Carol Wang

May 11, 2023

BearFacts News - 05.11.23

Carol Wang

May 11, 2023

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 Families,

It’s Staff Appreciation Week! Time to show the Emerson Staff how grateful we are for everything they do for our students and families. We have the most dedicated, talented and caring staff. We are proud to represent Berkeley and the Elmwood community. This week we celebrate the teachers, instructional coaches, office staff, instructional assistants, after school staff, kitchen staff, custodial staff, special education and specialist staff who make this place so great. It’s the people who make Emerson so special and we are thankful!

Even with the drizzle, the Move-A-Thon was a blast! Big Shout Out to Elise Kneram and Rana Cho for planning and hosting this event for the second year in a row. It was wonderful to see the students having fun and parents enjoying an opportunity to socialize. Special thanks to all the parents who shared delicious home cooked food which represented our richly diverse cultural community, including the delicious Ethiopian coffee, Middle Eastern samosas and Filipino dessert. Even the BBQ grill was fired up! There were also free gifts, including Emerson water bottles and head bands for those who worked up a sweat. The music was energizing and one of the tent areas turned into an impromptu dance area. The Emerson community knows how to have fun—rain or shine!

We are proud of our students who are completing the end of the school year assessments. They were diligent and put in effort, which will allow teachers and parents to learn how students have progressed this school year. Keep an eye out for your child’s Winter Assessment scores, which will be sent home before the end of this trimester. Student’s final Report Cards will come home on the last day of school in their backpacks. In a review of data, we are pleased that Emerson students continue to outperform the district median and have made large gains in literacy and writing. As we move into summer, we encourage you to continue to read to and with your child, as well as take advantage of our local libraries and books on tape. Let’s avoid the summer slide by continuing to read this summer. Stay tuned for the Summer Reading Log which you can use to help record your student’s progress.

Join us in welcoming the 5th Grade students and Teachers back from their SleepAway Camp trip to Camp Arroyo in the Livermore Hills. Thank you for supporting field trips through the Heart of Emerson campaign each fall. Students, staff and chaperone were able to get away to learn about nature in a beautiful and peaceful setting.

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 15: No School - Malcolm X Holiday

Tuesday, May 23: PTA Association Meeting #3 6pm - Board Election (Zoom; Meeting ID: 838 2821 0937, Passcode: 903518)

Thursday, May 18: Emerson Open House (5:30-7:00pm)

Thursday, May 25: Tech Talk: Gaming and Online Safety (7-8pm)

Friday, May 26: Last day of PTA After-School Classes

Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day

Friday, June 2: Last Day of 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.

Shout-Outs

PTA UPDATE

Teacher/STAFF Appreciation Week

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is not long enough to express gratitude for our educators. Thank you Emerson community for contributing to Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, with the amazing planning and presentations led by Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell and Carol Wang, and Grade Parents across the school.

The Second Annual Move-a-thon

Despite overnight rain with a 60% chance of more rain in the morning, we forged ahead with the Move-a-thon last weekend! We were rewarded with a great turnout and eventual sunshine. Everyone who showed up won an Emerson water bottle, headband, snacks, and popsicles. It was a close competition between 3rd and 4th Grade, with 4th Grade winning First Place in points. Their Pizza Party awaits! And stay tuned for future karaoke events, because we saw (and heard) at the Move-a-thon that Emerson’s got talent, kids AND adults!

An event like the Move-a-thon requires many volunteers and community members, thank you all! Credit and appreciation for: PTA Board members Elise Kneram, Ariel Clute and Merlin Edwards II; Grade Parents; volunteers Amy Fire, Kaolin Fire, Carol Wang, Eleanor Hollander, Emma Cott, Jennifer Ruskin, Katie Caygill-Knapp, May Mash, Lauren Willis, Robert Lewis, Sara Shnider, Silvia Kim, Nancy Hogan, and Matt Small (Karaoke DJ).

And the food, oh the food!!! We feasted on BBQ links on the grill, international treats and Ethiopian coffee at the Culture Corner in the playground, Halo Halo with homemade ube ice cream, thanks to: Merlin Edwards II, Dagmawi Solomon, Tigist Guada, Bruk Abebe, Etsegenet Dejene, Ejigayehu Goshu, Anila Khan, Dimpal Pariyar, Amjad Khan, Hafsah Khan, Gagan Thind, Jazz Thind, Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell, Vivi Andrijani, Jeff Hipona, Katy Davis, Pall Kunchai, Vanessa Leonardo, Arabelle Malinis, Forrest Bell and Matt Small.

We donated lots of worn sneakers to Gotsneakers.com, and even sold (and gave away!) some vintage Emerson gear. Didn’t get to buy any Emerson merch? You can, ALL YEAR ROUND through our Emerson Merch Store, which custom-prints and direct-ships each order: https://emersonelementary.org/emerson-gear#!/

Tech Talk: Gaming and Online Safety

Thursday May 25 7p - 8p. Presented by Matt Small (Vector Unit) and Kaolin Fire (Meta). For Emerson families only. This will be recorded and resources listed on the Emerson website.

Zoom: https://berkeley-net.zoom.us/j/87672012741?pwd=eXJ4My90bGNtNUpDdC96THQ1Y0xaUT09

TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is coming to a close on Friday! You still have time before the end of the week to show our teachers and staff some love and appreciation with special notes and flowers. We’ll be treating the teachers and staff to a goody bag full of treats and to a delicious luncheon on Friday. A big THANK YOU to all the parents who have generously volunteered their time and resources to help pull together this week’s events. We love our Emerson parent community and couldn’t do it without you! Questions: Carol Wang at carol.wang@gmail.com or Rose Lynn at roselynn.abesamisbell@emersonelementary.org

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 deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

May 3, 2023

BearFacts News - 05.04.23

Carol Wang

May 3, 2023

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 Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Emerson staff have collaborated to prepare classroom lessons and activities to honor and recognize the challenges and achievements of the Asian community. Mark your calendars for a district-wide celebration on Friday, May 19 from 5:00- 7:30 pm at the BUSD Board Room. There will be a cultural presentation, a panel of local activists, and treats provided for free. Childcare will be provided, so please rsvp here.

The Last All School Meeting is this Friday, May 5th at 8:30 am. We invite you to join us in the Multi Purpose Room, which will be crowded. You may wear a mask at your discretion. This will be the first time we have invited parents into the Multi Purpose Room since Covid began, so please remember that seating is priority for teachers who need to supervise their classes. There will be limited designated seating for parents, and the overflow will have to stand in the hallway, foyer, etc. We look forward to celebrating the final Student Shout Outs of the school year. We will also enjoy student performances, hear from the Spirit Committee, and much more. If you can not make it, stay tuned for a video recording from Mr. Phil – volunteer extraordinaire – which will be sent out next week.

We hope you can join us on Saturday, May 6 for the Move- A- Thon! This plans to be a big fun party to celebrate Spring and the end of the School Year. This is a free event for families that will include a Cultural Corner, with Asian food and Ethiopian Coffee. We are looking forward to identifying Emerson’s Top Talent with a lively karaoke contest. To make this event even more meaningful, bring your gently used shoes to donate to gotsneakers.com. There will be something for everyone to enjoy and we hope to see you here this weekend. Big Shout out to Rana Cho and Elise Kneram for planning this event for the second year in a row.

Last week, BUSD Facilities and Noll and Tam Architects introduced the staff and community to the Modernization project logistics. Now is the time to provide your input regarding what is working well and what improvements you would like to see to the Emerson campus. We invite you to take a look at this flier, which provides information regarding the project, its timeline, and how you can give your feedback: Emerson Construction Project.

Mark your calendars for the PTA Association Meeting on Tuesday, May 23rd at 6 pm via Zoom. We will vote for our 2023-2024 Board Members. Many hands make light work and we still need more volunteers. It’s not too late to nominate yourself or someone else HERE.

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Saturday, May 6: Emerson Move-A-Thon (9am-1pm)

Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 15: No School - Malcolm X Holiday

Tuesday, May 23: PTA Association Meeting #3 6pm - Board Election (Zoom; Meeting ID: 838 2821 0937, Passcode: 903518)

Thursday, May 18: Emerson Open House (5:30-7:00pm)

Friday, May 26: Last day of PTA After-School Classes

Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day

Friday, June 2: Last Day of School

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

May 8-12 is Teacher Staff Appreciation Week. Check out the Week At A Glance and the Staff Affirmations. We have an amazing staff working hard every day together to make Emerson a special place for each child. Visit this Volunteer/Donation Sign Up to help out. Spread the word and let’s work together to make EACH staff member know they are seen & appreciated! Questions: Carol Wang at carol.wang@gmail.com or Rose Lynn at roselynn.abesamisbell@emersonelementary.org

PTA UPDATE

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates our immigrants originating from west of the Pacific Ocean. We are also celebrating Jewish Heritage Month during May! Of course, a month is not enough, but these designations give us an anchor for focused programs and study. As a Fourth Grade parent, I am especially proud that we resumed field trips to Angel Island. From 1910 to 1940, Angel Island held immigrants from 84 countries – including one million Chinese immigrants who had been denied entry from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. In order to stay, these immigrants had to prove family relations, and were sometimes denied. Our current immigration laws stem from these precedents, and we must study our history to determine our future.

The Move-A-Thon is HERE! This Saturday May 6th from 9am to 1pm, the PTA hosts our annual Move-A-Thon, where grades compete for points across activity stations. The grade with the most points wins a schooltime pizza party and bragging rights! 9am to 11am is the competition, and 11am to 1pm is food, Karaoke, and culture! Please bring sunscreen and layers, we will provide water, snacks, and lunch! Please bring your old and used sneakers in for donation for Gotsneakers.com, a shoe donation fundraising site.

The Emerson PTA Board is a group of volunteers who meet monthly to support the Emerson community through fundraising, events, and programs. Consider joining us to collaborate on building an inclusive culture and modeling service for our Emerson students. Nominate yourself or another person, and find out more about through Emerson PTA Board Interest Form: https://forms.gle/qXCjqiASb6BjzekR7

Second Saturdays at BAMPFA

Free for kids, plus one free adult per child

Gallery+Studio | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For ages 6 – 12 and their grown-ups

Each of these two-part workshops integrates an interactive gallery tour with a related art project; each session lasts about an hour and a half. Please arrive promptly to secure your place, as space is limited.

Cabinet of Memories with artist Viviana Carlos

After learning about assemblage in Amalia Mesa-Bains’s art, decorate a found picture frame with objects that enhance your feelings about a family photo.

Roundtable Reading Bilingüe | 2 p.m.

Recommended for ages 8 and up

At Roundtable Reading, young readers read aloud to one another from the opening pages of a good book for about an hour. Children who participate at the event will receive a copy of the book to continue reading at home. No advance sign-up needed; just show up promptly at 2 o’clock, ready to read!

La lección de August / Wonder by R.J. Palacio; reading led by Angela Loza, librarian at West Contra Costa Unified School District

Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face.

Auggie no quiere nada más que ser tratado como un niño normal, pero sus nuevos compañeros de clase no pueden superar su extraordinario rostro.

Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP) Community Conversation

Date: Monday, May 8, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: BUSD Boardroom, 1231 Addison St.
Parking: Please use the BUSD parking lot on Browning St.

To help with planning, please RSVP for the May 20 event here.

Participants at this event will learn more about BSEP, including what it supports throughout the district, accountability and oversight, and the steps ahead to bring a BSEP measure to the ballot for renewal. During this Community Conversation, we will ask participants to discuss current and possible future uses of BSEP funds in key areas, including:

Small Class Sizes and Support for Teaching
Student Support
Instructional Technology
Music, Visual and Performing Arts
School Libraries
School Site-Based Programs

Spanish language interpretation will be available.

BSEP funding is essential to the district’s budget. The $35 million received from BSEP in the 2022-2023 school year represents 17% of the District’s funding for our public schools, or about one out of every six dollars in the budget and funds about one out of three teaching positions.

Please visit the BSEP Measure information webpage to learn more about how BSEP supports our students.

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

April 26, 2023

BearFacts News - 04.27.23

Carol Wang

April 26, 2023

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,

It’s time for May flowers! Isn't it wonderful that after all this rain, we now have such beautiful weather with a lush green Bay Area? We hope that everyone is getting a chance to enjoy and experience peace this spring. The change in weather has made it possible for Emerson students to go on many fun educational field trips. Emerson students have visited the Oakland Zoo, the Chabot Space Center, numerous Alameda County parks, Berkeley Fire Station, Angel Island, UC Berkeley (several times) and the list goes on…. Thank you, parents and PTA for supporting hands-on learning through your contributions to the Heart of Emerson campaigns. We appreciate you!

Realizing that you have heard this request a few times, now, I still need to make it again. We are looking for more volunteer participation for the Emerson PTA Board in 2023- 2024. Many hands make light work, and we need your help! A flier with more information was sent home in your child’s Look Folder last week. We are open to co-positions! So grab a friend and work together to support your community. Or make some new friends, and join us, as a co-chair or lead on your own. Here is the link to express your interest. Board elections will take place during the May 23 PTA meeting (zoom link to follow).

In the weeks ahead, students will participate in the end-of-year assessments. The results from the STAR Reading and Math test and the DIBELS Literacy assessment for Grades Kinder through Second will help us identify progress made and plan for next year. In Grades 3-5 students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. For all students, Readers and Writers workshops will continue, with students completing a final essay project. We look forward to showing you what we have been doing during the May 18 Open House, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.

It is time to register for Summer School. The elementary-age summer program is offered from June 5- August 11. You can find more information regarding the Summer LEARNS program at Oxford Summer Learns Program. To register, click here:

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Saturday, May 6: Emerson Move-A-Thon

Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 15: No School - Malcolm X Holiday

Tuesday, May 23: PTA Association Meeting #3 evening - Board Election (Zoom, in-person TBD)

Thursday, May 18: Emerson Open House (6:00-7:00pm)

Friday, May 26: Last day of PTA After-School Classes

Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day

Friday, June 2: Last Day of School

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PARKING REMINDER

Please avoid parking your car in the red zones during morning and afternoon drop-off. The Berkeley Police Department has started giving tickets to those who park there.

We also ask that you do not back your car up into the crosswalk. This is dangerous for our crossing guard and the students too.

Thank you for keeping our community safe!

Principal Holmes

PTA UPDATE

API Heritage Month - May 1- 31. Contact rana@ranacho.com to volunteer.

Moveathon - May 6 - To volunteer, contact Elise Kneram kneram.elise@gmail.com

Tech Talk Series - Digital citizenship, video games, online best practices with kids! - Matt Small, Kaolin Fire - smaulio@gmail.com

PTA Association Meeting #3 (RESCHEDULED) - 6p Tuesday May 23rd via Zoom. This is our Election Meeting, with a presentation by the Nominating Committee.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Berkeley School’s Fund Block Party: Come Join the Party on Saturday, April 29th! Berkeley’s Civic Center Park next to the Farmers’ Market, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

See our mission come to life through performances and exhibits by Pre-K to 12th grade students, showcasing the talent and brilliance fostered by more equitable public schools.

RSVPs are encouraged to help the Schools Fund prepare for the event, but it is free for everyone regardless of RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/berkeley-public-schools-fund-community-block-party-tickets-588213792287

FREE Outdoor Movie Night of The Sandlot on Sat. April 29nd @ 7:30pm

Grab your movie dinner special from an Elmwood restaurant & watch “The Sandlot”. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. Movie to start at 8pm.

In the parking lot behind Vintage Berkeley: 2949 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA, 94705

Get your free tickets here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-outdoor-movie-night-in-the-elmwood-tickets-617425274617

GARDEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

With all this rain, the garden needs some helpers to get our summer garden ready. If any families are available to come for an hour or two on a weekend and do some weeding, please email Ms. Jeanette at jeanettekjobmand@berkeley.net and mention which dates might work for you.

Save the Date! Move-a-thon, Saturday, May 6

Save the Date! The Move-a-thon is on Saturday May 6, with the friendly competition starting at 9am. Please volunteer through your Grade Parents who'll be reaching out for help soon!

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 8-12 is our community-wide celebration of our Emerson teachers and staff! Start thinking about how your family might show your love and appreciation. This is our annual celebration, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist in planning for this week of thanks. Sign up today to help out! For more information, contact Carol Wang at carol.wang@gmail.com or Rose Lynn at roselynnabesamisbell@emersonelementary.org. Stay tuned for more details!

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

April 20, 2023

BearFacts News - 04.20.23

Carol Wang

April 20, 2023

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,

It is that time of year when we ask you to inform us of your plans for the 2023-2024 school year. In order to create class lists we need to know if your child is returning. We ask that you kindly complete this Emerson 2023- 2024 Returning Student Form today, or by Monday, May 1st at the latest. If your plans change after the completion of this survey, please reach out to School Secretary, Gabriellaparra@berkeley.net to let us know.

The April All-School Meeting last Friday was a blast! If you missed it, you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/4sg61DLl8yE. We enjoyed recognizing many students who participated in our Cesar Chavez Day of Community Service. The third-grade class raised over $160 for art supplies for students affected by the floods in Pajaro. The first-grade students cleaned up in Willard Park and fifth-grade students wrote letters to elderly adults in a nearby facility. We are so proud of our Emerson students!

The Read-a-Thon winner was also announced at the April All-School Meeting. The Emerson students are so impressive—they love to read and we had 100% student participation! We exceeded our goal of 300,000 hours school-wide. Our top 3 readers in each grade level will receive Target gift cards. The class with the most total minutes in each grade will get treated to an It’s Its ice cream party! We look forward to celebrating with a school-wide reward in May—stay tuned for more exciting information. Big Shout-Out to Ms. Jeannie, Ms. Ashleigh Kanat, and Ms. Tessa Rexroat, our amazing Read-A-Thon staff and parent team!

It is the season of Field Trips! Last week the 3rd-grade students visited the UC Berkeley campus to enjoy a performance by the legendary and world-renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe. The kindergartners took a walking tour to learn about safety and fire prevention at the Berkeley Fire House. This week, the fourth-grade students will head to Angel Island to learn more about immigration and the shameful history of Japanese internment by the US Army. The 5th Graders are looking forward to their rescheduled Camping Trip coming up on May 8-10. Spring is in the air and we are happy to be able to get out to learn by doing.

Mark your calendars for the Saturday, May 6th Move-a-Thon. The PTA is planning another fun event that will be a good time for the entire family. Be prepared to get some light exercise, while socializing with our community. We will need some volunteers to pull off this big event, so stay tuned for a signup sheet with specifically designated roles. Many hands make light work and we need your help!

The PTA-sponsored Equity Circle with Educational Consultant Ms. Pam has provided an engaging forum for the exploration of inclusion and belonging from a variety of perspectives. We are happy to be joined by Trustee Babbit, along with parents from Emerson, Cragmont, and Rosa Parks. A handful of Emerson staff is also participating. We have examined many topics, including, for example, the history of categorizing people according to skin tone, starting with the US census in the 1700s. Our engaging and energizing discussions around race, class, equity, and inclusion demonstrate our community’s commitment to this important work.

It is time to register for Summer School. The elementary-age summer program is offered from June 5-August 11. You can see the attached link for information regarding the Summer LEARNS program here: Oxford Summer Learns Program. To register click here: https://berkeleylearns.asapconnected.com/#ProgramID=7488.

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Saturday, May 6: Emerson Move-A-Thon

Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 15: No School - Malcolm X Holiday

Tuesday, May 16: PTA Association Meeting #3 evening - Board Election (Zoom, in-person TBD)

Friday, May 26: Last day of PTA After-School Classes

Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day

Friday, June 2: Last Day of School

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Student Shout OUts

PTA UPDATE

API Heritage Month - May 1- 31. Contact rana@ranacho.com to volunteer.

Moveathon - May 6 - To volunteer, contact Elise Kneram kneram.elise@gmail.com

Tech Talk Series - Digital citizenship, videogames, online best practices with kids! - Matt Small, Kaolin Fire - smaulio@gmail.com

PTA Association Meeting #3 (RESCHEDULED) - 6p Tuesday May 23rd via Zoom. This is our Election Meeting, with a presentation by the Nominating Committee.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Berkeley School’s Fund Block Party: Come Join the Party on Saturday, April 29th! Berkeley’s Civic Center Park next to the Farmers’ Market, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

See our mission come to life through performances and exhibits by Pre-K to 12th grade students, showcasing the talent and brilliance fostered by more equitable public schools.

FREE Outdoor Movie Night of The Sandlot on Sat. April 29nd @ 7:30pm

Grab your movie dinner special from an Elmwood restaurant & watch “The Sandlot”. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. Movie to start at 8pm.

In the parking lot behind Vintage Berkeley: 2949 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA, 94705

Get your free tickets here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-outdoor-movie-night-in-the-elmwood-tickets-617425274617

JOIN THE PTA BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE

Want a voice in how the Emerson PTA plans its programs and budget? We're
looking for people to join the budget sub-committee to help us plan for
next year. There will be a Zoom meeting April 26 at 8:15pm to work on
the budget, and then the budget will be presented at the final Emerson
PTA Association Meeting for approval. Everyone is welcome and anyone may
join.

To RSVP email: treasurer@emersonelementary.org

Save the Date! Move-a-thon, Saturday, May 6

Save the Date! The Move-a-thon is on Saturday May 6, with the friendly competition starting at 9am. Please volunteer through your Grade Parents who'll be reaching out for help soon!

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 8-12 is our community-wide celebration of our Emerson teachers and staff! Start thinking about how your family might show your love and appreciation. This is our annual celebration, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist in planning for this week of thanks. If that is you, please contact Carol Wang at carol.wang@gmail.com or Rose Lynn at roselynnabesamisbell@emersonelementary.org. Stay tuned for more details!

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

April 13, 2023

BearFacts News - 04.13.23

Carol Wang

April 13, 2023

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,

We hope you enjoyed a safe and peaceful Spring Break. We are ready for an exciting final two months of the school year, in preparation for our students to matriculate to the next level. Attendance continues to be a primary concern, and we encourage you to hold off on family vacations until June and July. We have lots planned for the months ahead, including All School Meetings, field trips, our Pride March and much more!

It is time for us to complete our final assessments of the school year. Students in Grades K- 2 will complete a third installment of the Literacy Assessment (DIBELS), along with the ELA and Math STAR test. Students in Grades 3-5 will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. All students will continue writing, working on in class essays, which will be scored on a school wide calibrated rubric. You will receive your child’s final report card, which will reflect their year long academic progress on the last day of school, which is June 2nd.

Many thanks for our PTA Board who have demonstrated creative resourcefulness and resilience during the past several years. They planned and implemented events for our students and staff during the height of the pandemic. This PTA Board overcame many barriers, including Zoom meetings and health and safety restrictions. Through it all, the PTA committed to meeting our fundraising goals, while supporting school wide events such as the Family Art Night and Read-A-Thon. The Board also demonstrated our commitment to Equity through the Meetings on the Bridge and Spring Equity Circle. Our school community is small, and yet we do so much! Many hands make light work and we are asking you to consider joining us for the next year. We are especially in need of a President and/or Co-Presidents. You may learn more about the various positions and their “duties” here and then submit your interest here.

It is time to register for Summer School. The elementary age summer program is offered from June 5- August 11. You can see the attached link for information regarding the Summer LEARNS program here: Oxford Summer Learns Program.

To register click here: https://berkeleylearns.asapconnected.com/#ProgramID=7488.

Hope to see you at the April All School Meeting on the blacktop this Friday, April 14th at 8:30 am. Be sure to dress in warm layers- we expect sun, but it will still be chilly. We look forward to student performances, student shout outs, a message from the Principals’ Student Advisory Committee, and much more!

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, April 13: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Saturday, May 6: Emerson Move-A-Thon

Monday, May 15: No School - Malcolm X Holiday

Tuesday, May 16: PTA Association Meeting #3 evening - Board Election (Zoom, in-person TBD)

Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE

JOIN THE PTA

The Emerson PTA Board is a group of volunteers who meet monthly to support the Emerson community through fundraising, events, and programs. Consider joining us to collaborate on building an inclusive culture and modeling service for our Emerson students. Nominate yourself or another person, and find out more about through Emerson PTA Board Interest Form.

SPRING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We also need volunteers for three upcoming events. Please reach out to the committee chair if you are able to help!

Spring Service Day - a day of community service (TBD- possibly Earth Day April 22)

Contact: Ariel Clute, cluteariel@gmail.com

Moveathon - May 6

Contact: Elise Kneram, kneram.elise@gmail.com

Tech Talk Series - Digital citizenship, games, online best practices with kids!

Contact: Matt Small, smaulio@gmail.com

PTA ASSOCIATION MEETING

PTA Association Meeting #3 - [Rescheduled] Now 6PM, Tuesday, May 16 via Zoom (in-person TBD). This is our Election Meeting, with a presentation by the Nominating Committee.

JOIN THE PTA BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE

Save the Date! Move-a-thon, Saturday, May 6

Save the Date! The Move-a-thon is on Saturday May 6, with the friendly competition starting at 9am. Please volunteer through your Grade Parents who'll be reaching out for help soon!

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 8-12 is our community-wide celebration of our Emerson teachers and staff! Start thinking about how your family might show your love and appreciation. This is our annual celebration, and we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist in planning for this week of thanks. If that is you, please contact Carol Wang at carol.wang@gmail.com or Rose Lynn at roselynnabesamisbell@emersonelementary.org. Stay tuned for more details!

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

March 30, 2023

BearFacts News - 03.30.23

Carol Wang

March 30, 2023

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,

We wish you a safe and happy spring break. We will return to school on Monday, April 10 for the last two months of school. Weather permitting, we are planning to hold the April All School Meeting outside on the blacktop on Friday, April 14th. We hope you can join us for the student performance, shout outs and a fun time. Prior to your return after spring break, we are encouraging that you administer a COVID test to your child - we are sending tests home with your students this week.

The Family Art Night was a huge success. Special thanks to Lucy Ames, Ariel Clute and Michelle Falise for all their hard work to plan such a creative and inspiring hands-on event for our community. We also appreciate the many families and school staff who came early to set up and stayed late to clean up afterward. It was great to see all the families and the smiling faces.

This week students have been learning about the activities and social justice work of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Each class had an opportunity to plan a service learning project. The first grade classes walked over to Willard Park to clean up. The third grade classes raised money for the Winter 2023 flood victims in the central valley town of Pajaro, California. The fourth grade classes volunteered to tidy up the Emerson campus. We are proud that Emerson students had an opportunity to do something to serve in our local community.

To register click here: https://berkeleylearns.asapconnected.com/#ProgramID=7488.

We are recruiting for the 2023- 2024 PTA Board. The PTA provides the behind the scenes work that takes our school to the next level of amazing! Would you consider joining us for the next school year? For more information about the positions and what they do, see this document and then fill out the Board Interest Form HERE! We hope to elect the new board at the April Association meeting.

Thank you for your support,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, March 30: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 30: BUSD Middle School Open House (times may vary by site)

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Thursday, April 13: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Wednesday, April 26: PTA Association Meeting #3 evening - Board Election (Zoom, in-person TBD)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE

Thank you everyone who came out Friday and participated in Family Art Night! We’re thrilled to resume this evening of celebrating art at Emerson supported by the PTA. Thank you to all the families who volunteered to make this night happen. We could not have done it without you: Bruk Abebe, Terry Albury, Somala Albury, Emma Cott, Jocelyn Cooper, Will Caygil- Knapp, Rana Cho, Amy Fire, Eleanor Hollander, Elise Kneram, Meg Kunchai, David Lehrer, Rachel Manadhar, Dimpal Pariyar, Ginny Prince, Matt Small, Anne-Sophie Seret, Gaganpreet Thind, and Lauren Zeller all helped throughout the night. A special thank you to Lucy Ames, Ariel Clute, and Michelle Falise for sharing your amazing creativity with our community. Thank you to Jana Holmes and all Emerson staff for helping support and set up the evening, and to the PTA and Emerson parents who worked hard to fundraise and support the Heart of Emerson allowing for events like Art Night. Below are photos from the event and here is a link to a Time-lapse video of our own “Dots Obsession” à la Yayoi Kusama.

JOIN THE PTA

SPRING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We also need volunteers for three upcoming events. Please reach out to the committee chair if you are able to help!

Spring Service Day - a day of community service (TBD- possibly Earth Day April 22)

Contact: Ariel Clute, cluteariel@gmail.com

Moveathon - May 6

Contact: Elise Kneram, kneram.elise@gmail.com

Tech Talk Series - Digital citizenship, games, online best practices with kids!

Contact: Matt Small, smaulio@gmail.com

PTA Association Meeting

PTA Association Meeting #3 - 6p Wednesday April 26 via Zoom (in-person TBD). This is our Election Meeting, with a presentation by the Nominating Committee.

BUSD Reparations Task Force

BUSD has just announced the creation of a Reparations Task Force to establish a program of true reparations for BUSD students with ancestors who were enslaved in the US; to do this, two key questions of implementation need to be answered: how to pay for such a program and how to structure and implement it. BUSD is seeking 15-20 members of our community to serve and fully participate in this important work and is holding an informational webinar on Thursday, March 30th from 6-7pm. To join, please follow this link and read more about this important work being led by our School Board President, Laura Babitt and Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel here.

Another Fun FAMILY ART NIGHT

It was so great to be making art together as families once again! To those of you who were able to come, thank you for sharing your Friday night with us. And a HUGE thank you to Michelle Falise and Ariel Clute who were with me every step of the way with planning and prepping for the big night. Thank you, too, to all of the volunteers and the PTA who so generously funds this event. I had a great time and I hope many of you did too!

Ms. Ames

ART CORNER

2nd Grade Quilted Artworks inspired by Lorenzo Pace

As part of their unit on the Underground Railroad, 2nd Graders read a book called Harriet Tubman and My Grandmother's Quilts. Written and illustrated by Lorenzo Pace, the book included old drawings and photographs of Pace's ancestors and of Harriet Tubman. He also used his grandmother's quilts in the illustrations, digitally overlapping the colors of the quilts over the black and white images. For our project, second graders chose images of Harriet Tubman and various fabric pieces to combine. They added areas of color over the black and white images with markers and watercolor pencils. We were so inspired by Harriet Tubman's life and Lorenzo Pace's art.

BAMPFA Second Saturday

Second Saturday is coming up right after Spring Break on Saturday, April 8.

Gallery+Studio: Torn Paper Portraits with artist Raphael Noz | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Gallery+Studio integrates art on view at BAMPFA with a related art project. Sign up at the Art Lab 10 minutes ahead of the session. For ages 6 - 12 and their grown-ups

Frank Moore’s exuberant paintings were part of the late artist’s wide-ranging practice exploring our capacity to connect with one another as people. Even his landscape paintings feel like portraits. Taking his soft-edged paintings as inspiration, use torn tissue paper to “paint” a portrait or another scene. Use your drawing made on acetate as a base, then add layers of colored tissue paper, using the pigment that bleeds from the dampened paper to complete your image.

Roundtable Reading: Clean Getaway by Nic Stone | 2:00 PM

Reading led by Adoria Williams, librarian, formerly a Berkeley Unified School District librarian.

How to go on an unplanned road trip with Grandma, a.k.a. G’ma: Grab your suitcase. Fasten your seatbelt! Bring the Green Book–G’mas’s most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most importantly, the way home. Don’t bring your cell phone. Avoid contact with Dad, even if G’ma acts stranger than usual. G’ma’s never been conventional, so this trip won’t be either! Scoob escapes tensions at home and school as he learns more about the world on an unforgettable RV road trip with his beloved G’ma.

Eggspedition Around the World - Come explore culture and diversity with UC Berkeley students!

Every year, Eggster holds the largest annual egg hunt and learning festival in the Bay Area. It is a fun, free educational event that consists of activities booths, performances, and egg hunts to inspire the young children to the benefits of pursuing higher education.

This year, the event is called “Eggspedition Around the World”, and the theme is dedicated to develop the idea of strengthening one’s own community and the exploration of new ones. The event will be held on April 15th from 10 am to 5pm on the UC Berkeley campus.

More information is available here: https://eggster.org

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

March 23, 2023

BearFacts News - 03.23.23

Carol Wang

March 23, 2023

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,

After three years of abbreviated family events, we are thrilled to bring back the popular Family Art Night! This fun event is a time for families to come together to enjoy creative hands-on activities that celebrate the arts. Big Smile to our talented Art Teacher, Ms. Ames, who partnered with dedicated parents, Ms. Michelle Falise and Ms. Ariel Clute, to plan this event. To be safe, we will spread out between the Multi-Purpose Room and the Library. Please stay and supervise your children during this event, which is meant to be enjoyed as a community. Family Art Night is TOMORROW, Friday, March 24 from 6:00- 7:30 pm. Parent volunteers are still needed to help run art activities (sign up here). Come dressed ready to make a mess. Please eat ahead of time: food will not be served.

This spring we will be recruiting members for the PTA. A hallmark of a strong school community is a healthy partnership between the staff and parents, which in turn supports student programs, events, and academics. With the help of the PTA, Emerson is able to enhance its academic and social programs, offering a comprehensive plan. We are proud to offer art and physical education classes for all K- 5 students. Student studies are enhanced through the purchase of math and reading computer software programs, which are district approved, but funded by the PTA. Students and parent volunteers also enjoy memorable and educational field trips. We demonstrate our commitment to equity through our staff and parent workshops, which have proven to build a strong community that promotes inclusion for all. To keep our school strong, we need more parents to get involved. Would you consider joining us? Stay tuned for more information regarding the 2023- 2024 PTA Board.

Due to the storm this week, the 5th Grade students’ field trip has been rescheduled to May. We are happy to resume this Emerson tradition when the weather clears. Big Shout out to Ms. Campbell Lewis and Ms. Weddle for pivoting and securing a new field trip date so quickly. We appreciate the student and parent’s flexibility as we respond to the challenges we face due to this intense winter season.

Thank you for your support,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Friday, March 24: Last day to turn in Read-A-Thon Reading Logs

Friday, March 24: Family Art Night, 6-7:30pm, at Emerson. Note: food will not be served.

Thursday, March 30: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 30: BUSD Middle School Open House (times may vary by site)

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Thursday, April 13: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Wednesday, April 26: PTA Association Meeting #3 evening - Board Election (Zoom, in-person TBD)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE

HEART OF EMERSON

We did it! We are the Heart of Emerson! To celebrate and commemorate our community’s generosity, the PTA gifts every Emerson student and staff a Heart of Emerson T-shirt designed by Michelle Falise. Thank you to Stephanie Boys and Elizabeth Valley for your fundraising work and our Heart of Emerson shirts (with every student’s name on it).

SPECIAL EVENTS

Family Art Night - is TOMORROW! March 24 from 6-7:30pm we will all create art thanks to Emerson’s art teacher Lucy Ames and many volunteers led by Ariel Clute, visual artist and parent of twins, Daza and Fermina.

We still need caregiver volunteers to help run art activities! Please sign up to help, especially if you’re an Art Night veteran. This will be the first Art Night for our younger grades! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080444abad2fa5f94-volunteer#/

Please eat ahead of time, as food will not be served.

Math Festival - Thank you to the volunteers for helping with this PTA-sponsored event on Thursday March 16. This is one the STEAM events the PTA supports with the initiative of Principal Holmes.

Black Oratorical Festival - We are so proud of Emerson fourth graders Soleyana Derebe and Hasset Wube for representing Emerson at the Black Oratorical Festival on Monday March 20 at Oxford Elementary. Here is a picture of all our participants:

The Spring Equity Circle continues! By the time you read this, only two of the six sessions have occurred, so there’s still time to join by signing up here. Childcare and food provided. Questions, access requests: equity@emersonelementary.org

JOIN THE PTA

SPRING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We also need volunteers for three upcoming events. Please reach out to the committee chair if you are able to help!

Spring Service Day - a day of community service (TBD- possibly Earth Day April 22)

Contact: Ariel Clute, cluteariel@gmail.com

Moveathon - May 6

Contact: Elise Kneram, kneram.elise@gmail.com

Tech Talk Series - Digital citizenship, games, online best practices with kids!

Contact: Matt Small, smaulio@gmail.com

READ-A-THON

Read-a-Thon Reading Logs Due Tomorrow!

Thank you, Emerson students, for participating in this year’s Read-a-Thon. Don’t forget to use the Reading Log to record your minutes - adults, don't forget to initial! Please turn in your reading log to your classroom teacher by TOMORROW (Friday), March 24th, to be eligible for the prizes.

Questions: contact Ms. Jeannie at jeanniewang@berkeley.net or Ashleigh Kanat at ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com. We’ll announce prize winners during the April All-School Meeting.

FAMILY ART NIGHT

I hope that you are planning to come to Family Art Night!

This Friday, 6-7:30pm, volunteer sign-up HERE

In case you didn't know, the whole family is invited, and everyone can make some art!

We will have clay. We will be painting with fun scraping techniques. We'll make some cool laminated bookmarks using washi tape. We will be doing my favorite thing-- gel plate printing (also known as gelli printing). You won't want to miss all the fun!

In addition, we are creating two walls inspired by Yayoi Kusama. Kusama is an amazing artist, still working in her 90s. Here is a presentation with a couple of short videos I'm showing Emerson's artists this week. If you are curious, take a look! We will be covering the white walls with thousands and thousands of dot stickers. At the end of each art class this week, we started putting up dots, but we'll have many more to put up on Friday night. (And there will be some great photo ops too!)

Here's what it looked like very early in the process:

Images of Emerson students placing colorful circular stickers on large posters hung in the hallway.

I hope you will join us for the fun!

Ms. Ames

ART CORNER

4th Grade Paintbrush Art

Before creating these observational drawings of paint brushes, the artists honed their observation skills by doing what is called a "blind contour" --- they were not allowed to look at their paper, but instead had to look closely at the brush or other objects they were drawing and then let their pens follow the same journey that their eyes took.

With the brushes, they could look at both the brush and the paper. ;-) After drawing these in pencil, they traced with a sharpie and added some cross hatching and pencil rubbing to create a more 3-dimensional effect. Finally, they added watercolor paint.

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

March 15, 2023

BearFacts News - 03.16.23

Carol Wang

March 15, 2023

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,

This rain just keeps coming and coming! That means we have lots of flowers to look forward to. Here at Emerson we are doing our best to stay dry and safe. We are grateful for the overhead fans that were installed into each classroom earlier this fall. These fans keep our circulation moving when we need to close windows due to extreme wind or cold. We also continue to utilize our air purifiers. The stairwell that was damaged due to the car accident has also been partly restored. The area has been cleaned up and the interior doors have been made accessible. This means that students and staff may safely use the stairwell to access the blacktop in case of need or emergency. We keep these doors propped open during the day, which also increases our indoor air quality and ventilation. We still anticipate the complete repair, in which we reestablish access to Garber Street, this summer.

The Read-a-Thon has kicked off! We hope that your child is participating and logging their minutes. This is a contest and a fundraiser that comes with individual and school wide prizes. Our school wide goal is to read 300,000 minutes. You can count the minutes that you spend reading to your child, and the minutes they read on their own. The last day of the Read-a-Thon is Sunday, March 19. The contest winners will be announced at the April All School Meeting. Shout out to Ms. Jeannie, literacy coach, Ms. Rachel, librarian, Ms. Kanat and Ms. Paine, parent volunteers, for coordinating our school-wide event. If you would like more information, watch this fun video (preferably with your student) created by Elephant and Piggie. Let’s have fun reading this Spring!

Every student participated in the California Math Council’s School wide Math Festival today. We are thankful for the PTA sponsorship of this opportunity, which brings a fun, self exploratory festival that exposes students to key math concepts that are linked to Common Core and age appropriate standards. Big Smile to the Grade Level/Room Parents who volunteered today to make this event a success! We encourage you to ask your students about some of the challenges and activities they explored during today’s Math Festival.

Thank you for your support,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

TODAY (Thursday, March 16): School-wide Math Festival, during the day

TODAY (Thursday, March 16): Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 23: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Friday, March 24: Last day to turn in Read-A-Thon Reading Logs

Friday, March 24: Art Night, 6-7:30pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 30: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Thursday, April 13: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Read-a-Thon UPDATE

Emerson students, you rock! You’re challenging yourselves and discovering new types of books to read. Keep up the great work - you have a few more days left to read, read, read. The Read-a-Thon ends at the end of the day on March 19th. Don’t forget to use the Reading Log to record your minutes and, adults, don’t forget to initial each day. Your classroom teacher will let you know how to turn in your reading log. Please make sure it’s turned in by March 24th to be eligible for the prizes. Questions: contact Ms. Jeannie at jeanniewang@berkeley.net or Ashleigh Kanat at ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com.

Art Night Returns

We are so excited to welcome back Art Night. Please, save the date: Friday March 24th, 6pm – 7:30pm.

In order to bring back this beloved event, we need caregiver volunteers to help run art activities. Please use the link below to sign up for a shift!

Volunteer sign up link- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080444ABAD2FA5F94-volunteer

Excited to see you there!

Behind the bearfacts

Behind the Bearfacts is a group of parent volunteers serving as editors producing our school newsletter each week to keep the Emerson community informed and connected. This dedicated rotating crew of editors includes Ashleigh Kanat, Nathan Fisher, Robert Lewis, Jennifer Petrucelli, Carol Wang, and Amy Fire. Special thanks to our regular contributors: Principal Holmes, Rana Cho with PTA news, Ms. Ames in the Art Corner, Cielo Rios in the Equity Corner, and Ms. Rachel for sharing our Student Shout Outs and Library News. Are you interested in working on the BearFacts next year? Email communications@emersonelementary.org. We are looking for a new crew to fill the shoes of our graduating parent editors. Thank you Bearfacts Team for your critical support these last 8 months and for several of you for many Emerson years!

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

March 8, 2023

BearFacts News - 03.09.23

Carol Wang

March 8, 2023

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,

March is a busy month at Emerson, with opportunities for students and parents to enjoy several special events. This year, the PTA is sponsoring several STEAM events (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Earlier this winter, students participated in the Hour of Code, which provided them with an introduction to computer programming. Emerson students will enjoy a School-Wide Math Festival on March 16. Each class will have a block of time to visit the Festival, which will include hands-on math manipulatives and intriguing puzzles that are age appropriate. Also this month, we are happy to announce the return of the Family Art Night on Friday, March 24 from 6:00- 7:30pm. The Family Art Night has been on hold for the past two years due to the pandemic, and we are pleased to bring this beloved event back. We appreciate the PTA’s help in organizing and funding these special events, which benefit our students and the larger community.

We hope you will consider joining us for the Spring Equity Circle this March/April — these sessions are a keystone of our equity commitment at Emerson.

What: This is a six-part series where we will create space together to study and discuss race, ethnicity, equity, and identity — in service of our community, our children, and their future. We highly encourage you to participate in person in all six meetings to build momentum and trust. However, we also understand if you'll need to excuse yourself as well.

Who: All caregivers, teachers, and staff who want to grow in their self-awareness, advocacy, and/or involvement for Emerson.

When: 1) Saturday, March 11 (kickoff) 9:15am -1:15pm @ Emerson Elementary

2) Thurs, March 16; 6:00-8:15 pm

3) Thurs, March 23; 6:00- 8:15 pm

4) Thurs, March 30; 6:00- 8:15 pm

5) Thurs, April 13; 6:00-8:15 pm

***Final date is determined by the group

Register here (dinner and childcare for Emerson students provided): Spring 2023 Equity Circle - Emerson

It’s time for the 2023-24 Read-a-Thon Fundraiser! Shout out to Ms. Jeannie, literacy coach, Ms. Rachel, librarian, Ms. Kanat and Ms. Paine, parent volunteers, for coordinating our school-wide event. Students have 10 days, from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 19, to read and record as many books as possible. Families are invited to use the 99 Pledges website to record progress and donations. The school-wide goal is 300,000 minutes, with a prize for everyone if we meet the goal. Students can also earn individual prizes. Read-a-Thon information packets were sent home last week in students’ backpacks. If you would like more information, watch this fun video (preferably with your student) created by Elephant and Piggie. Let’s have fun reading this Spring!

We encourage you to take a moment to watch the March All School Meeting as a family. The Student Shout-Outs were presented, and we had a large group of students participate in the district’s Oratorical Contest. This year’s theme was Black Joy, and our student presentations were inspiring and heart felt. Take a look and be encouraged.

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Friday, March 10: 1st Day of 2023 Read-a-Thon

Saturday, March 11: Equity Circle Kickoff, 9:15am-1:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 16: School-wide Math Festival, during the day

Thursday, March 16: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 23: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Friday, March 24: Art Night, 6-7:30pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 30: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Thursday, April 13: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Read-a-Thon STARTS TOMORROW!

Read-a-Thon Begins Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first day of our 2023 Read-a-Thon. For the next ten days (including Sunday, March 19), we encourage all students to read as much as they can, while raising money for Emerson. We’re striving for full participation, meaning we hope every student will find some time to read at home! There will be prizes for the top three students in each grade who read the most minutes, a prize for the classroom at each grade level that reads the most, and a schoolwide prize if all together we read 300,000 minutes! If you haven’t already, please visit https://app.99pledges.com/fund/emersonreads23 to find your student’s page. You can forward the link to your student’s page to friends and family far and wide! And a reminder to caregivers to add your initials to daily minutes on the reading log.

Here are forms you may need: Student and Family Guide (English), Student and Family Guide (Spanish) and the Reading Log.

Questions: contact Ms. Jeannie at jeanniewang@berkeley.net or Ashleigh Kanat at ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com.

Art Corner: SPRING BLOSSOMS BY KINDERGARTEN ARTISTS

First, students cut tree trunks and branches from brown paper. Next, they added twigs with crayon. They created grass by snipping green paper. Next, they used the eraser end of a pencil to twist tissue squares into little blossoms. Finally, they added springtime details in crayon.

Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)

PTA BOARD & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Emerson PTA Board is a group of volunteers who meet monthly to support the Emerson community through fundraising, events, and programs. Consider joining us to collaborate on building an inclusive culture and modeling service for our Emerson students. Connect with Rana to explore joining the board! rana.cho@emersonelementary.org

We also need volunteers for three upcoming events. Please reach out to the committee chair if you are able to help!

Spring Service Day - a day of community service (TBD- possibly Earth Day April 22) - cluteariel@gmail.com

Moveathon - May 6 - kneram.elise@gmail.com

Tech Talk Series - Digital citizenship, games, online best practices with kids! - rana.cho@emersonelementary.org

Congratulations, March Shout-Outs!

equity corner— join the 2023 equity study circle!

Equity work began at Emerson back in 2013 when a group of caregivers recognized that not all of our community felt welcomed at Emerson. Because of their advocacy, the PTA now funds annual racial equity trainings and workshops. The Spring Equity Study Circle is the keystone of the work we do throughout the year to provide a space to learn, connect, and engage in the issues that help us build a culturally inclusive, racially equitable, and welcoming school.

Over 100 members of our community have taken part in an Equity Study Circle since 2015, when our school’s Desired Racial Equity Outcome Plan (DREOP) was developed and adopted by the Emerson PTA. This year, the Equity VP’s have worked with our school site leadership to update this plan, to continue the work, as well as update information based on our changing world and the school district’s African American Success Framework (AASF) and the 2021 Latinx resolution and other affinity based BUSD programs and partnerships.

The Equity Study circle is facilitated by Ms. Pamela Harrison-Small and each of our events is free, with childcare provided by Mr. John and food and snacks for all attendees. We recognize the importance of your time and attention and ask you to join our circle this year; this is the place to make connections and build community, in service of our students. Please check out this video of previous Equity Circle members to learn more about their experiences. If you have completed a circle previously, please consider rejoining as so much has changed in the past three years due to the pandemic and each attendee helps craft and shape our discussion and study.

RSVP here; please let us know if we can help with accommodations directly in your RSVP or email us directly at equity@emersonelementary.org

Shelter in the storm

Huge thanks to Chelle Putzer and family for sourcing and setting up the new canopy in the garden area (old ones were not safe in windy conditions!), and adding flaps to our existing canopies around campus. With the recent storms and the increased need for campus space for PTA after-school classes, these improvements keep our students sheltered in our alternative classroom spaces.

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

March 2, 2023

BearFacts News - 03.02.23

Carol Wang

March 2, 2023

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,

It’s time for the 2023-2024 Read-a-Thon Fundraiser! Shout out to Ms. Jeannie, Literacy Coach, Ms. Rachel, Librarian, Ms. Kanat and Ms. Paine, Parent Volunteers, for coordinating our school wide event. Students have 10 days, from Friday, March 10th, to Sunday, March 19th, to read and record as many books as possible. Families are invited to use the 99 Pledges website to record progress and donations. The School Wide Goal is 300,000 minutes—with a prize for everyone if we meet the goal. Students can also earn individual prizes. Read-a-Thon information packets were sent home earlier this week in student’s backpacks. If you would like more information watch this fun video (preferably with your student) created by Elephant and Piggie: Read-a-Thon Information Video.

We are so excited that we have 11 student groups auditioning for the 2023-2024 Berkeley Unified School District’s Oratorical Fest. This year’s theme is “Black Joy”. Big smile to Lily Howell, Office of Equity and Family Engagement, who coached students during their lunch recess. Students will present during the March 3rd All School Meeting which will be held inside due to inclement weather. Parents of students who are participating are invited to attend. Families who do not have a student participating in the Oratorical will be able to watch the recording sent out via Remind after the meeting.

The PTA Equity Team’s “Meeting on the Bridge” series with Educational Consultant Ms. Pam concluded last week. We enjoyed an inspiring and thought provoking presentation regarding Micro-aggressions and how families/adults can combat them. We had over a dozen staff and parents in attendance for our last session. If you were not able to join us for the Meetings on the Bridge this Winter, it’s not too late to join us in this important work. You are invited to join the Spring Equity Circle, which begins this Spring.

We hope you will consider joining us for the Spring Equity Circle this March/April - these sessions are a keystone of Equity commitment at Emerson.

What: This is a six part series where we will create space together to study and discuss race, ethnicity, equity, identity--in service of our community, our children, and their future! We highly encourage that you participate in-person in all 6 meetings to build momentum and trust. However, we also understand if you'll need to excuse yourself as well.

Who: All caregivers, teachers, and staff who want to grow in their self-awareness, advocacy, and/or involvement at Emerson!

When (times have changed slightly from the initial Remind):

Saturday, March 11 (Kick-Off) 9:15 am - 1:15 pm @ Emerson Elementary
Thurs, March 16; 6 - 8:15 pm
Thurs, March 23; 6 - 8:15 pm
Thurs, March 30; 6 - 8:15 pm
Thurs, April 13; 6 - 8:15 pm
Final date is determined by the group

Register here (dinner and childcare for Emerson students provided): Spring 2023 Equity Circle - Emerson

Take care and thank you for your support,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, February 23: ‘Meeting on the Bridge’ equity workshop, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Friday, March 10: 1st Day of 2023 Read-a-Thon

Saturday, March 11: Equity Circle Kick-Off, 9:15am-1:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 16: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 23: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Friday, March 24: Art Night, 6-7:30pm, at Emerson

Thursday, March 30: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Thursday, April 13: Equity Circle, 6-8:15pm, at Emerson

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Art Corner: Choice Time in Art

This year I have been offering 3rd through 5th graders the opportunity to earn a "Free Choice Art Period". I put out some different supplies, a bunch of Step-by-Step drawing books, games, and more. It is so much fun to see what the kids choose to do. Some love to play games the whole time, while another might paint the same feather/leaf shape over and over and over again. Some draw from their imaginations, others using the step-by-step or idea books, and as you can see in this photo, even from observation. I love how one student captured her friends, paying attention to what they were wearing. Having this open-ended time to play creatively is so valuable. It's hard to do regularly in a school setting due to time constraints, but I hope you are able to encourage your artistically inclined children to spend some time exploring the themes and materials that delight them.

Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)

Read-a-Thon Packets Sent Home

Emerson Read-A-Thon packets are being sent home with each student this week. The packet contains a student and family guide to how the Read-a-Thon will work, a Reading Log (which will replace your student’s regular reading log during the Read-a-Thon), and two bookmarks to color in and use during the Read-a-Thon. Tomorrow, the Read-a-Thon will be announced to students during the All-School Meeting, and parents will receive an email with a link to our Read-a-Thon campaign page. If you don’t receive an email, you can search for your student’s page here: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/emersonreads23.

Questions: contact Ms. Jeannie at jeanniewang@berkeley.net or Ashleigh Kanat at ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com.

Art Show by our Art Teacher Ms. Ames!

Special Emerson Reception Date 3/5/23

Share your love of our Emerson art program with a visit to a gallery show by our very own Ms. Ames! BEAUTY IN THE BRANCHES is at the Annex by the El Cerrito Natural Grocery (10387 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito) from January 17 - April 17, 2023.

Join other Emerson families and students on March 5th from 2 to 4pm for a special viewing session and visit with the artist. RSVP encouraged but not required.

There are postcards with details in the Office and the Art Room if you'd like one.

equity corner— join the 2023 equity study circle!

RSVP here; please let us know if we can help with accommodations directly in your RSVP or email us directly at equity@emersonelementary.org

Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project

Income qualified Berkeley residents can apply (by March 8!) to get a free electric bike— 50 awardees also get a helmet, locks, lights, safe riding training, and free maintenance for a year from Waterside Workshops! Learn more from the City of Berkeley here and apply here before the March 8th deadline!

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

February 23, 2023

BearFacts News - 02.23.23

Carol Wang

February 23, 2023

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,

As Black History Month comes to a close, I want to thank you for your partnership with Emerson. Our community demonstrates our commitment to inclusion and equity in many ways. As we see more and more efforts to ban books and restrict teaching of African American history throughout our nation, we feel fortunate to live here in the Bay Area. It’s not too late to take a look at the BUSD Family Guide for Black History Month 22-23.pdf . This Guide includes a statement from our Superintendent Ford Morthell and links to activities that families can do together to participate in Black History Month.

The Final PTA Equity “Meeting on the Bridge'' takes place tonight, Thursday, February 23rd. Educational Consultant, Ms. Pamela Smalls will guide us with thought the topic “MicroAggressions: how to address and combat them”. Food and childcare are provided by our own Mr. John. We would love for you to join us, from 5:30- 7:30 pm. Please rsvp here: Here.

Have you seen our new and improved tent in the Garden? The new tent was paid for by the PTA and assembled by the Putzer’s family. Ms. Jeanette, Gardening Teacher, is very happy and I think you will agree it is an improvement. Our students in the PTA After School classes will benefit from this upgraded shelter. Thank you PTA and the Putzer family!

Good news! Governor Newsom will end the CA COVID state of emergency at the end of this month. Transmission rates are low in California. This means that the District’s policies are going to change. Covid testing has been discontinued at the Adult School. Emerson, and all BUSD schools, will shift to “response testing” which means that testing kits will be sent home with students only when there is an outbreak (meaning 3 or more cases in an overlapping time frame in a classroom or other shared space). In addition, we sent COVID testing kits home one last time before this coming 4-day weekend. After that we will no longer send them home, unless there is an outbreak. However, parents can request a kit from the front office anytime. Finally, masks will continue to be available for staff and students who request them. Thank you for all the lengths you have gone to during the past 3 years to keep our school community safe.

Sincerely,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, February 23: ‘Meeting on the Bridge’ equity workshop, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Friday, March 10: 1st Day of 2023 Read-a-Thon

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

The Read-A-Thon Is Coming!

The Emerson Read-A-Thon is a school-wide celebration of reading! Beginning March 10th through the 19th, we spotlight the power of reading, providing an opportunity for students and their families to focus on books and read together, with a little competition sprinkled in! More information will be sent home with your student next week. Keep an eye on those look folders!

Equity TEAM UPDATE

The Equity team presented at last week’s PTA Association meeting to share out about how we are showing up for our community *and* the ways we can all show up— Black Oratorical Fest, Meetings on the Bridge (Microaggressions + Microinterventions), Emerson Family Fund, and the upcoming Spring Equity Study Circle. There are also some important links out to districtwide initiatives like the African American Success Framework, Ethnic Studies, and ways to celebrate Black History Month. Click through here to check it out!

As always, please join us this Thursday from 5:30-7:30 for the last in our series on Microaggressions, facilitated by Ms. Pam— free childcare and free dinner is provided, as always. RSVP here (so we order in enough food + let us know about dietary preferences!). We hope to see you there!

-cielo, rachel, and silvia :: email us! equity@emersonelementary.org

ART CORNER

Art Show by our Art Teacher Ms. Ames! — Special Emerson Reception Date 3/5/23

Join other Emerson families and students on March 5th from 2 to 4pm for a special viewing session and visit with the artist. RSVP encouraged but not required.

Celebrating Black History Month

Join School Board president Laura Babitt, City Council member Terry Taplin and Ben Bartlett to celebrate Black history and learn how Black inventors have reinvented the world! Food, refreshments, guest speakers, entertainment, and a showcase of student performances and presentations that is open to all high school, middle school, and elementary school students.

Cash prizes for the three best performances per education level (from $250 up to $400!) Sunday, February 26 2:00 - 6:00 pm City Center 3201 Shattuck Avenue

Berkeley E-Bike Equity Project

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

February 16, 2023

BearFacts News - 02.16.23

Carol Wang

February 16, 2023

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,

Good news! Governor Newsom will end the California COVID-19 State of Emergency at the end of this month. Transmission rates are low in California. This means that the District’s policies are going to change. This Thursday, February 16th, will be the last day that testing is offered at the Adult School. We will shift to “response testing” which means that testing kits will be sent home with students only when there is an outbreak (meaning 3 or more cases in an overlapping time frame in a classroom or other shared space). In addition, we will send COVID-19 testing kits home one last time before this coming 4-day weekend. After that we will no longer send them home, unless there is an outbreak. However, parents can request a kit from the front office anytime. Finally, masks will continue to be available for staff and students who request them. Thank you for all the lengths you have gone to during the past 3 years to keep our school community safe!

Facilities update: contractors came out to look at the back doorway and begin the process of ordering parts for the repair. I was cautioned that it will take a long time for the parts to come in and for the work to begin. The Fire Inspector came this week, and even with one less exit, we are still in compliance with requirements, and the Fire Inspector knows that the repair process is underway. During our January fire drill and evacuation, we managed to exit the building in less time than we did with both exits. Of course, we will still repair it. Our next fire drill is on February 23.

The second trimester ended on Friday, February 10th. Report cards and assessment reports will be sent home in student’s backpacks this week. Assessment reports include: Kindergarten through Grades 2 DIBELS Literacy assessment reports and Grades 3-5 STAR Reading and Math Assessments. These reports are reviewed by teachers and other school staff to see how students are progressing throughout the school year and how we can help them succeed. If you have any questions regarding your student’s reports please reach out to your classroom teacher. We look forward to continuing to partner with you throughout the remainder of our school year.

The poem below was created a few years ago, by this year’s 4th Grade class, and it is still a wonderful poem to celebrate Black History Month!

Sincerely,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, February 16: School Site Council Meeting, 7:00pm - via Zoom

Friday, February 17: No School (Lincoln’s Birthday)

Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents’ Day)

Thursday, February 23: ‘Meeting on the Bridge’ equity workshop, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Friday, March 10: 1st Day of 2023 Read-a-Thon

Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7: Spring Recess (No School)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

BUSD Black History Month Family Guide

Please see the BUSD Family Guide for Black History Month 2022- 2023. The guide includes a message from Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel and also includes practical ways that all families can celebrate this month.

PTA UPDATE

HEART OF EMERSON T-SHIRTS!!

Our school-wide prize for meeting our Heart of Emerson fundraising goal this year is free t-shirts for all Emerson students and staff! Every student’s name will be featured on the back, and extra shirts can be ordered for just $15. Fill out the form below to claim your shirt - registration will close on Friday, 2/24. CLICK HERE TO ORDER

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Help shape our future PTA by joining the Nominating Committee!

The Nominating Committee consists of the Principal or faculty representative, at least five members, and NOT the president. Please contact the PTA if you are interested in joining the Nominating Committee - volunteer@emersonelementary.org

SPRING EVENTS

Coming soon: Read-a-thon, Art Night, and Spring Special! Please volunteer when Grade Parents reach out for help for these community events: volunteer@emersonelementary.org

ART CORNER

Black Lives Matter in Art

All of the artists at Emerson spent some time appreciating all of the beautiful colors and shades of browns that our skin can be. Most of us read All the Colors We Are The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color, except for the Kindergarteners who read The Colors of Us. We also looked at various social justice artists many of whom use hands and fists to show solidarity, power, resistance and a willingness to fight for justice.

Each child traced their hand and colored it using a skin tone as close to their own as they could (which is not entirely easy to do, but we did our best!) All of these hands are being put together now to show that our school community stands together and believes that BLACK LIVES MATTER.

Learn More About BUSD’s African American Success Framework

Check out the African American Success Framework Winter Newsletter— learn about College Bound Saturday sessions (next one is March 25th!), Young, Gifted, and Black meetings (rehearsals are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm).

SAVE THE DATE for your rising 6th grader at the Middle + High School Transition Fair on April 15th, from 10am-1pm.

Email busdaasf@gmail.com with any questions, suggestions, or feedback. Learn more about the BUSD African American Success Framework (AASF) here!

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

BUSD ETHNIC STUDIES BLACK HISTORY MONTH RESOURCES

Please enjoy the BUSD February Ethnic Studies Newsletter, which features an interview with a brilliant educator from Malcolm X Elementary, Ms. Felicia Gray! She shares about her experiences of being a part of the first kindergarten classes to integrate BUSD schools and so much more.

In this month's newsletter you'll also find links to all of the Black History Month resources, other teaching resources for cultural celebrations throughout the month, a link to the school board presentation for ethnic studies in our elementary schools, the 7 C's of Ethnic Studies, as well as other resources.

The Read-a-Thon is Coming!

The Emerson Read-A-Thon is a school-wide celebration of reading - coming up in March (3/10 - 3/19)! Keep an eye out for more information in next week’s BearFacts!

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

February 9, 2023

BearFacts News - 02.09.23

Carol Wang

February 9, 2023

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,

We had such a nice time at the February All School meeting. Our theme was Black History Month and Black Lives Matter. I was happy to have an opportunity to speak about one of my personal heroes: Rosa Parks. I encouraged students to understand that Black History is American History and learning the history of our Black and Brown heroes can motivate all of us to work toward a better community. During our Student Shout Outs, we took care to recognize the children who received a Zoom December/January Shout Out, along with our current February Shout Outs. District Truancy Staff performed two lively rap songs that encouraged school attendance. Ms. Randella, Music Teacher, inspired us by leading the sing-along of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, known as the Black National Anthem. We invite you to view the recording of the meeting, created by our dedicated Volunteer Mr. Phil here.

Last week, students in Grades K- 2 participated in a Lunar New Year school parade. Each year, Ms. Jeannie, Literacy Coach, visits the kindergarten classes to teach students about this special holiday, its meaning and its traditions. Afterwards, students created their own personal dragon and crown to participate in our indoor parade. It was a celebratory occasion for all.

BUSD is pleased to announce the 2023 Oratorical Fest. The theme “Black Joy” was announced to the students during the February All School Meeting. Ms. Lily, the Office of Equity and Family Engagement Coordinator, will work with students during lunch recess in February. Students who wish to submit a spoken word, poetry, or another submission, should be prepared to audition it at the March 3rd Emerson All School Meeting. Finalists selected by Emerson judges will be forwarded to the BUSD District Showcase which will be held on Monday, March 20th, 5:30pm- 8:30pm. The location is TBD; stay tuned for more information. You may email lilyhowell@berkeley.net with any questions.

The second trimester is coming to a close. Teachers are finishing up assessments and working on report cards. DIBELS and STAR Assessment scores have been printed and are ready to distribute to parents. You can expect to receive your child’s report card sent home in their backpack on Thursday, February 16th before the President’s Day weekend. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s reports, please reach out to your classroom teacher. We look forward to starting the final trimester of the school year, and we have lots to look forward to, including more family events, student field trips, and continued academics.

Thank you for your support and take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Wednesday, February 15: PTA Association Meeting, 7:00pm via Zoom

Thursday, February 16: School Site Council Meeting, 7:00pm - via Zoom

Friday, February 17: No School (Lincoln’s Birthday)

Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents’ Day)

Thursday, February 23: ‘Meeting on the Bridge’ equity workshop, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE

HEART OF EMERSON T-SHIRTS!!

ASSOCIATION MEETING

Association Meeting #2 is on February 15 at 7:00pm, via Zoom

Please join us at the PTA Association Meeting - this is open to the community (unlike board meetings). All are welcome to connect and find out what’s planned at Emerson. All PTA members who have signed up for the year are invited to vote on budgets and committees.

The agenda will include call for volunteers for: Art Night, Spring Special, and Move-a-thon

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Help shape our future PTA by joining the Nominating Committee!

ENRICHMENT

Spring Session has begun! Thanks to our amazing volunteers who made this happen: Rana Cho, Ariel Clute, Merlin Edwards, Jenny Nelson, Chelle Putzer. Some impressive numbers: 165 enrollments across 16 classes taught by 10 instructors, including SPANISH by our own Maestra Medina! The Enrichment Team has rolled out an incredible program, with over $6,000 for 17 scholarships (and counting!) provided by our generous instructors, and $1,800 by the Emerson community, including $1,000 from 5th grade teacher Katie Campbell Lewis in honor of her late husband, Timothy. Kids may remember him as “Mr. Campbell” - he was a PhD student at Cal and his family has set up the Timothy B. Campbell Memorial Scholarship Foundation in his memory in order to provide scholarships and educational grants. Thank you for your generosity!

SPRING EVENTS

Coming soon: Read-a-thon, Art Night, and Spring Special! Please volunteer when Grade Parents reach out for help for these community events: volunteer@emersonelementary.org

SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION

Thanks to Lucy Ames, Michelle Falise, Rose Lynn, and so many others who volunteered to put up the Rainbow Wall as a school beautification project. Find your student’s name in the rainbow!

Where’s Waldo – Emerson’s School Directory

Did you know our school directory can be found on our school PTA website? Playdates, ride shares, resource sharing, and more can be possible when Where’s Waldo is complete! It’s all available securely online. If you have not done so already, please create an account to access the directory, make your own updates, and adjust your preferences by using the email you provided. Click here for the steps to join Where's Waldo online.

We are working on a published hard copy of Where’s Waldo. To help make this possible, please update your preferences and information online or through the paper form coming home in your child’s Look Folder. The due date to share your updates and preferences is Friday, February 10.

Questions or want help getting started? Please email whereswaldo@emersonelementary.org

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY SHOUT OUTS

ART CORNER

Kindergartners through 4th graders learned about various artists who use hearts in their work. Many of the first and second graders happened to have art on the 100th day of school and took on the challenge of trying to draw at least 100 hearts on their paper (inspired by J Goldcrown). 4th graders focused on negative and positive shapes and made an artwork in four sections, like Jim Dine. Third graders, not pictured, added emoji faces to their hearts in the style of Chris Uphues. Kindergartners made colorful hearts inspired by Etta Vee (Jessi Raulet). Lots of love in the Art Room!

Emerson students using hearts in their artwork

EQUITY CORNER

On Sacramento Street, at Ashby, there is a sculpture of a very important man who helped shape Berkeley and impacted the lives of many people all over the country.

Bronze statue of William Byron Rumford in Berkeley

Have you seen it?

William Byron Rumford (1908-1986) was a trailblazer, he owned Rumford Pharmacy (today the building houses his namesake medical clinic at 2960 Sacramento St.), and eventually became the first Black state assembly member elected in California in 1948. Mr. Rumford is best remembered for three important pieces of legislation: the California Fair Employment Practices Act of 1959 (to reduce the impact of race in hiring decisions), the Good Samaritan Act of 1959 (the first law to protect professionals in emergency situations), and the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963. The Fair Housing Act was a very important piece of legislation that gave California important authority against race-based housing discrimination until the passage of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1968. Mr. Rumford understood the impacts of redlining first hand because of Berkeley’s racially discriminatory housing practices that kept Black, Asian, and Latinx community from purchasing housing outside of South and West Berkeley through HOLC mapping. Mr. Rumford’s leadership, activism, civil rights championship, and care for the community has had an incredible impact, and not just on Berkeley.

To learn more about him and his legacy, please read this article and please also try and join the walking tour this weekend with Author Tina Jones Williams who will share about the many Black leaders and pioneers who lived in the community. RSVP details in the CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH section below.

Equity Event: Meeting on the Bridge, Thursday February 23, 2023

We are happy to share the third Meeting on the Bridge for the Emerson Community where we will continue our discussion about Interventions on Microaggressions. This next workshop will be held on February 23rd at 5:30pm with free (and yummy!) dinner and free childcare with Mr. John. We are shifting this meeting to start a little earlier based on community feedback. Please RSVP here (for food + childcare counts!) to join our community in learning practical skills on how to heal and disrupt the harmful practices and effects of microaggressions so we can continue working towards a more equitable school for the benefit of our children and community!

As always, please reach out to the equity team, equity@emersonelementary.org to connect!

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY WALKING TOUR

Join the South Berkeley Legacy Project at its Neighborhood History Walking Tour for #BlackHistoryMonth, led by Tina Jones Williams!

Saturday, February 11, 10am - 12pm

RSVP: 510-821-0821 or zach@twcmih.org

South Berkeley Legacy Project neighborhood history walking tour flyer

BUSD ETHNIC STUDIES BLACK HISTORY MONTH RESOURCES

Music Connection at UC Berkeley

The Spring 2023 application period is now open for private tutoring from Music Connection, a student-run volunteer organization that aims to provide free one-on-one music tutoring for students of the Berkeley Unified School District. Instrumental, piano and vocal tutoring are available, however, this is dependent on tutor availability. All students in the private tutoring program will have the opportunity to participate in an end-of-the-semester recital.

If you have signed up before, you will need to fill out the application form each semester you are interested in being matched with a tutor. Lessons will be offered either virtually or in-person depending on which format both students and tutors feel to be most comfortable, effective, and safe.

Private music tutoring applications are due Wednesday, February 22nd, at 11:59 pm PST. Here is the link to the form:https://forms.gle/gPM9x1xNvQDb4STu7

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.

Copyright © 2022. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.

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

Carol Wang

February 1, 2023

BearFacts News - 02.02.23

Carol Wang

February 1, 2023

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,

It’s finally February and we have lots to celebrate. The All School Meeting is on Friday, February 3rd. Due to continued challenges with cold rainy weather, we will hold the meeting inside the Multi-Purpose Room and, due to space limitations, will not be able to include parents. However, we will record the meeting, and share the video via Remind. We will honor Black History Month and Black Lives Matter Week during the meeting. Staff and students will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, written by poet James Weldon Johnson in 1900. This song was first performed in honor of President Lincoln’s birthday and is widely considered to be the Black National Anthem. For many African Americans, singing the song is a way of showing patriotism and hope for the future, considering the plight of racism faced. We will sing the first stanza during the meeting- here are the words and a link to listen on YouTube:

Lift every voice and sing,

Till earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on till victory is won.

Emerson is proud to join the rest of the school district to celebrate Black Lives Matter Week, which is February 6- 10. According to the BUSD School Board resolution, “... the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is intended to highlight, uplift and affirm the rich history and contributions of the Black community; to cultivate in Black students a sense of pride, self-worth, and self-love; and to develop a widespread acknowledgment and appreciation for the contributions of black people to our community…”. You can partner with us by learning more about BLM in School here: https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/ and by reading the Kid Friendly BLM Guiding Principles .

You can get involved by encouraging your student to enter the BUSD 2022- 2023 Oratorical Contest. Emerson contestants will perform at the March 3rd All School Meeting and finalists will be invited to the district’s March 20, 2023 showcase. This year’s theme is “Black Joy”. Ms. Lily, Office of Family Engagement and Equity, and Ms. Medina, Emerson Equity Teacher Lead, will mentor interested students during lunch recess. As in years past, we hope to have a strong cadre of student performances. Stay tuned for more details and information.

Take good care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

February 2 - 3: No PTA After-school Classes

Friday, February 3: February All School Meeting, 8:30am

Monday, February 6: Spring 2023 After-school Classes Begin

Wednesday, February 15: PTA Association Meeting via Zoom, 8:00pm

Thursday, February 16: School Site Council Meeting, 7:00pm - via Zoom

Friday, February 17: No School (Lincoln’s Birthday)

Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents’ Day)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA Afterschool Classes Spring Session

Registration closes on Friday February 3 at 10pm PST

https://www.homeroom.com/sites/emerson-elementary-2800-forest-ave-berkeley-berkeley

Spots available:

RobotED:AdventureBOTS

Mon from 3:35 PM to 4:35 PM

Aloha Ukulele

Tue from 2:25 PM to 3:25 PM

Espanol/Spanish with Liz Medina!

Thu From 3:35 PM to 4:35 PM

Improv Explosion!

Thu from 3:35 PM to 4:35 PM

Please consider volunteering for a 15-minute shift to help with the first two weeks of Spring Afterschool Classes:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e44a4ad29a6fccf8-ptaafterschool1#/

Where’s Waldo – Emerson’s School Directory

Did you know our school directory can be found on our school PTA website? Playdates, ride shares, resource sharing and more can be possible when Where’s Waldo is complete! It’s all available securely online. If you have not done so already, please create an account to access the directory, make your own updates, and adjust your preferences by using the email you provided. Click here for the steps to join Where's Waldo online.

Your Where’s Waldo Team is working on a published hard copy Where’s Waldo. To help make this possible, update your preferences and information online or through the paper form coming home in your child’s Look Folder. The due date to share your updates and preferences is Friday, February 10.

Questions or want help getting started? Don’t hesitate to email whereswaldo@emersonelementary.org

Music Connection at UC Berkeley

Private music tutoring applications are due Wednesday, February 22nd, at 11:59 pm PST. Here is the link to the form:https://forms.gle/gPM9x1xNvQDb4STu7

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.

Carol Wang

January 25, 2023

BearFacts News - 01.26.23

Carol Wang

January 25, 2023

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,

As we welcome the Year of the Rabbit with Lunar New Year 2023, it is with a heavy heart because of yet another senseless gun violence tragedy. Here in the Berkeley Unified School District and at Emerson Elementary, we denounce racism and racial profiling. What should have been a time of joy was turned into a day of horror in Monterey Park (and then two days later in Half Moon Bay). In our school community, we will double down on our commitment to being allies, standing with all groups who are marginalized and discriminated against. We will also continue to be a safe campus, with locked doors and procedures for identifying who is on our campus at any time. All campus visitors must enter the school through the front doors, sign in the front office and receive a sticker to identify themselves. We remain vigilant to keep our students and staff safe in our tumultuous world.

The School Site Council approved our plan for 2022-23 Restorative Restart Covid funding. This is the last year that we can expect to receive these funds from the state and federal governments. Now that we have approval, we will use the funds to increase our Counseling Support services for students by hiring a therapist to offer social skills groups to select students this spring. We are also ordering a class set of Chromebooks, which can be used in the younger grade classrooms to introduce them to technology and help prepare for assessments they will take in the upper grades. We support student literacy by refreshing and updating our “leveled reader” library. In addition, teachers will receive compensation for extra planning time outside of the work day. Finally, we will set up a fund to pay for additional campus supervision for special events and/or rainy days. We are grateful for the guidance of the Emerson Teachers and the School Site Council, who created and approved this plan for the use of our site's one-time funds.

The second trimester ends on Friday, February 10. Teachers and students will work on in-class writing projects, which will be reflected on the next report card. Second-trimester report cards will come home in backpacks on Friday, February 17. The school year is moving along - let’s continue to enjoy it- and we thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, January 26: Berkeley High School Open House

January 30 - February 3: No PTA After-school Classes

Friday, February 3: February All School Meeting, 8:30am

Monday, February 6: Spring 2023 After-school Classes Begin

Wednesday, February 15: PTA Association Meeting via Zoom, 8:00pm

Thursday, February 16: School Site Council Meeting, 7:00pm - via Zoom

Friday, February 17: No School (Lincoln’s Birthday)

Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents’ Day)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Spring 2023 PTA After-school Classes

How to Sign Up, Class Descriptions, FAQs

The PTA volunteer team is proud to announce the Spring 2023 session of after-school classes. Registration is now open to everyone including LEARNS/Kids World families, and YOU CAN SIGN UP HERE!

Note that the number of classes is limited by the size of our school, both the potential participating families and the physical space available on campus. Also, please keep an eye out, as we might add a new class or two after this Spring session has begun.

Thank you for your patience while we prioritized enrollment for families who have no afterschool care options available, specifically for those whose needs are part-time.

For scholarship requests, questions, and suggestions, please reach out to enrichment@emersonelementary.org.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS aka "cat herders" for the first two weeks of Afterschool Classes! Please sign up here for a 15-minute shift (or two!) - we are ALL volunteering to make this program work!

Art Corner

Happy Lunar new Year - the Year of the Rabbit

Students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades created art inspired by the Chinese New Year. We looked at examples of art to celebrate CNY and noticed many designs and symbols. We saw gold coins and plum blossoms, fireworks and lanterns. To create these pieces, students first painted gold symbols or designs on a red piece of paper. Next, we drew a rabbit together on yellow paper. After getting inspiration from a slideshow of rabbit art for the new year, students chose their own way of decorating their rabbits to add visual interest. They tried to add light and dark sections, and bigger and smaller elements. Finally, they cut out the rabbits and glued them to the red and gold background. The examples below are from 3rd grade.

Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)

EMERSON BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT

The 2022-23 Heart of Emerson school-wide beautification project is completed and on display! You can find it on the wall near the steps to the Kindergarten classrooms. Thank you to the many people in our community who helped with the creation of this special project. Shoutout to our beloved Art Teacher Ms. Ames and dedicated Parent Michelle Falise, whose vision led to this unique and unifying display. This art project demonstrates the power of collaboration, while emphasizing the inclusive spirit of our school community. Loving care was taken to cut each individual piece of wood, which is specially designed to be durable enough to withstand weather challenges. This winter, each student in the school had an opportunity to paint a piece of wood with their own creative design and / or message. The bright acrylic colors represent each grade level, while coming together to show our school pride and unity. We look forward to enjoying this art display for many years to come.

Special thanks to: Brad Sanford, Lindsay Stern, Gavin Ross, Amber St. John, Eleanor Hollander, Charlie Tripp, Cielo Rios, Gretchen Ross, Gagan Thind, Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell, Carol Wang, Amy Fire, Karla Schlags, Jane Stalhut, Jenny Wang, Emma Cott, Meg Kunchai, Michael Paraiso, Adriana Mendoza, Karla Fornall, Jenny Nelson, Veronica Kaiser, Lauren Zeller, Ariel Clute, Sara Shnider, Krysten Curtis, Cindy Schafer and Annie Natchway!

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.

Carol Wang

January 19, 2023

BearFacts News - 01.19.23

Carol Wang

January 19, 2023

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,

As seven storms washed over the Bay Area, we adjusted numerous plans including our All School Meetings, our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr March, and our daily recess plans. We survived and continue to thrive at Emerson! Hopefully, all this rain will bring lots of Spring flowers and relief from the drought.

Last week we were able to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in many ways. For one, our School Librarian, Ms. Rachel, read the students a story titled “Martin’s Big Words”. After hearing the story, Ms. Morgan’s second-grade class figured out that Dr. Martin Luther King would have been 94 years old now. He was assassinated 55 years ago when he was 39. Students engaged in a meaningful conversation about how they can show respect for his legacy today. On Friday, students learned a classic Civil Rights protest chant, which they enthusiastically shouted while they marched indoors, proudly displaying their social justice signs. At the end of our indoor march, we met in the cafeteria, where Ms. Barnes, Ms. Bella, Ms. Suzuki, and Mrs. Hampton led the students in a ukulele rendition of “This Little Light of Mine”. As a school community, we were inspired and happy to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. You can see this when you check out the video that our volunteer Mr. Phil created here.

We are wrapping up our Fall / Winter recruitment for next year’s incoming Kindergarten class. Applications are due by the first week of February. We appreciate our parent volunteers who have been conducting school tours each week- our last tour is this Thursday. The Kindergarten Night was last Tuesday, and Ms. Bella, Ms. Carter, Ms. Jeannie, and Ms. Kim did a wonderful job representing Emerson. In addition, parent volunteers Ms. Rana Cho (PTA President), Ms. Karla Schlags, and Ms. Meg Kunchai attended and spoke about Emerson’s strengths. It was a positive night with about 20 families in attendance. For more information about 2022- 2023 enrollment visit: https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions/.

Now that there is a break in the rain, we are enthusiastically planning to hold our February All School Meeting outside on the blacktop. We are encouraging students to create “Black Lives Matter” and “Black History Month” performances for Friday, February 3rd. In the week prior to the next All School Meeting, Ms. Salyk will announce “auditions” during recess for Grades K- 2 and Ms. Barnes for Grades 3-5. Feel free to encourage your child to participate.

Take care and thank you for your support,

Jana Holmes

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ATTENTION PARENTS: BUSD is planning an adoption of new Science Curriculum for Grades Kindergarten through 3rd. Parent input is requested. Look at this flyer which includes information about the Parent Meeting on Thursday, January 26th from 6pm - 7 pm via Zoom.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, January 26: Berkeley High School Open House

January 30 - February 3: No PTA After-school Classes

Friday, February 3: February All School Meeting, 8:30am

Monday, February 6: Spring 2023 After-school Classes Begin

Wednesday, February 15: PTA Association Mtg via Zoom, 8:00pm

Thursday, February 16: School Site Council mtg, 7:00pm - via Zoom

Friday, February 17: No School (Lincoln’s Birthday)

Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents’ Day)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

Spring 2023 PTA After-school Classes

How to Sign Up, Class Descriptions, FAQs

The PTA volunteer team is proud to announce the Spring 2023 session of Afterschool Classes. In addition to enrichment, these classes provide an unmet need for part-time afterschool care for many Emerson families. PTA Afterschool Classes are a complicated and time-consuming project, which is why some BUSD elementary schools are not even offering PTA Afterschool Classes this year. Thank you for your patience while we learned from Fall/Winter classes!

Families who are not in LEARNS/Kids World have no afterschool care options available, specifically if the needs are part-time. This is why we will prioritize participation and enrollment this way:

Scholarship requests
Families waitlisted for LEARNS
Kindergarten families
Families not in LEARNS

Any remaining spots will be open to the rest of Emerson families.

On Thursday January 19 12pm noon, PRIORITY enrollment (#1, #2, #3 and #4) for PTA-sponsored afterschool classes will open here: https://www.homeroom.com/sites/emerson-elementary-2800-forest-ave-berkeley-berkeley

On Thursday January 26 12pm noon, enrollment will be open to ALL Emerson families. For scholarship requests, questions, suggestions: enrichment@emersonelementary.org

Art Corner

Neurographic Art

In the last month or so, students from grades 3 through 5 have tried their hand at this mindful art practice. Students started by pushing a coin or button across their paper with a sharpie. The goal was to follow the coin, staying focused on the direction in which it was moving. Then they softened up all of the intersecting lines so the whole piece ended up looking a bit like neural pathways. Many chose to add more organic shapes. Finally, they could choose whether to add color with watercolor markers. Most of the artists said it was a relaxing project.

Lucy Ames, Art Teacher

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.

Carol Wang

January 12, 2023

BearFacts News - 01.12.23

Carol Wang

January 12, 2023

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,

A big THANK YOU for your contributions to the Heart of Emerson 2022/2023 Fundraising Campaign. Due to your generosity, we have exceeded our goal of $135,000 and raised $147,000! Big Shout out to our Fundraising Chairs, Kindergarten Parents Stephanie Boys and Elizabeth Valley–we appreciate you! We have secured the funds we need to continue to offer school-wide Art and PE for our students, as well as cultural events, field trips, and much more. As the chant goes: Who is the Heart of Emerson? We are the Heart of Emerson! Check out the: Emerson School Wide Cheer! Stay tuned for more information about a free t-shirt for all students and staff to celebrate our community and our campaign accomplishments.

It’s the time of year to begin planning for the 2023-2023 school year. If you have an incoming kindergarten student, please make sure you check out the Kinder Tours at the various schools to explore your options. If you have a rising 6th-grade student you will not want to miss the Middle School Information Nights. Here is a link to the flier with Tour and Information Night dates in January. Initial enrollment applications for elementary and middle school are due by February 3, 2023. Visit the district website for more information: https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions/.

To increase your chances of assignment to your first-choice school, make sure you meet the first deadline in February.

The PTA Equity Team is pleased to present the second installment of the “Meeting on the Bridge” series, led by educational consultant, Ms. Pamela Harrison-Small. The topic for the second session will be “Microaggressions” and how to address them. Microaggressions are defined as “a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, or subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as racial or ethnic minorities”. This is a topic the Emerson staff has been exploring this school year, with the goal of teaching students to establish and respect boundaries. We are working to use common language and school-wide expectations to minimize the occurrence and impact of microaggressions. Here is more information regarding the event:

When: Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 6:00- 8:00 pm

Where: Emerson School Library

What: PTA Equity Team Series “Meeting on the Bridge”

Why: Foster conversation and continue school wide Equity Work

RSVP: HERE by Sunday, January 15 (so the committee can plan for food and childcare)

Childcare: Yes, and dinner, provided by our own Mr. John

Please remember to check your Remind messages for important events, updates, and announcements as we move into the second half of the school year. When we face unexpected challenges such as power outages, storms, etc., Remind is the primary form of communication. We appreciate your support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Jana Holmes

++++++++++++++

Check out the December/ January All School Meeting, which was converted to a Zoom due to ongoing weather challenges. We enjoyed Student Performances, Student Shout Outs, Petting Zoo Footage, a message about Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and much more. Enjoy at: Dec/ Jan. 2023 All School Meeting Zoom

++++++++++++++++++

BUSD is sending out an additional reminder about the BUSD Annual LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) survey. The Annual LCAP survey will close on January 20, 2023. We would greatly appreciate your time and hearing your thoughts.

BUSD is requesting the assistance from staff, parents and students to inform the 2023-2024 Local Control Accountability Plan. The information collected through this survey will be shared with Educational Partners for review and consideration for the 2023-2024 LCAP.

If you have not already done so, please complete using the link included before January 20, 2023:

https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/e/ 1FAIpQLSdHmOUSWKqOEiWxhf7HB0zf W9_c7CSX0TuTbtgF8XdGMET-wQ/ viewform

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Monday, January 16: No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

Thursday, January 26: Berkeley High School Open House

January 30 - February 3: No PTA After-school Classes

Friday, February 3: February All School Meeting, 8:30am

Monday, February 6: Spring 2023 After-school Classes Begin

Friday, February 17: No School (Lincoln’s Birthday)

Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents’ Day)

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA Announcements and Important News about After-school Classes

PTA Afterschool Classes Fall/Winter session runs through Friday, January 27.

There will be a ONE WEEK GAP of NO CLASSES January 30 - Feb 3

PTA Afterschool Classes for Spring 2023: February 6 - May 26

Class schedule, descriptions, and enrollment information will be sent to families in Look Folders next week. Schedule and class offerings will be mostly similar to Fall/Winter.

Please send questions and scholarship requests to:

enrichment@emersonelementary.org

_______

The PTA is seeking leads (can be a team!) to take on the Cal Football Parking torch from the Wilsons, please reach out if you’re interested: fundraising@emersonelementary.org

The PTA has more planned for 2023, including: Family Art Night, the Read-a-thon, PTA Association Meeting #2, and a Spring Something ;)

— From the Emerson Elementary PTA Board

Congratulations to Our December Shout Outs

Art Corner

Kindergarten Snow People

This mixed-media snow people lesson is a favorite every year! After building a simple snowgirl/boy/etc. from circles of white paper, students got to add all kinds of embellishments to make them their own. Using buttons, foam, fabric, yarn and more, these snow folx always have so much character!

Lucy Ames, Art Teacher

FUN FLASHBACK

Had enough of the bomb cyclone? Here’s a fun diversion in case you missed it in October. Mr. Phil has shared a video that he kindly put together from the Halloween Parade:

https://youtu.be/jOMmucbSLFg

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.

Carol Wang

January 5, 2023

BearFacts News - 01.05.23

Carol Wang

January 5, 2023

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 New Year! Wow, we are really starting the year out with a lot of rain. We do need it, but does it have to come all at once? We will keep the students inside during recess, supervised by staff as they play in the classrooms. We also move PE into the Multi-Purpose Room and/or the classrooms. Remember to send your child to school in warm layers, as we still keep the windows and doors open due to COVID-19 ventilation concerns.

Prior to winter break, we suffered an emergency when a driver crashed his car into the back of the school building. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The district responded quickly, sending in Facilities Management and a structural engineer who cleared us to use the classrooms. Now we have to wait for ordered materials necessary to repair the damage, which may take a while since steel structures will need to be replaced. As a result, we have lost access to the door on Lower Garber. For the foreseeable future, Kindergarten and 1st Grade will be released from school on the blacktop at the gate. Fourth Grade students will continue to be released from the Upper Garber door, which is still intact. We appreciate your flexibility and patience as we adjust to this new situation.

As we return from winter break, we find that Alameda County has moved into the “medium” tier of COVID-19 transmission rates. This means that indoor masking is now recommended. The District Nurse also asks that each student and staff member take a COVID-19 test on Monday, January 2nd and again on Thursday, January 5th. We sent COVID-19 test kits home with your child, but if you need another kit you can get one from the main office. If your child tests positive, keep them at home and report to covidcase@berkeley.net and Leahlopez@berkeley.net. When you report to both email addresses, we will clear your student’s absence and the District Nurse will send you directions regarding when your child can return to school. Let’s continue to work together to mitigate infection during this winter season.

This month your children will learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of peaceful protest against racism and injustice. We are planning to march in the community with the students on Friday, January 13th. We hope that some parents and families will be able to join us. We will provide more information soon. Monday, January 16 is a federal holiday, with no school for students in observance of Dr. King’s memory.

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Tuesday, January 10: Kindergarten Night, 7pm

Tuesday, January 10: ‘Meeting on the Bridge’ Equity workshop, 6pm - 8pm

Monday, January 16: No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

Thursday, January 26: Berkeley High School Open House

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE

Happy new year indeed! Our Heart of Emerson is overflowing!

We surpassed our fundraising goal of $135,000 - as of this week, our community raised over $147,000 for the Heart of Emerson campaign! Much gratitude to our fundraising leads Liz Valley and Stephanie Boys, both kindergarten parents who stepped up to this challenge of securing Emerson’s commitment to our students and staff. The Emerson Elementary PTA is a volunteer organization made up of parents and guardians, staff, and community members, sponsoring and supporting the success of every Emerson student. For more information on what the Emerson PTA funds and programs: https://emersonelementary.org/pta-mission-vision

And having reached our campaign goal, our school-wide prize will be free Heart of Emerson t-shirts for all students and staff - keep an eye out for forthcoming details on this!

The PTA is seeking leads (can be a team!) to take on the Cal Football Parking torch from the Wilsons, please reach out if you’re interested: fundraising@emersonelementary.org

PTA Afterschool Classes Fall/Winter session runs through Jan. 27. For questions, scholarship requests, volunteering for Spring 2023: enrichment@emersonelementary.org

The PTA has more planned for 2023, including: Family Art Night, the Readathon, PTA Association Meeting #2, and a Spring Something ;)

— From the Emerson Elementary PTA Board

FUN FLASHBACK

Had enough of the bomb cyclone? Here’s a fun diversion in case you missed it in October. Mr. Phil has shared a video that he kindly put together from the Halloween Parade:

https://youtu.be/jOMmucbSLFg

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.

Carol Wang

December 14, 2022

BearFacts News - 12.15.22

Carol Wang

December 14, 2022

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! As we prepare for a two-week Winter Break and the beginning of the New Year, thank you for your support and commitment to our school community. We have been through a lot over the past few years, yet we are emerging strong, with priorities intact and an increased focus on school safety. We continue to engage in an examination of our teaching practices, while putting the needs of the whole child first. We enjoy partnering with parents and our local community to support our children’s education.

Great news- We have almost met our goal for the Heart of Emerson! Check out the thermometer here: https://emersonelementary.org/heart-of-emerson. This fundraising campaign demonstrates your commitment to Art and PE for all students. Your dollars also fund Family Equity Events, Field Trips, Intervention Services, Office Support, and much more! Thanks to everyone who promoted the fundraising campaign, which is so important for our school. Will you pitch in to push us above our goal? Every little bit helps. No donation is too small!

There have been several school-wide projects on campus this month. We are grateful to our Art Teacher, Ms. Ames, and Parent Volunteer, Ms. Falise who designed a school-wide beautification project, which has engaged many parent volunteers and inspired student creativity. Each student has created a piece of art to contribute to the overall project. This project will eventually be displayed as permanent art on the side of the school building, which will commemorate the 2022- 2023 Heart of Emerson.

A second project this December was the Hour of Code week. We appreciate all the hard work and dedication that Parent Volunteer Kaolin Fire and Teacher Ms. Melgoza put into the organization of the interactive computer science lessons for students in Grades K- 5. I had an opportunity to visit the 5th Grade Classrooms and was encouraged by the enthusiasm the students demonstrated toward the computer programming lesson they completed. We will continue to prioritize hands-on STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) at Emerson. We look forward to a Math Festival in the Spring.

Don’t forget we are looking forward to Friday’s School Spirit Day! Send your students to school in their coziest pajamas, and we will celebrate our last day of school before Winter Break.

Happy New Year and see you in 2023!

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, December 15 - School Site Council at 7:00 pm via zoom (Link HERE) Meeting Agenda: SSC Agenda -Emerson -12/15/22.docx

Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2: No School (Winter Break)

Tuesday, January 3: Students return to school

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE

We are the Heart of Emerson! The Emerson Elementary PTA thanks our community of student families, teachers, and staff for supporting the Heart of Emerson fundraising campaign in so many ways: making donations, volunteering time and materials, sharing the Heart of Emerson with friends and family. While the cash goal is most visible, we encourage you to participate if you have yet to, in a way that feels right for you. More than the dollar amount, the Heart of Emerson is our community’s commitment to supporting our students beyond the limits of the district budget.

More on funding: the PTA thanks Steven and Jessica Wilson for leading our ongoing tradition of Cal Football Parking. Parking had record numbers this year! Emerson Elementary raised more than $20,000 parking 393 cars during seven home games. The Big Game alone brought in $4,000. (And what a fourth quarter win for the Bears, too!) The Wilsons have led Emerson’s Cal Football Parking for eight years, streamlining payments and recruiting volunteers, often filling in gaps. And like great athletes they know when to retire! The PTA is seeking leads (can be a team!) to take on this torch from the Wilsons, please reach out if you’re interested: fundraising@emersonelementary.org

Thank you Principal Holmes for your leadership and vision for Emerson Elementary School! So many of this year’s pandemic precedents (PTA Afterschool Classes, First Friday Coffee, Grade Playdates) were made possible because of collaboration between the PTA and Principal Holmes.

When we return from break in January, PTA Afterschool Classes for Spring 2023 will begin enrollment. The Fall/Winter 2022 session runs through Jan. 27.

The PTA has more planned for 2023, including: Family Art Night, the Readathon, PTA Association Meeting #2, and a Spring Something ;)

We wish you peace and joy for the many holidays during this winter season and longer nights, when we reflect on the past and hope for the future.

— From the Emerson Elementary PTA Board

ART CORNER - Beautification Project

Just about all of Emerson's students have now painted their wood piece to be hung on the yard. Phew! They are looking great. We still have a way to go before the project is complete. But now that the kids' part is finished, I want to pause and thank the MANY volunteers who helped make this possible. Thank you to the PTA for their financial support of this project. A big thank you to all of the people who took time away from their busy lives to help prepare the materials or help in the art room. I could not have pulled this off without the many hours the following people contributed. I sure hope I haven't neglected to include anyone--- there were so many of you!! I am grateful.

Michelle Falise

Brad Sanford

Lindsay Stern

Gavin Ross

Amber St. John

Eleanor Hollander

Charlie Tripp

Cielo Rios

Gretchen Ross

Gagan Thind

Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell

Carol Wang

Amy Fire

Karla Schlags

Jane Stalhut

Jenny Wang

Emma Cott

Meg Kunchai

Michael Paraiso

Adriana Mendoza

Karla Fornall

Jenny Nelson

Veronica Kaiser

Lauren Zeller

Ariel Clute

Sara Shnider

Krysten Curtis

Cindy Schafer

Annie Natchway

Lengths of wood lined up on a table. There are purple painted pieces, red pieces, yellow pieces, green pieces and blue pieces. Designs are painted on each length.

Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)

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.

Carol Wang

December 7, 2022

BearFacts News - 12.08.22

Carol Wang

December 7, 2022

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,

Thank you for all your generous contributions to the Heart of Emerson fundraising drive! Many families chose to donate on Giving Tuesday, which helped push us closer to our goal of $135,000 in support of Art, PE, Equity Programs, Field Trips, and much more! Check out our progress on this thermometer. Will you help us reach our goal by donating this holiday season? You can donate online here. No donation is too small and everything helps!

Big shout-out to parent volunteer Kaolin Fire and Teacher Technology Lead, Ms. Melgoza, who worked together to set up the 2022 Hour of Code for Emerson students! This week, each K-5 will have an opportunity to participate in a fun one-hour introduction to computer science. Students will participate in engaging tutorials that show that anyone can learn the basics of computer coding. We are pleased to reintroduce this program to our Emerson students.

It's also the time of year when we begin planning for the 2023-2024 school year. Big smile to Eleanor Hollander and Karla Crowley-Schlaggs, who hosted the Emerson table at the BUSD Kindergarten Fair last Saturday. We are also thankful for all the parent volunteers who have been facilitating the weekly incoming kindergarten parent tours.

We encourage you to visit the BUSD Admissions website and submit your application during round one, which is January 3-February 3, 2023. There are three enrollment rounds and applications submitted in the first round are more likely to receive their preferred placement. See the district website for more information.

If you would like to attend the in-person information nights, make note of the following dates:

Emerson Kindergarten Night: January 10, 2023, 7 pm

Willard Middle School Night: January 11, 2023, 7 pm

Longfellow Middle School Night: January 18, 2022, 7 pm

King Middle School Night: January 25, 2022, 7 pm

As we celebrate the holiday season, let’s remember those who are in need. Ms. Lily Howell, coordinator of Equity and Family Engagement is accepting gift cards for Emerson families in need. We would appreciate gift cards to Target, Walmart, Ross or Amazon. You can drop off cards in the main office until Monday, December 12.

Finally, we will send home a COVID test kit before the winter break. These tests are to be used before your child’s return to school in January. Please check your child’s backpack for the test kit next week. Let’s be safe and healthy this season!

Take care,

Jana Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Wednesday, December 14 - Family Literacy Night, 5-6 pm in the Library

Thursday, December 15 - School Site Council at 7:00 pm via zoom

Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2: No School (Winter Break)

Tuesday, January 3: Students return to school

Add the Emerson Google Calendar to yours!

PTA UPDATE - HEART OF EMERSON

Thank you for participating in Giving Tuesday! We raised almost $12,000 in ONE single day, in addition to the $20,000 committed for the Giving Tuesday Challenge.

But this is not enough, we need EVERYONE'S participation, the sooner the better so we can be confident of securing full Art & PE, and other resources for 2023-2024.

Watch this short Video hosted by Principal Holmes & Students to see where the money goes:
https://youtu.be/0JkRtPfvFQU

Please donate TODAY if you haven't already! https://emersonelementary.org/heart-of-emerson

The Heart of Emerson needs you!! We only have one more month to reach our goal of $135,000 - and we can ONLY do it together.

Thank you! From the Emerson PTA Board and Fundraising Committee

Family Literacy Night - December 14th!

Emerson Families: Come and join us in the library on Wednesday, 12/14 at 5 pm for our cozy Family Literacy Night! You are invited to check out books with your children, take home FREE books, and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies! All Emerson families and caregivers are welcome! Please see this flyer for more information.

BHS African Diaspora Dance Winter Showcase

Don't miss this special event presented by the BHS African American Studies Department. It's a celebration of community, dance, and spirit!

Friday, 12/9, at 7 pm
King Middle School Auditorium,
1781 Rose Street, Berkeley
Wheelchair accessibility entrance on Grant St.

Children 0-2 in laps are free.
$5 Students, Children, Seniors
$10 General Admission
$15 Reserved (Cash only, limited supply per show. Email dawnwilliams@berkeley.net for information)

All tickets, except for Reserved, can be purchased online at: https://africandiasporadance2022.bpt.me.

Volunteer opportunities: Email dawnwilliams@berkeley.net if you would like to volunteer and receive free entrance to the show.

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.