News & Blog

Family Newsletter – Mar. 7, 2014

Letter from Jerry

Jerry's Call to ParentsHello Families,

As we see a bit of snow melting today and eagerly anticipate the great melting in the weeks to come, it is vital that we all still pay great attention to the health of our children and all of us adults.

Our Medical Assistant Diane Wentland reminds us that cold and flu season is not yet over. So here are few tips to keep us healthy and able to take full advantage of the spring weather headed our way (this list is far from exhaustive):

  • Get plenty of rest and keep well-hydrated
  • Consume plenty of vitamin C, especially through whole foods
  • Consume lots of magnesium and zinc from foods such as pumpkin seeds, cashews, spinach, black beans, sesame seeds, garbanzo beans, and lentils
  • Exercise regularly to keep your immune system at its peak
  • Eat whole, complete foods and avoid sugary and processed foods
  • Sneeze and cough into your elbow
  • Don’t come to school sick
  • Get at least 15-20 minutes of sunshine per day to soak up plenty of vitamin D
  • Do something you love every day!

Be well, and don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend for daylight saving time.
Sincerely,

Jerry Loewen
Head of School

All School News

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Ups

  • Thursday, March 20, 2014, 3 – 8pm (Childcare available 3 – 6pm)
  • Friday, March 21, 2014, 8am – 3pm (Childcare available 8am – 6pm)

Parents can sign up for conferences online starting this Sunday, March 2nd, at 6:00pm. Click here for detailed instructions that were emailed this week or contact Andy Zimmer (Middle School) or Kelly Vohland (Lower School) if you have any specific questions.

Childcare Available for Parent-Teacher Conferences

The After School Program is thrilled to provide full-day child care on Friday, March 21st. Space is limited and registration is required.
+ Learn more

ESPO’s Spring Teacher Conferences Dinner

On Thursday, March 20th, the Emerson teachers and staff follow up their busy school day with parent conferences.  Most teachers will only have a short break until the end of the evening.  As a way of showing our appreciation, parents will provide a potluck dinner for the staff (approximately 40 people).  Please sign up online to bring something and contact Elizabeth Caswell or Loriann Pearson for additional information.

The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood

Presented by the Emerson Troupe Players

Emerson’s Black Box Theatre (middle school room #206)
Tickets are $8.00 for all ages for the following performances:

  • Thursday March 6 at 7pm
  • Friday March 7 at 7pm
  • Saturday March 8 at 2pm

To Order Tickets:

  1. Call the Emerson Ticket Hotline: (734) 665-9005, x.362 or emailtheater@emerson-school.org.
  2. Leave a message with your name, return phone number, how many tickets you need, and which performance date.
  3. Pick up tickets when you receive word by phone/email that your order is filled (usually takes about a week) at the Middle School Office with Deborah Hodges.
  4. Pay by cash or check made out to Emerson School. We prefer that you pick up your tickets prior to your performance night so that we can avoid congestion and long lines in the show lobby outside of Middle School room 206.

+ Learn more

2014 Auction: Celebrating 40 Years of Emerson

ONE WEEK: Friday, March 14, 2014 at Barton Hills Country Club

We are just one week away from the 2014 Auction.

Exciting New Auction Items and Returning Favorites
Woodruffs at the GRAMMY AwardsFavorites like tickets to the GRAMMY’s (#105) and a week vacation in Paris (#102) will be back by popular demand, but we’ll also have some incredible new additions, including:

  • Dozens of classroom projects
  • Private dinner for 10 at Vinology
  • Winter fun at Smuggler’s Notch, VT
  • Gorgeous baby quilt made by Mrs. G

+ Download the 2014 Auction Catalog. It will also be sent home with kids next week.

Raffle Tickets on Sale Curbside Tuesday – Thursday
Tickets for the Restaurant Raffle (over $1100 of area restaurant gift certificates) and Teacher Experience Raffle will be available curbside for $20 and $10, respectively.
+ See all of the Teacher Experiences here

Can You Help Us?

We could really use your help preparing for the big night. Please contact Beth Anderson or just show up.
  • Tuesday March 11, 1:15pm – 2:30pm: Help the Displays and Packaging committee assemble baskets.
  • Tuesday March 11, 7:00pm: Wine Pull wrapping in the Fish Bowl.
  • Wednesday and Thursday March 12 – 13, 12:30pm – 2:30pm: Help the Displays and Packaging committee assemble baskets.
  • Thursday March 13, 11:00am:  Drivers to take items to Barton.
  • Friday March 14, 10:00am – 2:00pm:  Auction day workers at Barton.

Questions?
Please email Beth Anderson or call 734.665.9005, x.305.

Donate Your Old VCRs and DVD Players

Emerson’s Summer Program is looking for VCRs and DVD players—broken or working—that kids can take apart and turn into things. Simply deliver your old machine to the library and we’ll get it into the hands of a creative camper.

60 Bonus Box Tops ($6) at Meijer

Buy any 10 or more Box Tops for Education products and get 60 bonus box tops (=$6.00)!  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 03/29/14.

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.

Yearbook Ads Due by Friday, March 28

Any Emerson family, regardless of grade level, can purchase an ad for the yearbook, and your Emerson account will be billed directly. Every 8th grade student is offered a complimentary quarter page ad to celebrate their graduation from Emerson.
+ Learn more

5th Annual Blood Drive

Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 2:00pm – 7:30pm

Joyce’s 5th grade class is having their 5th annual blood drive in the Emerson gym. You can save up to three lives by donating blood. Please consider donating your blood. Also, encourage friends, neighbors, strangers, and relatives to donate if they are able. Sign ups & more specific information will be available late March. Questions? Contact Joyce.

Middle School News

Upcoming High School Information Meetings

  • Dexter: 8th Grade Information Meeting
    Wednesday, March 12, 7:00-8:00pm
    + Learn more
  • Father Gabriel Richard High School: Spring Open House
    Sunday, March 9, 1:00-3:00pm
    + Learn more

Community News & Events

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

Mom to Mom

Sunday, April 26, 9:00am – 1:00pm

The Mom 2 Mom Sale is an event, similar to a rummage sale, where people can sell their new or gently used children’s items. All proceeds to benefit inaugural WIHI Prom and WIHI PTO (sellers keep 100% of table profits).
+ Learn more

Rob the Drummer at Michigan Theater

Tuesday, April 1 at 10:00am

Rob the Drummer is a motivational speaker who explores themes of self-esteem, hard work and positive life habits through music and animation. He was a big hit at Michigan Theater’s Not Just For Kids series for families in 2011, and now he’s back to perform for students age 10 to 14.
+ Learn more