We are Emerson Elementary

We serve PreK - 6th Grade students.

580 927-2351

coalgateschools.org

Dear Emerson Families,
As we enter the month of December, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible growth, effort, and enthusiasm our students have shown this semester. Emerson Elementary continues to thrive because of the strong partnership between our school and our families. Your support, encouragement, and involvement make a tremendous difference every day, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us. This time of year reminds us of the importance of community, kindness, and connection — values we work hard to nurture in every classroom.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find important updates, upcoming events, and celebrations that highlight all the wonderful things happening at Emerson. December is a busy and joyful month, filled with learning, activities, and opportunities for our students to shine. We appreciate your continued partnership as we finish the semester strong and create meaningful experiences for your children. Thank you for being such an integral part of our Emerson family — we are truly better together.

Our character trait for the month of December is Self-Awareness. Why: Reflecting on growth encourages students to recognize their progress and areas for improvement. Parents and guardians can help encourage self-awareness in the following ways:

1. Ask daily reflection questions.
Invite your child to think about their day with prompts like, “What is something you’re proud of?” or “What challenge did you face today, and how did you handle it?” Short, consistent conversations build awareness over time.

2. Celebrate progress, not perfection.
Notice and name the small steps your child takes — finishing a task, trying something new, or handling a situation better than before. This helps them see growth as a journey rather than a destination.

3. Model reflective thinking.
Talk out loud about your own reflections: “I realized I rushed today. Next time, I’m going to slow down.” When children hear adults reflect, they learn how to do it themselves.

4. Help set small, achievable goals.
Work with your child to choose one simple goal each week — such as reading for 10 minutes or being kind to a sibling — and revisit it together. Reflecting on goals helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

5. Use a feelings check-in.
Encourage your child to pause and identify what they’re feeling and why. Understanding emotions is a key part of self-awareness and helps students reflect on their actions and choices.

December

3 BB at Calera time TBD

5 BB at Legacy Christian 4:30pm

11 Christmas Program 6pm - 8pm

11 No After School

12 Student Celebration for Nov & Dec 2:15 in the Linton Gym

15 5th & 6th to carol at the nursing home

18 Christmas Parties

18 Early Release at 12:30pm

18 No After School

Pk and Kinder will wait under the awning by their normal spot.

1st and 2nd will go out the front door one grade at a time to meet parents/guardians under the awning at the front door.

3rd and 4th will hold in the gym. Parents should park on Hooker street, and we will call for students as parents drive up.

5th and 6th will release as normal.

Thank you for working with us as we keep students safe and healthy.

At Emerson Elementary, we deeply value the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our service members. Their commitment to protecting our freedoms and serving our nation is something we hold in the highest regard. We are truly grateful for every Veteran who joined us for our program — your presence allowed us to honor you in a meaningful way and show our students the importance of respect, gratitude, and service. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of recognizing you; we are sincerely appreciative of all you have given to our country and our community.

December - Self-Awareness

• Self-awareness is the ability to understand your own thoughts, feelings, actions, and values and how they influence your behavior. It allows you to objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, improve your relationships, and make changes to align your behavior with your internal standards. There are two main types: internal self-awareness, which is understanding your own internal standards, and external self-awareness, which is understanding how others perceive you.

Benefits of self-awareness

• Improved emotional intelligence: Understanding your emotions is the first step to managing them.
• Better decision-making: It helps you understand what motivates you and how your past experiences shape your choices.
• Stronger relationships: You can better understand how your actions affect others and how they perceive you.
• Increased confidence and reduced stress: Knowing yourself better can lead to greater self-acceptance and lower stress levels.

• How to develop self-awareness

  • Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings in the present moment without judgment.
  • Seek honest feedback: Ask trusted friends, family, or colleagues for their honest opinions on your actions and behaviors.
  • Reflect on past experiences: Take time to think about your past actions and the outcomes to learn from them.
  • Use journaling: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to help you see patterns over time.
  • Regularly check in with yourself: Throughout the day, pause and ask yourself how you're feeling and what you're thinking.