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Emerson News Archive — Emerson Elementary, Berkeley

Read-A-Thon 2025 - March 12th through March 21st

Julia Cosgrove

BearFacts News - 05.23.24

 
 

Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com

End of the Year Teacher & Staff Gifts

What a great 2023-24 school year this has been! We continue to be amazed by the many ways both our classroom teachers and staff support our kids and families. In addition to our teachers, there are so many people that enrich our kids experience at school–from Principal Holmes to Ms. Budge in the Library, from in-classroom Instructional Aides to Ms. Ames for Art, from Ms. Gaby and Ms. Michelle in the front office to Coach Robinson, and more. 

To recognize our gratitude for Emerson classroom teachers, enrichment, support and administrative staff, parents are collecting cash gifts for teachers and the 52 support staff and enrichment teachers at Emerson. You can see the full list of teachers, support staff we are collecting for attached to this message. Funds for an End of Year Cash Gift are being collected from now until Tuesday, May 28, 2024. These cash gifts that will be delivered on Tuesday, June 4, our last day of school.

Please participate in any way you are able--EVERY little bit helps...of course, 100% participation is ideal. Truly, any amount is wonderful, but for those looking for a suggested amount:

For teachers: $10-$50 per child is outstanding!

For support staff: $10-$100 per child is outstanding!

If your family would prefer a different method to show your appreciation, you are by no means required to participate in this gift collection effort. Please honor teachers and staff in the way that best suits your family!

Gift collection starts NOW through Tuesday, May 28. If you prefer to contribute through cash or  check, please contact Erin Bertiglia directly to erinloub@gmail.com and  arrange time to connect.

To donate please send via Venmo and indicate your students grade, the % of your donation you would like donated to your grade, and the % you would like donated to the staff. Otherwise, your gift will be split evenly between the donation to your grade’s classroom teachers and the donation to staff. 

The grade parents for your child’s grade will make sure that the classroom teachers for that grade receive their cash gifts at the end of the year, hopefully along with some other note or gift of appreciation.

Venmo: Erin Bertiglia (Kindergarten parent) https://venmo.com/u/Erin-B-3 

(last 4 digits of phone number: 1938)

Thanks so much!

Rachel Terp

Lead Grade Parent


ART CoRNER

Repurposed Polka Dot Paper

After 2 years of our Yayoi Kusama Inspired Polka Dot walls for Family Art Night, the paper has now been cut up for use in many different creative endeavors.  I meant to give it away at Open House but completely forgot.  That's okay! We are putting it to good use.  First Graders used it as vases for their flower arrangements. Kindergarteners used it for abstract designs and funny faces.  There are so very many ways to make art, aren't there?

Pictures of students (Kindergarten, First grade) displaying the art pieces they made.


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EMERSON FUN DAY on Tuesday, May 28th.

A game truck is bringing carnival style games for the students to enjoy during lunch recess for Fun Day. We are looking for 10 parent/caregiver volunteers to help on May 28, from 11:00 am- 1:00 pm during the lunch recesses. Specifically, we need adults to supervise the game stations on the blacktop. 

Volunteer Sign-up: Emerson Fun Day sign up


EMERSON 2nd ANNUAL PRIDE PARADE, MONDAY, JUNE 3rd, 8:30 AM

Flyer of Emerson’s 2nd Annual Pride Parade

WELCOMING SCHOOLS

Resources to parents and caregivers to help create an affirming and welcoming schools for LGBTQ+ students and families: https://welcomingschools.org/resources/parents-caregivers


Save the date!

JUNE 4, 2024, 8:30 AM: Emerson 5th Grade Promotion

Class of 2024 image

The Emerson 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on the last day of school, Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 at 8:30am on the Emerson blacktop. Two seats will be reserved for the family of each fifth grader. Families are welcome to bring additional chairs for extra guests. Emerson siblings may attend the ceremony, but should go to their own classrooms from 8:10 to 8:30, then join their families on the blacktop at 8:30.


PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS

At the last PTA Association Meeting of the school year, our membership elected the 2024-2025 Welcome to next year's board! However, we we are still looking to fill Enrichment Vice President and Parliamentarian roles, as well as event chair positions.

If you would like to be more involved with volunteering next year, please contact info@emersonelementary.org 


BUSD SUMMER SCHOOL

Summer School Registration is open! Program dates: June 17 – July 12, 2024

Check out the catalog at the following link to see the various summer offerings- there are new and different options this summer.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vAQhSfKS99E4VfgQVxqmPmjrSXqBu7ZC9Ofs2WLrfW8/edit?usp=sharing

Please use the form below to sign up your child.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0HC3XPMjUsftfdKDjZI8GrDALu2OoGkh9rYboPDVO33-cvw/viewform


UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, May 23: Ice Cream Truck Day

Friday, May 24: PTA after school classes end

Monday, May 27: Memorial Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Tuesday, May 28: Emerson Fun Day!

Thursday, May 30: Fifth Grade Fun Day at Roberts Regional Park

Monday, June 3: Emerson’s 2nd Annual Pride Parade at 8:30 AM; (Early dismissal at 1:30pm)

Tuesday, June 4: Last day of school (Early dismissal at 1:30pm); Fifth Grade Graduation

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

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.

FIND EMERSON ONLINE

Website: https://emersonelementary.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 and posted online at emersonelementary.org

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 bearfacts@emersonelementary.org. Please keep your message brief and include all the pertinent details including dates, times, locations and contact information. Send images as an e-mail attachment and include alt-text. The submission deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.

Copyright © 2024. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705



BearFacts News - 05.16.24

 
 

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

A special shout out and big smile to Elise Kneram (Finn’s mom) and Ariel Clute (Daza and Fermina's mom) for planning the amazing Spring Festival. We also appreciate all the volunteers who signed up to cook food, serve food, manage activity stations, set up, and clean up. We had a memorable time and we appreciate all the effort contributing to a wonderful community event last Saturday!

Animals graze at the Spring Festival petting zoo

Students enjoy the Spring Festival foam party


LIBRARY Corner

All library books due by MONDAY, MAY 20TH!

There are only a few weeks left in the school year, and we need your help to make sure all the books get back on the shelves so our library will be ready for readers again in the fall.  Please help us out by checking your home, car, backs of closets, and under beds for any library books you may still have. All books are due by Monday, May 20th!

Also, please check out the Summer Reading Lists for grades TK-5th grade HERE! These lists were put together by district librarians to make sure your kiddos have tons of new, engaging books to read over the summer. Clicking on the cover takes you either to SORA or the Berkeley Public Library to check out the book!


MAY SHOUT OUTS

We celebrated our final all-school meeting of the year, complete with student performances and student shout outs. 


Save the date!

The Emerson 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on the last day of school, Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 at 8:30am on the Emerson blacktop. Two seats will be reserved for the family of each fifth grader. Families are welcome to bring additional chairs for extra guests. Emerson siblings may attend the ceremony, but should go to their own classrooms from 8:10 to 8:30, then join their families on the blacktop at 8:30.


PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS

At the last PTA Association Meeting of the school year, our membership elected the 2024-2025 Emerson PTA Board.

  • President: Will Barton

  • Executive Vice Presidents: Krysten Curtis, Rachel Terp

  • Treasurer: Amy Fire

  • Secretary: James Krimmel

  • Fundraising Vice Presidents: Stephanie Boys, Masha Danilenko, Elizabeth Valley

  • Communications Vice President: Vanessa Leonardo

  • Community Building Vice President: Elise Kneram, Stephanie Yolish

  • Equity Vice Presidents: Henriette Ako-Asare, Lauren Markofsky

  • Community Engagement/Membership Vice President: Daisy Holman, Madeline Noonan

  • Advocacy Vice President: David Rose

  • Teacher Representatives: Jenny Weddle, Kimberly Nichols-Davis

  • OFEE Representative: Lily Howell

  • Site Administrator: Jana Holmes

Welcome to next year's board!

If you would like to be more involved with volunteering next year, we are still looking to fill Enrichment Vice President and Parliamentarian roles, as well as event chair positions.


BUSD SUMMER SCHOOL

Summer School Registration is open!

Program dates: June 17 – July 12 2024

Check out the catalog at the following link to see the various summer offerings- there are new and different options this summer.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vAQhSfKS99E4VfgQVxqmPmjrSXqBu7ZC9Ofs2WLrfW8/edit?usp=sharing

Please use the form below to sign up your child.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0HC3XPMjUsftfdKDjZI8GrDALu2OoGkh9rYboPDVO33-cvw/viewform


UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Friday, May 17: Malcolm X Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Thursday, May 23: Ice Cream Truck Day

Friday, May 24: PTA after school classes end

Monday, May 27: Memorial Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Tuesday, May 28: Emerson Fun Day!

Monday, June 5: Early dismissal at 1:30pm

Tuesday, June 4: Last day of school (Early dismissal at 1:30pm)

Tuesday, June 4, 8:30am: Fifth Grade Graduation

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

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.

FIND EMERSON ONLINE

Website: https://emersonelementary.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 and posted online at emersonelementary.org

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 bearfacts@emersonelementary.org. Please keep your message brief and include all the pertinent details including dates, times, locations and contact information. Send images as an e-mail attachment and include alt-text. The submission deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.

Copyright © 2024. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705



BearFacts News - 03.28.24

 
 

Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com


FINAL WEEK: BUSD MARCH MADNESS ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE 

This is the final week of the BUSD March Madness Attendance Challenge. Emerson is currently in second place. This week we are facing off against Berkeley Arts Magnet, currently in first place. Please arrive at school on time every day (by 8:10am) with no unexcused tardies or absences. 

If Emerson wins, we will earn a trophy and a student school-wide reward. 

Go Bear Cubs! 


TONIGHT: BLACK FAMILIES OF EMERSON DINNER AND LISTENING SESSION 

The PTA is partnering with OFEE and Principal Holmes to host a Black Families of Emerson Dinner on Thursday, March 28, from 6:00-7:30 pm. The goal of this evening is to build community, share district resources, and listen to feedback. Please RSVP to Ms. Lily (lilyhowell@berkeley.net). 



ANOTHER FUN FAMILY ART NIGHT! 

It was wonderful to see so many of you having a great time last Friday night. Thank you for bringing your families to enjoy this special event, and thank you to all of the volunteers who set up, ran art stations, and helped clean up. And a very special thank you to Ariel Clute, Lucy Ames, and Michelle Falise, pictured below.  A whole lot of planning and prep goes into this night and these three shared the load and made the whole process enjoyable! 

From left to right: Ariel Clute, Lucy Ames, and Michelle Falise


ART CORNER WITH MS. AMES

Fifth grade artists learned about the Japanese artist Hokusai (1760-1849), who is most famous for his woodblock print series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji which includes the iconic print The Great Wave off Kanagawa. For our project, students drew the great wave with either sharpie or wax pencil and then painted with watercolor.

Fifth grade students interpret the Japanese artist Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa.


BERKELEY UNIFIED’S 5TH GRADE ENSEMBLES PERFORM AT FREIGHT & SALVAGE

In a remarkable first for BUSD, fifth grade ensembles from across the district took center stage at the esteemed Freight & Salvage venue on Tuesday night, showcasing the dedication and proficiency of young musicians across the district.

Shout out to instructors Ms. Boyles and Mr. Figueroa who led the Emerson Elementary School flute and brass performances, alongside professional musicians. Shout out to Jay Whittington (from VAPA) for dreaming up the event (and for skillfully emceeing). This unforgettable evening underscores the district's and community's commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians and performers.

Thank you, voters, for passing BSEP, which ensures the BUSD music program will continue for future students!

Fifth grade musicians perform at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage.


You're invited to the third annual Community Block Party, brought to you by the Berkeley Public Schools Fund!

Saturday April 27, 11:00  a.m.-3:00  p.m. at Civic Center Park (across from Berkeley High, near the Farmers Market) 

The Community Block Party is about celebrating our students and making connections that create a stronger community for Berkeley’s children. Plan to bring the whole family! Like last year, the Block Party is an all-BUSD “Open House," celebrating the brilliance of BUSD students across the district on stage, at activity tables, and on outdoor museum exhibit walls. It’s a gorgeous and inspiring event, not to be missed! 

Community Block Party flyer

NOMINATE YOURSELF OR OTHERS FOR EMERSON’S PTA

We cannot do it without you! Nominations are open for 2024-2024 Emerson PTA Board positions. Click to fill out this form if you are interested in nominating yourself or others, or just learning more about the PTA, or email Rachel.Terp@emersonelementary.org


UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, March 28, 6:00 - 7: 30 PM Black Families of Emerson Dinner and Listening Session, (Emerson Library)

Friday, March 29: Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning

Monday, Apr 1 - Friday, April 5: Spring Recess (NO SCHOOL)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

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.


FIND EMERSON ONLINE

Website: https://emersonelementary.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 and posted online at emersonelementary.org

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 bearfacts@emersonelementary.org. Please keep your message brief and include all the pertinent details including dates, times, locations and contact information. Send images as an e-mail attachment and include alt-text. The submission deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.

Copyright © 2024. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705