09.21.2016
PTO CORNER  
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SAVE THE DATE!!! 
Look out for more information on these events in the coming days and weeks! 
HARVEST FEST - ADULTS ONLY!
Fri., 10/14 7-10:00pm @ Pierce  

PIERCE FALL PICNIC
Sat., 10/22 4-7:00pm @ TBD 
Bring a blanket and join the Pierce Community for a picnic with the entire family! Order a new Pierce Sweatshirt (forms will be in students' daily folders this week) and pick it up at the picnic!!
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ENRICHMENT AND CHALLENGE SUPPORT PROGRAM 
Thurs., 9/29 8:05-9:00am @ Pierce Auditorium
Enjoy a cup of coffee and learn more about the wonderful Enrichment and Challenge Support (ECS) program from the town-wide coordinator of this program and Pierce's ECS teachers. To learn more prior to the event, visit http://ecsbrookline.weebly.com. You can also follow ECS on Twitter@ecsbrookline.
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STOP & SHOP A+ REWARDS
Welcome to another year of A+ School Rewards!! After you register your Stop & Shop card, each shopping trip at Stop & Shop earns cash for our school! Each month, the amount of cash awarded will be updated on the Stop & Shop website. But you MUST register your Stop & Shop card and designate Pierce School in order to make it happen! (NEW: If you registered previously, you do not need to re-register!) Your friends and families can designate Pierce School, too. If you have any questions, contact Colleen Muldoon, colleen_muldoon@psbma.org. Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online (use ID Code 07899) OR call 1-877-275-2758 to register your card.
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BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Put those Box Tops for Education to use for Pierce School!! Cut them out from your cereal, snack, tissue and other boxes at home and bring them to school. Pierce School earns money with every Box Top you donate! You can drop them in one of the collection boxes around Pierce, which are in the foyer by the Main Office, in the "Pit" and in the hall just outside KM in the Historical Building. Please contact Colleen Muldoon, colleen_muldoon@psbma.org with any questions.
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FOOD ON WHEELS!! 
DONATE 10/4-21; Sun., 10/23 1:00pm meet @ Pierce to walk to Food Pantry
Please donate non-perishable food and supplies in the bins at the entrance to the Main and Historical Buildings from 10/4-10/21. Possible donations include canned and boxed goods such as soups, oatmeal and pastas, and new items such as toiletries. On Sunday, 10/23, join other Pierce families for a parade from school to the Brookline Food Pantry (St. Paul's Church, corner of St. Paul St. and Aspinwall Ave.) to hand deliver our collective donation. Bring your whole family, wagons, shopping carts, etc.!! The Brookline Food Pantry has been serving our community, including families with children, for years. THE NEED IS GREAT, and WE CAN HELP!!! Questions? Please contact Marissa Heller-Treistman (marissaheller@gmail.com), Toby Raybould (tobyraybould@gmail.com) or Jen Rothstein (Jennifer.rothstein@comcast.net).
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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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THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE PIERCE FITFEST A SMASHING SUCCESS!!!!  Thanks to Principal Christine Kelley, Vice Principal Daniel Green and the amazing Pierce teachers (Ms. Daly, Ms. Leipman, Ms. Marsallo, Ms. Balzano, Ms. Gramigna, Ms. O'Shaughnessy, Ms. Newell, Ms. Woogmaster, Mr. Smith, Ms. Manion, Ms. London and Mr. Winston) for braving the dunk tank and for being such great sports!!!
 
A hearty thank you to the Brookline Police and Fire Departments and the Department of Public works, as well as Jackie McCarthy.

A special thanks to Coolidge Corner Yoga and Harter Strength and Conditioning for sponsoring the event.

Finally, a huge thank you to the dozens of wonderful volunteers who helped make FitFest a success, in particular to Meredith Saillant, Shanna Shulman, Katrina Driscoll, Rebecca Tolkoff, Lise Nigrovic, Graeme Grant, Stewart Silvestri and Stacy Downey for their great leadership!
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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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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Thurs., 9/22 6:00pm @ 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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SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)   
BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL SEPAC MEETING
Mon., 9/26 7-8:30pm @ Brookline High School, MLK Room 
Come meet Wendy Ryder, Special Education Director of the high school and Darby Neff-Verre, Chair of the Guidance Department. Parents of Brookline High School students on IEPs and 504s will have a chance to ask questions and talk about the upcoming year.
 
MONTHLY MEETING WITH STUDENT SERVICES/ADMINISTRATION
Thurs., 9/29 8:30-9:30am @ School Committee Room, 5th Floor, Town Hall 
Welcome Sam Zimmerman, new Deputy Superintendent! _____________________________________
 
PIERCE WALKS PLANNING MEETING
Thurs., 9/29 8:00am @ Pierce Cafeteria   
PierceWalks seeks anyone in the school community interested in promoting and supporting walking/wellness at Pierce. Become part of Golden Shoes and other fun initiatives.
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PENGUIN POST FOR 5TH & 6TH GRADE
Fri., 9/30 1:45-2:45pm @ Room 304, Pierce loft (new building)
The Penguin Post is looking for 5th and 6th grade journalists to create the Fall/Winter 2016 issue! Come to the first meeting to learn more about the Penguin Post and how to get your start in journalism!! The team will meet every Friday for 6 weeks, to discuss and write about issues important to the Pierce community for our very own newspaper. Parents are also welcome to attend this first meeting to find out more about the Penguin Post and ways to be involved. Questions? Contact Jen Barnes at jenhbarnes@gmail.com.
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TALES FROM THE CLASSROOM: PERSONAL ESSAYS READ BY THE 2016 MARGARET METZGER FELLOWS, BROOKLINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Fri., 9/30 @ 6-8:00pm @ Lincoln School Theater, 19 Kennard Road
All are welcome to this very special evening!  Light refreshments will be followed by ten-minute readings by Jen Breen Rose-Wood (BHS, English), Malcolm Cawthorne (BHS, Social Studies),Teresa Gallo-Toth (Runkle Librarian),Marie Leman (Lawrence, 3rd grade), Greg Porter (Lawrence, Social Studies) and Jan Preheim (Lincoln, 5th grade).
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PIERCE CODERS' CLUB
Thurs., 10/13 - 11/17 7:20-7:55am @ Computer lab
New this year is the Pierce Coders' Club, open to 3rd through 6th graders who are interested in computer programming. The Club has prepared a range of coding activities, from elementary graphics and maze-solving to more challenging procedural languages. The goal is to promote a social environment in which members share their enthusiasm and help one another to learn. Parent coaches will be available to assist, explain, and give advice and feedback. If interested, contact Will Provost at provost@tiac.net.
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SPECIALISTS' CORNER

Click over to the Specialists' Corner to learn about the music teachers' plans for all grades this year and the dates for Fall and Spring Sings!!
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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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FREE ADVANCED SCREENING OF DISNEY'S QUEEN OF KATWE!!
Wed., 9/21 7:00pm @ Coolidge Corner Theater
Interested in seeing this movie for free?!! Click on http://www.seeitfirst.net/pin/786501, enter the quantity of tickets you want and print them. Questions? Contact Haley Emerson (hemerson@alliedim.com).
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RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON FOR BROOKLINE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Deadline, Fri., 9/30
Do you, or someone you know, want to run the 2017 Boston Marathon? Team Brookline, the town's official team, is seeking runners for this beloved annual event. Receive amazing training and camaraderie and also support these key Brookline Community Organizations: Brookline Education Foundation, Brookline Library Foundation, Brookline Teen Center, Brookline Community Mental Health Center and Brookline Symphony Orchestra. Visit http://www.teambrookline.org for more information.
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VOLUNTEER TO PREVENT CHILD ASSAULT
Application deadline 10/7; training begins 10/15
The Child Assault Prevention Program (CAP) has been empowering elementary age children across the country to be "safe, strong, and free" since 1978. CAP has been approved for expansion in interested Brookline K-8 schools following a successful pilot at Heath. To offer CAP across Brookline, the program seeks to recruit and train "Prevention Specialists", volunteers who commit to 4 hours/month for at least one school year, to build a Brookline CAP Volunteer Taskforce. If you are interested, please contact the program director Gail Sommer at gsommer@familyaccess.org or call 617-969-5906 x 143. You can also contact Heath Parent and longtime CAP volunteer Evonne Meranus at evonnemeranus@comcast.net or 617-548-4396.
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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! 

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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JAVASCRIPT CLASS 
This introduction to JavaScript, for 7th and 8th graders, will meet on eight Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, beginning October 17, at the Brookline Teen Center. Topics covered include: variables, data types, loops, conditionals and functions. Students will also learn the basics of HTML as needed to support their JavaScript programming. Previous programming experience is not necessary. To register please visit the JrCode website www.jrcode.com, select the Registration drop down menu and click on Brookline - then click Register. For more information, contact Sharon at sharonjason@jrcode.com.
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PIANO LESSIONS BY JULIA HAWKINS, FACULTY AT NEC PREP
Julia Hawkins, piano faculty at NEC Prep, is accepting new students of classical piano in private studio. All levels and ages are welcome. Comprehensive study includes technique, repertoire, and performance skills offered in a gentle, affirming setting. Please contact by phone 617-566-4215. Interview includes private lesson at no cost. 
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AFTER-SCHOOL ART CLASSES FOR CHILDREN 5-15
Leslie Sills, a working artist and children's book author in Brookline, conducts small art classes after-school in her studio/home. Children learn sculpture, pottery, painting, drawing, collage and more. The emphasis is on self-expression. For more information, emaillesills38@gmail.com or visit www.lesliesills.com.  
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KIDS YOGA STARTS SEPTEMBER 12th - AT COOLIDGE CORNER YOGA
Spots still open for students 8 years and up! Kids can 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! www.coolidgeyoga.com/pages/kids-yoga.
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GOLDEN CHICKPEA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM EEC CERTIFIED
Looking for high quality, reliable after-school care in a safe and end enriching environment?The Golden Chickpea after-school Program is now open for enrollment. To schedule a tour or for more information, call (857) 210-9122 or email info@thegoldenchickpea.com.
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ETIQUETTE CLASSES
Now enrolling for 1-day and 8-week etiquette classes for grades 2-12 in Boston, Brookline and Newton. The program will cover topics such as improving social and communication skills, projecting confidence, combating shyness, strengthening self-esteem and leadership skills, navigating friendships, resolving conflict, basic manners, table manners, and much more. For more info and to enroll visit theetiquetteacademy.org or call 617-608-3920.
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MUDDY RIVER RAMBLERS FAMILY BLUEGRASS ENSEMBLE: 8TH SEASON
Join our fun, foot-stomping "jam sessions," run by 3 professional musicians. 
Our learn-by-ear approach and awesome Americana song selection work perfectly 
for novice and advanced players alike. Lots of singing and harmonizing. Featured 
instruments: violins (fiddles), cellos, guitars, banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles. 
Looking for 1-2 singers as well. Start date: September 25.  Contact Kate Risse (katherine.risse@tufts.edu) or Rob Guillemin (rob.guillemin@gmail.com) or visit our Website at: www.familyjam.club.
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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