Good afternoon!

I hope that everyone had a great week and has plans to enjoy this weekend’s fall temperatures!

A BIG thanks to the PTO for all the planning, organizing and sponsorship of our first school party of the year. Over 200 6th grade students stayed after school on Thursday and enjoyed the “Boo Bash” . Students had the opportunity to dress up in school-appropriate costumes (a lot of creativity here), play Halloween inspired games, watch a spooky movie and enjoy food and drinks in our multipurpose room as well as dance and participate in a variety of music-related activities in the gym. Boo!

Emerson is home to some pretty awesome musical programs - they’re all in tune! Mrs. Soulias had the opportunity to attend this week’s “Fall Concert” featuring both our Jazz Band and Symphonic Band under the direction of Mr. Bachman. I know that she was very impressed with the entire concert. I also had the opportunity to listen in on an early morning orchestra rehearsal and peeked in on the Musical Theater class rehearsing a famous song from “Oliver!” - again, very impressive!

Just a couple of reminders that Parent-Teacher Conferences begin this coming Monday as well as a parent information meeting for all 6-8th grade parents being held by members of Maine South High School. This information night will take place at Emerson (10/18 @ 7pm) regarding changes to the English program at Maine South. Please see links below for additional information.

Please review the information and links below for additional information about a variety of topics.

Take care,

Martin Hopkins

Emerson at a Glance…

• M 10/17 Fall Conferences
• T 10/18 8th Grade Orchestra Field Trip
• T 10/18 ASSP Math
• T 10/18 Girls Basketball vs Holmes
• T 10/18 Cross Country Conference Championship
• W 10/19 Boys Basketball Tryouts
• W 10/19 Girls Basketball @ Lincoln
• W 10/19 PTO Meeting
• TH 10/20 Boys Basketball Tryouts
• F 10/21 Cross Country Conference Championship Rain Date

On the horizon:

• M 10/24 Red Ribbon Week
• T 10/25 Fall Conferences
• T 10/25 Picture Retakes
• W 10/26 7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament
• TH 10/27 Fall Conferences
• F 10/28 7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament

Parent Teacher Conferences are on October 17, October 25, and October 27. Please see the Parent Guide below to assist in scheduling your conferences for your student if you have not already done so. If you need any additional assistance, please call the Emerson office at 847-318-8110.

We are happy to bring back our conference scheduling software to Emerson again this year, PowerPTC. Parents can login in directly in their PowerSchool parent portal. The conference sign-up is live right now and will close at midnight each night prior to the conference date. Please see directions here for further instructions:

Conference Scheduling Tutorial

Please note:

*Core classes (Math, Reading, Social Studies, and Science) will be conducting conferences as a team. You will see one teacher listed per team but all teachers will be in attendance.

*If you would like to meet with some of your child’s elective teachers, make sure to click on “Build Schedule Manually'' and you can select the teachers you want to meet with.

If you have any questions/concerns please email Angel Villarreal our Instructional Tech Coach.

avillarreal@d64.org

Our goal is to have every student arrive on time and attend a full day of school.

WHY: The purpose of school is to educate students. Regular attendance in all classes is essential to earning good grades and establishing good habits for post high school living. A policy will not get rid of tardiness altogether, but it will set up a strong expectation for punctuality and establish firm guidelines for students.

Tardy #1 - Warning

Tardy #2 - Warning

Tardy #3 - Phone call/email home

Tardy #4 - Detention

Tardy #5 - Detention

Tardy #6 - Detention, contact home, conversation with administration

Tardy #7 - In School Suspension

This policy began the week of October 3rd.

Please see the Vocal Music Newsletter from Mrs. Broeker.

Picture retakes are scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 for students who were absent on the original date or families who would like their pictures retaken. If you did not order pictures, you still can by using your child's unique ticket code which student's received regardless of whether you ordered a package or not.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Clinic

District 64 is once again partnering with Jewel-Osco to bring a COVID-19 booster clinic to our students and their families. While I believe the choice to become vaccinated is an individual one, I encourage you and your children to stay up on vaccinations. Besides the health benefits, we have seen the difference when vaccinated students don’t have to miss time due to illness.

From the Cook County Department of Public Health:

“Vaccination continues to be our best weapon against COVID. Getting vaccinated will protect you and others from severe symptoms or complications from COVID that could lead to missed work or school, lost income or benefit time, hospitalization or death. Vaccines and boosters are safe, effective and free to all, regardless of insurance or immigration status. They cannot give you COVID and will not affect or interact with your DNA.”

Vaccination Date, Time, and Location

• When- Friday, October 21 - The COVID-19 booster clinic will run from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Where- Emerson Middle School’s MPR.
• Who- This is available to all District 64 staff members, families, and students who are at least 12 years old.
• HOW - please follow this link to the Sign-Up Genius to reserve a slot and ensure that enough vaccines are ordered for the event.

How do you know if you’re up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines? The CDC has provided a tool, which can be found here, to help you decide if you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster.

The Lost and Found, located between room 174 and the Gym, grows every day! If your student has lost anything, please have them check the tables for these items. Items are donated during the holiday break if they remained unclaimed. Thank you!

This is a friendly reminder that yearbooks for the 22-23 school year are on sale. The cost for a copy is $25. Yearbooks can be purchased online through My School Bucks, OR with cash or check in the main office. The deadline to secure a copy is Wednesday, December 14. After this date, yearbooks will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Apuli (mapuli@d64.org) or Ms. Dobrydnio (edobrydnio@d64.org).

We are also seeking student photos from any and all school events. If you have any to share, you can send them over through either of the following options:

• Upload through yearbookforever.com (code: eagles)

• Download the Yearbook Snap mobile app from the App Store or Google Play (code: eagles)

• Click here to access a video walking through the above steps.

• Email your photos directly to the yearbook sponsors → mapuli@d64.org / edobrydnio@d64.org

Thanks to all the amazing volunteers and families who donated to making the 6th grade social a great event!!

Please join the Emerson PTO today! Emerson PTO is kicking off its membership drive. We need your help to make it a success. Your annual membership will make a HUGE difference in the events we can support. This is the PTO’s primary fundraiser. Once you sign up, you will have access to the PTO directory. Sign up here: https://emersonmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/

Mark you calendars for upcoming PTO events:

PTO Green Clean Up Event

Please consider joining the PTO and The District 64 Green Team members on October 15th. Please see the flyer attached for additional information.

Fall Conference Potluck

We are looking for volunteers to bring a potluck dish for our amazing teachers and staff on Tuesday, Oct. 25th! Drop off time for dishes is between 3:30-4pm in the Emerson Office.

You do not need to be Martha Stewart, and your dish doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow the link for details and to sign up:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/409044ba8a829a3f94-parentteacher

Next PTO Meeting

Wednesday, October 19th @ 6:30p with special guest Dr. Olson via Zoom

Meeting ID: 998 9601 0820

Passcode: Eagle

7th Grade Tryouts

Wednesday, October 19

4:15pm - 5:45pm

Thursday, October 20

3:15pm - 5:00pm

Be prepared to attend both tryout sessions.

Please email aschauer@d64.org if you have any questions.

8th Grade Tryouts

Monday October 31

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Tuesday November 1

2:00pm - 5:00pm

Be prepared to attend both tryout sessions.

Please email dflorence@d64.org you have any questions.

YOU MUST HAVE AN ATHLETICS PHYSICAL FORM ON FILE IN THE HEALTH OFFICE IN ORDER TO TRY OUT.

NO PHYSICAL = NO TRYOUT

Please follow THIS LINK to find the physical forms required for Interscholastic Sports.

Support the D64 Band Orchestra Parents Association (B.O.P.A.)

Dine to Donate at Chipotle in Uptown Park Ridge!

33% of proceeds go to the D64 Band Orchestra Parents Association (BOPA)

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

from 5:00-9:00pm

Chipotle in Uptown Park Ridge

119 S Northwest Hwy

Park Ridge, IL 60068

Order online for pickup using code DF72A8A or show the attached flyer in restaurant

Does your student like fantasy card games like Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh! and more? Then come to Fantasy Card Game Club! You are welcome to bring cards but cards for Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh will be provided. Bring your friends to 202 every Monday after school. Please contact Ms. Miller with any questions!

Please see the attached flyer for Red Ribbon Week activities.

2022 RRW Flyer

Every other Wednesday each grade level engages in a Second Step, Social-Emotional Learning, lesson with their homeroom class and teachers. To review what students learned in the month of September, please click the link below. These links also allow our families to view all of our students who earned a SOARS ticket for demonstrating exemplary behavior during the month of September.

Sept. 2022 Second Step Family Communication

Digital Citizenship Week is 10/17-10/21

We live in a 24/7 connected world & we must work to prepare our students to interact as a productive digital citizen. Below you will have some statistics and a link to some great resources to get the conversation started at home between you and your students.

In Common Sense’s national survey:

• 56% of parents are worried their kids may become addicted to technology.
• 43% worry their kids are spending too much time online.
• 38% worry their kids are oversharing personal details.
• 94% have positive attitudes about the role of technology in their children’s education

Common Sense Media has some great resources for families to begin digital safety discussions at home. Check out some of those resources HERE.

Maine South High School has information dedicated to the incoming Class of 2027. You can find this webpage linked below. There are important dates to note, including building tours and course selection information sessions. This will culminate with a Freshman Kickoff Event on Wednesday December 7th from 6:00-9:00 pm.

Maine South Class of 2027 Webpage

SAVE THE DATE: Class of 2027 Welcome Night Tuesday December 6th, 6:00pm-8:00pm: This evening is an open house style event for all incoming 9th grade students and potential 9th grade students and families to learn about Maine East High School, meet our staff and explore the different course options and electives offered at Maine East High School. All families are encouraged to attend.

Parent/Guardian presentation for District 64 families considering Maine East High School. At Maine East HS: Wednesday November 8th, Time 7:00pm This event will be an informational session for families that have students currently attending Emerson Middle School and are considering Maine East HS for their student. This event includes a presentation from Maine East administration as well as a panel of parents/guardians who currently have students at Maine East.

All 6-8 grade parents and Emerson ELA teachers are invited to attend the Maine South English Program Night on October 18th from 7:00-8:00 PM. Members of the Maine South English staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about upcoming changes to the English program at Maine South. Please see this flyer for more information.

Fine Arts workshop opportunities at Maine East High School. We would love to have students visit our arts spaces and collaborate with current Maine East students in art programs. Students can sign up with the QR codes. We look forward to your visit!

Drama & Television Workshop

Acting for the Camera!

Theatre Games!

Tuesday, October 25th 4-5:30

Photo

Make a photogram!

Wednesday, October 19th 4-5:00

Ceramics

Make a pinch pot!

Thursday, October 27th 4-5:30 pm

To view the the bell schedule please click on the following link. Emerson Bell Schedule. Due to scheduling restraints in our PowerSchool system, we can not put the individual grade schedules in PowerSchool. Consequently, the times that you may see there can be incorrect. Please call the Emerson Office if you have any questions.

From the sixth to the eighth grade at Emerson, our students steadily mature in their social behaviors. One area in which these social skills are on display is lunchtime. This period is a time for students to relax, be with friends, and take a break from the morning work. It is intended to be a healthy, pleasant, and safe time. It is expected each class treats the cafeteria as they would their dining areas at home or at a restaurant. This has been a very successful process in teaching responsible behavior.

In the student planner, there is a section entitled “Cafeteria.” Please take a moment to review it with your student to help ensure a positive experience during lunchtime. The basis of the expected behavior directly relates to our SOARS behavior matrix, which focuses on respect, empathy, safety, responsibility, and self-regulation. Our expectations were discussed with the students on Wednesday, August 31st.

Please refer to our lunchroom guidelines for students. If you haven’t already, please sign and have your student return this form to their homeroom teacher.

The cafeteria will not be accepting cash to purchase lunch items. Students must use their MySchoolBucks account to purchase any food. Please see this flyer for more information from Quest, our food service company. You can also get a food service overview by clicking HERE.

Unlike elementary school, you do not need to pre-order meals or beverages. Students may select from daily offerings in the Emerson cafeteria. More information about our school lunch offerings and payment can be found here on the D64 Middle School Lunch webpage.

Though we have many food choices in our cafeteria, most Emerson students bring their lunch to school. We strongly encourage this during the first weeks of school while we get our cafeteria systems and procedures up and running.

We highly encourage waste-free lunches. To help reduce waste, please consider using reusable containers for your child’s food and drink, rather than disposable bags and bottles. Emerson is committed to green efforts in the lunchroom. The cafeteria also has a lunch waste sort station for students to empty their lunch waste into recycling, compost and trash. We encourage all students to do so every lunch period.

FORGOTTEN LUNCHES

If students forget something at home or are being brought a lunch, items may be dropped off at the Emerson Office. We instruct students to check in with the office during passing periods to pick up these items. We will not interrupt class to notify students of items/lunches delivered to the office. As noted in our district student/parent handbook, parents are discouraged from delivering lunch to the office from local restaurants; lunches brought to the office should be reserved for emergency situations, such as a forgotten lunch.

Ms. Corsello our Broadcasting Teacher along with students created a Green Lunch video. You can access it here.

Please see important message from Maine South High School regarding entry and spectator guidelines.

There will be three 4:00pm activity buses that will go to the Franklin, Carpenter, and Field areas. The buses will run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. These buses leave the the school around 4:15, giving students time to get from their activity to the bus. Please note: there is no 4pm bus on Wednesday or Fridays before long weekends.

Tardiness

All students are expected to be seated in homeroom at 8:05 a.m. Students who arrive at school after the homeroom period (8:05 to 8:10 a.m.) must report directly to the office before proceeding to class. A doctor’s appointment or a bus problem are acceptable excused tardies. All other reasons will be considered unexcused. Exceptions must be approved by the principal. To assist students and parents in correcting this problem, a sequence of escalating interventions is followed after three unexcused tardies. These range from calls home, parent letters and conferences at school, detentions, tardy contract, and possible legal action against the parents.

Early Check-Out

If a student needs to leave the school before the end of the day, a parent note giving the reason, date and time of departure, and person picking up the student should be given to the teacher whose class the student is leaving. If you email this message to the teacher, please be sure to include the school secretary (em-office@d64.org) as a recipient. The student should report to the office at the time of departure. The parent or guardian must come into the office to sign out the student for the length of time the student will be away from school. If your child returns to school before the end of the day, please enter the school building and sign your child back in before he/she returns to class. Please note that students must arrive by 9:20 a.m. or be dismissed after 1:45 p.m. for their attendance to be counted as a full day.

Absences

For safety reasons and in compliance with state law, a parent is requested to notify the school office in writing or by phone within the first hour of school. If notice is not received, the school secretary will call parents at home or work to confirm the absence. To report an absence, please call the school office anytime, day or night, to access the voice mail system at 847-318-8110. When calling, please provide: student’s name; classroom/ homeroom; date of absence; and reason for absence. For illness, please share symptoms or diagnosis.

• EXCUSED: A valid cause for absence includes illness, observance of a religious holiday or religious instruction, death in the immediate family, family emergency, other situations beyond the control of the student, other circumstances that cause reasonable concern to the parent/guardian for the student’s safety or health, or other reason as approved by the Superintendent or designee. For a student to be released from school as an excused absence to observe a religious holiday or for religious instruction, parents should give written notice to the Building Principal at least five calendar days before the student's anticipated absence.

• UNEXCUSED: Absences due to vacations, travel, attendance at a cultural or sporting event, or participation in a team sport, acting or fine arts performance are considered unexcused. This also includes tiredness (unless your child is ill), oversleeping. If your child is NOT called in by 10am, they will be marked unexcused for the day, and parents will be contacted by the office to verify the absence.

Vacations

Every school day is important, and the District strongly discourages scheduling family vacations on school days as these are considered unexcused absences. If your child will be absent from school for an extended period of time for a family trip, please inform the school office and your child’s teacher. Work will be given upon return for students leaving the country or immediate District area when your children RETURN to school. It must be completed at home under a parent’s supervision. Teachers are not expected to provide homework or assignments in advance for students who will be absent for an extended period of time for family vacation and other activities.

School hours for student classes are from 8:05 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Please note that each Wednesday, students are dismissed at 2:10 p.m. for staff professional development activities.

Doors to the school open for students each morning at 7:58 a.m. Homeroom begins at 8:05 a.m. Students with an early entry pass will be permitted to enter the school between 7:35-7:45, but not before. There will be a teacher opening the door to permit entry at that time. We WILL allow students to enter before this if there is inclimate or cold weather.

School office hours are from 7:20 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Remember that our student absence line (847) 318-8110 is available 24 hours a day. Please let the Emerson Office know as soon as possible if your child will not be in attendance. Please do not rely on e-mail notification for reporting absences as it may not be seen until later in the day.

As a reminder, each Emerson student was issued a Chromebook computer as part of the District’s one-to-one digital learning program. Students will receive their Chromebooks and cases during the first week of school. Your child will also be assigned a gmail account to access Google Apps for Education and other digital resources at school and to further explore concepts introduced in class at home.

As a parent, we ask you to partner with us in ensuring that your child uses the Chromebook and District-provided gmail accounts appropriately. Please remind your student to charge their chromebook each night.

District 64 is excited to continue partnering with our students and parents as we expand the instructional benefits of a digital learning environment. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

You can find more information about the 1:1 Initiative, Chromebooks, and the other technologies available to our students here.

Parents and any visitors to the school should always enter through Door 1. All visitors must sign in at the front desk and put on a visitor’s badge if they have a pre-scheduled meeting or volunteer activity to attend. Never knock on a door and ask a student or staff member to let you in. Students and staff are instructed that they are not to open the locked outside doors for anyone. ALL VISITORS ARE TO ENTER DOOR 1, THE MAIN OFFICE.

You may access our guidelines for the 2022 - 2023 School Year on our website. The guidelines are very different from what we've experienced over the past two years. There are only a couple of mandatory rules we must follow when someone tests positive, yet the remainder of the guidelines only list recommendations. Each family can decide their own comfort level regarding which recommendations to follow, and we ask that everyone respects the choices of others.

All Emerson students and parents are provided access to schedules via the PowerSchool parent and student portals. The PowerSchool Parent Portal allows you access to your student’s academic information, including student schedules and grades. If you have any questions on how to login, please contact the Emerson Main Office for assistance (847) 318-8110.

Emerson Middle School, along with all District 64 schools, operates in accordance with policies and practices that have been reviewed and implemented by the District 64 Board of Education. Please review the D64 Student-Parent Handbook prior to the start of the school year to familiarize yourself with the information contained in it. We want to work in partnership with you to ensure a positive school year, and having an understanding of this information will help to promote a successful school year. This handbook is intended as a convenience for District 64 families and staff by summarizing selected information about procedures, services and programs. It also provides a quick reference for contact information and District timelines.

In an effort to keep you informed, we typically send a Friday newsletter each week. We may also send occasional e-blasts for important reminders and notices of events. The Emerson PTO also sends out regular communication with important information for the week. To join our wonderful PTO, please visit their website.

The Emerson website and Emerson school calendar are valuable resources to keep informed of important updates and events throughout the year. The calendar is kept up to date throughout the school year, and new information is posted regularly. We hope that these tools are helpful resources for keeping you and your student organized and informed as we progress through the year.