 |
|
PTO CORNER
BROOKLINE OVERRIDE UPDATE: EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN; ELECTION DAY IS MAY 5TH; EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
Brookline's town election on May 5, 2015 gives voters the opportunity to vote on two important ballot measures: question 1 to raise funds to address the 38% (and growing) increases in townwide elementary school enrollment, and question 2 to fund a long-delayed renovation and expansion of Devotion School. Yes votes on both measures would directly benefit Pierce School, which would get additional funding, including money to handle crowding within Pierce classrooms. The two ballot questions were formulated after a lengthy process in which both higher and lower funding numbers were rejected and compromise numbers were agreed to in an effort to keep the town and schools on a solid financial and educational footing. Both ballot measures are unanimously supported by Brookline's elected Board of Selectmen and School Committee.
Please vote, and please encourage your friends and neighbors to vote -- every vote counts! The last time a similar "override" measure was on the ballot in Brookline, the outcome was decided by less than a thousand votes, and this year's election is expected to be very close. Any registered voter can vote by filling out and submitting an early/absentee ballot at the Clerk's Office in Brookline Town Hall (right next to the Pierce School) anytime between now and election day during their office hours: Mon-Wed 8-5, Thurs 8-8, Fri 8-12:30, and Sat 9-1.
On election day, Tuesday, May 5th, vote at your local precinct polling
_______________________________________
PRINCIPAL'S FORUM ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS
Thurs., 4/16, 5:30-6:30pm @ Pierce Auditorium
Members of the Pierce Faculty Inquiry Group attended the Sarah Ward Workshop on Executive Functioning Skills last summer. They will present their findings including strategies for helping children succeed at home and at school. Information suitable for students and families in grades K-8.
The following teachers will present:
- Kate Gallahue, Comprehensive Learning Center Teacher
- Helen Greeley, 5-6 Learning Center Teacher
- Erin McQuaid, Occupational Therapist
- Annemarie Marcus Stewart, K-2 Learning Center Teacher
- Amy Woogmaster, 5th Grade Teacher
- Jamie Yadoff, 7th Grade Social Studies/English Teacher
Sponsored by School Council and PTO.
_______________________________________
CALL FOR DONATIONS: PTO UNDER THE BOARDWALK EVENT
Sat., 5/16 @ Pierce School Auditorium
Donate your talents, unused gift cards/certificates, vacation homes and other creative biddable items to the auction to be held May 16th at the PTO's Under the Boardwalk spring fundraiser! Your donation will raise money for field trips, teacher supplies, instructional tools, arts and cultural assemblies at school, plus supplemental programs including the homework club. To make a donation, email jeanmarieteillon@gmail.com.
_______________________________________
The PTO needs YOU!!!
Consider donating your talents and time in support of our amazing community! Transform the cafeteria in to a summer beach paradise for the Under the Boardwalk spring fundraiser. Sell books to eager young readers at the Book Fair. Scoop ice cream at the Pierce Picnic. Take volunteering to the next level as the next PTO co-chair. It's never too late to lend a hand!
Learn more or sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities:
Under the Boardwalk Spring Fundraiser: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0C49A5A92AAB9-pierce/9806886
Book Fair: piercebookfair2015@gmail.com
Co-Chair & Leadership team positions: pierce.pto@gmail.com
Pierce Picnic: sign-up to follow next month
_______________________________________
HELP THE PTO RAISE EASY MONEY!
Sign up for a free parent account on Sopico.com, an online marketplace for children's activities, and Sopico will donate $5 to the Pierce School PTO! When asked "How did you hear about us?" choose PTO/ PTA and type "Pierce School, Brookline" into the text box. Sign up by 4/30 to get $25 off your first camp or activity purchase. Thanks for supporting our PTO!
_______________________________________
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:
_______________________________________
|
|
SCHOOL CORNER
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES: MARIE CURIE - SCIENTIST, MOTHER, HUMANITARIAN
Thurs., 4/16, Grades K, 1, 2 @ 8:30am
One of the most influential scientists in history, Marie Curie developed an early love for science, which was encouraged by her father as they conducted simple experiments together. In this performance, students follow Curie's story of fierce determination, as she graduates from high school first in her class, is denied her pursuit of further education in her native Poland, and is finally granted entry to university in Paris. As her legendary and ground-breaking work in science continues, she marries, starts a family and becomes one of the world's most brilliant scientists as well as a great humanitarian.
Performances such as these are made possible through funding from the Pierce PTO. The Pierce Arts Council brings a variety of age-appropriate, high-quality arts performances to Pierce School to complement learning in the classroom about arts, science, history, and diverse cultures.
______________________________________
COME CHEER FOR TEAM BROOKLINE AT THE BOSTON MARATHON!
Mon., 4/20, 12-5pm @ Beacon St. cheer stations
Join us on Marathon Monday at an official cheer station along Beacon Street in support of our runners, partner charities and community! Volunteers are welcome to join Team Brookline at any of our three official cheer stations. Partner charities will be on site with runner information, team swag and cheer gear for everyone who joins!
Cheer Station Locations:
1. Star Market at 1717 Beacon Street near Washington Square
2. Capital On Cafe at 1327 Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner
3. Taberna de Haro at 999 Beacon Street across from the St. Mary's T stop
______________________________________
PIERCE SCHOOL YEARBOOK ORDERING DEADLINE APPROACHES
Deadline for ordering: Wed., 4/22
It's that time of year! The Pierce School Yearbook is on sale again, exclusively online. For the 10th year in a row, the yearbook will cost $25, and will feature pictures of individual classes, school plays, fun around school, and so much more! Please follow the directions below to reserve your copy today:
- Go to www.coffeepond.com
- Click on "Order Yearbooks" (large gray box on lower right side of the page)
- Enter the password: pierce
- Select "on-line order" or "mail-in order"
- Follow the rest of the directions to complete your order.
- To check on your order status, you can go back to www.coffeepond.com
Yearbooks will be handed out in individual classrooms during the last week of school. Any extras will go on sale on a first-come, first-serve basis during that week. Thanks for your support. Please contact Reed Rathgeber with any questions: reed_rathgeber@brookline.k12.ma.us.
_______________________________________
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Tues., 4/28, 6:30-8:00pm @ Pierce Auditorium
Join Alan November, an international leader in education technology, in an exploration of how schools can use current technology to establish safe and creative digital learning environments that support high levels of student learning and prepare students for success in college, career and life. Alan will cover:
- Critical thinking on the Internet
- How the digital world improves learning
- Authentic and meaningful learning environments
- How schools can lead for innovation
Alan November began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counselor at a reform school for boys. Today, he thrives on challenging educators' thoughts about what is possible in teaching and learning. Recognized as one of the nation's most influential thinkers, Alan has delivered keynotes and workshops in all 50 states, across Canada and throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Central America. Parking is available in the Pierce lot. Sponsored by the Brookline Education Foundation, the event is free and open to the public.
______________________________________
FIND THE GOLDEN SHOES
Fri., 5/1 - Sun., 5/31
Celebrate our walkable neighborhood! During the month of May, 100 golden shoes will be hidden throughout the neighborhood surrounding Pierce -- on sidewalks, in parks, or around local businesses. Each shoe will be specially marked with a certificate with instructions on how to enter the grand prize drawing, to be held 6/9 at the Pierce Family Picnic. Golden Shoes encourages children to be active, and is sponsored by Pierce Walks, the Brookline Public Health Department, Pierce PTO, and PUMA. To learn more visit www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/golden-shoes.html. First prize: A walking-shopping spree through Brookline, plus PUMA footwear signed by Usain Bolt. Additional Prizes: 30+ PUMA gift cards between $20 and $100.
_______________________________________
UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES BEGINS... AND A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Every year, Pierce School fourth graders participate in the Brookline Schools' Understanding Our Differences (UOD) program. This program is a collaboration between 4th grade teachers, parent volunteers and school and town administrators.
We cannot continue this important program without parent volunteers. Thank you to those who have already offered your time! If you'd like to volunteer for future units, the commitment is for a single day from 8-10:30am, plus a short training meeting two days before the unit. (If you can't make the evening training, our brief on-line training video may be helpful.) Please consider volunteering for any of the upcoming units:
Thurs., 4/30 -- Vision Impairment
Tues., 6/2 -- Physical Disabilities
Thurs., 6/11 -- Intellectual Disabilities
To volunteer, please visit
_______________________________________
WANTED: PIERCE AUTHORS!
Calling all members of the Pierce community who are published authors: the Pierce Book Fair will take place at the end of May, and we'd love it if you'd consider donating 1-5 books for the sale. We'll have a specific table for authors, along with any contact and ordering info you'd like to publicize. Contact Juliet Eastland, callalily1@gmail.com, if interested. Thanks!
_______________________________________
PIERCE BOOK FAIR
Tue., 5/26 - Thurs., 5/28 @ Pierce Auditorium
Spring is around the corner, and with it, the Pierce book fair! Thanks so much for your book donations so far and please keep them coming! There is a donation bin in the front hallway by the office and we are organizing some neighborhood book drives. Please email us at piercebookfair2015@gmail.com to let us know if you are interested in coordinating a neighborhood drive, or would like to arrange a pick up.
_______________________________________
|
SPECIALISTS CORNER
VISUAL ARTS
Visit the Visual Arts on the school website to see what your little Picassos have been creating.
___________________________________
|
|
PROBLEM OF THE WEEK
POW #15: PALINDROMES
Due Tues., 5/5
Look for POW #15 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 #14
"ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT" is: the boat will arrive at the destination the following Monday. (Note: Tuesday will also be accepted as an answer, as the boat will be pushed downstream Monday night.)
____________________________________
MATHLETES PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #11: WELCOME TO PLANET FORUX
Due Tues., 5/5
On Planet Forux, there are Fourisies and Fourlegies. Every Fourisie has exactly 4 eyes and exactly 2 legs. Every Fourlegie has exactly 4 legs and exactly 1 eye. A gathering of Fourisies and Fourlegies has an equal number of eyes and legs. What is the minimum of number of aliens present?
Copies of the problem will be available in the rack in the front lobby and on the Pierce website. Please put your solution in the green box by the Mathletes bulletin board. Have fun doing the math!
SOLUTION TO MATHLETES POW #10: ALLI TAKES A SWIM The entire trip from the tree to the boulder and back will take Alli 36 minutes.
___________________________________
|
|
COMMUNITY CORNER
Last minute April vacation camps.... Become a National Park Service Junior Ranger... Managing stress with the performing arts....Early-release day activities... All this and much, much more at the Community Corner, which can be found on the "News & Bridge" page on the school website.
_____________________________________
|
SPRING INTO READING
"Reading is Amazing!" is a Brookline Village-based tutoring service supporting students from pre-K through grade 5 in reading enrichment and intervention. Certifications and experience: Reading, Reading Recovery and Elementary Education. Website: www.literacycoach.net E-mail: harriet@literacycoach.net
_______________________________________
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.
|
Contact Information
phone: (617) 730-2580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
