04.06.2016
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org


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 joancmahon@gmail.com or dhar11235@gmail.com, 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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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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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Parents consider signing up
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 stand4pierceeducators@gmail.com 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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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


OPEN DISCUSSION RE: PUBLIC EDUCATION IN BROOKLINE
Tentative date Wed., 4/13, 7-8pm @ Lawrence School Auditorium
Lawrence parents & teachers are planning an open discussion about the challenges of the current moment and the future of public education in Brookline. What do we want that future to look like? How can we seize this opportunity to work together to make that future bright? Everyone is welcome. Come hear a panel of Lawrence educators discuss current challenges, future goals, and opportunities for parent support and involvement. For information, contact nirarick@gmail.com or dannaperry@gmail.com.
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TURN YOUR OLD SHOES GOLDEN!
Collection ongoing thru April 17
Your old shoes could be this year's GOLDEN SHOES.  PierceWalks is currently collecting shoe donations that will be cleaned and painted GOLD.  Just as we did last year, 100 shoes will be painted gold and hidden in the neighborhoods surrounding Pierce.  Last year we received enough shoes to donate over 100 pairs to local charities.  Shoe collection bins are located in the Historic Building, the Main Lobby by the office, and the Pierce Loft.  Clean out your closets and under your bed, bring us your shoes to paint them gold, and then get out and walk or be active as best you can! 
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FIND THE GOLDEN SHOES
Sunday, 5/1 - Tuesday, 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.html. Grand prize: A walking-shopping spree through Brookline and PUMA footwear signed by Usain Bolt. 
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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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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. 
BROOKLINE CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK
Through 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.

Critter Proofing Your Home
Wed., 4/6, 6pm @ Denny Room, 11 Pierce St.  
Pat Maloney, Assistant Director of Public Health, will discuss steps to keep bats, raccoons and other critters out of your home and your yard.  617-730-2300.

Wildcrafting: Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Thurs., 4/7, 3:30-4:30pm @ Brookline Main Library, Hunneman Hall
Join herbalist Danielle Laberge as she discusses the benefits of wildcrafting, with a focus on nutritious food plants and medicinal weeds to be made into teas, tinctures and salves for personal health.

Teens and Opiates
Thurs., 4/7, 7-9pm @ Lincoln School Auditorium, 19 Kennard Rd.
Learn more about the opioid crisis currently affecting Massachusetts. Dr. Ruth Potee, addiction specialist, Valley Medical Group in Greenfield, MA, is featured speaker.
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THE NOSE KNOWS: METHANE GAS SCAVENGER HUNT
Through Sat., 4/9
Mothers Out Front Brookline presents a scavenger hunt in which participants search for utility flags throughout town marking many of the 350+ methane gas leaks. Look for bright yellow flags marked with an image of a nose and text "Methane Gas Leak Nearby". Details at www.mothersoutfront.org/fixleaksfirst. 
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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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PLUS...
"Transform a Book" Art Challenge at the Library... Footloose!... Composting Center open... Brookline Teen Grantmakers RFP... "Brookline Talks" Spring Speaker Series... and much, much more. Click on Community Corner for details.
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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: annkamensky@gmail.com 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 piercebridge@gmail.com.
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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 info@lumosdebate.com or visit our website: http://camp.lumosdebate.com/summer/

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phone: (617) 730-2580