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BearFacts News                 
May 2, 2019


Message from the Principal

Dear Families,
 
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting the new principal, Ms. Jana Holmes, when she made her first visit to Emerson. While we were only able to meet for an hour or so in my office, I could tell that Ms. Holmes is an experienced principal who is good humored, confident, intelligent, and kind. She is eager to meet all of you and I am sure you feel the same. To that end we have planned a few initial events to get that process started. Ms. Holmes will join us at our All School Meeting this Friday, 5/3, so all the children will have a chance to see her and she will have the opportunity to experience the Emerson school community in action. We have also scheduled an evening PTA meeting combination event, "Meet the Principal" and vote on the proposed PTA budget for next year, on Thursday, May 23rd in the Emerson library. We'll send out the details on timing and how to RSVP in the days to come, but plan on saving the date now if you'd like to attend. Everyone is welcome.
 
On a second note, please mark these additional dates in your calendar. The week of May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation week. The PTA has a lovely set of events planned with a breakfast, notes, flowers, a luncheon and massages to recognize and honor our hard working teachers. Please participate as you are able. Open House is the following week on Thursday, May 16th, from 6:00 - 7:15 pm. Finally, the last two weeks of May, May 21st - May 31st have been set aside for end of the year State SBA testing (grades 3-5) and Local STAR testing (grades 1-5). Please make sure your child arrives well-rested and on time to school daily. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hodge


 

Upcoming Events & Key Dates

  • Fri., May 3: Free coffee & baked goods on the yard; all-school meeting, 8:30am
  • Mon., May 6- Fri., May 10: Teacher appreciation week.
  • Mon., May 9: Bike to school day
  • Mon., May 13: Spring music concert, 10:30am.
  • Tues., May 14: Asian Pacific heritage day (lunch recess)
  • Thurs., May 16: Open House, 6-7:15pm
  • Fri., May 17, Free coffee & baked goods on the yard 8:10; Leila's Quest for Flight by Golden Thread Productions (a play!) to celebrate Arab-American History Month, 8:30-9:30am
  • Thurs., May 23,  PTA Association Meeting, 6:00pm – 7:30pm Meet Principal Jana Holmes
  • Fri., May 24: Spring PTA Enrichment class performance, 5-6pm
  • Mon., May 27: No School, Memorial Day

https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/upcoming-events
 

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY AT BERKELEY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Berkeley Public Library will be giving away hundreds of free comics and hosting fun comic-book themed events in celebration of Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 4th! The festivities will take place from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at all library locations. Free comics will be available for children, teens, and adults (limit three per person, while supplies last) and the public programs are open to all.
Got Books?

May Is Emerson Book Drive Month! We need BOOKS, BOOKS, and more BOOKS! Please donate new/gently used children's books of all levels (K - 5th grade). Books will be collected for our summer book giveaway and classroom libraries.
 
Bring books to Ms. Jeannie's room (across from the Main Office) or to Ms. Zoe in the Emerson Library. Contact Ms. Jeannie for any questions: jeanniewang@berkeley.net
Turn in Read-A-Thon logs and pledges!
 
It’s time to turn in your child’s Read-a-Thon reading log and pledges! Deadline is Friday, May 10. Please send the manila folder with the log form and pledges into school with your child this week. Even if your child did not collect pledges we want your child’s reading minutes to count! Prizes for the highest readers and classes! Thank you for supporting Emerson!
End-of-the-Year Party

The end of the school year is just around the corner and it's time to start getting ready for our big End of the Year Event.

This event will be held at Emerson on June 6th from 6pm-8pm. All families, children, grandparents, alumni, and community members are invited for dinner and a celebration.

 Click here to find out how to help with the End of Year Party  

Thank you!
Get ready Teacher Appreciation Week -- May 6-10
 
Gratitude notes, delicious food, flowers, and massages... What better way to show our love to Emerson’s treasured teaching staff!
Bike to School Day is Thursday, May 9th!

Bike to School Day is Thursday May 9th! Gather your friends and neighbors to celebrate using pedal power to get to and from school. Bike commuting is good for our health, the community, and the planet. Be part of the solution and a “roll” model for others!

Stop by the Claremont Library on the way to school (starting at 7:00am) for treats, goodies, and free safety checks.

When you arrive at Emerson, all riders will be greeted with stickers, healthy snacks, and high fives. Don’t forget to wear your helmet!

For more information, visit http://alamedacountysr2s.org/plan-an-event/bike-to-school-day. Questions? Contact: Meg Kunchai at meg.kunchai@gmail.com.
Asian Pacific Heritage Day -- May 14

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and we’ll celebrate with Emerson students on May 14 during lunch recess. We’re looking for parents/family members to help on this day. To volunteer, email Mia (emailmiav@gmail.com) or Rose Lynn (roselynn20@gmail.com).
Join us for the Spring Enrichment Performances
 
Friday, May 24th - 5pm-6pm in the Cafetorium
 
Performances from students in Music & Dance, 
Capoeira, and Choir
Pop-up gallery featuring work from Art, Letterforms, 
and Comic Book Arts classes.
Light snacks will be served. 
Do you love Friday Coffee?

Friday coffee volunteers are ready to pass the torch and need dedicated parents to take over next year (training this spring).

Make Friday coffee your own: want to make it every other week or once/month? Want to experiment with another time so more people can attend?

Interested? Contact: michaelpatrickray173@gmail.com or dawsonmorton@me.com.


 
Let the festivities begin...
 
To celebrate Susan Hodge's incredible career as an educator at Emerson, the PTA is hosting a party in her honor on Sunday, June 9th at the Lake Temescal Beach House from 3:30 to 7:30. All parents are invited and encouraged to celebrate with us. This event will be for adults only.
 
Please help us plan by doing to the following:
If you have any questions or comments, please email Christina Collinsworth at Christina.Marie8908@gmail.com.
Your PTA Board Needs You!

We're getting down to the wire!

Our most urgent need for next year is to identify someone (maybe you!)  to lead our fundraising strategy and provide coordination support to our volunteers who lead fundraising events. This is a Board position that works closely with the President and the Treasurer. While there is a lot that is fairly well established, there is also latitude to do it your own way. We can provide more information and training!

Please email Stephanie Sidebotham at sidboth@gmail.com for more information.
Donate to the Heart of Emerson!

Our goal this year is to raise $550 per child, and we can't do it without you. If you are a new parent, hopefully you are feeling how special our community is. If you are returning parent, you know how lucky we are to be a part of this incredible school. Help us foster and grow Emerson's culture by donating to the Heart of Emerson. Donate online at https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/heart-of-emerson or click on the logo below. For more information, please email heartofemerson@gmail.com
.

Shop for Emerson!
Click below to raise money for Emerson when you shop at Amazon

Find Emerson Online

Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org

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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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