Emerson's Enquirer
March 21st, 2019
Principal's Corner
Dear Parents/Guardians:
St. Baldrick’s Event
Wow, what an amazing response by our students, staff and D64 community to support the Lincoln-Emerson St. Baldrick’s event. During the last two months, I witnessed our school community bonding together and supporting each other towards this wonderful cause. Words cannot express the great pride I have for the hard work, effort and dedication that went into making this event such a success. Thank you to Emerson’s staff, PTO, students and barbers who went above and beyond to organize and support our St. Baldrick’s assembly.
Uncle Pete’s Lunches
On Tues, April 17th, Emerson will be sponsoring a community outreach called ‘Uncle Pete’s Lunches.’ This group allows us to support local charities that serve those less fortunate. Students were given lunch bags during homeroom and asked to fill the bags with specific items. Last year, we collected 776 lunches and are hoping to surpass that amount this year.
Sixth Grade Olympics
This week, our sixth grade students are participating in Emerson’s annual Olympic Festival. This festival is always a memorable event for students. Students are placed in a “City State,” and have the opportunity to increase their knowledge regarding ancient Greece, along with building close relationships with each other. I would like to thank all our sixth grade teachers for the monumental task of organization and implementing the event, as well as to thank the parents who are supporting the events.
Eighth Grade Information:
Each year, District 64 Elementary Learning Foundation sponsors the Judith Snow Ethical Leadership Award. All eighth grade students are eligible to submit an application for this prestigious award. Information about this can be found on the ELF website, copies are available in Emerson’s office as well.
Emerson’s Eighth Grade Promotion Dance, will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room on Fri., May 31, 2019, from 7-9:30pm. The PTO and administration will be working hard to provide a memorable event for the eighth grade students who attend.
As always, most questions regarding the dance, relate to proper student attire. It is our desire that students’ appearance be age-appropriate, tasteful, and adheres to the regular school dress code policy. The parameters we have established for the dance are as follows:
1. As with any after school event, students must be in attendance throughout the entire school day, in order to attend the dance.
2. Boys traditionally wear a sport coat, dress slacks, shirt and tie or a suit along with dress shoes.The sport coat or suit is optional however, and we do ask boys to minimally come in a dress shirt, tie, dress pants, and nice shoes.
3. Girls have traditionally come in a dress or skirt and blouse with dress shoes. Strapless, backless, tube tops, or dresses that reveal the midriff are not permitted at the dance. The length of the skirt or dress must be school appropriate.
4. Spaghetti straps and one-side sleeveless dresses are permitted, but the dress should cover the body appropriately.
We are looking forward to our promotion dance May 31st, as well as the promotion ceremony which will be on Tuesday, June 4th, 2019. Information regarding the eighth grade promotion exercises and tickets will be coming shortly. I will send an email blast to eighth grade parents when the promotion tickets will be mailed home.
Dr. Jim Morrison, Principal
Emerson Middle School
Inspire every child to discover, learn, achieve, and care.
Absences & Early Dismissals
For safety reasons and in compliance with state law, a parent is requested to notify the school office in writing or by phone within the first hour of school. If notice is not received, the school secretary will call parents at home or work to confirm the absence. To report an absence, please call the school office anytime, day or night, to access the voice mail system. Dial 847-318-8110 Press 1 to leave a message on the attendance line. When calling, please provide: student’s name; classroom/ homeroom; date of absence; and reason for absence.
The Office is also reminding parents daily, to send notes to school with their student for early dismissals. Please see below:
Middle School
If a student needs to leave the school before the end of the day, a parent note giving the reason, date and time of departure, and person picking up the student should be given to the teacher whose class the student is leaving. If you email this message to the teacher, please be sure to include the school secretary as a recipient of any emails. The student should report to the office at the time of departure. The parent or guardian must come into the office to sign out the student for the length of time the student will be away from school.
Your cooperation is much appreciated.
NEW! Health & Wellness Resources webpage launched
In District 64, we regularly support our students through individual and group counseling as well as our social-emotional learning programs so that students are able to engage in all that school has to offer.
As a follow-up to the recent showing of the documentary film, Angst, about teen anxiety, District 64 would like to further support our students and families by providing information about community resources available in Park Ridge and Niles as well as links to where you can find additional perspectives from other reliable organizations. Visit our new webpage here.
APRIL NOTES FROM THE GYM.…
In April, students will have the opportunity to dance with friends, take post fitness tests for personal goal setting and start our track and field unit outside at the end of April.
In all grades, students will collaboratively create a group line dance. We will be looking for basic dance elements: body, action, space, time and energy. Students are given a lot of autonomy during this unit and we are so excited to see what they come up with! Check out our P.E. webpage for some fun dance moves that students can use for their dance and parents can try at home.
In all grades, students will also participate in post fitness testing. The health-related fitness assessments include aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Our main objective with these tests is to provide students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to be regularly physically active for a lifetime.
Yes, that’s right we are going back outside to start track and field at the end of April. Make sure to bring some warm P.E. gear for our transition outside. For example, a sweatshirt and sweatpants are encouraged. For early morning classes bring an extra pair of sox because the fields are often a little wet from the morning dew.
April is also healthy living month in our district. Be on the lookout for events that help get our bodies moving and our minds relaxing. We try to encourage D64 families to get outside and make a conscious effort in prioritizing physical activity now that the weather is starting to get more pleasant. So take a family walk, or take the stairs instead of the elevator or park your car a little further away and get those steps in!
Finally, the P.E. department would like to thank all the students who helped our department raise $2530 through the $1 no uniform Friday donations for St. Baldrick’s.
That's all for now.
Have a great spring break and month of April!
Stay active!
EMS P.E.
SPRING 2019 REMINDERS FROM SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
Springtime turns thoughts to warmer weather, outdoor activities, and spring break travel. Here are two important reminders to help your families enjoy this time of year!
Please continue to take time to regularly check your child for the presence of head lice. The Centers for Disease Control has practical information regarding head lice, which can be accessed here. In addition, your Building Nurse can provide you with useful materials regarding the identification and treatment of head lice. Information also is available on the D64 Health & Safety tips webpage.
This time of year also is called “influenza (flu) season.” In the U.S., flu season occurs in the winter; however, flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and can last as late as May.
D64 has noticed an increase in the number of influenza-type illnesses in our schools, which is to be expected at this time of the year. Cleaning protocols have been adjusted in all buildings in response to this increase. In addition, frequent handwashing and proper cough/sneeze etiquette are regularly reinforced with our students and staff.
Please visit Cook County Department of Public Health for information about influenza, including prevention tips that you may find helpful at home, too.
New District Transportation Email Address
The district has a new transportation email address (transportation@d64.org). This email is to be used for all busing related questions.
The link below will navigate you to the district bus information page.