Si tiene alguna duda sobre esta nota debido a la traduccion,
por favor comuniquese con Rafael Friedmann via email: rfriedmann@aol.com
Message from the Principal
Dear Emerson Families,
Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year, often considered the last month of winter. We have lots to celebrate, including the Lunar New Year, Presidents Day weekend, Valentine’s Day, and Black History Month. All week we placed a special emphasis on Black Lives Matter, and Friday during our All School Meeting, we will continue our reflection of the challenges and accomplishments of our African American community. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the diversity in our community and the richness of the many cultures at Emerson.
As a friendly reminder, please don’t forget to turn in your Admissions paperwork for incoming Kindergarten and Middle School students. Round 1 Registration forms are due to the district office by February 4, 2022. You may refer to the BUSD Admissions page for more information at https://www.berkeleyschools.net/admissions.
We thank the PTA for today’s All-School Assembly by the two-time Grammy Nominated, Alphabet Rockers. At 10:00am students, staff, and the community can join the Webinar for a performance of You Are Not Alone, which is a new empathetic and inclusive children’s book that empowers kids to love themselves and their identities, stand up to hate, and have each other’s backs no matter what. Check out this music video with your child to help reiterate these important messages: New Book for Kids: You Are Not Alone (Music Video) | Music for Kids. Thank you, Rana Cho and the PTA for setting up this wonderful Virtual Assembly for us.
We also look forward to honoring the Lunar New Year on Thursday, February 17 with a special outdoor performance by San Francisco's Leung Whtie Crane Association. Students and staff will learn more about this holiday, which is practiced by many Asain people throughout the world. We will enjoy a traditional Chinese Lion and Percussion celebratory performance. If parents would like to join us, you may watch outside the gate at 8:30am. We anticipate a fun and educational experience.
As we move into February, we hope for falling COVID-19 infection rates. I encourage you to look at the BUSD Covid Dashboard to see updates on our cases. According to the District Nurse, BUSD Covid Team, and the Departments of Health, the virus is not primarily spread at school. However, we do see high numbers of cases at Emerson. Emerson has one of the highest testing participation rates of any BUSD school, which allows us to identify more cases. Until we see these rates fall, thank you for continuing to partner with us in our twice-a-week testing. We appreciate our parent volunteers who help test - we can not do it without you. Let us remain vigilant in our mask-wearing (at school and in the community) and hand-washing efforts. We are grateful for our partnership with you.
Take care,
Principal Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
February 18: Lincoln’s Birthday - No School
February 21: Presidents Day - No School
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.
Spring Equity Circle
We are incredibly fortunate to offer an Equity Circle this new year, facilitated by Pamela Harrison-Small and generously funded by the Emerson PTA for our entire community— parents, caregivers, and staff. During these 6 sessions, we will engage in real talk about diversity and inclusion, improving student achievement, and increasing engagement (for community of all backgrounds). There is a 10 hour minimum time commitment spread across 6 sessions (2/26, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/29). If you are interested in joining these incredible sessions, please complete this Google Form or email me with any questions at emersonequitypta@gmail.com. -cielo
Teachers’ Corner - Analogous Colors
What are analogous colors?
Third and fourth graders have finished painting the plates that will become looms for their circle weavings. I asked the students to limit their colors to create a harmonious design. Although true analogous colors use only 3 of the 12 colors on a color wheel, we stretched it a little further and also added tints. (A tint is a color plus white.) The analogous colors and patterns are beautiful, don't you think?
Lucy Ames, Art Teacher (she/her)
Free Masks and COVID-19 Tests for the Emerson Community
Free N95 masks (adult size)!
The U.S. Government is now giving 3 free adult-size masks to anyone who needs them. You can pick yours up at a nearby Community Health Center or pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Sam’s Club starting in mid-February.
Free At-Home COVID-19 tests
Residential households can order 1 set of free at-home COVID tests (you will receive 2 boxes; each box contains 2 tests) through the USPS here. If you have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order, you can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities place their orders. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9AM to 8PM ET, or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
Submit Proof of COVID Vaccination
Take a picture of your child's full vaccination card and send it to Vax@berkeley.net for documentation.
Help BUSD Operationalize COVID Testing
Can you help us help the district with COVID testing? BUSD is asking for any and all volunteers to step up and support COVID testing during the next 3-4 weeks of the surge. During 2-3 hour shifts, volunteers will be paired with and support a testing technician in the testing of students, staff and active volunteers. All training will be provided and “the work” will be either outdoors, in hallways, or in auditoriums.
This week the need for volunteers is greatest at the Berkeley Adult School, where testing is being conducted everyday 8:45am-4:30pm. Testing will ramp up next week at all school sites, and schedules and sign-ups will be available soon. Please note that you may volunteer at more than one testing location.
*** For details and sign-up links to COVID Testing Shifts and all open School Support volunteer opportunities, click HERE ***
Email if you have questions: sallymclaughlin@berkeley.net.
Thank you for supporting our students during this intense time.
As always, we are stronger together!
COVID Vaccine and Testing Resources
COVID vaccinations and tests are available at a number of locations within our community. Please review and share this document for vaccine and testing locations often. It will be updated with new information as it becomes available. If you have information to add to this list, please email emersonequitypta@gmail.com.
Would You Like to Receive BearFacts by Email?
Would you like to receive the BearFacts newsletter in an email? You may opt-in by completing this online form and adding yourself to the Emerson PTA Email List. If you have already done so, you will start to receive the BearFacts by email in addition to the Remind alert in the next few weeks. As always, you can find current and old posts at Emerson News any time on the Emerson PTA website.
How to Connect!
Do you want to talk to another parent about Emerson, learn ways to connect with other families and support the school? Here are four things you can do:
1) Visit the PTA table on Friday mornings at drop-off!
2) Set up your profile in Where’s Waldo, Emerson’s online family directory.
3) Join the PTA.
4) Learn about the Heart of Emerson campaign!
Find Emerson Online
Website: emerson.berkeleypta.org
Remind: Text @7f6hb to 81010; or go to www.remind.com/join/7f6hb
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emersonpta (or follow @emersonPTA)
About BearFacts News:
BearFacts News is a weekly publication created by parent volunteers and posted online at emerson.berkeleypta.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 emersonschoolnews@gmail.com. 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. The deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.
Copyright © 2021. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705