News & Blog

Family Newsletter – Nov. 14, 2014

See the original email

ESPO Anti-Idling Initiative

Kids breath here. Please turn off your vehicle.

To protect our children’s health, to improve our environment, and to save money. Please turn your engine off if you are stopped for more than 10 seconds.
+ Learn more

Letter from Jerry

Jerry the SluggerHello Parents,

With the first few snowflakes arriving this week, we want to remind everyone of the communication protocols we have established for ”snow days.”

Like all schools in climates with volatile weather, Emerson plans for snow days each year. In the event of dangerous weather conditions that necessitate a decision to cancel school, you will be notified as early as possible via phone, text message, and email. Additionally, we will run an alert on the school website and add our school name to those announced on television and radio stations.

Decisions to close school are usually made in the wee hours of the morning, and based on the limited information and tenuous forecasts available to us at that time. Ann Arbor Public Schools has a network of resources to determine road conditions and hazards, so we almost always follow their lead with weather-related closures. However, on the rare occasion that we come to a different conclusion about the safety of our families, we may make a different call.

As a part of our preparations, we will run a test of our alert system on Monday in the late morning or early afternoon.

Thank you for your attention and stay warm this weekend.

Jerry Loewen
Head of School

 

All School News

Apparel: Sunday is Last Chance to Order

Emerson School Shirts, Jackets, Hoodies, Hats, and more

Apparel examples
Emerson School sportswear is available for purchase through Sunday, Nov. 16. Orders will be available for pick-up Dec. 1. If you would like to try on comparable items before purchasing, you can do so at the Underground Printing store on S. Main.
+ See items and place your order

Sign Up for the Geography Bee

Friday, Nov. 21, 11:15am to 1:00pm

The bee is open to all Emerson students in grades 4 through 8. There is no charge. All that a student need do to register is hand Lenny a piece of paper with the students name and the letters GB legibly written on it BEFORE Lenny goes home at the end of the school day on Wednesday, November 19.

Middle School Information Meeting Sunday

Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2:00pm

Parents of 4th and 5th graders are encouraged to attend and learn about the new challenges, unique opportunities, and rigorous curriculum in store for your children as Emerson Middle School students. You will learn what to expect, go on a tour of the Middle School, and have opportunities to ask teachers and staff questions.

If you know of others who might be interested in Emerson’s Middle School, please invite them to attend.
+ Upcoming admissions events

Girls on the Run Team Looking for Coaches

Two Volunteer Coaches Needed

We’d love to have an Emerson Parent or Friend coach our 3rd-5th grade Girls on the Run team this year! Training is provided and you’ll receive a discount registration for your child. Practices will meet on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00pm – 4:30pm at Emerson from March 9th through May 22nd. More information is attached, contact Rose for more questions or Sign Up to Coach Online.
+ Learn more

3 – 5% of Your Busch’s Bill Can Go to Emerson

School RankingEvery time you buy groceries, you could be raising money for students at Emerson. Busch’s gives 3-5% back and our school earned nearly $1,600 last year. Pick up a Busch’s Cash for Education card in the LS or MS office today! Help us rise to the top of the board by enrolling today.

Grandfriends’ Day Invitations Mailed

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1:00pm – 2:45pm

Students look forward to sharing everything they’re learning with their grandfriends and showing them around school during Grandfriends’ Day. Invitations have been mailed to grandparents/friends—only if you indicated during summer re-enrollment they were to receive an invitations. Please contact Joan Gregorka in the Lower School Office if you need additional invitations mailed.
+ Invitation and schedule

Support the ESPO Bake Sale

Nov. 25 in the Middle School Commons

Pies, breads, cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats will be available for purchase by children, parents, faculty, and grandfriends—just in time for Thanksgiving Day. Proceeds will benefit the Emerson Technology Dept. Please drop off baked goods at morning curbside on Monday, Nov. 24 and include your name, phone, type of treat, and list of allergens.
+ Food precautions and specialty/allergen-free foods

Volunteers are needed for packaging and setup on Nov. 24, and for sales, packaging, and more on Nov. 25.
+ Sign up to bake and/or volunteer
+ Questions? Contact Dana DeBord or Mary Kay Stevanus

25% of Book Sales Through Sat. Go To Emerson

Mention Emerson School when Purchasing at Nicola’s

All book and gift card purchases at Nicola’s Books through Saturday, Nov. 15 will continue to benefit Emerson School. Remember to mention Emerson School at checkout for your sale to benefit our school.

Lost and Found Items to be Donated Nov. 21

Please check the overflowing lost and found for any missing items. All items remaining as of Friday, Nov. 21 will be donated to a local organization.

MathCounts on Fridays, 3:00pm – 4:30pm

MathCounts is a free and fun after school activity for 5th – 8th grade mathletes to practice and develop higher level math skills. They will compete against other students at both regional and national MathCounts competitions, and this year’s team will be coached by Mary Ellen Flaherty. Meet in MS Room 201.
+ Questions? Please contact Dr. Flaherty

Small Toys Wanted for Library Contest

What you consider excess is something our young readers hope to win. Linda hosts a contest in the library that awards students with prizes for reading. Everyone wins, but prizes are running dangerously low (and we’ve never had to purchase prizes). Please bring your unwanted toys to Linda, and she will ensure it makes a child very happy.

Thank You STEAM Science Fair Participants

75 K-8 Students Participated on Nov. 12

Congratulations to all of the creative students who participated in this year’s STEAM Science Fair. The Emerson community enjoyed viewing their projects related to the interconnections of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics: live animals, dry ice bubbles, coding and 3D printer demonstrations, car designs, alternative energy uses, natural dyes, and an analysis of Emerson birthdays, to name a few.

A special thanks to our supportive families, and wonderful colleagues, Lenny Dale, Bill Schrock, Michael Shaw, Joan Gregorka, and Ted Steinbach, for helping make the fair a success.

– Mrs. Vohland, Kathy, Tim, Mr. Wilson, and Pat
+ Science fair photos

Lower School News

Order Square 1 Art by Nov. 18

Packets were sent home in backpacks with instructions and access codes. Orders can only be placed online (sorry, no paper orders, checks, or cash). Proceeds go to the Emerson School Art Departments. There is no obligation to buy and the stickers in the packets are free.
+ Contact Jennifer Tanau to learn more

Middle School News

Community Service Day #1

Nov. 25, 9:00am – 11:00am at Barton Nature Area

The first all-Middle School Community Service Days is approaching. As park stewards, we are continuing our preservation work at the park including removal of invasive species, maintaining walking trails, and clearing of debris from the park. Please plan to dress accordingly; students will still participate in all of the Grandfriends’ Day activities in the afternoon.

Cranbrook Admission Info and Scholarship Testing

Nov. 16, 1:00pm at the Michigan League

Parents of 8th graders are invited to learn about Cranbrook High School at their Ann Arbor Admissions Reception and Scholarship Testing event.
+ Learn more

Info on Testing Out at Saline High School

If your family is considering Saline High School, please review the information linked below on testing out of classes.
+ Testing Out Resources

WIHI Informational Sessions

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

  • Nov. 19, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
  • Jan. 8, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
  • Jan. 27, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Community News & Events

Seussical with Young People’s Theater

Nov. 20 – 22 at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre

To the many students and alums bringing the Dr. Seuss’s most famous books to life on the stage: Break a leg!

Alumni
Cole Hildebrandt, The Cat In The Hat
Tim VanRiper, Director

Current Students
Julia Ammer (8th), Bird Girl
Emma Throm (8th), Citizen of Whoville/Fish
Dana Steiner (7th), Bird Girl
Emily Cooper (4th), Jungle of Nool
Emma Hudson (4th), Jungle of Nool
Katie Swallow (4th), Citizen of Whoville
+ Learn more and purchase tickets

Guys and Dolls with PHS Theatre Guild

Nov. 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at PHS Schreiber Auditorium

The Pioneer High School Theatre Guild’s Guys and Dolls musical comedy opens this weekend, and it features Emerson alums Nadina Hassan and Katie Ross.
+ Learn more

Dr. Yong Zhao: What Defines a World Class Education in the 21st Century?

Nov. 18, 7:00pm at Grosse Pointe Academy

Dr. Zhao is the author of World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students and an internationally known scholar. His works focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education.
+ Learn more 

A Christmas Carol at Meadow Brook Theatre

Nov. 14 – Dec. 21 at Meadow Brook Theatre

Emerson 5th grader Olivia Goosman will perform in the Meadow Brook Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol. It’s a holiday classic about a mean-spirited miser and the ghosts that haunt him. Save 20% by indicating you’re a friend of Olivia’s.
+ Learn more