Email: em-office@d64.org
Website: https://www.d64.org/ems
Location: 8101 North Cumberland Avenue, Niles, IL, USA

Student Portal - TLC Schedule

Dear Emerson Families,

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and is able to relax!

All the Best,

Tessa

Monday 9/9 - Math Room 209, LA Room 202

Tuesday 9/10 - Math Room 209, LA Room 109

Thursday 9/12 - Math Room 301, LA Room 102, Science/SS Room 207

In ASSP, you can get help in math, language arts and miscellaneous (science and social studies) with a teacher from 3:05-4:00 PM. Come to ASSP if you need to:

• prepare for a test

• get questions answered from your homework

• review a concept that you missed or confuses you

• finish that writing assignment

As a reminder, the State of Illinois requires all 6th graders to submit a health exam dated after 8/14/23 on a State of Illinois form by October 15th to avoid exclusion. Your provider's office should have this form. The IHSA form is not acceptable. Immunization records, including proof of the Meningococcal and Tdap vaccines, are required for all 11-year olds.

Please don't forget to complete, sign and date the health history at the top of the page. This part is really easy to miss and is a required part of the exam. Please note, all health forms must now be uploaded to PowerSchool. Hard copies will no longer be accepted. Once you have done this, check back to make sure the documents were approved.

Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s),

One of our primary goals in middle school English Language Arts is to increase students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking. We work to promote a love for reading and to foster lifelong learning.

To that end, each of our ELA classrooms has libraries curated by individual teachers to enable independent reading for students. Many of the texts in the classroom libraries have been read by the teachers, inherited from other teachers, and/or purchased based on teachers’ or students’ recommendations. While we cannot guarantee that every text in the classroom library has been read by each teacher, we want you to know that we are sensitive to having appropriate reading material available. What is considered “appropriate” may vary from one family to another. Please be aware that the selections in the classroom library, just like any public library, range from elementary-level to high school-level reading material. Of course, any of our whole class or small group novels used in direct instruction will have been vetted by the District 64 English Language Arts department and read by teachers before instruction.

We are always trying to capture students’ attention and engage their interest in reading many different genres and subjects. With this in mind, students will be responsible for making their own choices for independent reading. The books in the classroom library may be checked out voluntarily using the systems put in place by each teacher. Please talk to your child about what you feel is appropriate. Engaging in this conversation will encourage your child to make reading choices that will meet with your approval.

If you have questions or concerns about the classroom library in your child’s ELA classroom, please email your child’s English Language Arts teacher.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Harrington

Middle School ELA Department Chairperson

Samantha Alaimo

Middle School ELA Department Chairperson Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning

The 2024-25 school year was kicked off with a very energetic Welcome Back assembly that both students and staff thoroughly enjoyed! The first two weeks in PE consisted of getting students organized with gym uniforms, lockers, combinations and acclimated with the procedures in the gym.

From there students moved right into ultimate football, soccer and fall fitness testing. District 64 utilizes the FitnessGram program which is a widely used fitness tool that is supported by the Cooper Institute. During Fitness Testing, students are encouraged to give their best effort while performing assessments aimed at the four Health Related Components of Fitness (muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance). The Push Up Test is used to assess muscular strength, muscular endurance is measured by performing the Curl Up Test, the Sit and Reach Test assesses flexibility, and the 20 meter PACER test is used to keep tabs on cardiovascular endurance. For more information about these assessments, visit our PE webpage.

In the preceding weeks, students will participate in Flag Football and Lacrosse. Students will have the opportunity to choose their level of play--competitive or recreational--for these units. By giving students choice in levels, it maximizes their participation, keeps them engaged, and ensures safety for all. During this time, mile training days will also be incorporated. Students will practice to increase their cardiovascular endurance and pacing techniques.

Please note...students are encouraged to have their uniforms and gym shoes on a daily basis. It’s a great idea to wash uniforms over the weekend and bring them back on Mondays. Students missing their uniform or gym shoes will lose their daily points for preparation and possibly participation. If a new uniform needs to be purchased, students can do so, in the gym, by bringing in cash or by visiting MySchoolBucks to purchase online. A new t-shirt is $7 and likewise for shorts. Lastly, students are to have deodorant in their locker and a sweatshirt/sweatpants, especially as the cooler weather starts to roll in.

There are many opportunities for students to get involved or support their fellow Emerson Eagles. During the fall, there is the Emerson Cross-Country team, 7th and 8th grade Girls Basketball and Intramurals. Intramurals are always held right after school from 3:00-4:00pm and open to all Emerson students. The after school activity bus will be running for students to take home at 4:00pm. For more information regarding dates and activities please click on this link, Intramural Information. Please see our Athletics page for more detailed information as well.

One final note…new this year, PE will be implementing Standards-Based practices in grading and reporting. This means student proficiency and learning will be focused on specific standards each Trimester. Proficiency levels, with grade level content standards, will be described as beginning, progressing, meets and extends. These proficiency levels will give both students and parents a clear picture of student mastery of grade level standards. For more information related to PE Standards-Based reporting, please visit the PE webpage.

Save the Date! All District 64 parents are invited to our inaugural D64 PTO Kick-Off! Hear our Superintendent. Dr. Ben Collins, present information on the upcoming Referendum and tour the aging Lincoln Middle School to see some of the proposed improvements with each school's Principal as your guide. PTO's will have their annual kick-off meeting to highlight their year and offer an opportunity to meet more D64 parents. Daycare will be provided and this is a great opportunity to support your child's education. We hope to see you on September 10th at 7:00pm at Lincoln Middle School!

Emerson activity buses run at 4:00 p.m. each school day (except Wednesdays) to provide transportation for students involved in after-school activities and extracurriculars. These activities include sports, clubs, after-school tutorial programs, etc. Parents are expected to provide transportation if needed for any other reason. These buses will start running on Tuesday, September 5th.

NOTE: Often, these buses will not run the day prior to an extended break or school vacation.

The school year is almost here, and we're excited to announce that the 2024-2025 PTO Membership Portal is now live! By joining the PTO, you provide vital financial support for our students and teachers. Your membership directly funds the events and activities that enrich our school community throughout the year. It's also a fantastic way to stay connected and informed about what's happening at school, and to build meaningful connections with other parents.

We offer three membership levels, so you can contribute at a level that's comfortable for you. This year, our Blue and Eagle levels come with an extra perk: entry into our special raffle. One family from each grade will win! The prizes include an in-school pizza party with friends for 6th and 7th graders, and for 8th graders, four reserved seats at graduation—a highly coveted prize!

Your membership helps support:

• 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade student socials, including gifts and t-shirts

• School-wide events and assemblies, such as movie nights, skating & swim parties, 6th grade Olympics, and more!

• Teacher/Staff Appreciation Meals and Classroom Funds

• School beautification and playground equipment

• The Student Directory

• Red Ribbon Week

• Soaring Eagle, SOARS raffle prizes, and the Judith Snow Scholarship

• And much more!

Sign Up for PTO Here!

P.S. While you're on the portal, don't forget to sign up for any volunteer activities you're interested in!