Welcome to October, Emerson families!
As we settle into the heart of the school year, our Bulldogs are busy learning, growing, and building strong academic foundations. This month is filled with meaningful learning opportunities designed to help every student grow as a learner and reach their goals.
Students are working through the i-Ready Diagnostic, which gives teachers valuable information about each student’s current skills and helps us set goals and plan instruction that meets students where they are. We are using this information to establish a strong tone for the year and identify opportunities for continued growth and support.
Our classrooms are also filled with engaging mini-projects that allow students to apply their learning, collaborate with classmates, and demonstrate their understanding in creative ways. At the same time, our teachers are strengthening instruction through GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) strategies and using Thinking Maps to support writing development. These tools help students organize their thoughts, make connections, and communicate their ideas more clearly and effectively.
A Friendly Reminder About Being a Bulldog
As we continue to build our Emerson community, we also want to remind our students about our positive behavior initiatives and B.A.R.K. expectations. We know that learning includes not only academics, but also learning how to be a respectful, responsible, and caring member of our school community.
We are asking our parents and families to help reinforce these simple reminders at home:
- 💬 Use kind and respectful words with classmates and adults.
- 🤝 Keep our hands to ourselves and do not touch other students.
- 😊 Remember to say “please” and “thank you” to friends and adults.
- 🐾 Practice being a positive role model and demonstrating our B.A.R.K. expectations throughout the school day.
- 🍎 Please do not share food at school. We have students with food allergies, and even a small amount of an allergen can have a serious impact on a child. Keeping food to ourselves helps us maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Thank you, families, for partnering with us as we continue to build a school community where every Bulldog feels safe, respected, supported, and ready to learn.
Rooted in Our Past. Driven by Our Future. Together as a Community!
With kindness,
Mrs. Areavalo, Principal
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Families,
Dress Code Reminder Letters have gone home with students. We ask that you please take a few minutes to read the letter carefully and review the expectations with your child. These guidelines are in place first and foremost to help keep our students safe, comfortable, and ready to learn and play throughout the school day.
With PE, recess, and active play being an important part of our students’ day, please pay special attention to shoes, clothing, jewelry, and nails. Nails should be kept short and safe so students can comfortably and safely participate in PE, recess, and other activities without accidentally scratching or injuring themselves or others.
For our little Bulldogs, we also recommend keeping an extra set of clothes in their classroom or backpack in case of spills, accidents, or unexpected messes during the school day.
Thank you for taking the time to review the dress code with your child and for partnering with us to keep all of our Bulldogs safe, comfortable, and ready to learn!
*CROCS are only allowed on certain spirit days- In Sport Mode!
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Help support our 6th Grade Bulldogs as they raise money for upcoming activities and trips! Join us for an afternoon treat from the In-N-Out Burger Truck on Wednesday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m.
For just $10, students and families can enjoy a delicious meal that includes a hamburger or cheeseburger, potato chips, and a soft drink. All proceeds will help support our 6th grade activities and trips.
Please complete the order form and return it with cash payment. Be sure to indicate whether you would like a hamburger or cheeseburger and how many meals you are ordering.
You must pre-pay for this event- once you pay- you will receive a ticket.
Go Bulldogs!
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GSD Special Education Department - Parent Learning Opportunities!
Join Garvey School District's Special Education Department for Parent Learning Opportunities!
October 21, 2026 and March 10, 2027
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
EMERSON ELEMENTARY
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Join us for Coffee with the Principal!
Topics:
- ELAC: Election of officers
- DELAC Election of DELAC Representatives
- Training on ELAC By-Laws
- UCP Distribution
PTA Meeting to follow. Please join us for PTA updates and events for the year.
Coffee to be sponsored by Starbucks
on Garvey & Valley
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What a wonderful and successful Cultural Diversity Week at Emerson! As part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our Bulldogs had the opportunity to learn about, appreciate, and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, music, and heritage that make our Emerson community so special. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for helping make the week such a meaningful and memorable celebration of diversity and community!
And the fun continues next month! Be on the lookout for our Red Ribbon Spirit Week, filled with fun activities and important messages about making healthy, positive choices. We can’t wait to celebrate with our Bulldogs!
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Our Emerson Bulldogs enjoyed a wonderful cultural experience during our INCA: The Peruvian Ensemble assembly! Performers from The Music Center brought the vibrant music, traditions, and culture of Peru to our school through an engaging and interactive performance.
Our students didn’t just watch—they got in on the action! Students had opportunities to participate, move to the music, and experience the energy and traditions of Peruvian culture firsthand. It was an exciting way to connect learning with music, movement, and cultural appreciation.
We are proud to provide experiences like this that broaden our students’ understanding of the world and celebrate the many cultures that make our community special.
This memorable assembly was made possible through our California Community Schools Grant, which continues to provide our Bulldogs with enriching educational and cultural opportunities beyond the classroom.
Learning, exploring, and growing together...
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CBEDS is the California Basic Educational Data System.
The State of California looks at Emerson’s attendance this day and this helps decide how much funding we get for the following year!
You being at school is important to our funding!
It's how our school gets money for all the cool things, events, and supplies for school.
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If we can get 100% attendance in each classroom, Mrs. Arevalo will allow that classroom to toss water balloons at her
WHAT? That’s Crazy!
That means that students in attendance on 10/7/2026 and their classmates could toss a water balloon at the principal!
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This year, we are putting a special focus on school attendance because every day of learning helps our Bulldogs grow, learn, and stay Driven by Their Future! Each month, we will recognize the classrooms with the highest attendance percentages. The winning classroom will proudly host our Driven by Your Future Attendance Trophy for the month!
We are excited to celebrate an amazing start to the school year! For the month of August, every Emerson classroom achieved 95% or higher attendance! What an incredible accomplishment!
Now, it’s time to recognize our Top Three Classrooms:
🥉 3rd Place – 99.31%
Congratulations to Mrs. Ly’s 1st Grade Class!
🥈 2nd Place – 99.45%
Congratulations to Mrs. Mach’s 2nd & 3rd Grade Class!
🥇 1st Place – 100% 🏆
Congratulations to Mr. Camacho’s 1st & 2nd Grade Class for achieving PERFECT ATTENDANCE at 100%!
Way to go, Bulldogs! Keep showing up, staying on track, and being Driven by Your Future!
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Being at school everyday matters! Regular attendance gives our Bulldogs the opportunity to learn, build friendships, participate in classroom activities, and make progress toward their academic goals. Each school day builds on the one before, so being present and arriving on time helps students stay connected and ready to learn.
We encourage families to make on-time, everyday attendance a priority. Of course, if your child is sick, please keep them home and follow our school procedures for reporting the absence.
We are excited to continue celebrating attendance throughout the school year! Our Monday Morning Kick-Offs will recognize and celebrate our Bulldogs for their commitment to being at school and ready to learn. Classrooms will also have the opportunity to earn our traveling Attendance Trophy by achieving the highest attendance percentage.
📌 Reminder: Whenever your child is absent, please contact the school office and provide the reason for the absence.
Every day. Every Bulldog. Every opportunity to learn!
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You are invited to attend Emerson Elementary School’s Halloween Parade.
Friday, October 30, 2026
Event will begin at 9:00 am
Send your child to school dressed and ready in their costume. Pack them extra clothes, in case they need to change.
Parents will be allowed on campus at 8:45 am. Parents will have access to a parent seating area with limited seating, first come first serve. Parents will not be allowed to sit or visit with the students.
PTA will host a costume contest. Categories include:
Funniest
Most Creative
Cutest
Best Overall
Awards will be distributed for primary (TK-3) and upper grade (4-6) levels.
Please note that costumes must still follow dress code. Make sure costumes are sensible for students in grades TK- 6th.
No short shorts or skirts, leggings underneath are recommended. No costumes or masks that have blood or gore of any kind will be allowed. No toy weapons.
Please consider being creative with your costumes. It’s a great day to dress like someone from your favorite book or a fun character.
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We are excited to introduce Together Tuesday, a new monthly Community Schools event designed to bring our Bulldogs together through creativity, culture, and connection! Each month, two students from every class are invited to participate in a special cultural art activity.
This month, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our students explored Mexican-inspired paper art while learning about the beauty and creativity found within Mexican culture and traditions. It was wonderful to see our Bulldogs express themselves, share ideas, and celebrate culture through art!
We can’t wait to see what creativity, culture, and connection Together Tuesday brings next month!
Remind your child to volunteer to participate!
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At Emerson, we are committed to helping every Bulldog develop strong English language skills and reach their full potential. All Emerson students identified as English Learners (EL) participate in daily Designated English Language Development (ELD) instruction designed to strengthen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.
Designated ELD provides students with targeted language instruction and opportunities to practice academic English in a supportive environment. As students continue to build their English proficiency, they work toward meeting the criteria needed for reclassification, an important milestone that recognizes their ability to successfully access grade-level learning in English.
We are proud of the hard work our English Learners put in every day! Keep growing, keep learning, and keep reaching for your goals, Bulldogs!
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Emerson families, we invite you to become a PTA member for just $15! Your membership is a simple but meaningful way to support our students and strengthen our school community.
PTA helps provide our Bulldogs with exciting opportunities, including school events, student activities, enrichment opportunities, celebrations, and special projects that make Emerson a place where students feel connected and proud to belong.
You don’t have to volunteer or attend every meeting to make a difference. Simply becoming a member shows our students that their families believe in them and support their school.
For only $15, you can help make a difference!
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The 2026–2027 school year is underway, and there is so much happening at Emerson! Be sure to visit our Emerson Elementary School Calendar regularly to keep track of upcoming events, celebrations, important dates, and school activities. Planning ahead is a great way to make the most of all the wonderful opportunities happening throughout the year!
📌 Please Note: School dates and events may change. We encourage families to check the calendar regularly for the most current information.
There are also several easy ways to stay connected with our Emerson community! Follow us through ParentSquare, our school website, and Instagram for important announcements, reminders, photos, and updates throughout the school year.
Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay involved!
Go Bulldogs!
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Have you checked out our new Emerson Elementary webpage?
Visit us online to find important school information, upcoming events, the school calendar, announcements, resources, and helpful information for families—all in one place!
Our website is a great way to stay informed, connected, and up to date throughout the school year. Be sure to check back often for new updates and information.
Stay connected. Stay informed. Go Bulldogs!
Link to our website:
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Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 4, 2025, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. and join us at Emerson Elementary for an evening of family fun, culture, and celebration!
We’re also creating a special Día de los Bulldogs loved-one photo display! Families are invited to submit a copy of a photo of a loved one they would like to honor for the occasion. Please bring the photo to the front office in a frame and be sure to include your student’s name and room number. Please submit a copy, not the original photo.
We can’t wait to celebrate with our Emerson families!
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Wednesdays are early dismissal days at Emerson!
Students are dismissed at 1:35 p.m.
We ask all families to please plan ahead and arrive on time for pick-up. Being on time helps students transition home safely and keeps dismissal running smoothly for everyone.
Please make arrangements in advance and allow extra time for traffic and parking.
Reminder there is no pickup or drop off in our staff parking lot!
Your prompt arrival helps us ensure that every Bulldog gets home safely and efficiently. Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
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Hello Emerson Families and community,
We are in need of brown student lunch bags or grocery store brown bags.
During our PBIS BARK Store, we have found that the students can shop easier with the bag in hand
If you would like to donate, please drop off a few in our office and they will be used at our Monthly BARK BUCK Store openings.
We are also accepting prizes for our BARCK Buck Store! Anything helps :)
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Volunteer at Emerson — Don’t Get Left Behind!
Our Emerson volunteers make a difference! Whether you’re helping in the classroom, supporting a school event, or assisting with one of our many activities, your time and support help make our school community stronger.
Field trips are coming up, so don’t get left behind! If you are interested in joining your child on a field trip or volunteering at school, now is the time to get your volunteer requirements completed. All volunteers must follow the procedures outlined in our Volunteer Handbook.
📌 New this year: All Emerson volunteers must be Mandated Reporters and complete the required training before volunteering on campus. A free online training is available through the State of California. Please note: There is a fee for the certificate.
You can find our Volunteer Handbooks and additional volunteer information here:
Your time matters. Your support matters. Our students matter! Thank you for partnering with us to create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for every Bulldog!
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Celebrate weekly spirit days this year.
Wednesday is Woodcraft Wednesday. All Woodcrafters are encouraged to wear their Woodcraft tee. Wear yours from years past or from summer camp.
Thursday is College Tee Shirt day! Pre-order you grade level college tee shirt. Last day to order will be on September 14th. Turn in your cash and order from to your child’s teacher or the front office. ASAP! Orders will be submitted for a 6-8 week turn around. In the meantime- wear your favorite college tee.
Friday is Emerson Spirit day! We encourage our students to wear Emerson gear every day, but on Friday’s we wear our RED spirit gear and Emerson gear. Show your pride by wearing your school colors!
Monthly Spirit days and events will be sent out via parent square and posted on Instagram. Check it out!
Next week will be Friendship Spirt Week!
More details on our website: https://emerson.garvey.k12.ca.us/weekly-spirit-days
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We love celebrating our student’ achievement at school. We know that birthdays are an important part of growing and developing new friendships.
We encourage all families, who would like to celebrate their child’s special day to consider bringing in goodie bags for each student in the classroom filled with stickers, erasers, pencils, squishy stress balls, and other items that cannot be eaten. We do have a lot of students who may have allergies. To help avoid any allergic reactions, we ask that the celebration/ gift not have any food attached to the day. Please follow the new guidelines from the district.
Always communicate with your child's teacher prior to brining in goodies.
Thank you for your help!
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links below:
- Main Office & Attendance 626-307-3333
- Mrs. Arevalo' s email: varevalo@gesd.us
- School Website: https://emerson.garvey.k12.ca.us/
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