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06.12.2013

TheBridge
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK 

Please Scroll Down For This Week's Announcements, Community News & Classified Ads... 

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PRINCIPAL'S CORNER
 
THANKS TO PIERCE PARENTS

As the school year draws to a close, I want to thank the parent leadership for all of their support to Pierce. Special thanks to outgoing PTO chair, Gioia Perugini, and former chair Stacey Downey. They were instrumental in helping develop our new leadership board, which helps make the role of the co-chairs of the PTO much more manageable.

 

Thanks also to Mariah Nobrega, who took on the PTO website, and to Kim Girard, Juliet Eastland, and Trish Navarrete for maintaining and editing the weekly Bridge issues. We added a new feature which highlights the work students do with specialists in art, music, PE, and Spanish. I so appreciate the reminders we all get to get our contributions in when due.

 

The ongoing involvement of so many Pierce parents and guardians is truly welcomed and needed. We have a record number of parents interested in serving on the School Council. I see that as yet another indicator of the support that parents so willingly offer to Pierce. This really is a special school community in large part due to the partnership we have with so many families. Thank you for your participation!  

 

Dr. Pipier Smith-Mumford

Principal

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PTO CORNER >PTO
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org 
  

THANK YOU TO PTO PARENT & TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES! 

The PTO had an incredibly successful year all because of you, our community of families. So many parents and teachers have done so much for the PTO. It would be impossible to thank everyone by name. Here's a start:

 

- The wonderful parent leaders of this week's Pierce Picnic: Tamisha Atkins and Nora O'Farrell, and all those who volunteered to make it a fitting year-end celebration.

 

- The parent volunteers who launched a new event, Harvest Fest (Troderman/Rothstein/Raybould/Amigone families), and oversaw all the PTO's events - FitFest (Salliant/Grant/DiPiro/Silvestri/Downey families); Skate Night (Huntley/Webler/Janowski families); March Madness (Amigone/Saltzman/Zuker families); and Teamwork Trivia (Mendoza family).

 

- The fabulous Mariah Nobrega, who kept the Pierce website updated and fresh all year long! Not to mention the PTO's teacher representatives, David Weinstein and Dawn Galolo.
  
More thank yous coming next week!
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NEW PTO LEADERSHIP FOR 2013-2014

We are pleased to announce that the PTO has three new Co-Chairs for the 2013-2014 School Year: Jen Amigone (incoming kindergarten and rising 2nd grade parent), Jen Rothstein (incoming kindergarten and rising 3rd grade parent) and Deb Troderman (rising 1st and 3rd grade parent) will all be stepping up to take on this role! They will be joined by a new PTO Treasurer Stacey Zelbow (rising 2nd grade parent), along with the Leadership Team, which includes Hillary Janowski (Chair of Volunteerism), Trish Navarrete (new Chair of Communications, incoming kindergarten and rising 2nd grade parent), Toby Raybould (Chair of Fundraising Committee), Bobby Zuker (Chair of Budget Committee) and Molly Zuker (Chair of Outreach Committee).

There is much work to be done for next year, so if you are interested in joining these parent leaders, please let us know! Write to pierce.pto@gmail.com. Our teacher reps, David Weinstein and Dawn Galolo, will continue with Dr. Smith-Mumford as part of the Executive Committee. Welcome to the new class of parent leaders! 
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SCHOOL CORNER>SCHOOL
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org 
  
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PRE-RENOVATION AUDITORIUM CLEANOUT JUNE 24-26!

Pierce Auditorium renovations begin Monday, 7/1. We need to remove and store various items belonging to the PTO/Pierce Play before the end of school. Can you volunteer an hour, two or three on the following days?

- Monday, 6/24 (after noon)
- Tuesday 6/25 (during or after school hours)

- Wednesday, 6/26 (d
uring or after school hours)

Please contact Peter Sacks at sacksjacobs@verizon.net, or 617-943-8900, with the days & hours you could help. Future generations of auditorium users thank you!

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ELECTIONS UNDERWAY FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES

This year, nine Pierce parents are running for three open seats on the School Council. You have a voice in Pierce's improvement efforts! VOTE for your choice of parent representatives on the Pierce School Council. Deadline: Friday, 6/21.

To vote, complete the ballot available here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DJ9NLTV

 

Or, complete a paper ballot available at the front entrance of Pierce. Again, deadline for voting is Friday, 6/21. (One vote per parent or guardian.)

The School Council, by state statute, is an advisory body to the principal that helps formulate, refine, and measure progress toward the school's annual improvement goals. School Council consists of the principal, teacher representatives, parent representatives and sometimes community members. For complete information on the Pierce School Council, go to http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/school-council.html.

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BYE BYE BIRDIE DVD AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP 
At long last, the Bye Bye Birdie DVD is available for pick-up. You may pick up your DVD over the weekend at the home of Deb Dowd & Charlie Walsh, 39 Somerset Rd. (please email Deborah at dowdwalsh@rcn.com to let her know you're coming) or pick it up on Monday or Tuesday morning (6/17 or 6/18) at 7:50 am or after school outside the main office. If none of these dates are convenient, please contact Deborah. Thank you, and we're so sorry for the delay.
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FIRST GRADE END-OF-YEAR GATHERING 
Saturday, 6/22, 3-5pm @ Emerson Park, Picnic Area

We've reserved the picnic area so the entire first grade class (all sections: 1H, 1W, 1D, and 1Y) can enjoy an end-of-year gathering! This will be a chance for students and families to celebrate the end of another great year at Pierce. If you have questions, please contact your room parent.
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SAVE THE DATE - FITFEST 2013 
Sunday, 9/15, 1-3pm @ Pierce Park (rain date Sunday, 9/22) 
Mark your calendars now for a fun way to kick off the school year with classmates new and old! Interested in volunteering? Please contact Meredith Saillant: dggmls@yahoo.com. We can use all the help we can get! 

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SPECIALISTS' CORNER >SPECIALIST
 
SPANISH

K-3 - We have been reviewing colors, family and body parts. We are now reviewing the calendar, days, and months. This week, we are reviewing shapes, colors, and class objects. Second graders worked on school schedules. We will be reviewing activities that we like to do with our family and on specific days. Third graders finished community, jobs and places of work. We are making a restaurant menu.

 

4-6 - Fourth graders are performing skits that take place in the store of their choice. So far, we've seen a creative assortment of stores including, but not limited to: wigs, sports cards, jewelry and guinea pigs. Fifth graders have learned places around town and are now combining that topic with professions so they can act out a play about a guanaco (an animal that is related to the llama). We are proud of the sixth graders. They have shown determination, enthusiasm and creativity during these past couple of weeks of full immersion. We have also been learning about beautiful Puerto Rico. Ask your student what a coqu� sounds like!
 
Visit the Spanish page on the school website:

http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/spanish.html 

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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK >POW
 
SOLUTION FOR POW #18: AMUSEMENT PARK

If the total cost is $14.00 for 2 adults and 3 children, and the child's cost is one half of an adult's fare, then one adult's fare is $4.00.

 

Visit the POW page on the school website: http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/problem-of-the-week.html.

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COMMUNITY CORNER >COMMUNITYCORNER   
 
BCF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - FALL 2013 COMMUNITY GRANTS

Proposals due Monday, 7/29, 5pm

The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) exists to promote a strong, engaged, and inclusive community. Each year, BCF seeks proposals that address needs and opportunities in the community, encourage collaborations and partnerships to address these needs, and strengthen our community and local non-profits. BCF is now accepting proposals for 2013 Fall Community Grants. Complete information and guidelines are available athttp://www.brooklinecommunity.org/grants/guidelines-deadlines. Contact Jennifer Lemire with questions at 617.566.4442 or jlemire@brooklinecommunity.org.
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AUDITION FOR PALS CHILDREN'S CHORUS 

PALS Children's Chorus is currently holding auditions for its 2013-2014 season! We welcome students who love to sing and are entering grades K-8 to audition for the chorus, which offers vocal training and music literacy in a strong and caring community of peers and teachers. Our oldest students also receive training in drama and dance, and have opportunities to participate in tours. Children will gain experience and confidence in this friendly, supportive group as they prepare for and perform multiple concerts a year. Every member of the chorus also performs in our annual opera production. For more information and to sign up for an audition, please visit http://palschildrenschorus.org. 

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KESHER NEWTON PROGRAM - JEWISH LEARNING K-11 

Are you looking for Jewish learning for your child? Kesher Newton is an after-school program that offers a hands on and in-depth approach to Jewish learning for students in K-11. Now enrolling for Sept. 2013 in a new space on Hammond Pond Parkway in Chestnut Hill. Entering our 11th year, Kesher Newton is a nationally-recognized alternative to traditional Hebrew school, where children learn Jewish culture and Hebrew language in a spirited, camp-like environment. Please email pam@keshernewton.org for more information, or visit our website www.keshernewton.org.
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CLASSIFIEDS >CLASSIFIEDS     

 

SUMMER & AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM GRADES 3-12: 10% DISCOUNT FOR NEW STUDENTS!

Start school next year ready to excel in all subjects. Improve critical reading, writing, and thinking skills at Boston-area Chungdahm ReadWrite learning centers. Year-round programs for grades 3-12. This summer, students will write and publish original Op Edpieces in national publications (Young Journalist Course) and short stories (Young Novelist program) while improving their reading and writing skills. Customized schedules available; 10% discount for new students. For information, visit http://www.bostonreadwrite.com, call 617-960-8875, or write info@bostonreadwrite.com
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SUMMER ART WITH AMY
Spend your summer painting, drawing, and building! Local artist Amy Solomon offers week-long summer art programs in her light-filled studio in the heart of Brookline Village, just steps from Pierce school. Emphasis on creativity and fun! For more info call or email 617-566-2667, solomonamy@yahoo.com, or www.artwithamy.com.
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PIANO INSTRUCTION

Flexible summer scheduling makes now an ideal time to try piano lessons. Berklee & New England Conservatory graduate with 30+ years teaching experience. Beginners welcome. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring
teacher. Gloria Jasinski, phone: 617.566.9704, email:
piano566@comcast.net.

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STOP THE SUMMER SLIDE IN READING AT "READING IS AMAZING!"

Stop the summer slide in reading at "Reading is Amazing!" - a Brookline Village reading, tutoring and enrichment service supporting students from Pre-K through fifth grade.

Contact harriet@literacycoach.net or call 617-734-6718. Visit www.literacycoach.net

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KOLTUN BALLET ACADEMY 

Pre-professional ballet training in an inspirational environment for young people ages 6-19. We aim to provide students with a rich knowledge of classical technique, and the ability to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance. We offer a hands-on approach, individual attention, and dedication to our students. For more information, please visit www.KoltunBalletAcademy.com  or call 617-901-3792.

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PLEIN-AIR ART ACADEMY

Plein-Air Art Academy - art classes for kids in open air. Enrollment for summer classes and camps ongoing. Classes held in Newton/Brookline/Boston parks and in a cozy centrally located studio on rainy days. Includes museum/gallery trips, weekly art history lessons and FREE monthly workshops. Check out the website at www.plein-air-academy.com and/or become a fan on Facebook. Contact info@plein-air-academy.com with questions.

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