Students in BeKindToOneAnother Elective Spreading Joy
Inspired by Ellen’s #BeKindToOneAnother campaign, Emerson 6th graders in the BeKindToOneAnother elective surprised their peers’ with a bag of goodies on each of their lockers this week. #Proud.
Letter from the Head of School
Dear Parents,
If you saw my auto-reply email message earlier this week, you know that I was off campus for a series of professional activities in Chicago. I began the week as part of an ISACS accreditation team visiting the Latin School of Chicago—an outstanding K-12 school with more than 1,100 students—and ended at a workshop held by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) titled “Recruitment and Retention Strategies of Diverse Employees.” It made for a week that feels as long as that last sentence! But both activities allowed me to observe best practices from other schools striving for excellence, and I look forward to using what I have learned to help shape Emerson’s future.
All this said, it’s good to be back at Emerson, playing Mastermind with the 1st graders during a rainy indoor recess!
Take care,
John Huber
All School News and Info
ESPO Faculty and Staff Appreciation Lunch
Tuesday, May 3, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Plus Setup and Cleanup
On May 3rd, ESPO will be hosting a Hawaiian Luau for our annual Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. We are looking for many volunteers to bring food, help serve, and cover the teacher’s classrooms so that they may join the festivities together. Below are 2 different sign-up sheets for food and volunteers. Be sure to check both of them out. Thank you in advance to parents who are willing to help. The teachers surely appreciate it too! — Chair Michelle Weaver
+ Contribute food
+ Volunteer
2016 Emerson Blood Drive Signing Up Now
Thursday, April 28, 12:00pm–6:00pm in the Emerson School Gym
Be a pint-size hero by donating blood. Mr. Wilson is coordinating this annual drive with Marchell’s and Sarah’s 4th graders, and their goal is 50 pints. All donations should take 60 minutes or less, from check-in to check-out, and donors will be treated to a WiFi waiting area with work tables, snacks, and lots of TLC.
+ Sign up to donate today
Submit Yearbook Ads and Dedications by May 2
In addition to getting signatures, students look forward to seeing the ads their families create for them. You can purchase space in this year’s book at the following rates:
- Full Page (8.5”w x 11”h): $150
- Half Page (8.5”w x 5.5”h): $80
- Quarter Page (4.25”w x 5.5”h): $45
- Eighth Page (4.25”w x 2.25”h, roughly business card): $25
8th Graders Offered Complimentary Farewell Ad
Every 8th grade student is offered a complimentary quarter page ad space to leave a farewell message. Students can contact yearbook teacher Jeri Elie for questions or help.
+ More info and resources at www.emerson-school.org/yearbook0
Art Music Night: Grades 2–3
Bravo to our 2nd and 3rd grade artists, musicians, and vocalists who performed so beautifully at Art & Music Night. And thank you to all of the faculty, staff, and parents who helped bring it all together.
+ More photos
Charitable Drives Happening at Emerson
An Emerson education includes learning about service, and many students have taken the initiative to create drives that support causes they believe in. These are two starting soon.
Allergen-Free Food Drive for Food Gatherers
April 25–29, Collection Bins Throughout School
MK Coolican, Amy Sanders, and Cate Weiser are holding a food drive for children with food allergies. Food Gatherers has specifically suggested the following products: peanut butter substitutes, e.g. Soy Nut Butter or WOW Butter, Enjoy Life products, and gluten-free products (especially noodles). Students from all grades are invited to participate, and collection bins will be located at every entrance, in the fishbowl, in the Lower School and Middle School commons, in the library, and near the offices.
School Art Supplies to Heart for Art Project
May 5–20, and at all Art & Music Events
Emerson 6th Grader Gabby Taichman is collecting art supplies to give children the ability to express their creativity. Art supplies will be donated to Peace Neighborhood in Ann Arbor and Grace Girls Home in Sri Lanka (our partnering school in Sri Lanka), who in turn will distribute them to children in need. Collection bins will be in the Middle School Commons and Fish Bowl May 5–19.
+ Learn more and see items requested by grade level
Band and Orchestra Concert and Alumni Dinner
Thursday, May 19, Concert at 7:00pm
This special performance will feature the premier of Simple Springtime, written by Allen Borton, the band performance of Go West and William Tell Overture, and the orchestra performing The Magical World of Pixar. Then the band and orchestra will join together to perform An American Rhapsody in the style of Aaron Copland—a challenging and beautiful piece that we hope you will enjoy.
Annual Alumni Dinner at 5:30pm in Middle School Commons
Before the concert, our alums are invited to the annual Alumni Dinner, where they can reconnect with classmates, faculty, and staff, and enjoy some good food. All alums, young and old, are invited to attend.
Renew Your Kroger Grocery Cards
You can earn money for Emerson every time you shop at Kroger, but you need to re-enroll every year and now is the time. Please visit the Kroger Community Rewards Program and enroll/re-enroll using Emerson’s school code (82607). Then just swipe your card when you shop.
Middle School News and Info
Docent-Led Tour at Kelsey Museum of Archeology
The Villas of Oplontis Near Pompeii Exhibit
Saturday, May 7 at 12:45 or 1:45 (min. of 10 needed)
Emerson students in grades 6–8 are invite to a docent-led tour of the museum’s newest temporary exhibit: Villas of Oplontis near Pompeii. Each tour will be about 45 minutes, and families will see more than 200 objects from Italy that have never been seen in the U.S.
+ Learn more and sign up
High School Information
Father Gabriel Richard Freshmen Welcome Night
Wednesday, Apr. 27, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Father Gabriel Richard High School invites you to Freshmen Welcome Night, dedicated to addressing frequently asked questions regarding the first-year high school experience to ensure that both parents and students understand the various processes within the school. Current students will be leading fun activities to help acclimate incoming students to their new school while parents will have additional time to speak with our faculty and staff.
Community News and Events
Author Andy Griffiths at Nicola’s Books
Saturday, April 30, 11:00am at Nicola’s Books
Andy Griffiths is the author of many popular books, including the popular series that began with The 13-Story Treehouse. He is now celebrating the release of The 52-Story Treehouse, and Emerson students are invited to see him read at Nicola’s.
According to Linda, Emerson’s Librarian, “Everyone who has seen his presentation agrees that it is one of the funniest book talks ever, with kids literally rolling on the floor. If that’s not enough, I’ll take the first 10 2nd–5th graders who tell me they will attend, and then come to the presentation, out for an ice cream cone at Dairy Queen. (Any other folks who come to the presentation are welcome to come to Dairy Queen, too. Parents will need to accompany their children to Dairy Queen.)”
+ Email Linda for details or any questions
Alum Leading TEDxYouth@AnnArbor 2016
Saturday, Apr. 23, 8am – 4pm at Skyline High
The 2016 theme is Taking the World by Storm, and one of the event organizers is Emerson alum Olivia Popp. This is the third annual TEDxYouth@AnnArbor event, where high school aged students share their ideas, vision, and innovation to contribute to and influence the future of Ann Arbor.
+ Learn more
Adopted Children’s Group
Now – May 12, 6:00pm–7:30pm, at Hands Across the Water
Hands Across the Water Adoption/Foster Care agency in Ann Arbor is hosting a five week Adopted Children’s Group at its agency April 14- May 12 for children ages-8-12 who have been adopted. There is a $20 fee and group sessions are on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30 p.m., which will consist of peer discussions and fun learning activities.
+ Learn more here or contact Julie Emerine
