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PIP News
Beacon Letter: Local Organizations Sponsor "Skid School" for Acton-Boxboro Area Teens
October 25, 2008—
As much as any issue facing parents of teenagers today, driving often sparks deep concerns. Statistics show that nearly half of teenagers have an accident during their first year of driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). 
Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for US teens (US Center for Disease Control). Teen driver education does make a difference.
Thanks to the generosity of Acton Toyota of Littleton as Premier sponsor and community sponsors Acton-Boxborough Parent Involvement Project (PIP), Danny's Place, CAFY, SADD and the Acton Police Association, Acton-Boxborough area teens can participate in a morning or afternoon session of Teen Crash Prevention Training (aka "Skid School") on Saturday, October 25 at the In Control training facility in North Andover. Teens from Acton, Boxborough and Littleton are eligible to take the advanced driver training class at a special discounted rate of $199 ($100 savings). Space is limited. The fall class will also focus on the "physics of driving" courtesy of Acton PIP, www.actonpip.org.
In Control's "Skid School" is a unique, hands-on, advanced driver training course for teens that goes well beyond traditional driver education. The half day course gives teens the skills they need to maneuver safely and effectively out of emergency situations and the foresight to avoid those situations in the first place. Certified instructors teach teens how to control panic stops and emergency lane changes, avoiding tailgating accidents, and handling a car in dangerous conditions such as ice or snow.
For more information about the Acton-Boxborough area teen driving sessions or to register for the course, visit driveincontrol.com/ab or contact In Control Advanced Driver Training at 888-301-SAFE (7233).
Beacon Letter: PIP Grant Funds MIT Engineering Workshops
January 18, 2007—
Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project) is pleased to sponsor a series of MIT Engineering workshops at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) on Friday, January 26 during school periods 3, 6, 7 & 8. (Students attend only one period.) This is a collaborative effort between PIP and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, and it is the first time the MIT student engineering workshops have been conducted at ABRHS.
The goal of the workshops, led by MIT engineering students, is to answer the question "What is Engineering?" then present an overview of engineering disciplines, and explain why engineering is a rewarding career. Presenters will facilitate a hands-on activity using engineering concepts and share their experiences as engineering students. 
To attend the workshop, ABRHS students should sign up with Mrs. Groener in the Counseling Center indicating which period they will be attending. Space is limited.
PIP is pleased to offer the MIT student engineering workshops locally through an IBM Community Volunteer Grant. Although the workshops are open to girls and boys, they are sponsored in part by the MIT Women in Engineering (WIE) Initiative. Special thanks to Kay Steeves–ABRHS Faculty Adviser, Stephen Hitzrot–Chair of Counseling and Deborah Bookis–K to 12 Curriculum Coordinator for helping facilitate this initiative with PIP.
Acton PIP is a coalition of parents, educators, community members and business partners supporting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education in grades K-12. For more information about Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project), contact Karen Herther (263-6742) or Latha Swaroop (266-2737).
Beacon Letter: PIP, Roche Bros. Make It Count
March 17, 2005—To the editor: Acton PIP (Parent Involvement Project) would like to thank Roche Bros. of Acton for their generosity in hosting Acton PIP's annual Third Grade Market Math Mania event on Tuesday, March 1. Tom Farrell, Roche Bros store manager, and the entire Roche Bros. staff (and vendors Foley Fish and Mr. Hoodsie) outdid themselves again at this year's event, the first held in the larger and newly remodeled store space. About 220 third graders took part in the fourth annual Market Math event which included stations such as Fruit and Veggie Math, Pickle Tasting, M & M Math, The Price is Right and Check it Out grocery scanning.
PIP would like to extend a special thank you to Eileen Sullivan, Curriculum Specialist for the Acton Schools for her ongoing support for PIP, along with the elementary school principals and third grade teachers—many who creatively offered their students "homework" passes in exchange for Market Math participation.
PIP relies on the generosity of volunteers and community and business partners in order to hold events such as Market Math. PIP members and event organizers Carolyn Randolph, Susan Bierwagen, and Pam Bachrach all deserve kudos for their work before and during the event as do the many parent, student and scout volunteers who made it a success. All of the event copying was generously donated by the Issenberg family and the office of "Pressed 4 Time" in Maynard.
For more information about Acton PIP community math and science enrichment activities and to be added to the PIP e-loop, actonpip@yahoo.com or visit our Web site.
—Karen Herther and Lorrie Jacobsohn,
Acton PIP Co-Chairs
Acton PIP Community Thank You to the Beacon
November 10, 2004—Acton PIP would like to thank all who attended and helped make the PIP Magic with Mathematics event with Professor Ed Burger of Williams College a success. This was PIP's first community-wide event geared to families of older students and adults alike. We would like to acknowledge PIP student volunteers Sonya and Isabel Krakoff, Alex Zeneraitz, Emily O'Brien, and Jenn Kappel for helping run the event.
A special thank you to Allen Warner of RJG Junior High who not only facilitated the A/V technology for the evening, but mentored students in the process (part of what PIP is all about!). Acton PIP also appreciates community partners Roche Bros. of Acton, Skip's West Acton Market, Learning Express, and Continental Café for selling advance tickets to the event. We also thank Chris Stockman for event photography and Staples of Acton for donating copying for Math Magic.
Acton PIP relies on community support to continue to offer math, science and technology enrichment activities. For more information about PIP, e-mail actonpip@yahoo.com. — Thank you!
Karen Herther and Carlie Krakoff for Acton PIP
Acton PIP Awarded Two Corporate Grants
November 8, 2004—Acton PIP was awarded two corporate grants to support PIP community math and science enrichment activities.
The first award came from an IBM Community Service Volunteer Grant for $1,000. Special thanks to IBM Employee and veteran PIP supporter and volunteer Dawn Gomez and the PIP grant writing team (Karen Herther, Julia Miles, and Shelley Sherman).
The second award was from Philips Community Contribution Program for $2,000. Special thanks to Philips Medical employees, PIP supporters Ann Braden and Alok Tripathi, and the PIP grant writing team (Karen Herther, Julia Miles, and Shelley Sherman).
From the Archives
March 11 and 19, 2003 Market Math Photos
February 22, 2003 Market Math Press Release
June 17, 2002 Acton PIP Award Info Letter to Bill Ryan from the Acton Public School Office of Development
June 17, 2002 Acton PIP Highlights from the Massachusetts PIP
June 2002 Acton PIP Science Kit from the Beacon
Recognition
Karen Herther, PIP Co-Chair & Marcelo Almeida, International Club Coordinator, display Massachusetts PIP Recognition Award.
Science News for Kids
This RSS (Really Simple Syndication) brings daily science news from Science News Magazine.