Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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. 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

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!

Monday, March 28, 2011

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!



Saturday, March 26, 2011

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 

Thursday, March 24, 2011

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!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

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

Monday, March 21, 2011

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!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

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

Friday, March 18, 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!



Sunday, March 13, 2011

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.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Egypt Interact Wax Museum

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

Monday, March 7, 2011

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!



















Friday, March 4, 2011

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!



Thursday, March 3, 2011

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!



Wednesday, March 2, 2011

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!