5.9.2012
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WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW _____________________________________________________ |
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PRINCIPAL'S CORNER >
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Teaching and learning is a very complicated dance. What it means to be a skilled and effective teacher is often difficult to define in simple terms. Brookline principals had this confirmed at a conference just last week.
With the support of the Brookline Education Foundation, I attended a statewide principals' conference with the other K-8 principals. The conference
included a half-day session led by Robert Marzano, a nationally known education researcher and author. His work has focused on instruction, including a recent book The Art and Science of Teaching.
What I appreciate most about his work is that it recognizes the complexity of teaching.
He identifies 60 elements of teaching. Some of these feature routines such as learning goals, rules and procedures. Other elements relate to specific ways that content is taught, which varies depending on whether material is being introduced,
practiced, deepened, or applied. These elements comprise the "science" of
teaching.
The segment of his remarks that spoke to me, however, was what Marzano
refers to as teaching "enacted on the spot." In other words, how a teacher
responds to students and situations in the moment. This is the art of
teaching. It is this art that is so very important to how teachers
build an effective community of learners. The science is critical to
the content. The climate and context of the community of teaching and
learning make that science accessible to all.
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. I would like to take this
occasion to express my deep appreciation for the hard work and tireless
efforts of the teachers at Pierce School.
Already adept at teaching, they are constantly striving to learn more about the science of teaching in order to develop their skills and enhance student learning. They also understand the intangibles, including a belief that all students can learn
and with great efforts connect with all students.
These intangibles contribute to the art of teaching. Taken together, the art and science of teaching are what make Pierce a vibrant learning community.
I invite you to take a few moments this week and express your appreciation
to your children's teachers and help your children to do the same. After
all, teaching and learning is a complicated dance. It's always great to
hear appreciation from our dance partners.
Thank you.
Pipier Smith-Mumford
Principal
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PTO CORNER >
PTO PARENTS POTLUCK BREAKFAST
Friday, 5/11, 8am @ Pierce Cafeteria
Come share breakfast with Pierce parents and see how you can use your unique set of skills, passion and/or resources. Involved parents raise involved kids! ________________________________________
PTO ANNUAL MEETING, Thursday May 17, 7pm All parents, guardians and teachers are invited to join us for the PTO's Annual Meeting. At the meeting the PTO membership will:
- approve changes to the PTO by-laws
- approve next year's slate of co-chairs and executive board
- discuss the PTO budget and next year's program plans. Our success will depend on sufficient parent and teacher leadership!
We are still actively recruiting co-chair and other volunteer positions. Remember: get involved, stay connected and have fun. It's what we do! ________________________________________
ATTENTION!! CURBSIDE VALET BOOK DROP!
THIS Friday May 11th from 7:45 - 8:15am at the Pierce School Loop.
Drop off your books or come help carry them for others.
Volunteer to be a valet?
Contact Carin Aquiline caquiline@mindspring.com
The 3rd Annual USED Book Fair will take place May 29th-31st, 2012.
SPRING CLEANING? Remember the Fair! Collection bins near the office in the
Main Building and in the Historic Building.
VOLUNTEER to work at the Fair by clicking here.
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The Saker Family Fund and Pierce PTO Present:
Award-winning author and illustrator Bryan Collier
Thursday, May 24, @ Pierce School
Some of his most well-known titles include Uptown, Martin's Big Words, Dave
the Potter, Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, and Rosa. He will be
speaking with students in grades 2-7.
To purchase Bryan Collier's signed book(s) please fill out a form by Tuesday, 5/15
and return to you child's classroom teacher. Click here for book description. The
signed purchased books will be distributed after his visit.
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SHOP AMAZON.COM FOR PIERCE! Looking for an easy way to help support the Pierce PTO? Shop Amazon! Go to pierceschoolbrookline.org and hit the link to Amazon. Pierce PTO will receive between 6-8% of your total order.
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Mark your calendar for the Annual Pierce School Picnic
Wednesday, June 6 (rain date June 7) 5:30pm @ Pierce Park
Bring your own food or purchase food there. Sixth grade parents, this is your opportunity to get involved. To volunteer contact Nora O'Farrell at noraofarrell3@gmail.com or Adele Munger Mathieu at madelemm@gmail.com
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SCHOOL CORNER >
UPDATE: Principal's Forum on Technology
Parents learned about how Pierce students use digital technology to learn across all grades at the April Principal's Forum. The parents and teachers who attended shared ideas about how Pierce can move forward with digital technology by ensuring a robust wireless environment and giving teachers the opportunity to share technology-based work with their colleagues.
Next year's School Improvement Plan will include a goal related to the continued improvement of instructional technology at Pierce. Parents who missed the forum may view the same exhibit of student work at next fall's open house.
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PIERCE SCHOOL ARTS NIGHT
Tuesday, May 22, 6-8 pm @ Pierce auditorium and cafeteria
Performances by the 5th grade chorus, the 6th grade chorus and our new 7/8th grade chorus.
K-8 art exhibit is on the same evening. Between performances, you can explore our "pop-up gallery."
________________________________________ Pierce's Family Math Game Afternoon for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade families Thursday, May 24th, 4:00-5:30 pm @ Pierce Auditorium
It'll be an afternoon of fun with plenty of math games for all. Drop by and play a game with your parent, friend or favorite teacher. And you'll go home with your own math game to keep!
Questions? Or interested in volunteering? Contact Tara Washburn at: tara_washburn@brookline.k12.ma.us _________________________________________ |
KUDOS TO KIDS >
Kudos To Kids is a new Bridge feature that will highlight all the cool things Pierce kids do. Teachers, parents and community members please send us your news at piercepto@gmail.com!
Congratulations to all the 7th/8th graders who completed the Walk for
Hunger this past weekend under the leadership of Jamie Lyons! Pierce raised almost $28,000 this year and over $116,000 over the last six years!
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MATH CORNER > 
PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #17 Palindrome Numbers
Due date: 05/24/12
A palindrome number is a number that is the same when read from left to right, and from right to left. For example, 2002 is a palindrome number. So is 3!
How many 3-digit palindrome numbers are there?
List all the 3-digit palindrome numbers.
Be sure to show your work using pictures, numbers or words.
Don't forget to include your full name and class.
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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK #16 - Animal Store
pierceschoolbrookline.org/problem-of-the-week
Due date 05/10/12 by 8am!
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MATH LEAGUE CORNER > 
Morning Math League practice has ended for this year.
It will
begin again next Fall.
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COMMUNITY CORNER >
Brookline High School 21st Century Fund presents a free forum: Happiness
Thursday, 5/10, 7pm @ Wheelock College, Ladd Room, 43 Hawes St, Brookline
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The Little Prince Opera
Thursday - Saturday, 5/10-12, 7 pm
Ellsworth Theater Pine Manor College, 400 Heath St., Chestnut Hill
Please come and show support for a number of Pierce students who will be performing in with the PALS choir. _______________________________________________________
Centennial celebration of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the US! Saturday, May 12th from 1-3 pm at the BHS.
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BELIEVE IN BROOKLINE KIDS 2012
Saturday, 5/19, 1- 4pm @ Fenway Park; All proceeds benefit the Brookline Center Kids' Fund at Brookline Mental Health Center. Info: believeinbrooklinekids.org
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Art Barn Community Theatre
Barncats Ensemble (5 & 6 grades) presents: ANNIE
Saturday, 5/19, 7.00pm and Sunday, 5/20, 4.30pm
The Maliotis Cultural Center @ Hellenic College, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline
Tickets: $10 at the door; Info: www.artbarn.org
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Write Under the Willows
Saturday, 5/19, 1:30pm at Griggs Park (rain date is Sunday, 5/20)
Brookline's inaugural poet laureate Judith Steinbergh invites all Brookline residents and families to join her for an hour of writing and drawing. Free and open to public. For more info contact Ms. Steinbergh brooklinepoetlaureate@gmail.com or by calling 617-734-1416. RSVP or just stop by! Further info: brooklinearts.org
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Driscoll School 29th Annual Spring Fair
Wednesday, 5/30, 4-8pm (rain date next day). Tickets at the door.
Carnival for all ages with rides, games, food, music, dancing, and more.
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CLASSIFIEDS > 
IN-HOME PRESCHOOL (Brookline Village) Pierce parent and certified early childhood teacher opened local preschool in home in the fall of 2011 for children 2.9 years and up. A few spots are open for school year 2012-2013. Please contact Kimberly directly at (617) 955-6653 or visit website for details myhaikuclass.com/kmurphy/brooklinepre-kare/cms_page/view ____________________________________
Spring into Reading at Reading is Amazing! a Brookline Village reading tutoring service supporting students from Kindergarten through fifth grade. Services offered:
. Individualized remedial reading support for emerging readers and reading
enrichment for more advanced readers
. Diagnostic reading assessments and report writing which includes
recommendations for reading support
. Personal book shopping for your child
In addition to the tutoring service, I am a Reading Interventionist
Specialist at the Dever Elementary School in Boston, MA. I also volunteer in
Aime Buchman's first grade during literacy time.
My experience as a Literacy Educator includes 24 years working with MA
public schools. I have worked as a Reading/Literacy Specialist, Reading/
Literacy Coach and Reading Recovery Teacher.
Credentials: Master's Degree in Education from Lesley University with a
specialization in Reading. Certifications: Reading and Reading Recovery
Please contact: Harriet Yoffee Phone: 617 734 6718 _________________________________________
Art with Amy: Spring and Summer Fun! A program for children who love to make art! Space available in after school classes as well as summer weeks. All classes a short walk from the Pierce. Pick up after school available. Paint! Draw! Build! For full listing email _________________________________________
HOUSE SWAP LATE JULY/EARLY AUGUST LONDON-BOSTON
We would like to exchange our four-bedroom house in northeast London for a home(s) in Massachusetts for two weeks this summer, from approximately July 21 to August 5.
Our comfortable family home is located in Stoke Newington, a village in an increasingly hip area of London, with lots of nice shops, cafes, and parks, about 20 minutes door-to-door from the Olympics site.
We have a young cat and would like to find someone who'd be happy to feed her once a day.
We need to be in Boston for a wedding from July 25th-28th, and our fantasy is to find someone with a home in Boston and a home by the sea, so that we could do one simple swap with our home and their home(s)!
Possible arrangements might be: two weeks in our house in London in exchange for one week in Boston and one week at the beach (long-shot, we realize!); two weeks in London for two weeks by the beach; one week in London for one week in Boston (and we work out the second week separately).
If you're interested, please contact Elizabeth Ferry eferry66@gmail.com for more information. _________________________________________
STAGE SOUP ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2012 SUMMER CAMPS!
Announcing a fun and exciting theater camp right in the neighborhood: Stage Soup!
Led by Pierce parent (and director of several Pierce plays) Ryan Bailey, this camp is a great place for your child to have fun, be creative, and develop theater skills this summer! Students will play drama games, study acting, play outside every day, and put on a show on the final day of camp.
The location is Inner Space Annex on Station Street in Brookline Village. Stage Soup camp is a ton of fun. Kids will have fun, make new friends, develop confidence and express themselves. Dates are August 6-17 for ages 12-18 and August 20-31 for ages 7-12. For more info or to register, please email: Ryan@Stagesoup.com or call 781-654-5218. ________________________________________
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, caring teacher. Gloria Jasinski, phone: 617.566.9704, email: piano566@comcast.net
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BABYSITTER/SUMMER NANNY: Looking for full-time summer babysitting job. Brookline High School Senior with lots of experience. Three younger siblings at Driscoll. Completed Red Cross Babysitting Course as well as First Aid and CPR training. Has a driver's license and car. References available. Feel free to contact Hannah at hcbreck@gmail.com ______________________________________________
Looking for an experienced, responsible and fun babysitter this summer? I am a graduating senior from Brookline High School, as well as a Pierce graduate. I have years of experience babysitting for several families and an extremely flexible schedule. References available. Competitive rates. Please email Jessica at jkaklins@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you! ________________________________________
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Contact Information
phone: (617) 730-2580 |
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