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 Community,
I hope everyone enjoyed their Mother’s Day this past weekend. I am reminded how many sacrifices parents have made during the past year and a half to support their children’s academic and social health. I am thankful for our community, all our volunteers, and the partnership we have formed for the benefit of our young people.
During May, we continue to highlight the achievements, history and challenges faced by the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. We are asking Emerson students to stand as Ally’s with our APPI friends. Please consider seeking out an Asian elder for a brief interview to be recorded and submitted for our May 21 All School Meeting. Students may use these suggested questions as conversation prompts. As always, please email K-2 submissions to MollySalyk@berkeley.net and 3-5 to LoriBarnes@berkeley.net. We also ask for the Parent Permission Form.
In the next few weeks, we will be accelerating our planning for the 2021- 2022 school year. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the plan is to return to full, five day a week in- person instruction for students. If you have not done so already, please take a few moments to let us know if you plan to return to Emerson on August 16, 2021. Here is the Returning Student Form.
We will offer Covid testing for students and staff on campus this Friday. Testing will be conducted by PMH Laboratories and is a self administered, oral swab. If you are interested in learning more about PMH Laboratories, visit https://pmhlaboratory.com/about/pmh-laboratory. You can sign your child up for testing by completing this one time registration form: :https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5619f4c1079c4526a99df0a20180817e and this One Time Parent Consent Form. The Patient Test Request Form. will need to be completed each morning that your child takes the test. If the Patient Test Request form is not filled out the Friday morning of the testing, your child will not participate. Finally, this form only needs to be completed if you do not currently have insurance: Uninsurance Program.
We are finishing up the STAR Literacy, Math and Reading grade level assessments this week. It has run smoothly and I will hold make up sessions for students who were absent.
The 5th Grade promotion plans have been finalized. We will hold a Virtual Celebration, which ALL families are invited to view on Tuesday, June 1st at 8:30 am.
Ms. Schafer/Ms. Lewis class will have an in person ceremony on the Emerson Campus on Wednesday, June 2, from 8:30- 9:15 am.
Ms. Jeannie/Ms. Weddle’s in person ceremony will take place on the Emerson Campus on Thursday, June 3rd from 8:30- 9:15 am.
Families who are in distance learning are invited to participate in person, with their assigned classroom teacher. Due to Health Guidelines, Attendance will be limited to two (2) family members, who have rsvp’d, completed a health screening following masking and social distancing guidelines. A rsvp is required and 5th grade families may do so here. RSVP is due by Friday, May 21, 2021.
We are so happy to honor our Class of 2021 for their resilience and fortitude!
Finally, I want to remind families that we have a wonderful On Site School Based Therapist named Ms. Marlies. She is happy to support families in person and in distance learning. Ms. Marlies is on the Emerson campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you would like to talk to her about challenges you are facing, due to the pandemic, life changes/ stressors, you may reach out to her at mrosmark@bacr.org or (510) 559- 3039.
Take care,
Jana Holmes
Upcoming Events and Key Dates
Monday, May 17: Malcolm X Birthday, NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, May 19: School Site Council, 5:30pm
Friday, May 21: All School Meeting, 8:30am
Wednesday, May 26: PTA Assoc Mtg, 6:00pm - pls note this is a change to the original schedule
Friday, May 28: Spirit Day, Theme = Summer Day
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL
Friday, Jun 4: Last Day of School
Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar
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.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Our Final All School Meeting will be held on Friday, May 21 and we will be asking for student performances and interviews of Asian elders. Here is a Guideline/ Script which can be used for these conversations. As always, send your Kindergarten -Grade 2 performances for MollySalyk@berkeley.net and Grade 3-5 to Loribarnes@berekley.net. Don’t forget to submit All School Meeting Parent Permission Form.
EMERSON’s PTA BOARD IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Emerson Parent Teacher Association is a volunteer organization made up of parents/guardians and teachers/staff of Emerson. Our mission is to encourage and support a positive school experience for all Emerson students. The PTA strives for Community, Inclusivity, and Accessibility in every policy and program that we sponsor.
The PTA is looking for diverse people to help support our students and staff in 2021-22. Here is a link to the interest form to nominate yourself or someone else. For additional information, please check-out this link.
Look for our information table on Piedmont TOMORROW at drop-off and pick-up. Current PTA Board members will be on hand to answer questions.
In addition, we’ll be holding a Zoom info session soon. Look out for Remind messages and upcoming BearFacts for details.
Questions? email Ms. Carter at EricaCarter@berkeley.net
Please consider joining us to come back stronger than ever next year!
CHECKING IN WITH DISTANCE LEARNING FAMILIES, TEACHERS, and STAFF
Last week, EdSource published an article outlining the variety of ways students are learning in California (distance, hybrid, in person); this is a worthwhile read to get a sense of how learning is happening all around the state!
Take a peek at what Ms. Soni and Ms. Miller’s 3rd grade DL classes studied this last week:
Although we are studying some classic Fairy Tales (in addition to fractured fairy tales and tales from around the world), we are also looking at them through a critical lens, asking questions about what we notice is missing: "Where are the strong women?" and "Where are the characters of color?" were questions asked today.
Another student said, "I want to protest that the princess always needs help from the prince! I am a boy and I know that's not true!” Students are revisiting these classic fairy tales so they can be more inclusive and reflective of the society we hope to have; some books they will be reading this week are Power to the Princess: 15 Favorite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power and Cinderella, Liberator and they will be incorporating the 7 plot elements of a classic fairy tale in their own completely original works and new twists on classics!
Stay tuned for more updates on what’s happening with Emerson students everywhere they’re learning!
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! If you’d like to volunteer to help out with upcoming materials distribution for Emerson DL students, please email me so we can connect you to classrooms needing an assist!
Thank you!
Cielo Rios | cielo@magicspoon.net
COVID TESTING
Student & Staff Covid Testing takes place on Fridays - May 14 and May 28.
Forms to register your child are available from Ms. Michelle, Office Assistant, between 8:00 - 8:45 am in front of the school. You may also register electronically by following these steps:
One time registration form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/5619f4c1079c4526a99df0a20180817e
The Patient Test Request Form will need to be completed EACH Thursday night or Friday morning of testing (testing is every two weeks)
If you do not currently have insurance: Uninsurance Program.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Covid-19 Vaccine is here and everyone in California will get a turn! If you need help scheduling an appointment for a vaccine in California, you can call 1-833-422-4255 or link to CA’s My Turn Website
¡La vacuna Covid-19 está aquí y todos en California tendrán su turno! Si necesita ayuda para programar una cita para una vacuna en California, puede llamar al 1-833-422-4255 o conectarse a https://myturn.ca.gov/
Join the BearFacts Team for 2021/22
The team of BearFacts editors assembles this newsletter each week to help Emerson families stay informed and connected. It’s a minimal time commitment and valuable work you can do from home, and there’s training and support offered along the way! The BearFacts editors are part of the larger PTA communication team. Curious? Reach out and we can tell you more! Please contact Jen Petrucelli (jenpetrucelli@gmail.com) and Ashleigh Kanat (ashleigh.kanat@gmail.com).
Gardening Volunteers Needed
Emerson Garden needs some Spring volunteers! All Covid safety rules apply. Please contact Ms. Jeanette at jeanettekjobmand@berkeley.net if interested.
Picture Day in the Park
Roots & Shoots Photography is hosting a 2nd safe, socially-distanced Picture Day in the Park the morning of Sunday, May 16 at Willard Park in Berkeley.
HERE is the order form to sign up if you are interested. Please read all information carefully, and if you have any questions, reach out to them directly at grow@roots-shoots.com. They will be happy to assist you! :)
NUTRITION
All meals (breakfast and lunch) are free to all students through next school year - June 2022.
You are encouraged to take advantage of these free meals. For students who are not in person at Emerson, BUSD has Grab and Go Meal sites at Washington, Rosa Parks, BAM, Willard, Longfellow, King and BHS. Distribution is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:45 - 11:00am. BUSD provides meals to cover 7 days a week both breakfast and lunch. Families can go to any of those sites, food is free to any child ages 18 and younger. This information is covered in detail on the website at berkeley.net.
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. Typically, it is distributed each Thursday in students' Look Folders and posted online at emerson.berkeleypta.org. During Distance Learning, it is only posted on the website.
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. The deadline is each Monday at 6 p.m.
Copyright © 2020. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705