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10.31.2012

TheBridge

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW

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PTO CORNER >PTOCORNER

THANKS FOR SUCCESSFUL FOOD ON WHEELS!  

Thank you to all the Pierce families who donated food and other goods to the Brookline Food Pantry through the Food on Wheels program, and especially those families who braved the bad weather Sunday to help us deliver all the food to the Pantry. We collected more than 50 full bags of groceries from Pierce!

 

The staff at the Brookline Food Pantry were very pleased by our donations and those from other Brookline K-8 schools. The staff wanted us to relay thanks and for everyone to know that the need continues to grow. They told us that they added approximately 20 new families from Brookline schools over the summer. Please continue to support the Food Pantry throughout the year.
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE: BUS RIDER SAFETY  

As a reminder, play date friends cannot ride the bus and students cannot change their school stops for a play date. This must be strictly enforced, with rare exceptions that would require an advanced organized effort from all parties such as an ill parent, parents out of town for an extended period of time, etc.

 

We want all children to be safe, and all parents to be aware of the comings and goings of their children and possible invited play date friends. These afternoon activities cannot involve school transportation and must be arranged independently.

 

Safety is paramount for our children. The monitors and others cannot manage additional students or assigned student riders beyond their dedicated stops.

 

The Brookline School Department of Transportation appreciates your support and understanding. 

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SIP, SHOP, AND SUPPORT PIERCE PTO 
Friday, 11/9, 6-8pm @ ReDress Boston, 395 Washington St. 
ReDress Boston will host an event with special deals, a door prize, and the opportunity to enjoy a drink and shop with your fellow Pierce supporters. Donate your consignment-worthy clothes starting on 10/23, up until and at the event, and ReDress Boston will donate half the sales proceeds to the Pierce PTO. For more information, please contact Kha Dickerman at khadickerman@gmail.com.
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VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS

If you have a little time and some interest in volunteering with the PTO, use this link to a PTO sign up sheet. Thanks!

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ELECTRONIC DIRECTORY UPDATE

We have 520+ students registered in the Family Directory! That's over 2/3 of the entire Pierce School. Congratulations to 1D for being the first complete class! To thank them, 1D will receive a $25 Brookline Booksmith gift certificate. There's one more gift certificate available! Which class will be the second to complete? Our leaders are 2K (1 left to go), 2LO (3 left), and 4 each for 1H, 3B, 5VW, 6F, & 6S. Did you know that by clicking on Download in the directory you can get a PDF of the information for your child's class. Please help us get to 100%. If you have any problems, please email Jennifer Hunt (jhuntmail@gmail.com). Thanks for your help. Detailed registration instructions are available here

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FAMILIES OF 6th, 7th, & 8th GRADERS:

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday, 11/8, 7pm @ Pierce Library

Please join us for a presentation from Dr. Leah Somerville, Harvard researcher on adolescence and brain development (see below).

 

Adolescent Brain: Under Construction

During adolescence, dramatic changes take place not only in the body, but also in the brain. Cutting-edge scientific research is just beginning to illuminate how brain development relates to common changes in the way adolescents think, act, and feel. This presentation by Harvard University researcher Dr. Leah Somerville will showcase exciting new advances in our understanding of adolescent brain development and its relationship with adolescent emotions and decision-making. We will also discuss ways this research can enhance  adolescents' everyday lives and well-being.    
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SCHOOL CORNER >SCHOOLCORNER
 
 
MATH LEAGUE SEEKS PARENT COACHES  
Parent volunteers needed to coach once/week either before school (Mon - Fri 7:20-7:55 am) or after school (Wednesday 2:30-3:10 pm). The regular Math League practice sessions will begin the week of December 3rd and continue until March 8th. For detailed information on this year's Math League, including pre-season beginning 11/7, please click here. Questions? Please contact Tara Washburn at tara_washburn@brookline.k12.ma.us or Ira Heffan at heffan@yahoo.com

  

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CONCERTO COMPETITION

Please read this flyer from John Ferguson, our orchestra teacher, regarding an upcoming concerto competition. 

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7TH & 8TH GRADE CHORUS PERFORMANCES 
Please read the attached document with information regarding your child's chorus performances this year.  Mark the dates on your calendar!  If you are interested in helping with supervision at any of these events, I would welcome any volunteers. Please let me know if you have any questions. 
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AFTER-SCHOOL MATH TUTORING PROGRAM
Enrollment forms available at the office
Over 50 math tutors from Brookline High School are available to tutor our students in grades 3-6, on Wednesday afternoons from 4-5pm. Contact Jeanne Wilson with questions.
 
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MOCK PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, Monday, 11/5

Pierce School will hold a Mock Presidential Election on Monday, 11/5. We hope to raise awareness of the democratic process, underscore the importance of voting, and highlight some of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. Results will be announced at the end of the day and later in The Bridge. In preparation for the national event, many teachers are discussing the election in the classroom.
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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK >POW

POW #5: EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE

Please click here for POW #5 - Equilateral Triangle. Answers are due Wednesday, 11/14 at 8am.  

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SPECIALISTS' CORNER >SPECIALISTCORNER  

 

SPANISH 

 

�Hola!

In Spanish K-3 we have been reviewing greetings, days, months, seasons, shapes, colors and describing oneself and others. Coming up are body parts and food. Examples of new vocabulary: turquesa, azul marino, marr�n, negro, blanco, dorado, plateado; yo tengo, yo soy, me gusta; inteligente, estudiante, guapo/a, bonito/a, perro, gato, hermano/a, chocolate, manzana, limonada.

 

In grades four and five there is a different student each week who leads the lesson with clapping, singing and Q&A with the class, all in Spanish. Next week we will start the cultural focus of the year, the "Cono Sur" region of South America: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile.

 

Sixth graders this year are starting a new curriculum that bridges them between elementary and middle school Spanish. Although they will now be graded, the emphasis remains on oral expression and most assessments will be project-based. Coming up: describing classes and schedule, telling time, Day of the Dead, and Mexico.

 

�Gracias!

Se�ora Pieper and Profe B.

 

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COMMUNITY CORNER >COMMUNITYCORNER 
For complete community news please click: pierceschoolbrookline.org/news  

  

B-PEN SPONSORS FREE FACILITATION WORKSHOP FOR BROOKLINE PARENTS

Tuesday, 11/13, 7pm-8:30pm @ Brookline High, 115 Greenough St, Martin Luther King Room

Led by Laurie Jo Wallace, Director of Training and Capacity Building at Health Resources. Would you like to start a Parent Network group but worry about running a meeting? Are you a parent leader looking for tips to keep meetings focused and under control? Please click here for information on B-PEN's (Brookline Parent Education Network) free facilitation workshop and Parentproof Blog. Contact Karen Campbell at karencampbell4@rcn.com with questions. 

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TEDxBeaconStreet - FREE TALKS & PERFORMANCES!

Saturday, 11/17 and Sunday, 11/18 @ Lincoln School

Free series of talks and music performances spanning many sectors, passions, and topics, organized by Brookline families. Space is limited; apply online to attend.

Please visit www.tedxbeaconstreet.com or call John Werner 617-474-2400.

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BROOKLINE CUB SCOUTS - PACK 6 UPCOMING EVENTS

Events coming up in October and November. Click here for more information, or contact Matt Amory
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RAISING HAPPY & MORAL CHILDREN - A "LUNCH & LEARN" EVENT

Thursday, 11/8, 11:30am-1:30pm @ Boston Children's Museum

Dr. Rick Weissbourd, child and family psychologist on the faculty of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and School of Education, will speak on the topic of Raising Happy and Moral Children. Please register here.

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UPCOMING PERFORMANCES AT BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL
... including Shakespeare's As You Like It, Camerata Choir & BHS Orchestra, and Faculty/Staff Variety Show! Click here for more information.  
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BROOKLINE YOUTH LACROSSE - FREE FALL CLINICS 
Free clinics for new and returning players, Sundays in November at Downes Field.
For details, visit www.brooklineyouthlacrosse.org or contact Will Goldthwait or George Vien
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CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON
Tickets $10 - Now Available!
World-class performances presented by Celebrity Series of Boston, just $10 per ticket through the "Take Your Seat" program! Ticket quantities are limited, so place your order soon. More information and order form available at  pierceschoolbrookline.org, or contact Mara Littman.
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8TH ANNUAL DRESS FOR SUCCESS CLOTHING DRIVE

Friday, 11/2 & Saturday, 11/3

The Brookline Commission for Women will hold its 8th Annual Dress for Success Winter Coat & Clothing Drive on Friday, 11/2 (11am-7pm) and Saturday, 11/3 (8-11am) at the Brookline Public Safety Headquarters, Community Room, 350 Washington Street, Brookline. Questions? Please contact BCW@brooklinema.gov  

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LAST BROOKLINE WARRIORS BASKETBALL YOUTH SKILLS CLINIC
Wednesday, 11/7 @ Brookline High School, Schluntz Gym
Open to 9- to 14-year-olds. Times: 7-8:30pm.
Questions? Contact Dave Ford at dave_ford@brookline.k12.ma.us or visit
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CLASSIFIEDS >CLASSIFIEDS     


GIRLS' YOGA AT BENEFITNESS HEALTH CLUB  

Fridays 2:30-3:30pm @ Benefitness, 62 Harvard St. (next to Pierce)

Ages 9-11 (this is flexible give or take a year). $10 per class, minimum 5-consecutive-week commitment required. Taught by Laura Newbold, Yoga Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer. Open to all levels. Check or cash only. Checks should be made out directly to teacher (Laura Newbold). Any questions, please contact Laura at lauranewbold8@hotmail.com.  

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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 about our Academy please visit us at www.KoltunBalletAcademy.com or call 617-901-3792.

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READING, WRITING AND MATH TUTORING
I am a first grade teacher with a Master's degree in Elementary Education. I worked in Newton for three years and have extensive experience as a tutor. I have worked at Pierce and am familiar with the curriculum, teachers, and community. I will work with your child to improve his/her skills in reading, phonics, writing, or math. References available upon request. Please contact Olivia at ohewett@gmail.com
for more information.
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CHILDCARE AVAILABLE
Experience: volunteering at an orphanage in Cape Town, South Africa; volunteering at an orphanage in Lesotho, Southern Africa; au pair in Yorkshire, England, caring for four children under six years old. References and resume upon request. Dominique Sinagra, Dominiques12@aol.com
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PIANO INSTRUCTION
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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