EPIC Days in the Middle School

Letter from the Head of School

Happy New Year! This week’s start marked the 42nd year of operations at Emerson, and the faculty and I are brimming with energy and enthusiasm. Enough of summer, let the new year begin!

I also bring the excitement of a new parent, as my wife Janine and I joined nearly 50 new families who arrived at Emerson for the first time. We’ve done our back-to-school shopping, and we’re eagerly signing up our son for the rich array of after-school activities available here. On a personal note, we want to thank all of you who have reached out to welcome us to Ann Arbor and to Emerson. We feel so fortunate to be here!

At Emerson, there is a special partnership between school and home that creates a true learning community. We develop this partnership in order to bring up our students to be healthy, happy, successful young men and women, ready for high school and beyond. It is certainly not easy to raise and educate children—as every parent and teacher knows, there are bumps along the way, challenges to be overcome—but our students are the fortunate recipients of our partnership. When the partnership is strong and there is mutual faith and support, it feels as if we can overcome any obstacle.

In the weeks to come, we will be sharing more information on ways to develop this partnership, as we are critically dependent upon you, our parents, for your energy, your participation, and your volunteerism. I thank you in advance for your support of our initiatives. And I look forward to meeting and greeting you at our ESPO Back to School Picnic this Sunday, our first ESPO meeting on Sept. 18th, and our Coffees with the Head throughout the fall.

Have a most joyful school year,

John

All School News and Info

Music Lessons and Enrichment Classes Available

Classes and Lessons Begin the week of Sept. 21

There is still time to sign up for After School Music Lessons and Enrichment Classes. We are now excited to offer voice lessons on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays! See attachments for more details.
+ Fall Music Lesson info and times
+ Fall Enrichment Class info and times

Pizza Lunch Volunteers Needed

It’s back-to-school time and that means that Emerson’s Pizza Lunch will be starting up again soon. Pizza Lunch happens (almost) every Friday throughout the school year, but only with the help of an army of volunteers.
+ More information from Pizza Lunch Volunteer Coordinator Theresa Romens-Woerpel
+ Sign up to volunteer for Pizza Lunch

Adolescent Depression Presentation by U of M

Thursday, Oct. 1, 7:00pm at Emerson School

The University of Michigan Depression Center will be giving a presentation for parents on adolescent depression. It will be held in Emerson’s Arts and Innovation Center. More information, including speaker bios, will be available in next week’s newsletter.

First ESPO Meeting is Next Friday, Sept. 18*

Head of School Update at 8:30am, ESPO Meeting at 9:00am

Connect, stay informed, and have a little fun together with ESPO. Monthly meetings allow parents to ask questions and receive regular, in-depth updates from our Head of School. Equally important, ESPO is how parents meet each other and where new families can become part of the greater-Emerson community.
* Previously scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Introduction Coffees with the Head of School

Join new Head of School John Huber for an introductory coffee and candid conversation to start off the year. Share what’s on your mind, what you hope he will focus on, and what you want him to leave alone. In order to accommodate working parents, these Coffees will begin at 7:30am (complimentary childcare available, email Beth Muszkiewicz to register). Come early and leave by 8:30am, or arrive at the normal school start time and stay through 9:30am.

All Coffee with the Head Dates

• 8th Grade: Thursday, Sept. 17
• 7th Grade: Friday, Sept. 25 (changed from Wednesday, Sept. 23)
• 6th Grade: Wednesday, Sept. 30
• Kindergarten: Tuesday, Oct. 6
• 1st Grade: Wednesday, Oct. 21
• 2nd Grade: Tuesday, Oct. 27
• 3rd Grade: Tuesday, Nov. 3
• 4th Grade: Thursday, Nov 12
• 5th Grade: Tuesday, Nov. 17

Back to School Picnic, Hosted by ESPO

Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Join us for a back to school picnic hosted by ESPO (Emerson School Parent Organization). There will be food, games for the kids, and a chance to mingle with old and new friends.
+ RSVP at www.emerson-school.org/picnic

It has been brought to our attention that this event falls on erev Rosh Hashanah, and we apologize for any scheduling conflict that this might bring about. While we are unable to move the event at this late date, we will work diligently to avoid such an overlap for future events.

Bus Registration Now Required

Register ASAP if Your Student May Ride the AAPS Bus

If your student plans on riding an Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) bus to or from Emerson this year (available to all families who live in the AAPS district), AAPS now requires you to register. If you haven’t already, please do so now.
See pg. 34 of the Family Handbook linked below for more information.
+ Register at www.emerson-school.org/bus

Last Day to Order Lunches From What’s Cooking!

This year, lunches will be provided by What’s Cooking!. These lunches are an optional service delivered to students Monday to Thursday (with exceptions).
+ See ordering instructions at www.emerson-school.org/lunch

Family Handbook Sent Home, Online

Printed copies of the 2015-2016 Family Handbook were sent home with students on Thursday (Lower School student backpacks, Middle School student lockers). For those with multiple students, the copy was sent home with your youngest child.
+ Download Emerson’s Family Handbook

Reminder: Check In If You’re Staying In

If you will be in the building for an extended period of time, please sign in at the Middle School office. You will receive a sticker to wear, showing that you are authorized to be in the building and not a stranger.

Lower School News and Info

Register for Band and Orchestra

Lower school students in grades 2-5 are invited to participate in the Emerson Instrumental Program. Everyone is welcome to join the band and orchestra program and no previous experience is needed. All students will be taught basic concepts to help them learn how to play their new instruments. This year promises to bring new opportunities to our continuing students to build skills and to play exciting music with friends at Emerson!
+ Learn more and register at www.emerson-school.org/bandandorchestra

Middle School News and Info

Elective Drop/Add Period

Monday, Sept. 14 – Friday, Sept. 18

Any students interested in switching electives must see Mrs. Hodges in the Middle School Office and obtain a Drop/Add Form. This form must be completed before any schedule changes happen.

Technology @ Emerson: Online Tutorial

As previously mentioned, all students must complete an online tutorial to show that they’ve read and understood the school’s Acceptable Use Policy. The AUP is available in the Family Handbook. Students must complete the tutorial before they begin to utilize their devices.
+ Access the online simulation

Middle School Sports Update

Co-Ed Soccer, Girls Volleyball, and Co-Ed Cross Country Begins

The fall sports season gets underway today. The practice schedules are below for each sport. Any athlete who needs to stay in After School Care before their practice will not be charged.

• Soccer: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:15-5:00
• 5th and 6th grade Volleyball: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:00-4:30
• 7th and 8th grade Volleyball: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4:30-6:00
• Cross Country: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:00-4:30

Community News and Events

Welcome to Night Vale Book Tour at Emerson

Oct. 24 at 7:00pm – A Few Emerson School Tickets Remaining

The #1 iTunes podcast, Welcome to Night Vale, has become a novel by the same name. It goes on sale October 20, and on October 24 the authors’ national book tour will stop at Emerson School. Literati Bookstore has reserved 40 free tickets* for the Emerson community. Tickets are already on their way to selling out, so reserve yours ASAP.
+ Reserve free tickets (enter promo code “EmersonLiterati” to see hidden ticket)
+ Learn more about the Welcome to Night Vale book tour and podcast

* Note: Emerson School Access Tickets do not include a copy of the book, but books will be available for sale at the event. Emerson School is hosting this book tour stop, but is not affiliated with the book, authors, or podcast. Content is for a mature audience and authors may use language inappropriate for young children.