5th Grade Mystery Mingle in the Library

Letter from the Head of School

Dear Parents,

Earlier this week as I walked into school after curbside duty, I noticed a blue Post-It note on the ground. It read, simply:

After-Care. I Love You!

At first, I thought, “How sweet—our parents really love Emerson’s After Care program!” And certainly many of you have shared in my Coffees with the Head how much you appreciate the rich array of offerings available both before and after school for our students. But I soon realized that this note wasn’t for the amazing team in After Care. It was a note dropped out of a lunchbox for a child—part reminder to the child about after-school plans, and part note of love and encouragement.

Seeing this note was a small but powerful reminder of the impact of showing care, kindness, and appreciation. It’s not always necessary to make a grand gesture, as the humble note can be enough to brighten one’s day. And although Thanksgiving is still three weeks away, I don’t think it’s too early to reflect on giving thanks and sharing appreciation.

This was reinforced the next day, when I received a stack of notes from our 1st graders. They had the assignment of writing thank-you notes to people who help the school, and some of the students decided to write to me. One of my favorites (invented spelling and all) was the following:

Dear Mr. Huber, Thank You for beaing such a Grate principal. Your a verre funny gy.

Perhaps one of the best compliments I’ve received—someone in 1st grade appreciates my sense of humor!

So, with this in mind, please be sure to keep writing notes for your children, even for Middle School students who might consider themselves too old for such notes. And please give thought to writing a short note or email of thanks to your child’s teachers and caregivers. The little note goes a long way.

Take care,
John

Correction: Although it appears that no one noticed the error in last week’s newsletter, I feel compelled to correct an inadvertent mistake. Due to a formatting error, the formula for exponential growth was listed as y=a(b)x, when it should bey=a(b)^x.

All School News and Info

Picture Retake Day and Fall Sports Team Pics

Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the Morning, Teams at 11:00am

If children wish to have their picture retaken they must return their packet to the office by Tuesday. Nov. 10. Pictures will be taken in the morning. Emerson fall sports teams will have their pictures taken around 11:00am and should bring their uniforms to school that day.

ESPO Meeting on Nov. 10 at 8:30am

Guest Talk: Preparing Students to Distinguish Themselves

Moses Lee and Matt Gibson, Lead Coaches and Cofounders of DistinguishMe, will share how to best prepare students to distinguish themselves for high school, college, and beyond.
+ More info about Emerson’s passion projects and DistinguishMe
+ ESPO meeting agenda

Emerson Book Fair: Fall Into Books

Sunday, Nov. 15, 4:30–7:30pm at Nicola’s Books

Support the Emerson School Library (25% of sales go to Emerson) at an evening filled with books, fun, student performances, mingling with friends, and author signings.
+ Volunteer at the Book Fair or to provide refreshments 

Author Signings at the Book Fair: 

• Victoria Scott (Emerson Middle School Teacher), The Odin Inheritance
• Robb Johnston, The Woodcutter and the Most Beautiful Tree andLelani and the Plastic Kingdom

Emerson Science Fair: Hydrofest 2015!

November 18—It’s Not Too Late to Participate

The Emerson Science Department is pleased to announce that this year we will be presenting a science fair of incredible hydrological proportions—a virtual festival of H2O—called HYDROFEST 2015!
+ More Info and sign-up instructions

ESPO Bake Sale Needs Your Help

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7:30am–3:00pm

Pies, breads, cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats will be available for purchase by children, parents, faculty, and grandfriends—all to benefit the Emerson Technology Dept. and just in time for Thanksgiving. Volunteers are needed to provide food, and for packaging, setup, sales, and more.
+ More Info about the Bake Sale
+ Sign up to provide food or to volunteer

Grandfriends’ Day Invitations Sent

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1:00pm–3:00pm

This is an annual opportunity for students to share everything they’re learning with their grandfriends and show them around school. Invitations have been mailed out to grandfriends inviting them (only sent if you indicated during enrollment/re-enrollment that you would like your grandfriend to receive an invitation). If you would like an invitation sent to someone else, please email Lower School Office Manager Joan Gregorka, or call 734-665-5662, ext. 307.
+ Grandfriends’ Day invitation and schedule

Busch’s Now Gives to Emerson with MyWay Card

Starting Sunday, November 1, it will no longer be necessary to pay with a Busch’s Cash for Education gift card to earn rewards for Emerson. Moving forward, you can simply shop, provide your Busch’s MyWay phone number or key tag at the register and receive credit.

How to Earn Money for Emerson at Busch’s

1. Link your MyWay card to Cash for Education by Dec. 31 each each (reenrollment is required annually)
2. Select Emerson School for each quarter using the dropdown menu.
   You must have a valid email address and opt in to receive emails. You can check this under My Account > Account Overview when logged into MyWay

+ Busch’s Cash for Education FAQ

Annual Reports Sent Home and Online

Please check your youngest student’s backpack for the 2014-2015 Annual Report sent home on Monday, Nov. 1. It highlights the wonderful things that happened during the 2014-2015 school year, and is a recognition of the many generous donors who help fill the gap between tuition and the cost of operating the school. This year’s report also includes the Building STEAM Campaign’s wrap-up report.
+ See a copy of the Annual Report online

Lower School News and Info

Square 1 Art Products Available

Orders myst be submitted by Wednesday, Nov. 11

Purchase student artwork and raise funds for art field trips. If you misplaced your access code and would like it re-sent, please email Emerson Art Teacher Jennifer Tanau. Items should arrive by the last week of November. Orders can still be placed after Nov. 11, but will ship directly to parents at their expense.
+ Order artwork

Middle School News and Info

Spirit Week in the Middle School

November 16–20

Middle School students are encouraged to participate in this fun, school-spirit-building activity. The themes for each day are:

• Monday: Sports Jersey Day
• Tuesday: Crazy Hair Day
• Wednesday: Pink Out
• Thursday: Pajama Day
• Friday: Formal Friday

MathCounts Begins Friday, Nov. 6

Students in 5th through 8th grade interested in being a part of the MathCounts team can join coach Hojin Han in MS room 205 for the first practice session on Friday Nov. 6 from 3:00pm–4:00pm. This group is for any mathletes who are interested in working together to develop their math skills in preparation for the Regional (and potentially State) tournament in mid-February. There is no cost to join and no season-long commitment required.
+ For more information, contact Andy Zimmer

High School Information

WIHI HS Info Sessions Nov. 10 and Nov. 18 at 7:00pm

Community News and Events

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Nov. 14, 20–22, Various Times, at Skyline High School

Emerson alumna Emma Throm will perform in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” at Skyline. It’s the classic love story between a lovely maiden and a loathsome beast cursed to remain a beast forever unless he can earn a maiden’s love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Showtimes: Saturday, November 14 at 2:30pm. and 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, at 7:30pm; and Sunday, November 22 at 2:30pm.
+ Learn more