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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Save the Dates
- Closure Reminders: School closes next Weds. 12noon and closed Thurs. & Fri. for holiday.
- Today: see you at early-morning reading time in the Library!
- Tomorrow: Thanksgiving Food Drive donations due
- Have you checked out Brackett's Annual Appeal? Help us fill the "pot of gold" for our kids!
- Dust off the Piggy Banks- Brackett Bank opens next week!
- The Book Fair is coming 11/28, make your lists and sign up to help out!
- Amazon shoppers: Use AmazonSmile to support Brackett PTO with every purchase!
- The Brackett Winter Auction - Show us your Talent/Share your auction items now!
- Picture retake day is in 2 weeks, Thurs. 12/1
- LOVE your teachers? Give them a STAR online. Deadline is 12/2
- Community news:
- Brackett families delight in the Super moon!
- Thank you attendees of Arlington Vision 2020 Education Task Group event
- Childsplay at the Somerville Theatre, 11/20
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SAVE THE DATES
11/17/16 - Early Morning Reading Time in the Library at 7:30am
11/18/2016 - Thanksgiving Food drive donations due
11/23/16 - Early dismissal at 12noon, no lunch served (Weds.)
11/24- 11/25/16 - No School Thanksgiving Holiday (Thurs. & Fri.)
11/28 - 12/2/16 Brackett Book Fair Week!
12/6/16 - Early dismissal at 11:15 AM (Tues.)
12/9/16 - Art Day Friday, cardboard tube decorations
12/13/16 - Early dismissal at 11:15 AM (Tues.)
12/24/16 - 1/2/17 - No School, Winter Break
1/20/17 - Art Day Friday, salt and watercolor
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TOMORROW: Thanksgiving Food Drive items due!
Once again Brackett is joining with Arlington Youth Services to collect and deliver food to Arlington families of need this Thanksgiving. Last year was a huge success and we are hoping to do as well again this year.
Kindergarten: Canned vegetables
1st Grade: Canned fruit in its own juices
2nd Grade: Cranberry sauce
3rd Grade: Boxed Potato mixes
4th Grade: Canned tomatoes
5th Grade: Stuffing mixes
Gift cards to local grocery stores are also very much appreciated. Please place gift cards in the Food Drive envelope in the main office. Thanks so much for your generosity!
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Have you checked out Brackett's Annual Appeal? Help us fill our "pot of gold"!
Help us fill the “pot of gold” as we reach our goal of $18,000. Your donations help to support your child's education, from new rugs in the classrooms and Colonial Days, to the tide pool field trip to Wingaersheek Beach and Art Squad, and so much more!
Please consider being an important part of what enriches our students' lives by making a donation. Online donations are quick and easy and all donations are tax deductible.
Click the Pay Pal DONATE button at www.brackettelementary.org or send a check into your child's teacher or to the school office.
Also, check out our recent Facebook post and see your donation dollars in the classroom! We promise to keep posting pictures and messages that show your PTO in action. Brackett PTO Facebook Page
Together, we can reach our goal!
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Dust off the Piggy Banks: Brackett Bank Opens next Friday! Parent Volunteers still needed
The Brackett School Savings Bank will be opening for the 31st year!
What is the Bank? 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. Interested 5th grade students may sign up to become workers at the bank. This is a great opportunity for our children to learn about saving their money!
When Does it Open? Below is the opening schedule for the 2016-2017 school year.
| Event |
Date |
Location |
Time |
| Meet with 5th Grade Volunteers |
Friday, December 2 |
Brackett Cafeteria |
7:40 AM |
| Bank Open for 1st Grade Only |
Friday, December 2 |
Brackett Cafeteria |
8:30 AM |
| Bank Open for All Grades |
Friday, December 9 |
Brackett Cafeteria |
8:30 AM |
How can I VOLUNTEER? We are in need of parent volunteers (2 positions) to help with bank activities on Fridays between 8:30-9:30. More volunteers are still needed to keep this program running throughout the school year. Parent volunteers will be assisting 5th grade workers with deposit/withdrawal transactions and other bank activities.
If you have any questions about the bank or are interested in volunteering, please contact Patty at 617-407-9971 or brackettbank@gmail.com. Thank you!
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 Brackett Book Fair is just two weeks away! We still have 7 volunteer slots to fill: http://tinyurl.com/brackettbookfair
WHEN: 11/28 – 12/1 during your child’s library time & *Thur. 12/1 5-8pm Family shopping night
** THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP! **
(1) HELP MAKE YOUR CHILD’S SHOPPING TIME FUN AND EASY
During Book Fair week, your child will have the opportunity to purchase books during his/her normally scheduled library time. Parents are welcome to join their children for Book Fair shopping during library time, but there will also be adult volunteers to help your child select and pay for books. Be sure to send in money if your child is allowed to buy items at the Book Fair. Don’t forget to account for the 6.25% sales tax that will be added to all purchases. For parents who are new to the book fair, students can buy books, bookmarks, pencils, games and other items during their classroom visit to the Book Fair. If you’d rather your child only purchase books, please talk to him/her ahead of time.
(2) COME SHOP ON FAMILY NIGHT THUR., 12/1!
Our shopping night for families is Thursday, Dec. 1 from 5-8pm. Come, meet your neighbors, and get an early start on your holiday shopping! There will be lots of great books to choose from, including a selection of books for adults. Cash and credit cards are accepted all week at the Book Fair.
(3) VOLUNTEER FOR THE BOOK FAIR! IT’S FUN AND EASY!
We need volunteers for the following times. If you are interested, please sign up: http://tinyurl.com/brackettbookfair
- Sun., 11/27 - for book delivery and fair setup
- 11/28-12/1 - during the school day to help kids select and buy books
- Thur. eve 12/1 - to staff the family shopping night
- Fri. am, 12/2 – to help load the books back into the truck
All proceeds from the Book Fair go to Brackett’s library. Please contact Katherine Gates (katbuch@gmail.com) if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Book Fair! |
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Shop on Amazon and earn money for the Brackett PTO!
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Brackett PTO every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, but with the added bonus of giving back!
All you have to do is use the link below when shopping on Amazon, login with your existing Amazon account, and Brackett will receive 0.5% of all eligible purchases made. Very easy and just in time for the holidays! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-2356830
Happy Shopping!!
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 The Brackett Winter Auction - Show us your Talent/Share your auction items now!
This winter we’re planning an online auction to raise funds for some exciting projects (Have you heard about the library renovations? What about the proposed climbing wall in the gym?). We need your help to make this fundraiser a success!
First, we need to assemble the list of auction items. This is where you come in. We know the Brackett community is filled with individuals who have incredible professions, hobbies, talents, and passions. We’re hoping to harness this energy to create an exciting and diverse list of auction items. We’ve put together a list of suggested items to donate (see below), but we’re certain that you’ll have other great ideas that we hope you’ll share.
We’re seeking items big and small, tangible objects, professional services, and especially some unique (priceless!) experiences. Would you (or your family or friends) consider donating any of the following?
- Professional services (landscape architecture, home design, painting, contractor, organizer, fitness class, photography, web design, graphic design)
- Food and beverage (restaurant gift certificates, private food/beverage tours or tastings, personal chef, baker, cooking classes, wine)
- Gift certificates to local businesses
- Sports (signed memorabilia, tickets to games or special events)
- Tickets (Boston Ballet, Boston Symphony Orchestra, concerts, plays, shows)
- Vacation homes (Spring Break, a long weekend, a summer week, timeshares)
- Artwork
We plan to create the list of auction items between now and the end of December. The auction will run online for one week at the end of January/beginning of February. Please reach out to us with all donation ideas. Also, note that the value of your donation is tax deductible (we can provide you with a receipt).
You can donate an item or suggest a donation idea by submitting the form at the following link:
https://goo.gl/forms/a6yflYFuVJLu7cMH2
Thank you for helping to make the Brackett Auction fundraiser a success!
Karianne Noble - mom to Will (3rd) and Owen (K) kariannenoble@gmail.com
Seville Meli - mom to Nolan (3rd) and Lucas (1st) seville.meli@gmail.com
Caitlin Sweeney – mom to Sonia (1st) caitlin.sweeney@gmail.com
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Picture Retake Day is Thurs. 12/1
School picture retake day is December 1st. If you'd like to have your child's photo retaken, please send them to school with the current photo in hand (please keep the class photo) on Thursday, December 1st. Please include a note with any instructions of what you'd like changed in the new photo.
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 LOVE your Teacher? Give a STAR Online, deadline is 12/2
Looking for a way to say 'Thank You' to your child's teacher or specialist? Consider a STARS certificate. This appreciation program is a win-win: recognizing great teachers and supporting AEF! Give a STAR online now!
http://www.arlingtoneducationfoundationma.org/wp/stars
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Brackett families delight in Super Moon
Several Brackett families took advantage of the perfect vantage point from Robbins Farm park to view Sunday night's Super Moon. Jeff from Arlington Astronomy Nights was on-hand with his high-power telescope allowing eager little ones an up close look at the amazing phenomenon. Dave will be back after Winter for additional Astronomy Nights at the park, stay tuned!
http://arlingtonastronomy.org
 
(Left pic by: Kristina Goransson)
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Thank you to those who attended Documentary airing "Most Likely to Succeed" at AHS last night!
Arlington’s Vision 2020 Education Task Group thanks all of the Brackett families and Arlington residents who attended the free screening of the documentary “Most Likely to Succeed” and open discussion about the movie’s themes and the community’s definitions of success and excellence in public schools. We look forward to more events soon. For more information on Vision 2020 please visit: http://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/all-boards-and-committees/vision-2020
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Childsplay at the Somerville Theatre on 11/20!
Come out for the joyous and fun musical extravaganza Childsplay. Sunday, Nov. 20, 3pm and 7pm shows at the Somerville Theater. The concert is put on by Brackett parent and violinmaker, Bob Childs. Many in the community are already familiar with the group as a subset of Childsplay gave an all-school cultural enrichment concert several years ago, and also played for the 3rd grade Colonial Days dance of the current 5th grade. Bob Childs has visited many classrooms to talk about violinmaking. Website with video clips at www.childsplay.org.
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For daily updated calendar and event information and details about PTO and all of the great groups that make up our community, please visit the Brackett Website at http://brackettelementary.org/
And remember to visit and like the Brackett PTO Facebook Page!
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ank you E-News readers! REMEMBER to like our Facebook Page and visit the Brackett Website for up to the minute updates on events and school news!