Emerson Update 12/13/24

Dear Emerson Families,

It was an incredible week at Emerson! Our talented Stage and Performance students dazzled us with their fantastic performance of "Jingle Jury." Our Orchestra students filled the air with beautiful holiday tunes, captivating a packed house. And this week, our Bands will come together at Franklin to share more holiday cheer.

Our boys basketball team has shown great sportsmanship and dedication throughout the season. As they wrap up next week, let’s cheer them on!

Your child’s teachers are working diligently to prepare them for upcoming Common Summative Assessments. Remember, Homework Club is available Monday through Wednesday next week to provide extra support.

A friendly reminder: We have a SPIRIT WEEK all next week and both the 19th and 20th are half-days, with dismissal at 11:10 AM.

We hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education.

With Eagle Pride,

Bruce Rivera

December 2024

12/14/24 - Saturday - FHS Marching Band Fundraiser - Chipotle

12/16/24 - Monday - Basketball Game @ Emerson

12/16/24 - Monday - Athletic Winter Season 3 Sign Up Closes

12/16/24 - Monday - PTSA Meeting LMC 5:30pm.

12/17/24- Tuesday - Holiday Band Concert @ Franklin PAC

12/19/24- Thursday - CSAs 1/2 day Hours 1-3 (8:00 - 11:10am)

12/20/24 - Friday - CSAs 1/2 day Hours 4-6 (8:00 - 11:10am)

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

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.

Below is the sign up information for girls basketball and wrestling

This sign up form will close on December 16 (8:00AM). If you do not sign up then you cannot try out or participate.

Girls Basketball - Tryouts are January 7, 8, & 9 (3:00-4:30).

• All practices for basketball are at Emerson Middle School.
• Our first practice is January 14 (3:00-4:30).

First Wrestling Practice - January 7 (3:30-5:00)

• This is NOT a tryout sport.
• All practices for wrestling are at Franklin High School.
• All home meets are at Emerson Middle School.

CLICK ON THIS LINK

Sign Ups

What are Common Summative Assessments (CSA) and what is their purpose?

Common Summative Assessments are a common measure of the agreed upon learning goals or Priority Standards for a course. The assessment results show what students know, and how well they know, the skills and standards that were taught that quarter.

Who chose the Priority Standards?

Teaching staff from each grade level and course have met to determine what State Standards they are going to teach each quarter. Knowing that not all standards can be assessed, district teams of teachers chose the most important standards for the quarterly assessments based on two criteria: attainment of the big ideas of that course and preparation for the next grade or course.

Who wrote the assessments?

Livonia teachers write the assessments utilizing their curriculum resources and materials, AP assessment questions, and State Standard aligned questions. The common assessments help us to ensure all students are aiming for the same targets/standards/skills in the same time frame.

How much of my student’s grade is based on these assessments?

Middle School Courses: District CSAs will account for 10% of the overall grade for each marking period.

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

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