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                                       1.25.2012 

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PRINCIPAL'S CORNER >

 

 MLK Assemblies 2012

Pierce celebrated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday by recognizing his legacy in two different assemblies. 

Our K-4 student assembly was led by two 4th graders, Adam and Jenny, who served as our masters of ceremony (MCs).  With music as the major theme of the assembly, all of our students performed songs which captured the spirit of the times of the civil rights' movement of the 1960s.

In addition, I read A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson to help our youngest students understand that some young people whose names we may never know were part of marches and other activities during this time.

This was a great book to share at the assembly because it speaks of two young sisters participating in a Civil Rights march. The story reminded me of my own family during the 60s. I expressed how proud I am and how proud Dr. King would be of how Pierce is realizing part of his dream: that young people of all colors work and learn together.


This is always one of Pierce's most treasured annual events.  I am most pleased that we were able to arrange a live feed for parents who could come.  The Brookline Access TV (BATV) provided this opportunity by projecting the assembly onto a screen in the cafeteria. 

Thank you PTO co-chairs, Stacey Downey, Gioia Perugini and Chuck Silverston for making this happen.

In the spirit of Dr. King's legacy, we had the opportunity to present the energetic and dynamic story teller, Valerie Tutson, to students in grades 5-8.  Valerie Tutson recounted significant moments in our history when many black people worked to make the revolutionary ideals of the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness a reality for themselves, their community, and their children.

Two of the stories Tutson recounted were about Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mumbet, whose court case paved the way to abolishing slavery in Massachusetts, and James Forten, who, as a teen, risked his life fighting against the British.  Her tales took the audience on a voyage.  She was refreshing...enthusiastic...and intriguing. 


Thank you to the Pierce PTO for sponsoring this wonderful performer from Young Audiences!

Pipier Smith-Mumford

 

 

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PTO CORNER >  PTOcorner

 

 

 

 

HAVE AN IDEA HOW TO MAKE THIS SCHOOL A BETTER PLACE FOR OUR KIDS?
COME AND JOIN YOUR COMMUNITY @ THE PTO MEETING TONIGHT
7PM @ PIERCE CAFETERIA
  
Ever wonder who makes up the PTO? Well, it's Pierce parents like you. Find out what it's like to volunteer for March Madness. Meet parents from other grades.

Come and find out what we're about and what we do. 

TONIGHT at 7pm in the cafeteria.
We'd love to hear from you.

 

AGENDA:
1. Review current by-laws and proposed changes.
2. Discuss organizational structure and discuss proposed alternatives.
3. Review volunteer needs
4. Open comments

 

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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE HATS FOR HAITI A SUCCESS AGAIN!

 

We raised $661.04, which is even more than last year! In the last three years, Pierce raised $2,710.39, which was split between Partners in Health and the American Red Cross and earmarked for their efforts in Haiti.    

 

The biggest comment heard over and over again was how great it is that Pierce is still supporting Haiti earthquake relief three years after it has ebbed from the headlines.  

 

A parent who works at Partners in Health told us that PIH has built up rehab and mental health services and will soon open a state-of-the-art teaching hospital near Port-au-Prince.  In the coming months, cholera vaccination will be provided to 100,000 vulnerable Haitians. The need is still incredibly great in Haiti. Thank you so much for taking part in this fun way to raise awareness and funds! 

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Mark your calendars: 

MATH GAME NIGHT FOR 1st & 2nd GRADE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES 

Wed. 2/1 4-5:30pm @ Pierce Auditorium

 

It'll be an afternoon of fun with plenty of math games for all!


Drop by and play a few games with your friends, family members, and
favorite teachers.  

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LET'S RENOVATE PIERCE'S LITTLE GYM

Tue. 1/31, 2:45 @ in conference room off the cafeteria. 

Interested in helping expand how Pierce promotes fitness? Please join the PE teachers and other parents in a planning session for the renovations of the Little Gym (it's that smaller gym space between the Spanish and Pre-K rooms). The vision is to create a space for student use which supports increased physical activity and fitness during the school day. RSVP to pierce.pto@gmail.com or just drop by the meeting!  

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K-3 EVENT: JOIN US FOR MARCH MADNESS PLANNING  

 

We are looking for parent volunteers to help out with March Madness.  March Madness is a series of events in the evenings of March 6, 7 and 8 for K-3.  We need help on those evenings, as well as some prep and promotional work. March Madness is a 2nd Grade volunteer event, however, all parents are welcome.  If you are able to volunteer or want to learn more, please contact Bobby Zuker at rzuker@chestnuthillrealty.com

 

Also, look for more exciting information in the coming weeks about March Madness, including Pierce's first ever March Math Madness. 
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BASEBALL COACHES NEEDED FOR SPRING 

 

Batter Up! Brookline Youth Baseball's Instructional League is looking for one or more enthusiastic first grade moms or dads at the Pierce School to coach, help coach, or help with the organization of a youth baseball team this spring.  

 

Introducing first graders to the game of baseball is a truly rewarding experience that involves only a modest commitment of time. No prior coaching experience is required -- just bring your enthusiasm for baseball and we will provide support and training. Please contact James Wyner at instructional@brooklineyouthbaseball.com for more information.   

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SAVE the DATE: TRIVIA NIGHT@PIERCE - MARCH 30 7PM
 
A fun night out for adults and a fundraiser for the PTO!  $25 per person. Teams compete @ trivia - details to follow.

  

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MATH CORNER > POW

 

 

 

 


SOLUTION TO PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #9 - TANAGRAM COST

 
Congratulations to all the students who figured out the last Problem of 
the Week about the cost of a Tangram Puzzle!  If the smallest triangle 
cost 25 cents, then the entire puzzle would cost $4.00.  We had 115 
students submit solutions, with a record number of third graders! 
Congratulations 3rd graders, especially 3B!

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #10: FIFTEEN CARDS

Due Feb. 2

 

I have fifteen cards numbered 1 - 15. (no duplicates). 

I put down seven of them on the table in the row. 

 

POW10 

 

The numbers on the first two cards add to 15.

The numbers on the second and third cards add to 20.

The numbers on the third and fourth cards add to 23.

The numbers on the fourth and fifth cards add to 16.

Then numbers on the fifth and sixth cards add to 18.

The numbers on the sixth and seventh cards add to 21. 

Write numbers in the cards above. 

Hint:  Try Guess & Check strategy. 

Be sure to include your full name and class! 

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Mathchange 

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FOR MATH GAMES

 

Math Games Afternoon for Grades 1 and 2 will be held Wed., February 1,

from 4-5:30 pm in the Pierce auditorium. 

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MATH LEAGUE CORNER >MathLeague

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PIERCE MATH LEAGUE TEAM!

 

On Wednesday, January 18th, thirty-one Pierce students represented Pierce
at the town-wide Math League competition! We are very proud of the

terrific team work by all!  Pierce ranked 4th place out of nine Brookline 

schools.

A special congratulations to the students who received a perfect score in 

their topic:

 

Christian (6F), Brian (6S), Miriam (5G), Dashiell (6G), Carolin (6S), and Zander (6L), as well as Rohan(6L) who received two perfect scores and Henry who took home a trophy for three perfect scores!

Great job Math League!

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MATH LEAGUE ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Last Thursday, the Math League Problem Solving afternoon session was not
held.  We apologize for our error and any inconvenience this may have
caused.  Please note that the afternoon Problem Solving sessions will
resume as usual next Thursday, January 26th in the room between 6G and 4H
(the OLD 4G room). 
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Math League practices will be held every morning in the Spanish/PSED room and on Thursday afternoon. Math League Thursday afternoons (2:25-3:00) topic: Problem Solving in the room next to 6G.

Mondays: Problem Solving

Tuesdays: Bases
Wednesdays: Geometery
Thursdays: Operations
Fridays: Patterns

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STUDENT'S CORNER >Sofia

 

 

CITY SINGERS TO PERFORM WITH DAN ZANES AT SOMERVILLE THEATRE

Sunday, Feb. 5  @  3pm

Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq. Somerville, 02144

Reserved seating $25 (includes Somerville Theatre $1.00 restoration fee)

  

Come and support Kate (3B) and Sophia (3G), who sing with the Boston City Singers. The City Singers will perform a few songs with the talented Grammy-award-winning Dan Zanes & Friends at the Somerville Theatre during the 3pm show.  

 
For more info about Dan Zanes & Friends visit 
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CommCorner
COMMUNITY CORNER > 

  

  

  

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUFFER ZONES

Jan. 26 & Feb. 9   

 

In light of accelerating enrollments in the Public Schools of Brookline 
(PSB) and the resulting crowding of all eight elementary schools, the 
Brookline School Committee is seeking recommendations for how to expand 
the flexibility allowed the Superintendent to assign students to schools 
where resources afford the best possible education for that student.  That 
flexibility is given to the Superintendent when a Brookline student lives 
in a designated "buffer zone." 

 

Last December, an Ad Hoc Subcommittee was established to make 
recommendations to the School Committee on how best to expand PSB buffer 
zones.  That Subcommittee has finished its preliminary set of proposals 
and now seeks input from the public before taking recommendations to the 
School Committee. 

 

You can find the following documents at the school website: 1) map showing 
current buffer zones, 2) map showing the Subcommittee's initial proposed 
changes to buffer zones (with current buffers included marked with a 
cross-hatch), and 3) a fact sheet on Buffer Zones and this process.

 

The Subcommittee invites public comment on these draft proposals.  There 
will be public hearings for this purpose on Thursday, January 26, 2012 and 
Thursday, February 9, 2012.  Both hearings are at 7:00 PM at Town Hall in 
the School Committee Room, 5th Floor.  You can also send comments to the 
Subcommittee Chair, Rebecca Stone, at rebecca_stone@brookline.k12.ma.us

 

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BTC CLIMATE WEEK 2012 - JAN. 28,

12-4PM @ 40 Aspinwall Av. Brookline

The Brookline Teen Center is excited to be participating in Climate Week 2012.

The BTC will offer tours of the raw garage space at 40 Aspinwall Ave. We will highlight our plans for making the Center as green as possible, as we pursue LEED certification. More info at BrooklineTeenCenter.org.

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BHS PERFORMING ARTS NEWS

 

Feb. 8 @3:30

Feb. 9-11 @ 7:30

Roberts/Dubbs Auditorium

Tickets: $7 for students, $10 for adults

 

BHS SNAGS TONY AWARD-WINNING THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, FEB. 8-11.

 

Circle your calendars. This year's all-school musical, the 2006 Tony Award-winning "The Drowsy Chaperone," opens Feb. 8, and it should be a winner for the whole family.  

 

Brookline High School is one of the first high schools in the Greater Boston area to present this recent, highly-acclaimed show. An homage to American musicals of the Jazz Age and their devoted fans, the show is a play-within-a-play in which an agoraphobic Broadway fanatic's vivid imagination brings the characters of a fictional musical into his dingy apartment, transforming him and everything around him. To learn more about this lively, family friendly show, go to www.FoPA.weebly.com 

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BHS CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

Feb. 16 @ 7p.m.

Black Box

FREE ($5 contribution suggested)

 

This lively concert features some of Brookline High School's most talented classical musicians in intimate chamber groupings -- duos, trios, quartets, and quintets. The performance includes music by Bach, Telemann, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Bruch and Janacek. Expect some surprises, too!

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TOWN OF BROOKLINE APPROVES POET LAUREATE PROGRAM 
  

 

Applications to be accepted through March 16

 

On January 17, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the creation of 
the Town of Brookline Poet Laureate Program.

 

Under the direction of the Board, the Brookline Commission for the Arts is 

now accepting applications for the town's first Poet Laureate. Under the 
guidelines of the program, which will begin in April, the town will 
appoint a poet to a two-year term. The poet's charge will be to enhance 
the town's cultural life, promote awareness and appreciation of poetry and 
the literary arts, and connect members of the community through poetry.

 

The program is open to residents of Brookline who have composed a 

substantial body of work, including published work, and a demonstrated 
commitment to the community. Duties of the new Poet Laureate position will 
include public performances, outreach to schools and community centers, 
and undertaking creative and innovative projects to energize the town's 
residents in the spirit and power of the written word.  

 

Applications may be made between now and March 16th, 2012. Candidates 
should submit a letter of interest, a current CV and a selection of 
representative poetry to Arts Commission administrator Gillian Jackson, at  
brooklinearts@gmail.com. Residents may 
also inquire with Ms. Jackson for a full description of the program and 
the duties of the Poet Laureate.

 

A selection committee, composed of commissioners and citizens, will 
convene in early April to review applications, make a selection and submit 
it to the Board of Selectmen for approval. Those interested in joining 
this committee, please contact Ms. Jackson at 

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SEPAC PRESENTATION: UNDERSTANDING THE IEP  

Feb. 16, 6:30pm @ Edward Devotion School Library

345 Harvard Street, Brookline 

 

Brookline SEPAC hosts "Special Education Basic Legal Rights" with guest presenter, Attorney Daniel Perlman of Massachusetts Advocates for Children.  This presentation is geared for parents who want to understand the process of IEP development, responsibilities of school districts in the provision of special education, and what parents can do when they feel school districts are not meeting their children's needs.  Bring your questions.   

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JOIN THE BROOKLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR!

Saturday, March 17, 11:30-1PM @ Devotion cafeteria  

Registration deadline Feb. 17

Sponsored by the Devotion PTO, the Middle School Science Fair is part of the larger Devotion Science Fair and open to any Brookline student in grades 6-8. Participants may qualify to go on to middle school regional and state science fairs. 

Each Brookline school can send up to 10 projects to the Massachusetts Region V Middle School Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held at Regis College in Weston on April 28. 

Projects are completed outside of school.  A downloadable information packet and registration form are available at:

Registration deadline is February 17th. 

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TEAM BROOKLINE OPEN TO GREATER BOSTON RUNNERS 

 

Dreamed of running the 2012 Boston Marathon? Join Team Brookline!

Team members will receive:

  • An official marathon bib number
  • Personalized training with a coached team along the marathon course
  • Nutrition and fitness guidance
  • Fundraising support

Apply online: www.brooklinecenter.org/marathon or call 617-277-8107.

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BROOKLINE CLIMATE WEEK 2012: JANUARY 21-29

 

Put Brookline Climate Week on your calendar and look for more details soon on family and eco-friendly events and displays happening around Brookline. Over 40 events & displays from Larz Anderson Park to Brookline Village, including a Winter Marketplace, Eco Arts installations, Smart Energy workshops, Celebrate Winter events at Larz Anderson Park and more.   

 

For details and updates go to climatechangeactionbrookline.org. Together we can keep making Brookline green!

 

Brookline Climate Week 2012 is sponsored by Climate Change Action Brookline, Selectmen's Climate Action Committee, Brookline School Committee, Brookline Adult and Community Education, Brookline Department of Public Health and New England Institute of Art.   
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 summercampfair
BROOKLINE'S 2012 SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FAIR
Sunday, Jan. 29, 12-3pm
Tappan St. Gym, Brookline High School

 

Over 80 day camps and overnight camps.
Sports and outdoor adventure programs. 
Music, art, dance & computer focused camps. 
Academic enrichment programs. 
Summer internship programs for teens.

 

For questions or more info contact Mishka Makuch at 617 879 4638 or 
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ASPINWALL HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

The Brookline Center, 41 Garrison Rd. 

Sunday, Jan. 29, 3-5 p.m., 

 

In addition to our business meeting with election of officers and sharing of ideas and information, we will also enjoy a wine-tasting presentation by Vinodivino of Washington Square.  AHNA membership is required.   Membership is extended to residents of the Aspinwall Hill neighborhood (bordered by Beacon, Washington and Greenough Streets, the D-line tracks and Regent Circle) who have paid dues of $5/person or $10/family, and dues may be paid at the meeting. Come join your neighbors!

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15th ANNUAL BROOKLINE LIBRARY WINTER GALA & AUCTION COMING SOON!

Sunday, Feb. 12, 7-10pm

Main Library, 361 Washington St.  

Tickets $100 per person

 

Dine, dance, bid on fabulous items and meet local authors while supporting our treasured libraries.  To buy tickets, preview auction items or bid online visit  www.brooklinelibrary.org. Tickets are also available at the Main Library. For more info contact Jennie Roffman, Library Gala Committee (and Pierce school parent) @ 617-566-6876. 

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CLASSIFIEDS >

 

 


PIANO INSTRUCTION - about 1 mile from Pierce
Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading from a Berklee & New England Conservatory graduate with over 30 years teaching experience. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners welcome. Gloria Jasinski, phone: 617.566.9704, email: piano566@comcast.net
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FEET OF CLAY POTTERY STUDIO - NEW CLASSES FOR KIDS 

21 Station Street, Brookline Village

 

Feet of Clay is now offering a Wheelthrowing & Handbuilding class for kids 

ages 9-14. 

 

The winter session will be 
January 4th-February 15th on
 Wednesdays 4 - 6:30 pm.  
Please visit www.feetofclaypottery.com for more information and to register.
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START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT WITH DanceFIT STUDIO

DanceFIT's award winning children's dance program has open enrollment  right now for our ballet classes for dancers ages 3-10 and our NEW zumbatomic™ class for ages 4-9.  Our high rated adult fitness program runs year round with fun & effective fitness classes geared for all levels.  Some of our popular classes include: BalletFIT™, Zumba�, Cardio KickFIT, Arms and Abs, Music Video Dance, Love your Legs and MORE! Join today at dancefitstudio.com
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ULTIMATE GRIND - PROFESSIONAL GROUP FITNESS

Want to do your exercising right after drop-off?
Want to exercise with other Brookline moms?
Want personalized fitness training?
UG's Personalized Group Fitness program could be perfect for you!
Easy Parking, Right next to Whole Foods
For more information call 781-588-4757 or visit www.ultimategrind.com
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Read in 2012 at:
"Reading is Amazing!" a Brookline Village reading tutoring service supporting
students from Kindergarten through grade five.

Services offered:
. Remedial reading support for emerging readers in phonemic awareness,
phonics, fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension
. Reading enrichment
. Homework help
. Personal book shopping for your child

I am a veteran Literacy Specialist with over 23 years experience as a
Reading/Literacy Specialist, Reading/Literacy Coach and Reading Recovery
Teacher within MA public schools.
I also volunteer in Ms. Buchman's first grade classroom.

Credentials: Master's Degree in Education from Lesley University with a
specialization in Reading. Certifications: Reading and Reading Recovery

Please contact:
Harriet Yoffee
Website: www.literacycoach.net
e-mail: harriet@literacycoach.net
Phone: 617 734 6718

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phone: (617) 730-2580

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