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

UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Friday, May 15: NO SCHOOL, Malcolm X Birthday Observed

Tuesday, May 19, 6:30pm: School Site Council Meeting

Monday, May 25: NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day Observed

Monday, June 1, 8:30am: Pride March and School Unity Picture

Tuesday, June 2: FUN Day

Thursday, June 4, 8:30am: 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony (Emerson Blacktop)

Thursday, June 4: Last Day of School, Minimum Day, 1:30 pm dismissal

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.

All School Meeting video

Check out this Teacher’s Retirement Appreciation at the May All School Meeting: https://youtu.be/PogRpAE0VRQ

Join BUSD in Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May

Three things you can do to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month:BUSD family guide

MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE REGARDING THE LEARNS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM CHANGES:

BUSD recognizes expanded learning programs as a critical component of the educational experience that extends learning beyond the traditional school day and strengthens student engagement, belonging, wellness, and achievement. Our vision prioritizes intentional program design that includes dedicated academic support time, a broad range of enrichment and interest-based clubs, recreational opportunities, and the cultivation of environments that are fun, inclusive, safe, and supportive for all students.

At the middle school level, this vision also includes maintaining and supporting an athletics program that increases student connection, participation, and school engagement.

To support consistent, high-quality implementation across all school sites, LEARNS will operate with a defined staffing structure that includes:

One dedicated Specialist at each school site responsible for coordinating and leading daily program operations;
One Specialist - Athletic Director at each middle school site to facilitate sports programming and logistics.
Approximately 5–15 Instructional Technicians per site who are directly responsible for supervising and supporting student groups and activities; and
Three Auditors who each oversee and support a cohort of four schools to ensure program quality, compliance, coaching, and operational consistency.

This structure is designed to ensure strong site leadership, direct student support, and districtwide accountability while preserving the flexibility needed to respond to the unique needs of individual school communities. Through this model, Berkeley Unified reaffirms its commitment to equitable access, high-quality programming, and expanded learning environments where every student can thrive.

Please see resources for additional information

Slide Deck 04.15.26
Board Meeting 04.15.26 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvGrOfobkzk

THANK YOU FOR A LOVELY STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK!

Here’s a recap of last week’s events:

Monday was a Potluck Breakfast and Emerson caregivers brought coffee, bagels, donuts, and more! Thank you Marian Deuker for leading the Potluck Breakfast.
Tuesday was Flowers & Notes. The teachers loved receiving heartfelt notes and beautiful flowers.
Wednesday was Principal’s Treat hosted by Principal Holmes. There were bagels, quiches, coffee, and refreshments throughout the day.
Thursday was again Flowers & Notes, just in time for Open House!
Friday was the Staff Luncheon. PTA provided the main dish of Chicken and Mac & Cheese from Brenda’s in Oakland (yum!). Emerson caregivers brought drinks, dessert, and snacks. Cash donations were used to purchase additional sides of cornbread. And all staff (including our loyal volunteers) received a Gift Bag containing candies, handy office supplies, fun socks, and a gift card to Baker and Commons (enough for coffee or tea and a sweet treat!). Thank you Sara Tarshis for leading the Staff Luncheon. Thank you Ashley Hodge Trudeau and Carol Wang for coordinating Gift Bags.
Thank you Emerson Community for your participation by bringing flowers and/or notes, donating your time, donating cash, or donating items for the Potluck Breakfast, Staff Luncheon, or Gift Bags. See you again next year!

Emerson Staff felt the love shown through many heartfelt messages, beautiful flower bouquets, delicious breakfast treats, and a satisfying lunch on Friday! All staff also received a generous gift bag, filled with fun surprises and thoughtful treats. Big Shout Out to everyone who helped make the week a success, especially Carol Wang and Vanessa Leonardo, who coordinated the week's events. The Emerson Community is the best!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

We are feeling the love!

Thank you, caregivers, for taking the time to show your support for the Emerson Staff!

Big Smile to Carol Wang and Vanessa Leonardo for coordinating and organizing this special week!

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 - 5.14.2026