PEDP Newsletter September 2022

Come get caught in our net! Calling all Minnows (K-1), Barracudas (2-3), and Sharks (4-5)! Swim on into our reef!

Our monthly newsletters are one of the ways we communicate with you. After this one, they will be much shorter with just brief newsworthy notes.  We welcome your feedback at any time. Send an e-mail, give us a call or stop by to see us!

Another great way to get info about upcoming events, classes, field trips, etc. is to look on our website, www.peirceedp.com.

First and foremost, let me introduce our amazing staff! The children address our staff as “Miss/Ms.” or “Mr.” with their first name. For example, I am Miss Kathy to the children. Staff members agree that this sets the tone for a certain level of respect.

In addition to the group above, we will be welcoming three students from Boston College who will be doing their work study with us: Sarah Bianchi, Nathanael Choi, and Emma Daugherty! Gail Shaheen is the Program’s bookkeeper.  She works offsite but you’ll see her name on paperwork.

We really value the experience our returning staff provides but also welcome the fresh perspective we gain from our new team members! When picking up, you should plan to have a photo ID with you in case you are asked by the staff. It takes a while to learn all your names!

Name Position Year at PEDP Program & Days
Rachel Bastarache Sharks Coordinator 21st Early Birds W

Sharks M-F

Courtney Broaddus Minnows Coordinator 6th Early Birds M

Minnows M-F

Jamie Carty Teacher First! Minnows W
Nancy Holly Administrative Asst.

EB Teacher

10th Administration M-Th Early Birds TuTh
Alicia Karunaratne Teacher First! Minnows TuF
Pablo Lebret Teacher 5th Minnows M-F
Kathy Lynnes Executive Director 39th Administration M-F

Early Birds F

Joanne Malouf Asst. Director

Barracudas Coordinator

34th Early Birds W/F

Barracudas M-Th

Administration F

Laurie Pedzewick Teacher 15th Barracudas M-F
Monica Reuman Teacher First! Sharks W
Kyle Shoulkin Teacher First! Minnows M-F
Nick Szulwach Teacher 4th Sharks M-F
Hannah Tucker Teacher First! Barracudas M-F
Deb Wyler Teacher

Administrative Asst.

7th Barracudas W

Administration Tu

We have 117 children currently enrolled in the program and we have space for a few more so if you know someone who might be interested, tell them to give me a call ASAP!

The Program’s Board of Directors for 2022-23 is listed below:

Alma Adler, Member

Radhika Bhatia, Secretary

Roli Kumar-Choudhury, Member

Marie-Jo Dumoulin, Member

Travis Looker, Treasurer

Andrea Merin, Member

Dan Pregibon, Member

Gary Schmirer, President

Karthik Venkatesh, Vice President

We have room for 1-2 alternates on the board so let us know if you might be interested! Parents are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings held in the evening.

CURRICULUM

After some brainstorming and lively discussion today, the staff chose several themes which will be the focus of many activities throughout the year. These planned activities help to make the Program interesting, educational, and fun. During September, our theme is Earth, Fire, Air and Water. We foresee a lot of STEM projects this month!

CLASSES and FIELD TRIPS

We are planning to have some this year! Stay tuned for details about when they will be held, cost and how to enroll.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

I’m so glad you asked! There are so many ways you can get involved throughout the year. Here are just a few for now:

  • Do you like to bake? Cookies?Cake? Bars? Bread? We’re looking for some bakers to provide baked goods that we will package and sell at a BAKE SALE the night of the Back-to-School Picnic on September 9th. This is our first fundraiser of the year.

If you can share your talents in this way, look out for the Sign-Up Genius link coming soon!

Donations of baked goods should be dropped off at PEDP on Thursday, September 8th between 12-6 pm or Friday, September 9th between 8-9 am. PEDP will take care of packaging and pricing all the goods for the sale.

  • We’re looking for LOTS of tennis balls for games—used are totally fine. Bring ‘em in!

REQUESTS AND REMINDERS FOR ALL PARENTS…

  • Our snack schedule is always created 2-3 weeks at a time. Feel free to ask us if you’d like to see a copy of it.
  • Payments: Note that we charge a $25 late fee for all payments that are over one week late.
  • Please pick up from the Program at Door #4 on the side of the school.
  • Do notdrive into the driveway AT ALLthat leads to our entrance. Children and staff are crossing this pavement constantly and their safety is at stake.
  • The Early Birds program ($13 per day) and Extra Hours ($13 per hour) are available to all families as space allows. Just ask!
  • Remember that you must notify PEDP whenever your child will not be attending for the day. You may do this in person, by phone (617-332-5881), in writing, or via e-mail: kids@peirceedp.com.  There is a calling fee of $25 if the staff need to make phone calls to find out where your child is at attendance time.
  • Take two minutes to register with Amazon Smileand choose Peirce Extended Day Programas your chosen organization. Now BOOKMARK IT! Then when shopping on Amazon (through Amazon Smile), every time you make a purchase, Amazon donates a percentage of it to us!  It’s so easy!

NO SCHOOL OR PEDP: Monday, September 26th (Rosh Hashanah)

EARLY RELEASE DAY: Thursday, September 29th(School dismisses at 12:10pm)

I know that this is a lot of information. Trust me, your children are getting even more!  If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask. Again, welcome!  I look forward to meeting and talking with each of you and getting to know your children.

Saying goodbye to summer,

Kathy