Dear Driscoll Families,Welcome back from the February break! We want to remind all families that it is not too late to sign up for the Driscoll Science Fair! The deadline to register is Friday, March 2nd. See more information below.Driscoll Science Fair- Saturday, March 10, 2018Driscoll School Gymnasium & CafeteriaQUESTION: Will I rock the foundations of science with my work at the Driscoll SchoolScience Fair?HYPOTHESIS: I most certainly will!MATERIALS:1. Registration form (available in Main Office, Library, and Driscoll Science Fair web site)2. Ideas for a science fair project. Ideas for projects can be found at https://driscollsciencefair.
Developing Digital Citizenship Skills at Driscoll
Developing Digital Citizenship Skills at Driscoll
Thursday, March 15 at 7:45-8:30 in the Driscoll Library
A brief presentation on how teachers at Driscoll work to help students become safe and responsible users of technology. We'll also discuss some of the challenges parents and teachers face in dealing with ever changing technology and provide some suggestions for families.
All Driscoll parents are welcome.
Read Across America Week @ Driscoll!
Driscoll students in grades K-5 will join millions of their peers across the country this week to celebrate the 21st annual National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America. During this weeklong event, we will cultivate a community of readers at Driscoll through read alouds, book talks, book dress-up, and photos with our favorite books. Families, we encourage you to participate at home, reading a beloved book each night together.
Friday, March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday. In celebration of his book collection and what they have done for readers across America, K-5 students are invited to dress up each day of the week according to the following schedule.
Monday, 2/26 - Fox in Socks : Wear silly or mismatched socks.
Tuesday, 2/27 - Green Eggs and Ham : Wear the color GREEN
Wednesday, 2/28 - Wacky Wednesday : Let's get silly! Wear your clothes backwards, inside out, or mismatched.
Thursday, 3/1 - The Cat in the Hat : Wear your favorite hat.
Friday, 3/2 - Sleep Book : Wear pajamas or comfy clothes.
Chinese New Year @ Driscoll 2/14
Dear Driscoll Families:I am excited to share that the Driscoll School will hold its annual Chinese New Year celebration on February 14, 2018. Chinese New Year is the first day of the New Year on the Chinese calendar. It is also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.Two 45-minute assemblies will be held for our Pre-K through 8th grade students and faculty next Wednesday. Students learning Mandarin have been preparing in their classes for this event and will sing songs, perform dances, and watch student made videos in honor of Chinese culture and language. The assemblies will also include a spectacular lion dance, which should be a treat for all in attendance.Below is the program for each performance:8:30am Show (Pre-K, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8)Opening RemarksGrade 8 DanceGrade 1 Song: Three BearsGrade 2 Song: Mr. Wang has a FarmGrade 4 Video: What is your favorite subject?Grade 6 Song: Where are my friends?Grade 8 Song Tian mi miGrade 8 Music Video: Never Gonna Give You UpClosing & Lion dance9:30am Show (K, 3, 5, 7, 8)Opening RemarksLion DanceGrade K Song: Happy New yearGrade 3 Video: What do you do on Saturday?Grade 5 Song: If you’re happy, clap your handsGrade 7 Song: Sorry my Chinese is not goodGrade 8 DanceGrade 8 Song: Tian mi miGrade 8 Music Video: Never Gonna Give You UpClosingThank you in advance for your support of this longstanding Driscoll tradition, and especially to our PTO, Mandarin teachers, grade 8 students and parent volunteers for their leadership and organization of this special event.Sincerely,Dr. Sujan S. TalukdarInterim Principal
Book Fair Thanks!
From the Amy Neale Library
We had an amazing Book Fair Week! We didn't meet our goal of $16k...we exceeded it! We sold $18k - a new record! This means over $4k in support for the library. This money will go for books, materials, furniture, and programs in the library. Watch future bulletins for updates. Thank you, Driscoll families, for your incredible support!This year's book fair featured our first ever evening event. A big thank you to Dr. Talukdar for being our guest reader for story time. She was fabulous, and the turnout far exceeded our expectations. Another first this year was the Driscoll Loves Books initiative, which put book fair books in the hands of students who may not have been able to purchase a book. This program was made possible by the Family Giving Campaign.And finally, a huge thank to all our amazing volunteers (parents, grandparents, children) who staffed the book fair this week and our incredible book fair committee: Victor Kusmin, Nadine Abu-Jawdeh, Claudia Olivetti and chair Meg Brackley. They spent countless hours preparing for the book fair, then pretty much lived in the library during it. Thank you!!
Science Solstice 2017
Driscoll PTO's Science Solstice is almost here! On Fri. Dec. 8, Driscoll celebrates “Science Solstice:” a day when the whole school suspends its regular routine to do science.Grades K to 5 stay in the building and are ‘wowed” by science with presentations of live animals and simple machines, from the Museum of Science and Mass Audubon Society. Students learn about the scientific methods as they build paper geodesics dome, learn how the human brain works or discover states of matter. At the end of the day, they respond through writing and drawing about the question: “What do scientists do?” These activities are planned and run by Driscoll parents. ****We could still use a few more parent volunteers! We especially need a parent volunteer in 1st grade classrooms. But we could also use a few extra volunteers to be scientist assistants that day. Please email driscollsciencesolstice@
Thank you from Kim Longmore
Dear Driscoll,This year brings many things to celebrate in my life, one being 10 years in the town of Brookline. I started working for the town as the Evening Operations Manager for Adult Ed. at the Brookline High School. Prior to that, I had worked many years, in many capacities at Plimoth Plantation. (Pilgrim, Basket Maker, Curatorial Manager and Education Dept. Manager) etc.What I really want to celebrate is Nov. 18th. 2016.That was the day I was hit and run by a car in the Washington St. crosswalk and left to die! A funny thing to celebrate for sure, it’s been a long year of surgery, therapy, pain and a journey of recovery I am still on, but nothing is the same as it was before that day! That being said, one of the things that changed for the better is my kids and friends. They sure don’t take me for granted anymore (having almost lost me 2 or 3 times will do that your loved ones!)I try not to take things for granted either, for example, Driscoll School walked to the Temple for our Evacuation Drill, during which, I reflected on the times this year I had spent in a wheel chair, not knowing if I would walk again (or if a number of other body parts would ever work again either!). Another change for the better is my Driscoll Family. Crisis seems to bring out the best in you folks, and not a day goes by now that I don’t get hugs and words of encouragement from you!My Driscoll family never forgot me even though I was gone. Almost 6 months! Your visits to the hospital, notes, cards and gifts never stopped! I appreciated everything you did for me more than you will ever know! (Nothing is better than flowers, or an Edible Arraignment or a craft project, when you least expect it!). During the worst times, I spent many sleepless nights reading and re-reading your cards, notes, and letters.My hospital room and then my physical rehab. room were covered with your children’s cards, notes and photographs. You even replaced my glasses so I could see! And when I did return to Driscoll School, my office was literally covered in hearts! Every student in every class had cut out a heart and written a note of well wishes and support!Best of all this experience has brought us all closer, it’s a different relationship now, and we are truly a family. I thank you, my children and grandchildren thank you, and my friends thank you! Had you not been there for me, I do not know if I could have come through this difficult time.Love, hearts, and kisses!Kim Longmore
What’s Growing On? Driscoll Garden News
What’s Growing On? Driscoll Garden NewsHave you had a chance to check it out? There is still a lot growing in our raised beds.Danielle, of Green City Growers, and the DASA Gardening team have added beets, spinach, and bok choy under the cold frame. They also pulled out some “misplaced” garlic that was planted to early. If you want garlic to be added to the garden, please let us know! We will create a space for the garlic and talk about the process of growing garlic. The DASA Garden Team have also been removing bugs considered pests: namely cabbage worms and Japanese beetle grubs. And, of course, watering, weeding and feeding (compost). They also learned about sheet mulching, utilizing newspaper and salt hay in one bed to help retain moisture for the remainder of the season. (The irrigation has been disconnected for the winter). Don’t forget: while it’s time to blow out your irrigation and store your garden hoses, your yard/perennials will still like water at least every couple weeks, and our winters actually can have dry spells. Compost and mulch can help.
Book Fair News!
BOOK FAIR: December 11-15, Monday - Friday: The Book Fair is returning to the Driscoll’s Amy Neale Library next month! A portion of all sales goes directly to the Library to buy more books and other library resources for our kids. Once again, students are invited to enter their designs for the Book Fair Poster Contest! This year’s theme is: “The Power of Reading”. How is reading powerful? What kinds of power can be described in a book? Energy? Horse power? Political power? Social empowerment? Superpowers? Pick up poster contest entry forms in the Library (or Download PDF Here) beginning November 1st. Submit your designs to the Main Office or the Library no later than November 17th. The winning design will be THE poster to publicize the Book Fair, and the winner will get a $25 gift card to use at the fair!We need volunteers to help make the Book Fair a success. If you could spare two hours (or more) with library set-up, helping on the sales floor, working the cash registers, restocking shelves or packing up at the end of the week, please sign up HERE. The Book Fair will be open before and after school, and you can even volunteer when your child's class visits the library. Please contact the Book Fair Team with any questions: driscollbookfair@gmail.com
WHAT'S GROWING ON? NEWS OF THE DRISCOLL GARDEN:
WHAT'S GROWING ON? NEWS OF THE DRISCOLL GARDEN:The Driscoll Garden team is excited to report that things are indeed growing in our school’s garden. This fall we welcomed Danielle Sommer, Education Manager for Green City Growers, to lead the DASA Gardening class. A graduate of Bowdoin College, Danielle has worked in a variety of in and out of school environments – from teaching digital media arts to kindergarteners in after school to urban agriculture and nutrition with high school students at community centers.Danielle tells us that over the past few weeks, the DASA class has been talking about the parts of plants, the plant life cycle, the differences and similarities between husk cherries and tomatoes, and proper plant spacing. They have also enjoyed activities like playing sensory herb guessing, playing “seed-stem-fruit”, and drawing their favorite fruits and veggies with sidewalk chalk. Of course, they have also been busy planting, harvesting, pruning, watering, weeding, cleaning out old plant material and making garden observations. New plantings include: edible begonias, kale, lavender, leeks, lettuce, mint, sage, garlic chives, beets, and cabbage! They’ve harvested Swiss chard, Lemon Balm, and Parsley. Green City Growers also visited recently to repair the pest fencing, install the cold-frame, and repair/improve the irrigation - so we’re ready to stretch this warm fall season even farther.Look for more garden updates in future Bulletins, as we get organized for the 2018 season!
Driscoll Directory
Welcome Driscoll Families! Our PTO subscribes to the MySchoolAnywhere service for our family and faculty directories, online store, volunteer signups and email communications. It's secure, easy to use, and free to families.If you haven't registered, please go to the site below, enter our school's code and follows the steps to register your family. You can specify what information you'd like to appear in the directory - or choose not to appear at all.Returning Families - If you're already registered, you will receive an email asking you to update your family information and display preferences for the new school year. You do not need to register again unless you don’t receive this email. Register at join.myschoolanywhere.comInvitation Code: DriscollDirectoryOnce we've had a chance to verify your family information, you'll receive an email with login credentials and instructions to access the system.Questions? Contact our system administrator at driscolldirectory@gmail.com.Install the Free app! After you receive your login information, download the app by searching for MySchoolAnywhere in the iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app allows you to access our directory, manage your family information, purchase in our store and signup for volunteer activities all from your phone!
Driscoll Directory, and PTO Communications
Dear Driscoll Families,
The Driscoll Directory is online again this year.
1. NEW FAMILIES & RETURNING FAMILIES WHO DID NOT REGISTER LAST YEAR: To sign your family up with addresses, phone numbers, grade and classrooms, use this link: http://bit.ly/2dtq4TQ.
2. RETURNING FAMILIES: If you signed up for the online directory last year, please confirm using the link (emailed to you this morning) that your family's information is correct.
3. Once we have everyone's information, on October 10, you will receive an email instructing you how to access the online directory. You will be able to access it on your computer, or via an app on your smart phone. It's really user friendly. You will be able to search by grade level, class, faculty, and last name. You can even print your class if you'd like. Additionally, you can sign up for events, and volunteer opportunities, and donate!
4. Watch this quick video (under 2 minutes) describing the system and it's features: http://wi.st/2hwgp1K
5. Getting the mobile app on your phone is the best way to use this system. Check out how that works here: http://bit.ly/2xxgcBu
4. The online directory is private to Driscoll Families. Only Driscoll Families are able to sign up, and only Driscoll Families will be able to see the information.
5. If you have questions, or need help entering your information, please email: driscolldirectory@
6. Having a directory so families can stay connected has been a longstanding tradition at Driscoll. From potlucks to playdates, and homework questions, you will have child and family information at your fingertips. Even if you're only here for one year, we'd love to see full classes in the directory.
7. PTO Communications: If you are still not signed up to receive the Monday Bulletin from the PTO, please email driscollbulletin@gmail.com, and our parent volunteers will get you set up.
Creating More Inclusive, Safer Spaces for all Students
Hello Driscoll Families!
It’s May--one of the busiest times of year at Driscoll. Yes, students are being assessed through MCAS, but more importantly, there is awesome teaching and learning going on!
I want to draw your attention to two very important dates on our May and June calendars. In one of my recent Principal Corner notes, I mentioned our work at Driscoll in creating more inclusive, safer spaces for all students. I mentioned our work as a staff utilizing resources that help us speak up and then support students when we hear comments that feed bias or hate.
As I mentioned that I would, I invite you to join us for a two-part conversation about how we make our school a safe space for all students--particularly our low income students and our students of color. Questions we’ll discuss include:
-Do all families at Driscoll feel welcome? How can we make all Driscoll families feel welcome?
-Do students feel like they need to “check” parts of their identity at the door? If so, what steps do we need to take to make sure this is not the case.
-How can we attract and maintain a more diverse staff?
-What action steps can we take that will lead to lasting change in this area?
Please join us to discuss these questions (and others that folks raise) and lay out a roadmap for improvement for the 17-18 school year. These discussions will take place in Heidi’s Office on Thursday, May 25th and Thursday, June 8th, right after drop off. Please email me if you’d like to join us! I hope we’ll see a diverse group of parents at these important meetings!
Heidi Cook, Principal
Teacher Appreciation: Thank You!
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year's week-long Teacher Appreciation Week celebration! Each day the teachers and staff enjoyed little treats and surprises, and we ended the week with a delicious, full breakfast provided by our amazing Driscoll parents. We even had some drawings for awesome prizes like gift cards to Starbuck's, Pete's and Amazon. It was so much fun! If you brought a food item on a tray or platter to the breakfast, please pick it up on the shelves to your right when you enter the Staff Lounge. We really appreciate all of you supporting our loyal, brilliant and caring teachers and stopping for a moment to say "thank you". All the best for the final weeks of the school year and a restful, fun summer- Robyn Hunter and Kim Katz
The Spring Fair and YOU!
Dear Driscoll Families,The Spring Fair is in the air! However only 34 of the 101volunteer spots are filled! (Yikes!). This event cannot happen without YOU! Take just one minute now to click HERE and sign up to help at this year's Spring Fair. They are one hour slots and many of them are after-work hours.As most of you know, Spring Fair is the Ultimate Driscoll Celebration! Rides, games, food and fun make this a day that kids look forward to all year long! Driscoll families come together to celebrate another school year, and we also celebrate the close of the MCAS Testing Season and the conclusion of another successful PTO event season. At Driscoll, we believe that events like these make us unique and bring us together, but we can't hang on to these traditions unless our families commit an hour or two to making them happen each year.We have filled only 34 of the 101 volunteer slots! Spring Fair in all of it's glory cannot be realized if we don't all pitch in! If you haven't volunteered this year, NOW is your chance. Plus, these jobs are fun!Take a minute now to sign up. Thank you and we'll see you at the Spring Fair on May 24th from 4-8PM!!http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4eadae28a0fe3-spring1Thank you, thank you.Your Amazing 100% Volunteer Spring Fair Team
PTO Open Forum: Updating the Driscoll Field and Playground
Dear Driscoll Parents,We hope you'll join us for Monday's PTO Open Forum, topic: updating the Driscoll field and playground.Vice Chair of the Brookline School Committee, David Pollak will be presenting and offering Q & A. Mr. Pollak also serves as Chair of Brookline School Board's Capital Committee (building projects). We are looking forward to hearing from Mr. Pollak on the process, timing, and money around such an effort, and hearing from you, our parents!Childcare for (K-5 students) will be provided with advance registration. Pizza supper will be served for both parents and children at 6:15pm. At 6:45 pm, parents can walk their children to the music room (opposite the theater) where Driscoll 8th graders will show a movie and stay with the children until the program is complete, at approximately 8:30 pm.Not planning on needing childcare, or eating? Join us for the presentation in the Driscoll Theater at 7:00 pm.Please go to https://updatedriscollfield.eventbrite.com to register. If you have questions about registration or childcare, please email Alice Speck (PTO Secretary) alice.speck@gmail.com.We look forward to seeing you on Monday evening.Warmly,The Driscoll PTO
#MateoTough at Driscoll
Dear Driscoll Community,
As you may or may not know, 3rd grader, Mateo Goldman was diagnosed with Leukemia in the fall of 2016. He has been absent from school, getting treatment and care at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Our community misses Mateo every day and is committed to supporting Mateo and his family (Mom, Mandy; Dad, Nick; Brothers, Leo (5H) and Milo (KF); and little sister Violet who will be coming to Driscoll when she's old enough).
Last week, The Back to School Team from Dana Farber came to speak to 3rd grade, 5th grade and KF (Mateo’s, Leo’s, and Milo’s classes) to help them understand what Mateo has been going through and why he’s not at school. It was a great chance for all to learn, ask questions and see Mateo and his Mom who were skyping from Children’s. We learned that Mateo will not be able to return to school for several months while his immune system rebuilds and is strong enough to be able to protect him from illness and germs.
During Art Equinox, last Thursday and Friday, all classrooms received a container to decorate with their own #Mateotough design. The idea is to engage our whole community to raise money to donate to One Mission: Pediatric Cancer Charity which supports the medical communities, families and children who have been diagnosed with cancer. One Mission is near and dear to the Goldman Family and Driscoll is honored to give back in Mateo’s name to support their mission. You can help this effort by encouraging your children to earn, share, and contribute to this cause that helps so many families in vulnerable times. Donations are not limited to students and coins only. Feel free to send donations to school (checks can be made out to “One Mission”) to help fill these containers. Collections will start Monday, March 27th and continue through Thursday April 13th. Classes will display their #Mateotough design and progress at community meetings. Also, look for the #Mateotough booth to buy #Mateotough bracelets at the Driscoll Spring Fair, with all proceeds going to One Mission.
We also want to introduce another way we will help Mateo stay connected to Driscoll. Upon returning from April Vacation, check out the library for “The Special Delivery Dragon”. It’ll be a way to drop notes or items that will make their way to Mateo whether he is still in the hospital or home getting his care as an outpatient. We will work with teachers and classrooms to make sure the Special Delivery Dragon is busy making deliveries to Mateo each week!
Since Mateo will be home, but still needs to do his school work, students will encounter Mateo accessing Driscoll and his learning in many ways including the use of cool technology that will allow him to be as much a part of the classroom as possible. We’ll be sharing more information about this soon!
Thank you . Let’s fill those jars today!
For more information on One Mission, please visit http://onemission.org/To stay updated on Mateo and his progress and send support you can visit his facebook page #mateotoughSincerely,Carrie Hibbard, Guidance CounselorHeidi Cook, PrincipalThe Driscoll PTO and the entire #Mateotough team
Spring Early Release Movie Sign Up
Early Release Movie Registration is open, and ends, Friday, March 31st. Register via this link now through 03/31/17.FAMILY ID MOVIE SIGN UP HERESign up early as space is limited:Movie Munchkins (K-1): 40 studentsMovie Masters (1st-5th grade): 120 studentsVolunteer for one movie and get all 4 for free!!!Please choose the volunteer option when registering.The PTO Early Dismissal Movies run from 12:40 p.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Please be outside Theater by 2:20 p.m. for pick up (children getting picked up should wait in the movie rooms for their parents).For any questions, please contact PTO Movie Chair, Nadine Hartmandriscollptomovies@gmail.com
Sign up for Arts Equinox!
Arts Equinox is a two day celebration of the Arts held each year at Driscoll.
Parent volunteers are needed to help with different activities in each K-5 class on March 23 & 24.
No artistic skills/experience needed! Instructions for each project and an example will be provided in advance.
Sign up here to volunteer:
http://www.signupgenius.com/
Sign up for the Science Fair
The Driscoll Science Fair is Saturday, March 11th in the Driscoll gym and cafeteria from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Driscoll Science Fair is open to Kindergarten through Eighth grade students! Please visit the Driscoll Science Fair Website: http://www.driscollscience.