01.28.2015

PTO CORNER

Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

WELCOME ERIK ERGEN TO THE PTO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM!

We'd like to welcome the newest member of our team, Erik Ergen, who will be helping with our website! We put out a call for help in the Bridge last week, and Erik quickly stepped up to help out. Thank you, Erik!!

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THANK YOU LETTER!

All 241 of the families who contributed to the Annual Appeal should have received a thank you letter at this point. If you have not received a letter, please let us know at pierce.pto@gmail.com, as a few letters were returned to us by the post office. Thank you.

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THANK YOU GIOIA!

We wanted to thank Gioia Perugini for arranging the live streaming of the MLK Assembly so that families could watch the children's moving performances. Thank you, Gioia!

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HALFWAY DAY CELEBRATION

Thurs., 1/29

Today is the 89th day of school and that means Halfway Day is the next day we have school. That means we will be halfway through the school year and halfway to summer vacation! Right now with two snow days on Tuesday, 1/27 and Wednesday, 1/28, the 90th day of school will be Thursday, January 29th. This will be Pierce's 23rd year recognizing Halfway Day in creative and philantropic ways. Students and staff celebrate by dressing in halves and making a donation of a half dollar for New Pathways, a halfway house for teens sponsored by Brookline Community Mental Health. Enjoy the snow days, stay safe and see you on Thursday, Halfway Day!

Sincerely, Dr. Smith-Mumford

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ANNUAL PTO OPEN MEETING - ALL WELCOME

Thurs., 2/5, 6-7pm @ Pierce Cafeteria

Meeting will take place during the Pierce Dance Night (see below). We encourage you to come, as this is a great way to hear what's going on, get involved, and meet new people. Coffee will be provided. Agenda TBA. Please join us!

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BOOGIE ON DOWN! PIERCE DANCE NIGHT FOR K-5 STUDENTS

Thurs., 2/5, 5:30-7:30pm

This new event will get kids moving and grooving in the auditorium to great music, to help everyone survive these cold winter nights! Geared toward students in K-5; NOT a drop-off event. Parents can mingle in cafeteria while their children dance in the auditorium. We'll have our great DJ from the spring picnic who always gets everyone moving! Want to volunteer or help plan the night? Contact pierce.pto@gmail.com.

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INTERESTED IN JOINING THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM?

The Bridge is seeking a new Editor to begin 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.

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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:

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SCHOOL CORNER

Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

2ND ANNUAL PIERCE CALDECOTT NIGHT!

TOMORROW: 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 K-3 have been learning about the picture book evaluation process and reviewing and analyzing the top contenders. For the last two months, students, teachers, and families have been reading as many of our "Caldecott Contenders" as possible. Students, teachers, and K-3 families are invited to visit the Pierce Library, anytime between 5-7 p.m., to take one last look at the "Caldecott Contenders" and place their vote. Come find your favorite books, find a quiet corner of our library to share a story, or participate in one of our many Story times (starting at 5:15 p.m., we will have Story times scheduled every 15 minutes until 6:45 p.m). Students unable to attend Caldecott Night will have a chance to vote at school the following day. Please take a look at the list of "Caldecott Contenders". We look forward to seeing you! Happy Reading!!!

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PIERCE 6TH GRADE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT: ANNUAL COLLECTION FOR PINE STREET INN

Now thru Wed., 2/11

Pierce 6th grade students are asking the Pierce community for generous donations to assist them with collection of CEREAL and CHOCOLATE. Pine Street Inn needs 85 lbs. of cereal per day to feed breakfast to all the residents in Single Room Occupancy Housing, residence to nearly 850 men and women in 38 Boston-area buildings (two of which are here in Brookline area). The chocolate is an extra-special treat for residents, especially since Valentine's day is just around the corner. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2015-2016

Tues., 2/10 & Wed., 2/11, 8-10am @ Pierce Cafeteria

Children must be five years of age on or before August 31, 2015 to be eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2015, no exceptions. Please do not bring your child to school on the registration day. Registration forms available in the elementary school offices and on the Public Schools of Brookline website. For more information, please visit http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/

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CAN YOU SPARE A FEW HOURS TO HELP WITH KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION?

Tues., 2/10 or Wed., 2/11, 7:45-10am

This is a quick, fun, and easy volunteer opportunity! Please email molly.zuker@comcast.net with questions, or if you'd like to help.

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BOOKS NEEDED

Are you 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 for all ages (K-adult). There's a donation area under the bulletin board. For larger donations that need more coordination, please email Shoma @ piercebookfair2015@gmail.com

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SPECIALIST'S CORNER

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Visit the Physical Education page on the school website to see what your kids are "actively learning."

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

POW #10: 100TH DAY POTATO CHALLENGE!

Due Tues., 2/10

Look for POW #9 on the board this Friday. Visit the POW page on the school website:

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

SOLUTION TO POW # 9: THAT'S A LOT OF NICKELS

500 nickles is 100cm, so 1 meter of stacked nickels is worth $25.00

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MATHLETES PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #7: 100 WATERMELONS

Due Tues., 02/10

Our new Mathletes POW celebrates the upcoming 100th day of school! Look for it 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 and on the pierce website. Please put your solutions in the green box by the Mathletes bulletin board. Have fun doing the Math!

SOLUTION FOR MATHLETES POW #6: Zakim Bridge

Bindi had traveled 572.8 feet farther than Alejandro when they met.

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Climate Week beginning soon! Also: sports gear exchange... lecture on Understanding & Parenting Challenging Kids... Corner Co-op open house... basketball tryouts... "Bridges" program for 7th/8th graders... and more. Visit Community Corner on the right-hand side of the "News & Bridge" page on the school website.

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

PIANO LESSONS

Contact Gloria Jasinski @ 617-566-9704 or email piano566@comcast.net.

Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory. 30+ years teaching experience. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience.

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phone: (617) 730-2580