Devotion has a new Principal!

Jennifer Flewelling. For the past five years, Ms. Flewelling has served as Principal of the North Beverly School in Beverly, Massachusetts. Prior to assuming these responsibilities, she was the Assistant Principal at Riddlebrook Elementary School in Bedford, New Hampshire for two years. Jennifer also taught at Smith Elementary School in Danvers, Massachusetts. Ms. Flewelling earned a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood, from Salem State College.

Jennifer will take full reign of the school on July 1. In the meantime, she will work on a transition plan that will allow her to utilize the next few months to ensure a great start when she formally joins the Brookline school system.

Welcome to Devotion Ms Flewelling!

Performing Arts Curriculum Coffee

Tuesday, January 24 :: 8:00 am in the Auditorium

Chris Thoft-Brown, Brookline K-8 Performing Arts Coordinator, will join us to discuss and answer questions about the music/drama curriculum, performing groups, and the program moving into the future.

Summer Camps Auction Launches January 27

Online Auction starts Friday, January 27; ends Wednesday, February 15

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and bid on a great summer camp for your child on Devotion’s Online Camps Auction 2012. All the camps are accredited, so try out a new camp or return to an old favorite while you will be supporting the Devotion School. For ease of mind, many camps offer a “Buy Now“ option. In previous auctions, many camps have sold for less than the retail value. However, even if you pay the full tuition price, you'll know your money is coming back to Devotion. Our Auctions (and Carnivale) have directly funded our new SmartBoards, our auditorium renovation and other major purchases so your bids make a tremendous difference for the school.

The list of camp choices continues to grow and include many popular day camps (Beaver, Chestnut Hill, Dexter, BB&N, Brimmer &amp May, Fessenden, etc.), sports camps (baseball, soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc.), specialty camps (film, drama, arts, science, college prep, cooking, etc.) and sleepaway camps (including some that siblings or friends could bid on and attend together).

If you know a camp we could add to our list, please contact Cindy Tungate. We’re also looking for Celtics and other sports tickets to include in the auction. For more information, pick up a brochure at the camps table near the front entrance of the school.

Annual Crafts and Service Fair

Wednesday, February 8 :: 5-7:00pm in the Cafeteria (sellers arrive at 4:30 pm to set up)

Devotion students K-8 are welcome to sell their creations and/or services. Make jewelry, barrettes, magnets, soap, candles, baked goods, or whatever you can think up. Offer nail polishing, hair braiding, tattoos, games, card trading, face painting, ice cream sundaes, pizza... Get your creative juices going!

Participants need to register by filling out a form and returning it to the office along with the $2 fee no later than Friday, February 3. Don’t miss out on the fun! This year a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Kids Café Program at the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Contact: Karen Levy or MaryAnn Woods. Crafts Fair Registration Form

K-4 Valentine’s Day Party Extravaganza!

Monday, February 13 from 6-7:30pm in the Devo Cafeteria

All Devo students in grades K-4 and their families are invited to celebrate Valentine's Day at this fun, free event! Enjoy art projects, stories about Valentine's Day and friendship, Valentine's sweets, prizes and music! From 6-7pm, there will be stations set up all around the cafeteria where you and your child can work together on art projects and/or read stories about Valentine's Day. At 7pm we will have a sing-a-long. The event will end at 7:30 pm. Sponsored by Devo PTO and Steps to Success. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help out at this event, contact Daniel Lipton.

The Science Fair is Coming!

Registration deadline is Friday, February 17

The PTO-sponsored 12th Devotion Science Fair is coming on Saturday, March 17. All Devo students, pre K-8, are invited to participate. Information packets with registration forms are available for download below. You can also pick up a copy in the school library and main office. Registration deadline is February 17. Please contact Sarah Harris or Charlotte Mao, if you have any questions or would like to get involved. We’d particularly appreciate referrals to professional scientists NOT associated with Devo who might be willing to be a judge at the Fair.

The Devo Buzz: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Deadline is Friday, February 17

The Devo Buzz, Devotion's art and literary magazine, is now seeking contributions for its next issue. Students from pre-K to 8 are encouraged to submit their best work—including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, black-and-white or color drawing, painting, or photography—whether it was done for school or on their own. Everyone who submits will be included. Tell your young artists and writers that they can leave their submissions in the Buzz box in the library or send them to DevoBuzz. Start now; the deadline for submission is Friday, February 17.

Volunteer Opportunities

K-4 FAMILY VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY EXTRAVAGANZA Volunteers are needed to lead fun art and story book activities for a Devotion K-4 Family Valentine's Day celebration on February 13. Volunteers are also needed to help with refreshments. If interested in volunteering, contact Daniel Lipton.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Interested in Promoting Community Service at Devo? The Brookline Food Pantry has requested our help in the face of the growing needs of the community. Come learn about the issues and help us plan initiatives that Devotion students and families can perform to address the needs. If you are interested, please contact Devotion PTO .

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT Join the planning committee for Devo's amazing annual potluck. Contact Devotion PTO to get involved!

AFTER HOURS U is looking for parent volunteers to lead short-term or long-term workshops related to math and/or science. If interested in volunteering or to learn more, contact Daniel Lipton.