01.27.2016
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org
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PIERCE PRINCIPAL SEARCH 
The search for the new Pierce principal is underway. We encourage you take advantage of the opportunity to share your thoughts on the needs of the school and the desired qualities of the next principal. See below for the various ways you can weigh in on this process. 

FOCUS GROUPS WITH INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT JOE CONNELLY
Wed. 1/27 5:30pm @ Pierce cafeteria
 
PIERCE OPEN FORUM
Wed., 1/27 7pm @ Pierce Auditorium
Meet search committee members, hear results of School Council survey and share your thoughts.
 
Parents on Search Committee:
Lauren Carroll, PTO co-chair
Geoff Hunt 
Jennie Roffman, SEPAC rep 
Marcita Thompson

Staff on Search Committee:
Gretchen Adams, Grades 3 and 4 special education teacher
Tracy Bare, 7/8 science and math teacher, School Council member
Amanda Grindstaff, K-8 PE teacher
Andrew Winston, Kindergarten teacher
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NEWCOMER COFFEE: COME MEET YOUR PIERCE NEIGHBORS
Fri. 1/29 8:05am @ cafeteria
Are you and your family new to Pierce? Have you been here for awhile but still feel "new" and would like to connect with other parents? Come grab a coffee and meet some other parents. Please join us for this low key, informal opportunity to start your morning. Everyone is invited to attend -  whether new or "old"! 
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TAKE THE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SURVEY! 
Now Open
Share your views on the characteristics you consider important and wish to see in Brookline's next superintendent by participating in the Superintendent Search Survey. The survey is posted on the Public Schools of Brookline website. If you wish to complete a paper survey, please email supersearch@brookline.k12.ma.us. 
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BOOGIE FEVER: PTO KID'S DANCE NIGHT 
Thurs., 2/25, 5:30-7:30pm
Come out and dance away the winter blahs! This dance night is meant to get kids moving in the middle of winter. We'll have a DJ playing fun music and engaging the kids in hula hoop battles and conga lines! Pizza will be available for the first ½ hour. Dance Night is intended for kids in grades 1-5 and is not a drop-off event. More details to come. Interested in helping or have ideas to make it an amazing event? Please contact us at pierce.pto@gmail.com.
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WANTED: YOUR USED BOOKS
Now through April @ Pierce main entrance
Pierce's annual book fair will be held 4/11-4/14. Please consider donating your gently used books for kids and adults in the gray bin outside of the front office. Thanks so much for the book donations so far!

BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS INTRODUCTORY MEETING
Fri., 1/29 8:15am @ Pierce cafeteria
Want to get involved with the book fair? There are lots of opportunities for volunteering, big and small, before, during and after the event. Please consider coming to an introductory meeting. If you are interested, but can't make the meeting, please email us at piercebookfair2016@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. Each time you shop at Amazon, remember to go to the Pierce homepage first, and click on the icon below: 

 
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SCHOOL CORNER   
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org
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ANNUAL FAMILY MATH GAME AFTERNOON 
Wed., 01/27, 3:30-5:00pm @ Pierce Auditorium
Come to Pierce's annual Family Math Game Afternoon! 1st and 2nd graders are encouraged to come with an adult or PSED to play math games with their families and teachers. All students will receive a math game to take home. Please contact Ms. Washburn with questions at tara_washburn@brookline.k12.ma.us.
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7TH AND 8TH GRADE PARENT SOCIAL 
Wed., 01/27, 7:30-9:30pm @ Brookline Teen Center
Parents of seventh and eighth graders, we hope to see you tonight at the Parent Social! This is an adults only event. If you're going to the Principal's Forum, stop by after. It will be a nice opportunity to see the Teen Center and socialize with other parents. We will also celebrate the success of West Side Story and thank all of the parent volunteers. If you can, please bring some food or drinks to share. Click on the Sign Up Genius to let us know what you're able to bring. Per Teen Center rules, a bartender be on hand to open and serve the drinks. If you have any questions, please contact Michele Mendoza (mlynmendoza@gmail.com), Deb Heffan (heffan@verizon.net), Josh Abrams (jlabrams@me.com) or Jennifer Hunt (jhunthello@gmail.com). We look forward to seeing you there!
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FIRST GRADE MOMS' NIGHT OUT
Thurs., 1/28 8pm @ The Middle Gray, 6 Station St.
We thought it would be fun to get moms from all the first grade classes together to build community and beat the winter blues. After you have settled the kids down from Caldecott Night come on out and join us. RSVP to Maryanne Senn (maryannesenn@hotmail.com) or Mary Liz Brenninkmeyer (marylizbren@gmail.com).
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3RD ANNUAL CALDECOTT NIGHT 
Thurs., 01/28, 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. Pierce students in grades K-3 have been learning about the picture book evaluation process and reviewing and analyzing the top contenders, and reading as many "Caldecott Contenders" as possible. K-3 students and their families are invited to take one last look at the contenders and place their vote. Find your favorite book and a quiet corner of the library to share a story, or participate in one of our many story times scheduled throughout the evening. Students who are unable to attend our Caldecott Night will have a chance to vote at school the following day. A list of "Caldecott Contenders" can be found at http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/library.html.
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PIERCE SCHOOL SKATE NIGHT
Fri., 2/5, 5-7:45pm @ 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. PTO will be selling sweatshirts and other Piercewear. Please contact hillaryjanowski@gmail.com with questions.
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CHARITY BINGO TO BENEFIT BROOKLINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Sat., 2/6, 4-6pm @ Pierce cafeteria
Come with your family for a fun bingo fundraiser, with all proceeds go to the Brookline Education Foundation. There are over $1000 of great prizes to win and a fabulous raffle as well. Pizza/soda/snacks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 each or $65 for a family of four. All children under 4 years are free without a game card. To book tickets please email rachelhope@live.com.au.
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YOUTH CLIMATE ADAPTATION CHALLENGE 
Sat., 4/2, 11-2pm @ Pierce School Cafeteria
In celebration of Brookline Climate Week March 28 - April 4, participate in this unique environmental science fair! Examine an environmental issue and present your solution! Think BIG! Be creative, practical or outrageous! Judging starts at 11:30 am. Certificates awarded 1:30 pm.
 
Guidelines:
* Address current climate change adaptation challenges.
* Present a new idea, concept, theory, experiment or drawing that addresses a topic such as energy, transportation, air, water, ocean, land, waste, biodiversity, food supply, eco-friendly fashion, or other environmental issue you are passionate about. 
* For beginners, intermediate and advanced science students.
* Spend less than $20 on materials.
* Grade categories: K/1st, 2nd/3rd , 4th/5th, 6th - 8th, and 9th - 12th.
 
Register as an individual, group (with friends), class or school. Registration is free and open until March 1, 2016. Limited space.
 
To register, email the following to CrystalJohnsonISES@gmail.com
* Youth name(s)
* Grade and school
* Brief description of the project idea
* Individual, group, class or school entry
Sponsored by the Town of Brookline Department of Public Health and Climate Action Brookline.
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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK 
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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #9: STARTING TO SAVE
Due Thurs., 01/28
James is starting to save $150 to buy a new cell phone. In January, he saved $5. In February, he saved twice as much as he saved in January, for a total savings of $15 ($5+$10). If James continues to save twice as much each month as he saved the previous month, in which month will his total savings be enough to buy the phone? 
Look for POW#9 on the board this Thursday and visit the POW page on the Pierce website.
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MATHLETES PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #9: GEORGE & TOM
Due Thurs., 01/28
George was born 11 years before Tom. In 2015, George's age was 3 more than 7 times the age that Tom was in 1993. What was the sum of George and Tom's ages in 1995?
Copies of the Mathletes Problem of the Week are available in the front lobby and on the Pierce website. Please put solutions in the green Solution Box next to the first floor library entrance. 
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COMMUNITY CORNER
Occasionally, the Bridge features a selection of community news and events in the weekly PTO newsletter. For a full listing, click on over to Community Corner. 
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SCHOOL FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY COMMUNITY FORUMS 
Thurs., 2/4 7-8:30pm @ Runkle School
Tues., 2/9 8:30-10am @ Brookline High School MLK Room 115
Are you aware that the school wellness policy for the Brookline Schools is being updated? Are you interested in shaping the food culture in the Brookline schools? Parents, students, and faculty and staff are invited to:
  • Learn the results of the 2015 Brookline schools food and nutrition environment survey 
  • Contribute to the vision of a healthful school culture including school meals, foods throughout school, and food literacy
Community meetings will focus on the nutrition and food culture portion of the wellness policy. Please join members of the Brookline Schools Wellness Committee and participate in this important discussion!
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VOLUNTEER CORNER
Want to get involved? Here is a sampling of the ways that you can help the Pierce community. 
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SUPPORT THE PIERCE LIBRARY
Donate a book from Ms. Kretschmar's Amazon Wish List
There are two ways you can help support the wonderful Pierce Library and our great librarian, Amanda Krestschmar. Ms. Kretschmar uses money from the Town and the Pierce PTO to keep the shelves stocked with lots of great books. She does not have money to buy all the books she knows the kids will love, so she has created an Amazon "wish list" of books she would like to purchase. Click here to see the wish list and order as many books as you like. The books will be shipped to the school and available to students right away. -- THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS SO FAR! Please include your name with the books so we can send you a thank you card!

Donate an hour of your time
Can you spare one hour of your time per week? With so many students taking out so many books, we need parents to help with reshelving! After a short orientation to the library, you will be on your way to helping keep the shelves stocked and neat.  Volunteer hours are between 8-9am, and an hour before school ends all they way up until 8pm! Please contact Carol Jennings at carol.jennings@gmx.com if you can help, or visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/141F0I7jIafPLq_mtXUO5aXov04lkTzTliK1CVb6GDUk/edit?pli=1#gid=2 
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CALDECOTT NIGHT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Thurs., 1/28 5-7pm @ Pierce library
We are looking for parent volunteers to help set-up for Caldecott Night, run the voting booth, act as greeters, and provide story times throughout the evening. Please email amanda_kretschmar@brookline.k12.ma.us if you are interested.
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SUPERVISE K-4 RECESS AND LUNCH
Be an additional supportive adult in the playground to foster a safe, inclusive, and fun recess for our students. Walk around, play games and music, hula hoop, jump rope, throw a frisbee and generally help us supervise the kids. Commitment is a small as one 20-minute session per month. Sign up here. Volunteers need to meet with a staff member for guidelines before their first session, and should register for a different time than their own children's recess. Questions? Please email the Recess Revamp Team.
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CLASSIFIEDS
Want to see your ad here? Send an email to piercebridge@gmail.com.
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TUTORING AND ENRICHMENT FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GRADE
Tutoring With A Twist uses a fun, child-centered approach to integrate art, math, literacy, science, and social studies learning while exploring our local community! Curriculum created by Lauren Kelly & Tanya Paris, certified Brookline teachers. Student to teacher ratio of 3:1, and space is limited to 6 students per week. 1 hour of direct literacy instruction per day via phonics, guided reading, and extension activities. Trips this summer include The MFA, deCordova Sculpture Park, Paris Creperie, and The Harvard Museum of Natural History! Want to know more? Visit-tutoringwithatwist.weebly.com
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KIDS YOGA WINTER/SPRING SESSION STARTS JANUARY 19th - AT COOLIDGE CORNER YOGA 
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. Tatyana Souza studio owner (& fellow Driscoll Mom)
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PIANO INSTRUCTION - ABOUT ONE MILE FROM PIERCE
Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading from a Berklee & New England Conservatory graduate with 30+ years teaching experience. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Gloria Jasinski, phone: 617-566-9704, email:piano566@comcast.net 

READING TUTOR: HARRIET YOFFEE, ED. M.
Reading Enrichment and Intervention Tutoring Service for Pre-K through Grade 6
.  Offers individualized reading lessons based on the student's instructional needs and interest levels.
.  Has expertise in diagnostic reading assessments (informal and formal).
.  Provides immediate feedback to parents following each lesson with suggestions for at home support
Current Reading Teacher Mentor (as part of Aspire Institute within Wheelock College)
30+ years experience as MA Reading/Literacy Specialist and Coach Harriet@literacycoach.net  Website: www.literacycoach.net Contact: 617-734-6718 or 617-435-3899
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phone: (617) 730-2580