Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we only have three more weeks of school before the December break. So much is going on at school as parents and staff work side-by-side to implement core academic and enrichment programs for our students. It is very exciting to be part of such a vibrant and dedicated community. I can not possibly write about everything but allow me share a few highlights.

Inclusive Schools Week (December 6-10):  Our Respect for Human Differences Committee has planned some great classroom activities for Inclusive Schools Week. Some of the things planned are:

• Each classroom teacher will be reading books with themes of inclusion and discussing the messages within them with his/her students.
• Each student at Burr will be asked to complete the sentence - "I feel included when..." and their responses will be posted around the school. Many of you will remember this activity from last year.
• Each classroom teacher will assign an activity for students to complete at home. This will be a great way for families to see what we are doing at school and to support this important work at home.
• Parents will be leading lunch time 'mixers' which are activities designed to mix up the seating arrangements to encourage students to eat lunch with different children in their grade level.

This work is done daily in the classrooms at Burr School, and Inclusive Schools Week is a time for us to celebrate what is already done, to try out some new strategies, and most importantly, to reflect and focus on continued improvements. I do believe the most valuable lessons we can give our children are those that teach them to live alongside others with empathy and compassion.

Community Service:  Our third grade classes are successfully conducting our holiday food drive for the Newton Food Pantry. These classes are collecting canned goods from classes each day, organizing and categorizing the food, reporting on progress, and packing up the food for delivery.  There are many families in need who turn to food pantries, and they are always in need of food and supplies. We are very grateful to our grade 3 organizers and to everyone who is making contributions.

BOOYA, Green Team members, and their families are doing lots of great things at school and in the community at large. The Burr School Clean Up had about 15 families participate this year. Thanks to their efforts, the school grounds look fabulous.  BOOYA members will also be visiting the Brighton Rehabilitation Center to sing to the residents and are forming a snow shoveling club to help local community members who may need assistance. These groups, led by dedicated teachers and parents, work hard year round to enrich the whole school experience for our children and teach them the value of contributing to the community.

PTO Presentations and Events: Many thank to those of you who have attended, and helped organize, our recent PTO meetings and events. I completely understand how difficult it is for many parents to come to school meetings, but I want to stress the importance of making the time to become involved in what goes on here at Burr. Education experts continue to report the critical importance of building home-school connections. I urge you to join us at our next meeting. That being said, I know that the meetings don't fit everyone's schedule so our newsletters and websites are filled with information about school and community events that may be of interest to you. Most classroom teachers' newsletters and school-wide newsletters are sent electronically; if you do not have regular internet access please request a paper copy.

Anti Bullying:The Burr teachers are always eager and willing to take the time to meet with parents to share what is going on in the classrooms. At the last Parent-Principal Coffee, Ms. Cooley (grade 5), Ms. Lawton (grade3), Dr. Gold (school psychologist) and Gwen Smith (K-8 Health and Wellness Coordinator) joined me in presenting information about Steps to Respect, the anti-bullying curriculum that we are using in grades 3-5. They did a wonderful job of sharing why this program was selected by the Newton Public School. Steps to Respect is designed to prevent bullying and to promote responsible, respectful student behavior.  Students will learn:

• How to recognize, refuse, and report bullying when it happens to them or someone else.
• Friendship skills that reduce the risk of being bullied, including how to make friends, join group activities, and manage conflicts.
• Emotional skills, such as understanding the feelings of others and managing emotions.
• How to use positive values (responsibility, respect, and caring for others) as a guide for behavior.

In the primary grades (K-2) the teachers are using several effective anti-bullying lessons from the Open Circle curriculum in which the students learn how to build positive relationships and social awareness, problem solving skills and responsible decision-making. Mr. Gaita shared some examples of the program's success in first grade. Many teachers at Burr structure their classroom learning by using the Responsive Classroom model. You can learn more about it if you go to the following webpage:  http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about/aboutrc.html. There are also some parent information sessions that are listed in the Burr Bulletin that are well worth attending.

Research shows that when schools take explicit steps to improve school climate and encourage positive interactions among students and staff, they can significantly reduce bullying. When schools build bullying prevention efforts around an evidence-based social emotional learning program, they pro-actively address many of the social, emotional, and environmental issues that can lead to bullying.  At Burr we are committed to working with families to help children become ethical people, contributing citizens, and successful learners.

Literacy at Burr: Thanks to Dana Hanson, Nancy Caulfield, and the TEAM of parents that helped pull off a fabulous three day book fair. Children were excited about looking through the selection and choosing books to buy at the fair and/or choosing some that they want to read, buy, or borrow from the library in the future. A great effort was made to ensure that each child felt included in the event.

Ms. Guttman, our literacy specialist, enhanced the event by giving a thorough presentation about Literacy at Burr at the PTO meeting. She provided an overview of the components of successful reading and what that looks like at each grade level. Her presentation was supported by pictures of students and teachers at work. She did a wonderful job representing the Burr faculty by sharing what they do each day.  She shared the ways in which we use support staff to provide each student with instruction that is at his/her level to ensure optimal learning.  I wish more parents had been able to attend the meeting. I am sure that those who were there are going around singing Ms. Guttman's (and the Burr staff's) praises and are much more informed about the teaching of reading. I am encouraging Ms. Guttman to work towards getting some of this information on our school website, so that more of you can hear what she had to say. I know it took her many days to prepare such a thoughtful and thorough presentation.  I thank her for sharing her expertise with us all.

Holiday Time:  As we continue in the holiday season, please remember the School Committee Policy:  "No teacher in the performance of regular duties shall receive presents from the pupils under his or her direction."  In addition, this year, there are new Massachusetts Ethics Reform laws stating that "Municipal employees may not accept gifts and gratuities valued at $50 or more" (per year).  This includes a group gift for a teacher to which individuals contribute smaller amounts but the value of the gift exceeds $50.  Classroom supplies/contributions do not pertain to this policy.  In terms of PTO gift cards to staff (e.g. a gift certificate to New England Mobile Book Fair from the Literature Fund), if a letter accompanies the gift stating the purpose is to purchase books/supplies for the classroom, there is not an ethics violation.

It is very natural for children and their families to want to acknowledge and thank their teachers at holiday time.  What are the alternatives to giving personal gifts?  There are several ways to acknowledge teachers by giving either to the classroom, the school community or the bigger school system community:

• Contribute to our literature fund
• Take part in our library gift program (buy a book for the library in the teacher's name)
• Help to fill classroom wish lists
• Contribute to the Newton Schools Foundation in a teacher's name.

As we approach the December vacation, the staff and I wish all Burr families a very special holiday season. We wish you a restful, rejuvenating vacation and a happy, healthy New Year.

Sincerely,

Mindy Johal

We're getting closer, but we need your help.  We must reach our goal to ensure that the essential academic supports and enriching programs funded by the PTO do not disappear. If everyone participates, we will make it!  Remember, every donation counts.
 
There is still time to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the tax year.  Send in your Gift for Burr check today, or simply visit the Burr PTO home page and click the "Donate" button right now.

Inclusive Schools week is a national celebration of the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference and other factors.

There are approximately 20 languages and 28 countries represented in out school of 390 students.  There are currently 23 inclusion students, 42 ELL students and 8 METCO students at Burr.  Our students come from a wide variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds and family constellations.  We are a diverse and vibrant community.  Inclusive Schools week is way of insuring that we continue to make our community as inclusive and welcoming as possible for ALL of our students.  At Burr, we celebrate each and every child's individuality.  We invite you to visit our Burr family quilt sometime to see how the patchwork of our individual students creates a vibrant and rich community at our school!    

     Ms. Taylor   10:00 -11:00
     Ms. Robinson  11:10 -12:10
     Ms. Cohen  1:30 -2:30

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:

     Felicia Falchuk, felicia.falchuk@gmail.com
     Beth Tierney, bethtierney@comcast.net
     Pam McVey, s.richard@verizon.net

What's all the buzz about ... It's about those great 5th grade T-shirts!

Not sold at stores! Not sold on TV! Limited time offer ... Order NOW!
           Check out the poster in the Burr School lobby!
           Did you see the order form in your child's folder?
         Order DEADLINE is Wednesday, December 8th!
           Great holiday gift! Order now in time for the holidays!

All proceeds help fund 5th grade activities, including the 5th grade gift to Burr School

Thank you from the 5th graders and the T-shirt team-Toni McDonald, Pam McVey, Judy O'Neil

Questions? Contact Pam McVey at s.richard@verizon.net

The next regular School Committee meeting will be held:

Monday, December 13, 7:00 pm

Education Center, 100 Walnut St., Newtonville, Frazier Room (#210).

This meeting includes a 7:00 - 7:30 pm public comment segment devoted to community input on the proposed Bullying Prevention & Intervention Policy. Please click here for more information: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/

Registration is now underway for Winter classes with Newton Community Education. Coming up at Burr, NPS has:

   Monday - Chess

   Tuesdays - Painting

   Wednesdays - Mad Science

   Thursdays - Robotics with Legos and Girls Science Club

Check out our family programs this fall (Family Quilt, Meet the Instruments, cooking specials The Way of the Chocolate Chip and Two Continents: Four Dumplings), and our classes for older elementary schoolers, like Create a TV Show, Fencing, Robotics, Sewing, Archery, new classes Music Technology and Animation, Babysitting; and more. We have some great sports offerings including Dodgeball,  Futsal, and Basketball, and for younger kids we have indoor Saturday Sports Jams (at Burr!). If you're looking for great winter and spring vacation programs we have those too. As always, we have a wide variety of classes at schools throughout Newton, and we welcome kids from all schools at all of our classes.

For more information or to register, call our office at 617-559-6999 or visit our website at www.newtoncommunityed.org. Be sure to look through our huge selection of adult classes too.

Special screening of documentary "Race to Nowhere"

Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 7:00 pm 

West Newton Cinema

The Mason-Rice PTO is sponsoring a special screening of the documentary film "Race to Nowhere".  This film highlights the pressures faced by students, teachers and parents in our high-stakes, high pressure educational systems and culture.  The film examines the impact of homework, standardized testing, the explosion of AP courses, extra-curriculum expectations, over-scheduling, competition, rankings and the emotional/academic toll exacted by our children. 

Following the showing of the  film, a facilitated discussion with panelists including Joel Stembridge, John Jordan, Mark Springer, principals of Newton South High School,  Brown Middle School, Mason-Rice Elementary School, respectively, is planned. 

Parents from all schools are invited.  Tickets cost $10 plus small service fee.  Seating is limited.  To purchase tickets, and for information about the film, go to http://racetonowhere.com/postcard/january-11th-newton-ma-0 ."

Garden City Kindergarten and Pre-K Fall Soccer registration begins December 1, 2010.

Children in Pre-K (4-5 years old) and students entering Kindergarten this Fall are invited to participate. GCKS provides an introduction to the game of soccer, teaching a variety of basic skills in a fun, non-competitive environment. Team sizes are limited to 10 players in each group.

Registration is limited to 80 players per league. Spring session runs Saturdays, from April 9 thru June 4, 2011. Practice/games are held Saturdays from 9:30-10:30 am for the Kindergarten league and 10:45-11:45 am for the Pre-K league. Games are played on the field at Burr School, Pine Street in Auburndale. Volunteer parent coaches are needed. No experience is necessary and training will be provided.

Cost is $60 per child. GCKS is a joint venture of Lincoln-Eliot & Franklin School's Parent Teacher Organization. Proceeds benefit both schools PTO programs. To register, email gardencitysoccer@gmail.com. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.lepto.org or www.franklinpto.org. For more information, call L-E School parent Melanie Varady at 617-244-5773 or Franklin School parent Deb Rooney at (617) 630-8520. Registration deadline is Friday, March 11, 2011. Space is limited.

Boston Bikes and the Boston Public Health Commission have announced their new Roll It Forward initiative to collect, repair, and distribute up to 1000 bikes to Boston's neighborhoods by the spring of 2012.  Roll It Forward is funded by a stimulus grant from the National Institutes of Health to make cycling a more accessible transportation option for all communities.  By distributing bicycles and providing proper bike safety education, Roll It Forward will promote a healthier lifestyle of increased physical activity and fewer trips by car.  You can donate bikes by December 10 to Roll It Forward at various locations throughout the Boston area, including Eastern Mountain Sports at 300 Needham Street in Newton (617-559-1575).  

Wednesday, December 15, 7:00 pm

City Hall Cafeteria (Basement)

The Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing for the following proposals: 

--61 Pearl Street (housing, $665,000)

--Historic Burying Grounds, Tomb Repair & Conservation (historic resources, $614,461).

The meeting will also include a working session & possible funding vote for the proposed Early Architecture Survey. For the full agenda, see the website at www.newtonma.gov/cpa or contact Alice Ingerson at aingerson@newtonma.gov, 617.796.1144. 

Meetings are held in handicap-accessible locations. If you have a special need, please contact Newton ADA coordinator Kathleen Cahill at least 2 days before the meeting at 617.796.1125,  via email at kcahill@newtonma.gov or via TDD/TTY at 617.796.1089.  

Wednesday, December 8th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

NewTV Conference Room

The League of Women Voters of Newton has advocated over decades for an ordinance ensuring that residents will clear their sidewalks of snow and ice in the winter to provide safe passage for pedestrians of all ages. League member and Alderman Vicki Danberg will provide an update on the status of the ordinance, as well as answer questions and hear feedback from residents. Also presenting will be League members of Safe Sidewalks, a coalition of several Newton groups working together in support of sidewalk snow clearing. Members and non-members are welcome. Drinks and dessert are provided--please feel free to bring your own lunch.

The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program in Newton is looking for committed and dedicated child advocates to present its personal safety curriculum in local elementary schools.  New training is scheduled to begin late January.

Join up with current and experienced volunteer Prevention Specialists to teach children to recognize and respond to verbal, physical and sexual assault and abuse.  Potential volunteers are community members who believe that children have the right to information, skills and the support of adults. We offer a flexible schedule to volunteers who enjoy teamwork and can make a yearlong commitment of two or three mornings a month.  The training has been revised to more easily fit with busy schedules.

For information or to set up an interview call Gail Sommer, 617-969-5906, x143 or email, gsommer@ncscweb.org. Newton CAP is a program of Newton Community Service Center. Visit our webpage at www.ncscweb.org for a description of the program and of the volunteer Prevention Specialist position.

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

457 Walnut St., Newtonville

Tickets $7 at www.theatreink.net or 617-559-6406.