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 Community,
We are proud that Emerson was highlighted in the Superintendent’s State of the District address this week. As you know, we are committed to the Emerson Way: educating our students with high expectations, while nurturing their social and emotional growth. In addition, our staff conducts all their work with a lens of equity and inclusion. We are excited about next week’s continued exploration of social justice, anti-racism, and celebration during Black Lives Matter week. We are pleased that The Berkeley Unified School Board has designated the first week of February as Black Lives Matter week. The teachers are preparing lessons to explore these themes with the students, and I am preparing a special BLM message for the All School Meeting on Friday, February 5. If you are interested in supporting these efforts at home, here are some resources:
Black Lives Matter Book List, curated by BUSD Library Services:
Kid-friendly version of the 13 Principles
Talking with young children about race
If you would like to learn more about how to raise an empathetic child who employs critical thinking and enjoys positive anti- biased relationships, consider joining the next PTA Equity Study Circle hosted by skilled educator Ms. Pamela Harrison Small. As a former and ongoing participant, I can attest to how powerful and informative these circles are. We are so fortunate to be able to offer the Emerson community the Equity Circles. We encourage you to take advantage of them. Save the date for our next group, beginning in March/April, with more information to come.
Last week, the state of California launched a new website about school reopening. The website includes information about the state’s new “In-Person Instruction” grant, revised school reopening guidelines for schools, and updated requirements for schools. At this point, BUSDs top challenges are receiving clearance from the state health agencies to begin the phased reopening and securing a bargaining agreement with the four labor partners collectives. For more information about the district reopening progress, please visit presentation to the School Board on the 20th. It is noteworthy that the Emerson staff, along with all BUSD staff, are now provided with Covid testing every other week. In addition, the Board of Education recently approved a partner to provide COVID-19 testing to students when schools reopen. These are all important steps in the road to reopening.
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, 2021. You may refer to the BUSD Admissions page for more information at https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions.
Thank you for your support and take good care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
Monday, Feb 1: Registration opens for parents to attend the March/April Racial Equity Circle.
Tuesday, Feb 2, 3:00 - 5:00PM: 4th &5th grade Library distribution
Wednesday, Feb 3, 7PM: Queer Family Meet-Up
Friday, Feb 5, 9:00AM: All School Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 9, 3:00 - 5:00PM: K & 1st grade Library distribution
Wednesday, Feb 10, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: PTA Association meeting
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
Thursday Feb 18, 7PM: Racial Equity Discussion
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.
GET READY FOR BLM@SCHOOL WEEK
Emerson Families, join us as we celebrate, educate, and discuss the Black Lives Matter movement with the BLM@School Week Feb 1-5. Teachers will be covering content in class, so be ready to discuss with your students. Here are some great resources to get started!
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.
QUEER FAMILY MEET UP
Queer families and our allies are welcome to enjoy a social hour with informal discussions of gender, parenting, and queer culture on Wednesday, February 3 at 7pm. All families are welcome - we’ll start this month with a children’s story!
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!
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.
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