From Ms. Johal's Desk

Dear Families,

On Sunday March 13, I had the pleasure of attending my first Burr School International Pot Luck Dinner. Families gathered to share their favorite foods and activities. Children and parents feasted on familiar and unfamiliar dishes. They discussed the offerings with neighbors and got to know a little bit more about each other. What a wonderful way to teach our children to embrace differences and celebrate diversity. Many thanks to the large committee that helped organize and plan the event.

Our celebration of global unity was tempered by the devastating news of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. What a horrific reminder of the destructive power of nature! We have families at Burr School who have spent the past week awaiting news of their loved ones whose homes were in the disaster zone. Burr families and students are concerned and want to help. Several adults and children have contacted me urging the Burr community to consider ways that we can support the victims. It is no surprise that such a caring group of people would want to act immediately and want to be a part of the relief efforts.

On Friday morning, teachers, parents, and students met to discuss what could be done. Many creative and thoughtful ideas were shared. The group decided to organize a three day event to collect donations. Grade 5 ambassadors (BOOYA) and a few students from other grade levels will be outside the school during drop off and dismissal times on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday collecting donations. Those who make a contribution will receive an origami paper crane which symbolizes hope and peace. At home, you can encourage children to think of ways they can help. Young children could do chores around the house or neighborhood to raise money to donate. They will feel empowered by opportunities to help make a difference.

The funds that we raise will be given to the Japanese Association of Greater Boston who will channel the funds to appropriate organizations, based on the guidance from the General Consulate of Japan in Boston. Cash and checks will be accepted. Checks should be made out to the Japanese Association of Greater Boston with 'Donation' written on the memo line. I thank you all in advance for your participation in these efforts. My thoughts and best wishes are with the Japanese people as they begin the long road to recovery.

You may have noticed the large dumpsters and equipment on the school grounds. Burr School is finally getting new windows. The contractor plans to have the work done between 3:30 PM - 11:00 PM each evening. If they stay on schedule, the work should be completed by April vacation. Children have been asked to stay away from the equipment during recess times. I know several children come to play on the school playground and fields after school and will need to hear the same message from you. Although, the workers are used to working on school grounds and will secure everything before they leave each day, it is still wise to remind children to be careful around the equipment.

I would like to congratulate the Burr students and Ms. Jaquith on an amazing art show. What a fabulous collection of art work! I loved watching the students share their work with each other and their families. Every single conversation that I had with a student showed how invested he/she was in their work. Their explanations about the artistic choices they had made were so thoughtful. Often times these choices were influenced by mathematical and scientific concepts that were brought into play as they solved problems that arose during construction. I often visit the art room and watch the students at work. It is a room that draws me to it. I think it must be the artistic energy and maybe my own yearning to pull up a chair and join in. Regardless of the grade level, I am always impressed with the level of student independence and engagement. Ms. Jaquith is a master teacher and I am sure you all agree that we are very lucky to have her at Burr School.

On March 22nd, all Newton Schools will participate in Newton Unplugged. This is a day designed to have students take a hiatus from all electronic devices such as television, computers, gaming stations, etc. and spend the after school hours doing different things. No homework will be assigned that night so that children have time to participate in a variety of activities. It is a great time to plan a night of board games, go on a family walk, play an outside activity, or just enjoy relaxed family time together.

March is a time during which we both concentrate on the current school year and begin looking toward next year as well. We are in the process of registering 64 incoming kindergarten students for next year.  In order to plan successfully for next year, we need to have an accurate picture of the number of K-4 families who are planning to move their children out of Burr School at the end of this school year. We know that some new families will be moving in, but having exit numbers is critical for our planning right now.  Please contact your children's teachers or the office directly if you will not be at Burr next year.

Last week Superintendent Fleishman began the process of communicating the recommended NPS Budget for FY12 to the School Committee. Given the significant financial constraints and overall financial landscape, it has been a challenge. The proposed budget has some significant cuts for the elementary schools that are presented below. I encourage all parents to get involved with the budget during the next month as the school committee entertains comments from the public before making the final decisions in early April. The schedule for all budget meetings and public forums is listed on the NPS website. Please keep in mind that this budget has impact for students at the middle school and high school level as well. The following is a summary of the major impact that the recommended budget will have on elementary schools.

As proposed at this time the recommended cuts for the regular education budget are as follows:

• The art department will experience a reduction of 2.7 teachers which will mean that art classes for students in grades 1 - 5 will be 45 minutes long, which is a reduction form the current 60 minute classes this year.
• The music program will experience the reduction of 2.9 teachers which will result in the elimination of 4th grade chorus and the elimination of the 30 minute class for teaching recorder. Third graders will still have recorder lessons but they will be delivered during regular music class and obviously the unit will be a condensed version.
• The library department will be reduced by 2.5 teachers which will reduce our librarian to 4 days a week.
• The Instructional Support Staff (internal building based substitute teacher) will be reduced from 8 days a week (the allocation for this year) to 5 days a week.

In addition there will be a reduction of 1.5 classroom teachers across the city. Although we will be adding a fifth grade teacher at Burr, other schools in the district are reducing classrooms. There are also proposed cuts to the elementary education special education portion of the budget, an increase in fees for current elementary programs, new fees for certain programs or services and minor increases in math coaches and literacy support for the larger elementary schools.

MCAS testing in English Language Arts for grades 3, 4, and 5 takes place between March 22 and April 12.  Please remember that in order to accommodate the state's testing requirements, Tuesday, March 22 will be a 3:00 PM day, and Wednesday, March 23 will be a 12:30 PM release day for all students.  If any student is absent on the testing days, he/she must make up the test during the testing period.

English Language Arts test dates:

• Grade 3: March 25, March 28
• Grade 4: March 22 (full day writing), March 25, March 28
• Grade 5: March 30, April 1~

The best way for you to help your child during this testing period is to be sure he/she rests, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time. Directions will be given at 8:45 AM and students will begin the tests at 9:00 AM.

Have a wonderful week.

Mindy
~~~~~~

To make donations directly to the Japanese Association of Greater Boston you can mail checks to:

Japanese Association of Greater Boston
361 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02474

Important Budget Action Letter from the PTO

There is a budget crisis going on in Newton RIGHT NOW that will directly effect Burr Elementary School.  As stated in Mindy's letter, many programs at Burr will be affected by the proposed cuts, including our  unique art program and wonderful music program.

If you value these parts of your child's life, there are several opportunities coming up for you to make your voice heard on this matter:

• Monday, March 21 at 7:00 pm - School Committee meeting at the Ed Center, 100 Walnut Street - Room 210
• Wednesday, March 23 at 7:00 pm - Mayor Seti Warren meeting on the Future of Auburndale at the Auburndale Community Library
• Monday, March 28 at 7:30 pm - School Committee Public Hearing meeting at the F. A. Day Middle School

Please attend any or all of these public commentary sessions and make your representatives aware of your opinions!

Or you can contact the school committee directly by email at schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us

Check out this recent article from The Tab covering the Burr art show and highlighting the negative effects of cuts to the arts:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/features/x1777797498/Newtons-Burr-school-fears-art-programs-will-be-cut?photo=0#axzz1Gft7Nv00

Do not silently accept budget cuts that you do not support! Speak up!

Thanks for your interest and action,

Steve DeJesus and Tracy Carter
Burr PTO Co-presidents

Joe Russo, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Newton Public Schools, is planning to visit Burr school to hear from Burr parents regarding Mindy Johal's performance as Principal. He will be at Burr on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 8 AM to 10:30 AM. He prefers to meet with people individually or in small groups for about ten minutes of confidential conversation. Please contact Maura Albano, Executive Assistant for Burr, to sign up for the time you would like to come by Friday, April 1.

As part of Mindy's formal written evaluation, he will focus on themes developed by the Educational Leadership Policy Standards set by the Council of Chief State School Officers, which include:

• Shared vision for the school supported by all stakeholders
• School culture and instructional programs conducive to excellent, innovative student learning and staff professional growth
• Management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment
• Collaboration with the faculty and responsiveness to diversity and different community interests
• Professional integrity
• Communication skills and political savvy that positively influence the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context so as to encourage respectful and responsible behavior among all members of the school community
• Professional growth including critical reflection upon her own practice.

Burr PTO hosts "Race to Nowhere" April 8 7pm

Mark Your Calendars!  The Burr School PTO will be hosting a showing of the film, "Race to Nowhere", on Friday, April 8th, 7pm at Newton North High School Auditorium.  Tickets will be $10 and will be sold online only.  More details on ticket sales to come next week.

"Race to Nowhere" is a documentary which has been taking the country by storm.

The film takes a look at the pressures on today's students. It shows intimate stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, whose lives are packed with activities, leaving little to no room for downtime, family time.

The film shows parents under pressure to raise high-achieving children who are good at everything - academics, sports, the arts, community service.

It offers a look at educators who feel overburdened, stressed and worried that students are not learning anything, and a look at college professors/business leaders who feel young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

"Race to Nowhere" is a call to families, educators and policy makers to galvanize change before it is too late.

This film is intended for mature audiences and may contain content disturbing to children.  This film is not recommended for elementary school-aged children.

Hope to see you there!
Pam McVey, Tracy Carter and Dana Hanson
Questions? Contact Pam at s.richard@verizon.net

www.racetonowhere.com

Race to Nowhere on YouTube

Burr School Store 

A Tuesday is a Tuesday for the Burr School Store! Even though there will be a Wednesday schedule, the Burr School Store will be open as usual on TUESDAY morning from 8:20 - 8:35. Don't miss out on your weekly shopping. We will have loads of fun stuff!!! 

NPS News
 

Anti-Bullying presentation March 30

Want to hear about the Newton Public Schools' new anti-bullying policy and how it will affect your elementary-aged child?

Then join us for a city-wide panel presentation, Everything Elementary Parents Need to Know... about Newton's Anti-Bullying Policy.

This event will be held on Wednesday, March 30th, at Franklin Elementary School, 125 Derby St. in West Newton from 7 to 8:30 p.m. NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. A panel of district staff and experts including Paul Stein, Deputy Superintendent, Amy Kelly, Franklin School Principal, and Gwen Smith, K-8 Wellness Curriculum Coordinator will address the following topics and answer your questions: Massachusetts' New Anti-Bullying Law, Newton's Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy, the Dynamics of Bullying, What are Elementary Schools Doing, Anti-Bullying Curricula and Programs and What Can Parents Do. (The Franklin School parking lot is behind the school and can be entered on Cherry St.)

Co-sponsored by the PTO Council and The Newton Partnership.

4th Annual Spelling Bee Winners from Burr

Over the past two weeks, 260 Newton school children have participated in the 4th annual All Newton Spelling Bees at the Newton Cultural Center. The children were often asked to spell words that were higher than their grade level! They should all be commended for the tremendous poise they showed, and courage for getting on a stage and spelling a difficult word in front of an audience. Congratulations to all the participants! The following is the list of winners from Burr:

1st Grade (b)     Arielle Ma      2nd prize (tie)

4th Grade (c)     Erica Reilley   2nd prize

Mock IEP Meeting in a Fishbowl
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Room 210, Education Center, 100 Walnut St, Newtonville

Abby Hanscom, Assistant Director for Student Services

Have you ever wondered "Why did that staff member say or do that in an IEP meeting?" Well, here is a chance to find out....

NPS staff and parents will collaborate to create a "mock IEP meeting". In this exercise, parents and staff will role play as different members of the IEP team go through the meeting process, and talk about how each member views the process. The goal is to create openness about motivations and decisions that staff and parents bring to the meeting table, answer procedural questions, and share with one another feedback on how the Team process can best work to accomplish the goal of creating an IEP for a student.

Light refreshments and networking begin at 7:15 pm

For more information about the Newton PAC or to join our online discussion group, please email info@newtonpac.org or visit our website at www.newtonpac.org.

Are you wondering....How to help your child get the most from playing sports? How to support your child who is trying out for a team? What are the pros and cons of having your child specialize in one sport? Can sports really help my child get into college? Then don't miss.... Dr. Richard Ginsburg, Nationally Recognized Sports Psychologist and Author of Whose Game Is It, Anyway? This free workshop is targeted for parents of school-aged children. It will be held on Monday, March 21st from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Mason Rice Elementary School, 149 Pleasant St., 02459. No registration is necessary. Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and the PTO Council.

Dr. Richard D. Ginsburg is the Co-Director of the MGH PACES Institute of Sport Psychology and a faculty member of the Harvard Medical School. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Ginsburg has served as a sports psychology consultant for the Harvard Menís Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Men's and Women's Water Polo and Women's Ice Hockey Teams as well as the U16 and 17 Women's National Soccer Team (2007). He is also a member of the US Lacrosse Safety and Science Committee.

Contact Nancy_Holczer@newton.k12.ma.us for more information.

Community News

On Saturday April 2nd, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, the Greyhound Friends will host a "Meet the Racers" family session at the Newton Community Center, 225 Nevada St., Newton.  Families will be able to meet some wonderful greyhounds and sign up to virtually adopt a retired racing dog.  To RSVP, please email your name and the number of attendees to education@greyhound.org.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3, noon-5pm, Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to the Jackson Homestead and Museum at 527 Washington St., Newton.

For more information and to see other events, go to www.historicnewton.org

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton's Annual Luau will take place on Friday, April 8th at the American Legion Post 440 from 7:30 PM to midnight. The night will include dancing, music from the Reminisants, an affordable cash bar, great raffle prizes, and a Chinese food buffet. Tickets are just $30 and may be purchased at www.newtonbgc.com or in person at the Club. Call 617 630-2066 for more details.

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton is the Premier Youth Serving Agency in the City of Newton and has served its youth for more than 50 years.   During the week of March 20-26, many local retailers have offered to donate part of their proceeds back to the club.   Get the flyer you'll need to present, and the complete list of retailers at:  http://www.newtonbgc.com/livelocal.html.  And thank you! 

The Magic Ark Performing Arts Series for Families

Presents

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Story Books

A Theatreworks USA presentation

Sunday, April 3 11am and 1pm

Theatreworks /USA brings their sparkling musical revue to the Magic Ark Performing Arts Series for Families on Sunday, April 3, 2011. Shows are at 11am and 1pm and tickets are $11 general admission. Tickets are available online or by calling 617-965-5226. The Magic Ark Series is located at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton Street in Newton.

Eight delightful stories come to life in Theatreworks USA's musical revue If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Story Books. Performed by a multi-racial cast, the stories represent various issues, themes and ideas relevant to a broad and diverse audience of children. Books featured in the show include: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Martha Speaks, Imogene's Antlers, Owen and more.

It's not too early to think summer!

Make music a part of your summer planning. Whether you are considering introducing your preschooler to music, finding a band, exploring musical theatre for your teenager, or taking private lessons, ANMS is a great place to be this summer.

Music Explorers Summer Program (ages 5-8)
Musical Mornings/Musical Theatre Afternoons
Weekly July 5-29, 2011 Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-2:30 PM

Music Explorers introduces children to the arts, cultivates individual expression, encourages group participation and provides a supportive nurturing environment. In this creative atmosphere children explore different artistic avenues daily.

Sign up by the week or by the month in July! Explore and learn something new about music. Every afternoon children will sing, act and dance in small groups exploring the joy of musical theater productions. Costumes, sets and stagecraft are introduced weekly. In the morning children are introduced to a different instrument each week.

World Music       July 5-8 Fee: $250 Rhythm Band Set
Xylophone Band July 11-15 Fee: $300 Xylophone
Keyboard           July 18-22 Fee: $300 Stage kit
Guitar                July 25-29 Fee: $300 Guitar

Fee includes an instrument your child will own!
Kim Petot, Music and Laura Backley, Musical Theatre

Summer House of Rock, Jazz & Blues (ages10-18)
July 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 27, 28
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Club performance for all bands on Thursday, July 28
 

Looking for a band? Want to perform? Bands are organized by skill level and experience with coaches covering topics such as soloing, dynamics, song arranging and rehearsal techniques. Open to students of voice, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone, trombone and violin.I t will be really cool for your family and friends to hear you performing live in a club.

Application deadline: June 1, 2011. Late fee $25.
Mandatory Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 27

Please visit our website to see all our summer offerings including private lessons on all instruments (age 6 through adults).  www.allnewtonmusicschool.com or call 617-527-4553.