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06.19.2013

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
 

ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE...

As we wrap up another rewarding and productive school year, I want to publicly thank the hardworking faculty and staff of Pierce. This is truly a collaborative community which helps to make Pierce such a special school. The student teachers, interns and community volunteers are critical to our success. I extend my very best to all of them for a very happy summer and much success in their future endeavors.

 

Our Pre-K program will be leaving Pierce and moving to the Trust Center on Beacon Street. We will miss our youngest students and their teachers. We thank Jess Colby the head teacher, and paraprofessionals Kristen Lynch and Holly Smith, for their support to the Pierce families and larger school community.  

 

I also take this time to extend my best wishes to those who will be moving on from Pierce. Eleni Klempner, second grade teacher, Sheena Lee, fourth grade teacher, Ralph Parent, PE teacher and Daryl Frischling, sixth grade math teacher will leave us to explore new educational opportunities. We wish them all success and happiness in their new ventures.

 

As many of you know, we have two teachers retiring from Pierce this year, Cheryl Klausner, 5th grade teacher and Jeanne Wilson, math specialist. Shirley Re, former librarian assistant and presently paraprofessional for the Primary Learning Center will also be retiring from Pierce. We wish them well as they move on to the next stage of their lives. May they enjoy many, many happy years in retirement! On behalf of the students and families of Pierce, I thank them for their dedicated service.

 

With graduation of our 8th graders a day away, I want to acknowledge and thank our 8th grade parents for their partnership and support throughout the years. A special thank you goes to PTO representative for eighth grade, Eileen Regis. Eileen was the first to hold this newly created role and she has been an invaluable parent link to the school. We thank her for her leadership and wish you all well as you move on to the high school. I urge you to continue to share your many talents in support of your children and the high school.

 

With the ending of each school year, it is often bittersweet. We welcome the slower paced days of summer and summer vacation while also feeling some sense of apprehension as change brings on these mixed emotions. While the end of the school year seems never to arrive, we suddenly find that another school year has flown by. Please reflect on the growth that has occurred and the challenges that were overcome as you think of the year, and smile as you think ahead to the promise of summer and the possibilities a new school year holds.

 

Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

 

Dr. Pipier Smith-Mumford

Principal

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DEAR 8TH GRADE FAMILIES,

On behalf of the entire Pierce faculty and staff, I thank you all for treating us to a wonderfully delicious breakfast! In addition to the great yummy treats, the sentiments expressed on the signs in the room were just as heartwarming and appreciated. All day long many of us enjoyed the beautiful flowers, bounty of fruit, bagels and homemade goodies. One teacher commented, "What a great way to start the last Tuesday of the school year. This was another reminder of how special it feels to be part of the Pierce community."

 

Thank you for adding to this feeling of being special!

Until soon,

Pipier

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PTO CORNER >PTO
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org 
  
THANK YOU TO PTO VOLUNTEERS!
Our wave of gratitude continues for all the parents, teachers and families who volunteered to make this year such a success. Join us in thanking the PTO's Leadership Team: Kim Girard (Communications), Hillary Janowski (Volunteerism), Toby Raybould (Fundraising), Bobby Zuker (Budget) and Molly Zuker (Outreach). Huge thanks also go to Daria Cohen, the outgoing PTO Treasurer, for all of her hard work!
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REMEMBER TO USE THE PIERCE/AMAZON LINK THIS SUMMER!

This school year, you helped raise $1,600 for Pierce by using the Amazon link on the school website homepage. As you do your online summer shopping, please continue! Click on the orange Amazon box on the school website homepage:

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

 

You'll pay the same Amazon prices as always, but about 7% of your cost returns to the Pierce PTO. Thank you for your continued support of Pierce!
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SCHOOL CORNER>SCHOOL
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org 
  
VOTE NOW FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES

Last day to vote: Friday, 6/21 

Please vote online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.DJ9NLTV or use a paper ballot 

available at the entrance to school. For complete information on the Pierce School Council, go to http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/school-council.html.

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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. For questions, please contact your room parent.

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B-SPACE MEETING - BE PART OF CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS

Monday, 6/24, 6:30pm @ Town Hall, Selectman's Hearing Room, 6th Floor

The B-SPACE Committee (Brookline School Population and Capital Exploration) is charged with making recommendations to the School Committee and Selectmen for handling the Brookline Public Schools' enrollment growth of recent years - growth which is expected to continue.

 

The Committee will first present the options under consideration. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and provide feedback to the Committee. For more information, please visit the B-SPACE website at: http://tinyurl.com/lowxgr8.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PRE-RENOVATION AUDITORIUM CLEANOUT!

Monday, 6/24 - Wednesday, 6/26

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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BYE BYE BIRDIE DVD AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP 
At long last, the Bye Bye Birdie DVD is available for pick-up. Please contact Deb Dowd at dowdwalsh@rcn.com if you haven't picked up your copy.
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PIERCE SCHOOL LIBRARY VOLUNTEER TEAM
Interested in volunteering to help at the school library during the 2013-2014 school year? Opportunities range from daily tasks (shelving books, dusting book shelves, book repair, etc.) to assisting on a short-term basis with programs that occur throughout the year (Massachusetts Children's Book Award, Caldecott Night, Pierce Reads). Please contact Jenn Gangadharan at Jennifer.gangadharan@gmail.com for further details.
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LOOKING TO UPGRADE YOUR FLAT SCREEN TV? DONATE TO THE FITNESS CENTER!  

Or looking to get rid of your TV because it rots your brain? Consider donating your used, older model flat screen TV to the Pierce School Fitness Center!!! We are looking for flat screen TVs to use with exergaming (video-game-like) fitness equipment, so that we can maximize space and get more kids moving. That way you can buy a newer, bigger TV! To donate, please contact Amanda Grindstaff: Amanda_Grindstaff@brookline.k12.ma.us or Michael Miceli: Michael_Miceli@brookline.k12.ma.us.

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ANNOUNCING RESULTS OF PIERCEWEAR T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST

Thank you to all who submitted such wonderful art. It was indeed hard to choose! Congratulations to the following student and parent artists, whose designs will appear on shirts in the coming school year (one or two designs at a time will be debuted in fall, winter, and spring): Ilyas Bouvier, 5th grade; Jonathan Braun, parent; Bradley Jocelyn, 3rd grade, and Chen Li, parent; Gemma Salazar, 6th grade; and India Stevenson, 5th grade, and Scout Stevenson, 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
 
PHYSICAL EDUCATION

K-2: Students have been working cooperatively on various activities using a large parachute. The students really enjoy using the parachute, especially when they get to go underneath. We even incorporated some math into this unit! We have also been playing games that serve as a review for the locomotor movements we've been working on throughout the year.

3-6: Students have been developing their tennis skills. The younger grades worked on developing racquet control, while the older students worked on developing their forehand stroke and controlling their racquets.

7-8: Students presented their group dances to their classmates. All the students really enjoyed watching each other perform. It was really cool to see the students leave their traditional comfort zones and really perform well for each other. There were some great performances!

 
Visit the Physical Education page on the school website:
http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/physical-education.html  
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COMMUNITY CORNER >COMMUNITYCORNER   
 

SUMMERTIME SAFETY FOR TEENS

Research shows that youth with unsupervised hours are three times more likely to engage in risky behavior, e.g. experimentation with tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and sexual activity. Brookline High School Peer Educators and B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) have suggestions for keeping teens safe during the summer, from job/volunteer ideas to lists of healthy activities. Visit www.B-PEN.org for our Summertime Tips sheet or click on this link:

http://www.b-pen.org/uploads/2/9/2/9/2929884/summertime_tips.doc

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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 at http://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 chorus member 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 seeking 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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PIERCE PARENT PING-PONG

Want to get together for ping-pong games during the summer? Maybe have a tournament? Let me know! I have a half-size, portable table I could bring to one of our neighborhood parks, or maybe you have a full-size table in your basement, and you'd be willing to host? The only objective is to have friendly competition and fun with other Pierce parents. Please contact me, Ann Abrams, parent of a 6th grader, at ohevetshokolad@rcn.com.

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CLASSIFIEDS >CLASSIFIEDS     

WHEELTHROWING & HANDBUILDING IN CLAY FOR KIDS AGES 8-12

July 11th - August 29th 

8 Thursdays, 4-6pm

Feet of Clay in Brookline Village

www.feetofclaypottery.com

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BASKETBALL CAMP!

Mass Commanders Basketball Camp will take place at the Solomon Schechter Day School, Newton, 9am-2pm, Monday-Friday: July 8-12; 15-19; 22-26; and July 29-Aug 2. Cost: $60 per camper per day. Multiple-child discounts are available. For more info, please contact Rudy Crichlow, Jr. at 617-406-8304, or visit www.masscommanders.com.  
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HEBREW IMMERSION PROGRAM

After-school care / Hebrew immersion program in Brookline, Monday-Friday 2:20-6pm. Currently enrolling kindergarten and first grade for September 2013. For more info, contact Pierce parent hbsharon@hotmail.com or lila@sulambrookline.org, or visit website www.sulambrookline.org.

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