We are Emerson Elementary
August 2025
Welcome to Emerson Elementary 2025 - 2026 School Year!
Hello Emerson Elementary Families!
My name is Dr. Tucker, and I’m honored to be the new principal at Emerson Elementary. I’m truly excited to get to know you, your student, and all the wonderful traditions that make Emerson such a special place.
I believe this is going to be an incredible year for our school community. While there will naturally be some changes as I bring my own style and ideas to the role, please know my focus remains firmly on supporting your child’s growth and success.
Change can be positive, and I hope you’ll give me the chance to show you that I’m here to partner with you in helping our students thrive academically and personally. I look forward to working together to make this a fantastic year!
Things to Know
Online Enrollment
When you enroll online, your information is saved for the next year. If you are NOT a new student to Emerson Elementary, I highly recommend you TRY our online enrollment. It will make enrollment so much easier for you in the coming years. It will save your information if you do not finish it all in one sitting. The link is here - https://oked.sylogist.com/Coalgate. Online enrollment will run from July 21st - August 6th.
If you already have login credentials, then enter your username and password and click Sign In. If you do not have a login, then you may request one by going to New User? Request an Account.
If you are a new student, please come to Enrollment August 1st or 4th anytime from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Dear Parents and Guardians,
For the safety and well-being of all our students, we kindly ask for your cooperation during drop-off and pick-up times.
Morning Drop-Off:
Please allow yourself extra time in the morning to ensure a smooth and safe drop-off. Do not pass vehicles in the drop-off line, as safety is our top priority. If you prefer to walk your child to the door, please use the parking lot across from the elementary school. For those using the drop-off lane, we ask that students be ready to exit the vehicle promptly when it is your turn. As always, please drive slowly and cautiously through school zones.
Afternoon Pick-Up:
At the end of the day, students will be dismissed from the building. We ask that you wait outside for them. You are welcome to park in the lot across from the elementary school or use the designated parking spaces near the school (available for use after school only).
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our students safe!
This year, our school theme is Together We Learn; Together We Grow.
Chosen by our staff, this theme reflects our belief that education is a team effort. Our students thrive when families and school work hand in hand. Your support at home—helping with homework, encouraging respect and focus in class, ensuring your child gets plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast—makes a tremendous difference in your child’s success.
We’re also committed to partnering with you as we guide your child’s learning journey. Our teachers work diligently to provide the best educational experiences, and together, we can help every student reach their fullest potential—not only as learners, but as individuals of strong character.
“Together We Learn; Together We Grow” also reminds us that learning is an ongoing process. It isn’t a one-time event—it’s built through practice, repetition, and even failure. As Thomas Edison said while inventing the light bulb, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Monthly Student Celebrations
One thing we sometimes overlook in education is taking the time to celebrate and reflect on our successes. To change that, we’ll be hosting monthly Student Celebrations to highlight the wonderful achievements happening at Emerson Elementary.
These celebrations will typically be held on the last school day of each month in the Linton from 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. If your child is selected to receive an award, their teacher will contact you in advance so you can join us if possible.
Character Trait of the Month
Alongside our theme, we’re excited to introduce a Character Trait of the Month program. Each month, we’ll focus on a trait that connects to our theme and helps shape students into not only strong learners but kind and responsible individuals. Here’s what’s ahead:
-
August – Planting the Seeds of Success
Character Trait: Responsibility
Why: Setting intentions helps students take ownership of their goals and behavior. -
September – Nourishing with Knowledge
Character Trait: Curiosity
Why: Encourages a love of learning and sparks interest in exploring new ideas. -
October – Rooted in Kindness and Respect
Character Trait: Empathy
Why: Fosters understanding of others’ feelings and builds a caring community. -
November – Thankful to Grow Together
Character Trait: Gratitude
Why: Cultivates appreciation and a positive outlook, strengthening bonds. -
December – Mid-Year Reflection
Character Trait: Self-awareness
Why: Reflecting on growth helps students recognize progress and set new goals. -
January – New Growth, New Goals
Character Trait: Perseverance
Why: Encourages students to stay motivated and tackle challenges. -
February – Love of Learning
Character Trait: Passion
Why: Helps students connect personally with their learning, building enthusiasm. -
March – Blooming Brilliance
Character Trait: Confidence
Why: Showcasing achievements helps students feel proud and believe in themselves. -
April – Growing Together
Character Trait: Collaboration
Why: Working with others fosters teamwork skills and a sense of community.
Together, we’ll make this a year of growth, learning, and celebration for all our students. Thank you for being an essential part of our Emerson Elementary family!
Wildcat H.S. Games
An adult MUST accompany any elementary student attending a high school athletic game.
Upcoming Events
Calendar at a Glance
July
21 - Online enrollment begins - https://oked.sylogist.com/Coalgate
August
1 Enrollment - 9:00am - 3:00pm
4 Enrollment - 9:00am - 3:00pm
7 Meet the Teacher Night - 5:30 - 7:30pm
8 First Day of School
13 Bus Drill
20 Fire and Lockdown Drill
29 Student Celebration 2:15 - 3:15 in the Gym
September
1 No School - Labor Day
3 Tornado Drill
8 PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME
17 Reverse Evacuation Drill
18 - Parent / Teacher Conferences 3:15 - 9:15pm
19 - No School
A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. The primary rationale for high-quality attendance data is the relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Teacher effectiveness is the strongest school-related determinant of student success,1 but chronic student absence reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge. The effects of lost school days build up one absence at a time on individual students.
Please make every effort to have your student in school. With our move toward IB, much of the learning is done in the classroom, and cannot be made up outside of the day the instruciton was provided. We appreciate it when you schedule your vacations during school breaks, so your student does not miss out on important learning opportunities.
Digital Autism
Here is a snipet from an article about the topic.
How can too much screen exposure affect mental health?
Some kids enjoy the feeling of tuning out the world and paying attention to the predictable, fast paced, and often comforting atmosphere of the virtual world on their screens.
In the same study it was found that even the light-dark rhythms that help the brain produce melatonin, dopamine, and increase a child’s understanding of their relationship to themselves and others can be messed up with too much screen exposure.
These phenomena can cause children to experience screen withdrawal when they are separated from the world they have immersed themselves in for so long. They can lose their ability to sleep properly, interact with others, and can become depressed and even angry. The aggression that can accompany this can further damage their relationships, and leave them with low self esteem.
The entire family can be affected. Every person’s mental health is important, and one person in the family is struggling, the entire family feels the effects.
Monthly Character Trait
Students at school have several key responsibilities that contribute to a positive and productive learning environment. These include attending classes regularly, respecting teachers and peers, completing assignments, and maintaining a safe and clean school environment. Essentially, students are expected to be active, engaged participants in their education and contribute to the overall well-being of the school community.
Student Responsibilities at School are:
- Attend classes regularly and on time
- Be prepared for class with necessary materials
- Complete all homework and assignments
- Participate actively in class discussions and activities
- Respect teachers, classmates, and school property
- Manage time effectively and be organized
- Seek help when needed
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP DEVELOP STUDENTS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE AT HOME?
Parents can foster responsibility in students by establishing routines, communicating with teachers, and encouraging independent problem solving. By modeling responsible behavior and providing opportunities for children to learn from their choices, parents can help students develop essential skills for academic and personal success.
Here's are some ways to help foster responsibility at home:
1. Establish Routines and Structure:
Homework Time: Create a consistent time and space for homework, free from distractions, and involve the child in setting the rules.
Morning Routine: Establish a predictable morning routine to help students get ready for school on time and reduce stress.Chores and Responsibilities: Assign age-appropriate chores and responsibilities at home to teach accountability and time management.
2. Encourage Active Learning and Problem-Solving:
Ask Questions: Engage in conversations about school, ask about their day, and encourage them to think critically about what they are learning.
Problem-Solving: Encourage students to think through challenges and find solutions independently. When they make mistakes, help them analyze what went wrong and how to improve.
Consequences: Ensure that actions have logical and consistent consequences, both positive and negative, to teach accountability.
3. Communicate with the School:
Stay Informed:
Attend parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school nights, and other school events.Communicate with Teachers: Establish open lines of communication with teachers to stay informed about student progress and address any concerns.
Collaborate on Solutions: Work with teachers to develop strategies for supporting the student's learning and behavior.
4. Model Responsible Behavior:
Be a Role Model: Demonstrate responsible behavior in your own actions, showing how you manage your time, complete tasks, and learn from mistakes.Express Confidence: Believe in your child's ability to succeed and show them that you have confidence in their efforts.
Praise Effort: Recognize and praise their effort and progress, not just the final result.
5. Foster Independence and Self-Reflection:
Avoid Over-Helping:
Allow students to experience the natural consequences of their actions, even if it's inconvenient.Encourage Self-Reflection: Regularly ask students to reflect on their learning, identify areas for improvement, and set new goals.
Promote Self-Advocacy: Encourage students to speak up for themselves and advocate for their needs in the classroom.
Lover of all things educational