Peirce Principal News
April 7, 2024
A Message from Ms. Vargas: Class Placement Information
Dear Peirce Families,
There is still a lot of the current school year to enjoy, and many special events and activities are on the horizon. However, teachers will soon be discussing class placement in preparation for next school year. Our goal will be to to create effective instructional groupings that take many factors into account: cultural backgrounds, achievement levels, special needs, 504 plans, English language learning support, and other unique student needs.
While we know your children well, there may be additional information that you feel would be helpful for us to consider. Please note that your input is OPTIONAL and is not required in order to have your child’s needs met. If you choose to provide your input, we ask that you complete this form by Sunday, May 5th. Information received after this date may not be considered. Information given to staff in email, letters, and conversation may not be included in placement decisions. For organizational purposes, all requests must be documented in this form only. Please do not request a specific teacher as these requests cannot be honored among the many factors that inform our placement decisions.
Additionally, please contact our executive assistant, Trisha Carey, if your child will not be returning to Peirce next year.
Sincerely,
Andrea Vargas
Eclipse Resources
As you've likely heard, Monday brings an opportunity for Newton students to view a partial solar eclipse. Teachers have been and will be discussing information about the eclipse. However, since the peak shadow in our area does not take place until after school, we will not be holding viewing activities during regular school hours. Please see these resources to learn more about the eclipse and to facilitate viewing for your child after school.
PTO Annual Fund
Dear Peirce Families,
We’re writing to ask for your support of the 2023-24 Annual Appeal for donations to the Peirce Parent/Caregiver & Teacher Organization (PTO).
Every caregiver of a Peirce student is automatically a member of the PTO and benefits from its work to support the Peirce community! This year (the 2023-24 school year), the Peirce PTO is forecasted to spend a total of $55,773 (about $234 per student) on:
Creative Arts & Sciences programs (3 enrichment programs for all students in each grade plus a school-wide performing arts program)
Technology purchases for the building and classrooms (e.g., projectors, document cameras, charging carts)
Direct Support to our Teachers & Principal (e.g., stipends to offset the cost of supplies)
Educational Enrichment Initiatives (e.g., library books, anti-bias workshops, Community Impact initiatives)
Community Events & Programs (e.g., Back to School Picnic, Movie Night, 4th & 5th Grade Dance, Multicultural Night, Family Dance)
Other School Support (e.g., teacher & staff appreciation initiatives and events, grounds clean-up efforts, building improvements, etc.)
The PTO’s Operating Budget (While powered exclusively by volunteers, the PTO is an independent nonprofit organization and requires a small operating budget for accounting software, the website, insurance, and the like.)
Peirce Cares Fund (Seed funding to launch the Peirce Cares Fund, a pool of resources designed to support currently enrolled students and families in need.)
The Peirce Mystery Dinner ticket sales, directory advertising, and other smaller sources of revenue such as merchandise sales, are expected to generate a total of $23,083. This leaves a gap of $32,690 (about $137 per student) to raise via Annual Fund fundraising by Friday, April 26, 2024 to support this school year’s budget and ensure the long-term sustainability and financial health of the PTO.
For more details regarding the 2023-24 forecast, click here. We have also compiled an FAQ document related to how the PTO raises and spends money that you can find here. If you have further questions, please contact PeircePresidents@gmail.com.
If your family can, please consider giving to the Annual Appeal. Every contribution is appreciated and every child at Peirce benefits from the money raised. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Ways To Donate:
Check: Peirce School PTO (mail to 170 Temple St., West Newton, MA 02465)
Venmo: @Peirce-Treasurer
Zelle: PeirceTreasurer@gmail.com
DAF: Peirce PTO Tax ID: 04-3534763
Thanks so much for your consideration! We are grateful for the generosity and support of the Peirce community.
Kathryn Thorndike, PTO Fundraising Chair
Jordana Bluestein & Jaime Mason, PTO Co-Presidents
Updated COVID Guidance
The MA Dept. of Public Health has updated its COVID-19 guidance to match its guidance for preventing the spread of all respiratory viruses: If you have symptoms, stay home until you have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines and your other symptoms are improving.
Please review the full recommendations document here:
Community Impact Clothing Drive
Community Impact is running a clothing drive in support of Cradles to Crayons, April 4 - April 11 and hands-on sorting days on April 11 and April 12.
Cradles to Crayons provides children (birth through age 12) living in homeless or low-income situations, with essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. Please help us support this wonderful organization and provide the essentials children need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. For more options, and to learn about Cradles to Crayons, click here.
COLLECTING NEW OR GENTLY USED ITEMS:
Clothing (youth sizes 0-20 and adult sizes small & medium)
Winter Coats and Jackets
Shoes (infant/child sizes 5-13 and adult sizes 1-10)
DROP OFF LOCATION:
All donations should be placed in the collection boxes inside the front and back doors of Peirce school.
Volunteer for the Clothing Drive Sorting Days on April 11 and April 12
For a hands-on service opportunity, please join us after school in the Peirce Gymnasium until 4:30 on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12 to check, sort and package donations. If you would like to participate, please sign up here or email Alma Adler at alma.adler@gmail.com or Noreen Martin Herzog at noreenmartinherzog@gmail.com.NCE Summer Camp
Let your kids discover new passions and make lasting memories with our lineup of camps, including Java Minecraft Modding, Hola! Spanish Summer Intensive, Chess, Theatre Camp, and our full day sports camps! With expert instructors and a focus on fun and learning, our camps provide the perfect opportunity for your child to keep growing and socializing during the summer months.
Staff Spotlight: Olivia de Geofroy
Job Title:
Music Teacher
Job Description:
I teach K-5 general music, 3rd grade recorder, 4th grade beginner instruments, 5th grade band and orchestra, and 4th and 5th grade choirs.
First Year at Peirce:
2018
Favorite Travel Destination:
Montreal!
Hobbies:
Apart from playing music, which I do professionally and recreationally, I really like trying out all kinds of different recipes in the kitchen. I also find learning languages fascinating. Besides my 1st and 2nd languages, English and French, I've attempted to learn Italian, German, Russian, Portuguese, and Japanese, (to varying degrees of success)!
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of being a music teacher for me is seeing the students gain and develop their musical and creative skills throughout the year. For example, when the kindergarteners really find their singing voices. Or, when the 5th graders are able to listen to each other and play their parts perfectly together, all while conquering the technical feats of playing an instrument! (That happened at rehearsal yesterday :)
What's your favorite music to perform?
I specialize in French music from the late 1800s and early 1900s, such as Fauré, Debussy, Tailleferre, Boulanger, and Poulenc. I also love to sing baroque music like Handel!
Mark your Calendar!
April 8 & 10- 4th Grade: Potato Hill Poetry
April 9- 1st Grade: Estuary on Wheels
April 12- Pedestrian Safety- Grades 2 & 3
April 15-19- School Vacation
May 6-10- Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6 - Grade 5 Field Trip to Boston
May 16- PEDP Longevity and 5th Grade Ceremony, 5:00
May 17-Grade 2: Caterpillars
May 17- Peirce Multicultural Night, 5:00
May 20- 3rd Grade Field Trip to the MFA
May 20- Principal Mann visits 5th Grade
May 23 & 30- Kindergarten Screening Dates
May 28 - 4th Grade Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concert, 7:00PM
June 4- 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, 8:30
June 13- 5th Grade band, Orchestra and Chorus Concert, 7:00PM
June 20- 5th Grade Graduation
June 21- Family Dance, 6:00
June 20- 5th Grade Graduation, 9:00
MCAS DATES:
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
Peirce Elementary School
170 Temple Street
Newton, MA 02465
(617) 559-9630