The third meeting of the Guys Read book group will be on Thursday, April 30th, from 6-7 p.m. in Mr. Gaita's room. Boys and their dads/uncles/ grandfathers are invited to join in this fun group. The next title is: "Adventures of the Greek Heroes" by Mollie McLean and Anne Wiseman. The book is a great introduction to stories about heroes like Hercules, Theseus and Orpheus. Books will be held for us at New England Mobile Book Fair, paperback copies are around $6.

Please RSVP to Mr. Gaita so we have an idea of how many people we should expect at david_gaita@newton.k12.ma.us.

Students at Burr School once again have the opportunity to participate in the Books4Bikes program. This program is sponsored by Paula Farina, a Horace Mann parent, who owns Farina Bikes in Newton. Students will earn the opportunity to be in a lottery to win a bike of their choice. It is a wonderful way for students to earn something by reading. Every participant will receive a coupon for a free water bottle, $5 off a bike helmet and a free bike helmet fitting at Farina's Bikes. Participation is optional.

Beginning March 17th, students can read and record the number of minutes they read on the record sheet that has been sent home with your child, along with the coupon. K to 2 students can fill in a line for every 20 minutes they read. For students who are not reading, reading with a parent or being read to for 20 minutes will count. Grades 3-5 students need to read for 30 minutes to fill a line on the record sheet. Friday April 17th will be the last day for the program.

The completed form should be sent in to your classroom teacher. This will then become your child's lottery ticket. In the May All School meeting we will draw one winner for K-2 and one for Grades 3-5. Each winner will be able to pick a bike of his/her choice at Farina's Bikes.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Guttman, the Literacy Specialist for Burr at kalpana_guttman@newton.k12.ma.us.

Pretzels are on sale every Friday afternoon after school. $1 buys a large soft pretzel. Sales benefit the fifth grade class gift and graduation activities.

Thank you for your support!

Join METCO and Newton families at the annual BU Swim Party!  Join us as we drift along the "lazy river" and have a potluck snack together.

BU Swim Party
Saturday April 4
1:45-4:00 pm
$5 per swimmer

For more information or to sign up for this event, please contact Lori Wheeler.

Bus transportation from Cold Spring Park leaving at 9am (and back in time for early release -- or for you to get back to work!)

Join a bunch of fellow Burr parents on the bus to the state house for the Stand for Children rally! Within a few weeks of the rally, legislators are likely to vote on three proposals that could bring $3,625,044 in new revenues to Newton. That's how much our community could receive if the legislature: closes the telecom tax loophole, adopts the governor's proposal to increase the hotel and meal taxes by one penny and redistribute it to the communities most in need, allows communities to raise another penny on the hotel and meal tax locally.

Corporate lobbyists are opposing these proposals. Legislators are telling us that they need to see grassroots support to keep these options on the table. The rally is a short but powerful way to take action and make our voice heard.

Click here to find out more and register for the rally.. We'd love to see you on the bus -- get in touch with Susan Cassidy if you have any questions.  Join us!