A Message from Ms. Vargas
Dear Peirce Families,
Other than managing the heat and humidity this week, it was a great start to the new school year at Peirce! We were overjoyed to see Peirce students reunited with good friends, make connections with new friends and teachers, and smoothly transition to successful school routines.
Many thanks to our PTO and all volunteers who made Friday's Back to School Picnic a true celebration of our vibrant school community. Check out our *new* Peirce Panther mingling with his pals, PTO Presidents Jaime Mason and Jordana Bluestein!
Best Regards,
Andrea Vargas
Social Emotional Learning Update- Week #1
This past summer I had the honor of working with a team of classroom teachers, special educators, a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), and an SEL interventionist to strengthen our plan for teaching social-emotional skills and expected behavior to students across Peirce. In previous years, our SEL instruction took place at varying times in different classrooms and focused on similar themes but not necessarily aligned. Implementing our new plan, this year's SEL instruction will take place for all classrooms in a weekly Community Block on Thursday afternoon. Of course, SEL skills are woven into the fabric of all disciplines each school day, but our Community Block now represents a time for a concentrated, consistent, and more effective school-wide effort. The Community Block will cycle throughout the year in four important activities:
- Classroom Instruction- focusing on a specific skill, adapted slightly by age
- Grade Level Instruction- reinforcing the same skill
- Advisory Groups- a smaller, multi-age group building cross-school connections
- Town Meeting - a school-wide assembly celebrating the same skill/ themes as above
This past Thursday during Community Block, students were in classroom groups for a lesson on building relationships and learning about others. Next week, they will continue to discuss these ideas with all grade level peers.
As part of our updated SEL plan this year, all teachers introduced our new Peirce values as they established expectations and built classroom communities this week:
- I take care of myself.
- I take care of others.
- I take care of my school.
Our plan is to rely on these values for all staff and students across settings at Peirce. Perhaps you will hear them at home, too! Each week I will provide a brief update on our SEL focus and activities so you can feel connected with our approach and discuss these important themes with your student(s).
Many thanks to Andrea Finch, Mallory Wellman, Kara Murphy, Dave McVey, Joe Barrett, Erin Tracey, and Kelly Champagne for developing an exceptional plan for teaching SEL this year!
Job Title: Librarian
Job Description: Keeper of the library books at Peirce. During class, we explore not only books, but take a deep dive into research and resources in all grade levels. Sometimes we enjoy the simplicity of a good read-a-loud too.
First Year at Peirce: 2018
Favorite Animal: Giraffe
Favorite Book: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief
Favorite Travel Destination: Caribbean
Hobbies: Reading, Writing, and Video Games
Who Inspires you?
The students who write their own stories. It inspires me to continue working on my own books.
What is the best part of your job?
Having kids see themselves in the books they are checking out and bringing home.
What is an important goal for you this school year?
To continue adding books that feature diverse and unique characters and backgrounds. Everyone should be able to see themselves in books.
Story Starters Fall Registration
Story Starters Fall Registration is open through September 17!
Author Janet Costa Bates will join us for our program kickoff!
Story Starters is enrolling families with children ages 3-8 to participate in our upcoming Fall program. Our eight-week Family Conversations Program is designed for parents who want to start and strengthen conversations about race with their young children. Story Starters gives families age-appropriate tools and skills to have meaningful conversations about race and racism. Story Starters families learn from educators, racial justice advocates, and each other.
Our program provides families with:
A bundle of 6 books tailored to your children's ages
5 caregiver guides full of research, resources, and family activities to support and deepen family race conversations
4 curated book lists to support further exploration and conversation
2 in-person family events and 2 virtual caregiver workshops
2 virtual office hours
A small, curated support network of current families and alumni to lean on and learn from
Special events to facilitate community connections
The program kickoff is October 1 from 3:00-4:30 pm. For additional program dates and details, visit: www.story-starters.org/program. Questions? Email kari@story-starters.org
Reminder: Update Your PTO Membership Toolkit
Every year, the Peirce PTO publishes a secure online and printed directory for our community. All families - both returning and new - need to confirm and update information in Membership Toolkit. (This is in addition to updating your information in Aspen.)
Please go to https://peircepto.membershiptoolkit.com and click on the Register/Login button to confirm and/or update your information. New Families, Select "Create Account." All families, make sure to do both Step 1: Family Information and Step 2: Directory Publish Preferences. IMPORTANT: Publish preferences are set to “YES,” if you do not want your info published, select “NO.” For more detailed instructions go here.
