When you’re part of Band and Orchestra you’re part of a family, and the annual Frankenmuth trip brings that family even closer. Thank you to all of the parents and faculty who make it happen! + See more photos
Letter from the Head of School
Connect with Me on LinkedIn
Dear Parents,
Over the course of my Coffees with the Head, the topic of technology keeps bubbling to the surface—and often in worrying terms. Certainly new technology is frightening in its power and its opportunity to be used for harm. As the creator of the British series “Black Mirror” recently shared, technology is “an amazing tool that we…are just getting to grips with, because it’s like we’ve grown a new ultra powerful limb and we’re learning how to use it.” And as we learn, we occasionally flail around and knock over the furniture.
But for all the concerns that new technology brings, it comes with great strength as well. As shared in this same interview, there’s no “cure” for technology, nor would we want one—would we try to “cure” the creation of the printing press? One particular strength of social media is our ability to connect to the members of our community. And as I connect with more of our Emerson parent body via technology, I fully appreciate all the diverse skills, talents, and experiences our parents bring. I also find that social media can be a wonderful way to connect with those who aren’t as readily able to come on campus, but instead support Emerson from afar.
So, to that end—let’s connect. Let’s use technology for positive purposes. At the risk of sounding like a shill for LinkedIn, I have found it to be a useful professional tool, far better than the ubiquitous Facebook for connecting with our parent body. Please feel free to find me there for occasional updates as well as opportunities to find other Emerson families.
And I promise—no cat videos, political rants, or forwarded hoaxes. Although I do like cat videos.
Happy Halloween,
John Huber
All School News and Info
Halloween Info and Allergy Alert
Costumes, Events, and Schedule
If you missed the email on Monday, please click the link below to learn more about costumes, events, and the day’s schedule. + Halloween 101
Food Ingredient and Nutrition Info
Food is available to students during the Halloween Carnival. To minumize the risk to students with allergies, the following ingredient and nutrition information is available. + Food Nutrition Info + Ingredient List
10:00am Late Start on Tuesday, Nov. 1
Childcare is Available Beginning at 7:30am
While the kids recover from a late night of trick-or-treating, Emerson faculty and staff will be learning best practices for supporting students with serious allergies. Please be patient and take extra caution during curbside drop-off as Lower School and Middle School families will be dropping off at the same time.
Middle School Experience Tour
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 9:00am–11:15am
Parents of current 4th and 5th grade students are invited to this special student-led tour, where students will show you their classrooms in action, introduce you to their teachers, and share their perspective on middle school at Emerson.
Prospective Families Invited to K-8 Tour
If you know of a family considering Emerson, or who should be, please invite them to attend. Students will still lead the way, but the tour will extend beyond the middle school experience our current families will partake in.
Girls’ Friendships & Drama: How to Support Your Daughter, by Dr. Tim Jordan
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:00pm in the Arts and Innovation Ctr
In this live-audience webinar, parents will become aware of the pressures on girls today and the hidden culture of girls’ relationship aggressions. Parents will take away new skills to help girls handle conflicts directly and effectively; know and express their emotions in healthy ways; handle teasing and “mean words”; speak with authority, be unafraid of making mistakes; and become strong leaders. This session is for parents of girls ages K-12. + Learn more
6 Students Auditioning for All-State Band and Orchestra
Several of our 7th and 8th grade members are auditioning this weekend for the All-State Band and Orchestra programs. Along with 2,000-plus students from across the state, these students will perform “blind” auditions for the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the All-State Ensembles in Grand Rapids this January. We wish them great luck and hope to see them on the All-State stage!
Maoz Bareket
Shruthi Chakravarthy
Hannah Halberstam
Zach Halberstam
Josh Moss
Julian Toogood
Emerson Book Fair Gives 25% Back
Sunday, Nov. 13. 5:00pm–8:00pm at Nicola’s Books
The book fair is a wonderful family event that supports the Emerson library as well as classroom collections. Nicola’s gives 25% of proceeds from the event to support the Emerson Library. As with years past, shoppers can choose from Nicola’s full selection of in-stock books or purchase gift cards to use in the future. All lower school students will have an opportunity to participate in group performances, as well as some middle school students. So please, mark your calendars, gather up your family and join us for an evening of delightful student performances, refreshments and shopping!
Auction 2017 is Now Underway!
Save the Date: Friday, Mar. 10, 2017
Thank you to all of the parents who attended this week’s Auction Kick-Off meeting. Many have already stepped up to fill important roles, but volunteers are still needed to chair committees, serve as a leaders, or to be Auction Ambassadors. We hope you will get involved and join the fun! + Learn more and volunteer
2017 Auction Leadership
Parent Director: Diana Rooks
Honorary Chairs: Christine and James Kim
Acquisitions Chairs: Kris Evangelista and Katherine Arst
Class Baskets Chair: Elizabeth Caswell
Data Team: Caroline Begola, Dana DeBord, Suzan Duenyas
Decorations Chair: Corina Mazak
Displays & Packaging Chair: Kathy Akhoury
Donation Pick up Chair: Liz Tolbert
Raffles & Classroom Offerings Chair: Open
Wine Pull Chair: Hanna Song
Emerson Soccer Wins Championship!
Dramatic Tournament Victory, Season Champs
By Coach Lenny: The Emerson middle school soccer team wrapped up their season Saturday as they hosted the AAIAA tournament. Top seed by virtue of their perfect regular season record, Emerson had a bye Friday, and started Saturday’s play against Washtenaw Christian… + Read more about the dramatic tournament finale
Parent Community Event: Being Bigger Than Your Triggers, with Annie Zirkel
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7:00pm in the Arts and Innovation Center at Emerson School
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. + Visit Annie Zirkel’s website for more information
In a follow-up to the story about 6th graders doing best in K-8 schools, Association for Middle Level Education Director Dru Tomlin was asked how schools could make the transition easier. His suggestions include making time for grade level teachers to meet, social-emotional learning, and an advisory system—all part of Emerson’s Middle School.
According to Tomlin, “Another structure that is imperative, I think, is something called advisory or advisement…That’s the environment in which young adolescents flourish: When they feel like they have a personal connection and someone who really cares about them.” + Read the full story on NPR + Read the study in the American Educational Research Journal
Community Activities
Give Leftover Candy to Operation Gratitude
Donation in Commons and Fish Bowl Oct. 31–Nov. 7
Operation Gratitude is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that sends care packages to the Military and First Responder Communities. The organization’s mission is to say “Thank You” and express it’s appreciation of the American people to all who serve. Last year the Emerson community donated more than 100 pounds of candy, and organizers Lucas Caswell hopes to beat that this year. Donation bins will be in the middle school commons and the fish bowl Oct. 31 through Nov. 7. + Contact Lucas Caswell with questions or for more info
Emerson parent Cheryl Hall, of Cheryl Hall Photography, is seeking girls ages 9 to 11 to be photographed for a “Tween Girls” book, with proceeds benefitting Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor. Each Participant will receive a fine art 7×5 portrait. + Learn more or contact Cheryl Hall at cheryl@studiochp.com
Mindful Parent Workshop: Mindful Games that Reduce Stress in Our Youth and Ourselves
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
The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Pioneer
Nov. 4, 6, 11, 12, 13 at Pioneer High School
Congrats to Emerson alums Claire Robinson and Henry Kiley, who will be performing in the upcoming performance of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Pioneer High School! + Learn more
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
Figuring Out Friendships: A Mother-Daughter Workshop for Girls
Junior League of Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 12, 9:00am–1:00pm
For mothers of 5th and 6th grade girls, this workshop is to open conversations between you and your daughters while maintaining her child’s growing need for independence.
To help build positive alliances between mothers and daughters
Teaches about relational aggression
Offers skills to help young adolescents cope with challenges they may encounter
By Key Bank on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 in the AIC
Key Bank’s Bob Hartnett was employed by the Social Security Administration for more than 40 years. He will share his insight into Social Security at this free event for the Emerson community. + Learn more
I think Emerson is a great school. The classes are smaller, so the teachers really get to know you very well. If you’re struggling with something the teachers are always willing to help you understand things better.
Ellie S., Emerson Student
Emerson Fact
Emerson has a 8" solar-powered, refracting telescope.
The book fair is a wonderful family event that supports the Emerson library as well as classroom collections. Nicola’s gives 25% of proceeds from the event to support the Emerson Library. As with years past, shoppers can choose from Nicola’s full selection of in-stock books or purchase gift cards to use in the future. All lower school students will have an opportunity to participate in group performances, as well as some middle school students. So please, mark your calendars, gather up your family and join us for an evening of delightful student performances, refreshments and shopping!
