Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com

MONTHLY LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Emerson Families,

We are in the final stretch of the school year! With just eight weeks left, let’s finish strong. Experience shows that students often make significant academic strides in the spring, which sets them up for success in the following school year. For this progress to happen, it is essential that your child attends school on time and regularly. Let’s build on the momentum from the March Madness Attendance Challenge and ensure our students arrive no later than 8:10 AM each day. Please remember to notify our friendly Attendance Clerk, Leah Lopez, at Leahlopez@berkeley.net regarding any absence.

To help our staff thoughtfully create class lists for the 2026-2027 school year, please take a moment to complete the brief survey indicating your plans for your student's return to Emerson. Please note that we do not accept teacher requests for any reason. This survey is NOT for our current 5th Grade students who are promoting to 6th grade; those students are already accounted for. Your prompt response is appreciated; please reply by May 1st here: 2026- 2027 Emerson Returning Student Survey

In April, staff will administer the Literacy and Math Spring Assessments. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 will take the DIBELS reading fluency test. Additionally, students in Grades 3-5 will participate in the STAR Reading and Grades 1-5 in the STAR Math assessments. All students need to participate in these assessments so we can monitor academic progress and develop support plans accordingly.

Please keep an eye out for Summer School and Kids World After School program registration, which will open soon. Families are asked to register for the after-school program each year, regardless of whether they are current participants. As in previous years, space in Kids World will also be limited.

You may be aware that BUSD is facing additional budget cuts for the 2026-2027 school year. The PTA has created a plan to support our school community, which will be presented and voted on at the PTA Association Meeting on Thursday, April 23, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Emerson Library. We will also enjoy a special presentation from BUSD District Library Coordinator Jessica Lee, titled “Raising Young Humans in an AI World”. The PTA will provide dinner and childcare. We hope you can join us!

Thank you for your support,

Principal Holmes

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Friday, April 10, 8:00 - 8:30 am: PTA Coffee on the Yard,

Friday, April 10, 8:30 am: February All School Meeting (Multi-purpose Room), Caregivers Welcome

Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 pm: School Site Council (virtual) meet.google.com/jpc-uurw-fgz

Thursday, April 17, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm: Math Festival, Parent Volunteers needed, Sign Up

Saturday, April 18, 10:00 - 11:30am: Middle School Transition Fair, MLK Jr Middle School,

more information: tinyurl.com/MIDSCHOOLFAIR25

Thursday, April 23, 6:00- 7:30pm: PTA Association Meeting, Emerson Library, w/ Special Presentation: Raising Young Humans in an AI World by Jessica Lee, District Library Coordinator

Saturday, April 25, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: BUSD Climate Fair, King Middle School, Please see the flyer for details and how to participate.

Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am- 1:00pm: Emerson Spring Festival

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.

Emerson Yearbook Announcement

Our 2026 Emerson Elementary Yearbook is available for sale!

Order your yearbook by Monday, April 20th, 2026

https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/EmersonBearCubs2026

The book + tax is $17 and includes all grades. Please pay if you can.

The PTA wants every 5th grader to get a yearbook.

If families need help paying for the yearbook, please reach out to Lilyhowell@berkeley.net.

Questions: Contact Agnes Kwan (agnesandmike2013@gmail.com).

PTA ANNOUNCEMENT

Join the PTA!

NOMINATE YOURSELF OR OTHERS FOR EMERSON PTA. Nomination deadline is on April 22, 2026. Click Here to make a nomination or scan the QR code.

We can’t do it without you! Nominations are open for 2026-2027 Emerson PTA Board positions. We need to fill the following roles to come back stronger than ever next year. Please consider joining us to make that happen.

Members of the PTA Board are responsible for attending monthly meetings, PTA meetings, school community events and fulfilling the specific duties listed in their job descriptions.

Please nominate yourself or someone else:

[] Co-Treasurer

[] Parliamentarian

[] Volunteer Coordinator

[] Safe Routes to School Liaison

[] Technology Google Workspace Coordinator

[] Friday Coffee & Treats Coordinator (Monthly)

+ Detailed descriptions are online at https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/pta-board

+ Co-sharing is possible with a friend (good communication between you is key).

+ If you’re interested in a position that is not listed or have questions, please contact madeline.noonan@emersonelementary.org

BUSD CLIMATE FAIR - April 25th

LINK to PARTICIPATION FORM HERE.

FOOD PANTRY - MONDAY, APRIL 20th

SAVE THE DATE for WILLARD NIGHT MARKET

Berkeley vs. Big Soda - Kick-off Event

SAVE OUR SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM!

Did you know that BUSD’s budget cuts are threatening a 30-50% reduction in funding for our school gardens? The School District’s budget cuts are threatening a 30-50% reduction in funding for our school gardens. Starting next year, Soda Tax revenues will be the sole source of funding for Elementary School gardens!

The GOOD news is that there is something you can do to SAVE school gardens!

Advocates are proposing a 2 cent / ounce dedicated tax (double the current tax). The current Healthy Berkeley funding to BUSD is $450,000 / year - this new tax could mean twice as much funding starting in the 27-28 school year. This is an on-going source of funding for the gardens, unlike periodic grants and BUSD support.

What we need PARENTS to do:

To put this augmented tax on the ballot, we need volunteers to gather signatures in April and May. Ideally, we would have a parent liaison from each school who will organize a group of parent volunteers to gather signatures at drop off and pick up as well as any school events — and of course volunteers are free to help gather signatures at popular sites such as in front of Berkeley Bowl, Monterrey Market, the Farmer’s markets, parks and playgrounds. Training and materials will be provided. Check out this fact sheet for more info.

Attend our kick-off on April 11th at 10 am at San Pablo park.

Join us to gather signatures and RSVP for the Kick-off @ https://bit.ly/sodataxsignatures26

And here is a flyer you can print and give out: Flyer for kick-off

Contact Holly Scheider for more info: Scheiderconsulting@gmail.com // 510-435-0328

Please join us! We can’t do this without you! Our children’s health over Big Soda wealth!

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/

Remind: Text @7f6hb to 81010; or go to www.remind.com/join/7f6hb

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.

BearFacts News - 4.9.2026