Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com
UPCOMING KEY DATES
Friday, October 23: Picture Day
Monday, October 26, 7:30pm: BPTA Meeting - Chris Albeck, Director of Curriculum and Instruction to speak about math curriculum adoption.
October 26 - October 29: Parent Teacher Conferences and Minimum Day ALL WEEK TK/Kinder release at 12:30pm, Grade 1-5 release at 1:10pm
Thursday, October 29, 8:30am: Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 29, 5:15 - 6:00pm: English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting (Emerson Library)
Thursday, October 29, 6:00 - 7:00pm: Latinx Storytelling Night! (Emerson Library)
Friday, October 30: NO SCHOOL
Friday, October 30, 8am: Report Cards available via Infinite Campus
Wednesday, November 4, 5:30 - 7:30pm: Equity Shelf Book Club (Emerson Library) - NEW!
Happening Now Through Friday, November 6: Día de los Muertos Ofrenda (Emerson Library) - NEW!
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.
PICTURE DAY IS THIS FRIDAY
FILIPINX HISTORY MONTH
What Is Filipinx American History Month?
On October 18, 1587, a Spanish trade ship sailed into Morro Bay, California. The landing party included Filipinos, then known as "Luzones Indios." To commemorate their arrival, in October we celebrate Filipino American History Month! You can visit FOB Kitchen for a Filipinx meal nearby, or try recipes for buko pandan dessert or lumpia at home this month, in celebration of Filipinx American History Month.
Click here to learn more about Filipinx American History Month.
THE EMERSON OFRENDA IS HERE!
HALLOWEEN GUIDELINES
To ensure the success of our annual Halloween parade on Thursday, October 29, 8:30am, please follow these community expectations. Caregivers are welcome to gather on the blacktop and join us as we march down College Avenue.
Students should arrive at school wearing their costumes. Extra donated costumes will be available in the main office for any student who needs one.
Please avoid costumes that depict violence, blood, or weapons, as these can be frightening for our four-year-old students.
Please refrain from costumes that copy or represent specific cultural attire. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
LATINX STORYTELLING NIGHT
Join us for our annual Latinx Storytelling Night as we celebrate Día de Muertos!
Report Cards Available on October 30th
Report Cards will be available on Infinite Campus on Friday, October 30th at 8am. However, please make EVERY effort to attend your child's parent-teacher conference the week of October 26-29 to review your child's report and progress.
This is a quick how-to access your child's digital report card:
How to access your digital report card on Infinite Campus 2026-2027
EQUITY SHELF - WEDNESDAY, NOV 4TH!
Join us on Wednesday, November 4 for the next meeting of Equity Shelf, Emerson’s PTA-sponsored book club!
We’re mixing things up for our second session and reading a New York Times article: “In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?” by Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Whether you’re new to these conversations or have been on this journey for a while, this is a space to learn, share, and connect with other members of the Emerson community.
· Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
· Time: 5:30–7:30 PM; Dinner at 5:30 PM; discussion begins at 6:00 PM
· Location: Emerson Elementary, Library Room
· Dinner and childcare will be provided!
Please RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/NovEquityShelf
Access to the article is available through the RSVP form.
This event is open to parents, caregivers, educators, and staff. Childcare is limited to Emerson students. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
Save the Date: Our next Fall Equity Shelf meeting is Wednesday, December 2, from 5:30–7:30 PM.
Questions or comments? Email us at equity@emersonelementary.org
Thank you, and please let us know if you have any questions!
Lauren & Henriette
HEART OF EMERSON FUNDRAISER
We are 31% of the way there with $56,507 raised toward our Heart of Emerson goal. Let’s keep it going!
Every dollar funds the things that make Emerson great:
🧷 Essential office and campus supervision support
🎪 School-wide events for students and their families at no cost (like the upcoming Latinx Storytelling Night on 10/29)
☕️ Coffee and treats at every All School Meeting (next one on 11/6)
📚 Books and programming for Emerson’s awesome library
A gift of $650 covers the cost for one student. Give today and watch our progress thermometer climb: emersonelementary.org/heart-of-emerson
CAL FOOTBALL PARKING FUNDRAISER
Emerson is in the unique position that we can open our blacktop and charge cars to park for Cal Football games!
We have a dedicated list of annual patrons who give back to our school by parking here, instead of elsewhere.
Our football parking fundraiser should earn $15,000+ for the school, which goes toward field trips, materials and supplies, and much more. We need volunteers to work the fundraiser on game days.
Please sign up for a block of time, and you will receive directions before the event.
If you have questions, you can direct them to: anna.thanukos@emersonelementary.org
We need your help to make this happen!
Sign up here: bit.ly/EmersonParkingFun
We need help with The Big Game parking on Saturday, November 21 and Saturday, November 28!
EMERSON’S ELAC MEETING!
Are you a parent or guardian of an Emerson multilingual learner? If so, you are invited to attend. Join us for our first English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting of the school year!
Date: Thursday, October 29th, 2026
Time: 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Room 11 (Art/Science Room), Emerson Elementary School
What is ELAC?
The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) supports parents and guardians of English Language Learners.
Learn about school programs and resources for English Language Learners.
Share your ideas, voice feedback, and collaborate with school staff.
Connect with other families in our school community.
Special Event Following the Meeting!
Stay with us right after the meeting for Emerson's Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration starting at 6:00 PM in the library! Bring your family to enjoy the festivities.
Contact & Information
ELD Site Coordinator & Teacher: Marie-Eve Thomaes, marieevethomaes@berkeley.net
Co-Planner: Principal Jana Holmes
School: Emerson Elementary School (BUSD)
Refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you there!
OFEE
PTA CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
We are still looking for volunteers for:
Finance Team
Volunteer Coordinator
Safe Routes to School Liaison (for Spring events)
Hour of Code Coordinator (for December event)
Movie Night
Many hands make light work! If you are interested in Volunteering with the PTA, fill out: Our Back to School Questionnaire or just get in touch.
Rachel Terp: president@emersonelementary.org
Update your student's emergency information in the district Infinite Campus Portal
Each year we ask all parents to complete the Annual Update process in IC to ensure that we have the most up-to-date emergency contact and health information.
We also distribute important notices and collect important documents through this process.
While we have been sending weekly reminders to all parents who have not yet completed it, as of today, only about 60% of parents districtwide have started or completed this process.
Here are the directions to update your information: bit.ly/4y6W7g6
check out our new EMERSON FAMILY DIRECTORY!
You can access the new ONLINE Family Directory at: https://emersonelementary.org/directory
Anyone who is in the directory can log in via Google or Yahoo to access. Note that anyone, not just Gmail users, can create a Google account with their existing email address to access.
Families can submit their information or updates via the "Update Your Information" link. Responses are manually reviewed by our webmaster before access is provided.
This is a new platform and a work in progress. Please email us with any questions or concerns at communications@emersonelementary.org
The Family Directory is organized by the Emerson Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The Emerson Elementary Family Directory is a tool for families to coordinate and communicate. For example, families have used the Family Directory to coordinate carpools and playdates outside of school hours.
The Family Directory is not used by Emerson Elementary School administration to contact families; School Administration communications are sent using the Remind Application
FIND EMERSON ONLINE
Website: https://emersonelementary.org
About BearFacts News:
BearFacts News is a weekly publication created by parent volunteers and posted online at emersonelementary.org.
BearFacts articles and calendar items are based on submissions from the community and reviewed and edited under the PTA communication policy. Inclusion of an item in BearFacts by itself does not indicate sponsorship or endorsement by the PTA, Emerson school staff, or BUSD.
If you have a news item or announcement to include in the BearFacts News, please send an email to bearfacts@emersonelementary.org. Please keep your message brief and include all the pertinent details including dates, times, locations and contact information. Send images as an e-mail attachment and include alt-text. The submission deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.
Copyright © 2026. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705