Middle School Musical Tickets Now Available
Showtimes: Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:00pm
Letter from Jerry
Hello Parents,
Back to basics. Located where I am, just across the hallway from our Medical Assistant Diane Wentland, I am acutely aware of the individual and collective health of our students. The last few days have seen an uptick in fever, sore throats, and headaches. With all of us spending more time indoors now, it is far easier to spread our germs around. So, let’s review a few basics that can never be overemphasized.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Wash your hands well and regularly.
- If you are sick, stay home, take the time to recover, and do not return to school before you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
In response, we have been cleaning and disinfecting more thoroughly than normal these past few days. The weekend will not only allow time for students to feel better, but also time for the building to rid itself of any lingering germs.
Here’s to hoping you are staying healthy, and if not, you are being good to yourself and following these basic measures. We need to have a very healthy community for our Bake Sale and Grandfriends’ Day next Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Jerry Loewen
Head of School
All School News
Time for Snow and Cold Weather Gear
Grandfriends’ Day Info
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1:00pm – 2:45pm
Grandfriends’ Day is an exciting opportunity for students to share their school with their grandparents and friends.
- All Grandfriends
1:00pm – 1:15pm: Refreshments and welcome in gym - Grades K-2
1:15pm – 1:30pm: Stay for assembly in gym
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Visit K-2 classrooms - Grades 3-5
1:15pm – 2:15pm: Visit 3-5 classrooms
2:15pm – 2:30pm: Assembly in gym - Middle School
1:15pm – 2:30pm: Middle School room 212
+ Questions? Contact Joan Gregorka
Support the ESPO Bake Sale Tuesday
Nov. 25 in the Middle School Commons
Please drop off baked goods curbside on Monday, Nov. 24
There’s still time to help with the ESPO Bake Sale, which benefits Emerson’s Technology Department. Sign up to bake/buy treats or whole items for Thanksgiving. Sign up to set up on Monday or to sell baked goods on Tuesday.
We could really use help Tuesday morning and Tuesday afternoon/closing/cleanup. If volunteering for an ESPO event requires your child attending Aftercare, contact Rose or Beth to for a reduced fee.
+ Sign up to bake and/or volunteer
+ Food precautions and specialty/allergen-free foods
+ Questions? Contact Dana DeBord or Mary Kay Stevanus
Emerson Chess Team Competes at Championship
Five players from Emerson played in the annual Michigan Scholastic Club Championship held at the Michigan Union last weekend. Robby Riles, Anvit Rao (alum), Parini Rao, Jack Hauptman, and Frederick DeBord all had a fun and challenging day at this large event. Robby scored 4 wins out of 5 games to take 13th place in a field of 133 other players in the K-8 division. Parini also scored 4 wins out of 5 games for a 7th place trophy in the K-3 section, which saw 109 competitors. Great job team, we look forward to your next event!
New After School Art Class
Creative Expression for Kids Starts in December
In these new individual art classes, we will be exploring ways to open up creative expression through the mediums of drawing, painting, and collage. Each class will begin with a prompt that students will interpret through creation, play, and exploration. Students will learn that they are never too young to tap into the personal creative expression of their individual identities in a fun and supportive atmosphere! Instructor: Sarah Brennan.
- K-2nd Grade:
Thursday, December 4
Friday, December 5
Friday, December 12 - 2nd –5th Grade
Monday, December 8
Thursday, December 11
Space is limited, so register with Beth Muszkiewicz today for one, two, or three of these individual, stand-alone classes for $15 each (billed to your account at the end of December).
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
Thanks for Giving
Getting Closer to 100% Participation
Thank you to the 19 percent of families and friends who have already made their Annual Fund gifts. Our goal for participation is always 100 percent, and we ask you to consider making your gift to Emerson’s Annual fund as you wrap up your 2014 charitable giving. Please know that gifts at every level are important; we value your participation.
+ Learn more about the Annual Fund and how to give
Book Fair Earned $2,500+ for Emerson
Thank You Parents, Students, Chairs, and Nicola’s!
Exact numbers are still being tabulated, but the event was certainly a huge success. In addition to the smiling faces enjoying music, poetry, storytelling, friends—and books—our wonderful community raised more than $2,500 for future library books.
Thank you to everyone who attended, made a purchase, and the many people who volunteered, especially Book Fair Chairs Alison Buchanan and Michelle Ferguson. And, of course, to Nicola’s Books for its over-the-top generous support of our school. – Linda Lakshminarayanan
Small Toys Wanted for Library Contest
Emerson Musical: The Pirates of Penzance, Jr.
Friday, Dec. 12th at 7:00pm, Saturday, Dec. 13th at 2:00pm
+ Purchase $10 general admission tickets online
+ Questions or special requests? Contact the Box Office Manager Amy Longcore
Middle School News
Community Service Day #1 on Tuesday
Nov. 25, 9:00am – 11:00am at Barton Nature Area
The first all-Middle School Community Service Days is next week. 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. To note:
- Wear Service Squad t-shirts (new MS students will receive theirs Tuesday). Weather is anticipated to be cold and possibly rainy, so please plan to dress accordingly.
- Flat-bottomed plastic sleds are needed to haul wood chips. If you have one students can borrow, please bring it on Tuesday.
- Students will still participate in all of the afternoon Grandfriends’ Day activities.
New National Junior Honor Society Chapter
Emerson Middle School is excited to announce the opening of our own National Junior Honors Society chapter. The NJHS recognizes students who make a consistent positive contribution to both their school and the broader community. This fits with the values which Emerson promotes of perseverance, integrity, and compassion.
Students who demonstrate strength in leadership, citizenship, community service, and academic study can request to be considered for selection. Carol Kelly, 8th grade teacher, is the school’s NJHS advisor, and students in the current 7th and 8th grades should speak to her for information and a selection pack. Paperwork should be completed and returned to Carol by the end of January 2015. Sixth grade students will be eligible for selection consideration later in the second trimester.
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
- 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
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
Uncovering Youth Depression Blind Spots
Nov. 24, 6:00pm – 7:00pm at Academy of the Sacred Heart
Jeff Edwards, Board Chair of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor Chapter, will discuss causes and interventions regarding teen suicide.
+ Learn more
The Nutcracker with The Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre
Dec. 12 – 14 at the Power Center for Performing Arts
Emerson 7th grader Kristen Umbriac (playing Clara Puppet) will be performing in the Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker at the Power Center for Performing Arts. Kristen will perform in the Saturday night and Sunday matinee shows on December 13th and 14th.
+ Learn more
