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BearFacts News                 
September 13, 2018


Message from the Principal

Dear Families:
 
Here are all the things that I forgot or didn't have time to mention at Back to School Night:
  • Hi, I'm Susan Hodge, Principal at Emerson. Yes, I did forget to introduce myself that night! 
  • On the last day of school in June we sent home Summer Reading and Math packets to students in grades K-4. Students who completed one or both of their packets should return them for a treat at school this week. The treat will be shared on Friday, September 14th, so all packets should be turned in no later than this Friday. 
  • The best way you can complete your school lunch application is on EZMealApp.com, but if you'd rather use a paper form, just let us know and we'll send one home to you. Please make sure to complete this task by September 21st.
  • Ms. Jeannie, Ms. Snyder, and Ms. Lilly all have important information to share with you regarding Reading, Intervention, positive behavior systems, and other supports at Emerson. We will plan a time soon to share that information with you. 
  • Our first School Site Council meeting will be on Wednesday, September 19th from 5:30 to 6:30 in the school library. We'll have a chance to welcome our new and returning members, review our year's responsibilities, and hear about suggested updates to our budget. Everyone is welcome (no childcare is available, but the kids can hang out in the corner of the library while we work). If you can bring a small snack to share, we'll have some nibbles to tide us over. 
  • I also did not have time to tell you about a new assessment we'll be trying K-5 in the district this year called STAR 360. It will be a short reading, and reading readiness, assessment that we'll give several times a year to help us track reading development and comprehension skills in all grades. We'll give our first round to students in grades 1-5 this month. I hope we'll have good information to share with you at teacher conferences later in November. 
  • Finally, I want to tell you how good it felt to get together with all of you at Back to School Night. It was heart warming to see so many familiar faces and to meet so many new families. I believe we are going to have an awesome year together. 
Warmly,
Ms. Hodge 
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
  • Fri., Sept. 14: Free coffee and pastries on the yard at 8:10am & BACK TO SCHOOL BBQ at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome!
  • Sat., Sept. 15: Cal Football Parking
  • Mon., Sept. 17: Payment deadline for PTA Enrichment Classes, 12pm
  • Wed., Sept. 19: School Site Council meeting at 5:30pm
  • Fri., Sept. 21: Free coffee and pastries on the yard at 8:10am
  • Wed., Sept. 26: School Picture Day, Grades K-2
  • Fri., Sept. 28: School Picture Day, Grades 3-5 & Free coffee and pastries on the yard at 8:10am
Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar

Emerson's Welcome Back BBQ is TOMORROW!

Whether you are a long-time Emerson family or an Emerson newbie, come out and celebrate the new year at the Annual Welcome Back BBQ. Free food and desserts will be served alongside friends and fun on Friday, September 14th from 6-8pm. Owen, from the East Bay Vivarium, will be joining us at 6:30 for a special presentation!
 
Let us know if you can make it: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7X3LPFD

Sign up to volunteer: signupgenius.com/go/4090f44a8aa23a2f94-20181. We can't do this without the whole community!
 

And While You’re at the BBQ, Get Your School Spirit On…

Announcing a new program to show your school spirit and support Emerson at the same time!! We will have Emerson Gear available to try on and purchase (or order) at the Back to School BBQ on Friday.  Gear includes T-shirts, hoodies, caps and totes. 
Join the Emerson Equity Circle

We invite ALL Parents/Guardians and Staff who are committed to increasing education equity, engaging in authentic (and sometimes difficult) conversations, exploring their own implicit biases and envisioning solutions to participate in the Fall 2018 Equity Circle. We will engage in "real talk" about diversity and inclusion, improving student achievement and increasing parent engagement. 
 
The kick-off is Saturday, October 13th 9:00am-2:00pm, then the group will meet on Thursdays 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8 and 11/15 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Childcare and food provided. There is a minimum 12-hour time commitment required.

Interest forms are available in the Emerson office or email any of the Equity Liaisons: Katy Davis (Katydavis17@yahoo.com), Mary Gilg (maryagilg@gmail.com), Mia Villanueva (emailmiav@gmail.com) or Emily Nathan (enathan7@gmail.com).
 
The deadline to submit an interest form is OCTOBER 5th.
PTA Afterschool Enrichment Classes

The payment deadline has been extended to Monday, September 17th at noon. Reminder to please pay your invoices — either using the online payment link or by check put in the Enrichment box in the office.

If you did not receive an invoice, most likely your student is on a waiting list. After September 17th at noon we will start offering unpaid or unclaimed class spaces to waitlisted students. Questions? emersonenrichment@gmail.com

 
Volunteer for Cal Football Parking - Next Game is this Saturday 
 
This is one of Emerson’s most important fundraisers – please come out and help park cars on the Emerson yard! Next game is Sept. 15th. Contact Dylan or Steven for more info (soccerfan311@gmail.com or dkaufman@darwincg.com)

 
Join the Emerson PTA!

Online: emerson.berkeleypta.org/pta-membership or by PAPER FORM in Look folders or on the PTA board near the main office. Contact Elif Kale-Lostuvali (eklostuvali@gmail.com) with questions.

Where's Waldo?

Where's Waldo, our PTA published school directory, is a great resource for families and teachers alike. You should have received a contact/information form in your Look Folders this week - please fill out and return to school by September 14th. Or you can fill it out online: https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/wheres-waldo
 
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Harvey (ejaharvey@gmail.com).
Art News
 
We are back to our creative endeavors in the Art room. Most of the students are starting the year with art projects that tell us some things about themselves. Look for evidence of this in the hallways soon!
 
Please try to remember not to send your children to school in their best clothes on the day that they have art. Here’s Emerson’s Art Schedule:
  • Monday mornings: 2nd grade
  • Monday afternoons: 1st grade
  • Wednesday mornings: 3rd grade
  • Wednesday late mornings and afternoons: Kindergarten
  • Friday mornings: 5th grade
  • Friday afternoons: 4th grade
If you are interested in volunteering during your child’s art class (either occasionally or regularly) please let me know.  Thank you. Lucy Ames (lucyames@berkeley.net)
SAVE THE DATE - Walkathon is Oct. 21st
 
'Come on everybody, let's do the conga!'  

The Creepy Conga Walkathon will be coming to Emerson on October 21st, from 11am-3pm. Keep an eye out for more information to come in Look Folders soon!

Shop for Emerson!
Click below 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

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Emerson PTA · 2800 Forest Ave · Berkeley, CA 94705 · USA

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