09.07.2016
PTO CORNER  
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org
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WELCOME TO PIERCE!
A very warm welcome to new families and a hearty welcome back to those returning! Stay connected to the school by checking the school website (http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/). Please encourage new families to sign up for the Bridge to stay abreast of school and community events. The 2016-2017 school calendar can be found at http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/calendar.html.
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WELCOME CHER DUFFIELD, OUR NEW CO-CHAIR
We are delighted that Cher will join Marianna Yang and Hisako Yoshida as the third PTO co-chair for the 2016-2017 school year! Cher takes over from Lauren Carroll. We're very excited to have her on our team and look forward to a fantastic year ahead!
 
A GIANT "THANK YOU" TO LAUREN CARROLL
The PTO and the entire Pierce community will miss you! We are all very grateful for all you've done over the past year.  Wishing you all the best at Baker. 
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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   
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MEET YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY!
Please come out and meet the amazing Pierce School Community of parents, teachers and school administrators. There are many opportunities to become acquainted with our wonderful school, some upcoming events are listed below
PTO COFFEE
Fri., 9/9 8am @ Cafeteria
All families are invited to the first Pierce PTO Coffee of the year. Please join us directly after drop off in the cafeteria for an informal get-together. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, meet new folks, and say hello to our new Principal, Chris Kelley. Questions, please contact maresenn1@hotmail.com. 
OPEN HOUSES
Wed., 9/14 @ Classrooms 
Kindergarten 7:30am, meet the Administrative Team in Auditorium at 8:00am
Grades One-Two 5:30pm 
Grades Three-Four 6:00pm 
Grades Five-Six 6:30pm 
Grades One-Six, meet the Administrative Team in Auditorium at 5:15, 5:45, or 7:00pm 
Thurs., 9/15 
Grades Seven-Eight 6:15 pm, meet the Administrative Team in Auditorium at 6:00pm
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Thurs., 9/8 @ 6pm @ James F. Walsh Committee Room, 5th Floor, Town Hall
This is an open discussion between the Brookline School Committee and the public, with topics to be determined by participants. The meeting includes a Joint Meeting with the Board of Selectmen (7:00pm in the Selectmen's Hearing Room, 6th Floor, Town Hall). Please see the full meeting docket here. Questions? Contact Robin Coyne (617-730-2430, robin_coyne@brookline.k12.ma.us).
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICIES UNDER REVIEW 
The Brookline School Committee, through its Subcommittee on Policy Review, regularly reviews and, when necessary, revises or creates written policies governing the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB).  In an effort to improve public feedback on policy revisions, the proposed draft of any policy under review is posted on the Public Schools website when it is approved for a First Reading by the full School Committee. The Brookline School Committee currently has two policies under review and welcomes your feedback:
1) Proposed PSB Policy on Student Fees, Fines and Charges
2) Proposed PSB Financial Assistance Policy 
Additional information and a copy of the proposed policies can be found on the School Website: http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=971.  
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10th ANNUAL FITFEST!
Sun.,9/11 1-3pm @ Boylston Street Playground
Join us for fitness, family fun and games at this beloved Community event. Tickets and t-shirts on sale before and after school Thursday and Friday. Passport $5, T-shirts $10. Events include a fun run, a dunk tank, a bouncy house and other fun fitness events. Volunteers are still needed. If interested, please contact katrinagreenman@hotmail.com.  
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REGISTER AND AUDITION FOR THE PIERCE 7-8 GRADE PLAY, PIPPIN!! 
Tues. 9/13 Sign up Sheets for Auditions/Scripts @ Cafeteria (near Auditorium)
Fri., 9/16 After School Auditions @ School Auditorium
Mon., 9/19 After School Callbacks @ School Auditorium 
Attention all 7-8 Graders!! Registration for Pippin had begun! Please register prior to auditioning at https://pierceplay.wufoo.com/forms/pippin-actor-registration-2016/.  Rehearsals will begin on Tues., 9/20 and will be Mon., Tues., Wed., and Fri. Show dates will be 12/8-12/10. If your child cannot make either the 9/16 or 9/19 event or if you have questions, please contact Producer Joshua Abrams (jlabrams@me.com).  
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IT IS TIME TO UPDATE THE PIERCE FAMILY DIRECTORY! 
If you already have a login for the directory, please login, place your child(ren) into the correct class and verify that all contact info you want available is correct. If you are new to Pierce, please follow the instructions to request a login. Click here to access the directory website. If you have any questions about the directory or experience problems logging in, please email the directory administrators, Beth Ng and Jennifer Hunt, at
piercefamilydirectory@gmail.com. Thank you!
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LOST AND FOUND
Found on 9/1, a well loved silver ring in front of Pierce. Is it yours? If so, contact
aebarrett@gmail.com. 
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SPECIALISTS' CORNER

Click over to the Specialists' Corner to learn about the Kindergarten Spanish Teacher and her plans for the year!
 
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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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RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON FOR THE BROOKLINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Deadline, Fri., 9/30
Do you, or someone you know, want to run the 2017 Boston Marathon? The Brookline Education Foundation is seeking runners. Receive amazing training and camaraderie from Team Brookline and support excellence in the Public Schools of Brookline at the same time! Contact Team Brookline at http://www.teambrookline.org for more information today. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2016.
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DONATE FOR A GOOD CAUSE!
Support 7th grader, Clara Tolkoff, who is collecting new school supplies, new flip flops and soccer jerseys for children in need in the Dominican Republic, as part of her Bat mitzvah project. Please think of her collection as you buy your own school supplies, or buy something you end up not needing! There will be a blue bin by the office for the collection. Any questions, please contact Clara via her mom's email, rtolkoff@gmail.com.
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BROOKLINE MUSIC SCHOOL'S OPEN HOUSE
Sun., 9/11 11:00am - 2:00pm @25 Kennard Road 
Join Brookline Music School's Open House Day with Meet the Instruments and More for an all-inclusive look at what the school has to offer. Prospects of all ages will have the opportunity to sample various instruments and participate in group exercises and class demonstrations. For more information, visit http://www.bmsmusic.org/event/open-house-instrument-petting-zoo-3/.  
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MEDIAGIRLS
Tues., 9/27 3:15-4:45pm @ Brookline Teen Center, runs for 8 weeks
MEDIAGIRLS is an eight-week program for 6th and 7th grade girls. Participants learn to challenge pop-culture messages aimed at girls, engage in thoughtful discussions about current media trends, make new friends, and write inspiring content for girls on the MEDIAGIRLS blog and social media. Space limited to 12, and only a few spots are open. Limited scholarships available. Visit www.mediagirls.org to learn more and register.
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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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OPEN POSITIONS ON THE PIERCE PTO! 
Pierce School needs your support! The PTO leadership team has many wonderful opportunities for parents to be involved in the 2016-2017 school year. Being part of the PTO is a rewarding way to connect with and enrich our school community. Open positions include:

Pierce Communications Chair (1 position available)
Develops and executes a strategy for open, consistent and accurate communication between the school and the Pierce community by publishing The Bridge (the Pierce weekly newsletter) and other communications including Principal's Corner. 

Pierce Wear Chair (1 position available)
Oversees the purchasing and selling of Piercewear throughout the year! 

Annual appeal Chair (1 position available)
The PTO is looking for someone to lead this year's Annual Appeal, a fall fundraising effort focused on parents and community members. This is the single largest fundraising activity for the calendar year. This position involves developing fundraising strategies that reach out to the entire community and provide a variety of opportunities for donations, as well as collaborating with a fundraising committee. 

For additional information, contact pierce.pto@gmail.com. 
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CLASSIFIEDS
Want to see your ad here? Send an email to piercebridge@gmail.com.
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BE THE PARENT YOU WANT TO BE! 
Do you wish you had a more effective parenting approach that also helps to build a better relationship between you and your child? The Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving approach helps parents to get their expectations met, reduce their child's challenging behavior, foster a positive relationship with their child, and build their child's skills in self-regulation, communication & problem-solving. CPS trainings begin mid-September in Brookline, both evenings & daytime. For more information and to register see:  BeTheParentYouWantToBe.weebly.com.
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CLEAN TECH COMPANY
Clean tech company located in Natick, MA seeks a part time staff accountant to work on-site between 15 and 30 hours a week. Reporting into a part time Controller and CFO (Pierce School Mother!), this position will manage accounts payable, bank reconciliations, expense reporting, some balance sheet reconciliations, and will be responsible for resolving daily accounting-type problems as the arise.  Seeking serious candidates comfortable with the part-time nature of this job. This position is best suited for a relatively relaxed individual with confidence in her basic accounting skills, "people" skills, and is comfortable with technology. Please email Denice Sakakeeny at denice@dsakakeeny.com if interested.
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MAESTRO MUSICIANS ACADEMY
Based in Coolidge Corner, the Maestro Musicians Academy serves ages 4-104 and specializes in teaching all instruments in both private and group instruction. We care deeply about the unique parent-teacher-student relationship that establishes the foundation for success in our lessons. Our unique Parent tested, Child approved philosophy means that we offer a free trial lesson for anyone seriously considering us. 
For more information, please contact Daniel at 857-756-5230 or lessons@ maestromusicians.com. Find out more about The Maestro Musicians Academy at www.maestromusicians.com.
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PIANO INSTRUCTION - about 1 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.
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phone: (617) 730-2580