Mark your Calendar
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April 30: Guys Read Book Group, 6-7pm,
Mr. Gaita's room
May 4-8:
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6:
MA Walk to School Day
May 6:
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
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
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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Principal's Letter
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 Dear Families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful April vacation--fun, restful, educational, rejuvenating--whatever it was your families were hoping for.
Although it may seem early to be thinking about next year, we have many families new to Burr this year, so I want to give everyone important information early. First, in order to plan for next year, we need an accurate account of the students who will be in each grade. Please let us know if your children will NOT be returning to Burr School next year.
As we return from April vacation, we are now in the last segment of our school year, and we look forward to this period of sustained learning time for students. We will also be looking ahead to the next school year and the placement of our K-4 students in their classes for September. I would like to share with you the placement process that we follow. Teachers at each grade level meet with special subject teachers, support staff and me to make specific recommendations for each student's placement. While this team already has a wealth of information about each child's learning style, interests and needs, we welcome any new information you have regarding your child's exceptional strengths or needs, peers with whom you child performs well or poorly, or family issues that impact learning.
If you have information you would like the team to consider, please write it on the "Parent Information Sheet Regarding Placement" that we will send home today, Monday, April 27. Please return the form to the office by Monday, May 4. This will give you a full week to fill out this form and return it to school. Please note: If you return the form after May 4, it will be too late for us to include your information in our process. We begin placement meetings in early May; when we receive information after the process has begun, it is very disruptive. Please adhere to the May 4 deadline.
The forms you receive are given to the students' current teachers to use during the placement process. Please do not feel you need to fill out a sheet to insure that your child receives careful consideration. On the other hand, please do not assume that the teachers and I know about all of the peers with whom your child works well or poorly. Please use the "Parent Information Sheet" only to communicate any information you want us to have.
Our goal throughout the placement process is to build balanced classes in which all children can succeed academically, emotionally and socially. Please remember that requests for a specific teacher, whether named or described, will not be accommodated, as this would make it impossible to create balanced classes.
The process of placing students is a long and complex one. The time and effort we spend weighing all of the factors reflect the importance we place on creating an optimal learning environment for each student. We ask that you respect the staff's professional judgment about the best class for your child next year. We will let you know of your child's placement after the close of school in June. At the present time, we are not sure of the grade organization or teaching assignments for next year. When these are determined, I will notify you via the Burr Bulletin. Thank you for your cooperation.
I hope to see many of you at our next parent-principal coffee this Friday, May 1 at 8:35 a.m. in the cafeteria, at the Art Show on May 6 and 7, or at the May Fair on May 9.
Sincerely,
Cindy Bencal
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Teacher Appreciation Celebrations
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 Burr will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week next week (May 4 through May 8)! Be on the lookout for information from your room parents about individual classroom plans and/or encourage your children to take a moment to write a card or thank their teachers in person for the terrific job they do. In keeping with the Newton Public Schools policy, no gifts please.
A Teacher Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 a.m. We'll need families to contribute baked goods, fresh fruit, drinks, etc. for the teachers' lovely mid-week spread. (Items can be dropped off the day before.) Further info including an e-vite to organize the food is in the works.
Please contact Tracy Carter or Amanda Loftus for more information.
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| May Fair - Saturday May 9, 12:30 - 3:30 |
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 The May Fair is drawing near! By now you should have seen the May Fair inserts, flyers and the like. But if you haven't... Burr's annual May Fair is a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon with family and friends in the Burr community!
Join us Saturday May 9 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. for fabulous festivities and food. There will be games galore (such as the Bounce House, Football Toss, Lucky Duck, Tricycle Course and Wheelbarrow Race ,to name a few), fresh hot food from the Daddies on the Grill, and sweets available from the Bake Sale or to be won in the Cake Walk! We also secured a fabulous set of FOUR RED SOX TICKETS for the Sunday May 24 game that we'll be raffling off. We'll be pre-selling tickets for this great package, so please contact Vicky Gifford at urgi@rcn.com or Alex Swan at alexandra_swan@yahoo.com if you'd like to purchase tickets! Many thanks to the community businesses that have offered their support for the May Fair including sponsor Butera Landscaping and Auburndale Dental, and donations from Taqueria Mexico, Virtuous Teas, AAA of New England, Chapman Construction/Design, Keyes Drug, Kojak's Detailing, Ice Cream Club and Randy's Car Wash. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a May Fair sponsor or donor, please contact Leslie Wissing at resry@verizon.net. |
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Library Gift Book Sale is Back! |
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 The "kick-off" for the Library Gift Book Sale is May 9 at the May Fair. Get a jumpstart selecting books for dedication to Burr's faculty, staff, friends, students or neighbors. Beginning on May 11, the Library Gift Book Sale will be held before and after school all week.
Can't make it to the fair or to the sale at school? You can purchase books online or by sending in an order in your student's backpack. Look soon in your child's folder for a flyer with the list of books available and details about purchasing and dedicating books for library. See you at the fair!
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| Massachusetts Walk to School Day |
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Be Green and Wear Green!
 On Wednesday May 6, Burr will join with the other 15 Newton elementary schools to participate in the Massachusetts Walk to School Day. Newton's 5,000 elementary school students will join with kids in other communities across the state in walking or taking the bus to school that day. More information will be coming, but for now, make plans to leave the car at home and walk (or send the kids on the bus) on Wednesday May 6! And don't forget to wear something green! |
Commuting to Foxboro? We Need You!
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Wanted: Someone who commutes near Foxboro who will pick up the craft item for the May Fair! New England Pottery has a package ready for pickup on Wed. April 29th. We need the items by May 7 -- the hours are 8:30 to 3:30 M-F, closed from 11:30 to 12:30 for lunch. Two miles from Foxboro Stadium. Please contact Amanda Loftus if you can help out or know someone who may head that way on weekdays. |
| Fifth Grade Fundraising News |
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We Have a Winner!!!Congratulations to Amanda Murphy in Ms. Fitch and Ms. Kelly's class for winning the Burr School Store Raffle!  Baseball and Bar-B-Q!!!The Fifth Grade will have one more fantastic raffle this year - 2 Red Sox Tickets for the sold out, Friday, May 22nd game against the Mets. Plus, we're throwing in a $25 Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Que gift certificate to spice up the deal. Raffle tickets will go on sale May 11 -- 1 ticket for $5, 3 tickets for $10 or 5 tickets for $15. Look for a flyer home with details. And Don't Forget the Tuesday School Store and Pretzels on Friday... The Burr School Store will be open this Tuesday from 8:20 to 8:35 a.m. Some new items have just arrived, including "mini" soft dice, "Burr" pencils, "Bug-in-a-Box" sharpeners and more. We'll have pretzels and water for sale this Friday after school for $1/each. Exact change is appreciated. |
Thank You From The PTO!
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 The Photocopy Squad
Many thanks to all the parents who continue to help out with photocopying in the main office! It only takes a minute of their time here and there to help out, but our teachers and staff have come to rely on our assistance. This is an excellent example of many hands making for light work.
Thanks to Nancy Caulfield for organizing the crew and to these folks for lending a hand: Joycyln Bailin, Susan Cassidy (with the help of her lovely and talented 5th grade helpers Kate and Deanna), Nancy Caulfield, Ellen Chu, Lisa Dallaire, Sue Donnellan, Diana Fisher-Gomberg, Dana Hanson, Lakshmi Kadambi, Amanda Loftus, Stephanie Mamis, Pam McVey and Karin VanOyen. (And, as always, our apologies to anyone we may have inadvertently left off our list.)
If you'd like to help with some photocopying the next time you have a spare moment at school, look for the pile of jobs and the sign-in clipboard above the teacher mailboxes. Thanks!
Who Loves Our Online Bulletin?!?
Friends, do you ever wonder how these slick looking newsletters hit your inbox every Monday? Did we hire professional graphic designers or marketing experts? Do you think that these little blurbs magically coalesce into a coherent publication with fancy clip art week after week with the wave of a wand? Well, in fact, it all happens because of fantastic Burr parent volunteers...regular old folks like you and me.
We are so lucky to have a crackerjack Burr Bulletin team of editors who bring you all the PTO news that's fit to print. On the heels of their regular work weeks, they spend their weekends cutting and pasting (and spellchecking!) all of our bits and pieces so that we receive a snazzy update e-mail first thing every Monday morning. Our editors are vital to the operation of the "PTO machine" and plug along in a rather unsung fashion...until this moment! Many thanks to our wonderful Burr Bulletin team of editors: Ellen Chu, Allison Sharma, Lynne Urquiola and Beth Viveiros.
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| Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Ed |
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On May 7 Dr. Jane Koomar, Ph. D., OTR/L, FAOTA will present "Sensory Diets - Developing Healthy Living Skills: Using Sensory Rich Activities to Reduce Stress and Create Optimal Learning Environments" at the Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education meeting.
Dr. Koomar is the owner of OTA - Watertown, an occupational therapy private practice specializing in sensory integration treatment. She was formerly an assistant professor in occupational therapy at Boston University and completed her doctoral studies in developmental psychology at Boston University. Dr. Koomar has co-authored several book chapters on sensory integration dysfunction and intervention.
This presentation is supported by a grant to the Physical Education, Health and Wellness Department, Newton Public Schools.
PAC meetings are held at 7:30 pm in Room 210 at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville.
Networking and light refreshments begin at 7:15pm.
For more information go to Newtonpac.org or e-mail info@newtonpac.org.
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| Newton Taiwan Day |
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On Saturday, May 2nd the Culture Center of Taipei Economic Culture Office in Boston and the Hyde Community Center will jointly sponsor Newton Taiwan Day. Festivities will kick-off at 1 p.m. with a Dragon Dance starting at the Hyde Community Center., continuing down Lincoln, which will be briefly blocked off to traffic, and returning to the Hyde Center, 90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands.
The fun continues in the Hyde Center gymnasium, where there will be a Taiwan dance performance. The afternoon will also include Taiwan craft project tables for children and cultural activities for adults. There will be 30 Taiwan booths with many giveaways. Free admission. Contact John Rice at 617-201-7088 or director@hydecenter.org for more info.
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| Free Comic Book Day |
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Looking for some fun--and free--new reading material for the kids? This Saturday, May 2, check out Free Comic Book Day. Comic book shops across the country--including The Outer Limits at 437 Moody St. in Waltham--will be giving out free comics. There's no catch, and no purchase necessary. Featured kid-friendly comics this year will include Disney/Pixar's Cars, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mighty Archie Art Players. The Outer Limits will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Free comics are first come, first serve. C'mon, go get your geek on!
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Thundercat Sports
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Thundercat Sports is partnering with Newton Recreation to bring several camps/clinics to Newton this summer. Sports include basketball, baseball, flag football, soccer, sports jam (multi-sport) and kiddie cat jam (multi-sport for ages 4 - 6). Thundercat Sports follows a basic philosophy of participation, teamwork, sportsmanship and fun while relating sports skills. More information can be found at www.thundercatsports.com or calling 617-499-4820.
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Great Moves! Healthy Shopping Trip
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Join The Great Moves! Healthy Food Shopping Trip & Tour on Friday, May 1 from 9-10:30 a.m. for an aisle-by-aisle guided shopping trip at Whole Foods Market in Newtonville to learn how to select the healthiest foods for your family. This educational and informative trip will be led by nutritionist Suzanne Rostler, MS, RD, clinical director of Newton-based Great Moves!, a pediatric weight management program that helps children and their families develop healthy lifestyles.
Rostler will share her expertise with a small group of shoppers as she answers questions and offers nutritional advice and guidelines. She'll help you make healthy food choices for your family, suggest new foods that you can sample, and teach you how to prepare them at home.
The registration fee of $25 fee includes a copy of the "Guide to Healthy Food Shopping" and a re-usable Whole Foods Market shopping bag. Space is limited. Call Great Moves! at 617-928-0006 to register.
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Excel Basketball Clinics
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Excel Basketball Clinics is now registering boys and girls, ages 9-17, for summer of basketball clinics at Oak Hill Middle School, Aug. 3-6. Register before May 15 to receive NPS student discount. Applications available at www.excelbasketballclinics.com or contact Coach Roberts for more info at robertsgwa@aol.com.
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Rock Star Boot Camp
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The Paul Green School of Rock will host three Rock Star Boot Camps in July and August.
Session I (7/6-7/11), Session II (7/27-8/1), and Session III (8/17-8/22) all run from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. weekdays and are open to students ages 6-17 who play bass, guitar, drums, piano, or vocals. No experience needed!
Call 617-923-3434 or visit www.schoolofrock.com/boston for more information. Registration closes on June 1st.
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Spring Tennis
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Spring tennis for kids and adults begins May 7, seven days a week. The program is directed by Mike Lewitt and sponsored by the Newton Park and Rec Tennis Staff, including Nate, Tim, John, Doug and Andrea. Visit www.newtontennis.com for more information.
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Tutor Available
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| Experienced tutor available this summer! Elementary level. Subjects include: reading, writing and math. Continue the progress your child has made this year; jumpstart your child with work for the following grade. Works in the Wellesley Public Schools and lives and tutors in Newton. Teaching approach individualized, fun and geared to your child's interests. Haralie Alpert, MS, M.Ed. 617-630-0608, Haralie@gmail.com. | |
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