06.10.2015

PTO CORNER

Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

PARTY DOWN AT PIERCE PICNIC!

TONIGHT 6/10 5:30-8pm @ Pierce Park

Bring a blanket and celebrate another great school year at the annual Pierce Picnic. Pack your own food or purchase from on-site food trucks and sundae bar. A DJ will be at the picnic as well. Everyone welcome. Contact Nora O'Farrell at noraofarrell3@gmail.com or Tamisha Atkins at tamisha31@msn.com with questions, and click here to volunteer: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080B45A4AD2CA31-pierce/27657290.

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GOLDEN SHOES GRAND PRIZE DRAWING

TONIGHT 6/10 @ Pierce Picnic

Thank you to ALL those who got and searched for Golden Shoes. The grand prize drawing will be held tonight at the Pierce Picnic (you need not be present to win). We'd also like to thank all those who helped make the event a success: Erik Ergen, Joan Mahon, Meredith Saillant, Jeff Walker, Jamie Yadoff, Pierce PTO, the Brookline Village business community, and our sponsors: PUMA, Brookline Rotary, and Brookline Public Health Department. Golden Shoes will be back next year. Until then, remember that every time you walk (or are active to the best of your ability), untold treasures await you!

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WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO NEW AND RETURNING PTO MEMBERS

We are pleased to announce that we have three new PTO co-chairs to serve for the next two years: Maryanne Senn, Hisako Yoshida, and Lauren Carroll, all first-time KM moms. Thank you to these three women who stepped up into this important role. We appreciate their willingness to help make Pierce a better place! Please be sure to thank them when you see them.

The rest of next year's PTO Leadership Team is below, with new members in italics. Thank you, Kate and Barbara, for lending a hand and helping out!

Treasurer: Mariah Nobrega

Communications/Bridge: Nisha Koshy, Alex Barrett, Erik Ergen

Volunteerism: Jean Sandler and Barbara Kamholz

Outreach: Molly Zuker and Kate Thiabult

Fundraising: Shanna Shulman and Jean Teillon

Thank you to Bobby Zuker, who is completing his term as PTO Budget Chair. Bobby worked hard to create and balance the PTO budge and played an integral role on the PTO these last few years. Thank you, Bobby!

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HELLO AND GOODBYE TO SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Thank you to School Site Council Chair, Jennie Roffman, and School Site Council member, Liz Erdman, for all of their work these last few years working with parents, teachers and administrators to develop and implement School Improvement Goals and support curriculum and instruction efforts at Pierce. Thank you Jennie and Liz!

We also want to thank Naomi Sweitzer who is re-upping for a second term on the School Site Council and will serve another two years. And welcome to Jennifer Amigone and Jennifer Rothstein, our two new School Site Council members. Thank you, Naomi, for your renewed commitment, and welcome Jen and Jen!

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CELEBRATE LOCAL BUSINESSES AT THE VILLAGE FAIR

Sun., 6/14 12-4pm @ Harvard St. between Linden and Kent

Pierce Passports have gone home with students this week to encourage Pierce families to visit the many local businesses in the Village. These businesses generously donate goods and services for various school events all year long. Help us say thank you to them by visiting five (or more) of these local businesses and getting your Pierce Passport initialed. Then return your passport by June 19th to the collection bins by the main office and you'll be entered into a drawing to win Pierce Gear.

The Village Fair is also seeking day-of volunteers to help with setup, tear-down and everything in between. Consider helping out: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0549AEA822A6F49-help/4019767Ā

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AMPHITHEATER GARDEN PLANTS: 'PLEASE WATER US'

Please consider signing up for one-week shifts over the summer to water the plants in the amphitheater garden. Commitment consists of stopping by every one to two days for each week that you sign up for. Sign up here if you are able: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eGs9vOE4I4PWuyfIF1T5aFtuZC6mqv_WLG8TwXv4-64/edit#gid=0

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END-OF-YEAR PTO MEETING/MORNING COFFEE

Thurs., 6/25, 8am @ Pierce Cafeteria

Please join us for our last PTO meeting of the year.

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SURVEY ON SUPERINTENDENT LUPINI'S PERFORMANCE

Due Mon., 6/22

To help inform its annual evaluation of the Superintendent, the School Committee invites Brookline community members to share comments and reflections on the Superintendent's performance. To encourage candor, your comments are confidential and will be shared with the public and full School Committee in aggregated summary form only. Click here to complete the survey: http://s-a8e9e4-i.sgizmo.com/s3/i-100142991-959090/?sguid=100142991. Please respond to this survey only once. If you would prefer to complete a paper form, please download it from the PSB website or pick up a copy at any school building or Town Hall.

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ORGANIZE A CLASS GATHERING!

We encourage parents to organize informal class picnics/gatherings in the parks. It's a great way to get families and kids together outside of school, and it's especially important in the younger grades. All it takes is an email to your class! If you'd like to be reimbursed for reserving park space/picnic benches, please contact us at piece.pto@gmail.com.

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PIERCEWEAR: THANK YOU TO KARIN KAHN AND A CALL FOR A NEW VOLUNTEER

Thank you to Pierce parent Karin Khan for leading our Piercewear efforts these last few years. From running a t-shirt design contest to managing printing and sales, Karin has done a great job managing Pierce merchandise. Karin will be stepping out of this role at the end of the year and we need a parent volunteer to take over. Interested? Please contact pierce.pto@gmail.com.

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SAVE THE DATE: INCOMING KINDERGARTEN PICNIC

Thurs., 8/20 6-7:30pm @ Pierce Kindergarten Playground

Have a little one entering kindergarten in the fall? Bring a blanket and dinner and meet other incoming Kindergarten kids and families. Popsicles will be provided.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to KM moms, Marianna Yang and Lauren Carroll, for stepping up and volunteering to organize the incoming kindergarten picnic in August!!

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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

SPRING SINGS AND SPRING SHARES!

Please make a note of these dates. All events are in the Pierce Auditorium.

1st Grade Spring Sing: Tues., 6/16 8:15am

3rd Grade Spring "Shares" (in music room next to cafeteria)

3Co: Wed., 6/10 2-2:30pm

3C: Thurs., 6/11 8:15-8:45pm

3B: Fri., 6/19 1:10-1:40pm

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UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES: INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Thurs., 6/11

Every year, Pierce School fourth graders participate in the Brookline Schools' Understanding Our Differences (UOD) program, a collaboration between 4th grade teachers, parent volunteers, and school and town administrators.

We cannot continue this important program without parent volunteers. 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.) To volunteer, please visit:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gN6R6Ker7Vo-AyVyOypWeygcEFwtnvX2KsxlqR-dk1Q/edit?usp=sharing.

Thanks to all that have volunteered in the past -- Tiffany Rinne and Ann Kamensky, Parent Coordinators

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COMPETITIVE BAKE SALE!

Fri., 6/12, after school @ outside Pierce

Come one come all to the 8th Grade bake sale, featuring built-in competition: who can sell more, the 8th grade boys or girls? Support the boys on Monday and the girls on Friday. Proceeds will help pay for graduation events including a graduation after party! Please help us celebrate our graduating 8th graders and buy yummy baked goods.

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ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADERS: INCOMING FRESHMAN FAIR

Thurs. 6/18 6:30-8:30 @ Cypress Field

As current 8th graders prepare to transition to Brookline High School, BHS Peer Leaders would like to welcome them with its Incoming Freshman Fair sponsored by the Brookline Education Foundation. Enjoy carnival games, live music, free food and raffles while promoting community and alleviating transitional anxiety. The students in the Peer Leadership Program help identify and address issues of concern for BHS students, from substance abuse prevention to healthy relationships. For more about the program, keep your eyes peeled for a new BHS Peer Leadership website that details the curriculum and offers tips and tricks on how to survive Freshman year. It's our hope that the Incoming Freshman Fair and website will equip students for a successful freshman year, and we look forward to meeting them all at the fair.

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LAST CHANCE TO CLAIM LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

Fri., 6/19 3pm @ outside the gym

Please check the lost and found bins outside of the gym in the Pierce Main Building to claim your lost items. All items MUST be claimed by this date. PSED will bag up all items after that date and all unclaimed clothing and shoes will be donated to a local charity.

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PIERCE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE!!!!

Can the students in grades K-8 at Pierce School read 10,000 books this summer? Join us in our Pierce Summer Reading Challenge! We will collect summer reading logs at the beginning of next year and using them to calculate how many books each class, each grade, and the whole school read over the summer. Our wonderful math team, Mrs. Washburn and Mrs. Hansel, will be creating math Problems of the Week based on this challenge, and we will graph our totals in the cafeteria.

Student summer reading packets will be coming home any day. In them you will find the recommended summer reading list as well as a summer reading log, book report form and a letter regarding the requirements for your child's specific grade level. Please make sure your child writes down every book he or she reads this summer. These logs will be collected next school year so that we can calculate our totals. Please help us get a buzz going about the Pierce Summer Reading Challenge and let's see if together we can reach this goal!

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BROOKLINE SUMMER BASKETBALL NIGHTS

Please join Coach Keith Lezama and the BHS Staff, current players, alumni, college coaches, and players for 10 free sessions of basketball skills and drills every Monday Wednesday starting July 6 - August 5th. Participants will have the opportunity to hone their skills, have fun and compete. For more information, contact Coach Keith Lezama at keith.lezama@gmail.com.

Dates:

July 6th - August 5th (Mondays & Wednesdays)

Times:

Grades 3rd - 7th 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Grades 8th - 12th 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Location:

Brookline High School Schluntz Gym

Cost:

FREE

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SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK

Fridays in July 8:30 @ Driscoll School Playground

The Summer Movies in the Park series returns this July! Enjoy the "Family of Friends" movie series held outdoors at the Driscoll School Playgound, 64 Westbourne Terrace. Movie starts 30 minutes after dusk (approximately 8:30pm). Bring your own blanket or folding chair, along with a flashlight for easier exiting. Parking will be limited; viewers are urged to walk, carpool, or use public transportation. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Schedule:
Friday, July 10th - Paddington
Friday, July 17th - Despicable Me
Friday, July 24th - Meet the Robinsons
Friday, July 31st - Big Hero 6

Movies will be rescheduled if high wind or rain occurs. Help reduce our impact on the environment, bring your own refillable water bottle! This event is free and open to the public.

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KEEP KIDS SAFE DURING RECESS!

Join us in fostering a playful and safe recess period for our kids! With the growing numbers of students in our school community, Pierce School seeks parent volunteers to keep kids safe and nurtured during their free play time. Walk around, play music, hula hoop, frisbee and jump rope. Click here to sign up: www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945a8a629ab9-pierce (please register for a recess period where your child is not present). If this is your first time volunteering for recess, please contact a staff member for guidelines:

annemarie_marcus@brookline.k12.ma.us, jill_arnold@brookline.k12.ma.us, hannah_wirtshafter@brookline.k12.ma.us

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SUMMER SCHOOL AT BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL

6/30-8/7, 9-11am and 11am-1pm.
BHS Summer School offers many review and enrichment courses that are available to rising 6th-9th graders. There are review classes in reading, writing, math, and science, as well as two levels of ELL. All students have the opportunity to take elective courses including Life-Time Activities, World of Money, World Cuisine, Digital Arts/Computer Design, Photography, Ceramics, Drawing, and Art Studio. Incoming 9th graders have the opportunity to take elective classes toward their graduation requirements, many of which have wait-lists during the school year. BHS Summer School also offers a one-week course called 'One Up' to help students transition into the Brookline High School.

Courses are offered to all Brookline students and non-residents. Tuition varies by class. For additional details and registration information visit http://bhs.brookline.k12.ma.us/summer-school.html.

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HONOR A TEACHER

Every year at this time the Brookline Education Foundation offers families the chance to say thank you to Brookline educators. When you donate to the BEF through the Honor A Teacher program, you can name specific faculty to recognize. The BEF will notify those honorees and they are consistently thrilled to receive such meaningful recognition from the community. For details look for the BEF Honor A Teacher card in the mail or simply go to http://www.brooklineeducation.org/honor.

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AHU AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM @ PIERCE

Mondays-Thursdays, 9/22/15 - 6/11/16, 2:40-5:10pm

After Hours University (AHU) is an after-school program at Pierce, open to any student who will be in 4th, 5th or 6th grade for the 2015-2016 school year. AHU follows a daily schedule that includes a quiet homework hour (with at least 2-4 staff on hand to help as needed), a recess time and snack, and an hour-long enrichment activity. Past enrichments have included: Lego Robotics, Graphic Design, fine art and crafts, yoga, improv, and more! For more information or to register your child, please contact Pierce AHU Director, Jacki Vassari at 518-339-8422 or jackivassari@gmail.com.

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MATH PROBLEM OF THE WEEK NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Show your love for the Problem of the Week by volunteering!

Tara Washburn, Pierce School Math Specialist, is looking for two reliable parents to support the Problem of the Week throughout the school year. Tara will supply the math problems, but she needs help creating the flyer and posters, communicating with the Pierce website and Bridge teams, photocopying materials and managing the bulletin board -- about one to two hours of work every other week when a new Problem comes out. Please contact tara_washburn@brookline.k12.ma.us if interested.

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IT'S ALIVE! MUSEUM OF SCIENCE BRINGS LIVE ANIMALS TO GRADES 1 & 2

This June, Pierce Arts Council welcomes educators from the Museum of Science!

The Museum's traveling program will bring live exhibits to our first graders, who will compare egg development, birth, and metamorphosis in different species. MOS educators return to visit second-graders for a program on animal habitats, observing several live animals to determine their ideal shelter and food.

Thanks to the donations of parents and community members to the Pierce PTO, the Pierce Arts Council brings a variety of age-appropriate, high-quality programs and performances to the school to complement learning in the classroom. The performances are a creative and fun way for students to engage in and learn about arts, science, history, and literature.

PROBLEM OF THE WEEK

POW #18: WAREHOUSE WORRIES

Due Tues., 6/16

Look for POW #17 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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FINAL MATH CHALLENGE PROBLEM FOR K-2, 3-4, AND 5-8 RELATED TO OUR SUMMER READING: 10,000 BOOK CHALLENGE!

Due Wed., 6/17

Ms. Kretschmar has challenged Pierce School students to read a total of 10,000 books this summer! Just how many books is 10,000 books? How long would it even take to read 10,000 books? Sounds like a math challenge to me! Take the 10,000 Books Math Challenge by working with a partner or group to explore the problem for your grade level (K-2, 3-4, or 5-8). You should receive a copy of the problem from your classroom teacher, but copies of the problem will also 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. We'll post some of the best solutions from each grade during the last week of school. Have fun doing the math!

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Ticks are out en masse in Mass.... Devo is holding its annual Spring Carnivale & Hoopla.... The Brookline Community Foundation is giving away grant money... Girl Scout troops are forming for 2015-2016... Read all about it in Community Corner.

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR BHS BROOKLINE-XI'AN CHINA EXCHANGE

Looking for two host families for Chinese students for the BHS Brookline-Xi'an China Exchange Program, Sept.-Jan. Students will be sophomore-age and fully enrolled at BHS during the fall semester. This may be of particular interest for families of Pierce students currently enrolled in 7th or 8th grade Mandarin as you will be hosting a student from native-speaking student China! If interested, please contact Steve Lantos, BHS Coordinator for the China Exchange program at steve_lantos@brookline.k12.ma.us or 617-713-5000x365

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WILSON CERTIFIED READING TUTOR

Wilson certified reading tutor accepting students of all ages and levels. Please contact Regina Glaser at regina.m.laser@gmail.com or 508-341-1097. Located in the South End. View my Learning Ally profile here:https://go.learningally.org/parents/learning-ally-approach/dyslexia-resources/reading-tutor-network/search-reading-tutors-by-state/?filter_18=Massachusetts.

References available upon request.

I look forward to helping your child succeed!

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CARE FOR FOUR YEAR OLD YORKSHIRE TERRIER/POODLE
Looking for someone to care for our four year old Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle Charlie for 4-6 weeks during the summer. Charlie would need to stay at your home, and of course we would pay. Please email ssavasilver@gmail.com.

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DONATE GENTLY USED IPOD TOUCH
Circumstances now require one of our young students to spend up to two hours each day in a car, commuting to school. We are seeking a gently used iPod Touch to install education games and activities to make the most of this time. Please email Pierce School Education Technology Specialist Sandra Sicard with leads.

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PIANO INSTRUCTION

Flexible summer scheduling makes now an ideal time to try piano lessons. Berklee & New England Conservatory graduate with 30+ years teaching experience. Beginners welcome. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring teacher. Lessons offered now through June 15 and June 29-August 11. Please contact Gloria Jasinski, phone: 617-566-9704, email: piano566@comcast.net

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HELPING KIDS COMMUNICATE!

Speech-language services in your home - All year round

Meryl Heller Schram, MS, CCC-SLP, an experienced and respected pediatric speech-language pathologist, provides individual services for children with communication difficulties in the home setting. Services are available for toddlers through middle-schoolers with developmental speech-language disorders, language-learning disabilities, articulation/phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and apraxia. Treatment programs are tailored to children's specific needs and parent involvement is encouraged, resulting in steady and measurable progress. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Meryl Heller Schram, M.S., CCC-SLP at 617-733-1995 or mhschram@comcast.net

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SUMMER PROGRAMS AT CHUNGDAHM READWRITE IN NEWTON

Summer Days: Kids grades 3-8 enjoy summer fun and build their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Runs weekly 7/6 to 8/14. 9am - 3pm (early drop off and extended day available) *$175 first week, $270/week for subsequent weeks

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MIDDLE SCHOOL WRITING WORKSHOPS

Use this summer to get ready for next year and beyond. Kids learn to write better essays more efficiently. Mon to Fri 9-11am. Weeks of 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/10. $150/week

info@BostonReadWrite.com, 857-4040170, www.BostonReadWrite.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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STUDY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Are you interested in having your smartphone help you track your physical activity?

Researchers of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital are looking for healthy children (10 to 14 years) for a research study examining physical activity and sleep with mobile Apps and Activity monitors. The study includes 7 days and nights of wearing small activity monitors and using a mobile (smartphone) App during usual activities at home, school or work. If you are interested, you may also take part in an overnight sleep study. The benefits are learning more about your activities and sleep and receiving compensation of $50 to $150 (depending on which parts of the study you do).

To complete the phone screen and learn more, call 1-617-278-0382 or mail compact@partners.org

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Quick Links...

Contact Information

phone: (617) 730-2580