BearFacts News - 11.12.2020

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Message from the Principal

Dear Emerson Community,

Last weekend we witnessed history as Oakland born, Kamala Harris, became the first woman of color to be elected as Vice President of the United States.  We know that many in the Bay Area are extremely proud and have a shared connection to the Vice-President Elect because she attended Thousand Oaks Elementary School in Berkeley.  As a child of immigrant parents from India and Jamaica, we find inspiration in her accomplishments and celebrate her diverse background.   Kamala Harris represents a trailblazer who has demonstrated that young girls, of all backgrounds, can now strive to become President of the United States. 

Next week, November 16- 20, are Parent / Teacher conferences.  The first trimester is drawing to a close, and it’s time to schedule a meeting with your homeroom teacher to review report cards. Conference week is a time to check in with staff to discuss how your student is progressing academically and socially.  During the conference week, students will participate in morning meetings,  enrichment, and intervention classes only.  There is no school on Friday, November 20. 

The Superintendent is holding a Town Hall meeting for Elementary School parents on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 pm.  During this meeting, he will give an update about the district-wide phased elementary school reopening plans.  We encourage you to attend this informational meeting via Zoom (link to follow).  

We need your help.  We anticipate Emerson will face significant funding challenges for the 2020- 2021 school year.  Most of our typical fundraisers have been postponed or canceled.  In the past, the funding that we receive from the PTA supports Art, PE, and English Learner programs for all students.  Without your help, these programs may be cut back for 2020- 2021. If you are able, please contribute by purchasing gift certificates from Ms. Dalloways, a local Berkeley bookstore, between November 11- 14.  We will receive 15% of the proceeds.  You must be careful to indicate Emerson-Berkeley in the Order Comment Field at the bottom of the check-out page.  This is important because there is an Emerson Elementary in Oakland too.  This is a great opportunity to support Emerson and complete some early holiday shopping.  

The stress this pandemic continues to place upon our community is immeasurable.  School-based therapist Ms. Marlies Rosmark is currently facilitating a support group for parents who meet once a week.  If you are interested in joining the next session, which will run for about 6- 8 weeks, please contact her at mrosmark@bacr.org or 510-559-3039.  

As we enter the holiday season, I am reminded how grateful I am for our Emerson community. We hope you see the value of our dedicated staff, who have found ways to continue many of our Emerson traditions during distance learning including All School Meetings, Spirit Days, Special Events (such as the Petting Zoo Visit), Library book distribution, Rainbow Fridays and much more.  Emerson is a special place and we are grateful for your partnership. 

Take care, 

Jana Holmes


Upcoming Events & Key Dates

Wednesday, Nov 11: No School - Veterans Day

Wednesday, Nov 11 - Saturday, Nov 14: Mrs. Dalloway’s Fundraiser (details below)

Saturday, Nov 14: PTA Equity Retreat (details below)

Monday, Nov 16 - Friday, Nov 20: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, Nov 19: Town Hall for Elementary Schools with Superintendent Stephens, 6:00pm (details below)

Thursday, Nov 19: Black Lives Matter workshop (details below)

Friday, Nov 20: Schedule change - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Monday, Nov 23 - Friday, Nov 27: No School - Thanksgiving holiday

Find more dates/details: emerson.berkeleypta.org/calendar


MRS. DALLOWAYS 12th ANNUAL SCHOOL BENEFIT FUNDRAISER

Wednesday - Saturday, Nov 11-14 - Online event. All day. All night. 4 days!

How it Works: Purchase gift certificates online from Mrs Dolloay’s Bookstore during our 4-day fundraiser, Nov 11-14 and Mrs. Dalloway’s will donate 15% of your purchase to Emerson-Elementary-Berkeley. Purchase as many gift certificates as you want, in any denomination, and redeem either online or in person (when the store reopens). Mrs. Dalloway's keeps a digital record of all gift certificates, and they never expire. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and out-of-town family. Anyone anywhere can participate and support our school.

IMPORTANT:

  • In order for your purchase to be counted, YOU MUST ENTER “Emerson - BERKELEY” IN THE ORDER COMMENTS FIELD at the bottom of the Checkout page. Please note there is an Emerson Elementary in Oakland so it it important to write “Emerson- BERKELEY”

  • Gift certificates MUST be purchased between November 11-14.

Click HERE to purchase gift certificates!

Mrs. Dalloway's School Fundraiser is an easy and safe way to raise money for your school!
Looking for gift ideas or book suggestions? Visit Mrs. Dalloway's website and check out our
Holiday Recommendations for Adults & Kids.

Questions? Contact info@mrsdalloways.com


Town Hall Webinar: Reopening Elementary Schools
Join Superintendent Stephens for a Town Hall on reopening Elementary Schools. Begins at 6pm on Thursday, November 19th.

Zoom Link:
https://berkeley-net.zoom.us/j/87146007484?pwd=SWhpWnhZL0NNZVVpSEpqWlVnRC9CQT09
Passcode: 871357

Join by Phone:
16699006833
Webinar ID: 871 4600 7484
Passcode: 871357


Equity Corner:
The Emerson Equity Team is happy to share some upcoming ways to work together and learn about racial equity in our school and beyond.

We welcome everyone to Monthly Racial Equity Discussions for the Emerson community on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 7-8:30pm. Our whole community is invited to have a facilitated discussion about racial equity with Ms. Pamela Small at these discussions (Zoom links to follow):

  • Nov 19: Black Lives Matter. A workshop to help Emerson parents better understand the BLM movement, its origins, and why it is relevant to all of our children's lives, regardless of their race.

  • Dec 17: Having Hard Conversations about Race: the practice (just in time for the holidays!)

Come find out why the Emerson PTA focuses our efforts on racial equity. Everyone is welcome to join us for a deeper dive with the PTA Equity Retreat. We will build community, look at the opportunity gap at Emerson, and learn important skills that parents can use to welcome and support all of our families (and how far we have to go!).

  • Nov 14, 9am - 1pm: PTA Equity Retreat (Zoom link to follow)

Stay tuned for a Racial Equity Circle invitation for the Spring.

Email us with any questions or ideas:
Kelly Shimoda (Winnie, 1st) kelly.shimoda@gmail.com
Viv White (Ace, 4th) vivwhite@gmail.com


Support Emerson PTA - BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

The Emerson Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) brings together parents/guardians, teachers/staff and friends of Emerson to work for a positive school experience for all children at our school. As a member, you can vote on programming and spending decisions. Parents, guardians, extended family members or friends of all Emerson students are invited. Please renew membership every year. Please sign up ONLINE at https://emerson.berkeleypta.org/pta-membership. A donation of $10/person is suggested but NOT required. For questions, contact cluetters09@gmail.com.


ZOOM FRIENDLY RULE REMINDERS:

  1.  Be prepared for class by wearing clothes, putting away toys and ready to participate

  2.  Be aware of your surroundings- remember your teacher and class can see behind you. Try to find a quiet place to join the Zoom meeting.

  3. Mute yourself when you enter the meeting use the microphone bottom and wait for the teacher to call on you to unmute.

  4. Raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you- take turns and practice being patient. 

  5. Be respectful- contribute to class positively and be a Zoom leader by participating responsibly.


Find Emerson Online

Websiteemerson.berkeleypta.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. 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 © 2020. Emerson Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
2800 Forest Ave.
Berkeley, CA  94705