Emerson Enquirer
January 30, 2020
Principal's Corner
Hello Emerson Families,
As we enter February, I would like to complete a recap on how amazing this school year really has been. In the fall we completed the cross country and girls’ basketball seasons, which attracted about 150 students total. We held our 6th grade social, band and orchestra concerts, choir showcases, the Variety Show, and a multitude of club offerings. Now, in the winter season, we tackle the wrestling, boys’ basketball, and girls’ volleyball seasons. Just this past week we partied with the 7th graders at the glow party. As we look forward to the spring, we are lucky to find that Peter Pan, the musical, will be upon us, the boys’ volleyball season will begin, and our band/orchestra/choir departments will continue to impress us with their talents.
As you could imagine, our 6th graders graze the hallways like veteran middle schoolers, our 8th graders are one foot out the door as they fill with high school energy, and our 7th graders are ready to take over the school. The second half of this year will go by quickly. Please encourage your child to participate in our wonderful school environment as much as possible. In addition, please set a goal for yourself as a parent. Attend our Pizza Wars event, come out for our 2nd STEAM Night, or simply engage yourself with a PTO meeting. I would love to engage with more of our parents at these meetings. It is a wonderful dialogue for me since I get to hear your input. Our next meeting is on February 19th.
IAR and ISA Testing
On April 7, 8, and 9, the whole school will take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). This test is comprised of multiple mathematics (3) and English language arts (2) sessions. Please be aware of these dates in order to prevent family/school conflicts, especially since the district is closed on Friday, April 10.
During this two-week testing window, we will be running modified schedules on testing days. These schedules are forthcoming and will be made available via the Lincoln website and communication from the school. In the meantime, we ask that you are considerate of these dates in the scheduling of vacations and/or appointments for your children during the school day. Please look for more information in the upcoming weeks.
Attention 8th grade Parents: In the spring 8th grade students will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). This date will be announced soon.
Hoods, AirPods, and Gum at Emerson
Over the past few months we have noticed an increase in the amount of students who are wearing hoods or AirPods or chewing gum at Emerson. If individual students have to be continuously told to stop these actions, behavioral consequences may occur.
If AirPods are not being used for an educational purpose within the classroom, students should not be wearing them. This item tends to turn up missing for some students, and we want to prevent this from happening.
Students are not allowed to wear their sweatshirt or jacket hoods in the building. Gum chewing is also not allowed at Emerson due to the mess it causes for our floors and classrooms. Please remind your child of these expectations as we move forward.
Calling all Career Professionals!
Emerson Middle School, in association with Junior Achievement, is seeking passionate professionals to come out and speak to their 8th grade students. No experience is required! Speak to students about your industry and career journey. This is a great way to connect with the future work force and to really give young people true insight to your industry. Show them what’s possible and give back to your community by becoming a volunteer. We are seeking volunteers from a broad range of industries (information technology, food services, business, health services, etc.) to come speak with our students so they can learn about the vast career possibilities.
When: Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 Time: 8:00 AM - 11:10 AM (multiple presentations about 25 minutes in length each)
Interested?: Contact Daniel White at dwhite@jachicago.org with your name, job title, and industry. Please note that not all volunteers who express interest may be selected based on the number of volunteer slots available.
Early Childhood Diagnostic Team
On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. Additionally, twice a year they conduct developmental screenings of children birth through three. The screenings are conducted by a team, consisting of an occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, and social worker. The areas assessed include motor, communication, play skills, pre-academic and thinking skills.
The next Preschool Screening is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Additionally, a screening for children birth through age three is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2020. If you have concerns about your child’s development in any of these areas, please call 847-318-5360 to schedule an appointment for the screening.
Queen of Hearts Fundraiser
The current jackpot is over $10,800! The Emerson and Lincoln PTO Queen of Hearts 50/50 raffle will raise money to equally benefit the students and staff at both Emerson and Lincoln Middle Schools. The next drawing is Tuesday, February 7th at 9pm at Harp & Fiddle.
For regular updates and more information, please follow this event on the Queen of Hearts Facebook Page.
Best,
Samantha Alaimo
Principal
#WeAreEmerson
Inspire every child to discover, learn, achieve, and care.
January Notes from the Gym…
January marked the end of our Rhythmic Gymnastics and Fitness Challenge units. Students who chose to participate in Rhythmic Gymnastics worked in small groups developing routines showing their skills utilizing hoops, gymnastics balls, ribbons, clubs, and/or ropes. Those students who chose Fitness Challenge participated in structured activities that focused on the development of strength, balance, flexibility, and agility.
Now that February has arrived, the PE Department is gearing up for our annual Hoops for Heart Tournament. All students (Grades 6-8) will have the opportunity to participate in a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on February 11th, 18th, 20th, and 27th, at Emerson from 3-4pm. Emerson’s Champions will take on Lincoln Middle School Champions from 3 - 4pm on March 5th.
Students will have an opportunity to sign up in teams of 3 or 4, consisting of players from the same grade level.
Each team participating in the tournament is asked to make a donation of $20 as an entry fee. All proceeds will go directly to the American Heart Association to help further research and awareness of heart disease.
If hoops are not your thing, no worries because the next rotations in PE include a variety of sports. Sixth grade will have Pickleball, Bowling and the Fitness Center. Seventh and eighth grade will have Badminton, Archery and the Fitness Center.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE THINGS HAPPENING IN THE GYM:
New Intramural activities and dates
Girls Volleyball games
Boy’s 7th and 8th grade Volleyball Tryouts
Are you an aspiring young author ready to share your work with others?
The Young Authors Contest is an independent, voluntary at-home project for students interested in writing and publishing their work for others to read. Click Here to Download more information, and for Important dates in 2020.
Emerson students email Ms Contreras at kcontreras@d64.org
WINTER HEALTH UPDATES
To District 64 Parents/Guardians:
District 64 school health offices are always busy, but we tend to see an increase in illness-related visits at this time of year. Please review these important updates about what we are experiencing:
▪ Temperature guideline: To ensure that students recuperate adequately at home, and to minimize the spread of infection to others, students with an oral temperature of 100 degrees or above will be sent home, and will not be allowed to return to school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. In addition, students who feel ill but who do not have a fever may be sent home from the health office, based on presenting symptoms. In these cases, students should remain home until it is determined by the parents and students that they have sufficiently recovered to return to school.
▪ Influenza, or the “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. Illness can range from mild to severe, infecting the nose, throat, and lungs. Winter is generally the time for influenza, with activity peaking in January or later, but outbreaks can occur as early as October or as late as May. General signs and symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. The flu can be spread to others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop to 5-7 days after becoming sick. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting an influenza vaccine each season. Vaccines don’t completely guarantee against getting sick, but those who have been vaccinated and get the flu will have milder symptoms. Please consult with your primary care provider regarding whether the vaccines are appropriate for you and your family members. For more information on seasonal influenza visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm
▪ We typically also notice an increase in other illnesses such as upper respiratory infections (“common cold”) and strep throat. To learn more about the differences between the flu and colds, click here. For information about strep throat and sore throats, visit the KidsHealth website.
▪ Cough drops are considered over-the-counter medication, and are treated as any other medication in school. If your child is coughing enough to require lozenges for relief, he or she may be unable to focus on academic work, and may be contagious to others. Please discuss this need with your child’s physician/practitioner and provide the required documentation to administer medication at school. All medications, including cough drops, will be administered in the health office. A water bottle is often an effective substitute and is safer and healthier than cough drops.
GOOD HEALTH HABITS offer other ways to help prevent illness:
▪ Wash hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
▪ Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth
▪ Cover mouth and nose with tissue while coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into inner elbow
▪ Avoid close contact with those who are ill; avoid sharing cups, utensils
▪ Stay home when sick
▪ Get plenty of rest, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and remain physically active
Margaret Temari, R.N., M.Ed.
Facilitator, School Health Services
Tips for cold weather safety
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.