| Mark your Calendar |
February 8
Creative Arts and Sciences:
Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, 3rd grade classrooms
February 9
Understanding Our Differences Program: Autism Spectrum Disorder
February 10
Fifth Grade Play
February 15
February Vacation Begins
February 19
Burr Friendtrips: Cosmic Bowling, 6:30pm
February 24
Respect for Human Difference Book Group, 7:00pm
March 3
May Fair Planning Mtg
7:00 pm |
Volunteer
Opportunities |
Juice Pouch Recycling
Understanding Our Differences
World Cultures Festival
May Fair
Annual Book Swap
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Make February "Box Tops Month" at Burr! |
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 The Box Tops for Education program is a great way to contribute to Burr School - and it's free! Over the past eight years we have earned nearly $2800 through this program. Here's how you can help:
- Clip the pink Box Tops logos from the packaging on items you already buy. Visit Box Tops for Education for a complete list of participating products, everything from Go-gurt to Cheerios.
- Send them to school in your child's folder in an envelope marked "Box Tops" before the next deadline - February 28th. THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR!
- We send them in and get a check in return. It's that simple!
So start your Box Tops collection today! If you have any questions about this great program, please feel free to e-mail Sherri Sonia. Thank you! |
World Cultures Festival Update
Flag Information Needed by Friday |
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Wow! We are thrilled about all the volunteers who have come forward to help with the World Cultures Festival. We're still looking for more helpers...please contact Ann Langenfeld if you're interested in lending a hand!
We have a request to make of everyone this week. We will be placing our order for new flags over the February vacation. It is our goal to have flags that represent all Burr cultures--even if your family does not join us for the World Cultures Festival. We are pretty sure that we have most of the flags we need, but we might be missing one or two. PLEASE take a moment this week to have either you or your child check our cafeteria to ensure that we have your flag on site. If you do not see your country's flag, please let Ellen Chu know by Friday. Thanks! |
Upcoming Understanding Our Differences Programs |
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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Tuesday February 9th.
Special Medical Conditions: March 25th
Deafness/Hard of Hearing: April 1st On Tuesday the Understanding our Differences Program will present the Autism Spectrum Disorder Unit to the 4th grade classes. In this unit, we explore the concept that all people develop in a similar ways, but at different rates. The term spectrum is introduced so that students understand that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a wide range of abilities. Students will learn that people with ASD usually have difficulties with social-communication skills, the ways we interact and exchange ideas. An activity guides students to understand how people with sensory integration issues have difficulty interpreting sensory information and how they might feel in their environments. Students will also watch a video about a group of students who have Asperger's Syndrome. These students talk about their interests and what it is like going to school. We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with the Special Medical Conditions unit (4th grade, March 25th) and the Deafness/Hard of Hearing unit (3rd grade, April 1st). These programs are brought to Burr by parent volunteers and will take place on Thursday afternoons from 12:45 - 3:00. Parents can leave at 2:15 or stay to see the guest speaker. Volunteers do not need to have children in a specific grade, teaching experience, or a medical background. Please check your calendars and consider volunteering. Can you help out? Contact Us: Carey RantaStephanie Mamis |
Burr Friendtrips Cosmic Bowling Party -
February 19th, 6:30pm |
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 Please join Burr Friendtrips for a cosmic bowling party at the Boston Bowl on February 19th at 6:30. It's a great time every year so join us for pizza, candlepin bowling and arcade games. Burr Friendtrips is a group of Burr families from Boston and Newton who get together for various fun activities in the Boston area. Please email Jackie Gelb for a flyer and more information. |
RHD Book Group on Feb. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm
Start Reading, Folks! |
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 Don't forget...we have our Respect for Human Differences Book group meeting on Wednesday, February 24 from 7-8:30 pm at Burr. We look forward to an interactive discussion where each of us shares a passage from the book that "speaks" to us. We'll have childcare on site, so do plan to join us!
So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do To Protect Their Kids
by Diane E. Levin and Jean Kilbourne
Remember, the Auburndale Community Library has extra copies of the book on hand for us! |
It's that time of the year - time for the Annual Burr Book Swap! |
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 During the book swap students get the opportunity to bring in gently used books that they have already read and trade them for some titles they haven't read yet. This gives parents the opportunity to clear out some books that are gathering dust and students get to discover some interesting reads. Everybody will take home a book regardless of whether they have brought in any books themselves. Teachers get their pick from whatever is left, and the remainder will be disposed of at local charities and schools This year's book swap will take place on March 16th in the Cafetorium. Starting February 24th, we will be collecting books every morning. Your books can be left in a bag outside your student's classroom door at arrival time. Please make sure your student's name and teacher's name are clearly marked on the bag. We do not accept adult books, pre-school books and activity books that have already been written in.
Volunteers are needed to help collect the books every morning (this takes only 15 minutes of your time), to help set up the cafetorium before the swap, and to help staff the swap and cleanup.
Please contact Lin Themelis at lint@athemelis.com or 617-792-7651 |
French Club for Students in Grades 2 - 5 |
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14 Mondays starting February 22nd. Cost is $218 (includes books and materials). Children learn the language through games, songs and drama. Please register by February 11th. For details or registration form, contact Joanna at mjjehooley@gmail.com |
Seeking Volunteers for May Fair! |
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 With spring right around the corner (one can hope anyway!), the time has come to start May Fair planning. This much-beloved affair on the Burr school grounds will take place on Saturday, May 8, and is a fun event for Burr family and friends. We're seeking committee members and event volunteers, and we really need new people to jump on board. If you want to get involved in one of the last big events of the school year, we want you! An introductory meeting will be held at 7PM Wednesday, March 3, at the home of Alex Swan, 270 Auburndale Ave. If you're interested in getting involved (whether or not you can attend the meeting), please reply to alexandra_swan@yahoo.com |
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As of February 5, the SAC (Selection Advisory Committee) has met three times and has winnowed the list of applicants down to a group of candidates that we are interested in interviewing. Interviews will be taking place next week, and we will then develop a list of finalists for each school.
Marni Caputo
Rachel Freed
Junko Shibuya
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Creative Arts and Sciences
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Upcoming Creative Arts and Sciences Programs |
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3rd Grade
The Massachusetts Water Resource Authority
Monday, February 8th
in the Classrooms
Using straws and cardboard tubes, the third grade students will build a model water distribution system throughout the classroom. This fun, hands-on activity builds student awareness and respect for the importance of water in our community's daily life. Discussion subjects during the program include water pressure, public health and safety, maintenance, repair and planning of infrastructure. The schedule will be as follows:
9:00 -10:00 Ms. Rendulich
10:15 -11:15 Ms. Lawton
12:30 -1:30 Ms. Canning
4th Grade
Lyn Littlefield Hoopes, Poet,
Friday, February 12th
in the Classrooms
Poet and author, Lyn Littlefield Hoopes, will present the second portion of her two-day poetry writing workshop for the fourth graders. After sharing some of her own poetic works, Ms. Hoopes will lead the students on a journey of creating their own poetry by exploring the power of metaphor, rhythm, voice and pattern. In the process, they will learn about using strategies for creating poetry including imagination, line breaks, similes, the five senses and action and vivid verbs. Ms. Hoopes' beloved program emphasizes the joy of creating. The schedule will be as follows:
8:45 -10:00 Ms. Taylor
10:15 -11:30 Ms. Robinson
11:40 -12:25 & 1:05 -1:35 Ms. Cohen
Please join us for these wonderful programs!
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:
Mary Sava, jmsava@rcn.com Felicia Falchuk, feliciafalchuk@yahoo.com
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Upcoming Events at the Auburndale Community Library |
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Rachel Carson, "A Sense of Wonder" Film Screening (55 minutes)and Discussion Group
Thursday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m Co-Sponsored by the Newton Green Decade Coalition
Ellie Goldberg of the Green Decade/Newton will lead a discussion of Rachel Carson's legacy following the film, "A Sense of Wonder."
Haiti - The Land and The People
Wednesday, February, 24, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Get a sense of the frenetic pace of life in the capital city of Port-au- Prince. Then, visit Z'Oranje, a mountain village with no electricity, no plumbing, no kitchens, no doctors or nurses, and until recently, no school through a series of projected photos taken over a six year period by our presenter, Ned Schofield, as he traveled with a group that partnered in the building of this new school. We will touch on Haiti's history, geography, politics, and religion. Haitian music, arts, and crafts will be on display. Come and see the truth in the Haitian proverb, "What the eye doesn't see, does not move the heart." For more information on these and other events at the library visit: www.auburndalelibrary.org |
Town Hall Meetings with Mayor Warren |
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Mayor Warren is holding a series of Town Hall style meetings across Newton to discuss the city's budget, and hear directly from
citizens about their concerns. Each meeting will include a brief
presentation by Sarah Ecker, the Mayor´s Interim Chief Financial
Officer, followed by a discussion with the Mayor and residents. The next meetings will take place at the following locations and times:
Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street
Wednesday, February 10th, 7:00PM
Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln Street
Sunday, February 21st, 2:00PM
Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street
Sunday, February 21st, 4:00PM
Emerson Community Center, 5 High Street
Sunday, February 28th, 2:00PM
Pelligrini Field House, 11 Hawthorne Street
Sunday, February 28th, 4:00PM
Oak Hill Middle School, 130 Wheeler Road
Sunday, February 28th, 6:00PM |
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Burr school alum and Newton North honor student will tutor your child in science, math, english, history or Spanish. Reasonable rates. If interested, contact Elena at elena.hemler@earthlink.net | |
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