Letter From Jerry
Our auction serves many purposes. First, it is our chance to get everyone together to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. Secondly, this annual event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and just by purchasing a ticket you are enriching your child’s education. But you will also have an opportunity to bid on a wide array of unique and out-of-this-world items, many of which are handcrafted right here on campus. Lastly, during a very special part of the evening we stop the rapid pace of bidding to focus on raising funds for financial aid at Emerson School. All funds raised in that session support our efforts to increase the socio-economic diversity at Emerson School.
We hope you will all come out to celebrate our 40th anniversary, to “remember, celebrate, and imagine.”
Enjoy your weekend,
Jerry Loewen, Head of School
All School Announcements
Because of you, last weekend’s Open House was a big hit. Nearly everyone there heard about Emerson from talking with a current parent. Thank you for sharing your experience with other families.
ERB Make-Ups for All
- Wednesday, Feb. 12 for grades 4, 7, 8
- Thursday, Feb. 13 for grades 5, 6
Emerson Students at the Michigan Music Conference
Congratulations to Theadora Tolbert (2nd grade), Will Collin (5th Grade), and Anvit Rao (alum), who were chosen to play their composition at the 2014 Michigan Music Conference’s Honors Composition Concert. Only 20 K-12 students are selected to present their compositions, from thousands of submissions across the state.
Theadora Tolbert wrote a composition entitled Walking Forwardand invited her friends Chiara Bichakjian, Addie Kim, and Parini Rao to perform with her. Will Collins played his piano pieceTsouke’s Dance. And Emerson alumnus Anvit Rao was also selected to perform his piano composition, which he calls Hide and Seek. Congratulations to all our Emerson winning musicians!
Also representing Emerson School were Jonathan Roberts, a trombonist, and Hannah Park, a violinist. Both were selected from over 2,000 students who auditioned to play in the All-State Band and Orchestra performances at the conference in Grand Rapids. These students had the opportunity to rehearse and perform with top musicians from around the country. Mrs. Borton and Ms. Capozzoli had the good fortune to hear the performances, and they were outstanding! The guest conductors did a terrific job helping the young musicians to play with a maturity and style far beyond the middle school level. Congratulations to you, Jonathan and Hannah!
Emerson Musicians Rock Solo and Ensemble 2014
Nothing could keep our determined 7th and 8th grade musicians away from the Solo and Ensemble Festival in Livonia this past Saturday. Despite a wicked snowstorm and icy conditions, our students braved the weather and the S&E judges, and they did an amazing job! About 25 middle school band and orchestra members performed at the festival, seeking to better their skills and gain valuable feedback from the judges, who are veteran teachers and professors from across Michigan. We are happy to report that EVERY single student received one of the highest ratings, and they all received medals! WAY TO GO! Their preparations, which began with their first performances at the Emerson Bookfair, were strong and helped the students to achieve great success. Congratulations to all of the performers!
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.
Girls on the Run Registration Ends Monday
2014 Auction: Celebrating 40 Years of Emerson School
Friday, March 14, 2014 at Barton Hills Country Club
Invitations are in the mail and we look forward to seeing your RSVPs. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped stuff invitations into their envelopes—we couldn’t have done it without you.
RSVP Early to Win: RSVP by Feb. 14 and you will be entered to win a $100 gift card.
Donate: You can donate items until Feb. 14, but please turn in your donor forms ASAP.
- Restaurant Raffle: Restaurant gift certificates can be donated for any amount
- Wine Pull: Must be valued between $25-$100 per bottle
- Deliver Items: All items must be delivered or picked up by Feb. 25th
To donate, volunteer, or ask questions, please email Beth Anderson or call 665-5662 x305.
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.
Find Your Kids Clothing in the Lost & Found
The Lost & Found is overflowing with coats, hats, etc. Please take a moment this week to look for your belongings; all items left will be donated at the end of the day, Friday, February 14.
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.
+ Learn more and register.
Humane Society Drive by 3rd Grade Brownies
The 3rd grade Brownies troop is organizing a donation drive for the Huron Valley Humane Society from Jan. 29 to Feb. 14. Please bring your pet-related items to the collection boxes that will be located in the K-2 hallway, Fish Bowl, main entrance, and middle school commons.
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
Students can sign up for third trimester electives on RenWeb beginning today through Thursday, Feb. 13th at noon. Elective forms are only available through your student’s account.
+ Elective Descriptions
+ Directions for fulling out electronic elective forms
Valentines Day Dance
All middle school students are invited to a Valentine’s Day Dance on Friday, February 14th from 3:00-5:30pm. Attendance is optional. The cost is $4 per student, which will be charged to accounts (please do not bring money). Snacks and beverages will be provided, but no dinner. Please pick up students promptly at 5:30pm.
Upcoming High School Information Meetings
- Pioneer: Incoming 9th Grade Information Meeting on Tuesday, February 11. 6:30pm. + Learn more.
- Dexter: 8th Grade Information Meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 12, 7-8pm. + Learn More
- Saline: Course Information Night on
Other News & Events
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
Free Women’s Self-Defense Class
Saturday, Feb. 8, 1-2:30pm
Our friends at Quest Martial Arts offer this course bi-annually for women, taught by women. Call Quest Martial Arts to register (734) 332-1800.
+ Learn more
