BearFacts News - 11.19.2020

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Message from the Principal

Dear Emerson Community,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving break, I want to express my gratitude for the parents, students, and staff at Emerson. I am inspired by this anonymous quote: “It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude. It's gratitude that brings us happiness.”  I am so thankful for the staff who tirelessly work to preserve and enhance the culture of Emerson, the parents who are juggling to support their children at home, and the students who are resilient and persistent.  My wish is for your family to be safe and well as we move through this holiday season.

Sadly, this week we see the uptick in the COVID infections statewide and we have moved back to the Purple (Widespread) tier.  This evening at 6:00 pm, we will learn more about the district and site plans for reopening at the Superintendent Town Hall for Elementary Parents. A Spanish Town Hall will follow at 7:00 pm. You can expect a survey requesting your input after the Town Hall, and we hope you will participate.

Also this evening, we invite you to join an Emerson Racial Equity Discussion, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. This month’s topic is Black Lives Matter. Ms. Pamela Small, Consultant, will facilitate a discussion to enlighten us about the movement’s origin and why it is relevant to all our children, regardless of race. We are excited about this conversation and hope you will join us.  

We understand that this pandemic and its continued stress can be difficult to manage. We are pleased to announce that Ms. Marlies Rosmark, School-Based Therapist, is now offering a support group for single parents coping with the stress of COVID. This group will meet weekly in the late afternoon. If you are interested, please email mrosmark@bacr.org or call or text 510-559-3039.

We invite your student to submit a student performance for our next All School Meeting, which will be on Friday, Dec. 4. If your child creates a video of their talent over the Thanksgiving break, please email it to mollysalyk@berkeley.net (Kinder- 2nd) or loribarnes@berkeley.net (3-5th Grade). Don’t forget to complete and submit the parent permission form, which can be found here. The deadline for submissions is Monday, December 1. 

The Heart of Emerson Fundraising Campaign officially kicks off this week! We need your help- we are in dire financial shape- most of our typical fundraisers are not possible with distance learning. Your donations support vital student programs such as Art, PE, English Learners, office support, and supplies for teachers. In order to avoid making large cuts to the programs our students and families have come to enjoy and expect, we are asking that you donate what you can as soon as possible.

I hope you and your family have a safe and peaceful holiday.  Thank you for your continued support. 

Take care, 

Jana Holmes


Upcoming Events & Key Dates

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

Tuesday, Dec 1: Giving Tuesday - Heart of Emerson

Friday, Dec 4: All School Meeting, 9:00am

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


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We are the Heart of Emerson! This year more than ever the Emerson PTA is depending on you AND your communities to reach our fundraising goal. More donations no matter what amount, from more people, so please share the Heart of Emerson with your friends and family during November Break. Look for our paper letter in the mail, with "heart" inside!

Please note that our Venmo account @EmersonPTA may ask for the last four digits of the account holder's phone. THIS IS 9291 and NOT the landline listed on the Emerson website.

Another way to help: choose Emerson Elementary PTA as your Amazon Smile donation charity, and 0.5% of your purchase amount will be donated to Emerson. You must have an Amazon account, and use the smile.amazon.com link EACH time for the purchase to count towards Emerson. Click on this link to choose Emerson as your Amazon Smile charity.


Virtual Small Group Tutoring

We are excited to offer small group tutoring during the last hour of the Emerson school day. The fourth grade has been piloting this new program and the students are using the time with a volunteer to check in on assignments and to practice new skills. For example, one group is learning sign language!

If you are interested in learning more, ask your teacher during your Parent Teacher conference or email Ms. Totten (taylortotten@berkeley.net).


November ‘Shout Outs’!

Hello, Emerson Community! We want to celebrate and congratulate our November Shout Out Students! Please check out this Flipgrid to see special video shout outs from your teachers. https://flipgrid.com/+novembershoutouts

As always, have a fine, fine day! 

Love, The Emerson Staff

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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!)

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