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09.18.2013

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
 

FITFEST IS THE BEST!  

Congratulations to our FitFest parent organizers and volunteers! We had a great day with beautiful weather on Sunday, with our annual FitFest kicking off another school year. This event is so well planned and organized that I have described it as a well-oiled machine that allows me to show up and bask in the glory of another great Pierce tradition.  

 

Huge thank you to the following parent organizers: Pam DiPiro, Stewart Silvestri, Brendan Downey, Graeme Grant, Meredith Saillant, Stacey Irwin Downey, and Rebecca Tolkoff. Also, thanks to our sponsors: KokoFit Club, Henry Bear's Park, Catchlight Painting, and DJ JK for supporting our event this year.

 

Special appearance this year from our school mascot, the Pierce Penguin, added to the specialness of the day.

 

Thanks to the hundreds of families who showed up and participated!  

 

Dr. Pipier Smith-Mumford

Principal

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PTO CORNER >PTO
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org   

  

HARVESTFEST PLANNING MEETING

Tues., 9/24, 8am @ Cafeteria

Come to the planning meeting for this year's fabulous Pierce Harvestfest! This event is a perfect opportunity to provide short-term volunteer help with food, beverages, decorations, and ticket sales. If you'd like to volunteer but are unable to attend this meeting, please contact pierce.pto@gmail.com. Harvestfest is an adults-only event, and will be held on Friday evening, 10/18. Mark your calendar!

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OPEN HOUSES

K-6 Open House, Wed. 9/25; 7-8th Grade Open House, Thurs. 9/26

Parents, please speak with your child's teacher regarding Open House times. These important events provide opportunities for parents to speak with teachers, and for parents and students to spend time together in the classrooms. Please plan to attend. 

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THANK YOU TO FITFEST VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS & LEADERS!

A special thank you to the FitFest organizers and the brave souls who faced the Dunk Tank. With nearly 500 participants, the day was a homerun!

FitFest Dunk Tank-ees: Ms. Daly, Ms. London, Ms. Muldoon, Mr. Conlon, Mr. Badger, Mr. Smith, Ms. Newell, Ms. Balzano, Ms. Woogmaster, and Ms. Yadoff.

And a big thanks to all the event leaders. Please continue to support them!

Event Leaders: Energy Fitness, Benefitness, BoaBom, Brookline Golf, Brookline Youth Lacrosse, Brookline Flag Football, Brookline Youth Hockey, Brookline Knights Baseball, and BHS Field Hockey.

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PIERCE SCHOOL DIRECTORY - PLEASE ADD/UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION 

Go to: http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/. Click 'Family Directory.' Click again to open, or select the Instructions. 

RETURNING students/families: Enter your email to log-on. At the next screen, enter your password (or select 'Forgot password?'). Once logged in, please review, update, & edit your information. 

NEW students/families: Navigate to the directory from the PTO website, then enter your email and follow the prompts. The registration code for first time users is 'coolidge.' IMPORTANT: enter this registration code when prompted before your temporary password.  

Contact PierceFamilyDirectory@gmail.com with questions.  

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REMEMBER TO SHOP WITH THE PIERCE/AMAZON LINK 

When you think about online shopping, start with Pierce! Click on the orange Amazon box on the school 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.  

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SCHOOL CORNER>SCHOOL
Stay connected! Visit pierceschoolbrookline.org 
  
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - REGISTRATION CLOSES 9/20
Please get ready for this year's wonderful 7th/8th-Grade production of Fiddler on the Roof!

 

Dates to Remember:

Thurs., 9/19 & Fri. 9/20: Register at https://pierceplay.wufoo.com/forms/fiddler-on-the-roof/

Thurs. 9/19 & Fri. 9/20: Audition sign up (in the cafeteria)

Mon. 9/23: Auditions (after school)

Mon. 9/30: Parts announced and first group rehearsal (after school)

Thurs. 12/12 - Sat. 12/14: Performance dates

 

Important Notes:

*No rehearsals on Thursdays.

*Those not registered prior to auditions will be unable to audition.

*This is a parent-run production, and its success relies on parent volunteers. Numerous and varied volunteer positions, large and small, need to be filled on- and off-site. Please contact nicolelapidus@gmail.com to help.

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A NOTE ABOUT ROOM PARENTS 

Not all classrooms have room parents yet, so we encourage parents to consider taking on this role. It's a great way to help your classroom teacher over the course of the school year, and it doesn't require a big time commitment. To find out what a room parent does, see:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jikMuVYXfRbRV5tkhSARqQ9HqOZ7CzrbkgTLE0kQKDU/edit?usp=sharing. If you are a room parent, please send your contact information to hillaryjanowski@gmail.com.

We encourage all room parents to organize a beginning-of-year meet-up for families and students in their class (or grade, for the upper grades). This can be a casual, weekend gathering at a local park, but it offers an opportunity for people to get to know each other, especially new families. We have a small budget available if people would like to reserve park picnic areas, so please let us know at pierce.pto@gmail.com.

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SPECIALISTS' CORNER >SPECIALIST
 
MUSIC

Ms. Sheridan & Ms. Manion

K, 1, & 2 students have been working together singing songs focused on learning about pitch (high and low) and exploring vocal range. Students have been playing rhythm games, reading, and chanting patterns. They're developing greater understanding of the difference between steady beat and rhythmic patterning, and internalizing the beat in their minds and bodies.

Questions to ask your K, 1, and 2 students at home:

- What does it mean to use your thinking voice while singing a song?

- What are the different ways of using your voice?

- What is the difference between a steady beat and a rhythmic pattern?

 

Grade 3 are singing songs together that focus on story-telling, steady beat, and singing rounds. We are reading rhythmic patterns with Takadimi solfege, and preparing to start the recorder in October. (Students should bring a music binder and pencil to each music class.)

Questions to ask your Grade 3 students at home:

- What is a musical phrase?

- What is a round? 

 

Grade 4 are singing songs from New England and learning several ballads. We will play rhythm games, learn folk dances, and practice playing instruments as a group.

Questions to ask your Grade 4 students at home:

- What is a ballad?

- What is a reel?

 

Grade 5 will explore what it means to compose. Students will create a piece of music as a class that tells a story or sets a mood. Students will create original themes that depict characters or events and practice conducting the finished piece.

Questions to ask your Grade 5 students at home:

- How are composing and conducting different?

- What are some famous themes you know?

- Why do composers use themes?

 

Visit the Music page on the school website: http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/music.html
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PROBLEM OF THE WEEK >POW
 
POW #1: HEADS AND LEGS
Due Tues., 9/24

The City Zoo is holding a special exhibit on spiders and snakes. A visitor decides to count all the legs and all the heads of the many strange animals on exhibit. She counts 24 heads and 64 legs. How many spiders and how many snakes are there in the exhibit? Show your work using pictures, numbers, or symbols. Visit the POW page on the school website: http://www.pierceschoolbrookline.org/problem-of-the-week.html. Contact the math specialists with questions: tara_washburn@brookline.k12.ma.us or rebecca_freedman@brookline.k12.ma.us.  

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COMMUNITY CORNER >COMMUNITYCORNER   

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW

Thurs., 9/19, 6pm @ James F. Walsh Committee Room, 5th Floor, Town Hall

Please see the full meeting docket here. Please note: School Committee proposed vote on recommendations by the School Capital Improvements Subcommittee to the School Committee regarding Space Decisions scheduled for 7:25pm. Please contact Robin Coyne with questions at 617-730-2430 or robin_coyne@brookline.k12.ma.us
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BROOKLINE DAY

Sun., 9/22, 11am-3pm @ Larz Anderson Park

9am: Kids' 1K Mini Race; 9:30am: 5K Road Race 

Come spend an exciting day with your community! Brookline Day will include activities for all including inflatables, face painting, balloon artists, touch-a-truck, rock climbing, food trucks, live local bands, a pie eating contest, trivia, and games! New this year is the first-ever Brookline Day 5K Road Race! The 5K is certified by the USA Track and Field and will offer chip timing and traffic control by the Brookline Police Department. Come early for the Kids' 1K Mini Race at 9am. For more information and to register for the road race, visit https://www.brooklinema.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1403&Itemid=1640

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ARTBARN FOR STUDENTS PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

Winter registration opens Mon. 9/23 at 8am

ArtBarn Community Theater seeks to support students working together in the performing arts and to foster creativity, self-esteem and social confidence. To learn more and to register online, visit www.artbarn.org. Contact info@artbarn.org or call 617-975-0050 with questions.

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PRIVATE GUNS, PUBLIC HEALTH

Mon. 9/23, 6:30pm @ Selectman's Hearing Rm, Town Hall, 333 Washington St.

Speakers: David Hemenway, Professor, Harvard School of Public Health & Sgt. Christopher Mallin, Brookline Police Dept. Sponsored by League of Women Voters, Brookline.

6:30 pm - Refreshments

7:00 pm - Program

For more information, e-mail sheila2873@aol.com.

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CUBSCOUTS

Wed. 9/25, 6:30pm @ Main Library (upstairs)

Are you and your kids interested in learning about Cubscouts (or camping, the outdoors and overnight trips)? We invite 1st - 5th grade boys and their families to join Pack 6 Brookline Cubscouts at this Recruitment and Orientation Meeting. Call Matt Amory at 917-771-4157. Visit www.pack6brookline.org and https://beascout.scouting.org/.

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KIDS' LAB: USING SCRATCH

Begins Thurs. 9/26, 5-6:30pm @ Brookline High School

Jason Breitkopf, Instructor, Brookline Adult & Community Education. Create your own scenarios and characters using Scratch, a computer program developed at MIT that makes it easy to create interactive art, stories, simulations, and games. For students ages 9 to 14. Four Thursdays, $50. Call 617-730-2700 or visit www.brooklineadulted.org. 

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CELEBRATION HONORING VICKI MILSTEIN, BEEP PRINCIPAL

Sat., 9/28, 5pm @ Roberts/Dubbs Auditorium, Brookline High School 

The Brookline Education Foundation is pleased to present Vicki Milstein, Principal of the Brookline Early Education Programs (BEEP) with the 2013 Robert I. Sperber Award for Administrative Leadership. Reception to follow award ceremony. Please RSVP by Fri., 9/20 to bef@brookline.k12.ma.us. For sponsorship or other opportunities to honor Vicki Milstein, please go to  www.brooklineeducation.org or call 617-232-3846.

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SPORTS INJURY EXPERT TO SPEAK AT JCC

Sun., 10/6, 9am @ Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St., Newton Center

Dr. William Meehan, III, a national expert on sports injury prevention and director of The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, will discuss sports injuries and concussion prevention. Dr. Meehan is the author of Kids, Sports and Concussions: A Guide for Coaches and Parents. He is also team physician for the Northeastern University men's ice hockey team. The benefits of sports participation come with the risk of injuries. Prevention and training is where parents, coaches and schools can make a difference. The talk is free and open to all. For information, call 617-558-6459.
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BROOKLINE COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS SEEKING PROPOSALS

Proposal Deadline, Tues. 10/15

BCA is seeking applications from artists, individuals, organizations, and schools seeking funds to support arts and cultural activities beneficial to the Brookline community. For complete information and application, visit http://www.brooklinearts.org/. Applications and information about the Local Cultural Council Program are also available online at http://www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.aspx and at all Brookline libraries and Town Hall, Selectmen's office.

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MORE BA&CE CLASSES STARTING SOON

Exciting classes beginning in early October from Brookline Adult & Community Education:  

- Brookline Children's Community Theater for grades 3-8 with Daniel Lipton

- Makeup for Teens for ages 12+ with Luiz Filho

- Family Telescope Workshop for grades 3 and up with Clay Center Staff

- Family Robotics Workshop for grades 3 and up with Clay Center Staff

- Introduction to Amateur Radio (HAM Radio) for ages 12+ with Clay Center Staff

Don't miss out! For dates, locations, tuition information and registration, call 617-730-2700 or visit www.brooklineadulted.org.

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BROOKLINE ARTS CENTER FALL CLASSES 

The Brookline Arts Center is now registering for fall classes! New and exciting courses available for children, teens, and adults.Teatro for Kids! is a bilingual Spanish theater class for ages 4-5. The BAC also offers a Fantastic Art Explorations class, inspired by children's tales. Other classes include clay, comics, painting, pottery, and more. Register at www.brooklineartscenter.com.

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FREELANCE PLAYERS MUSICAL THEATER COMPANY - AGES 5-16

The Freelance Players musical theater company is enrolling for the fall season. The Freelance Troupe is for children ages 8-12 with little or no acting experience. The Troupe produces one original musical each season and meets on Fridays at Driscoll, 3:15-5:30pm. The Freelance Players (ages 12-16) mounts large-scale original musicals. The Players meet on Wednesdays at Driscoll, 4-6:30pm. Story Theater (ages 5-8) meets on Tuesdays or Thursdays at Park School for 8-week sessions. There are also Troupes on Mondays (Dover and Newton), Tuesdays (Cambridge and JP) and Fridays in Needham. For more information or to schedule a meeting call Kippy Dewey at 617-232-1175, or see www.freelanceplayers.org. 
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LEARN TO PLAY TRADITIONAL BLUEGRASS & CELTIC MUSIC WITH YOUR FAMILY 

Join our group of Brookline families as we learn and play traditional bluegrass and Celtic music in a fun and friendly "jam session." Each class features a song that we learn by ear and play as an ensemble. Featured instruments include violins, cellos, guitars, banjos, and mandolins. For more information, contact Rob Guillemin (rob.guillemin@gmail.com) or visit our website at

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CLASSIFIEDS >CLASSIFIEDS     
Want to see your ad here? Send an email to piercebridge@gmail.com.

CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite ENRICHMENT CLASSES  

Newton Grand Opening! Give your child an academic edge this fall with CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite's advanced reading and writing enrichment classes. Email or call for a free assessment of your child's critical reading, writing, and thinking levels to learn how our rigorous and engaging curriculum will provide your child with tools for scholastic excellence. Inquire about our discount for first-time students. info@BostonReadWrite.com or 617-960-8877. www.BostonReadWrite.com

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PIANO LESSONS: GLORIA JASINSKI   

Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory. 30+ years teaching experience. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Phone: 617-566-9704, email: piano566@comcast.net 
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PIANO LESSONS - BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE LEVELS 
Classical and Jazz. Contact Jacob Friedman at jacobmfriedman@gmail.com or 917-915-7682. 
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