02.25.2015
 
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

 

ANNUAL PIERCE SCHOOL SKATE NIGHT

Friday, 3/6, 5:45-7:45pm @ Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink, Larz Anderson Park

Come join in this FREE fun family event, a Pierce favorite! The Rink is outdoors, so dress warmly. Food and beverage concessions are available, as are skate rentals, but because of the size of the Pierce community, supplies of both are limited. Carpooling encouraged, as parking is limited as well. Beginners and experts alike are welcome! Helmets are not required but are encouraged!! Admission is free for all Pierce families, teachers, and staff. This event is made possible by your contributions to the Pierce PTO. Please contact hillaryjanowski@gmail.com with any questions.

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BROOKLINE OVERRIDE CAMPAIGN: KICKOFF MEETING

Sun., 3/29, 2-4pm @ TBD

On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, Brookline's Board of selectmen voted unanimously to put two "override" questions on the May 5th local election ballot that will have a critical impact on the Pierce community and Brookline's schools in general. The ballot questions will call for voters to approve or disapprove property tax increases designed to fund a $7.665 million operating budget "override" and a $49.876 million "debt exclusion." 

 

In announcing the ballot questions, the selectmen expressed a desire to balance adequate funding to sustain excellence in our school system and sensitivity to the demands on the town's taxpayers. The approved numbers are lower than many school advocates requested - particularly in light of the dramatic increases in school enrollment and associated overcrowding - but approval of the additional funds would still provide a significant boost to the schools and help address critical needs and structural deficits in key areas of teaching and learning.

 

A pro-override Yes! for Brookline campaign has been launched. There will also likely be an organized "No" campaign, so there will be considerable work to do in the months ahead. Yes! Brookline will be setting up a website where folks can sign up to be involved in the campaign. Please join our kickoff event! Information on the override is available at www.brooklineoverride.com and you can contact Pierce parents and town meeting members Brian Hochleutner (briahochleutner@gmail.com), Mariah Nobrega (mariah.nobrega@gmail.com), and Naomi Sweitzer (justicedoit@yahoo.com) with questions or if you want more information or are interested in getting involved.

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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
  

FED UP?!

TONIGHT: Wed., 2/25, 6:45-9pm @ Lincoln School Auditorium

Parents: are you concerned about the excessive amounts of sugar in processed foods served to your children, or the epidemic rise in pediatric obesity in America today? If so, join us to view the acclaimed 2014 documentary Fed Up, and to discuss your impressions and concerns in a follow­up Q&A with the Director of the Brookline Food Services, Chef Alden Caldwell. Produced by Katie Couric and Laurie David, and directed by Stephanie Soechtig, this eye-­opening documentary will change the way you eat forever. See www.fedupmovie.com for more information.

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REVISED KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DATE for 2015-2016
TOMORROW: Thurs., 2/26, 8-10am @ Pierce Auditorium
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 www.brookline.k12.ma.us 
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FY16 SCHOOL BUDGET: SUPERINTENDENT'S OPEN FORUM 

Tues., 3/17, 6:30pm @ Brookline Interactive Group (BIG), 46 Tappan St.; and Wed., 3/25, 6:30pm @ Baker School Auditorium

Brookline Schools Superintendent Bill Lupini & Deputy Superintendent Peter Rowe will host an open forum to discuss the FY16 school budget. Tuesday's presentation will be broadcast live from the BIG Studio. You may join the audience or call the studio with questions during the presentation at 617-390-7306. Or, email questions in advance to info@brookline.k12.ma.us. 

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THANK YOU, CALDECOTT NIGHT VOLUNTEERS!

Our 2nd Annual Pierce School Caldecott Night was a huge success! Families and students in grades K-3 came out to our library on the evening of January 29th to celebrate books. Families had an opportunity to browse through the one hundred best books of 2014 and vote for their favorite. Throughout this magical evening, families could be found on every floor and in every corner of our library curled up with wonderful books.  

 

A very special thank you to our Pierce Caldecott Night parent volunteers who helped make this event possible: Jean Sandler, Sue Kim, Megan Galaburda, Ting Fu, Liz Erdman, Jodie Waldesbuhl, Kate Thibault, Tamisha Atkins, Deirdre Buckley, Tiffany Rinne, Joanna Davidson, Doug Reynolds, Daria Cohen, Susan Levin, and Marianna Yang.

 

Another special thank you to the faculty and staff who helped before, during, and after our event: Ms. Herard, Mrs. Barnum, Mrs. Connors, Ms. Lovell, Ms. Newell, Ms. Young, Ms. Regan, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Muldoon, Ms. Roylene Hunte, Ms. Amie Buchman, Mr. Winston, Mrs. Hansel, and Mrs. Washburn.

 

We look forward to celebrating another year of wonderful books. Happy Reading! - Amanda Kretschmar, Pierce Librarian

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AND THE 2015 WINNERS ARE...

Pierce voters nominated these 2015 Pierce Caldecott Award winners:

1st   Place - Blizzard, illustrated and written by Jon Rocco

2nd Place - Flight School, illustrated and written by Lita Judge

3rd Place Tie - Mr. Ferris and His Wheel, illustrated by Gilbert Ford and written by Kathryn Gibbs Davis; and A Perfectly Messed Up Story, illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell

 

The American Library Assn. announced the official 2015 Caldecott Award this week:

1st Place - The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, written and illustrated by Dan Santat

Honor Books - Nana in the City, illustrated and written by Lauren Castillo

The Noisy Paintbox, illustrated by Mary GrandPre and written by Barb Rosenstock

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, illustrated by Jon Klassen and written by Mac Barnett

Viva Frida, illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, illustrated by Melissa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant

This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by Mariko Tamaki (high school graphic novel)

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CALL FOR BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS  

Thurs., 3/19, 08:15am-Preliminary Meeting @ Cafeteria

The Pierce Book Fair is a few months away, but planning is underway. It is a big project so we can really benefit from lots of hands. We have jobs big and small that can fir any level of interest and time availability. If you can't make the preliminary meeting, but would still like to help, please email me @ piercebookfair2015@gmail.com. Thanks so much for the donations. Please keep them coming! 

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SPECIALIST'S CORNER 
 
SPANISH

Visit the Spanish page on the school website to see what our young estudiantes are learning!  

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK 

 

POW #11: BUILDING BLOCKS

Due Tues., 3/3

Look for POW #10 on the board this Friday. Visit the POW page on the school website:

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

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MATHLETES PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #7: 100 WATERMELONS

Due Tues., 3/3. 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!

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Celebrate the Lunar New Year, and "green up" your house for the new season! Also: Understanding Brookline forum tomorrow... Youth Empowerment Day for 8th-graders... Program for parents of adopted teens... Artbarn auditions... new sports TV talk show... 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.
 
PIERCE FAMILY SEEKS TO RENT
Pierce middle school family seeks to rent a two or three bedroom apartment in multifamily home. Parking is required. Flexible move in between 6/1 and 9/1. Please email Denice at denicesakakeeny@gmail.com if you may know of a match. Responses from property owners and referrals to the same would be appreciated. No realtors, please. 
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HOUSE OF COLORS ART SCHOOL
The House of Colors Art School offers classes for kids/teens & Adults. Please visit www.thehouseofcolors.com for more information and contact Michelle: muhlbaum@mac.com or 617-365-5615.
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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, visiwww.benefitnesshealthclub.com or call 617-232-7440.
62 Harvard Street (Rear Entrance) Brookline, MA 02445.
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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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BOSTON PATIO PLAYHOUSE SUMMER OPERA & MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAMS
Boston Patio Playhouse announces summer programs in Coolidge Corner! 
Backyard Opera (Musical Theater & Opera Program) runs July 6-17; Front Porch Players Musical Theater program runs August 3-14. In both programs, students participate in acting, dance, voice, and backstage classes while working on a personalized final performance in which everyone is a soloist! For more information or to register, visit www.bostonpatioplayhouse.com or contact Stephanie at 617-383-7522 or 
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STEM SUMMER CAMP OPEN HOUSES 
Wed., 2/11 (6-8pm) & Sat., 3/14 (12-3pm)
Studio of Engaging Math invites kids ages 6-12 for exciting activities! Play board games, build robots, design a computer game, make origami, solve puzzles a, and have a great time! Small groups, engaging instructors, hands-on projects, daily play-ground time and museum field trips. Please visit www.engagingmath.org/summercamp. 
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$5 NOON YOGA!
Tuesdays 12pm, Thursdays 12:15pm
$5 drop-in flow yoga for all levels at Beacon Hill Athletic Club, Brookline Village (members free). All levels of experience welcome, mats provided or bring your own. Instructor Cher Duffield is a Pierce mom (Cecilia 4H, Antonia 2Y, Lysander 2R, Juliet pre-K). Contact her at 617-784-9900 or cher.duffield@gmail.com, or see BHAC web site.
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STRESS REDUCTION COURSE
Dr. Stephanie Corrado is an Internal Medicine Physician and Adolescent Medicine Specialist. She practices mind body medicine caring for both adults and adolescents. If you are experiencing more stress than usual, or conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, pain or other changes in physical health, then stress reduction may help. She is currently accepting new patients, and is also running 8-week, group-based stress reduction programs. For more information, please call 617-701-7699 or email scorrado@partners.org. Website: stephaniecorrado.com.
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phone: (617) 730-2580