News & Blog

Family Newsletter – Oct. 06, 2016

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OCTOBER 6

Author Laurie Halse Anderson Visits Emerson Students

Renowned author Laurie Halse Anderson talked with students about the childhood creativity that helped her become an author, and the making of her latest book, “Ashes.” A special thank you to Nicola’s Books for partnering with Emerson to create such wonderful opportunities like this for our students.
+ See more photos

Letter from the Head of School

Dear Parents,

John Huber ProfileFirst, thank you to everyone who helped us restore our bus service. The turnaround time from the publication of my newsletter to a response from Ann Arbor Public Schools was just over 24 hours! I’m not sure exactly which parent message did the trick, or whether it was one key individual or a flood of many concerned emails—but however we accomplished this, I thank you.

Looking ahead to next week, I do hope that you can take part in Parent/Teacher Conferences to talk with your child’s teachers and learn how your child is doing in school. This face-to-face communication is so critical for the success of our partnership, and we appreciate that you take the time to do this. (We also appreciate all the wonderful meals we receive!)

This can also be a time for a brave conversation, one in which either the parent or the teacher has a concern, and needs to bring this to the table to solve it together. It’s difficult to share a concern face-to-face, but it’s the best way we can collaborate. Proximity matters.

I think that as a parent, it’s important to remember that a student’s perception is his/her reality, and to take that as a baseline for the conversation. It’s incredibly helpful to share observations of your child’s worldview with the teacher, and recognize that this worldview may be unique to your child, and is but one interpretation of the school experience. Be aware that we can see a different side to your child. Nothing is more joyful that getting to share with parents how polite and kind their child is at school, when that same child acts much differently in the comfort of the home!

I appreciate your partnership, and thank you for the opportunity to educate your children. Parenting is difficult, fraught with emotion and family history and worry, and not one of us can claim to be professional parents. Let’s see what we can do next week to provide our support as your child develops and grows.

– John Huber

All School News and Info

Volunteers Needed for Halloween Carnival

Sign up early to secure your preferred spot

Halloween is quickly approaching and plans are underway for our ESPO Halloween Carnival on Friday, Oct. 28! This is such a fun event for the kids (and adults), but we need lots of help. There are many ways to help—donating items, spending time helping decorate, and helping on the day of the carnival.
+ Contact Christine Kim with questions
+ Sign up to help!

Science Fair Moved to Jan. 26

Scientists and Enthusiasts Needed for ‘Astrofest’

The Emerson Science Department is pleased to announce that we will be presenting a science fair of incredible, astronomical proportions—a virtual, universal festival of Space—something we call… ASTROFEST 2017!

In order to offer the Emerson community unique astronomy experiences and out-of-this-world information, we are looking for scientists and enthusiasts who would be willing to present their space expertise, passions, and materials/resources the evening of January 26th. Please contact Kelly Vohland (kvohland@emerson-school.org) if you are interested.

Schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences

The online scheduler is now open and parents can schedule conferences at http://emerson-school.ptcwizard.com through Oct. 11 at 9:00pm.

  • Thursday, October 13, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
    Child care available 2:45-6:00pm. Child care ends promptly at 6:00pm and the normal late fee of $4/minute applies. No child care available 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
  • Friday, October 14, 8:00am – 3:00pm
    Full-day and drop-in child care available 8:00am – 6:00pm, email Carly Meloche to register.

+ Scheduling instructions and additional info

Help Feed the Teachers: ESPO Conference Potluck

Food and Volunteers Needed Thursday, Oct. 13

From ESPO: On Thursday, October 13, Emerson teachers and staff follow up their busy school day with parent conferences until 8:00pm. Many teachers will only have a short break that doesn’t allow them to leave, so ESPO parents generously provide a potluck dinner to get them through to the end of the night.

If you prefer not to cook, we can still use your help! A few parents are needed to assist with set-up on Thursday after school as well as items that are needed such as utensils.
+ Learn more and contribute

Study Finds 6th Graders Do Best in K-8 Schools

Less Bullying and Fighting, More Safety and Belonging

Sixth graders do best in K-8 schools where they’re the upperclassmen—the leaders and “top dogs.” That’s according to a massive study of more than 90,000 students in 500 schools.

According to the study published in the American Educational Research Journal, “This paper provides the first credibly causal evidence that top dog status improves the learning environment and academic achievement. We further find that the top dog effect is strongest in 6th grade and in schools with longer grade spans and that the top dog effect is not explained by new students to a school or student height.”
+ Read the full story on NPR
+ Read the study in the American Educational Research Journal

Sports Update

  • Soccer team wins all three games this week and imroves record to 8-0.

Emerson Community Event: Being Bigger Than Your Triggers – Annie Zirkel

RESCHEDULED: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7:00pm

Local relationship consultant, Annie Zirkel, will present to current and future middle school families about the impact that triggers can have on students and adults. She will discuss the physiological impact of being triggered, the neuroscience behind the triggered brain, and how we can support students when they are triggered. We may even learn more about how we can support ourselves when we are triggered. Please visit Annie Zirkel’s website for more information on this session (http://www.anniezirkel.com/)

No Glass Bottles at School Please

Several recent accidents have caused quite a mess, which could easily be avoided. Please do not send glass bottles to school.

Lower School Art Square 1 Fundraiser

Artwork Must Be Submitted by Oct. 18

The Lower School art classes will once again participate in theSquare 1 Art fundraiser. This fundraiser is an opportunity for families to purchase mugs, greeting cards, t-shirts, phone cases, pillow cases, and key chains—just a few of huge array of items available—and many families like to use these as gifts for the holidays.. Purchasing items is completely optional, but the proceeds will offset some of the cost of buses for the Toledo and Detroit art museums trips in the spring.
+ Learn more

Free Pizza and Smiles Could Be Yours!

Volunteer to Serve ESPO Pizza Lunch on a Friday

Please sign up to help with an ESPO Pizza Lunch on a Friday! It’s fun, easy, and a very small time commitment. Choose a Friday that works for you—opportunities are available throughout the year—and enjoy the smile on your child’s face when they see you helping out at school! Volunteers also receive a complimentary slice of pizza.
+ Sign up to volunteer

30 Families Added to Carpool Map

Check to See Changes, Join in Carpool

Families continue to join the carpool map—30 new families to date. If you already participate in the carpool map, you may want to check to see if there are other families near you. If you don’t participate, please consider joining to free up time, be good stewards of the environment, meet others in our community, and to help relieve transportation challenges for other Emerson families.
+ Participate in the Carpool Map

Coffee with the Head of School Dates

By Grade, 7:30am–9:30am on the Dates Below

Parents are invited to start the school year with a cup of coffee and candid conversation with Head of School John Huber. It’s a great opportunity to meet John, and to share whatever is on your mind—the good and the bad.

To accommodate working parents, these coffees will begin at 7:30am (complimentary childcare available, reservations required). Come early and leave by 8:30am, or arrive at the normal school start time and stay through 9:30am.

  • 8th Grade: September 16
  • 7th Grade: September 23
  • 6th Grade: September 29
  • 5th Grade: October 7
  • 4th Grade: October 21
  • 3rd Grade: October 27
  • 2nd Grade: November 11
  • 1st Grade: November 18
  • Kindergarten: November 21

Community Activities

Mindful Parent Workshop: Mindful Games that Reduce Stress in Our Youth and Ourselves

Thursday, Oct. 27 in Birmingham or Saturday, Oct. 29 in Ann Arbor

Several Emerson faculty and staff will be attending the workshop for professionals, and families are encouraged to attend the parent workshop. In this talk, Susan Kaiser Greenland, renowned author and teacher of mindfulness, will offer us information about true and tested mindfulness practices we can apply to help reduce stress in our children and cultivate the essential life skills of attention (A), emotional balance (B) and compassion (C).
+ Reserve your tickets

Cyber Awareness and Internet Safety Forum: What Families Need to Know

Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:00pm at Forsythe Middle School

95% of teenagers use the internet. Understand how to use it safely. This session is intended for parents and caretakers and will address online predators, sexting, digital reputations and other relevant issues.
+ Learn more

Row Along with the Pioneer Crew Team

Saturday, October 15, 10:00am – 2:30pm

This event will feature 90 min. rowing lessons by Pioneer coaches and a row in the Huron River in a racing boat. Advance registration required. See http://www.pioneercrew.org/ for more details about age groups, cost, or to register, or contact Laura Davis at laladavis92@gmail.com.

Trimathlon Community Event

Sunday, Nov. 5 at 9:00am

Mathnasium of Dexter will host a fun math competition open to all students who are in grades 2, 3, 4 and 5.
+ Learn more

WHAT’S AHEAD

Oct. 7

Band and Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Registration Due

Oct. 7

Cross Country at Emerson

Oct. 7–8, 12:00pm

Middle School Band and Orchestra Frankenmuth Retreat

Oct. 10, 4:00pm

Soccer Home vs. Steiner

Oct. 11, 4:00pm

Volleyball at SSA

Oct. 11, 4:15pm

Soccer ‘Friendly’ Home vs. St. Francis

Oct. 13, 3:00pm–8:00pm

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Childcare available 3:00pm–6:00pm

Oct. 13, 4:00pm

Soccer at WCA

Oct. 13, 4:15pm

Cross Country at Honey Creek

Oct. 13, 5:00pm

Volleyball at AACS

Oct. 14

NO SCHOOL: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Childcare available 8:00am–6:00pm

Oct. 14, 8:00am–3:00pm

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Childcare available 8:00am–6:00pm

Oct. 14, 4:00pm

Soccer Tournament at Emerson

Oct. 15, 9:00am

Soccer Tournament at Emerson

Oct. 18, 4:00pm

Volleyball Home vs. Steiner

Oct. 18, 4:30pm

Cross Country at Greenhills

Oct. 20, 4:00pm

Volleyball at St. Paul

Oct. 20, 4:15pm

Cross Country at Honey Creek
* Indicates a change
+ Online calendars
+ 2016-2017 Print Calendar
(Updated 8-17-16)

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