Wed. Nov 10: K-6 Early Dismissal at 12:40pm for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thu. Nov 11: NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day

Fri. Nov 12: November PTO Coffee - after drop off

Check out the full 2021-22 Calendar

Café con el PTO: ¡Conversaciones y conexiones en español!

Viernes, 12 de noviembre, 8:05 AM

Lugar: El césped cerca de la puerta central de la escuela (al lado del edificio Early Risers)

¿Habla español o le gusta escuchar, practicar o aprender la lengua? Este mes, en la reunión del PTO (Organización de Padres y Profesores) se hablará principalmente español y será una oportunidad para conectar con otras personas que hablen o les guste el español y además quieran conocer más sobre el PTO y Pierce. Mr. Hintz, uno de los consejeros académicos de Pierce que habla español, asistirá un rato a la reunión, y Ms. Yadoff,  Directora Interina de Pierce, se pasará a saludar. ¡Animense a venir a hablar con viejos y nuevos amigos!  ¿No habla español? ¡Sin problema! Personas con diferentes niveles de español son bienvenidas, y podemos ayudar a traducir al inglés cualquier cosa si es necesario. Se servirá café y té. ¿Tiene preguntas? Mande un email a pierce.pto@gmail.com.

November PTO Coffee: Spanish Conversation and Connections!

Friday, November 12, 8:05 AM

Location: Lawn near the main door of the school (next to Early Risers)

Do you speak Spanish or like to hear Spanish and practice or learn the language? This month's PTO coffee will mainly be conducted in Spanish and will be a chance to connect with other people who speak or enjoy the language and also want to learn about the PTO and Pierce. Mr. Hintz, one of the Pierce guidance counselors who speaks Spanish, will come for part of the meeting, and Ms. Yadoff, our Interim Principal, will come by to say hello. Come meet old and new friends! Don't speak Spanish? No problem! All language abilities are welcome, and we can help with translation to English when needed. Coffee and tea will be served. Questions? Email pierce.pto@gmail.com.

Needed: Arts Council Coordinator 

The Arts Council Coordinator helps to make the magic of school assemblies happen for our children! The previous coordinator can tell you all you need to know about past performers that can be booked again, resources to find potential new performers, and the easy steps for communicating with the school/PTO and booking the performances. This role does not require previous experience or connections. This coordinator position can be done completely remotely if desired, and attendance at the assemblies is optional. This job could also be split between two volunteers so feel free to volunteer with a friend! Requires approximately 4 hours per month. This is a great way for someone who loves the arts to contribute at Pierce! Contact Pierce.pto@gmail.com if interested.

Learn more about and volunteer with the PTO!

Would you like to learn more about what the PTO does and how you can get involved? You can learn about our general activities and also sign up to help with upcoming events and opportunities here: Pierce Volunteer and Interest Form. Current volunteer opportunities include helping with the Arts Council, October Tours Social, Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Winter Gear Drive, and Food Drive.

Go Green this Halloween! The Pierce Environmental Club, led by its middle school students, will collect candy wrappers to be sent for recycling. 

- How can you help? Save all your Halloween candy wrappers in a bag or container and bring them to school by November 5th. If you have multiple Pierce kids, they might each want their own container, because there will be a weigh-in to see which class brings in the most wrappers! 

- Want to learn more? Click here: https://www.rubicon.com/trick-or-trash/how-it-works/

Do you have either of these book titles at home and are willing to lend (or give) them to Pierce for a book study? 

- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

- Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammad

- Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong

If you’re willing to loan the book, please write your name inside the front cover and we will get it back to you in January. If you’re willing to donate a copy, please write “Donated by (your name)” inside the front cover, and we promise to ensure it is read by many here at Pierce and beyond! 

Please drop off your loan/donation to the main office by November 22, 2021. Contact jamie_yadoff@psbma.org with any questions.

The Math Problem of the Week (POW): Pumpkins Full of Coins

Due October 21, 2021

You can view past POWs and solutions here. 

Contact tara_washburn@psbma.org with questions.

Here is the updated FAQ on COVID-19 protocols

Click here to sign up for Test & Stay so that your child can be tested in school.

The next COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for those eligible is on Tuesday November 9th, from 4-8 pm at Lincoln School. You can sign up for an appointment here.

Anisa Sharma, reporter for The Sagamore, Brookline High's independent student-run newspaper is working on an article about the transition to in-person learning this fall from parents' perspective and would love to conduct interviews with parents at Pierce. Please fill out this form if you are interested in participating.

In an alternate universe very close to our own, the Offstage Left Theatre Company is attempting to perform Shakespeare’s MACBETH. But the newly formed A.R.M. (the Artistic Regulation Ministry) is alerted to this production which focuses on the danger of a tyrannical king coming to power. Who will prevail? Come see this Drama Society production to find out!

Suitable for adults and students in grade 8 and above. 

Masks required.

• Wednesday November 3 @ 3:30 pm
• Thursday November 4 @ 7:30pm
• Friday November 5 @ 7:30pm (followed by a Talk Back with the Cast)
• Saturday November 6 @ 7:30 pm

Tickets: Adults: $10, Students: $5, 8th Graders and BHS Staff: Free

Purchase tickets/more info: www.brooklinefopa.org

Tell us how we’re doing! If you haven’t already done so, be sure to complete the Entry Plan Survey for each student in your family. This survey is a part of the entry planning process for the new Superintendent and is designed to help learn about the expectations, hopes, dreams, and concerns of the PSB community. You can access the links to the survey here.

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations is looking for input from Brookline residents. Please consider completing this survey to ensure that our Working Group has aligned and captured the needs and perceptions of the community in our Disparity Report and Recommendations. The survey is currently available in English, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, and Cantonese and responses are anonymous. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing several opportunities, both in person and remotely, to participate in community forums and provide feedback. Please email Caitlin Starr, Associate Director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations, if you would like more information about this initiative or call 617.730.2345.

B-PEN continues to hear that Brookline families are concerned about mental health these days, especially regarding our youth. In fact, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) have come together to declare a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health, acknowledging the urgency of widespread challenges facing children and adolescents. While direct services are often limited, information and resources ARE readily available. Check out our mental health care list and  Mental Health Care in Adolescents on the B-PEN webpage.

If you would like to submit something to The Bridge, fill out this form. If you have questions for the PTO, email pierce.pto@gmail.com.