Looking for family-oriented adventures with other Burr families?  Join us for FriendTrips, family-oriented daytrips in the Boston area, organized by the PTO.  FriendTrips is a way for YOUR family to get to know other Burr families from both Boston and Newton. Together, our families go on outings, get to know each other on a first-name basis, and have fun!

We are fortunate that our children attend school in a diverse community with families from many nationalities, races, religions and cultures. In addition to families from many countries across 5 continents, our school community includes students from Boston who attend Burr as part of METCO.  METCO provides Boston children the opportunity to go to school in Newton (and other suburban communities), and provides Newton children the opportunity to learn in a more racially diverse educational environment. FriendTrips is a project of the PTO's METCO Families and Friends Committee, as part of our work to build a strong and welcoming community for all Burr families. FriendTrips is a chance for parents and our kids to socialize in a relaxed environment, while exploring Boston together. It's low-key, low-cost and no-obligation.  What more can you ask for?!  This year we have tentative plans for ice skating, cosmic bowling, and a pool party.

Details For Ice Skating at Frog Pond,

Saturday, December 4 from 1-3 pm

Bring your own skates or rent them there. There is a snack bar on site with a full array of hot and cold treats, you may want to bring a little extra money for snacks. We'll try to meet in the same area as last year (tables in the back left corner beyond the main building).  Although the PTO organizes the event, families are responsible for supervising their own kids at the rink.  The line to get in to Frog Pond can be a little nutty...try to show as close to 1pm as you can if you want to socialize with other Burr Families as we wait to get into the rink!

Admission:  Free for ages 13 and under; $4 for 14 and over. 

Ice Skates:  Rental is $5 for 13 and under.  $8 for 14 and over.  Or bring your own skates.

You can just show up for this event--no prior RSVP necessary--though, it is helpful for us to know if you think that you might join us so we can find you at the rink when you arrive.  Email Dana Hanson in advance or call her cell at the event (617) 515-0287 so we can all connect.  See you there!

Be sure to stop by the Burr School Store on Tuesday morning to check out all our new stuff - we are open every Tuesday from 8:20 - 8:35 a.m.!  And, don't forget...PRETZELS for sale right after school on Fridays at the flagpole - Just $1.00!  Thank you for supporting the 5th grade fundraising efforts!!! 

Keep your eyes peeled for an email tomorrow about an easy way to get a percentage of your purchases this holiday - or anytime - sent right to our school. It's free money that's right there waiting for us - it takes just 3 minutes to sign up!  All the details coming soon, so please take a moment to read tomorrow's email and join OneCause  and Target - Take Charge of Education . They're two great ways to help Burr at no extra cost to you! Thank you!

BOOYA would like to thank all the families who donated to the Halloween Candy Drive.  We delivered 250 pounds of candy to the Pine Street Inn!

Burr Book Fair 2010!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday after Thanksgiving...

Does your career or hobby involve science, engineering or math? How about the environment or sustainability? Would you be willing to share your excitement about one of these topics with a class of Burr students for 30 minutes?

We're organizing Burr's 7th Annual Science & Engineering Week, which brings parents into the classroom to provide our children with an exciting and accessible view of science and engineering. The kids love these presentations and they're easy and rewarding for the presenter.

We hope you'll participate by giving a 30-minute presentation to one or more classes during the week of January 10 - 14. If you're interested, please use the link below to provide us with the necessary information for scheduling by Friday December 3rd.

Email us at BurrScienceWeek@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

Joanne Kotz and Ted Vahey

Click here to fill out the Presenter Questionnaire.

Does the Newton School Committee's "no gifts" policy leave you wondering how to recognize your child's teachers at this time of year?  A donation to the Classroom Literature Fund is a great way to say thank you!  It also supports your child's education by providing books for his or her classroom.

Fund donations are pooled and divided equally among all Burr teachers in the form of gift certificates to the New England Mobile Book Fair, where teachers can purchase books for their classrooms.  Along with the gift certificate, each teacher or specialist receives a note with the names of the families who have donated to the Fund in their honor.

If you'd like to make a donation to the Classroom Literature Fund, please send your child's name and the teachers he or she wishes to honor, along with a check payable to the Burr School PTO, to the Classroom Literature Fund by December 17th via the folder in your child's backpack.  Questions?  Contact Marni Goldstein Caputo at 617-785-8690 or at mgolds2@yahoo.com.  And thank YOU!

Come and learn one of the ways in which the Newton Public Schools are addressing the problem.  What Can Parents Do to Stop Bullying? The Steps to Respect Curriculum for Elementary Students in Newton will be presented Tuesday, December 7th, 7:00 - 8:30pm at Bowen Elementary School, 280 Cypress Street, Newton 02459.

This presentation targets parents of children in grades 3, 4, and 5. The focus of this evening is to introduce Steps to Respect, the anti-bullying curriculum, that is being implemented across the district. This curriculum employs a school-wide approach to teach students to prevent and stop bullying. It also teaches students to improve their empathy and friendship-making skills.  Parents can play an important role in supporting their children's skills by learning about the curriculum and reinforcing these lessons at home.

Presenters are Gwendolyn J. Smith, K-8 Wellness Curriculum Coordinator and Iris G. Leigh, Curriculum Specialist, both of the Newton Public Schools. 

Co-sponsored by the Newton Public Schools and The Newton Partnership. 

We are thrilled to announce that beloved children's author, Jerry Pallotta, is visiting the ACL, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 23 at 3pm!

Jerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's alphabet books and imaginative fiction.  He has written many books, including The Ocean Alphabet Book, The Icky Bug Alphabet Book, Dory Story, Going Lobstering, The U.S. Navy Alphabet Book, and most recently the Who Would Win? series.  Jerry frequently visits elementary schools and libraries across the country to encourage children by teaching them how to create their own alphabet books.  A dynamic speaker, he also gives lectures at universities and conferences to promote reading and writing.  Jerry's books appeal to children of all ages because of the beautiful illustrations, witty text, and accurate descriptions found in all his work. 

Click here or here to learn more about Jerry and his books. 

Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, will be Theatre Ink's inaugural performance at the new Little Theatre at Newton North. Directed by Derek Butterton and Mercer Gary, Eurydice is the story of a newly-married husband and wife split apart by death. Eurydice reminisces with her long-dead father in the Underworld; Orpheus searches desperately for a way to reach his love. A nasty yet interesting Man sews temptation and cruelty. Three Stones watch events unfold, snickering, commenting, insulting, advising and weeping. And as the two young lovers draw ever closer to reconnection, the story rises to a conclusion that is at once deeply fantastical and utterly true.  December 9th, 10th and 11th  at 7:30pm. LittleTheatre at NNHS, 360 Lowell Avenue, Newtonville. Tickets $7 at www.theatreink.net or 617-559-6406.