Dear Emerson Families,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the 2025-2026 school year! My name is Kathryn Grimble, and I'm excited to be joining the Emerson Elementary family as your new principal. I can already tell this is a special place, and I'm eager to get to know all of you – our wonderful students and supportive families.
I am joining the Emerson community with 19 years of experience in education as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal--the majority of those years being here in Riverside Unified School District. I am lucky to have worked in diverse schools where I gained valuable experience in instructional leadership, school culture, and student support.
My educational philosophy centers around fostering an inclusive environment that promotes student engagement through active learning and collaboration. I believe education should not only impart knowledge but also advocate for social justice, empowering students to understand and challenge systemic inequalities. By incorporating restorative practices, I aim to create a safe space for open dialogue, accountability, and healing, ensuring every voice is heard and respected. Ultimately, my goal is to cultivate critical thinkers who are motivated to contribute positively to their communities and advocate for meaningful change.
I am excited about the opportunity to continue the great work that has already been accomplished at Emerson and to continue serving the Eastside community.
At Emerson, we have three expectations for all students and families:
-
Be Safe--If you see something, say something. We are a bully-free environment.
-
Be Respectful--Show respect to ALL. Use respectful language, sportsmanship, and kindness.
-
Be Responsible-- Do the right thing, even if no one is looking. Take care of our campus.
At Emerson, we work from a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) perspective. We incorporate PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) with academic and social-emotional support to ensure that all students have their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs met.
Emerson is also an AVID elementary school. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination and it is a framework that instills a foundation that cultivates and expects excellence in our students and staff. Fundamentally, the goal of AVID is to close the opportunity gap for students, and prepare them for college and careers in the future.
This year, we will continue to provide engaging and diverse educational experiences for students that get them excited about coming to school and learning. Students will have a variety of opportunities to participate in assemblies, activities, spirit weeks, and field trips. Please ask your teacher how you can volunteer to support their classroom or our school. We look forward to continuing our work to engage and academically challenge students as we prepare them for bright futures. Additionally, we look forward to partnering with you to help your children be the best scholar they can be.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathryn Grimble
