Emerson's Enquirer
Thursday January 25th, 2018
Principal's Corner
Dear Parents and Guardians,
SOARS
This month, Emerson students will spend time in homerooms discussing and participating in activities surrounding Emerson’s SOARS behavior matrix.
On Friday, Feb. 9th, the sixth grade students will focus on Conflict Resolution. The eighth grade will discuss bullying in friendships: positive and negative relationships.
In particular, our seventh grade lesson will focus on the definition of sexual harassment, so that students can recognize this type of behavior and take steps to establish safe boundaries for themselves and others. We understand that this topic can be sensitive and uncomfortable for some people, so we will emphasize that it is expected that respectful and mature behavior should continue to be demonstrated among students.
With the use of the Second Step curriculum, seventh grade students will learn that sexual harassment between peers occurs whenever a student is bothered with words, actions, or pictures of a sexual nature. It can also be about sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, in a way that a student has difficulty learning or feels unsafe in school. At Emerson, our definition of sexual harassment can be found on page 22 of the annual District 64 Student-Parent Handbook. Within the following page 23 of the Handbook, it then states the consequences of these behaviors.
As our partners, we ask that you reinforce—at home—the efforts we are making at school by talking about sexual harassment with your child. This resource from Kidshealth.org could serve as a discussion starter for your family to address what may be an uncomfortable subject. It provides helpful definitions and examples of harassing behavior as well as tools for establishing boundaries and dealing with difficult situations related to sexual harassment. Please also take time to review the expectations listed in the District Handbook again with your child.
Horizon School to Watch Visit
For the past 12 years, Emerson Middle School has been awarded the Horizon School to Watch Award by the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools and National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. To achieve this award, middle schools need to demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes aimed towards excellence. Every three years, a school that has been recognized as a Horizon School to Watch has to apply for this recognition and demonstrate continual growth from the previous designation. This year, Emerson has applied to be re-designated for the fourth time, which is an amazing feat.
On Fri., Jan. 25, 2018, 10 middle school administrators from all over Illinois, will visit Emerson Middle School. This team will observe and critique our practices to determine if we should continue to be a Horizon School to Watch. They will talk with students, parents, staff, and administration, as well as visit classrooms. The team will provide us feedback on our strengths and areas of growth after the visit, as well as indicate if we have met the criteria for re-designation.
We are very excited for this opportunity to show the great things that occur at Emerson, as well as obtaining constructive feedback on practices that we can continue to strengthen.
Here is a link if you would like further information about the Horizon School to Watch Award.
School Bus Safety
The Niles police would like to remind you to not violate the law regarding stopping behind a stopped school bus and not passing a school bus, when the bus is stopped and has the ‘stop arm’ out for loading and unloading students. The stop arm warns you that students may cross the street or move around the bus.
The minimum fine is a $250.00 ticket and could go as high as a suspended license.
Truancy
Following the Illinois State School Code guidelines, parents will receive a truancy letter from Emerson after a student is absent for 5% or more school days. The letters are sent out on a monthly basis. If you receive a letter and have questions about it, feel free to contact Mr. Benka at: tbenka@d64.org. We will work closely with you to develop strategies to reduce the number of school tardies and/or absences.
Transitions and Scheduling
We are currently in the process of preparing for the upcoming school year. Students and parents will be guided through the changes as students move from one grade to the next. Our current sixth and seventh grade students are in the process of making their choices for electives and need to give their selection form to their homeroom teacher or the office by Wed., Jan. 31, 2018.
During the months of February and March, we will be collecting information from the fifth grade feeder schools regarding each students’ strengths and needs, both academically and socially/emotionally. We will use this information to place them on a team. We are also doing the same with our sixth grade students to determine the appropriate seventh/eighth grade team.
Upcoming District Events
Finally to keep up to date with community information and events, please checkout the Community Info/Events page of the website. On this page, we post material from our community partners regarding important activities and happenings our families might be interested in knowing about.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jim Morrison
Principal, Emerson Middle School
Inspire every child to discover, learn, achieve, and care.
Choral Boosters
The District 64 Choral Boosters need your help! We are looking for volunteers for the Choral Boosters board! Choral Boosters raises money to support the Vocal program.
90% of funds go to the specific schools your children attend to purchase music, enrichment materials, and concert decorations; and to pay concert accompanists, instrumentalists, and guest clinicians.
10% of funds support Choral Booster initiatives, including music camp scholarships.
For more information, please contact Christine Mayer, President: csmayer86@yahoo.com
or Terry Broeker, tbroeker@d64.org
School Closing Guidelines
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.