05.04.2016
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org
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IT IS NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
Be sure to thank our teachers this week for everything they do, as part of the National PTA's Teacher Appreciation Week. Visit  http://www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3270 for ideas on how parents and children can show their appreciation.
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SPRING FUNDRAISER: TREASURE OUR TEACHERS
Sat., 5/14, 7-10:30pm @ Pierce School Cafeteria
If you haven't already, book that babysitter for this year's adult-only PTO fundraiser. Mingle with other Pierce parents. Bid on fabulous items in the raffle and silent auction. Enjoy music, cocktails and light catered fare. Most of all, appreciate the wonderful Pierce teaching staff, while raising funds for the PTO. Tickets $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Get your tickets in the Pierce lobby Thursday and Friday morning, outside the Historical Building the week of 5/9, and online at http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/spring-fundraiser.html.

The Treasure our Teachers team is also looking for people to:
  • donate goods and services. Have a summer home? Extra gift cards you can't use? Tickets to sporting events? A business that could make a donation? We would love any and all donations to help us reach our fundraising goal. To make a donation, please email pierce.pto@gmail.com. 
  • volunteer. Please consider helping out on the day of the event. There are lots (and lots) of ways to help! Sign up for a shift or two at  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c49a5a92aab9-pierce.
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BROOKLINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S "CELEBRATING TEACHERS"
Tues., 5/17, 3:30 pm @ Newbury College Student Center (129 Fisher Avenue)
Please join us for Brookline Education Foundation's "Celebrating Teachers" event, an annual opportunity to thank all Brookline educators for their enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism in the Public Schools of Brookline. Learn about the BEF grants awarded for the 2016-2017 school year and listen to amazing speeches by this year's recipients of the Ernest R. Caverly Award for Excellence in Teaching, Janice Gaudette (Devotion K-2 Therapeutic Learning Center) and Jill Sifantus (BHS Biology). Free and open to all.
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CELEBRATING DR. PIPIER SMITH-MUMFORD
Wed., 5/25, 7pm @ Pierce Auditorium
Please join the Pierce community, past and present, to celebrate Dr. Smith-Mumford's wonderful career at the Pierce School. Drinks, light fare and lots of memories. Adults only. Contact charlie@bostonsoftware.com to help with the event. 
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SAVE THE DATE: DAVID WEINSTEIN RETIREMENT PARTY
Fri., 6/10 1:50-2:30pm @ Pierce Auditorium 
Come celebrate (mourn?) the retirement of First Grade teacher extraordinaire, David Weinstein, a.k.a. BMT.
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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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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Thurs., 5/5, 6pm @ James F. Walsh Committee Room, 5th Floor, Town Hall
This is an open discussion with the Brookline School Committee and the public, with topics to be determined by participants. Please see the full meeting docket here. Contact Robin Coyne with questions at 617-730-2430 or robin_coyne@brookline.k12.ma.us.
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8TH GRADE BASH 
Sat. 5/14 7:30-10:30pm @ Brookline Teen Center
This party has been planned by a group of 8th graders and BHS students and is for all 8th graders who live in and/or attend school in Brookline. $3 entry per person.
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FIND THE GOLDEN SHOES
Sunday, 5/1 - Tuesday, 5/31
Celebrate our walkable neighborhood! 100 golden shoes have been hidden throughout the neighborhood surrounding  Pierce -- on sidewalks, in parks, or around local businesses. Each shoe is specially marked with a certificate with instructions on how to enter the grand prize drawing, to be held 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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SAVE THE DATE: PIERCE PICNIC
Thurs., 6/9 5:30pm @ Pierce Park 
It's that time of year again -- PIERCE PICNIC TIME! Bring a blanket and some food while kids play and dance and celebrate another terrific year. Planning is underway and volunteers are needed. Email Nora O'Farrell noraofarrell3@gmail.com and Tamisha Atkins tamisha31@msn.com if you can help. Rain date Fri., 6/10.
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SUMMER SCHOOL FOR RISING 6TH-9TH GRADERS
6/29 - 8/5 9-11am and 11am-1pm @ Brookline High School
BHS Summer School offers many review and enrichment courses that are available to rising 6th-9th graders, as well as credit-earning electives for rising 9th graders! Courses are offered to all Brookline students and non-residents. Take a class with a friend from another school, including:
  • BHS Transition: One Up, a week-long intensive program to help students to gain a better understanding of the culture of Brookline High School and smooth the transition from 8th grade to freshman year.
  • Enrichment/Review classes:  Reading, Writing, Math, and Science, Geometry Honors Preview
  • ELL classes: Beginner and Intermediate
  • Elective Classes: World Cuisine, Digital Arts/Computer Design, Photography, Drawing, Art Studio, World of Money, Spanish Independent Study, and Life-Time Activities.
  • Original Credit Courses:  Physics, Chemistry, Biology, US History, Spanish
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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FINAL "BROOKLINE TALKS" SPRING SPEAKER EVENT
Wed., 5/11, 7pm @ Pierce School
Come out and hear Rachel Simmons, author of "Odd Girl Out: Coping with Best Friends, Worst Enemies and Everything in Between," as she delivers the last of the "Brookline Talks" speaker series, sponsored by Brookline K-8 PTOs, the Brookline Education Foundation, and the Brookline Community Mental Health Center. Register for this free event at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/brookline-talks-2015-2016-parent-lecture-series-tickets-22124770785.
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KITES OVER BROOKLINE
Sat., 5/14 11-2pm @ Larz Anderson Park, upper parking lot
Brookline Parks and Open Space in partnership with Eureka Puzzles & Games presents a family-friendly day of adventure and airborne exploration at Larz Anderson Park. Come build and decorate your own kite, try some of the latest and greatest kites, discs and flying contraptions, or check out stunt fliers piloted by local experts! Program is free and welcome to all ages! Rain date Sun., 5/15.
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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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EDIT THE PENGUIN POST
The Penguin Post, the 5th and 6th grade newspaper is an entirely volunteer-run program, and seeks parent volunteers for 2016/2017 to manage and edit the student writing team weekly, during lunch/recess. For more information, please contact the current newspaper editors: Mara Littman, maralittman@yahoo.com or Milly Arbaje-Thomas, milagrosarbaje@yahoo.com.
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UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES: LAST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS 
The last remaining unit of the Understanding Our Differences program is Intellectual Disabilities in June, with training on Mon., 6/6 7pm. Volunteers are needed for 8:00 - 10:30 AM. the day of the event, in addition to training. To volunteer, please visit 
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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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FOR RENT BY PIERCE FAMILY, Two-Bedroom condo overlooking Linden Park, one block from Pierce School. This 2BR, 1 bath condo has living room, eat-in kitchen, separate dining room, private deck overlooking the park, storage, W/D in basement, one deeded parking spot included, a second is available. Available July 1. Please go to 4lindencourt2brooklinevillagema.wordpress.com/ for more information. Contact brooklinecondo123@gmail.com.
DEEP BLUE BARBER SHOP
Deep Blue Barber Shop is now open! Conveniently located at 395 Washington Street Brookline, MA. Come check us out to get cleaned up for Spring. Walk-ins welcome! You can also book online at  deepbluebarbershop.com or call 617-879-0185. New customers enjoy 10% off all services."

SMART KID LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE?
Lumos Debate offers a 2 week summer camp where your child will learn public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Gr 6-10. This month, we're offering a $300 discount for Pierce families, just use the promo code "BRIDGE" (code expires on May 30). Register at lumosdebate.comor call 617-901-4564 for more info.

ATTENTION TUTORING
ATTENTION TUTORING: is a non pharmacological approach for students with ADHD/ADD, attention and executive function difficulties. This program trains the brain -1- through neurofeedback computerized attention training, -2- executive function/organization skills training, and -3- relaxation breathing. Lessons are delivered at home by Attention Tutoring certified tutors. For more information please email info@attentiontutoring.com, call 857-364-7103, or visit 

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phone: (617) 730-2580