03.30.2016
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT IS HERE
Thurs., 3/31, 5:30-7:30pm @ Pierce auditorium 
We invite you to come to Pierce's annual Family Movie Night featuring The Lorax in honor of Brookline's Climate Action Week. The evening's schedule is as follows:

5:30-6:00 Free pizza while supplies last (we'll also have containers of drinking water and encourage people to bring their own water bottle to fill). Ice cream will no longer be served.

6:00-6:05 Crystal Johnson, Pierce parent and environmental expert will speak about how kids can better take care of our environment

6:05-7:30 The Lorax

A special note about supervising children: PTO events are run by parent volunteers and we expect that parents are supervising their own children during these events. Given the increasing size of our student population, it's imperative that parents watch their kids at PTO events for the sake of student safety. If you see your child acting out, running, or acting inappropriately during the movie, we ask that you talk to your child. Thank you.
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FY17 SCHOOL BUDGET FORUM
Wed., 3/30 6:30pm and Wed. 4/6 8:30am @ Walsh School Committee Room, 5th floor, Town Hall
The Public Schools of Brookline Interim Superintendent Joe Connelly will host a series of open forums to discuss the Fiscal Year 2017 School Budget. All are welcome to attend. 
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PLANNING MEETING DR. SMITH-MUMFORD'S RETIREMENT PARTY
Thurs., 3/31, 8:00am @ Pierce cafeteria
A group of former and current Pierce parents are organizing a celebration for Dr. Smith-Mumford's retirement. We'd love your input and help. Questions? Please email Charlie Walsh at [email protected]
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SAVE THE DATE: CELEBRATING DR. PIPIER SMITH-MUMFORD
Wed., 5/25, time and details to follow
Join us for an evening in celebration of Dr. Pipier Smith-Mumford's wonderful career at the Pierce School.
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PARENTS NEEDED AT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
As contract negotiations between Brookline teachers and the town drag on, having parents present at upcoming School Committee meetings -- to speak, or just to listen -- might spur some progress. Please consider 
signing up for one or more upcoming meetings, to let both SC and teachers know Brookline parents support a resolution. We owe it to our kids! Contact [email protected] if you'd like background/talking points. In addition, updates from the School Committee regarding teacher contract negotiations are available at the following link: http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/705. Also, please find the most recent letter from Rebecca Stone: http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/cms/lib8/MA01907509/Centricity/Domain/705/BSC%20Negotiations%202-pager%202.29.16_Final.pdf
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THE BOOK FAIR COMETH
Mon., 4/11 - Thurs., 4/14 
The Pierce School Used Book Fair is fast approaching! All classes will have an opportunity to come through the fair during the day on Monday - Wednesday, and students will be able to buy a book for a dollar. The fair will open to the public on Wednesday afternoon. 

In addition to the sale of your donated books for a dollar each, we have two events planned:
Wed., 4/13 Activity night - a performance, art project, pizza and "Best picks" new book sale sponsored by the Brookline Booksmith)
Thurs., 4/14 Author's night - Alicia Murphy author of " The Muddy Foot Prince" and cousin of Pierce PTO co-president Maryanne Senn!

You can help in two important ways:
Donate books. Thanks so much for the books donated so far. There is still time! You can drop them off at school under the TV screen by the office anytime in the next three weeks. If you cannot get your books to school, we will do a pick-up on Friday, April 8th. Send and email to [email protected] or [email protected], leave your books outside in a box clearly labeled Pierce Bookfair, and we will swing by and grab it.

Volunteer. We need volunteers to help set up and run the book fair. Please visit
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f45abad29abfc1-volunteers/13209205 and sign up for what seems fun and do-able. We would love to get as many people involved as possible.

Questions? Please email Shoma or Joan
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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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EAT PANCAKES FOR BROOKLINE ROTARY - AND PSED!
Sat. 4/2 8-12pm @ BHS Cafeteria  
Support the Brookline Rotary at its delicious pancake breakfast. Afterwards, take PierceWalks' advice and go for a long family walk -- or head on over to the Youth Climate Adaptation Challenge! Tickets are $7 (kids 5 and under are free), and half the proceeds benefit PSED programs. Tickets are on sale in the Pierce main office during school hours or email [email protected]If you buy tickets at the door, let them know you are from Pierce!
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BROOKLINE YOUTH CLIMATE ADAPTATION CHALLENGE
Sat. 4/2 11:30- 2 @ Pierce School Cafeteria
Visit this extraordinary environmental science fair! Brookline youth in grades K-12 will present their innovative ideas for sustainable solutions. Come see their brilliant and diverse ideas regarding waste management, sustainable transportation, air quality, oceans rising, CA drought, trees, underwater power generation and other renewable energies, eco-fashion and lots more! Support the young environmental innovators who are advancing disruptive climate adaptation solutions. The Brookline Youth Climate Adaptation Challenge is a fun, free educational event for the whole family! 
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SUPPORT THE PIERCE 2016 WALK FOR HUNGER TEAM
Over 30 members of the Pierce community will walk in Project Bread's 48th annual Walk for Hunger, and they've already raised $5,647 toward the $20,000 goal to help Massachusetts' food-insecure households. Do your part to support the team at http://support.projectbread.org/site/TR?team_id=77643&pg=team&fr_id=1310&et=48xpWNqEqiWiEwFBBkb_6A.
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FIND THE GOLDEN SHOES
Sun. 5/1 - Tues. 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 6/10 at the Pierce Family Picnic. Golden Shoes is sponsored by Pierce Walks, encouraging children to be active, Brookline Public Health Department, and Pierce PTO. To learn more visit: www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/golden-shoes.htmlGrand prize: A walking-shopping spree through Brookline and PUMA footwear signed by Usain Bolt.
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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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DIVERSITY WORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Sat. 4/2 10am and Sat. 5/14 10:30 @ Hunneman Hall, Brookline Main Library
"Our Stories: Friends, Family and Community" engages parents, guardians and their young children in an ongoing, developmentally relevant exploration of racial and cultural identity. The facilitator Alicia Hsu is a retired teacher of Brookline Public Schools and a passionate advocate for underserved and underrepresented students. In Session 2 (4/2), "Celebrating Families," participants are invited to bring photos of the special people you consider to be part of your family. In Session 3 (5/14), "Celebrating Community," participants will consider the playgrounds in our community where families gather and children play. For more details, please contact Chris Chanyasulkit at [email protected]. To RSVP for these free sessions, visit http://www.tinyurl.com/diversity-workshop-series.
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BROOKLINE CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK
Sun. 4/2-Sat. 4/10
Join your neighbors in celebration of National Public Health Week by attending any number of events happening around town. All events are free and open to the public.  Below, please find a sampling of the great events happening around town. For further information, call 617-730-2336.
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SUPPORT PIERCE PARENT'S 2016 BOSTON MARATHON RUN
Our very own Pierce parent Chris Hope is running for Team Brookline for the 2016 Boston Marathon. Chris will be running on behalf of the Brookline Education Foundation and hopes to raise a whopping $12,500 for this important charity. Please show your community support and give generously!!! Chris looks forward to seeing everyone cheering him on along the 26.2 miles to the finish line! Donating through this website link is simple, fast and totally secure. https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/christopher-hope-1/TeamBrookline2016
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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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UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES (& SIMILARITIES): 
A CALL FOR PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Brookline schools have a long tradition of offering an annual parent-run disability & inclusion awareness program, using curriculum provided by Understanding Our Differences in Newton, MA. Every year at Pierce, 4th graders are introduced to four units using interactive materials, small group workshops, engaging guest speakers and organized group discussion. We do this in collaboration with the 4th grade teachers and with the essential support of parent volunteers, as well as our school and town administrators. 

Pierce 2016 UOD dates and units are:
Wed., 4/13 -- Physical Disabilities (Training 4/11th @ 7pm)
Thurs., June TBD -- Intellectual Disabilities (Training 6/6 @ 7pm)

We cannot continue this important program without more parent volunteers to help lead our workshops! Volunteers are needed for 8:00 - 10:30 AM. the day of each unit. We schedule a training meeting at 7pm one evening the week of each unit. (If you cannot make the training meeting, there is a brief on-line training video that you may use.)
To volunteer, please follow the link below to a Google document to sign-up:
If you have volunteered in the past or have knowledge of/experience with a disability, we would especially appreciate your help. Please e-mail or call Ann with any questions: [email protected] or (617) 835-9586.
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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 [email protected].
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LEADERSHIP SUMMER CAMP FOR GRADE 6-10
This summer, Lumos Debate is offering a 2 week day-camp for Brookline students grades 6-10. Your child will practice public speaking, leadership, and critical thinking in a fun and engaging learning environment. These are the skills that will get your kid noticed and catapult them into leadership positions in school and in their future careers. For more information email [email protected] or visit our website: http://camp.lumosdebate.com/summer/

PHOTO AND MOVIE MAKING CLASSES FOR 11-15 YEAR OLD
Big Picture Art House is once again running a 3 day April vacation photography class, "Ethnic Enclaves of Boston" 4/19-4/21. Students are provided with professional DSLR cameras and receive one on one attention from teacher/owner and 20 year veteran photographer (also a Pierce School alum), Jennifer Connelly. Class meets and ends close to Brookline in Jamaica Plain right off the Jway. Big Picture runs a full schedule of summer classes as well, with spaces still left in our August 8th Movie Making workshop. 

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phone: (617) 730-2580