Letters to the Principal

During the past few days, I've received numerous very sweet letters from Emerson's wonderful students.  To celebrate my birthday today, I thought I would post some of these feel-good letters!
"Thank you for making the phones. I use my phone for reading. I know you wasted your time so I wanted to give this to you."
"You have a cool car."
"You always work hard for us to do better in school."
"Good luck in your new job."
"I will miss you if you leave but I will still remember you anyway.  Thank you for everything you gave us."
"In 3rd grade I have gotten in trouble alot  and went to see you.  You told me that I am a wonderful girl and not to get in trouble and so far I have followed your orders."
"We are all going to miss you when you go to Madison Elementary School.  But you know Emerson Elementary School is the best!"
"Thanks for the new classes and library."
"Sorry for being absent so much."
"Thank you for going to 6th grade science camp with us!"
"I'm writing this letter to tell you good bye.  I hope you have fun at your new school.  I hope you like the kids there."
"I don't want you to leave Emerson.  You have great assemblies."
"You were always nice to us and you were my favorite principal."
"Thank you for everything and for always educating our brains!"
"We will always Dream, Believe, Achieve for you."
"I hope your new office is great."
"...you have been a fun principal.  I bet the other kids will like you too."
"Are you going to celebrate with us if we got good grades on our CST, or is the new principal?"
"Goodbye, Mr. McCombs.  I'm sorry that you have to go."
"I am very, very, very, very sad that you are leaving. I am going to miss you a lot.  I hope that you like the new school you are going to."
"You are the best principal in the school."
"I am going to remember you in my heart."
"Do you think the other school will be better than Emerson?"
"I hope that nobody gets sent to the principal's office..."
"Mr. McCombs, why do you have to leave this school?"
"I want to thank you for Camp Emerson."
"Thank you for letting us make a garden, Mr. McCombs."
"It stinks that you are going to be a principal at another school!"
"We hope you miss us!"
"You were a good principal for 8 years."
"I hope you will come some other day. I hope you feel the way you feel with us."
"Can you stay for another year?"
"Thank you for the fun year I had."
"It was really sad when you said you are going to a new school next year."
"Be happy. Be strong."
"You did a lot of things for us."
"I hope you love your new school and your new job.  The kids at your new school are lucky to have you as a principal.  When I first came to this school I saw you and knew you were the best principal."
"Why are you going away?"
You can't leave us here in school! You made us have the best teachers."
"I hope you like it there, like you like Emerson."
"I want to know if it is a boy or girl."
"I admire Mr. McCombs.  He gives us awards. He tells kids to work. He checks on us."
"I'll think of you and the funny things you did like put on a dress and a mohawk and a crown on your head. But if I miss you, will you miss me?"
"...you made it nice and peaceful and greener..."
"I remember when you...kissed a pig!"
"I hope you'll be the best principal."
"I love your speeches. I miss you with all my heart."
"I hope someday I will see you at a store or Disneyland or Castle Park."

Questions about Change

During Camp Emerson, quite few people asked me questions about the transition of principals, so I thought that I'd try to answer them here as well. 

1. Q: How is the decision made to move a principal?  A: The simple answer is that there is no formula, no seven year maximum term, or any one single reason.  Judi Paredes, the Assistant Superintendent to whom principals report, has to look at the needs of the school staffs, the achievement of the school, the community needs, and the professional strengths of the principals she supervises.  Sometimes it can be as simple as trying to find the best replacement for a retiring principal, which may create other vacancies.  It has not been common practice for elementary principals to stay at the same school for much longer than 8 years- my observation is that 5 year terms are about average in RUSD.

2. Q: Are you excited to be moving on?  A:  For me, adjusting to a big change needs to happen in phases.  Right now, I'm not feeling particularly happy about the change, but that's because I'm thinking about leaving people I care about, and I don't know the Madison community at all yet.  I'm sure that as I meet them, I'm sure that will love them too, and will become increasingly more comfortable with the move. I did start my career 20 years ago as a Spanish/ELD teacher at Sierra, which is in the same "cluster" of schools.

3. Q:  When is your last day at Emerson and your first day at Madison?  A:  I've planned to have my last day at Emerson be Friday, June 3.  If you have any last minute business, please try to see me before the last day of school.  I'll be packing, unpacking, and moving on Monday, June 6, and therefore may not be available at either site for drop in visitors or phone calls.  I will be checking my email through June 10 before taking a vacation. 

4. Q: Are you going to go back to visit Emerson?  A:  Probably not.  When the "old principal" goes back to visit, it doesn't help with the overall transition.  As Emerson meets Mr. Bouton, he'll appreciate not having me checking in on the school so that he can begin to develop relationships; not being reminded of what the "old principal" did or didn't do.  But I'll never forget the wonderful staff, families and students who I've worked with during the past 8 years. You'll forever be in my heart!

Camp Emerson Tonight!

Here's the Agenda:
ONE PLANET. ONE CHANCE.
Friday, May 20:
4:30 Tent set up begins
5:30 FREE crafts and activities
6- 7:30 p.m. $5. per person BBQ dinner ($20 max per family)
8 p.m. Sixth Grade Science Camp Video
8:30 FREE popcorn and FREE movie

Saturday Morning, May 21:
Bring your own breakfast! 
Garden workday until 10:30.  Come out and pick a few weeds!

A Letter from Mr. McCombs

Dear Emerson Families,


When students transfer out of the school we try to encourage them by saying “You’ll make new friends, get to know a new place and learn to love your new school.” Sadly, I need to accept my own advice - I will be moving to another school next year as well.

When I arrived to Emerson eight years ago, together we worked to build the community garden, to bring preschool to Emerson, and to start the Camp Emerson tradition. We’ve held many parent workshops for Math, Language Arts and technology. We’ve grown from one of the smallest schools in the city, to a much larger school- both in the number of students and staff, as well as with our new buildings. More recently we’ve developed the iScholars program as well as other initiatives such as the computer labs, iPods in 4th and 5th grades, HEARTS, and “Game Day” the structured PE program. I still get teased about kissing the pig and getting a Mohawk! Together we’ve been able to build Emerson into a wonderful “mini United Nations” elementary school focused on learning.

Some of my most memorable times were not always joyous, as with the passing of a beloved teacher a few years ago, students who had to be suspended or expelled, staff layoffs, student injuries, or not meeting our school-wide AYP goals. I’ve learned a lot from these sad experiences as well- and that is why I believe that “bad” things can happen, so that we can have the opportunity to learn and grow as we walk together in this complicated life. I’ve learned a lot from the incredible Emerson staff, parents, the community and the students. Does anyone remember if I had any grey hair when I first arrived to Emerson? ;)

Despite any difficulties, I have truly loved being the Emerson principal. I’ve been so proud of the students for their learning achievements, for working so hard to meet their goals, and for working to achieve their personal best this year.

While I plan to take my own advice as I move to Madison Elementary , I will never forget the special place that you all hold in my heart. Thank you all for being such a great school family!



John McCombs

RIVERSIDE: Doctor awards laptops to scholarship winners | Riverside | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

The press Enterprise published a great story about Dr. Valezuela's TECH laptop program. Follow the link:

RIVERSIDE: Doctor awards laptops to scholarship winners Riverside PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California

Concert on the Green 5-12

You are invited  to attend the annual Spring Band Concert-on-the-Green, featuring the bands from Emerson, Highland, Highgrove, Hyatt, Longfellow, University Heights Middle School, and North High School this Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 5:30pm on the lawn at University Heights Middle School.  Admission is free.  Come and hear music that our talented and dedicated band students have been working so hard to prepare.  Feel free to bring a blanket and a picnic dinner to enjoy while our bands provide the entertainment.  This will be the first public performance for our beginning students, and the final elementary performance for our 6^th grade musicians.

"I will not make funny noises."

Adam and Eve probably made their kids write sentences- it's a punishment that's been around for a while.  It has fallen out of favor in recent years because it is believed that writing sentences causes kids to dislike writing.  Well, I've got some news from the principal's office- if students' level of proficiency is any measure for their affection for writing, then we've got a problem- many kids already do dislike writing. 

When students get in trouble, the first thing that I do is have them write down what happened.  This gives them a little time to reflect on the problem and explain it.  Most of the time, however, I am so horrified by the students' lack of facility to write, that I first point out to them that they have misspelled several "no excuse" words, forgotten all of their punctuation, and used such simple language that it's difficult to understand the complexity of their problem. 

As Emerson works to increase the rigor of our academic program, student writing becomes a key component because it is the most difficult of the four domains in language arts (the others being listening, speaking, and reading).  As a school we need to increase the frequency, quality, and importance of writing in order to help more students meet state standards. 

For the past 8 years, I have assigned a variety of consequences when children get in trouble.  While I believe that counseling them and speaking with their parents are most important, I have generally then assigned the consequence of sitting on the principal's bench during recesses.  Is this an effective consequence?  For some students it does the trick and they never get in trouble again.  For others, they try to disappear from the bench; they play around when they are on the bench; or they enjoy the time reading while seated in the shade.

Lately I've been assigning the consequence of writing sentences.  I customize the sentence to the child's misbehavior, their ability to write, their age and their infraction.  So far, I've seen good results.  To practice copying a complex sentence that models appropriate grade level writing may not be such a bad idea.  Apology letters and agreements to improve behavior will also be used with increasing frequency.

I would like to get your opinion about writing sentences.  On the sidebar, I've added a poll.  Please let me know what you think. 

Nature vs. Nurture

What accounts for student success, natural talent or the nurturing work of adults?  Ask Madison Ramirez, an Emerson 5th grader, and she'll be able to give you a comprehensive report.  Madison's History Day project on the nature vs. nurture debate progressed all the way to the State History Day as a Finalist! 

Held in San Jose, the state competition included an interview with a board of judges.  Madison was included with five other finalists in the Junior Poster Division. 

Madison was recognized last night at the RUSD Board of Education meeting along with Mrs. Jackie Hopper, Emerson's History Day Coordinator.  Last year Madison's brother also progressed to the State History Day competition.  Supported by her parents, Rudy and Sandy Ramirez, Madison's efforts are a great example of the importance of BOTH nature and nurture in student success. 


Madison's project will be displayed in the front office.  Congratulations, Madison, We're proud of you!

Pathfinder Photos

Science Camp 2011

All is well at Science Camp 2011!  We arrived safely up the mountain, just on the other side of the mountain from Palm Springs, to a beautiful mountain retreat.  The facility is really nice- there is a large central quad that has a basketball court, a soccer field, a few games like tether ball and ping pong- all surrounded by trees and rocky hills.
The meals are served family style, and one student, the hopper, at each table is selected by a special criteria such as who has the brightest socks.  For lunch today we had tacos and for breakfast, scrambled eggs and sausage.  After weighing the leftover food waste, there is a "garbology report" which consists of the measurement of food waste and the setting of a goal (for less waste) for the next meal.

Students get a little bit of free time when they transition from one class to another, but they are spending most of their time in activities such as animal husbandry, rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, interactive games and hikes. 

After getting freshened up, the studnets will enter the dining hall at 5:30 with a squirt of hand sanitizer, a moment of quiet reflection, and then digging in to a big meal.  "Would you please pass the salad?"  The students clean up the tables, put  away their chairs and then it will be time for the campfire which includes skits and music.  The kids will be back in their cabins by about 9 p.m. and lights will be out by 9:30.  Tonight they are will be so tired that they will fall to sleep right away.  There are no problems to report- the students are all behaving like angels, learning a lot, and having fun.  Thank you again, parents, staff and especially Lisa Newhall for leading up the efforts to get all of our kids to camp!

CST Test-Taking Strategies

Here are a few tips for taking tests.  Some strategies are really basic, and some may seem counter-intuitive, and some may not always be best for every student, but knowing these strategies can help students take tests more effectively.

• Get a good night's rest before a testing day.
• On the day of testing keep your routines (eating a healthy breakfast etc.) in place.
• Have several number 2 pencils sharpened and ready.
• Review previous assessments and know why you missed the questions that you missed. 
• Practice your math facts.
• Make sure that you are not late to school! 
• Ask your teacher for help with procedural questions.
• If you don't understand the directions for bubbling, using scratch paper, or the directions about how to take the test, ask for help. 
• Be confident that you have already learned most of the material that will be on the test.
• Read the questions carefully.  Read all of the possible answers carefully.  Mentally answer the question before marking the answer. 
• Don't change your answer unless you have a really good reason.  Your first choice is most often correct. 
• Make the most intelligent answer possible.
• Answer the easiest questions first.
• Prove it before you choose it.
• Don't spend too much time on any one question, pace yourself!
• Go back to answer any questions that you skipped. 
• Carefully match up the questions and the answers on the bubble sheet. 
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers.
• Think about the BEST answer choice.
• Look for key words or phrases in the questions and answers.
• Understand what the question is asking and then answer that question.
• When there is a reading passage, read the questions first.
• All grades can use scratch paper on the math test.
• Transfer the question correctly from the scratch paper!
• Line up place value correctly and neatly to avoid computation errors.
• If your answer does not match one of the choices, re-read the question and solve the problem again. 
• The tests are untimed, so take all the time you need!
• When you have extra time, check the problems that you were unsure of. 
• If you finish early, check to see if you have answered all of the questions. 
• When you finish, please stay quiet so others are not distracted!

 

 

 

Good Morning Emerson Eagles!

Greeting of the Day:

Because it's getting too hot, we have decided to eliminate recess for the rest of the year.
Cents for Sendai
Teachers, please plan to turn in your Cents for Sendai containers to the office today at recess. Students can continue to bring in change that we can send to Riverside's sister city in Japan that was devastated by the 4th largest earthquake ever recorded.

Skill Blitz
Our Reading Comprehension Skill this week is Sequence of Events. As you read think about the order in which actions take place. What happens first, second, third?

Rule Reminders
We have started a new recycling program at Emerson.  The styrofoam trays and milk cartons are getting recycled.  In order to recycle milk cartons, first students need to dump their milk into the bucket with the strainer on top.  Then the milk cartons need to be placed in the trash recepticle that has the small round cut-out in the middle.  Only milk cartons can go in this can. 
The trays are going to be recycled also.  We have to stack them up neatly so that they can be sent to the recycling plant.  Only left over food and plastic will go into the trash.  But it would be great if we could get our composting project going again.  Implementing all of these will help us from filling up the landfills full of trash. 

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch.
Beef Rib BQ
Corn on the Cob
Applesauce, Animal Crackers
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!
Oh and about the recesses, nevermind- Happy April Fools Day!

Sneak Preview of First Grade Play

Mrs. Folger's class dress rehearsal for Goldilocks and the Three Bears today was awesome!  Follow this link to watch a 30 second preview.  In May, the iScholars class is planning to perform for the PTA Awards Luncheon. 

HEARTS- 100 Mile Club

The HEARTS after school program has accepted the 100 Mile challenge at Emerson! The 100 Mile Club is an exercise club that gives incentives for every 25 miles reached. Since our kids have been walking and/or running since our program started in November, many of them have reached their first milestone. Once they reach 25 miles, they will receive a 100 Mile t-shirt. HEARTS students have been doing such a fantastic job with this challenge and are motivated by the incentives that are on the way! The incentives are:
25 miles- 100 Mile T-shirt
50 miles- golden 50 Mile Club Membership pencil and motivational card
75 miles- colorful bracelet
100 miles- gold medal and certificate of completion
We are on our path to 100 miles and I know with hard work we can get there by the end of the school year. Keep up the good work kids!

Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Question of the Day:
I hope that you are all doing well today.  How are you doing?

Cents for Sendai
Teachers will each start to receive their Cents for Sendai containers in the classroom.  Students are encouraged to bring in change that we can send to Riverside's sister city in Japan that was devastated by the 4th largest earthquake ever recorded. 

Skill Blitz
Our Reading Comprehension Skill this week is Sequence of Events. As you read think about the order in which actions take place.  What happens first, second, third?
Rule Reminders
It looks like we are going to have a beautiful week, but remember if you bring a sweater or sweatshirt in the morning, make sure that you keep track of it as the day warms up so that you don't lose it.  Remember that the lost and found is located in the cafeteria. 

Students are not allowed to be in the hallways during recesses...especially on the lower floor of the new building. 

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch.
Turkey Corn Dog
Green Beans
Diced Pears
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

Students have chance to earn laptop | Riverside | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Emerson Students have chance to earn laptop Riverside PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California Read about it in the Press Enterprise!

Call for Science Presenters!

There are two science-based events occurring on May 20 for which Emerson is seeking presenters.  The first is Space Day, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, which will be held at Jefferson Elementary school this year. LM brings in local groups such as the Astronomical Society to make about eight repeated presentations to traveling groups of students.  Usually the presentations are about 30-40 minutes in length, include a hands-on activity, a make-and-take activity, a demonstration, or something engaging for children from Kindergarten to sixth grade.  Over 1000 students will rotate through the stations, but not every student will get to visit every station.  I'm working on calling some of our parents who have science backgrounds, but I know that there are some of you could host a station, even if you are not a science professor.  Last year Kevin Hauser, our local warm climate apple tree expert gave a demonstration on grafting trees.  Let me know if you can help, and I'll ask Penelope from LM to give you a call.  All of Emerson's 4th and 5th grade students will attend Space Day.

Camp Emerson also is scheuled for Friday, May 20.  Camp Emerson started 8 years ago with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Eastside Community Garden.  Every year we have science-based crafts, demonstrations, and activities in the late afternoon set up in the outdoor hallways.  Groups of families stroll through the hallways (or classrooms) looking at and participating in activities.  The format is a less structured environment than Space Day -more of a come-and-go atmosphere.  We can always use more science-based activities or demonstrations for Camp Emerson.  After the activities, there is dinner, a movie and camping under the stars. 

If you are willing to help with either of these events, please give me a call- 788-7462 ext 41050 

Extended Day Kindergarten at Emerson in 2011-12!

If you are looking for an all day kindergarten program, look no further than your own home school, Emerson! 
The staff made the decision to extend the traditional half-day program in order to provide increased instruction and differentiation for all students- both for struggling learners, as well as for potential iScholars students. 
Lack of adequate classroom space has previously prevented Emerson from being able to offer a full day program.  K teachers have had to share classroom space with an awkward overlapping time in the middle of the day when both classes were in session. 
The Measure B construction projects have opened up enough space to be able to expand our K program to mirror the same school hours as the first through sixth grade classes.  Computers have been ordered for the K classrooms that will provide additional reading and math practice.   We are allocating extra funds to pay for playground supervisors to watch the students on the playground. 
All day K is coming to Emerson in 2011-12!

Obama and No Child Left Behnid - Newsweek

The following Newsweek article offers insights into President Obama's direction on the No Child Left Behind Legislation. Please comment to let me know what YOU think. Diane Ravitch: Obama and No Child Left Behnid - Newsweek

History Day contest winners advance to state | Riverside | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

History Day contest winners advance to state Riverside PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California

Good Morning Emerson Eagles!

Dream, Believe, Achieve!


Question of the Day: (Don't forget to answer in a complete sentence!)
Did you wear a jacket today?
Skill Blitz
Our Reading Comprehension Skill this week Drawing Conclusions.  You will use this strategy when you sythesize a variety of facts or events and then decide what you believe is most logical, most likely or most possible to happen next.  That's one of the most interesting parts of reading- piecing together all of the clues to think about what you believe, using all of the evidence that the author provides.

Rule Reminders
We will probably be on an inclement weather schedule, even if we do allow students to go to the playground. 
When you are on the playground on a day like today, remember to slow down, don't run, and stay out of puddles. 

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch.
Chicken Strips
Potato Wedges
Diced Peaches
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

Kindergarten News

If you have a kindergartener or children who will soon be going to kindergarten, we have important news for you! The kindergarten admission birth date is changing gradually over the next three years. SB 1381 (Simitian, Chapter 705, Statutes of 2010) will, over a period of three years, phase in a change in the admission birth date from Dec. 2 for entry into kindergarten. Beginning in the fall of 2012, children must be 5 years old by Nov.1 to enroll in kindergarten. In the fall of 2013, they must be 5 years old by Oct. 1; and in the fall of 2014, they must be 5 years old by September 1. Under the legislation, a child born after September 1 may still be admitted to kindergarten on a case-by-case basis, if the parent or guardian applies for early admission, and the school district agrees it would be in the best interests of the child. This legislation also requires school districts to establish Transitional Kindergarten programs, using modified kindergarten curricula for those “young fives” displaced by the change in the age of admission. All too often, children who start kindergarten at the age of 4 have been shown to have negative progress academically later in school. Transitional Kindergarten is intended to build a bridge between preschool years and traditional kindergarten. Michael Butler
Parent Involvement Advocate
California State PTA
Reprinted from Sacramento Update,
January 2011

Agriculture in the Classroom

The California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom recently published an updated version of the book Gardens for Learning, which can be read and downloaded for free at: http://www.csgn.org/page.php?id=36
Emerson's Eastside Community Garden is highlighted and referenced several times in this publication, especially in the chapter on garden design. 

Good Morning Emerson Eagles!

Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Question of the Day:
How are you all doing today? (Don't forget the subject when you respond!)

Skill Blitz
Our Reading Comprehension Skill this week has been Fact and Opinion.  A fact is something that can be proven.  An opinion is someone's belief about something. 
As you read, it's important for you to be thinking about what you read from this frame of reference.  Many things that we read are written with the purpose of persuading the readers to believe one thing or another.  Even an over-emphasis of certain facts (and the absence of other facts) can be used to persuade readers. As you go through the day today, think about what is a fact (that can be proven), and what is an opinion (what someone believes, but can't be definitively proven)

Rule Reminders
On the lunch court, make sure that you carefully walk to the table that is designated for your class.  When you are eating, make sure that you are seated, and don't get up unless you raise your hand and are called on to get up. 
Also, don't forget to look at the Super 8 rules, and use them to prevent conflicts.   

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch.
Cheeseburger on a bun
Corn on the cob
Applesauce
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Opening of New Emerson Facilities

Emerson News Update 3/13/11

Open House is Wednesday, March 16, 5:30 hot dogs and nachos, 6:30 ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of library, 7-8 p.m. classrooms open

Construction Update: The portable relocation and lunch shelter project is moving along! The portables have been set in place. Three classes, the band, and the choir will be moving in on Monday!

Transfers are limited, and time is short! We’ve received many calls from parents interested in transferring into Emerson. But the number of spaces is limited to only a few and the transfer window closes at the end of March. All transfer requests must go through the Pupil Services department. The only exception is a GATE transfer, which is handled by Kim Coons in the GATE office.

Sixth Grade Promotion: RUSD Middle Schools are holding their promotion ceremonies on Friday morning, so Emerson is planning to hold our promotion on Thursday, June 2, in the morning -exact time TBA, but probably at 9:30 a.m.

Report Cards- If you did not receive your child’s second trimester report card on Friday, please contact the teacher.

Spring Break is April 4-8.

Egypt Interact Wax Museum

Thanks to Mrs. DeHaro's sixth grade iScholars class, Egyptian history came to life...literally! 

Good Morning Emerson Eagles!

Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Skill Blitz
Compare and Contrast is the reading comprehension skill that we want for students to think about and use this week.  As I walk through the classrooms, I most often see students comparing two items, such as stories, using a Venn Diagram .  These two overlapping circles provide an area in the middle where you can list the similarities and the outer areas provide a space for listing the contrasting characteristics.  The Venn Diagram and the list of similarities and differences make a great graphic organizer for writing.  This week you should compare and contrast many different things, but find at least one set of items to write about.

On the Calendar:
On Saturday, if you have an absence, make it up by attending Saturday School!
On Sunday, Spring forward by setting your clocks forward!
Last day to turn in money for Jump Rope for Heart is Monday!  We have had quite a few packets turned in so far.  Great job making a differnce in somebody's life!

Kudos to:
Mrs. DeHaro' Egyptian Wax Museum was awesome!  Wow!  For those of you who didn't get to see it I'll post some pictures later today.
Second and third grade classrooms who are temporarily displaced, but still focused on learning!  We appreciate your flexibility and focus.

Rule Reminders
Safety first.  Never talk to any adult who is outside of the fence!
No bouncing a ball in the hallway.
No hoodies or hats at school.
Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch.
Hot Dog on a bun
BBQ Beans
Diced Peaches
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

Good Morning Emerson Eagles, Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Question of the Day
Before I ask this question, remember that "Good! isn't good enough!  Single word responses may be okay when you are twittering, texting, or hanging out with your friends in the summer, but when you are in school, you need to actively answer with complete sentences.  Never just say "good!"  So, how are you?

Rule Reminders:
Remember that the most important rules at school, called the School Behavior Standards,  are posted in classrooms.  These guide how you behave.  There are also some safety rules, like not running in the hallways that are really important to keep everyone safe.  Classrooms have developed rules as well to help make sure that you know what is expected of you in class.  The Super 8 rules help you prevent conflicts between each other.

Skill Blitz:
This week we have worked on one of the most difficult reading comprehension skills- making inferences.  Most of the time when you are reading informational text the author tries to be very direct and tell you everything...but when you are reading a narrative, a letter, or a story, the author will want you to do some of the work to try to piece together the clues.  The more you pay attention to details the better you'll get at making inferences.  The better you get at making inferences, the more advanced you'll become in reading.

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Please take a look at the sample salad that is displayed at the front of the salad bar...doesn't it look yummy? You don' have to make an inference to know what the hot lunch is today (because I'm going to tell you directly:
Chesseburger on a bun
BBQ Beans
Fruit Juice
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form. Please sign and date your attendance and send it to the office.

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

Robotics, Legos, Engineering

Mrs. DeHaro's sixth grade iScholars class recently broke out the Lego Mars Rover kit that the RUSD Instructional Services department gave to Emerson a couple of years ago.  The acceleration and differentiation of the iScholars class has provided some opportunities to take out the Rover and consider the opportunities that science and engineering projects offer for students. 

 

Kids love Legos.  Emerson hopes to initiate a First Lego League Team for the next school year.  We will have space available for the equipment and we are starting to make plans (along with Hyatt Elementary) for a competitive Lego club using the Legos Mindstorms.  If you are interested in helping us get this club going, please let us know!



Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve

Family Night
Tonight, Wednesday, March 2, is the BIG MAGIC SHOW featuring The Great Raguzi!!! We'll start the evening with a Spaghetti Dinner for only $1 per person. After dinner, we'll have a book exchange. Bring a gently used book with you -or a few books if you can. You'll get to exchange your book for a "new" one. After the dinner and the book exchange, students will be treated to a FREE magic show while the parents attend a language arts workshop with the teachers.

Jump Rope for Heart
Yesterday our jump rope event was so much fun!  Everyone did such a great job jumping!  And remember that we participated in the event as a fundraiser "to make a difference in somebody's life"  by helping to raise money to support the medical fight against heart disease.  So, if you still have a couple of people that you want to ask- either for the first time, or if you need to follow up with them, YOU STILL HAVE TIME!  You can ask them the old-fashioned way by talking to them directly or you can set your website up (by clicking on the Jump Rope For Heart link, and send them an email.  Teachers, please send fundraising envelopes to Ms. Bekkedahl in room 6.

As you can see, four portable classrooms were moved yesterday to their new locations.  As early as this afternoon, three more will be move- Mrs. Filkins' room, Mrs. Arnaiz' room and Mrs. Moreno's room!  They will be "housed" in temporary locations until their rooms are moved, reconnected and ready to move back in.  During this time the library is going to be closed. 

Skill Blitz:
Try to look for opportunities to make inferences today...Is someone trying to tell you something, but they are beating around the bush?

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Please take a look at the sample salad that is displayed at the front of the salad bar...doesn't it look yummy? You don' have to make an inference to know what the hot lunch is today (because I'm going to tell you directly:

Stuffed Crust Pizza Garden Salad w/Dressing Applesauce

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Family Night
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 2, is the BIG MAGIC SHOW featuring The Great Raguzi!!!  We'll start the evening with a Spaghetti Dinner for only $1 per person.  After dinner, we'll have a book exchange.  Bring a gently used book with you -or a few books if you can.  You'll get to exchange your book for a "new" one.  After the dinner and the book exchange, students will be treated to a FREE magic show while the parents attend a language arts workshop with the teachers.

Skill Blitz:
Yesterday I described how readers can make inferences to piece together what the author is decribing but not stating directly.  In math, your teacher could just tell you the formula and say "just multiply the numbers!" But instead, they pose an essential question, they provide a time for interactive learing- where you work with other students and try out some different ways to solve a problem.  Then you watch the visual learning bridge video to help you see a good way to solve the problem.  When you first hear the essential question, you may infer that you'll need to multiply two numbers...but the teacher doesn't tell you that right away so that you can grapple with the problem yourself...just like how you may try to fit together the pieces of the puzzle. You can use your inferencing skills in other subjects-even math!

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Please take a look at the sample salad that is displayed at the front of the salad bar...doesn't it look yummy? You don' have to make an inference to know what the hot lunch is today (because I'm going to tell you directly:

Fiesta Cheese Nachos, Salsa Fresh Broccoli Fresh Fruit

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Morning Announcements 2/28/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Monday, February 28, 2011

The Pancake Breakfast was fantastic!  Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a success!  Together we raised about $6800 for science camp!

Skill Blitz:
As you remember. we are 4 weeks into our skill blitz, and this week the strategy that we'll focus on is making/detecting inferences.  When you are reading there are often somewhat myterious things that the author decides to not just tell you directly.  You have to use the clues, the details and facts from the text along with what you already know to make an inference.  The author may not directly tell you everything because they want you to have fun piecing together what they want you to know.  Sometimes you have to "read between the lines" and eventhough the information is not written directly in the words, an author can craft the words so that you piece it all together yourself.  This makes reading fun!  This week, look for inferences that the author is making to better understand the text.

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Please take a look at the sample salad that is displayed at the front of the salad bar...doesn't it look yummy? Today the hot lunch is:
Cheeseburger on a bun
BBQ Beans
Fruit Juice
If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!
High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Pancake Breakfast 2011

 The students, staff and especially the parents hosted a fantastic community day on Saturday, the "fourty-somethingth" annual Pancake Breakfast. Throughout the morning, hundreds of hungry students, alumni, families and staff enjoyed a variety of fun activities.

For months, the parents of our sixth grade students solicited donations, made plans, and enlisted helpers.  Led by Lisa Newhall, the committee worked to get almost everything donated - even the pancake mix!

 

The Great Raguzi, Emerson parent Alex Rogers, performed slight of hand while many awestruck children dripped syrup while wondering how the Great Raguzi made their card re-appear.

 There were dozens of great prizes which went to the lucky winners, as well as to the high bidders.  Classes contributed items to build class baskets.  One basket contained Lakers tickets, and another- a beautifully arranged Emerson Eagle orange tree, had over $250 worth of gift cards! 

Emerson is thankful to all of the students, staff, and community members who helped contribute towards making our sixth grade camp fundraiser a huge success!

.

Morning Announcements 2/25/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Friday, February 25, 2011
The Big Weekend!
A big storm is coming!  But even if it is FREEZING outside, the Pancake Breakfast, silent auction, raffle, pie throwing booth, games, and art show (and more) will go on despite the weather!  If you remember back to last year, we had cold weather, rain AND the electricity went out, but the Pancake Breakfast was a complete success. 

Skill Blitz: This week you have been noting details while you have been reading.  Paying attention to those details will help you piece together the meaning of what you read- sort of like how each piece of the puzzle is important in helping to understand the big picture. 

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Please take a look at the sample salad that is displayed at the front of the salad bar...doesn't it look yummy? Today the hot lunch is:

Beef Rib-BQ on a Bun Corn on the Cob Applesauce , Animal Crackers

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Morning Announcements 2/22/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!
Today is Wednesday, February 22, 2011

If you missed the Emerson Chorus practice yesterday, don't worry! You can still attend practice today to sign up. All 5th and 6th grade students are welcome to participate. Practice will begin 12:35, right after lunch, on the stage in the cafeteria. Don't miss out on the Emerson Chorus!


Skill Blitz:
Today pay attention to details, think about how the details support a bigger picture, a story or a main idea.  During math, think about the details in the problem and how each one is important to solving the essential question. 
Continue your efforts practicing the Reading Comprehension strategy of Noting Details to help you be able to understand, make predictions and even answer questions about what you have read.

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Please take a look at the sample salad that is displayed at the front of the salad bar...doesn't it look yummy? Today the hot lunch is:

Sicilian Style Pizza Popeye Salad w/Dressing Mixed Fruit

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Morning Announcements 2/21/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Tuesday, February 21, 2011

Skill Blitz:
Last week for the Skill Blitz, we focused on how using the strategy of identifying the MAIN IDEA in a passage can help you to understand the text.  This week we are going to focus on how NOTING DETAILS
and paying attention to those details can also help you understand what you are reading.  As you go through the given passage thoroughly and arrive at certain conclusions by means of using your reasoning capacity, you pay attention to or you note certain facts details that may not even be stated. For example:
1. Bob is tall. Jim is taller than Bob. Lee is taller than Jim. Who is taller? Lee.
2. Mandy liked the movie. Teresa liked the movie more than Mandy. Liz liked the movie more than Teresa.
Who liked the movie the least?  Mandy.
3. Brett was happy. Jenny was happier than Brett. Roger was happier then Jenny.
Who was the happiest?  Roger.
I'll give some different scenarios later this week about how you can use the Reading Comprehension strategy of Noting Details to help you be able to understand, make predictions and even answer questions about what you have read. 
Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Today the hot lunch is:

Turkey Corn Dogs Green Beans Diced Pears

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.
Academic News and Highlights:
Six Emerson students from Mrs. DeHaro's room competed on Saturday at Cal Baptist University in the Mathcounts competition.  To see their photo, scroll down on my blog! 

During this past weekend, about 25 students took the mini HP laptops home with them to work on Ticket to Read, First in Math, SuccessNet and Accelerated Reader.  One measure of their success is that they moved us ahead into TENTH place, district-wide in FIM.  Great job to all Emerson students who extend their learning using these online resources. 

Emerson Chorus to Begin Today!!!!  Rehearsals will start today at 12:35 on the stage in the cafeteria.  All 5th and 6th grade students are welcome to come!

Fourth grade students are getting close to their state CST writing assessment.  Fourth graders, we are counting on you to select a focus, an organizational structure, and a point of view based upon purpose, audience, length, and format requirements.
Fourth graders must be able to create multiple-paragraph compositions:
a. Provide an introductory paragraph.
b. Establish and support a central idea with a topic sentence at or near the beginning of the first paragraph.
c. Include supporting paragraphs with simple facts, details, and explanations.
d. Conclude with a paragraph that summarizes the points.
e. Use correct indention.
Use traditional structures for conveying information (e.g., chronological order, cause and effect, similarity and difference, posing and answering a question).

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Emerson Competes in Mathcounts at CBU

Einstein said that "...not everything that counts can be counted." But the Mathcounts competition today will multiply the great memories for six Emerson sixth grade students.  This competition was recently described in an article in the Press Enterprise.



We're proud of you, Erik, Shunta, Alex, Kevin, Olivia, & Sofia!

Up against 7th and 8th grade mathematicians as well, the Emerson students are competing in the event sponsored by CBU's College of Engineering.  Two of these mathematcians recently joined other Emerson students competing in the UCR Science and Engineering Fair.

The Emerson team was inspired to compete by an Emerson student, Kevin Chu, who is dually enrolled at Emerson and a Riverside Virtual School mathematics course, as well as by their iScholars teacher, Griselda DeHaro.  Follow this link to learn more about the Mathcounts at CBU. 

Ticket to Read!

Here is the link for the Ticket to Read program:
www.voyagerlearning.com/vport

This interactive reading program promises to help Emerson students improve their reading ability, and to have a lot of fun at the same time.  Teachers will distribute usernames and passwords this week!  Enjoy your Ticket to Read!

Morning Announcements 2/17/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Thursday, February 17, 2011

Skill Blitz:
This week the Reading Comprehension Skill Focus is Main Idea.  (It may be helpful for students to see this passage on my blog as I read the announcements.) You can use this strategy to help you improve your understanding of text from any subject. Let's read a passage from the third grade California Math Project and as we read, think about the overall. purpose of the passage.

"During the California Gold Rush, some people charged miners for supplies and services: A pound of sugar cost $2; a pound of coffee cost $4. Women charged $25 for a meal and earned $50 a week washing shirts. (This may not sound like a lot, but in those days most grocery items, when available, could be purchased for pennies a pound.) Successful miners could pay the prices, but other miners could not; they went home penniless. Many stayed, however, and by 1856, San Francisco had more than 50,000 citizens and was the largest city in the West."

The QUESTION that accompanies this passage asks: How much it would cost a miner to buy 6 pounds of sugar? How much it would cost miners to buy 8 pounds of coffee?

If you are trying to understand the MAIN IDEA of this passage, you will want to separate the main idea from the details.  The accompanying questions do not ask about the main idea, but they ask you to make a calculation using important facts.  Talk with a partner right now, asking them to identify the main idea of this passage. 

You'll find lots of interesting details about the California gold rush- the cost of groceries, how some minors went broke, the growth of cities like San Francisco, but you won't find the main idea exactly stated in the passage.  But if you think about the details and search the passage, you will probably find that the main idea could be stated "The cost of supplies during the gold rush impacted minors' lives." 

Finding the main idea of a math passage will help you to understand the story, not just find the details. 

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Today the hot lunch is:

Meat & Cheese Soft Taco, Salsa Golden Corn

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

Academic and Behaviour  Expectations:
Every week students should be taking and passing an AR quiz. 
Students must MASTER the math facts for their grade level.
Homework and independent reading are required Monday-Thursday.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Magic, Spaghetti, and Language Arts Return on March 2

On  Wednesday, March 2, 2011, Emerson is offering an educational and fun event for the whole family- dinner, magic for the kids, and language arts for the parents. 

As you may recall, in December, 2009, over 185 Emerson parents and students joined together for a Parent Language Arts Workshop. The students were mesmerized by The Great Raguzi; everyone enjoyed the tasty spaghetti dinner; and most of all, the parents learned how to help their parent be even more successful in the language arts workshops.

Teachers are once again planning to present a variety of topics in language arts designed to support parents with difficult language issues. Some classes may include make-and-take lessons with language learning games that can be played at home. Others may included information about how parents can use spelling patterns as well as sounds to help their children become better readers. 



We hope that you will plan to attend on March 2, starting with dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Pancake Breakfast at Emerson on Saturday, February 26!

Hot buttered pancakes with along with other tasty breakfast fare will be served up From 7 until 11 a.m. in the Emerson cafeteria on Saturday, February 26.

There will be drawings for dozens of great prizes as well as raffles for numerous theme-baskets. All of the proceeds will benefit the sixth grade students in their efforts to raise money to attend science camp. Please come out and enjoy this forty-something year-old Emerson tradition.

Morning Announcements 2/16/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Wednesday, February 16, 2011
It looks like we are going to be on an INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHEDULE today.

Question of the Day:
Before you answer this question, remember to answer in a complete sentence and please don't start with "good."  How's it going?

Skill Blitz: (Repeat from yesterday)
This week the Reading Comprehension Skill Focus is Main Idea.  You can use the Reading Comprehension Strategy of identifying the main idea to help you in all of your subjects.  Here is a fourth grade CST Released Test Question:
Gabrielle wants to cover her square garden with mulch to protect her plants.  Which bag of mulch will Gabrielle need to buy to exactly cover the entire garden area?
Even without showing you the picture, the dimensions of her garden, and the bags of mulch, what do you already know about the MAIN IDEA of this CST-style math problem? First, here are some important details:

• The mulch must cover the garden.
• You need to know how much mulch it will take to cover the garden. 
• The word "exactly" must be important...she doesn't want to buy extra mulch.
• The word "area" and "cover" are important in describing the type of problem we are solving.

None of these details, however, will help you figure out the MAIN IDEA. The word SQUARE, which means that the length and width of the garden are the same, provide the clue about the MAIN IDEA that will help you solve this problem.  On the picture, the only measurement provided is for the length...but because the problem said that the garden is a square, you will know the width as well. 

How do you tell the difference between an important detain and the MAIN IDEA?  In this problem, the missing detail (which you'll know because of your knowledge that the sides of a square are equal) provides the clue for the the main idea.  In this problem, you need to use clues from the text to fill in missing measurements from the pictures. 

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Today the hot lunch is:

Stuffed Crust Pizza 3-Way Salad w/Ranch Diced Pears

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand.
Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

Rules  (repeated from yesterday):
Hats and caps are not allowed at Emerson.  Students who have been reminded of this and are still wearing hats or caps will have to have their hat or cap picked up in the principal's office by their parent.  Another related rule is that of wearing "hoodies."  On cold winter mornings we have allowed students to wear hoodies, but on warm days, hoodies are not allowed.  The two primary reasons for not allowing hoodies include safety (you can't see a ball flying towards you with a limited field of vision) and supervision (the teachers and noon supervisors can't identify you). 
Another rule that needs re-emphasis is that both gum and lollipops/suckers are not allowed at school.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Science and Engineering Fair Awards

Nine anxious Emerson students and their parents attended the 22nd Annual Science and Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony at UCR last night, proud that their projects were to be considered for recognition.  The ceremony can be viewed on SchoolTube or read about it in The Highlander News.

Fourteen RUSD elementary schools participated in the fair.  The Emerson projects were fascinating, as represented in their titles and recognized by their awards:

• Which Color Will Be Burned the Fastest by Using a Magnifying Glass?  (Bronze Medal in Environmental Education) -by Koharu Abe
• Plant Seeds Germination Can Be Completely Inhibited by 0.4% Salt   by Jerry Cheng
• My Homemade Geysers   by Allison Cocker
• Constructing a Perfect Truss  (Silver Medal in Applied Mechanics and Structures)  by Sophia Goebel
• Reflections    by Victoria Gonzalez (Deparment of Mathematics Award)
• Solar Power  by Julia Mahoney (Honorable Mention, Electronics, and Riverside Public Utilities award)
• Ants and the Real Thing- (Honorable Mention from the Department of Entomology)  by Joseph Nieto
• Does the Size of the Top Vent of a Parachute Effect the Rate of Decent?    Kishan Patel
• Tides of Change: The Acidic Oceans of Our Future  (USDA Bridges Award in Environmental Science and Engineering)  by Darren Yohonn
• Wow! They're Falling Fast!    by Evelyn Yohonn

Emerson is proud of ALL the Science Fair projects and we congratulate these students who represented us in the 2010-11 Science and Engineering Fair at UCR!

Morning Announcements 2/9/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!

Today is Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Upcoming Events:
Did you know that there is no school this Friday???

The computer lab in the library is now open!!! Ms. Betty will be there to help students and classes take AR quizzes, access math homework at your level on SuccessNet, and also earn stickers in First in Math.

Today we have assemblies- there are basically 5 different items on the agenda:
1.) A MATH goal-setting challenge.
2.) Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser
3.) Skill Blitz
4.) Announcements about upcoming dates and events
5. ) A Special Ticket

Skill Blitz: 
Please take the time today to have this dialogue with a partner:
Describe a TV show or movie that you have seen recently and briefly name the characters, tell the plot and describe the setting.

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Today the hot lunch is:

Sicilian Style Pizza Cole Slaw Salad Mixed Fruit

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand. Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

Rules:
When you are lined up for any line (before school, to go to lunch, to return to class, or to go to the assembly today) you need to follow these rules: always watch where you are going; walk-don't run; keep an arm's-length between you and the person infront of you; voluntarily take yourself to the end of the line if the line turns into a crowded group. 

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!

Get Started in Jump Rope For Heart!

Emerson will be particiapting for the 3rd year in the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.  Make a Jump Rope For Heart Web Page and YOU will have super powers to raise more life-saving donations! To get started - you will need to Sign Up and Join your School Team.

Our jump rope event will be held on Tuesday, March 1.  We will be asking you and your students to send out the donation requests by email.  Please log on and register today!

Morning Announcements 2/7/11

Good Morning Emerson Eagles! Dream, Believe, Achieve!
Today is Monday, February 7, 2011

Upcoming Events:
During Saturday School over 40 students made up an absence, planted potatoes, and earned enough points in First in Math to move us up district-wide! 

The computer lab in the library will now be open!!!  Ms. Betty will be there to help students and classes take AR quizzes, access math homework at your level on SuccessNet, and also earn stickers in First in Math. 
The day after tomorrow, Wednesday, there will be a special assembly, during which we will make a big announcement.  The only clue that I can give at this point is that it has something to do with a special TICKET!

Today is the first day of our SKILL BLITZ!  During the next 10 weeks until CST testing, we will focus one one READING COMPREHENSION skill every week.  This week our skill is Story Structure.  If you see the story structure poster in your classroom, please point to it.  The three elements of Story Structure are: plot, setting and characters.  Think of a game (like the Superbowl), a book or a movie that you have watched and try to identify the plot (what happens), the characters (who is in the story), and the setting (the surroundings where it occurs).    Today use story structure to help improve your understanding of what you are reading.

First In Math
School's Top 5 Players Stickers
09sunny57ca 6010
01sunny57ca 4661
03sunny57ca 3843
03volcano7ca 3806
21volcano7ca 3374
Team of the Week:
sunny57ca
Ms. DeHaro, 6th Grade iScholars +6,086
Player of the Week:
03sunny57ca +1,431
Team of the Month:
volcano7ca
Mrs. Nieto & Mrs. Turner, 5th grade +21,314
Player of the Month:
03volcano7ca +3,663

Engagement Requirements:
What's more important, SPELLING WORDS or VOCABULARY WORDS?  Everyone, please discuss this question with a partner. 
Spelling IS important, especially if you are learning word roots, origins and spelling patterns, but VOCABULARY will help you use the language of the discipline- science, history, mathematics, or language arts to discuss important topics accurately and in a mature and sophisticated way.  Pay more attention to vocabulary than spelling AND make sure that you use your vocabulary words as often as possible.

Lunch and Attendance:
For lunch, you have two choices, the Farm Fresh Salad Bar, or the hot lunch. Today the hot lunch is:

Turkey Corn Dogs Oven Fries Diced Pears

If you would like to have a hot lunch, please raise your hand. Teachers, please take a count and make a note on your online attendance form.

Rules:
Students may not enter the campus in the morning in the lower parking lot unless they are arriving by bus.  Additionally, students cannot go to the lower classroom hallway without permission or supervision. 

Pledge:
Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance!
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

High Expectations:
There's no choice, achieving your personal best is required every day at Emerson!