BearFacts News
Message from the Principal
February 1, 2018
Dear Families,
I want to thank so many of you for coming out for our rally and march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. back on January 12th. I was glad that you could be there with us for the amazing performances by the Kindergarten, Second, and Fourth Grade students. The students did a great job thanks to the planning and practice with their classroom teachers, enhanced by you as an appreciative audience.
If you enjoyed that assembly or even if missed it, I have another opportunity for you to celebrate with us. Please come to our next special assembly starting at 8:30 on Friday, February 9th, in celebration of Black History Month. Students in First, Third, and Fifth grades will be performing this time and, professional acapella group, SoVoSo, will be performing as well. It should be an awesome show - don't miss it. Thank you, Ms. Carter, for bring SoVoSo to us, and to the PTA for sponsoring the show.
Thanks,
Ms. Hodge
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- Friday, February 2, All School Meeting (8:30am) & Free coffee on the yard (8:00-8:30am)
- Friday, February 2, Entering K & Middle school applications due to BUSD admissions office
- Friday, February 2, Spring Enrichment Class Registration Closes, 6pm
- Saturday, February 3, Pancake breakfast (8:30-10:30am, free)
- Wednesday, February 7, PTA Association Meeting – everyone welcome (5:30 – 7:30pm)
- Friday, February 9, Black history month assembly
- Monday, February 12th, The 100th Day of School
- Friday, February 16 & Monday, February 19th – No school (Lincoln’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day)
- Wednesday, February 21 – School Governance Council Meeting, 5:30pm
- Monday, February 26 – PTA spring enrichment classes begin
- Friday, February 23, Free coffee on the yard (8:00-8:30am)
Find more dates/details: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
Free Pancakes for Everyone This Saturday, February 3, 8:30-10:30am!
Come enjoy some pancakes and sausages this Saturday, February 3, from 8:30-10:30 am when the PTA hosts its annual pancake breakfast!! The entire Emerson community is invited to this special winter event so pack up the kids and come hungry. There are a couple slots open if you want to volunteer! www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F44A9A82BA3FA7-pancake3
Spring PTA Enrichment Classes Registration closes on Friday
This is a reminder that the deadline for registering for spring enrichment classes is this FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd at 6pm. Go to enrich.hero.net to check out the great lineup. Scholarships are available and we will try to accommodate up to two scholarship classes per student. Paper registration forms and assistance are available in the school office with Lilly Howell, the Emerson equity coordinator. Questions? Email us at emersonenrichment@gmail.com
PTA Board Elections
Join the PTA Board for the 2018-2019 school year! PTA Board Elections will take place at the PTA Association Meeting on April 18th. We will be sending out more information later, but consider supporting Emerson by being a part of the PTA board.
Being on the board is an opportunity to share and implement ideas that benefit all our children. We need motivated people to fill key positions related to event planning, community outreach, and fundraising. In the interest of continuity and stability, we ask that volunteers make a two-year commitment.
Email emersonbearcubspta@gmail.com for more information or to submit your name by March 1st.
BUSD Budget Reductions
A series of economic and fiscal factors are putting pressures on school district budgets across the State of California. One of these is the fact that for several years state education funding has not kept pace with expenses. Furthermore, the mandate for funding state employee pensions has risen significantly (an estimated $1.3 million annual increase for Berkeley each year through 20-21), and school districts have needed to address employee compensation after several lean years during the Great Recession (2007-2012).
To ensure that the Berkeley Unified School District can continue with a balanced budget that earns a positive certification from the Alameda County Office of Education, the Board has set the goal of cutting $1.8 million in costs for the 2018-19 school year. Since some General Fund cuts were already made for this current fiscal year, some difficult decisions will have to be made about reducing services, programs, and/or staffing.
The School Board will be discussing the budget at its upcoming meeting at the BUSD building, Allston entrance, on Weds, Feb. 7 at 7:30pm after Emerson's PTA Association meeting.
Emerson Auction Party March 23rd, 6–9 pm
Online Auction (March 7th through March 21st ) followed by Silent Auction & Party (Friday, March 23rd, 6–9 pm). Online Auction includes great deals on summer camps, dining, local services and more.
The Silent Auction & Party includes free childcare provided by our friends at Kids World. Come eat, drink and hang out with a terrific group of grownups from the Emerson parent community. More information soon on how to bid online, where to buy tickets for the party, and how you can help.
Next week’s Zumba class has been rescheduled for Thurs, Feb 8 so that it doesn't interfere with the PTA Association Meeting. Class is from 5:15-6:15pm; $5 per class (no childcare).
Shop for Emerson!
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Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emersonpta (or follow @emersonPTA)
About BearFacts News:
BearFacts News is a weekly publication created by parent volunteers. It is distributed each Thursday in students' Look Folders and via email.
If you have a news item or announcement to include in the BearFacts News, please send an email to emersonschoolnews@gmail.com. Please keep your message brief and include all the pertinent details including dates, times, locations and contact information. The deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.
Copyright © 2017. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705