BearFacts News
June 14, 2018
Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
I write this message to you, sitting in my office, having just finished watching Mr. Phil's amazing annual 5th grade video with the whole school. I can hear the children laughing and playing on the yard from my window and I am filled with a sense of gratitude and joy. It is often hard to keep things in perspective. We get caught up with day to day challenges and routines and we just keep going. But today, seeing the 5th graders literally grow up before my very eyes, I can see the whole picture, at least for a minute! Our time with the children is fleeting, we do our best by them and by you, the parents, each and every day. We try to give them the right amount of independence balanced by support, academics balanced by play, and precision and procedures balanced by creativity and open mindedness. In the end, it is mostly about relationships. Taking the time to see each child as an individual and to celebrate their talents and special interests -- all the while building connections that stretch across the years. I am so thankful to be a part of the process, to be partners with you and the teachers in this beautiful endeavor. I am grateful for your support and your understanding. I especially appreciate your patience on those days that we "mess up". Teaching in an imperfect art, but art it is. Thank you for letting us join you in shaping these works of art that are your children. Much love and respect.
Fondly,
Susan Hodge
Post-Graduation Celebration for 5th Graders & Their Families
5th grade parents are organizing a Post- 5th-grade Graduation Party after the ceremony, for 5th graders and their families.
When: This Friday (June 15th), 2-5pm
Where: San Pablo Park (2800 Park St. Berkeley)
Potluck style snacks/ drinks. Bring games, balls, your whole family.
If your 5th grader needs a carpool ride to the park from school (or back to school for pickup), please contact: Rose Lynn (626-695-0687), Mindy (510-326-5906) or Liz Tung (512-293-4763).
FAMILY PANTRY ALL SUMMER LONG
Berkeley students, district employees, and their families are invited to our family pantry stocked with produce and bread, free of charge.
When: 2pm-4pm on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month. Upcoming mobile pantry dates:
June 8th
June 22nd
July 13th
July 27th
August 10th
August 24th
Where: South Berkeley Senior Center, across Ashby from Malcolm X Elementary School, at 2939 Ellis St, Berkeley.
Children can work on an art project while their parents and guardians shop. Some personal-care products are also available. Please bring a shopping bag and park legally, if you are driving. For more information, contact our Emerson Family Engagement & Equity Specialist Lily Howell at 510-295-7791 or BUSD Family Engagement & Equity Specialist Jocelyn Foreman at 510-684-4100. Or visit: http://johnmuirschool.org/family-pantry/
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- Friday, June 15:
- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
- Last free coffee and bakes goods on the yard (8am)
- 5th grade promotion & celebration (9am)
- Have a great summer!
- Monday, August 27: First day of School!
Find more dates/details: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
Didn't Order a Yearbook? You Still Can!
Happy last week of school Emerson families! Yearbooks that have already been ordered will be coming home today (Thursday). If you forgot to order a yearbook or wanted to order another one you can order one directly from Shutterfly and have it shipped to your house. Go to https://emersonelementaryyearbook.shutterfly.com and request to join the Emerson Elementary Yearbook Shutterfly site. Once Ms. Zoe has approved you you can order the yearbook. (It will cost more because it is not part of the bulk order.)
Thank You Emerson Families for Supporting Our School!
By shopping through Amazon (http://bit.ly/emersonamazon) you have raised a total of $4,734 for Emerson programs this school year!!
If you want to continue to support Emerson this summer when you shop on Amazon, it’s easy. Just log in to your Amazon business, Amazon Prime or Regular Amazon account. Then click on http://bit.ly/emersonamazon and Amazon will give a % to Emerson. Thanks and have a great summer!
End of Year Social - THANK YOU!
Emerson's End of the Year Social was a great success thanks to the many volunteers who helped set-up, grill, serve, clean, and oversee all the events throughout the evening. We appreciate everyone who participated and was able to join us in celebration of another spectacular year at the greatest Elementary School in Berkeley!
Emerson’s graduating 5th grade families would like to send a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every awesome Emerson classroom teacher as well as the incredible office staff, specialty class teachers (library, art, science, gardening, PE, music), Special Ed staff, intervention support team, family engagement, custodial team, Kids World Staff, and Ms. Hodge.
You’ve taught and cared for our kids every day, and now they’re off on the next adventure, well prepared because of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Love, 5th grade families.
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