BearFacts News - 10.19.23

 
 

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


BUSD Sustainability Team Survey

The Sustainability Program is gathering simple transportation data for the District! Please fill out a short survey about your travel habits that will provide the district with valuable insight into the transportation needs of BUSD families.  https://forms.gle/3QRuKcWdcaFJzUmy5

Community Modernization Meeting

The Community Modernization Meeting was held on October 3, 2023, in order to discuss the plan to improve Emerson school grounds. The recorded meeting is available to view here: Emerson Modernization Meeting- 10/3/2023


LIBRARY CORNER

Author Jessica Kim comes to Emerson!

Author Jessica Kim at Emerson

Korean-American middle grade author Jessica Kim visited the Emerson 4th and 5th graders last Friday, October 13th to talk about her newest book, “Make a Move, Sunny Park!” She discussed the writing process and how her cultural identity inspires her stories. She also took students’ questions and signed a ton of copies of her books for the classrooms and library! It was a wonderful event and we felt so lucky to have her visit!


HEART OF EMERSON FUNDRAISING

https://emersonelementary.org/heart-of-emerson

The Heart of Emerson fundraising campaign is in full swing! This is the one major annual campaign to secure your financial support for our school. This fundraising advances the Emerson education beyond the level of district funding and support that our students would otherwise experience. 

As of this week, we have received nearly $42,000, which is a great start, but we still have a long way to go to meet our $195,000 fundraising target! Track our progress through the Heart of Emerson page, which also lists the ways your donations are put to use, supporting your child’s education and the school community:

If you weren't aware, we have a Shop for Emerson page where Emerson receives a portion of sales through these companies. This week we are highlighting the Bay Area Experience and a Q&A with founder and Emerson parent, Mark Otis. If you would similarly like to support Emerson through ongoing donations or royalties, please get in touch: fundraising@emersonelementary.org 

Q&A with Emerson parent, Mark Otis, about the Bay Area Experience

1) What is the Bay Area Experience and what is your connection to Emerson Elementary? 

Bay Area Experience is a community-based real estate group. We are centered on education for the community and events for the public to educate those that are not familiar with owning, selling, or buying property for personal or business use. We are associated with Emerson by our Founder Mark Otis who has a child attending Emerson. He wants the best for them and to increase the campus' amenities and functionality for his child and the rest of the students that attend.  

2) What drew you to the idea of donating to the school?

We wanted to donate to the school because of the uncertainty in today's economy and government programs. By helping out in the way we can, we will not only be able to help our family's school but provide the community visibility of our mission.

3) What has been your or your child's favorite activity or event that has been made possible through donations to the Emerson PTA? 

Our child's favorite activity has been P.E. and field trips. The excitement created through moving and exploring is underrated and must continue for our children. Bay Area Experience intends to help this continue.

Thank you!


UPCOMING EVENTS AND KEY DATES

Thursday, October 19: First School Site Council Meeting, 7:00pm. Anyone can attend, but only elected committee members can vote. Meeting via Zoom, https://berkeley-net.zoom.us/j/81221881386 (Meeting ID: 812 2188 1386)

Saturday, October 21: PTA Fall Festival! 9:00am - 1:00pm (Emerson blacktop)

Monday, October 23 - Thursday, October 26: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal, PTA After School Classes Canceled)

Friday, October 27: Elementary Conference Day (NO SCHOOL)

Saturday, October 28: Cal Football Parking Fundraiser (Emerson blacktop)

Tuesday, October 31: Halloween Parade, 12:45pm (Emerson blacktop)

Wednesday. November 1 - Thursday, November 2: Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead 

Tuesday, November 7: Election Day; Meet the Symphony at 8:30am

Friday, November 10: Veterans 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.


PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS

FALL FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND!

Fall Festival is this Saturday, October 21, 9:00am - 1:00 pm (Emerson black top). There will be free food, snacks, crafts, activities, and many other fun BOUNCY surprises! 

Volunteers are still needed. If you can spare the time, please sign up, 

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080444ABAD2FA5F94-45115128-emerson


EMERSON FAMILY HANDBOOK

The 2023-24 Emerson Family Handbook is now available online in English and Spanish. If you would like a hard copy, you may request one from Ms. Michelle in the front office. Email her at leahlopez@berkeley.net to have one sent home in your student's backpack.


EQUITY CORNER

CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY

In October, Emerson honors the rich diversity of our communities, celebrating Latine/x Heritage Month (Sept 15 - Oct 15), LGBTQ+ History Month (Oct), and Filipino American History Month (Oct). BUSD's Ethnic Studies Teacher Joemy Ito-Gates has compiled these excellent resources for teachers and caregivers!

SAVE THE DATE: Winter Equity Circle. Kick off on Saturday, January 20, 2024. For more information, email: equity@emersonelementary.org


Celebrating Filipino American History Month

Picture of farm workers in the Delano  Grape Strike

Farmworkers during the Delano Grape Strike, 1965

October is Filipino History Month. The first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. 

In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Filipino Americans have contributed significantly to the U.S, fighting against injustices like racial violence, anti-miscegenation laws, labor inequalities, and housing discrimination, to name a few. One such example is the contribution to the labor movement by way of farm worker and leader Larry Itliong who, along with Cesar Chavez, led the Delano Grape Strike in 1965. The efforts of the farm workers and leaders paved the way for a strong labor movement and the advancement of worker’s rights in this country. Another is Filipino American journalist Maria Ressa, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression (especially of the press) in the Philippines. Other Filipino-American figures include Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, now retired, is the 28th chief justice of California State Supreme Court, and Rob Bonta,the current Attorney General of the State of California. There are also Filipino-Americans in entertainment like H.E.R, Bruno Mars, and Olivia Rodrigo, to name a few. 

To learn more about Filipino History, visit Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)

See also the PBS documentary called Caretakers, which highlights the sacrifices  and contributions of Filipino American nurses and health care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

California has recognized October 25th as Larry Itliong Day!

Events celebrating Filipino American History Month

October 19, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Berkeley, The Bancroft Library, Roundtable: Centering Philippine and Filipinx American Histories

October 28, 1:00 pm, 447 Sutter St, San Francisco, Honoring Filipino American History Month - A Sentimental Journey. 

FAHM events at the SF Public Library: link to list of events


DIA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENT

Dia de Los Muertos – “Celebrando las Vidas”


Find Emerson Online

Websitehttps://emersonelementary.org/

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

Facebookwww.facebook.com/emersonpta (or follow @emersonPTA)


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.

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Berkeley, CA 94705