Dear Burr Families,

Well, it is starting to feel like Fall here in the Burr community and Fall means the kick off of our major fundraising activity for the year, the Gift for Burr campaign.

Hopefully you have already received a letter and pamphlet describing this fundraiser in your child's folder. Additional information about the campaign, detailing exactly why we are raising funds in this way and what those funds will support, can be found on the Burr PTO web site ( click here ). 

For the 2010-2011 school year, Gift for Burr will serve as the main means by which the PTO raises the funds required to provide the fun activities and wide range of enrichment that make Burr such a vibrant community. Our goal this year is to raise $35,000 for our school and achieve 100% participation from the Burr community by December 1, 2010.

To reach this goal, we are asking each family to make a tax-deductible contribution of $150 to the PTO by sending a check, donating online ( click here ) or committing to raise the funds as a family. Families who are able and inspired to contribute more are encouraged to do so, and all gifts - no matter how big or small - are greatly needed and appreciated.

Here are a few facts about the Gift for Burr campaign:

• The Gift for Burr campaign began in 2007 and has been the most inclusive and universally supported fundraising effort in PTO history.
• In each of the past five years, the Burr PTO has infused an average of $45,000 into our school, an amount that exceeds Burr's entire annual operating budget from the city.
• The 2010-2011 PTO Budget commits to providing over $42,000 to Burr School to benefit EVERY Burr student and family. Every student uses the computers and other technology equipment, the playground, the classroom supplies, Creative Arts and Sciences programming, and field trip subsidies that PTO funds provide.
• Every family is invited to enjoy our Halloween Family Fun Night, the World Cultures Festival, the May Fair, and other popular community events made possible by the PTO.
• Because of this fundraiser, we want you to know that this year your favorite Burr students will not be asking you to buy wrapping paper or magazines or candles or bulbs (plant or light) or cookie dough or chocolates - or even Tupperware. And, of course, donations of any size from your friends and family will also be gladly accepted!

Thank you--and see you at school,

Steve & Tracy
Burr School PTO Co-Presidents

This week is Traffic Safety Week at Burr.  Parent volunteers (in orange safety vests) will be in the Blue Zones and "No Parking" areas at drop-off and pick-up to help keep the Blue Zone moving and the "No Parking" areas clear. The purpose of Traffic Safety Week is to demonstrate how smoothly - and most importantly, safely - pick-up and drop-off can be when everyone follows the rules. Please remember that these volunteers are parents like you who are giving up their time to help keep all of our children safe! 

What does it mean to "keep the Blue Zone moving?" 

It means pulling up as far as possible before letting your children out.  It means limiting any distractions (like cell phones!)  At drop-off your children should have all their things ready to go.  Parents should not be getting out of the car to open or close doors, to hand kids their backpacks, lunches, or musical instruments, or to impart last minute instructions.  At pick-up, your child needs to get into the car when you arrive in the pick-up area and buckle up so you can go.  The Blue Zone is not the place to chat with friends, plan "play dates", or debate after school plans. 

Why is it important to "keep the No Parking areas clear?"

These areas have been designated as "No Parking" by the City of Newton for an important reason - to allow vehicles to pass safely in both directions.  These areas are marked clearly with signs and yellow curbs.  If the sign says "No Parking" it means you can't park there.  If the curb is yellow, it means you can't park there.  By Massachusetts law, "No Parking" also means "No Stopping"; it means you can't wait there.  (Please note: the entire area near the fire hydrant, from the neighbor's driveway to the school driveway, has a yellow curb.  It doesn't matter how far you are from the hydrant - you can't park there.) 
 
The Burr Safe Routes website has complete information on using the Blue Zone and about traffic safety around Burr, including a color-coded map of the area that you can view and print - please give a copy to anyone who picks up or drops off your child. 
 
If you have any questions, please email:  BurrSafeRoutes@gmail.com

On Thursday, November 4th from 6:00- 6:45pm we will be hosting a father/son book group.  The group started last year and was extremely successful and fun. We had about 40 families come to the group last year.  This year, our first book will be Magic Pickle and the Garden of Evil by Scott Morse.  You can find this book on Amazon.com or New England Mobile Book Fair.

4th Grade Newton Girls Travel Basketball Tryouts