Dear Brackett Families,

Thank you so much for your support and understanding today as we closed school. We are working with Dr. Homan and the district to address this day without school and will have a plan by early next week.

It was so lovely to see so many of you yesterday morning in the cafeteria. Coffees with Dr. Vice will be a monthly event sponsored by the PTO. The next coffee on November 8 will focus on gathering family input for creating community expectations at Brackett. I hope that many of you will attend to provide insight into this process. Our faculty and staff are working on this, and we will be gathering student perspectives as well.

One final reminder, please make sure that you are following all town signage regarding parking in both the morning arrival and the afternoon dismissal times. I know that finding a space is tricky and appreciate your help with this.

The new information this week is brought to you by our PTO STEM Committee! Enjoy!

Best,

Dr. Vice

New Information Overview

Viewing the Partial Eclipse
Water Bottle Rocket Event
Celebrating National Chemistry Week
Calendar Reminders

All previous family communication can be accessed in the News and Announcements on the district website. Math Mornings will continue tomorrow beginning at 7:20.

All fifth graders on the Student Council will meet next Thursday, October 19 for their first meeting.

Partial Eclipse!

On Saturday, October 14, there will be a partial eclipse that can be viewed from the Boston area at around 1:25pm EDT.

Check out this Mini Data Story and explore views of the eclipse from all over the Americas. Try to identify who is in the path of the Ring of Fire!

STAHR, the SPS, AstroSoc, and the Astronomy and Physics Departments at Harvard will host a viewing party on the 8th floor deck of the Science Center. We invite you to join the event from 12-3pm. There will be solar telescopes and other safe methods for viewing the eclipse, in addition to a NASA livestream of the event. Snacks, eclipse glasses, and commentary will be provided. We hope you’ll join us!

Directions: The Science Center is located at 1 Oxford St in Cambridge, 8th floor, Astronomy Lab (804). Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations may contact Allyson Bieryla in advance of the event.

Water Bottle Rockets At Robbins Farm Park!

WHEN: Saturday, October 21st from 10 am - 12 pm

WHERE: Robbins Farm Park

The Brackett STEM Committee would like to announce the annual launch of water bottle rockets in Robbins Farm Park. You can make your own water bottle rocket ahead of time (see THIS or THIS LINK for instructions) or bring your supplies and make it on site! (we recommend 1-liter bottles from carbonated beverages) Don't forget to bring some water to use as fuel. Also bring a helmet (bicycle or other) for when your rocket returns to earth.

Check out these videos from a previous launch - from the perspective of a camera attached in various strategic places, including on a rocket itself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z1xt8PBMFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV7BZsxnczE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IbIzn3uw_Y

For questions: Scott "Rocketman" Uebelhart

For more information on the Brackett STEM Committee: Jamie Strand

The Brackett STEM Committee Presents: A Celebration of National Chemistry Week!!!

Come join us afterschool from Oct 23-27 to explore The Healing Power of Chemistry! Chemistry plays a crucial role in formulating the medicines we take when we get sick, developing the vaccinations we roll our sleeves up for, and testing the blood samples that we provide at our doctors’ offices.

Come explore with us as we find out more!

Calendar Reminders

Please add the Brackett Google Calendar to your personal calendar system. In addition, we have put together a one page of major events. These are subject to change.

October 13 – SMILE Dental Program

October 21 – Water Bottle Rockets at Robbins Farm Park

October 23 – Family Math Night K-1 (6-7:30pm)