week. Your child is invited to create their HeART fixture to be included as a symbol of love on our school fence. We thank Ms. Ames for her skillful instruction, which encourages students to be creative and productive. You are also invited and encouraged to participate in Coach Alessandra’s Winter Break family exercise sessions. This will be an excellent opportunity to emphasize fitness and stay connected as a community during the Winter Break. She will offer one session during each week of Winter Break- stay tuned for the Zoom links. The Heart of Emerson fundraising campaign specifically supports our Art, PE, and English Learner programs. Your generosity also ensures our Office Assistance position continues. Your donation also supports funding for student field trips and class materials. Thank you for thinking of us during this giving season. The link to donate is here at: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/heart-of-emerson
As I’m sure you are aware, Covid 19 cases are dramatically rising in the Bay Area. There are significant concerns about the availability of ICU beds in local hospitals. Therefore, a Stay at Homes order has been enacted by a coalition of Health Departments, which are expected to remain in place until at least early January. At this time, we believe the Emerson playground can stay open during after school hours- if this changes we will let you know.
Unfortunately, the target date of January 13, set by the BUSD School Board for a return to hybrid in-person seems increasingly unlikely. The Stay At Home orders do not allow for in-person school programs to begin until we move from the Purple (most restrictive, widespread, tier) to the Red (Substantial) tier and remain there for four weeks. At this time, the Alameda County Office of Education is not approving any waivers for Elementary Schools to open. Superintendent Stephens is planning a Townhall to update us after Winter break. In the meantime, I hope you and your family remain safe and healthy. As always, I am available for questions and concerns. You can reach me via email or my cell phone.
Take care and be safe,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
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
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!
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:
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).
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