Letter from Jerry

Hello Parents,

The wall between the old and new is down. If you walk through the Middle School Commons, you now have a clear sightline into the future! All the visions, fund raising, planning, and coordination of construction has brought us to the moment for our community to celebrate not only what we have crafted, but what we have made possible.

As you will see from the innovative design and the multipurpose emphasis of our new space, Emerson School is fully prepared for a future that will require a multitude of teaching and learning methods and venues. From a large space to address an audience of more than 300 to practice rooms for a single musician to master the violin, we have those resources.

With the flip of the operable wall switch, the 300-plus seat auditorium becomes a presentation space for 100 students in fixed theatre-style seats, and an open area ready to host everything from Lower School physical education to small scale productions. The fully equipped stage, lights and sound system will bolster the talents of all performers from K through 8th grade, as well as those of outside speakers, musicians and panel presentations to come. The band and orchestra rooms will host both Lower and Middle School musicians. The lobby of the Arts and Innovation Center will not only play host to a variety of artwork, it will double as a lunch space for Middle School students. And just wait until our After School and Summer Programs wrap their arms around the possibilities!

This only scratches the surface of what we can now do—and dream to do—in this new space of ours. I hope you will come out and see for yourself at the Ribbon Cutting this Thursday afternoon at 3:00. Let’s see the future together.
Sincerely,

Jerry Loewen
Head of School

All School News

Re-Order Main Dish Lunches for Second Semester

First Semester Main Dish Lunch Orders End on Thursday, Jan. 29

To continue Main Dish Lunch, all families must submit a new order by Saturday, Jan. 24. Second semester lunches will begin on Monday, Feb. 2. First semester (fall) orders do not carry over.
+ Re-Order Main Dish Lunch by Jan. 24

ERB Testing for Grades 4-8 Starts Jan. 21

During the weeks of Jan. 21 – Feb. 11, all 4th-8th grade students will take the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP) standardized tests published by Educational Records Bureau (ERB). These tests will once again be given online with Emerson technology, and classroom teachers will serve as proctors for their grade.
+ Learn more

After School Enrichment Classes Start Monday

It’s not too late to sign up for Winter Enrichment Classes (January – March)! All classes start next week.
+ See the new Winter Term classes
+ Contact Beth Muszkiewicz with questions or to register

Morning Child Care Relocating

Morning Child Care will relocate to the new multi-use space beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20th.  Please send your child in through the main doors to enter the building and signs will be posted to guide our students to the new location.

Important Auction Dates and Deadlines

Check the mail for your invitation in early February. If you would like to donate an item to the Auction, please complete the donation form online.
+ Donate an item for the Auction

• Jan. 16: Deadline to be listed as a sponsor in the invitation
• Feb. 13: Deadline to be listed as a sponsor in the catalog
• Feb. 6: Deadline for catalog advertisements
• Jan. 30: Deadline for donations to be in Auction catalog. Donation forms must be received.
• Feb. 25: Donations must be delivered or picked up
• Mar. 13: Party time at the Auction

+ Lean more, including how to sponsor, advertise, or donate an item
+ Questions? Contact Beth Anderson at (734) 665-5662 x305.

Welcome Heusel Twins to the Emerson Family

Marin Heusel (4th grade) became a big sister to two new baby brothers on Dec. 19. According to Trish Heusel, mother and Emerson board member, “Samuel Theodore (6lbs., 14oz.) & Lincoln Michael (5lbs., 7oz. ) are now a little over three weeks old and spend their time exclusively sleeping and eating.” Congrats Heusel family!

Lower School News

5th Grader Up to the Future Day

Friday, Jan. 16, 9:00am – 12:30pm

Emerson 5th graders will venture into the Middle School for a taste of life as a 6th grader. Students will meet their future teachers, visit classes, spend time with current Middle Schoolers, participate in teambuilding games, and have opportunities to ask any questions they might have.
+ Questions? Contact Andy Zimmer, Middle School Director

Middle School News

WIHI Informational Sessions

Jan. 27, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Parents of 8th grade students are invited to attend one of the Washtenaw International High School Informational Sessions for Prospective Students.
+ Learn more

Ann Arbor Community High Orientations

Five parent and student orientation sessions have been announced for families interested in applying for Community High School’s 2015-2016 freshmen slots.

• Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:00-8:30 PM @ CHS
• Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7:00-8:30 PM @ CHS
• Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7:00-8:30 PM @ Clague MS
• Sunday, Feb. 1, 2:00-3:30 PM @ Scarlett MS
•  Monday, Feb. 2, 7:00-8:30 PM @ CHS

To be eligible for one of the open freshman slots, applicants must be current 8th graders, meet the district’s residency requirements at the time of application, attend a required orientation meeting with parent/guardian, and submit a completed application to the Main Office, CHS, by 4:00 PM Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. The school’s random selection will be held Feb. 10, 2015.
+ Learn more

Community News & Events

5th Annual Ann Arbor Dodgeball Championship

Saturday, Jan, 17, 8:00am – 6:00pm

Have some fun while supporting Skyline High School’s Crew team.
+ Learn more