| Mark your Calendars |
April 20-24:
Spring Vacation
April 26:
NewtonServes
at Burr
12:30 -3pm
April 30:
Guys Read Book Group, 6-7pm,
Mr. Gaita's room
May 6:
Burr Art Show
3-6pm
May 7:
Burr Art Show
8am - 8pm
with Artists Reception
6pm - 8pm
May 9:
May Fair
12:30-3:30
June 2:
Color Day
June 3:
Color Day Raindate |
Volunteer
Opportunities |
The Library Gift Book Sale needs volunteers to help run the Library Gift Book Sale between May 9th and May 15th. Help students and parents select books, complete order forms, collect payments and enter data into a database. Shifts are approximately 30 minutes long; 8:15 - 8:45 AM Monday through Friday morning, 2:45 - 3:15 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and 12:15 - 12:45 PM on Tuesday afternoon. Some of the database work can be done at your home at a time convientent to you. This is wonderful way to volunteer a small portion of your time at the end of the year. If you are interested, please email Jill Greblick or call 617-916-5057
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| PTO Letter |
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Dear Burr families and staff -
As usual, we have had a busy few weeks and would like to take a moment for a few "thank yous":
It was great to see a bunch of you at last week's PTO meeting at the Yawkey Club of Roxbury. Many thanks to Robin Moriarty, our Math Coach, who showed us what math instruction looks like at each grade, and how the Newton program matches up with the state curriculum frameworks. Robin has posted a great collection of links math games, web sites, and a video for parents and kids on her Math web site - take a look! Many thanks to Lori Wheeler for organizing our April Burr Buddies "FriendTrip" to the BU Aquatic Center for our annual pool party. It was great to see so many families there, as usual for this popular event.
We hope that everyone enjoyed the evening out at the Chateau Restaurant in Waltham (who doesn't enjoy an evening off from cooking every once in a while?). Many thanks to Sherri Sonia for bringing us the idea for the evening and for Erika Drezner for organizing the event itself. And thanks to all of YOU who attended, of course!
We are in the final week of our Career Survey Fundraiser. Thanks to the 122 Burr parents, staff and friends/relatives who have filled out the survey already. We have raised a bit over $3000 so far and will be holding our drawing for the $200 prize on April 15. If you haven't yet filled out your survey, please do it right now by clicking here. Believe it or not, it's time for us to start planning for next year! We are now asking parents to help out with the various Burr PTO activities and committees for next year. If you are interested in any aspect of improving the Burr community, please let us know. We try to reach out to all, but reaching out works both ways. Please help our recruiting efforts by letting us know of your interests. Please don't be wary of asking us what's needed or what's involved in any particular responsibility! You can ask questions and/or express interest without making any commitment up front and without fear of getting roped-in. Promise! (For those of you who currently chair or co-chair PTO activities and events, we're starting to put together our budget for next year, and Margaret Crook will contact you soon to discuss next year's plans.) And speaking of helping out ... ever thought about being on the PTO Board? We are on the search for folks to fill three positions -P TO Co-president, Treasurer, and Fundraising Coordinator to work with us next year. You'll meet lots of new folks and learn a lot more about what's going on at school -- it is indeed a very rewarding experience! Interested in learning more about any of these positions? Check out the descriptions here or get in touch with Lizbeth Heyer, Erika Drezner, or Susan Cassidy. Speaking of next year .... on Wednesday April 15th, the School Committee will vote on the system-wide school budget for next year. (7:30pm at the Ed Center) This vote is a bit later in the year than usual - they've been waiting to find out about federal funding. An update to the budget was recently posted that takes into account the latest funding information - please read it (you can do this -- it's only 6 pages long!) It has two items that are particularly applicable to Burr regarding class size and the restoration of some time for our library teacher and technology specialist. There's lots more, of course. So, agree with the proposed budget? Disagree with it? Got a better idea?! Let the School Committee know. Public comment is welcome at their meeting Monday night (TONIGHT) 7:30 at the Ed Center. We hope everyone has a terrific April vacation week!
-- Susan Cassidy and Dana Hanson |
| Burr School Cleanup for NewtonServes |
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REMINDER
Burr Needs You
Sunday, April 26
12:30 to 3:00
Please come to School for some Spring Cleaning
 Outside we plan to clean up the front yard, turn over the garden, trim trees, weed, rake, sweep and put in some annuals.
Inside we have requests from teachers to paint bookshelves, fix wobbly table legs, put wheels on bookcases etc...so we need a general handyman/ woman with a can of screws, nails a cordless drill and a hammer. This is a family Community Service Day for Newton Serves ALL ARE WELCOME! KIDS CAN DIG, SWEEP PAINT OR JUST PLAY Cold drinks and treats will be provided! All participants are invited back to City Hall at the end of the day for an ice-cream social. Please wear old clothes and bring wheelbarrows, brooms, rakes, shovels , gloves, and garden tools. ( Please put your name on any items that you bring) RSVP to Kelly Brown kellyebrown@verizon.net. We will register the team with the City. If you already registered on line with City Hall that is great just let us know so we have an accurate head count. Questions contact Kelly Brown or Bill Hoch. Can't make it that day but want to help?? Please contact us ...we need paint, drop cloths, food and drink, screws and other miscellaneous supplies. |
| May Fair - Saturday May 9, 12:30 - 3:30 |
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Mark your calendars! The Burr May Fair is scheduled for 12:30 to 3:30 Saturday May 9. We'll have fun for the whole family: games, prizes, Daddies on the Grill, face-painting, bake sale, cake walk, and more! We're actively seeking volunteers to help out at the event as well as donations of baked goods for the Bake Sale, cakes for the Cake Walk (can be store-bought) or decorated cakes for the Cake Decorating Contest. We'd also be grateful for monetary contributions of any amount to help offset the cost of prizes and supplies for the fair. Double-sided inserts with details on the fair and volunteer and donation options will be going home with students this week. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Fisher Gomberg or Jaye Schneider. Many thanks to our first cosponsor, Butera Landscaping, for their $100 contribution to the May Fair event! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a May Fair sponsor, please contact Leslie Wissing at resry@verizon.net. |
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Burr is Going Green! |
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We are very excited to announce that Ms Moran's 5th Grade is ready to lead phase one of Go Green effort
Kick off is planned post vacation the kids will hear about it at the next All School Meeting on
April 17, 2009
The new Double "R" rule:
Rinse it and Recycle it
After vacation the 5th grade will be doing presentations in each classroom to teach the children about recycling. They will show kids how to properly rinse and recycle their garbage at snack time. Due to concern about pests and the fact that there is no place for kids to rinse items in the cafeteria we cannot collect at lunch time. Kids will be asked to "pack it out" like you do when you go camping. We encourage you to use reusable containers whenever possible. There will be a bin for water bottles and other clean plastics in the cafeteria. In the classrooms we will be collecting and recycling paper, plastics, cans and bottles from snack time. Each class will have bins and be responsible for getting their bin to the first floor on Fridays so Mr. Tobin can put them curbside on Monday mornings. This is the first initiative for the team. Updates and more specific guidelines are in the works. If you would like to join the Burr Green team please contact kellyebrown@verizon.net to get in the email group listing.
Questions ask one of our current team members: Jessica Avery , Tricia Bombera, Eric Bobby, Kelly Brown , Susan Cassidy , Lisa Dallaire, Diana Fisher Gomberg, Dana Hanson, Diane Jaquith, Liz Moran , Carey Ranta, Beth Tierny and Jack Tobin. |
| Fresh from the Farm Egg CSA |
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 Silvermine Farm in Sutton, MA raises organic hens and is offering shares in an Egg CSA. Here's how it works: Anyone interested would purchase a share at a cost of $36.00. Each week for 6 weeks, the shares (1 dozen eggs each) will be brought by Martha Sweet to a location in Auburndale, on a specific day, for pick up by the share holders. Not only will you benefit by having fresh local eggs for your family, but Silvermine Farm will donate $4.00 to the Burr PTO for each share purchased. To purchase your share please send a check (payable to Silvermine Farm) to: Martha Sweet 14 Staniford Street Auburndale, MA 02466 If you have any questions, email Martha at martha@massfarmersmarkets.org |
| Burr drive for Newton Food Pantry |
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 Burr School 2nd Graders are sponsoring a drive to collect donations of toiletries for the Newton Food Pantry. The pantry serves approximately 120 families per month and is currently in dire need of donations. All schools in Newton have been asked to help collect donations and Burr School is responsible for collecting toiletries: shampoo, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, dish liquid. Please bring your donations to the boxes in the front hallway and parent volunteers will deliver them to the Newton Food Pantry. Please contact Jeff Zabel or Dana Hanson if you have questions about the drive. Thanks! |
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Dealing with Financial Stress
from School Psychologist Julie Gold |
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 The slowing of the economy has caused a great deal of stress in our community. Many families have experienced lay-offs, fewer or no bonuses, and reduction in salary. In addition, few jobs are available so many qualified people are staying unemployed for longer periods of time. Such reduction in finances can cause increased stress within families. The following sections highlights ways which families can seek financial support, suggestions about how to discuss the change in finances with children, and general strategies to cope. Avenues of SupportCity Hall in Newton
- Financial assistance for heat
- Applications for food stamps
- Lists of food pantries in the area
- Emergency housing and subsidized housing
Clothing
- Contact Julie Gold with size and gender and clothes can be provided through community donations and the PTO's
- Global Thrift Store, Waltham, MA
School
- Application for free and reduced lunch
- Scholarships for child care/camp - contact Newton Community Service Center or Julie Gold
Talking with your children about change in finances
- Give specific and factual information
- Talk calmly and have one message
- Answer questions with honesty and try not to expand on their questions. Children are often satisfied with short, specific answers.
Coping strategies for parents
- Maintain a routine, especially if you are not working, and stick to it
- Find outlets to release stress, such as exercise, painting, meditation, reading
- Continue to network and search for job opportunities
- Take advantage of the time you have with your family (e.g., play outside, take a walk, do a puzzle)
- Join a support group
- Write down at least 3 good things that happen each day
- Ensure you receive adequate sleep and eat at regular times
There are not any right or wrong answers to how individuals and families deal with unexpected financial stress. The most important parts to figure out are what types of supports you qualify for and keeping yourself active. History has shown us that recessions do lift - while some take longer than others, patience, time, and hope is often needed. |
| 'Ask the dietician'
from the Mass Dept of Public Health |
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 Are you trying to take better care of your own health? Are you interested in increasing your fruit and vegetable intake? Just Ask a Registered Dietitian (RD)! Simply post your question at http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/dietitian/ and a registered dietician will answer shortly! |
| School Store - Tues 8:20 - 8:35 |
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The Burr School Store is open this Tuesday from 8:20 - 8:35. Great items at great prices. Lots of items $1.00 or less: soccer ball key chains, light bulb sharpeners, rainbow slinkees, "Big Mistake" erasers, crayon erasers, princess and pirate crayon sets, pencil cases, pencil grips, novelty note pads - and a whole lot more! |
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 $1.00 Pretzels are back this Friday. Look for them at the flagpole after school. Bus riders and BCAP-ers, we'll be inside to selling to you. |
| Parent Management Training |
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| Join other parents of elementary-aged children and a professional facilitator to explore possible solutions to problem behavior using Parent Management Training (PMT), an evidence-based program for parents developed by Alan Kazdin, Ph.D., of Yale University's Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic. PMT has been consistently proven to decrease behavioral problems and increase positive behavior in children. It is highly effective in reducing tantrums, fighting, and disruptiveness. If you have tried other methods of changing your child's problem behavior and haven't had any success, then PMT may be the solution for you.
These free workshops will be led by Rachel Nenner-Payton, LICSW, a senior clinician at Riverside Community Care in Newton. She specializes in community-based treatment and was trained in Alan Kazdin's Parent Management Training (PMT) in 2007. Six sessions on Fridays: 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. at the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, 675 Watertown Street, 02460. There is no fee, but pre-registration is required: call 617-969-4925. |
| Workshop: Impact of Stress on Children |
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| Stress has become an all too common word in the lives of our children. Examining the sources of stress and its impact emotionally and physically on elementary school-age children will be the focus of a free parenting workshop from 7-8:30 p.m., April 13, at Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham St., West Newton. This workshop will be led by Micaela Zilberberg, psychotherapist and consultant to childcare and after-school settings. Child care will be available. This lecture is sponsored by Safe Schools/Healthy Students, a federally-funded initiative serving the Newton community. Child Care will be available. Preregistration is required. Sign up by calling Zilberberg at 617-969-5906, ext. 134, or e-mailing her at mzilberberg@ncscweb.org. |
| Great Moves! online discussion forum |
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Do you know of families trying to follow a healthy lifestyle?
Would they benefit from connecting with similar families and sharing their experiences?
Great Moves!, whose Suzanne Rostler presented at our March PTO meeting, is now offering an online discussion forum on Facebook. Facebook members can click here to become a 'fan' and participate in the online discussion. |
| Newton Symphony Orchestra Concert |
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On April 26th 7:30pm at the Rashi Auditorium, 15 Walnut Park, Newton Corner, the Newton Symphony Orchestra under the direction of James M. Orent, will play works by Puccini and Mahler. Beloved Boston area soprano, Jayne West sings Puccini's, O Mio Babbino Caro, and the final movement, Das himmlische Leben, A Child's View of Heaven, of Mahler's Fourth Symphony. The orchestra also plays Puccini's Preludio Sinfonico, first performed when Puccini was just 18. Paintings by NSO Violinist Melanie Maz, www.maz-art.com will be exhibited and for sale in the concert hall lobby. Tickets are $30, $25, and $10 for children under 14; discounts of $5 for seniors, students and groups. For more information go to: www.newtonsymphony.org or 617 965 2555.
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| BIKE NEWTON Events |
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| BIKE NEWTON, an organization dedicated to "Making Newton a Bicycle-safe City", has two big upcoming events: On April 23rd at 7pm --Transportation Forum with Mayoral Candidates, Newton City Hall War Memorial Auditorium. Moderator: Jenn Adams of NewTV. We'll ask the candidates their views about the gamut of transportation issues - Safe Routes to School, transit-oriented development, bicycle paths, etc., including questions from the audience. Then on May 17th at 12:30pm - "2nd Annual Rally and Friends and Family Ride" at the 'War Memorial Circle' at Newton City Hall. Free: raffles, services, live music, healthy snacks, rides on the incomparable Conference Bike. Rally at 1pm. 3.5-mile Ride at 2pm. Pre-register for the Ride at http://bikenewton.org, email bikenewton@gmail.com or call lois levin at 617-527-1237. | |
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