| Mark your Calendar |
May Fair Planning Mtg
7:00 pm
March 7
Burr Ice Skating Party
12 pm
March 8
5th Grade CAS Program
9:30 am
March 9 Full Day Kindergarten Task Force Meeting
3:30 pm PTO Meeting 7:00 pm
March 13
World Culture Festival
2-4:30pm
March 16
Burr Book Swap
March 18
Chateau Night
5-8 pm
March 23, Tues.
3:00 day
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Volunteer
Opportunities |
Juice Pouch Recycling
Understanding Our Differences
World Cultures Festival
May Fair
Annual Book Swap
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Greetings Burr Community, We were so excited to have three terrific
principal finalists visit our school last week. For those of you who
had a chance to meet one or more of them, we hope you filled out
response forms or emailed your specific impressions to Gil Lawrence
from the Human Resources Department of NPS ( Gil_Lawrence@newton.k12.ma.us). There is still time to have your voices heard! The search for our next Burr principal is still bittersweet, but
it's also been an experience that has rallied our community together
and continues to demonstrate what an amazing school we currently have.
A great principal is vitally important, but don't forget that it also
takes the collective efforts of students, teachers/staff, and parents
to make a school all that it can be. Our next principal is going to be
bolstered by a special community, indeed. Some special thanks are in order for last week's principal finalist visits: - Our
principal search committee of Robin Cooley, David Gaita, Kalpana
Guttman, Marni Caputo, Rachel Freed, and Junko Shibuya brought us our
candidates and continue to work with NPS to find our final match.
- The hospitality committee had a "triple-header" of three
consecutive, EARLY full-spread breakfasts this week. Many thanks to
all of the parents who contributed goodies and helped with clean-up
duties, to Laura Mayer for hosting us in the library, and to Amanda
Loftus, Andrea Flint, Nancy Caulfield, and Junko Shibuya for scurrying
into school for 7:00 am set-ups.
- A small group of parents put together a gorgeous printed
"portfolio" and DVD slideshow for each of our candidates to bring home
to learn more about the Burr School (after all, there is so much going
on at Burr...it's impossible to soak it all in during one quick site
visit!). Many thanks to Stephanie Mamis, Ellen Regan, and Tricia
Bombara for helping us put together such a thoughtful package.
- Our 5th grade tour guides showed our finalists every corner of our
school, walking them through classrooms, specialist rooms,
administrative areas, and every other nook and cranny. (Oh, and the
5th graders even brought our finalists into the teachers' lounge--a
very big deal--it's usually a kid-free zone!) Our students spoke
eloquently and sentimentally about all the things that make Burr School
what it is. Nobody can paint a picture of Burr School better than our
own students!
- Finally, thanks to Cindy Bencal for meeting one-on-one with our
finalists, as well--there's no question that Ms. Bencal wants to find
us the right match for our next principal. She's been a great resource
and provider of moral support to all of us as we go through this
process.
Oh...did we mention that we're also still doing our regular PTO
biz? This is all the "good stuff" we're talking about when we explain
to principal candidates that Burr School is amazing: The Green
Team's lunch waste reduction program is off to a strong start. Thanks
to Eric Bobby, Kelly Brown, and Liz Moran for working with our lunch
staff, Jack Tobin, and our kids to reduce, reuse, repurpose, and
recycle. Apparently our lunchtime waste generation is way down.
Thanks to parents who volunteered for lunchtime shifts to help oversee
the rollout of the program. Thanks to Tracy Carter for being an "ambassador" to our incoming
kindergarten parents at their recent orientation night. Anyone who has
an incoming kindergartener next year and would like to help put
together summer playdates should contact her at tgunrud@hotmail.com. Thanks
to Jackie Gelb for organizing our annual Newton/Boston "FriendTrip" to
Boston Bowl over February vacation. We had about 40 bowlers! Our RHD bookgroup for So Sexy So Soon was run by Stephanie Lefever
and Jody Klein. Thanks to all of the parents who attended--for those
who couldn't join us, a synopsis is written up below. It was a treat
for parents and staff to come together to share a thoughtful dialogue
on this important topic of common interest.
Always a lot going on...thanks to all of you for making our school a rich and vibrant place. See you at school! Dana & Steve
Burr PTO Co-Prezes
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Take a night off from cooking - and benefit Burr too! |
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Mark your calendars - Chateau Night is back! Take your family, or enjoy a grown-up night out, for a great meal at the Chateau Restaurant in Waltham on Thursday, March 18th from 5-8 pm and 20% of your total bill will go to Burr! Keep an eye out for a coupon coming home soon and simply present it to the waitperson when paying your check. Take-out counts too! And feel free to make multiple copies of the coupon to give to friends and family too. This was a fun night out last year, so we hope to see you then!
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Upcoming Creative Arts and Sciences Programs
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Museum of Science, Weather: Wind, Water and Temperature, Monday, March 8th at 9:30 in the Cafetorium
In this interactive presentation, a presenter from the Museum of Science will demonstrate to the 5th graders how air, water, light and heat interact with each other to create weather. Using sensors that create real-time data, students will learn how material on Earth heat and cool differently. With the help of a model cloud chamber, the presenter will demonstrate how clouds form high in Earth's atmosphere. Finally, students will be amazed to see a hot air balloon lift off inside the school.
Please join us for this wonderful presentation!
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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Burr World Cultures Festival Update
Two Weeks Away! Saturday, March 13!
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Save the date! The World Cultures Festival is two weeks away. We
have a record-breaking roster of 28 countries being represented this
year. We're expecting a big crowd as usual, and we're looking for some
more volunteers to lend a hand on the day of the event.
Burr World Cultures FestivalTour the globe by visiting decorated classrooms, playing games, doing crafts, enjoying performances, and sharing snacks! Saturday, March 132:00 pm - 4:30 pmIn
the upcoming days, you will receive a flier for sign-ups for volunteer
shifts and food donations. Please be sure to fill these out as soon as
you can and return them in your child's folder. Thanks! |
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 Please remember your books - leave them outside your classroom in the morning with your child's name and teacher's name clearly marked. We will be collecting books through March 15th, so now is the time to gather those books and send them in. VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED to help staff the swap, set up and breakdown. Please contact Lin Themelis at 617 792 7651 or lint@athemelis.com for more info.
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In December the whole school celebrated inclusion week and did various projects and activities. One activity was writing an Inclusion Banner (1st- 5th grades) to express what makes them feel included in their school community. The banners have been tallied and posted around the school. Here are the results:
Facts from Inclusion Week at Burr:
254 students wrote "I feel included when.... " banners.
115 students felt included when someone asked them to PLAY or they asked someone else if they could play with them and were told YES!
34 students felt included when someone invited them to play something specific like, off the wall, a math game, or tag.
27 students felt included when someone sat with them and talked at LUNCH.
21 students felt included when they were asked to be someone's partner.
8 students felt included when they were invited to someone's birthday party.
5 students felt included when someone asked them to come over their house to play.
44 students gave great miscellaneous responses to what made them feel included such as:
"I feel included when people don't talk about birthday parties I am not invited to around me."
"I feel included when someone notices I am lonely and comes over to talk with me."
"I feel included when someone pushes me on the swing."
"I feel included when I am on a team in P. E."
"I feel included when someone wants to sit with me."
**Ask your child what they wrote and what makes them feel included! Suggest ways they can include others!
The Inclusion Theme continues for parents at our upcoming
PTO meeting Tuesday March 9th
Building Community: What is inclusion?
Panel Presentation by NPS Parents Sheila Rae Lau, Joan Schulz, Shaul Berechman, Carole Slipowitz, and Erika Drezner.
Hear their stories as parents of children with learning and other
differences.
What does it mean when your child has a diagnosis or when s/he doesn't?
What do you tell to whom and how?
How do you fit into the school community?
We hope you will join us.
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REMINDER:
PTO ICE SKATING EVENT:
When: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 12:00pm - 12:50pm
Where: Newton/Brighton Daly Ice Skating Rink
Who: Everyone is welcome
Cost: FREE!
Skate rentals available for a fee.
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Burr School Store
The Place for School Supplies, and More!
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The Burr School Store sells fun pens and pencils, unique erasers, other school supplies and some novelty items. Prices range from $0.25 to $2.00. The store is open before school every Tuesday 8:20 - 8:35 a.m.
If you are looking for a special school supply and we do not have it, LET US KNOW! Please keep visiting the store, OUR MERCHANDISE IS ALWAYS CHANGING. This week novelty items are hand sanitizer ($1.00) and note pad ($0.75).
Thank you for supporting the Fifth Grade Class!
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 On Wednesday night, a group of men and women, moms and dads, teachers and our principal, met to discuss the book So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids written by Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne. The group came together under the umbrella of the Respect for Human Differences committee and where Jodi Klein and Stephanie Lefever lead the discussions using an inclusive small-group format, which allowed each of us to speak and to be heard.
After introductions, we talked briefly about what we each hoped to gain from this experience. Next, we divided into small groups to listen, reflect, respond, and discuss the passages and concerns that struck us from this text. The discussion format allowed everyone to have his/her voice heard and greeted with open minded and thoughtful connections and feedback. This was a meaningful time to connect, gain insight, and share ideas about how our children are affected by the culture of sex in our environment. After the dialogue wrapped up, everyone gathered together to debrief. This community of adults united to celebrate what control we do have and how to make more opportunities to embrace these teachable moments.
Thank you to the Respect for Human Differences Committee, Jody Klein, and Stephanie Lefever for organizing this group and the childcare. Thanks to everyone who joined us in the effort to make a difference in the lives of our children.
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Stand for Children's Day on the Hill
Tuesday, March 23, 9 a.m. - noon |
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Parents and other education advocates from Newton will join with hundreds of education advocates from around the state on Beacon Hill to show our support for public education. We'll hear from speakers in the field of education policy and practice during the indoor rally, and have an opportunity to tell our legislators what matters to Newton.
The event is free and open to the public, and transportation will be provided, but advanced registration is requested. For more information and to register, please visit www.stand.org/ma/dayonthehill.
Online Rally: Make an online "sign" to send to Beacon Hill to show legislators how many people care about public education. Go to www.stand.org/ma/signs and help spread the word by asking your friends to make one, too!
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| 2010 DARTS Summer Camp |
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Boston Symphony Orchestra Announces 2010 DARTS Summer Camp
Pre-Application Forms now available from your school's music or visual art teacher
DARTS - Days in the Arts is entering it's 42nd summer of this popular overnight camp available for students in grades 5, 6, & 7. For one week (Monday-Friday) each summer, 15 students from Newton join other kids from around the state for a week of arts exploration and discovery. The camp is held in the Beautiful Berkshire Mountain Region which is a hotbed of professional arts activity, especially during the summer months. Newton will attend week 6, August 2-6, 2010.
Due to the popularity of this program, students are selected by lottery. Contact your school's music or visual art teachers to get a DARTS Pre-application form. The LOTTERY DEADLINE is 5pm on Friday, March 19th. Pre-applications forms must be mailed or dropped off at the Fine Arts Office located at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street by this deadline.
For questions contact:
Richard P. King
Fine Arts Coordinator K-8
Newton Public Schools
100 Walnut Street
Newton, MA 02460
617-559-9090
richard_king@newton.k12.ma.us |
| April Vacation Week at the New Art Center |
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| April Vacation Week at the New Art Center. April 20-23, 9:00-3:30pm, extended hours are available.
We welcome students currently in grades K-5, and teens in grades 6-9. The day includes classes in painting, drawing, sculpting, ceramics and drama, as well as a snack time, lunch and recess. Children will be inspired by the exhibition in our Main Gallery, EXTRAORDINARY: Puppetry, Storytelling, & Spirit. We'll create small and large puppets, made from found objects and materials such as wood, wire, clay and more! For more information and to register, please visit www.newartcenter.org or call 617-964-3424. Register Early!
Tuition: $270, $255 sibling rate
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| Step Into Art Sundays For Children
(Grades 1 - 5) |
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Step Into Art Sundays For Children (Grades 1 - 5)
March 14 & 21
Day 1: March 14 - 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street, Newtonville
An interactive slide show studying great French and American paintings from the MFA, Boston. Hands-on activities follow, inspired by the works they have seen.
Day 2: March 21 - 12:30 - 2pm
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
A guided tour, children see "face-to-face" the works they have just learned about. Sketching in the museum concludes the experience.
$50 Newton residents. Register at 617-527-8283.
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