Update to Burr Bulletin - October 4, 2010

Dear Families,

I find it hard to believe that it is already October and we are in our fourth full week of school. Students are settling into their new classes and routines quite well. I have visited all of the classes to welcome students to their new grade and class and to talk with them about Burr School's Core Values of Academic Excellence, The Effort and Joy of Learning, A Strong Sense of Community, and Individual Growth and Expression. You may want to ask your children about these talks to see what they understand about our Core Values and the ways that they can work toward these in school.

Now that students have made their initial adjustment into the new school year, I am asking that parents of students in grades 1-5 say goodbye to their children in the morning either at the outside door or at the first double door by the kindergarten classes. Of course, if you need to speak to the teacher or if you are volunteering, it is fine to walk to the class in the morning. (If you are volunteering, please make sure to sign in and get a visitors' badge in the office.) Helping students follow morning routines independently is one of our goals, so letting the children enter the classrooms themselves is important.

It was wonderful to see everyone at Curriculum Night. I hope the information you received from the teachers was clear and helpful, and that you can see the close connections between our school goals and the teachers' curriculum and instructional plans for our students. Our School Improvement Plan is posted on the Burr School Website for your information. At Curriculum Night, I also mentioned the Burr staff's work to become a Professional Learning Community and shared the goals that each team aspired towards last year. I am sure you were as impressed as I was with the results of their collaborative work and the improvement in student achievement that was accomplished. We will continue to build upon this success. This year's schedule has been designed with a weekly common planning time where teachers can meet with their grade level colleagues and specialists. Together they will look at the needs of the students across the grade and sets goals to work towards.

Building strong teams at each grade level is essential to the success of a Professional Learning Community. We are fortunate to have strong and skilled staff members at Burr. Teachers share their knowledge and expertise within, and across, grade levels to ensure continuous improvement for themselves and their colleagues. Their professional conversations help them determine what and how to teach so that all students will learn. As the principal, my goal is to help each teacher improve his/her practice each year by providing the time and resources to support their learning whenever possible. If you would like to know more about the philosophy and practices of Professional Learning Communities, you can visit allthingsplc.com

Plans for celebrating Halloween at school: Halloween is on a Sunday this year, so on the Friday before Halloween, kindergarten classes only will take part in a costume parade. I hear that Halloween Family Fun Night, on October 23, is a big, popular, well-attended annual celebration for the whole school community. I am looking forward to attending and hope to see many of you there.

Please remember that Thursday, October 28 is an early-release day (12:30 p.m.) for all students.

I look forward to seeing you at the Parent-Principal coffee on October 15 from 8:45-9:30 a.m.