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Barbara O'Conner on fiction writing for 4th Graders
Jan 5:
Mass Aububon Society on Winter Survival, for Kindergarteners
Jan 7:
Chaio Bin Huang, Chinese Ribbon Dance for 2nd Graders
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Volunteer
Opportunities |
Juice Pouch Recycling
Science & Engineering Discovery Week
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Letter from the PTO Co-Presidents
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Dear families,
Although we hadn't planned on another co-president letter before winter break, Cindy Bencal's announcement last week about her retirement plans is big Burr news so we thought we'd take a moment to check in with all of you about it.
Sigh...
Sniff, sniff
NOOOOO!
And, of course: Who will sing Here We Are with the kids???
We've heard these reactions a lot over the past days. Let there be no mistake--your PTO co-presidents feel exactly the same way! We don't have any parents currently at Burr who haven't had Cindy as their principal (same goes for many of our teachers). Cindy's nineteen year tenure at Burr has built an incredible community, culture, and learning environment for our kids. We can't imagine what the place will be like without her--Cindy Bencal is one of a kind and she will be missed tremendously when she's gone.
Yet, at the same time, we need to consider two important facts:
Those of us who adore Cindy are thrilled for her to begin her next chapter--though it must certainly be bittersweet for her to move on, we all imagine terrific things lie ahead for her. We want to share in her excitement.
With change, there comes opportunity. Our next principal will bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to Burr--and great things will come from that. Don't forget, folks, Cindy was once new at "the Burr", too--and look where we are today!
We'll find out a whole lot more about the process for bringing in Cindy's replacement after the break. We look forward to everyone working together and keeping those chins up as we plan for next year. For the sake of our kids, the Burr staff, and Cindy herself, let's rise to the occasion and make this happen in a way that sends Cindy off in style and welcomes our incoming principal with open arms.
It will all be okay--we promise!
Have a great break everyone,
Dana & Steve
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Put Gift to Burr on your holiday list! |
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Make one of your gifts to your child this holiday your Gift to Burr!
There's still time to help us get even closer to 100% participation by December 31st. Please send in your tax-deductible donation (payable to Burr PTO and marked Gift for Burr) or click here to donate online TODAY! Every gift - no matter the size - adds up and is critical to our success. TOGETHER we can do this! Thank you and happy holidays!
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Upcoming Creative Arts and Sciences Programming
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Mark your calendars now! This is the week right after winter break.
Kindergarten
Massachusetts Audubon Society, Winter Survival, Tuesday, January 5th in the classrooms
The Massachusetts Audubon Society brings its Audubon Ark Traveling Wildlife Program to Burr's Kindergarten students. Students will have the unique opportunity to observe live animals in the classroom and to learn about how winter is a challenging time for them. Using the animals as instructors, the Audubon teacher will discuss different coping mechanisms animals use, as well as physical and behavioral adaptations that are helpful for survival. The schedule will be as follows:
9:00 -9:45 Ms. Fitch/Mrs. Kelly
10:00 -10:45 Ms. McMahon
11:00 - 11:45 Mrs. Frail
2nd Grade
Chaio Bin Huang, Chinese Ribbon Dancer, Thursday, January 7th at 1:45 in the Gymnasium
In what has become a second grade favorite, Chaio Bin Huang presents the rich folkloric tradition of China in her presentation The Chinese Ribbon Dance. The workshop begins with a brief history of how the dance developed from an incident in Chinese dynastic history. Ms. Huang tells the tale of how a legendary figure named Hsiang Po used his sleeve to block the sword of an evil man trying to kill the Emperor. To honor this man, the sleeve dance was choreographed, with the dancer holding short ribbons to symbolize the man's sleeve. During the Tang dynasty, people started using longer ribbons and studying their motion and movement in space, which resulted in more variations of the ribbons. In costume, Ms. Huang will then demonstrate the dance, eventually inviting the students to join her and create their own ribbon dance.
Please join us for these wonderful presentations!
Creative Arts and Sciences Programs are fully funded by the Burr PTO and are made possible by your generous donations. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact:
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Do your last minute holiday shopping at the BURR SCHOOL STORE! The place for school supplies...and more!
The Burr School Store is open every Tuesday before school from 8:20 - 8:35. Next week's featured items include toe socks ($3.00), magnetic address books ($1.00), hacky sacks ($1.00) and rope bracelets ($2.00). More new new merchandise will be arriving for 2010! Questions? - contact Diana Londono at susanainny@hotmail.com
PRETZELS - Have gone on winter vacation! Watch for them when warmer temperatures return!
Thank you for supporting the Fifth Grade Class! Proceeds go towards special events to celebrate the last year of elementary school, including Graduation, an end of the year party and a Class Gift to Burr.
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Volunteers needed for Science and Engineering Week |
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Volunteers are needed to help get ready for Science and Engineering Week which begins January 11th.
We need your help to:
- Prepare 1-page biographies of parent speakers to go home in children's folders. Presenters will email completed and pre-formatted bios to you, so main job is collecting, copying & distributing to teachers.
- Serve as a liaison between presenters and Ms. Mayer re: AV set-ups needed.
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Help Keep Sidewalks Safe During the Winter! Many people in our community depend on being able to walk year round, including children walking to school or the bus, neighbors who can't drive and mail carriers. If you need help keeping your sidewalk clear, here is a list of volunteers and commercial contractors who can help you:
or call 617-796-1000.
Rather do it yourself? Then, please: Shovel your sidewalk to the bare pavement. Clear a three to four foot wide path. Chop or melt ice. Help --- or get your kids to help -- neighbors who can't shovel because they are elderly or disabled. Please don't push snow from driveways or walks onto the sidewalk...it's a $25 fine! Questions? contact Lucia Dolan: luciadolan@rcn.com. (A reminder from: The Bike/Pedestrian Task Force, Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force, League of Women Voters, and PTO Council)
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Martin Luther King, Jr.
Newton Community Celebration
Monday, January 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. |
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You are cordially invited to attend
The 42nd Annual
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Newton Community Celebration
Monday, January 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m.
Our Lady Help of Christians
573 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02458
Honored Guest:
Mayor Setti Warren
Reflections by Newton School Students
Musical Selections by:
Newton All City Honors Chorus
Newton South High School's Harambee Gospel Choir
Myrtle Baptist Church's The Love Tones
Please bring non-perishable food items, which are being collected for Newton's food pantries
Co-sponsored by the City of Newton, the Foundation for Racial, Ethnic and Religious Harmony, and the Newton Interfaith Clergy Association.
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Hyde Community Center
December 31, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m |
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Join Mayor-elect Setti Warren at the Hyde Community Center on December 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a day of community service and family fun.
As a kick-off to the Newton Inaugural Celebration, Newton residents will gather at the Hyde gym, 90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, to make food baskets, assemble gift packages for soldiers, and sew quilts for Second Step families. Outside, on the Hyde playground, a group of volunteers will build a community ice skating rink. We are also asking residents to bring canned goods and gently used childrens' books and clothes for those in need. This event is a joint partnership between the City of Newton and many Newton non-profit organizations. To volunteer (even an hour or less!), or create a community service project, please call John Rice at 617-201-7088.
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Absentee Ballots for January Election
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Are you or your 18+ year-old child planning to vote in the U.S. Senate Election in January? The deadline to Register to Vote is December 30th at 8pm. Absentee ballot applications for "all elections this year" end Dec. 31, 2009, so new absentee ballot applications have to be filed to vote absentee in the Jan. 19th U.S. Senate election. The Election Commission expects to start accepting such applications next week. They can be downloaded from http://www.state.ma.us/sec/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm.
For those voters who would like to go to City Hall and vote absentee at the Election Commission counter, the Election Commission does not know what date it will have absentee ballots available. Typically absentee ballots arrive two to three weeks before an election. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Fri., Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. (per Sue Flicop of the PTO Council)
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Baseball Clinic
Dec. 19, 27-30 and Feb. 6th and 13th |
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Baseball Clinics for 6-12 year olds: Dec. 19, 27-30 and Feb. 6th and 13th. Sign up for one or all session at $50/session. Experienced Staff including Mik Aoki, Head Baseball Coach at BC. All phases of the game covered, including hitting, base running, throwing and fielding. All the kids will play in games, hone skills and have a great experience. Held at the Alumni Stadium Bubble. To register or for more information, go to the website at: http://bceagles.cstv.com/camps/bc-m-basebl-camps.html. Questions answered and more info: baseball@bc.edu
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All That Jazz Dance Studio
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All That Jazz Dance Studio is pleased to announce that we are having new classes starting up in January! ·Tuesdays 4:00-5:00- Creative Movement/Tap, ages 2-4 ·Fridays 12:30-1:30- Adult Hip Hop ·Sundays 2:00-3:00- Tap Workshop, ages 8-11 ·Sundays 3:00-4:00- Lyrical Hip Hop Workshop, ages 12 and up ·Sundays 4:00-5:00- Boys and Girls BreakDance/Hip Hop, ages 6-8. Please call Miss Deb Lifson Vogel at 617-641-0784 or email missdeb@allthatjazznewton.com to register! All That Jazz Dance Studio, 232 California St. in Newton. www.allthatjazznewton.com. | |
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