Save the Date:

2/5 - Early Release at 1PM (Lunch will be served)
2/12 - Early Release at 1PM (Lunch will be served)
2/18 - 22 February Break
2/26 - Early Release at 1PM (Lunch will be served)

The Brackett Elementary School Winter Online Auction is live!

Start your bidding here: Brackett Online Auction

Proceeds from this year's auction will fund a new LCD projector and sound system for cultural enrichment events, math mornings, library presentations, and school assemblies!

We have over 100 auction items. There's something for everyone, including:

*Ten Harvey replacement windows plus installation from Villandry Contracting

* Principal, PE Teacher and Librarian for the Day Experiences!

*Chef's tasting menu with wine pairings for four at Alden & Harlow

* School pizza party!

* Beginner adult swimming lessons

*Tickets to the Bruins, Red Sox, and Lowell Spinners

* Lunch and a state house tour with State Senator Cindy Friedman

* Architecture, design and home organization services

* Private hot tub soak for two at Inman Oasis

* Passes to fitness and yoga classes

...and lots, lots more!

Bid on items you'll love while benefiting our students!

Any questions? Contact Brackettauction@gmail.com

Brackett Bank News

The Brackett School Savings Bank will be open this Friday!

Students in grades 1 through 5 are invited to open an account and make deposits and withdrawals from their account on Friday mornings between 8:30 and 9:30 am during the school year. This is a great opportunity for our children to learn about saving their money!

If you are interested in opening an account or have questions about Brackett Bank, please contact brackettbank@gmail.com.

It's the Final Week of One School, One Book!

Our all-school read of Fenway and Hattie is almost done! This week, we're reading Chapters 14-20. Will Fenway beat his nemesis, the Wicked Floor? Will he win his Hattie back? You'll know by the end of this week!

We are thrilled that the author of Fenway and Hattie, Victoria Coe, will be spending the day at Brackett on Monday, February 4th. Kids in all grades will participate in hands-on workshops with her throughout the day.

And have you been in the Brackett lobby this week? There's a giant Fenway and Hattie book cover set up where kids can take photos of themselves with Fenway and become the hero of the story! Stop by and snap a picture of your kids at drop-off or pickup.

Questions? Email the One School, One Book committee at BrackettOSOB@gmail.com.

DIG News: Field Trip & Upcoming Meeting

DIG “Ragtime” Wheelock Play RSVP deadline extended to Fri 2/1

Parents, there’s still time to see this great show. RSVP deadline extended to this Fri 2/1. Join DIG at Wheelock’s “Ragtime” play on Sat. 2/9 at 2pm. DIG is excited to offer limited discounted $15 tickets for the show, telling the story of three New York immigrant families, at the turn of the 20^th century. (recommend ages 10+ (more mature youngsters might enjoy), 2hr 45mins show running time, some PG content, see show details here: www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org/show/ragtime/). Email brackettdig@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP!

A reminder to participate in our monthly meeting: 6:30-8:30pm in the Brackett Library.

Join our DIG's February’s learning and discussion on Gender Non-conforming/ Non-Binary

We are proud to begin February, and officially launch DIG mini-topic learning and mini discussion on Non-Binary and Gender Non-conforming. Family discussions are key to helping children better understand individuals who are Non-Binary or Gender Non-confirming (meaning they may not always identify as male/female or as the sex assigned at birth), and how to respect and honor individuals, and why the correct use of ProNouns is so important! We kick off each monthly meeting with a mini-topic for discussion based on pre-provided readings & videos. each month will also feature a "guest" participant - a teacher, parent volunteer or administrator in the Brackettcommunity we have invited to that month's meeting in the hopes of learning from them. We hope many parents will choose to participate and look forward to some rich discussions.

February Guest Participant: AnitaCristina Calcaterra, Co-chair of Brackett's Rainbow Alliance
Topic for opening mini-discussion: Talking about Gender Non-Conforming or Non-Binary Kids
Recommended for parents: Article: Why Pronouns are Important
Recommended for kid(s): Watch HiHoKids video, Kids Meet a Gender Non-Conforming Person with your kids and then
have a conversation about it.

To find out more about DIG, our meeting schedule and ways you can help a little or a LOT, please join out mailing list: brackettdig@gmail.com

We are running our winter food drive February 4-12th and we need your help!

Please donate regular sized boxes (larger ones are hard to distribute!) Collection bins will be in the lobby.

1st Grade - Toilet paper
2nd - Canned Protein ( tuna, salmon, chicken)
3rd - Cereals and Oatmeal
4th - Soups, stews and chowders
5th - Cereals and Oatmeal

Thank you and let's FILL THE BINS!

Valentine's Art Project

The Art Squad will be holding an themed Valentine's Day collaborative art program on Friday, Feb 8th from 2:30-4pm in the art room. All students are encouraged to participate. The completed art work will be on display in the lower lobby.

PTO Meeting February 12th at 7pm

Please join us for our next PTO meeting, February 12th at 7pm in the Brackett Cafeteria. Come meet fellow parents and learn about upcoming events at school and small and big ways you can make a difference in your child's day!

This is a parent-only event. We hope to see you there!

Clip BOX TOPS to Earn Money for Brackett!

Box tops can be turned into your child's teacher or in the main school office. To make counting easier, please tape or glue in groups of 10 or 25 on a sheet of paper. Don't forget to check the expiration date! Grandparents can clip them, too.

Questions: Christina.mamlouk@gmail.com
www.boxtops4education.com

PTO Annual Appeal - Tax Forms

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to Brackett's PTO Annual Appeal. Your contributions make a difference every single day in our children's school day... from new chick incubators for the 1st grade chick hatching in the spring, a new curtain for the stage, to online math and science curriculum! It wouldn't happen without your generous donations!

If you contributed over $250 to the annual appeal in 2018 and require a letter for tax returns, please email Sarah Murnaghan (sarahmurnaghan@gmail.com).

If you have not already donated, please consider making a contribution by check or paypal (donate online HERE). The PTO relies only on contributions from Brackett families to provide an enriched learning experience for our children.

An easy way to maximize your donation is to apply for a matching contribution if your employer participates in such a scheme – this can DOUBLE the value of your contribution!

Thank you!

Brackett has a Facebook Page!

Please "like" our FaceBook page and stay up-to-date on school events and news. You can find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/227346734350605/

COMMUNITY NEWS

Having Courageous Conversations about Race with Our Children: Event for Parents for Diversity & Inclusion in Arlington Schools · Thursday, January 31st 7–9PM. Thompson Elementary School Gym

https://www.facebook.com/events/375557486540414/

Please register in advance here (do not only indicate "going" to the FB event): https://tinyurl.com/CourageousRegister

If you have a question that you'd like addressed during the workshop, please submit it in advance here:

https://tinyurl.com/CourageousQuestion

As a response to a recent incident of racist graffiti found within the Thompson Elementary School and incidents at several other schools across the Arlington Public School district, an educational workshop will be offered to parents and guardians of *all* APS elementary school students. Please join guest speaker, Dr. Liza Talusan, a nationally recognized educator on issues of diversity and inclusion, to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities in talking about race with your child(ren). Opening remarks will be given by Dr. Roderick MacNeal, Assistant Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools.

We will address questions such as:

* How do children learn about race and identity?

* How do we, as adults, navigate difficult conversations with our children and students?

* What are the challenges and opportunities in having conversations about race with young people?

PARENT FORUM: HOMESICK AND HAPPY
How Children Grow and Change When They Are Away from Their Parents

Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Ottoson Middle School 7-8:30 p.m.
Presents : Dr. Michael Thompson

In the US today, we have a generation of adults who are dedicated to doing a great job of parenting. They want to produce healthy, happy children who are athletically skilled, socially accepted and academically successful. There is nothing wrong with these parental ambitions. However, there is an assumption that this kind of embedded parenting always adds psychological value. Yet, there are actually many times when parental absence is the magic ingredient for a child and especially for a teenager.

In this talk, Dr. Thompson will explain how the greatest maturation in childhood occurs when children are away from their parents. It will describe the experiences, excitement, fears and growth of situations away from home, especially in summer camps, that bring him to his conclusions.

PRESENTER: The heart of Dr. Thompson's work is lecturing to parents, teachers, and students about the development of boys, the social lives of both boys and girls, the parent-teacher dynamic, school culture, how to raise responsible children, and the psychological journey of children through school. He and his co-author, Dan Kindlon, wrote the New York Times best-selling book, Raising Cain: protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. He is the author of peaking of Boys, Answers to the Most-Asked Questions about raising sons and co-author of Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social worlds of children, Mom, They're Teasing Me: Helping your child solve Social Problems, The Pressured Child, Helping your Child Achieve Success in School and in Life and, It's A Boy! A comprehensive guide for the parents of boys.

AYBSA Registration is Open for Spring!

Have a child interested in playing baseball or softball this spring? Arlington Youth Baseball and Softball Association (AYBSA) offers programs in softball and baseball for kids ages 5 – 12. Registration is going on now for the spring season, which will kick off in April.

Please visit the AYBSA website: www.aybsaonline.org to register.
www.aybsaonline.org

For daily updated calendar and event information, please check the Brackett Website at http://brackettelementary.org/