BearFacts News
April 26, 2018
Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
Coming up next month, over the course of two weeks from May 22 to May 31st, students in Grades 3 - 5 will be taking the CAASP (CAlifornia Assessment of Student Performance and Progress). This is a set of four, online assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics. These assessments are meant to assess how all students are progressing toward meeting California grade level standards. Each grade has a slightly different schedule, but all students will have 4 days of testing.
Most students will test on chrome books in their own classrooms while others will work on chrome books in the library or in smaller workspaces if need be. These tests are not timed. Students can work at their own pace and over several periods on the same test, if needed. Basically, we want students to be as comfortable and focused as possible, so we will be setting up optimal "work conditions" for students so they can show what they know.
You can help by making sure your children arrive at school on time, each and every day of testing. They will feel best if they are well rested and sent off with words of encouragement and a good hug. Also, please feel free to send your child with his or her own headphones to use at school (in a labeled baggie) during or even before testing. Please avoid scheduling any appointments or family trips during this period. If you have something unavoidable on your calendar, please notify your classroom teacher and the office immediately so we can make plans to test your children at an alternate time. Thank you for your support!
Ms. Hodge
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- Friday, April 27, Free coffee & baked goods on the yard, 8am
- Sunday, April 29, Last day of the Emerson Read-a-Thon
- Friday, May 4, Free coffee & baked goods on the yard, 8am; All School Meeting, 8:30am
- Friday, May 4, PTA association meeting, 8:15 am (on the yard)
- Monday, May 7 – Friday, May 11, Teacher Appreciation week
- Tuesday, May 8 – Asian Heritage Day (library during recess)
- Friday, May 11, Free coffee & baked goods on the yard, 8am
- Thursday, May 17, Emerson Open House, 6:30pm
- Monday, May 21 – NO SCHOOL (Malcolm X birthday)
Find more dates/details: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
Final Days of the Read-a-Thon
Are your students discovering new, favorite books? New authors? New graphic novels? When you read to them, are they begging for "just one more" page or chapter? Are they reading instead of, gulp, watching a screen?? Emerson students are fabulous readers and we are so proud of the enthusiasm we've seen for this year's Read-a-Thon.
While we hope the voracious reading continues, the ten days of the Read-a-Thon are coming to an end -- students have through April 29th to read, read, read and have those minutes count toward the Read-a-Thon. Keep up the great work!
Last PTA Association meeting of the year, May 4th.
Join us Friday, May 4th, 2018 during Morning Coffee on the yard for the last PTA association of the year. During the meeting we will vote on the board for next year, approve the budget for 2018-2019 and discuss exciting volunteer opportunities.
Can't wait to see you there!
PTA Enrichment Classes – We Want your Input!
The Enrichment Team is starting to plan for next year. Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback on what worked and didn’t work this year and ideas for future classes.
You can access the survey online:
https://goo.gl/forms/idN0t5mJPq7BcFou2
We are also looking for two parent volunteers to join our crew for 2018-2019. Email Emersonenrichment@gmail.com OR join us for a meet-up on the yard Friday, May 4th after the bell.
Volunteers Needed : Asian Pacific Heritage Day, Tuesday, May 8th
We are looking for a couple more volunteers to help supervise and assist (as needed) at the craft tables. No experience is needed and it is lots of fun!!
When: Tuesday, May 8th during the lunch recesses:
11:30 -12:10 for K-2nd grades
12:10-12:45 for 3rd-5th grades
Where: Library
If you are able to volunteer, please contact Rose Lynn (roselynn20@gmail.com) or Yoko Kawai (formulamcp@gmail.com).
Volunteers Needed: Arab Heritage Month
We will be celebrating Arab Heritage Month (a little bit late) Friday, May 11th at lunch recess with food, drums, music and fun! We are looking for volunteers to help us with the day, especially bringing typical Arab foods for the kids to enjoy.
Please contact Stephanie Meade at Stephanie.meade@gmail.com or 510-926-8057 to get involved!
Author Kwame Alexander at Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore May 2nd (6pm)
Kwame Alexander will present his book “Rebound”, the prequel to his Newberry medal-winning “The Crossover” (2014). For more information, go to:
https://www.mrsdalloways.com/events
4th Annual Berkeley Book Fair, April 28th-29th
Meet hundreds of book authors over an exciting literary weekend in downtown Berkeley. See https://www.baybookfest.org/ for more information. For kids, see https://www.baybookfest.org/children/.
(Free outdoor fair 11am-6pm; Indoor events $10; $15 for the weekend)
Weekly Zumba at Emerson: 5:15-6:15 pm; $5 per class (no childcare).
Shop for Emerson!
Click here to raise money for Emerson when you shop at Amazon
Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org
Email: Not getting BearFacts via email? Email us to subscribe: emersonschoolnews@gmail.com
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 © 2018. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705