Feel the Love Throughout Emerson
Can you feel it? Look for inspirational hearts spreading love on the walls throughout the school. It’s all thanks to the Middle School students in the Be Happy mindfulness elective.
+ More photos
Letter from the Head of School
Dear Parents,
Every year that I have ever worked in a school, there’s always a dip in February, when the winter seems to drag on, the cold viruses keep circulating around, and daylight can’t come soon enough. And thus it is a wonderful and glorious thing to enjoy Mid-Winter Break, so that we can take the upcoming week to pause from the daily activities of school. Whether you are travelling with friends, visiting family, or just relaxing at home, I hope that this break allows you to refresh and recharge.
I find that the best cure for the winter blues is to set a future date on my calendar for a festive activity. So, looking beyond our Mid-Winter Break, what wonderful new event can we look forward to? I wish to direct your attention to a very joyful and convivial gathering—our incredible Annual Auction. Each year we bring together hundreds of Emerson parents, faculty, and staff to support the school and enjoy each other’s company. Our Auction takes place on Friday, March 11th – but if you want to be sure to get your seats, you’ll need to RSVP by March 1st. Our seats fill quickly, so you’ll want to respond soon. Please return your response card, or if it’s easier, go to emerson-school.org/auctionrsvp to register online.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Take care,
John
All School News and Info
Admissions Dir. and Development Dir. Posted
Please Share Openings With Anyone Who May Be Interested
Brief job descriptions for Emerson’s Director of Development (currently open) and Director of Admissions (beginning for 2016-2017 school year) are now available on Emerson School’s website. Please share these openings with anyone you think might be interested..
+ Learn more
Emerson is Up for Review
Write a Review, Ensure Emerson Community is Represented
While reviews on sites like GreatSchools.org, PrivateSchoolReview, andSchoolDigger.com should always be taken with a grain of salt, they are places prospective families look when considering Emerson for their child. Please consider adding your opinion, ensuring these review are representative of our school community.
+ GreatSchools.org
+ PrivateSchoolReview
+ SchoolDigger.com
Financial Aid Applications Due by Feb. 15
All Financial Aid Applications for the 2016-2017 school year must be submitted by February 15, 2016. This allows your award to be included with your re-enrollment contract. You can use your 2014 W2 if your 2015 W2 information is not yet available.
Please submit your applications ASAP. Decisions about Financial Aid will be made immediately following the Feb. 15 deadline, and aid may not be available to late applicants.
+ More info about applying for Financial Aid
+ Apply for Financial Aid at https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/4JYYZ
Please Don’t Park in Fire Lanes
Although it’s very convenient to pull up to the front of the building and run in for a quick minute, please be aware that if emergency vehicles need access to the fire lane, they will have no problem either blocking in any cars parked in the lane, or working around (or through) them, if necessary.
Pizza Lunch Volunteers Needed for Spring Term
A Plea from Theresa Romens-Woerpel, ESPO Pizza Lunch Volunteer Coordinator
Our spring term of Pizza Lunch begins on Friday, February 5th. ESPO has finalized updating everyone’s pizza orders, but to keep things running smoothly we need parents to volunteer for a pizza lunch shift. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents, to peek in at your child during the school day and to give a bit of your time to support ESPO’s largest school fundraiser.
+ Sign up for a Pizza Lunch shift
Support the Emerson Auction
Friday, March 11, 2016 at Barton Hills Country Club
Congratulations to Diana Rooks, who won a $75 gift certificate to West End Grill in the early registration raffle. Parents can still register through March 1, either by submitting the reply card mailed to you or online here.
+ Register online to attend and/or sponsor the auction
+ Advertise
+ Volunteer—It’s fun
Donate Items or Wine
We still need restaurant gift certificates for our Restaurant Raffle and wine for our Wine Pull. Wine should be valued between $25-$100 per wine bottle, and restaurant gift certificates can be for any amount. All donations should be delivered to Emerson by Wednesday, Feb. 24th to be included in the catalog.
+ Donate an item
+ To donate wine, please email Wine Pull Coordinator Hanna Song
Starry Poems Wanted
Calling all poets and artists! The Auction decorations committee is looking for lots of poems on our auction theme, “starry night” made by the children from all grades. These can be short poems, like a haiku to more elaborate poems. Anything is welcome as long as it has to do with “STARS”. If your child would rather draw a star or a starry night picture, they can do that as well or in place of a poem. We will be framing these lovely pieces of work in 4×6 frames and displaying them throughout the auction. For a 4×6 card to write/draw on, please come by the office and see Mrs. G or Beth Anderson. When completed, they can be turned into Mrs. G in the Lower School office. Thank you! — Christine Kim, Auction Decorations Chair
Lower School News
Kindergarten Half Day on March 1
Dismissal at 11:30am, No Afternoon Childcare
Thank you to our kindergarten parents for making time for prospective Emerson kindergarteners to visit, just like you did last year.
How to Prepare for Middle School
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 8:30am–9:30pm, Arts and Innovation Ctr.
Middle school can be a big transition, and this is an opportunity for parents to learn about what to expect, regardless of where your child will be attending. Topics will include adolescent neuroscience and brain development, how to support adolescents through this transition, technology use in adolescence, and the transition from a single homeroom to multiple classes with multiple teachers.
+ Please email Andy Zimmer, Middle School Director, if you might attend
Community News and Events
Students and Alums in Melodies of the Sea
Presented by the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club
March 18 at 7:00pm, March 19 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Emerson students Janna Jacobson, Victoria Lee, Anna Michelle Nicklas, Asha Owens, Maggie Wancier, Audrey Weizer, and Violet Weizer, as well as alumnaeAlicia Bertsch, will be skating in the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club’s 74th Annual Ice Show, Melodies of the Sea. Best of luck Emerson skaters!
+ Learn more
Middle School Learn to Row
First Full Week in April for All 6th – 8th Graders
Get on the water and try an incredible sport with the Washtenaw Rowing Center. Middle school students can give it a try in a fun and relaxed atmosphere where they’ll learn basic technique and get on the water to experience what this exciting sport is all about!
+ Find more information and sign up, or contact Program Director Kit Bennett
Adolescent Depression and Resiliency:
What you need to know
Tuesday, Apr. 19, 7:00pm–8:00pm at Forsythe Media Center
In case you missed the opportunity to learn about this topic at Emerson, you can see the same experts from the University of Michigan Depression Center and for a presentation about depression and anxiety in adolescents.
+ Learn more