Emerson Update 12/20/24

Dear Emerson Families,

On behalf of the entire Emerson Middle School staff, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyous and peaceful holiday season. We hope you have the opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones during this special time of year.

We want to express our sincere appreciation for your continued support of our students. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, particularly their outstanding efforts on the recent CSAs. Please remember that school resumes on January 6th and the first semester officially ends on January 10th.

We look forward to welcoming you back to school in the new year!

With Eagle Pride,

Bruce Rivera

December 2024

12/21/24 - Saturday - Winter Solstice

12/23/24 - 01/03/25 Winter Break NO SCHOOL

January 2025

01/06/25 - Monday - School Resumes

01/09/25 - Thursday - 2nd Semester Schedules Available

01/10/25 - Friday - No School - End of Semester 1

01/13/25 - Monday - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

01/14/25 - Tuesday - 2nd Semester Begins

01/15/25 - Wednesday - LPAC Virtual Meeting - Picky Eaters

01/20/25 - Monday - No School - MLK Day

Winter is Coming: A Friendly Reminder

As the weather turns colder, let's make sure our students stay warm and safe.

Building Times:

• Early Bird Arrival: The building will open at 7:30 AM.
• Morning Routine: Students arriving before 7:30 AM will wait outside. Once the building opens, they'll head to the cafeteria until 7:50 AM when they can go to their lockers.
• Afternoon Dismissal: All students should be picked up or leave the building by 3:00 PM unless they’re participating in a supervised activity.

Dressing for the Weather: Please ensure your child is dressed warmly for the outdoor wait times.

Let’s work together to keep our students comfortable and safe during these colder months.

As the much-anticipated holiday break approaches, we hope your family enjoys a well-deserved rest filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments together. With two weeks off from school, it's a wonderful opportunity for students to relax, recharge, and explore new interests.

While technology can be a fun and engaging part of our lives, it's important to strike a balance between screen time and other activities.

To support your family in creating healthy tech habits, here are some helpful resources for our families.

• Parental Controls & Privacy Settings for Social Media: Learn how to manage privacy and content on popular social media platforms.
• Parental Controls on Apple Devices: A step-by-step guide to setting content limits and screen time restrictions on Apple devices.
• Family Engagement Resources: Explore a range of tips, tools, and conversation starters to help families create healthy screen time habits.

We encourage you to take a moment to review these resources and have open conversations with your student about responsible technology use. By setting expectations and guiding your child, you can help them enjoy their break safely and mindfully.

The Cold is Cool Passport App allows 4th and 5th graders to ski two or three times at each of the 29 participating ski areas!

Whether you live in Michigan or are coming to visit, families with 4th and 5th grade students can download the Cold is Cool Ski & Ride Passport app, and get two-to three complimentary lift tickets or trail passes at each of the 29 participating ski areas (Over 60 lift tickets in total!).

Proof of grade, photo of child for ID and $30 app development fee are required.

Visit goskimichigan.org for details.

We are excited to share the following announcement from our Creative and Performing Arts Program (CAPA) at Churchill High School:

"One of our favorite events of the year is coming up: CAPA Arts Camp 2025! Join us Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 for a day of performing arts fun! We offer classes in Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre, Theatre Tech, and Vocal. Arts Camp is open to LPS students and friends, 3rd grade - 8th grade. The cost is only $25 and includes a t-shirt, pizza, and snacks. All campers must register and pay online by Jan. 4, 2025."

Click on the link below to register:

CAPA REGISTRATION FORM 2025

A Joyful December: National Stress-Free Holidays Month

Dear Community and Staff,

The holidays are upon us—a time for joy, connection, and creating meaningful memories with loved ones. It’s also a season that can bring its own pressures, like planning visits, managing gift budgets, and organizing events. With everything on your plate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

While traditions and celebrations are meaningful, it’s just as important to care for your mental well-being. National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month reminds us to be mindful of stress and take steps toward self-care.

Here are a few tips to help make your holidays more manageable and joyful:

• Modify traditions if needed. It’s okay to adjust traditions if they feel overwhelming. Your mental health takes priority.
• Learn the power of saying "no." If a commitment feels too much, give yourself permission to decline.
• Plan ahead. Use a calendar to stay organized and avoid last-minute tasks that can create unnecessary stress.
• Share your feelings. Talk to someone you trust if you're feeling anxious or missing a loved one. You are not alone.
• Take time for self-care. Make sure to rest and recharge, even as you care for others.

If you’d like professional support, Care Solace is available to help connect you or your loved ones to mental health services. This is a complimentary, confidential service provided by Livonia Public Schools.

How to Access Support:

• Call: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support available 24/7/365)
• Visit: www.caresolace.com/livonia
• Search for providers independently or click “Book Appointment” to get assistance via video chat, phone, or email.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a peaceful start to the new year. May you return from winter break rested, recharged, and ready for what’s ahead!

There are two ways you can report an absence for your student at Emerson.

Option 1:

• Go to the Emerson Middle School website.
• Click on "Report an Absence" under Quicklinks.
• Fill out the Google Form (also at the top of this newsletter).

Option 2:

• Call the attendance line at 734-744-2666.
• Please leave a detailed message about your student's absence.
• Include their name, reason for absence and any specifics we may need to know.

Emerson Student Handbook & Code of Conduct

• This has been updated for the 2024-20254 school year.
  
• It can be accessed HERE.




A few key things to note:




• Please partner with us by reminding students that cell phones and electronics should be "AWAY FOR THE DAY"!
• All students must keep bags and backpacks in their lockers.
• We do not allow Hats and/or Hoodies to be worn during the school day.

The Livonia Parent Advisory Committee (LPAC) seeks parent representation from each Livonia Special Education Program. Parent representative volunteers have a child/children with a disability(ies). The LPAC also provides advisory input on matters regarding improvement of Special Education services within our school district.

Our Facebook page shares information of interest to our families and students.

Here, you will find electronic flyers for programs and events geared toward kids!

We hope that you enjoy the many offerings from around our great community!

If you have a program that you'd like to advertise, please email your flyer to Stacy Jenkins at sjenkins3@livoniapublicschools.org for approval. We follow a set of guidelines for approval and are only able to accept flyers for non-profit organizations that benefit our local children.

Enjoy!

• Just a reminder to please take a moment and join the Emerson PTSA! Below is the link.
• Click Here to Join the Emerson PTSA
• Here is the link to our Emerson PTSA Facebook page

Thank you for your support

The PTSA

Emerson Middle School has several clubs where students can connect with their peers, learn a new skill, or simply hang out with friends. We've had a volleyball club, robotics club, GSA club, and homework club. We would love to offer something for everyone! Our club list is always growing, and we're always open to new ideas. If your student has a dream club in mind or if you'd like to be an awesome advisor, let us know! Joining a club is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills, and have a blast!

We will often post relevant and important information on social media for families, and many families find it helpful to contact us on Facebook and Twitter. The absolute best way to contact us and get a reply, however, is by emailing the appropriate staff member or by phone (734) 744-2665.

Our website is also one of the best places to find a variety of information!

These staff members can help with the following topics:

• Athletics - Mr. Colling (acolling2@livoniapublicschools.org)
• Counselors:
• Mrs. Berman (aberman@livoniapublicschools.org) supports students with last names A-K
• Ms. Colvin (fcolvin@livoniapublicschools.org) supports students with last names L-Z
• Health Care Plans - Mrs. Matuska (smatuska@livoniapublicschools.org)
• Registration - Mrs. Carroll (jcarroll4@livoniapublicschools.org)
• Special Education - Mrs. Downs (kdowns@livoniapublicschools.org) or Mr. Kowalski (dkowalsk@livoniapublicschools.org)
• Student Activities - Mr. Dewey (bdewey2@livoniapublicschools.org)

Website: https://www.livoniapublicschools.org/Domain/13
Location: 29100 West Chicago, Livonia, MI, USA
Phone: (734) 744-2665
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EMSLivonia/
Twitter: @EaglesNestEMS