Will Heavy Rains Muddy Up Opening of New Building?

The torrential rains created a muddy mess throughout the campus, especially downhill of the muddy hillside. The Tilden Coil Constructors were there cleaning up the mess and evaluating the drainage design of the new building. When the concrete work is complete, the swales, drainage basins and culverts will easily be able to handle heavy rain. But this week, we were not quite ready for it.

Shake Off Unrealistic Holiday Expectations!

How do I decide between getting Christmas gifts for the kids or sending in the car payment?  A local Mariage and Family Therapist,Mitchell Rosen, asks in his latest column in the Press Enterprise.  I don't always agree with him, but his article in today's PE he responded to a concern that I have heard many Emerson parents express lately.

He states that "We affirm our children with praise, gratitute, and stability.  It may sound trite- 'You get stability for Christmas' - except it isn't.  Of all the possible gifts, stability, values, priorities, and common sense trump Microsoft every time."

Further, he states, "Some moms and dads will ask, 'What will my kids think of me on Christmas morning when there are only cookies and gifts from the 99 cent store?' Actually, children are a lot more adaptable than we adults.  Sure they'll be disappointed...but kids take their cues from us."

As your child's principal, I wish your familiy a wonderful time together during vacation.  Don't sweat the presents.  Bake together, read, play some on-line math games together, visit relatives, and help others who have even less than you.

Do you Shop at Ralph's or Vons?

Ralph's and Vons both particiapte in the Labels for Education program.
Please register your Ralph's or Von's Card to start earning points automatically...plus when you register your card, the school earns 100 Bonus points! Start earning points now and register today!

Help Emerson earn merchandise points for sports equipment and other school supplies by collecting UPC barcodes of many Campbell's Labels for Education products, such as Goldfish crackers, soups, Prego Italian sauces, Swanson canned chicken and V8 drinks.  When you buy participating Labels for Education products and use your Rewards card, total points earned are automatically credited to Emerson.

Box Tops for Education

Box Tops help schools earn extra cash to buy the things they need. The PTA could really use your help to raise money through this easy method. Getting involved is so simple! Box Tops provides two easy ways to earn cash for our school through everyday activities: buying groceries, shopping online and making purchases with a credit card - all at no additional cost to you.

Clip the Box Tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite General Mills, Ziploc and Kimberly Clark products and send them into our schools. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents, Super box tops are worth 30 cents, and Bonus box tops can earn up to $2.00.

Start every online shopping trip at the Box Tops Marketplaces at boxtops4education.com. Shop at over 200 of your favorite stores including JC Penney and Lands' End. Our schools earns a donation of up to 8% from every qualifying purchase.

In addition, join the Box Tops for Education Booster Clubs. Your support will be rewarded with great benefits for you and your family like money-saving coupons and easy meal ideas. Best of all, it's absolutely free! School and family budgets are tighter than ever.

Please send in the Box Tops you collect until the end of the school year. We will send  in another submission at the beginning of the summer so that we get them all in by their expiration dates.

•Download a PDF file of the qualifying products

•Avery Office Products is now an official brand of Box Tops for Education! Watch for the Box Top Coupon on all Avery Office Products!

Target Red Card

Target's® "Take Charge of Education" program offers one of the easiest ways to raise money for Emerson. If you have a Target Visa or Target Guest Card, you can designate Emerson Elementary School to receive a cash donation equal to 1% of purchases made at Target and 1/2% of purchases made everywhere else. Once you sign up, Target tracks your purchases and distributes donations once a year in September. You do nothing except use your Target Visa or Guest Card as you normally would. The more you use your card, the more the school receives! Anyone can participate: parents, grandparents, interested community members. You don't need to live in the district; you just need to designate Emerson for your account.

Here's how to participate:
•Apply for a Target Visa or Target Guest Card
•Shop with your Target card
•Designate the school of your choice by going to https://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-001693 or call 1-800-316-6142

• or pick up a brochure at your local Target store.

Moving Day Photos

Winter Garden in Bloom



 These photos were taken in the Eastside Community Garden this morning. The rain as well as the heat have reaally made the garden grow and bloom!