Makerspace Parent Workshop and Coffee

Makerspace Parent Workshop an and Coffee

 Wednesday, October 23 from 8-9 a.m. in the Makerspace (Rm 117) 

A makerspace is where students interact with all sorts of materials and each other to solve a problem or achieve a goal while using 21st century learning skills including collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. We invite you to come tour our makerspace (Room 117), enjoy some coffee, and participate in a hands-on activity to learn more about the engineering design process and design thinking. This event is sponsored by the Enrichment & Challenge Support (ECS) department - supporting all students through innovation. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kyle Tompkins at kyle_tompkins@psbma.org

4th Grade Parents: Understanding Our Differences

Calling all fourth grade parents! Understanding Our Differences is an interactive disability awareness curriculum that teaches children to see the whole person and better understand a disability. The topics will be Physical Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, the Spectrum of Vision, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

This is an amazing program that the kids get so much out of, but we cannot make it happen without your help! We are in need of at least five volunteers from 8-10:30 AM on one or more of the scheduled mornings:

• Monday, October 7

• Monday, November 25

• Monday, December 2

• Monday, December 9

You can sign up right now at SignUp Genius: Understanding Our Differences

Volunteering entails attending a brief training before school about a week or so before the date, for about 15 minutes at drop off time. Parents can alternatively train themselves by reviewing the materials online or make a separate time to meet with Alison Schonwald. Please contact Alison Schonwald atalisonschon69@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Current Volunteer Openings for the PTO

Every parent and caregiver, along with every teacher, is automatically part of the Driscoll PTO; it is up to you to decide how active a member you will be.  The PTO is your voice and venue to be involved and heard, but without parent support we can not continue to offer the level of programming that all of our families have come to depend on.  There are numerous ways to get involved with the PTO: on a one time basis at one of the various parent-run events held throughout the year, or on a more regular basis through one of the event committees or Executive Board.  Our goal is to have every family volunteer at least one time a year.To volunteer, for more information, or if you just want to ask any other questions, you can always email us at driscollpto@gmail.com.Here are some current openings that we are actively seeking volunteers for:

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DASA Coordinator (2 Open Positions)

DASA (Driscoll After School Activities) offers a variety of after school classes for all Driscoll students.  This program is one of the major fundraising programs for the PTO, and requires parent volunteers to keep it running.  We need two parents to take over this program in the Fall: we are looking for one who can handle more of the back-end work, lining up instructors and handling online student registration; and one to be more of a presence at school to assist with the transitions, especially the first week of each of the three sessions.We are offering an incentive for parents volunteering for this position: both of the DASA Coordinators will receive free DASA enrollment for their children (base level classes only).

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Early Release Movies Coordinator (2 Open Positions)

The PTO offers movies on Early Release Days (four times in the Fall and four times in the Spring).  This both allows parents the convenience of picking their children up at the normal pickup time, and raises money for the PTO.  We are looking for people who can be responsible for the movies, from purchasing snack and supplies beforehand, to working with the Volunteer Coordinator to line up parent volunteers to staff the movies.  (It is important that any volunteers can be at school for all of the early release days).We are offering an incentive for parents volunteering for this position: both of the Early Release Movie Coordinators will receive free movie enrollment for their children.

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Spring Fair Committee Chairs (2 Open Positions) 

The Spring Fair is one of our most popular events, and is held every May.  We are looking for two parents, preferably with younger children, to join our Spring Fair committee to replace parents whose children are moving onto high school.  They will be working with the existing committee chairs to help organize and carry out the Spring Fair, from dealing with food and ride vendors, recruiting parent volunteers, and more.  (It is important that any volunteers can be at school for the entire day of the Spring Fair to assist with setup).

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Driscoll Science Fair Committee Chairs (2 Open positions)

The Driscoll Science Fair takes place every year in early March. It’s a great opportunity for kids in grades K-8 to learn about the scientific method hands-on and to present their findings. The winners from the middle school have the opportunity to move on to the regional and even state science fairs. Being a co-chair is a fun and rewarding way to contribute to the Driscoll community! The current co-chairs are seeking 2 parents to join them this year and take over the Science Fair for the 2020-2021 school year. Responsibilities:Fall (~5 hours total):

• Maintain the Science Fair website - this is fairly easy to do. It’s on weebly and the primary thing that needs updating each year is the dates.
• Schedule the Science Fair date and coordinate with the school/Brookline to reserve the cafeteria and gym

 January (~4 hours per co-chair)

• Meet with middle school teachers/students to encourage participation (optional)
• Order trophies, participation awards, and other supplies. Book science show if you would like to have one while the judges are deliberating.
• Contact potential judges to secure them for the date
• Work with PTO to include blurb in newsletter. Put signs on doors at Driscoll.

 February (~4 hours per co-chair)

• Work with volunteer coordinator to get parent volunteers for the day of the event
• Update handouts for event that include schedule and bios for judges
• Stop by office periodically to pick up registration forms and registration fees
• Towards the end of the month (after Feb break), begin assembling list of participants and mapping out table layout

 Event in early March (~4 hours planning, 2-3 hours for setup, 5 hours day of event per co-chair)

• The week of the event is quite busy, but the current 2 co-chairs both have full time jobs and were able to get everything done in the evenings, so it is doable!
• Setup the night before at Driscoll
• Host the event (usually Saturday morning) and have fun learning about the kids projects!

 After the event (~2 hours total)

• Submit receipts to PTO for reimbursement
• Help middle school students submit applications to the regional fair

Spring Fair 2019!

Join us Wednesday May 22 for the annual Driscoll Spring Fair!  Festivities will happen from 3:30 to 7:30.There will be rides, games, food and fun!The rain date for the event is May 23.

Join us May 1 for the first Driscoll Family Trivia Night!

We hope you can join us for the first Driscoll Family Trivia night, to be held in the cafeteria on Wednesday, May 1st from 6:30 - 8 PM.We'll be putting together trivia questions to test your knowledge of Driscoll school, our teachers, and more.  Put together a team of no more than five people (we suggest at least one student and one adult per team), and keep your eyes on our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, etc) for some hints ahead of time.  (For example, did you know that Dr. Talukar's favorite movie is The Notebook?)

Blue for Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month in the Public Schools of BrooklineInternationally recognized on April 2nd every year, the United Nations established World Autism Awareness Day to encourage member states of the United Nations to take measures and raise awareness about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the world.As a sign of unity, support, and understanding for people with Autism, we invited all PSB community members to wear blue on Tuesday, April 2. The international community honors Autism Awareness by illuminating national landmarks in blue light to raise public engagement.  During the entire month of April, our school exterior lights will change to blue in recognition of Autism Acceptance month.

Vote on May 7 for the Driscoll School Building Project

To learn more, visit the Brookline Public Schools page about the Driscoll School Building ProjectPlease, VOTE: Tues. May 7, Polls open: 7am to 8pmWhat: A new building to serve 800 students, with 4 sections per grade and 3 pre-K classrooms (currently there are 630 students with 3 sections per grade, except for 4th with 4 sections, and 1 pre-K). In addition, a cafeteria big enough to serve all students in 3 lunch periods (rather than the current 5 lunches); 2 gyms (one twice the size of the current gym); a multi-purpose room with a stage; 3 music rooms, 2 art rooms, a maker/fab space, 3 middle school science classrooms, outdoor classrooms, and of course, a library!  Plus many spaces for small group learning and teacher collaboration. And 25% more open space with newly designed playground and fields.

Where: On current field/playground. New field/playground will be built on site of current building. (i.e. the building and open space are swapping spaces.)

When:  Construction would begin summer 2020, with new school opening Fall 2022

Why:  Brookline school enrollment has grown 40% over the last decade, Driscoll has grown by over 65%.  We need more space! Plus the current over a century old building has never been fully renovated and needs work.

Cost:  $108.8 m including new fossil free fuel building,  play area, 25 underground parking spaces, and improvements to adjacent sidewalks and streets.

How:  If the project is to move forward, voters in Brookline must approve a debt exclusion to fund it.  On Tues May 7th ballot,  question 1 will ask if you agree to have the town of Brookline construct new school buildings for Driscoll and Baldwin. A yes votes means you want to fund the project.

MakerSpace Tour-February 13

What’s new at Driscoll?  A MakerSpace!

Stop by for Coffee and a Tour of the space on Wednesday February 13th, 8 -9 a.m. A makerspace is where students interact with all sorts of materials and each other to solve a problem or achieve a goal while using 21st century learning skills including collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.   We invite you to come to our new makerspace (Room 117), enjoy some coffee, and learn more about the design process.  This event is sponsored by the Enrichment & Challenge Support (ECS) department, supporting all students through innovation.

Stoked Pizza Fundraiser on Monday, Feb 4

 Who loves PIZZA?  Who loves STOKED PIZZA??Please join us for a fundraiser to benefit the Driscoll School PTO!Monday, February 4 from 5 – 9pmCome enjoy some great pizza and support a great cause!Stoked Pizza will donate 10% of sales (dine-in and takeout) from 5 – 9pm on Monday, February 4 tothe Driscoll School PTO!These funds support amazing programs like Arts Equinox; Science Solstice; DASA; Early Releasemovies; grants for teachers to use for classroom supplies; the Spring Fair; and so much more!Check out the flyer here to learn more 

Driscoll Science Fair Deadline is Feb 26

Save the date for the Driscoll Science Fair - Saturday, March 2, 2019. 

Join your classmates for a fun and educational day at the Science Fair. All participants will have a chance to share their projects with judges and the top middle school finishers will move on to the regional competition. Learn more at https://driscollsciencefair.weebly.com/

 The deadline to register is Tuesday, February 26th, 2019-----------------------Who:  Any registered Driscoll School StudentWhat ages: Kindergarten - 8th grade (even younger children can do beautiful projects!)When: Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9 am-Noon.Where: The Driscoll Gymnasium (3-8 grades) & Cafeteria (for K-2)How: Projects are to be carried out and made by children during non-school time

International Night is February 28

Come celebrate our diversity. Be part of international night!Thursday, February 28th, 6-8pmDriscoll School CafeteriaShare information about your country with a favorite dish, dessert, candy, a song, dance, game or any part of the culture that you want to share. Or just come and enjoy the evening with your family!Contact Sheryl Steeves (sherylsteeves@hotmail.com) or Liz Donovan (donovanelizabeth@gmail.com) for more information.

Parent Workshop: "Talking to Kids about Race and Racism"

Parent Workshop: "Talking to Kids about Race and Racism"

Wednesday, January 30, 6 - 7:30 PMDriscoll Theater

A parent workshop, featuring Dr. Kalise Wornum (Senior Director of Educational Equity, Brookline Public Schools) and Dr. Suzie Talukar (Principal of Michael Driscoll School)

Sponsored by the Driscoll PTO

One of the challenges facing parents in today's world is the struggle to raise race conscious children.  Issues of racism and inequality show up in the news on a daily basis, on both a national and a local level.  How can we start a conversation with our children about race and racism?

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Were you unable to make the workshop? Download the presentation here.