Peirce Principal News
February 16, 2024
A Message from Ms. Vargas
Dear Peirce Families,
During the last two weeks, it has been a great pleasure to see your children joyfully slip back into the familiar routines of school and reconnect with teachers and friends. I have made it a priority to listen to the ideas, concerns, and experiences of both parents and teachers regarding the strike. Frankly, I have never seen more diverse perspectives among all stakeholders in a school community. In last week's staff meeting, we dedicated some time to acknowledge how parents may be feeling now, and we recognized that as a school this is a time of rebuilding trust across our community, even where differing views exist.
Regarding next week, we understand that some students may be absent from school, and absences on those four days are excused. During that time, teachers will continue to deliver instruction in alignment with our curricula, emphasizing practice and extensions related to the content as needed. Any students who are absent will have time and support to make up essential activities and instruction when they return. We encourage students who will be absent to continue to read daily. They can access math practice through ST Math. Taking pictures and journaling about experiences is a positive way to practice writing daily as well.
Sincerely,
Andrea Vargas
RESCHEDULED EVENT: Caregiver Coffee, Literacy Curriculum in K-2
This year Peirce has adopted the EL Literacy Curriculum in grades K-2. Join us to discuss the curriculum and other updates to literacy instruction. Presented by Brett Aronne, Literacy Specialist; Deana Lew, Elementary Literacy Coordinator; and Andrea Vargas, Principal. Coffee and snacks provided by the PTO.
Monday, Mar 4, 2024, 08:15 AM
Peirce Library
Celebrating Lunar New Year in Library
Mr. Mogan has been reading these books to welcome the year of the dragon with his classes!
Nian: The Chinese New Year Dragon by Virgina Loh-Hagan
A young Mei takes action when Nian, a dragon, threatens her village in this retelling of the legend and origins of Chinese New Year traditions. After receiving a magical gift, Mei will use it to save her
village from Nian.
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Ling Lee and Eric Lee
A Bilingual Book: Traditional Chinese - Pinyin- English
The Jade Emperor has invited all the animals of the kingdom for The Great Race. Which 12 animals will cross the river first and become a part of the Chinese Zodiac?
Community Block Update
Movie Night for K-3
Calling all Kindergarten to 3rd grade Peirce kids!!
Bring blankets, mats, pillows to make yourself comfortable on the gym floor.
Popcorn will be served! We encourage everyone to bring their own water bottles. We will have some water available if anyone forgets.
Please sign up using this FORM.
Due to space restrictions, only Peirce students in grades K-3rd can attend (please no siblings).
One parent/caregiver will need to attend and be in charge of your own child and/or a group - this is NOT a drop off event.
If you'd like to volunteer to help with the event, please reach out to Erica Chamberlain (erica.s.chamberlain@gmail.com)
Fourth and Fifth Grade Dance
Save the Date! Fourth and Fifth Grade Dance, Friday, March 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
Calling All Fourth and Fifth Graders! We are going where we’ve never gone before - the Dance Floor! This first of its kind event promises to be fun for all. More details to come, including chaperone sign-ups.
Celebrate Black History Month
From the PTO Newsletter on 2/6/24:
While February is the designated month to celebrate Black history and culture, FORJ (“Families Organizing for Racial Justice”) and many educators believe it is ideal to continuously include Black history and culture in the curriculum and in our family conversations throughout the year, as the history of African Americans in the United States is inseparable from American history and culture.
To learn more about this idea, check out the 1619 Project and/or the children’s book Born on the Water.
For more books and resources about Civil Rights and the current day Black Lives Matter movement, check out this resource list from the Peirce FORJ Story Time for Black Lives Matter at School Week or these kids’ videos about Black history.
Don’t forget to balance discussions of struggle and oppression with stories that center Black joy and star Black children experiencing everyday life. As the publishers at Lee and Low explain “Though it is vastly important for children to understand the history and complexity of oppression, racism, and discrimination, children, especially children of color, also deserve to see themselves thrive, to experience the joy of being a part of a loving community, and to not be stuck in a cycle of oppressive narratives that can shape how others view them.”
Also check out Boston Public Library’s “Black Is…” 2024 Black History Month book list, a list of 75 recent titles that “commemorate the achievements, complexities, struggles,and culture of the Black experience.” The library also provides a kid-specific list of Black History Month Storytime Books.
Resources for local Black History Month events that may be of interest:
Q&A with Superintendent and School Committee Chair
Superintendent Dr. Anna Nolin and School Committee Chair Chris Brezski will host an open forum for Newton community members on the following dates:
Thursday, February 22 at Newton South Auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 27 at Zervas Elementary School from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.
The forum is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about upcoming budget discussions, the new contract, new and existing supports for students, and more.
The meeting is in person, but can be watched via livestream at Newton News (a channel of NewTV.) Questions may be asked in person or using this Google Form in advance of the event. We are not able to take questions virtually for these events.
Summer Camp Applications & Scholarships
Summer 2024 camp applications are now open and filling up for the following Newton based camps:
- SPACE camp: click here To apply for tuition assistance: click here
- Newton Recs: click here To apply for financial assistance: click here
- Boys and Girls Club: click here
- YMCA: click here To apply for financial assistance: click here
If you would like to apply for financial assistance, please first apply directly to the camp's financial assistance. If further assistance is needed, please email Social Worker Michal Shapiro at shapirom@newton.k12.ma.us
Updated MCAS Schedule
Considering the time we were out of school due to the strike, we have decided to shift our Math and Science MCAS dates to allow for more instructional time prior to testing. Please see the updated schedule below. Thank you for considering this schedule when making family plans for students in grades 3-5.
ELA
Grade 3- March 25 & 26
Grade 4- March 28 & April 2
Grade 5- April 4 & 5
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING
Grade 5 only- May 2 & 3
MATH
Grade 4- May 6 & 7
Grade 5- May 13 & 14
Grade 3- May 16 & 17
Progress Reports
Elementary Progress Reports are now available from the Newton Public Schools through the Aspen Family Portal.
In order to view, print, or download a copy of your child's January progress report, which includes narrative comments, please do the following:
Log into Aspen Family portal - (https://aspen.newton.k12.ma.us/aspen/logon.do) using your Aspen username and password.
Once you have logged in, Elementary Progress Reports can be found under the "Published Reports".
Additional Information about the Elementary Progress reports, including descriptors can be found at the following link: (https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/759).
You can find previous years' progress reports in Aspen by navigating to the Family tab at the top and then clicking on Documents on the right.
Please use the "I forgot my password" (located on the Aspen Login page) if you don't remember your login information. If you are still having trouble logging in or have other technical issues, please email us at aspen@newton.k12.ma.us.
Staff Spotlight: Laura DiSipio
Job Title:
Fourth Grade Teacher
Job Description:
Teaching reading, writing, math, science, and how to be a kind and respectful human being :)
First Year at Peirce:
2013
Favorite Animal:
Cash- My European Boxer
Favorite Book:
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Favorite Travel Destination:
Ponza, Italy and West Yarmouth, MA (Cape Cod)
Hobbies:
Cooking, spending time with my family and friends, shopping, decorating
What's something that makes you unique?
My Italian and Lebanese culture makes me unique. I love sharing aspects of my culture; especially the delicious foods that I grew up enjoying.
Who inspires you?
My mother and father- my mother shaped me in becoming the human being I am today (she also encouraged me to become a teacher) and my father taught me (and continues to) how to embrace and respect my Italian culture.
What is the best part of your job?
Making my children (students) laugh, smile, and simply enjoy coming to school each day
Mark your Calendar!
February 19- President's Day- School Holiday
February 20-23- School is in Session
February 23- The 100th Day of School
March 4- Caregiver Coffee, 8:15 AM (See Above)
MCAS Dates- See Above
Peirce Elementary School
170 Temple Street
Newton, MA 02465
(617) 559-9630