Portable Classrooms Roll Out to Playground

 "Our classroom got jacked up!"  I overheard a child say during recess today. Portable classrooms demonstrated today how they earned their name as they we jacked up, loaded onto a trailer, and relocated temporarily to the playground. 

Several of the best portable classrooms needed to be moved so that Haley Construction could begin the grading for the Portable Re-alignment and Lunch Shelter Project at Emerson. Prior to Winter Recess, all of the belongings were removed from the portable classrooms- most of the items moved with the teachers into the new buildings- and some were sent to storage.  After a few weeks these classrooms and their furniture will be lined up into a new-looking wing and spruced up for their next term of service. Several of the older classrooms have been donated to non-profit organizations (such as churches) by Haley Construction.  These classrooms were split in half to prepare for freeway travel. 
 
Students were amazed to see the classrooms where they were studying just a few days ago, get "jacked up" and moved out to the playground.  The inconvenience of the decreased playground will only be temporary as the project is expected to be complete after Spring Break.

First in Math

Emerson, as well as all of the RUSD schools, started participating in a great new educational web-based game that provides excellent math practice.  The backbone of the First In Math Online Program is the 24 GAME. Online games range from Addition to multi-step Algebra, and are organized into SKILL SETS. Each Skill Set is comprised of three sequential 24 Games, labeled 1, 2 and 3. Each game builds upon the skills acquired in previous games. more detail


A Pre-test/Post-test module called JUST THE FACTS records each student’s proficiency with basic facts, so you will never have to check another fact sheet! Includes assessment of each student’s skill improvement. more detail
Three KNOW & SHOW modules provide a unique way for students to experience the type of problems found in standardized tests. Students solve problems from nine categories that tie to national standards. more detail

WORKOUT GYMS build automaticity with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts, and progress to include fractions, decimals and integers. more detail

After completing certain Skill Set requirements, students can play BONUS GAMES. Serving as incentives that encourage students to continue to achieve, these games offer various types of skill-building activities, such as sequencing and working with tens. Bonus Games are targeted to skills students need to master at each grade level, based on national standards. more detail

Currently one of Emerson's classes, Mrs. DeHaro's class is in 3rd place, district-wide.  Join the fun and extend your child's success in math by allowing them to play FIM at home.

Congratulations to Emerson's History Day Finalists!

Congratulations to our History Day Finalists!  The theme this year was Debate & Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences.  First place projects will be sent on to the next level- The RUSD History Day.

 POSTERS – FIRST PLACE -4th and 5th Grade

• Jacqueline Hurtado: Mendez v. Westminster Paving the Way for Integration -Turner/Nieto
• Shundeen Martinez: Kill the Indian, Save the Man -Turner/Nieto
• Antonio Paturzo: Lincoln/Douglas Debates -Turner/Nieto
• Madison Ramirez: Nurture vs. Nature -Turner/Nieto

POSTERS – SECOND PLACE-4th and 5th Grade

• Korey Williams and Kris Vazquez: Common Sense - Condron/Hopper
• Jayden Taylor: Brown vs. the Board of Education - Turner/Nieto 

POSTERS – THIRD PLACE-4th and 5th Grade

• Koharu Abe: The Black Hills and the American Indians -Garcia
• Samantha Bauby: Suffrage -Turner/Nieto
• Emma Carson: Brown v. Board of Education -Garcia
• Cade Diaz: Was the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Necessary? -Turner/Nieto

EXHIBITS –FIRST PLACE- 6th Grade

• Shunta Abe: Fish-In -DeHaro
• Rachael Newhall: PETA: The Skin You’re In -Actions to Save Animals- DeHaro

EXHIBITS –SECOND PLACE- 6th Grade

• Olivia Dawson: We Hold the Rock : The American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz-DeHaro

Happy New Year!

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.