Experiments on the Power of Water
A book can explain the ways water is constantly changing our landscapes—erosion and deposition creating rivers, landslides, lakes, etc.—but real understanding happens when you observe it in action like these 8th grade scientists are doing.
+ More photos
Letter from the Head of School
Dear Parents,
Sometimes, the oldest methods still have great value. I say this not just as a classics major and former Latin teacher, but also as a new resident of Ann Arbor, making my way in my newly adopted city.
If you haven’t experienced an out-of-state move recently, you may have forgotten what it’s like to be brand new in a community. Where do I go for groceries? What’s the best place to get my shoes repaired? Which doctor should I choose, which plumber, which accountant? It can be daunting and exhausting, having to think about each and every decision. And while technology has provided us with multiple ways of getting reviews and recommendations, it’s often an overwhelming amount of information. Worse yet, online reviews are not always that reliable. Are those five-star rankings really from satisfied customers, or from paid promoters?
Fortunately, Emerson has provided me with a wonderful transition team to offer advice and provide recommendations. And in this way, the old method – word of mouth – has been the best. We highly value the recommendations of friends and family, even more so in this age of information. According to Nielsen, 92% of people trust word-of-mouth over any other form of advertising.
So to that end – as we look ahead to welcoming a new group of Emerson students and families for the 2016-2017 school year, I encourage you to share your child’s positive experiences with the greater community. Let your friends know the way your child has been challenged and nurtured. As I’ve shared in previous newsletters, so many of our parents and alumni speak highly of Emerson and would recommend us to others, so make your voices heard. As the old line goes – if you like us, tell a friend, and if not, tell us.
P.S. According to word of mouth, Emerson’s Auction is a fun event. I hear you should go!
Take care,
John
All School News and Info
Do You Want Your Kids to Be Happy?
Feb. 9 ESPO Meeting Special Presentation by Carrie Berkley
Attend the 8:30am ESPO Head of School Update to hear Emerson School Counselor Carrie Berkley talk about student’s emotional well-being.
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
Support the Emerson Auction
Friday, March 11, 2016 at Barton Hills Country Club
Check your mailboxes for your invitation and reply by February 12th to be entered into a special drawing! New this year, you can also register online to attend.
+ Register online to attend and/or sponsor the auction
+ Additional Auction info and forms
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
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
Girls on the Run Needs 4 More Students to Continue
Will Be Canceled if More Girls Don’t Sign Up by Feb. 15
Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. It is open to Emerson girls in grades 3–5, and will run on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00pm-4:30pm, March 7th – May 20th. A 5K celebration will also be held on Sunday, May 15 at the U of M North Campus. The cost is $150
+ Register online by Feb. 15
Missing a Shoe?
A Giro cycling shoe was found in the Emerson School parking lot. Two are better than one, so if this is your long lost shoe, please claim it in the Middle School office.
Lower School News
Kindergarten Half Day on Feb. 9
Dismissal at 11:45am, No Afternoon Childcare
Thank you to our kindergarten parents for making time for prospective Emerson kindergarteners to visit, just like you did last year.
ADMISSIONS: Middle School Experience Tour
Thursday, Feb. 11, 9:00am–11:00am, Starting in Arts and Innovation Ctr.
To understand what makes Emerson’s Middle School so special, parents should experience it in action. This Information Meeting will be during the day so parents can tour the school while it’s abuzz, see learning happening in classes, and ask faculty and staff questions.
+ Please email Jackie Ebels, Admissions Director, if you might attend
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
Middle School News
3rd Trimester Elective Sign-Ups
Elective Sign-Ups Open Through Monday, Feb. 8
Students can now select their electives on RenWeb. The elective forms will close at noon on Monday, Feb. 8th.
+ Learn more
Community News and Events
Chinese New Year Celebrations at Briarwood
Saturday, Feb. 6, 1:00–5:00pm in the Sears Wing
Celebrate the Year of the Monkey with Ann-Hua Chinese School of Ann Arbor. Learn about the celebration, enjoy crafts with the kids, and delight in entertainment.
+ Learn more
The Electric Baby, Supporting the kite network
Saturday, Feb. 6, 8:00pm at Kickshaw Theatre
A dark and fantastical comedy about sad endings, strange beginnings, and the unlikely people who get you from one place to the next. This event supports the kite network, a organization founded by Emerson parents providing peer-to-peer to support for grieving adults in our community. Use the code “kite” for a discounted ticket rate.
+ Learn more
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
