School Info - New Emerson Elementary

STEAM LEAD at New Emerson

At New Emerson, STEAM LEAD is more than a magnet focus—it is the heart of how we learn and grow. Rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, our approach also emphasizes Literacy, Empathy, Agency, and Dispositions (LEAD). Together, these elements prepare students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and lead with compassion. Through authentic, hands-on learning, students develop future-ready skills while building strong character and a lifelong love of learning. To find out more information, click here.

Early Bird Reading

A tradition unique to New Emerson, Early Bird Reading reflects how Literacy and community are woven into STEAM LEAD. Every morning before school, parents, community members, and staff gather to listen to children read aloud. Each child reads a “just right” book while an adult supports comprehension and reading strategies. Students then take the book home to share with their family before returning it for another. Over time, this daily practice builds independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading that supports success in STEAM LEAD learning and beyond.

Core Capacities and Dispositions

At New Emerson, the elements of LEAD—Literacy, Empathy, Agency, and Dispositions—shape the way our students learn and grow. These are the foundations of our STEAM LEAD identity and reflect the qualities we seek to nurture in every learner.

Literacy & Literate Identities
Students see themselves as lifelong readers, writers, and communicators who use literacy to learn, create, and connect with others.

Empathy
Students learn to understand and care for others by exploring questions such as What is empathy? Why is it important? How can I use it to help my community?

Agency (Capacities)
Students build the confidence and skills to take ownership of their learning through:

Understanding our brain: how it works, grows, learns, and regulates
Growth mindsets and embracing mistakes
Learning zones: understanding how challenge, resilience, and effort help us learn and grow
Understanding executive functions and learning strategies to support them

Dispositions
Students develop the personal qualities needed to thrive as learners and leaders, including the Executive Functions (EFs) that support independence and resilience:

Emotional control
Goal-directed persistence
Managing impulses
Sustained attention
Flexibility
Task initiation (Unstuck Board)
Metacognition
Planning and prioritizing
Working memory
Organization
Time management

School / Emergency Communications

Text Alerts: To sign up to receive text messages from your school or district, you must have an active SMS number on file in Synergy and Opt-In to receive messages via your mobile carrier. Sign up for text alerts and communications by texting "YES" to 67587.

New Emerson STEAM Elementary will use several avenues to bridge the school/home communication gap.
This will be done through ParentVUE, Peachjar, flyers, newsletters, mass e-mails and of course your classroom teacher as well as the school website.

For more information on Delays and Closures Notifications - Delays & Closures

Inclement weather or other factors may result in closing schools, delayed opening, or early dismissal. School closing will be announced through text, news stations, the district website and social media. Close contact is maintained with the district transportation office, bus company, highway department, weather bureau, and news media. Closing decisions are made as early as possible. On a questionable day, please check the district website. Please complete the emergency/enrollment form very carefully. Complete, accurate information, including home and work phone numbers, are very important! If there is a change of address or phone number, inform the school promptly.

Follow New Emerson on Social Media

Facebook

Instagram

Core Beliefs

At New Emerson, our Core Beliefs guide everything we do. We believe in:

A comprehensive approach to literacy instruction.
High expectations for children and adults.
The importance of building growth mindsets.
Learner agency through ownership and choice in learning.
Providing and eliciting growth-producing feedback.
Meeting the needs of the whole child.
Lifelong learning for children and adults.
The value of STEAM ways of thinking for developing future-ready skills.
Offering educational experiences that differ from traditional neighborhood schools through authentic, experiential, problem-based learning.

School Hours

After School Supervision

Eureka! After School Program

Visitors/Volunteers

Parents are encouraged to visit/volunteer in their children's classrooms. This is one of the best ways to help out at school. Visitors MUST check in at the office before visiting a classroom to get a visitor badge. You will need a photo ID. Please be sensitive to the learning environment when visiting. We value your expertise and involvement. By volunteering you are showing your child that you value education and you support our school. Volunteer applications are available in the front office and must be filled out every year to be valid. Fill one out today!

Attendance and Absences

Doors are unlocked at 7:45am and Early Bird Reading begins. Attendance is taken in all classrooms at 8:00am. Students must be in their classrooms by this time for the beginning of the school day.

If your child is late or absent, please notify the office by 8:30am. The learning goals for the day are set by the students and teachers upon arrival. A tardy or absent student misses this vital instruction. Advance notice for an extended absence for your student should be arranged with the teacher and a written note to the office.
If the child is absent and no call has been made from the parent, Shelly will call to confirm that the child is home and the school's automated system will call the parental numbers listed on the registration paperwork, as well as to confirm absence.

Early Dismissal

As a general policy, children are dismissed from school during school hours only in case of an emergency. In such situations, a note should be sent to the child's teacher on that day and the parent must come to the office to sign the child out of school. You also need to be aware that leaving early is treated the same as a tardy. Remember, every 5 tardies equals one absence. Please try to schedule appointments on Fridays or before/after school.

School Health Assistant and Medication

New Emerson's Health Assistant is Heather Williams. Her phone number is 254-6500 ext#53111. She is on duty from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. If a child becomes ill or injured at school, he/she will be cared for, and the parent will be notified. Simple first-aid will be administered, but no medication will be given unless the medication and written permission is on file with the office. The responsibility for further care rests with the parents or family physician. If your child contracts strep throat, pink eye, chickenpox, or any other contagious disease, please inform the school health assistant or office staff at once. Throat cultures are not given at school.

Medication

In order for prescription medications to be administered by the school health assistant or trained staff, the school is required to have the form "Request for Medication" completed, signed by the physician and a parent, and be on file in the school. Prescription medication must be in the original container labeled by the pharmacist. Please check with your physician regarding the necessity for giving medication during school hours.
Over the counter (non-prescription) medication supplied by the parent in the original container may be given only with a parent's signature on the permission form. Forms are available in the school office, school website, and at most physician's offices. Forms must be completed each school year.
If it is necessary to send liquid medication to school, please send a dosage spoon with the medication. We request parents bring the medication to school. Medications which have not been used or picked up by the expiration date or end of school year will be discarded.

For more information, view the Nursing Services Page on the District 51 website - Nursing Services

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

To ensure the safety of our students and the smooth flow of traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, please review the following procedures:

Morning Arrival

The parking lot nearest the main office is reserved for staff parking. Families should not use these spaces unless they have been designated as the monthly "Premier Parking Spot" winners through our family feedback survey or PTO drawings. Some staff arrive after 7:30 AM and need these spots available.
Unaweep Avenue is especially busy around 8:00 AM, and there is no designated crosswalk near the school. For safety:
- Please park on the north side of Unaweep only.
- Avoid parking on the south side of the street.
- Do not cross Unaweep on foot, as it creates a significant safety hazard for students and families.

Afternoon Pick-Up

Use the designated parent pick-up lane and pull forward to the orange cone. (See map linked to the image above.)
Remain in your vehicle. Staff will bring your child to you to help keep the line moving.
If your child needs assistance buckling and you are unable to help from inside the vehicle, you may step out briefly to assist.
Please be patient and do not cut into the line. For everyone’s safety, wait your turn to exit, as students may be walking toward their vehicles.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping arrival and dismissal safe and efficient for all.

ParentVUE

ParentVUE is a tool developed by the District to give parents on-line access to their students assignments, attendance, lunch participation and standardized test scores. You will also receive classroom and school-wide emails. ParentVUE allows you to contact your child's teacher and school by email and read classroom messages posted by the teacher. LOG on at least once a month so your accounts stay active.
ParentVUE Account

Telephone Messages

Lunch Lizard

Dress Code

School is your child's "workplace" and consequently we ask that they dress appropriately. Children should dress according to the weather. If it is cold, please send your child to school with warm clothing. Please help your child make choices that will be conducive to a positive learning environment. We ask that students not wear tank tops, half shirts, crop tops, short shorts, or slogans promoting alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sex, or violence, or sagging pants. Let's keep our focus on student learning.

Busing Information

New Emerson offers busing options through a hub system. Families can drop off students at designated elementary schools throughout the district, where they will be transported to New Emerson. After school, the bus returns students to those same hub locations at scheduled times.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Student Transport of America at (970) 697-1050 or visit their page on the district website.