Letter From Jerry
Jerry Loewen, Head of School
All School Announcements
ESPO Presents: Reexamining Bullying with Bully Nation Author
Thursday, Feb. 27, 7pm, in the Emerson School Gym
Dr. Susan Porter will speak to our community about how to help kids deal with aggression in their relationships. She will talk about what’s happening in our culture and look at what really helps children, specifically growth mindset. She will also help adults learn to not be reactive, and how to distinguish between problems that are developmental and those that are not.25 Copies of Bully Nation are now available for loan in the Emerson School offices. Read it and drop it back off, or pass it along to someone you would like to invite to the event.
+ Learn more and register.
March 20 Added Back to School Schedule
Due to the number of days missed this year, we will be adding back Thursday, March 20th as a regular school day. This day was formerly devoted to parent-teacher conferences, but will now be a full school day. Conferences will now be held on the evening of the 20th and during the day of Friday, March 21st.
2014 Auction: Celebrating 40 Years of Emerson School
Friday, March 14, 2014 at Barton Hills Country Club
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 Tuesday, February 25th to be included in the catalog.
To donate, please complete an online donor form or email a print donor form to Beth Anderson. To donate wine, please email Wine Pull Coordinator Elizabeth Caswell.
RSVP: Use the reply card in your invitation to RSVP by Monday, March 3. Congrats to Kyle and Dana DeBord on winning the Early RSVP drawing for the $70 Cafe Felix gift card.
Passport to the World Needs Volunteers
Friday, April 25, 2014
Students will travel to 38 countries (in the gym) during Passport to the World. It only occurs once every three years and celebrates Emerson’s cultural diversity and unique heritage through food, the arts, entertainment, and tabletop displays.
Please help our community make this even happen by signing up to set up, greet, supervise, or clean up. For questions, contact Jennifer Ratliff-Moss.
Board of Trustees Meeting Highlights
February 6, 2014
- Jerry discussed the admissions outlook, helpful feedback from families, and progress with this year’s operations plan.
- The Marketing Committee recapped the website launch and strategies for promoting Emerson School in our community, including the upcoming Bully Nation presentation.
- The Governance Committee discussed planning for board and committee member succession.
- The Finance Committee shared projections for 2014-2015 expenses and made tuition recommendations. The Board adopted a resolution setting tuition for the 2014-2015 school year.
- The Building and Grounds Committee discussed security options and meetings with contractors for the Building STEAM campaign.
- The Development Committee announced a challenge gift and its impact on the Building STEAM campaign.
+ See Dec. 12 and other board meeting highlights here
Box Tops for Education at 57% of Goal
So far, we have earned about 57% of our $1,000 goal (10,000 box tops). BTFE and Labels for Education can always be returned to the collection container in the fish bowl. If you have any question please feel free to contact Dana DeBord.
Bonus Box Tops at Meijer: Buy any five or more participating Betty Crocker® baking, Hamburger Helper®, Progresso® Soups, or Totino’s® and get 20 bonus box tops(=$2.00)! BTFE certificate prints at register (Meijer Customer Coupon at checkout). Limit one coupon per transaction. Purchases must be made in a single transaction. Offer valid now through 03/01/14.
The Emerson Troupe Players Present
The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood
Emerson’s Black Box Theatre (middle school room #206)
Tickets will go on sale Feb. 24 at $8.00 for all ages for the following performances
Thursday March 6, Friday March 7 at 7pm, Saturday March 8 at 2pm
+ Learn more
Dexter: 8th Grade Information Meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 12, 7-8pm.
+ Learn More
Other News & Events
Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8pm
The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association has shared an special offer with our families, available online only through Feb. 21. According to Leslie Capozzoli, “The Korngold concerto is a wonderful concerto for a student to hear in a live performance. It is similar to a Vivaldi concerto, and it may be one that your child will play in high school.”Tickets are just $20 for Main Floor and Dress Circle (regularly $50) and $10 for Floor or Balcony (regularly $25).
+ Buy tickets (Enter promo code CORPEXPRESS)
Middle School Learn to Row with Washtenaw Rowing Center
Rowing (aka crew) is flourishing in our community, with nationally competitive boys and girls teams at all three Ann Arbor high schools, as well as top collegiate programs at universities throughout the state. Now middle school students also have the chance to 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!
Classes are open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders and are held on the Huron River out of Concordia University’s campus in Ann Arbor.
+ Learn more
Bring Kids to Read to Rikki the Reading Therapy Dog
Saturday, Feb. 15, 1:30 – 2:30pm at Nicola’s Books
Rikki the golden retriever loves kids to read to her, according to her owner and special eduction teacher Shelly Schwartz. If you have a reluctant reader, or just a child who thinks reading to an attentive dog would be fun, please drop by Nicola’s Books.
+ Learn More
Snow Removal and Lawn Care Gives 25% Emerson
Bill Riney has taken care of the Emerson grounds (driveway, parking lots, and lawns) for over 20 years. If you’re looking for snow removal or lawn care services for your home or business, Bill will donate 25% of his profits from Emerson clients back to Emerson School. Call Bill for questions and more information at 734-528-2922.
