Pine Hill Post
January 3, 2024
What's happening on the hill?
Dear Pine Hill families,
The new year brings extra cheer to our school! Staff and students returned from vacation reminiscing about family traditions, holiday celebrations and winter vacation. There is also lots of talk about hopes for the first snowfall.
Our string ensemble and the 5th grade chorus and band dazzled us with a concert prior to break. Thank you to Kelly Hodge, Dan Davis, and Andrea Costello for always bringing a love of music to our school!
Linked here is the latest issue of the DS FoPA Newsletter (Friends of the Performing Arts):
Behind the scenes, we have been working to recruit and hire a few new faculty members.
- Welcome to Genevieve O'Connell, new Spanish Teacher for grades K, 2, and 4 (started 1/2/24)
- Welcome to Claire Amabile, new Interventionist who will support students across K-5 with literacy and math (started 1/2/24)
- Welcome to Kartice Theroux, new Adjustment Counselor who will support students K-5 with social emotional learning needs (starting 1/11/24)
January 23rd is the official "half way day" of school. Can you believe it??!!
Happy New Year to all!
Barbara & Allison
Upcoming/Important Dates
Thursday, January 4 - 7:00 pm CSA Meeting, Sherborn Library (first floor, Trustee Room)
Tuesday, January 9th - 6:30 pm Challenge Success - The Well Balanced Child Presentation for Parents/Caregivers, in-person at Chickering School (or live stream) see details below
Wednesday, January 10th - Early release day, dismissal at 11:15 am
Thursday, January 11th - 6:30-8:00 pm, Grade 5 participates in District Song Fest, Mudge auditorium
Monday, January 15 - NO SCHOOL - MLK weekend
Monday January 15th - DS MLK Ice Skating Party, sponsored by METCO
Wednesday, January 24th - 6:30-7:30 pm, Superintendent presentation on the "State of the District", DS Middle School Library
Friday, January 26th - School Spirit Day Pine Hill Disco Day (we will chanel the 1970's with fun dress and special themed activities at school)
Friday, January 26th - Report cards issued (you will receive an email reminder to access the parent postal in ASPEN)
Tuesday, January 30th - 6:30 -8:00 pm, Joint School Committee Meeting, DS Middle School Library
Well-Balanced Child Workshop for Parents and Caregivers of Elementary Students
Tuesday, January 9 at 6:30 pm
Chickering Elementary School
Please RSVP here
In a high-stakes, high-pressure culture, our expectations of our children may have damaging effects on their development, leading to unhealthy stress and disengagement. Dover-Sherborn has partnered with Stanford University to bring Challenge Success’ The Well-Balanced Child presentation to parents of Pine Hill and Chickering students. Come learn more about how to encourage autonomy, cultivate resilience, and promote well-being to set our children up for success as they grow – all while supporting the academic rigor that DS is known for.
This program will be offered both at Chickering Elementary and via live stream at home. As part of building community, we encourage you to join us in person at Chickering, where we will have food and discuss the Challenge Success concepts. Principals Dr. Brown and Dr. Reinemann, as well as elementary school counselor Tawny Desardins will facilitate the discussion and offer their experience with how the Challenge Success approach can help establish healthier home and school environments.
Learn more about Challenge Success here and we look forward to seeing you all on Jan. 9!
DS MLK Ice Skating party - January 15th
All are welcome at the Annual DS MLK Day Ice Skating Party, sponsored by DS METCO.
Location: Jim Roche Arena, 1275 VFW Pkwy, Boston, MA 02132; more details to come!
Registration for Winter/Spring Community Education Classes
Registration has begun for the Winter Spring session of after school enrichment classes. The flier may be found on the Dover Sherborn website (Doversherborn.org) under Students & Families, Community Education.
Lisa B. Sawin
Dover Sherborn Community Education
508-785-0036 x 7516
Sherborn METCO Scholarship Fundraiser
https://dsmetcoscholarshipfund.org/
As the weather turns and the Holidays approach, many of us start to think about gratitude and about helping others. We think about our community, our students and the rich opportunities our schools provide.
Our students from Boston often attend Dover Sherborn schools from kindergarten through 12th grade — committing to the long commute, committing to straddling two communities, committing to DS. It is a long haul and our schools are lucky to have these students and this program enriching our district.
Our scholarship awards help make their launch into the world a little bit more joyful and a little bit easier.
When you donate during our Friendsgiving fundraiser (and any time of the year) 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to scholarship awards for our DS graduates.
Give if you can.
Pine Hill Library Gift Books
Share your child’s love of books! The Pine Hill Library Gift Book program allows students to acknowledge a special teacher, administrator, or specialist by purchasing a book for the school library in their honor. To participate, complete the form here, which includes payment of $22 per book. Please fill out one form per student. Books can be purchased throughout the school year! For more information, please contact Laurie Ryan, Pine Hill School Librarian ryanl@doversherborn.org. Thank you for supporting our school library!