Nature vs. Greenhouses: Testing Climate Change
How would climate change impact agriculture? These 8th graders built greenhouses so they use the scientific method to find out.
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Letter from the Head of School
Important Calendar Updates
Dear Parents,
A few weeks back, we sent out our 2016-2017 major dates calendar. I’d like to draw your attention to a few changes for next year, as well as an important update for this year’s graduation.
Snow Day Make-Ups
For next year’s calendar, we have designated four days as “inclement weather make-up days.” In the event that we get a bad winter (of the sort that I’m told happens around here!), and we have an extensive number of school days cancelled, we will utilize these days to restore some time in the calendar for the students. The academic administrators and I would make a decision as to when to restore days, and we would announce it to the community in a timely fashion.
The order in which we’ll put days back in the schedule is as follows:
- Monday, February 20, 2017 (a professional development day)
- Friday, May 26, 2017 (a report writing day)
- Friday, March 17, 2017 (a conference day)
- Friday, June 16, 2017 (a professional development day). In this event, we will move graduation exercises from Thursday, June 15, 2017 to Friday, June 16, 2017.
What this means for you: Should your vacation plans include on one of these days, please be aware that one or more of these days could be restored to the academic calendar. Also, please note the remote possibility of a change to the date of Graduation 2017. Let’s hope we don’t get that much snow!
Graduation and Final Day of School
Based upon feedback from the school community, we have made adjustments to the year end so as to best support our graduating 8th graders and their families.
For this June, the last official day of school for grades K-7 (excluding Band and Orchestra performing at graduation) will be Thursday, June 16, 2016. This day will be used for school-wide awards and events as we have done in the past. Then on Friday, June 17, our regularly scheduled graduation exercises will be held in the Arts and Innovation Center, with Band and Orchestra performing as before. Our 8th grade families (including siblings) are invited to attend graduation. Additionally, all our faculty and staff will now be able to be part of this important gathering.
As this is a change to this year’s schedule, free childcare will be provided for Emerson students in grades K-7 on Friday, June 17 from 7:30am–12:00pm (for 2017 Graduation, childcare will not be offered).
What this means for you: If you are in need of childcare for Friday, June 17, please email Beth Muszkiewicz at bethm@emerson-school.org to register. Additional reminders will be sent as we we get closer to the date.
Take care,
John Huber
All School News and Info
Spring Enrichment Classes Enrolling Now
Register Today for Classes Apr. 11 – May 26
Enrichment Classes let children dive even deeper into the subjects they love. Parents can now register for Spring Enrichment Classes, which begin the week of April 11 and end May 26. Class registration is on a first-come first-served basis, and most fill quickly, so please register as soon as possible.
+ See class times, descriptions, and how to register
Emerson Earns Top Green School Status
Awarded Evergreen Status for 2015-2016
Each year schools apply to earn Green, Emerald, or Evergreen School status by completing environmental activities satisfying 10, 15, and 20 points respectively. Emerson completed multiple initiatives in all 20 categories, and has moved up from Emerson to Evergreen status—the highest level achievable.
+ Learn more
Perform at Family-Friendly Open Mic Night
Next One: Wednesday, Mar. 30 at 6:00pm
+ Watch Feb. Open Mic Night video
+ Learn more and sign up at www.thrivingchilda2.com
ESPO Meeting Special Guest: Roger Lauer, Ph.D.
Topic: The Impact of Multimedia Multitasking On Children’s Thinking and Executive Functions
Wednesday, Apr. 13, 8:30am–9:00am, Q&A Until 9:15am
Psychologist Roger Lauer has a long-standing relationship with Emerson School. He will be joining us at the upcoming ESPO meeting on on April 13 to discuss the impact of multimedia multitasking, and how it impacts our lower and middle school students.
Lead-Free Drinking Water at Emerson
Emerson School’s water is regularly and independently tested by Washtenaw County, and it continues to be within normal drinking water standards. To note:
- No traces of lead have been found during independent testing.
- Emerson is not on any municipal water system. The school maintains two independent wells that provide water for the entire school.
Thank You Auction Supporters, Photos Now Online
The Auction is more than a fundraiser; it’s community, fun, friendships, and making things possible for our kids. Thank you to all of the attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and advertisers who make it happen—what a beautiful community!
+ See photos of the 2016 Auction
8 Question Auction Survey—Whether You Attended or Not
We are always striving to improve. Please help us understand what’s working and what could be improved by participating in this quick eight-question survey. Survey closes on Sunday, March 27 at 11:00pm
+ Participate in the Auction Survey
Order Kindergarten and 3rd Grade Projects
Order Now Until March 30
Two adorable Auction class projects can now be ordered: The kindergarten photo memory game ($30) and 3rd grade still life photo book ($40). Email Beth Andersonto order (school accounts cannot be billed).
+ Learn more
Thank You for Feeding the Teachers
ESPO Potluck Dinner at Conferences
Thank you to all of the parents who cooked, baked, smoked, and bought so much delicious food for Emerson teachers. Parent-teacher conferences make for a 13-plus hour day for most teachers, and your generosity fuels everyone as much as the food.
Pizza Volunteers Needed on Apr. 1, Apr. 29, May 6
Can you volunteer for a couple of hours on one of these days? It’s a great way to meet other parents, see kids during the school day, and to be a meaningful role in ESPO’s biggest fundraiser for the school
+ Sign up for a Pizza Lunch shift
Community News and Events
3 Alums Will Be Performing in Honors Orchestra
Congratulations to Emerson alums Marie Rucinski and Ian Yi on being invited to perform in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Orchestra this May. AlumnaCalise Wang was also invited to perform with her string quartet in the Festival.
6th Grader Tukin Shines at Piano Competition
Congratulations to Emerson 6th grader George Tukin on being awarded Honorable Mention at the Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild Competition on March 12!
TEDxYouth@AnnArbor 2016
Saturday, Apr. 23, 8am – 4pm at Skyline High
The 2016 theme is Taking the World by Storm. This is the third annual TEDxYouth@AnnArbor event, where high school aged students share their ideas, vision, and innovation to contribute to and influence the future of Ann Arbor.
+ 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
