03.11.2015
 
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

 

PLANNING MEETING FOR PIERCE SPRING FUNDRAISER
Fri., 3/27, 8am @ Cafeteria
We need help planning our spring fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, May 16th. Please come to our first planning meeting on 3/27 to help make this event a success! Questions? Please contact pierce.pto@gmail.com
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PIERCE SKATE NIGHT HUGE SUCCESS!
Pierce's annual Skate Night was a huge success on Friday night. Thank you to all the families, staff and children who came! Special thanks to Pierce parent Hillary Janowski for organizing this event; and thanks to the Pierce Penguin for making a special appearance. This event was funded by the Pierce PTO.
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THANK YOU FROM PIERCE 6TH GRADE
As part of this year's annual Collection for Pine Street Inn, Pierce sixth-graders visited our classrooms to read books, share a Pine Street Inn informational video, or screen a video describing a book club for homeless people living in Boston Common. Those brave enough to talk to the "big kids" asked students in grades 7 & 8 to write about a series of black-and-white portraits of homeless people, volunteers for UMASS Boston's initiative"Close to Home." It's a good bet that all the hard work boosted the level of cereal and chocolate donations, which sixth-graders collected daily at each homeroom.  

Thanks to the generosity of the Pierce Community, sixth-graders collected and tallied over 400 boxes of cereal and packaged over 650 Valentine's gift bags filled with chocolate for residents of Pine Street Inn's supportive permanent housing initiative and visitors to the Inn's emergency shelters. The class wishes to thank everyone who brought in donations for this effort and who listened to the classroom presentations. We couldn't have done all this without all of you, Pierce School!
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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 with 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 and its new website www.yesforbrookline.com has information and a sign-up sheet for updates and to get involved. There will also likely be an organized "No" campaign, so there will be considerable work to do in the months ahead. You can also contact Pierce parents and town meeting members Brian Hochleutner (briahochleutner@gmail.com) or Mariah Nobrega (mariah.nobrega@gmail.com) with questions or if you want to help.

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MOVIE NIGHT POSTPONED
Due to scheduling conflicts, this week's movie night has been postponed. Stay tuned: date TBA!
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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

 

UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES BEGINS... AND A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Brookline schools participate in an annual Disability Awareness program called Understanding Our Differences (UOD). At Pierce, it is done every year with the 4th graders, in collaboration with the 4th grade teachers and with the essential support of parent volunteers, as well as school and town administrators.We cannot continue this important program without parent volunteers - thank you to those who have already responded to e-mails from Room Parents and volunteered for Thursday!

If you'd like to volunteer for future units, the commitment is for 8-10:30am the day of. In a short training meeting, in the evening 2 days before each unit, we will walk you through what's happening. (If you cannot make the training meeting, there is a brief on-line training video that may be helpful.) Dates and units are as follows:

Thurs. Mar 12-- Deafness and Hard of Hearing
Thurs. Apr 30 -- Vision Impairment
Tues. June 2 -- Physical Disabilities
Thurs. June 11 -- Intellectual Disabilities

To volunteer, please follow the link below to a Google document where you can sign up: 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gN6R6Ker7Vo-AyVyOypWeygcEFwtnvX2KsxlqR-dk1Q/edit?usp=sharing. If you have volunteered in the past, we would especially appreciate your help! Our thanks, Tiffany Rinne and Ann Kamensky, Parent Coordinators

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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING & OFFICE HOURS TOMORROW  

Thurs., 3/12, 6pm @ James F. Walsh Committee Room, 5th Floor, Town Hall
Please see the full meeting docket here . The School Committee will also be holding Office Hours prior to the meeting from 5-6pm in the same room. This is an open discussion with the Brookline School Committee and the public, with topics to be determined by the participants. Contact Robin Coyne with questions at 617-730-2430 or robin_coyne@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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CALL FOR BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS: PRELIMINARY MEETING  

Thurs., 3/19, 8:15am @ Cafeteria

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

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MARY POPPINS TICKETS ON SALE: $7 PER TICKET 

Ticket sales near the main office, before and after school this week:

Mon-Thurs.,7:45-8:15am and 2:20-2:40pm

Fri.,7:45-8:15am and 1:30-1:50pm

Pre-show: Thurs. 6:15pm, Fri. 6:15pm, Sat. 1:15pm and 5:45pm 

SHOW TIMES BELOW:

Thurs., 3/12, 7pm - Umbrellas Cast and Birds Chorus

Fri., 3/13, 7pm - Chimneys Cast and Sweeps Chorus

Sat., 3/14, 12:30pm - Chimneys Cast and Tuppence Chorus

Sat., 3/14, 6:30pm - Umbrellas Cast and Birds Chorus

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SPECIALIST'S CORNER 
 
MUSIC

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

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK 

 

POW #12: AN ODD SUM

Due Tues., 3/17

Look for POW #12 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 #8: HOW MANY GEORGE WASHINGTONS IN THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT?

Due Tues., 3/17 

George Washington was 6 ft 2 in. tall. The height of the Washington Monument is about 555 ft. 5 in. If you were to stack George Washingtons one on top of the other until the stack first exceeded the Washington Monument, by how many inches would the top-most Washington exceed the height of the monument? 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

A fun week! K-8 Science Fair... Children's Concert w/ Wayne Potash... Youth Empowerment Day for 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.
 

LEARN TO PLAY TRADITIONAL BLUEGRASS & CELTIC MUSIC WITH YOUR FAMILY

Join our group of Brookline families as we learn and play in a fun and friendly "jam session." Each class features a song that we learn by ear and play as an ensemble. Featured instruments include violins, cellos, guitars, banjos, and mandolins. For more information, contact rob.guillemin@gmail.com or visit 

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GET IN SHAPE FOR WOMEN
March Special for New Clients-4 weeks for $248 (that's 50% off). Small Group Personal Training with the first complete training program for women. Start this trial package anytime in March for 4 weeks, 4 training sessions for week. Each session consists of 30 minutes of strength training, 25 minutes of cardio, and nutrition coaching for a complete program that will produce the results you want. Visit either Brookline location to take advantage of this opportunity and get ready for the new you! Contact-Brookline Village, 218 Washington Street, Brookline MA @ 617-775-7562 and Coolidge Corner, 1379 Beacon Street, Brookline MA @ 617-487-5415.

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BIG PICTURE MOVIE PHOTO AND MOVIE MAKING WORKSHOPS
April 20-22:"Shadows & Light", July 6th:"Street Photo", July 13th-24th:"Two Week Fiction Film", July 27th:"Photo Play", August 3rd:"Travel Photo", August 10th:"1 Week Fiction Film Class". 
Sign up now! Big Picture offers a "boutique" learning experience for no more than 7 students in grades 6-10. The one-week summer workshops run 9:30-3:30pm, with shuttle service from the monument in Jamaica Plain. Professional DSLR cameras provided. Contact Jennifer Connelly, owner/teacher 781-696 1138, bigpicturearthouse@gmail.com. Check out curriculum and student work @ www.bigpicturearthouse.com or on our FB page Big Picture Art House.
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COOLIDGE CORNER YOGA OFFERS CLASSES FOR KIDS
Let your child reap the benefits of yoga including: increased strength and flexibility, balance and stability, enhanced coordination skills, increased concentration and focus, stress management tools, and compassion and connection to themselves, others, and the world! Check the after-school schedule for children's classes at www.coolidgeyoga.com/pages/kids-yoga
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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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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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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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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.
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phone: (617) 730-2580