01.07.2015

PTO CORNER

Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

WEB-SAVVY? GOT A FEW MINUTES EACH WEEK?

The Bridge needs you! The task is simple: post the weekly-updated Community Corner & Specialist's Corner on the school website. That's it - no writing, no editing, just getting the text up. It's an easy and minimal-time-commitment way to help out. Interested? Please contact pierce-website@googlegroups.com or piercebridge@gmail.com. Thanks!

_______________________________________

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM?

In addition to position above, The Bridge will be seeking a new editor to begin sometime in the spring. Duties include formatting and editing the weekly newsletter, and communicating with the Communications Chair and the PTO re: content. It takes a few hours a week, and it's a great way to contribute to the school. Plus, you get the scoop on what's happening... early! Please contact Communications Chair Nisha Koshy at piercebridge@gmail.com, or Editor Juliet Eastland at callalily1@gmail.com.

_______________________________________

PTO ANNUAL SKATE NIGHT IS NOT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR

The official date of Skate Night IS Fri., 3/6, 5-7pm. More information to follow.

_______________________________________

SHOP AMAZON AND BENEFIT PIERCE SCHOOL

When you shop Amazon through the school website, Pierce PTO receives a percentage of your purchases at no extra cost to you. Remember "Go to School" before you shop online at Amazon! To shop, go to the school website homepage and look for this icon:

_______________________________________

THANK YOU...

Hillary Janowski! We want to publicly acknowledge and thank Hillary for all of her efforts these many years leading Volunteerism for the PTO. Hillary is stepping down after almost three years of coordinating Pierce parent volunteers for all of our events, and for being a conduit of communication to our dedicated Room Parents. We thank Hillary for her organizational skills, dependability, and welcoming spirit that she brought to her work as Chair of Volunteerism. Hillary will continue helping out around Pierce in many ways, including organizing Pierce Skate Night. Please be sure to thank Hillary when you see her! Jean Sandler has assumed Hillary's role as Chair of Volunteerism so please be sure to welcome Jean to the work this year!

_______________________________________

SCHOOL CORNER

Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING & OFFICE HOURS TOMORROW

Thurs., 1/8, 6pm @ James F. Walsh Committee Room, 5th Floor, Town Hall

See the full meeting docket here. The School Committee will also be holding Office Hours prior to the meeting from 5-6pm, also in the Walsh School Committee Room. This is an open discussion with the Brookline School Committee and the public, with topics TBD by participants. Please contact Robin Coyne with questions at 617-730-2430 or robin_coyne@brookline.k12.ma.us.

_______________________________________

OVERRIDE DECISION HAPPENING THIS MONTH! WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS!

Town Hall, Selectmen's Hearing Room, 6th Floor

The Board of Selectmen established the following schedule to complete its deliberations on the recommendations of the Override Study Committee (OSC) to seek a Proposition 2½ Tax Override and Debt Exclusion referendum for Fiscal Year 2016. We strongly encourage you to attend these meetings and to sign up for public comment (you must do so on the Friday before each meeting). To learn more about the issues, and how to support our schools, visit http://www.brooklineoverride.com/. Thank you.

January 13: Identification of Potential Override and Debt Exclusion Questions for Presentation at Upcoming Public Hearings (Town Administrator)

January 20: Public Hearing at 9am

January 22: Public Hearing at 7:30pm

January 27: Final Review of Issues and Possible Vote on Specific Override/Debt Exclusion Question(s)

_______________________________________

GRADE 5-8 WINTER SING AND CONCERT

Tues., 1/13, 6:30pm @ Brookline High School Auditorium

Come support the Band and Chorus. No tickets needed, all are welcome!

_______________________________________

2ND ANNUAL PIERCE CALDECOTT NIGHT: SAVE THE DATE!

Thurs., 1/29, 5-7pm @ Pierce Library

Each year, the American Library Association nominates and awards the prestigious Caldecott medal to the best picture book of the year. As part of our library program, Pierce students in grades K-3 will be learning about the picture book evaluation process and reviewing and analyzing the top contenders. Students, teachers, and K-3 families are encouraged to read as many of our "Caldecott Contenders" as possible before the event (see link below), then stop by to

take one last look at the "Caldecott Contenders" and vote. Students unable to attend will also have a chance to vote at school the following day. We look forward to seeing you at our Pierce Caldecott Night! Happy Reading!!! http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/library.html

_______________________________________

CALDECOTT NIGHT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Thurs., 1/29, 5-7pm @ Pierce Library

Parent volunteers needed to help set up for Caldecott Night, run the voting booth, act as greeters, and provide Story times throughout the evening. Please email amanda_kretschmar@brookline.k12.ma.us if you are interested in volunteering.

_______________________________________

PIERCE FAMILY MATH GAMES AFTERNOON FOR GRADES 1 & 2 STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Wed., 1/21, 3:30-5pm @ Pierce Auditorum.

It'll be an afternoon of fun with plenty of math games for all! Drop by and play math games with your parent, your friends and your favorite teacher. You will go home with your own math game to keep.

Questions? Please contact Tara Washburn @ tara_washburn@brookline.k12.ma.us or Alison Hansel @ alison_hansel@brookline.k12.ma.us.

_______________________________________

BOOKS NEEDED

Are you considering clearing space in your bookshelves? Consider donating to the Pierce Book Fair - it's not until the spring, but we can collect donations at any point throughout the year. We accept gently used books forall ages (K-adult). There's a blue donation bin outside the main office. For larger donations that need more coordination, please email Shoma @ piercebookfair2015@gmail.com

"LIKE" FRIENDS OF PIERCE SCHOOL BROOKLINE ON FACEBOOK

This group is for friends and supporters of Pierce School in Brookline, its students, and those interested in related neighborhood issues. To be clear, membership is not intended to be limited to those who currently have elementary school-aged children. Anyone interested in Pierce and related issues is welcome. This is basically a neighborhood group to allow for sharing of information. This is now an open list so that friends of Pierce School can easily join the list without having to be invited online by a member.

_______________________________________

SPECIALIST'S CORNER

MUSIC

Tra la la! Visit the Music page on the school website to read more about your little warbler.

_______________________________________

PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

POW #8: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Due Tues., 1/13

Look for POW #8 on the board this Friday. Visit the POW page on the school website:

http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/problem-of-the-week.html

_____________________________________

MATHLETES PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #5

Due Tues., 1/13

Look for the new Mathletes POW on the Mathletes bulletin board near the first floor entrance to the library! Copies of the problem will be available in the rack in the front lobby. Please put your solutions in the green box by the Mathletes bulletin board. Have fun doing the Math!

_____________________________________

COMMUNITY CORNER

We've got conflicting weather this week: several Summer Camp/Activities fairs on the one hand, Brookline Arts Center's Winter enrollment on the other. Plus, basketball clinic, Brookline Youth Fund accepting RFPs, and more. Visit Community Corner on the right-hand side of the "News & Bridge" page on the school website.

_____________________________________

CLASSIFIEDS

Want to see your ad here? Send an email to piercebridge@gmail.com.

BENEFITNESS HEALTH CLUB FOR WOMEN

**Calling all Pierce Moms, Teachers and Staff!**

Join now for $0 Enrollment Fee--originally $79

Discounted monthly rate of only $59 and a FREE Personal Training Session when you join! For more information, visit www.benefitnesshealthclub.com or call 617-232-7440.

62 Harvard Street (Rear Entrance) Brookline, MA 02445.

___________________________________________

Quick Links...

Contact Information

phone: (617) 730-2580