| Mark your Calendar |
May 23
School Committee Vote on Modulars 7:30 pm
May 24
Final PTO Meeting 7pm
May 26
Guys Read
May 26 - 27
Burr Garden Classroom
May 27
Creative Arts and Science - 5th Grade
May 30
Memorial Day, No School
June 1
Burr Parent Book Group CANCELLED!
June 4
Newton Serves at Burr - Redux
June 7
Color Day (Rain Date June 8)
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From Ms. Johal's Desk | |
 Dear Parents/Guardians, We have already started the placement process for next year. It is a very thoughtful process that we take very seriously. Teachers at each grade level meet with specialists and me to make specific recommendations for each student's placement. This team has a wealth of information about each child's learning style, interests and needs. We have also solicited information from parents. Some of you have shared this information on the "Optional Parent Information Sheet Regarding Placement" which was sent home a few weeks ago, and others have communicated directly with the classroom teachers. Our goal throughout the placement process is to build balanced classes in which all children can succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. Requests for a specific teacher, whether named or described, are not accommodated, as this makes it impossible to create balanced classes. The following criteria are considered when creating classes: - Gender balance
- Balance of performance levels
- Balance of students with special programming (Special Services, ELL, etc.)
- Family factors
- Special friendships that support learning
- Balance of high behavioral needs
- Balance of varying social skill and work habit levels
- Equitable class size across grade level
- Equitable access to school resources for programming needs.
The process of placing students is a long and complex one. The time and effort we spend weighing all of the factors reflect the importance we place on creating an optimal learning environment for each student. We ask that you respect the staff's professional judgment about the best possible learning environment for your child next year. Once balanced classes have been created, I will assign a teacher to each group. All the teachers at Burr are highly qualified to educate and support all students, both socially and academically. The class lists are in draft form until late August because enrollment is in fluctuation throughout the summer and one student moving in or out of district can drastically affect the make up of a group. We will let you know of your child's placement in late August. Class placements once they are sent out to everyone are final. Changes cannot be made since they seriously compromise the balance that we work so hard to achieve. The class lists will be emailed, unless you request that we mail a paper copy to you. Consequently, it is important for us to have your most current email address. Today, we will send out an email message to the primary contact address currently listed in our records. This will be the email address that we will use to send out class placements in August. If you do not receive the email, or want placement information sent to a different address, please let us know by emailing the correct address to Sue_Fernando@newton.k12.ma.us. If you have any questions or concerns about the placement process, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your continued support. Mindy |
| Final PTO Meeting Tomorrow (Tuesday) Night at 7 p.m. | |
Join us Tuesday, May 24th at 7pm for our last PTO meeting of the year! We will celebrate our accomplishments since September, tie up a few loose ends before the end of the year, and review the budget proposal for the 2011-2012 school year.
One of our orders of business will be to hold elections for next year's open PTO Board positions. We are thrilled to share the following slate of interested candidates with the Burr community:
Co-President: Ted Vahey
(dad of Aidan - grade 2 next year)
Treasurer: Rachael McCarthy
(mom of Kathryn & Mari - grade 4, Shannon - grade 1, & Thomas - grade K next year)
Fundraising: Jessica Avery(mom of Maggie & Poppy - grades 4 & 1 next year) Secretary: Kim Susko(mom of Caitlin - grade K next year) The meeting is in the school Cafetorium (pass the office and down the stairs to the large room on the right). All are welcome and encouraged to attend, even if you can only drop by for a bit. Some Burr Alums will be in the BCAP/Music room to keep an eye on kids that tag along. A small donation to pay the sitters would be appreciated. If you'd like to review the budget proposal or past minutes before the meeting, please visit http://www.burrpto.org/BurrPTOBusiness.html
See you tomorrow night!
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| Burr Modular Update - School Committee Vote Tonight (Monday) at 7:30 PM | |
Thank you to the many parents who have been writing emails and attending meetings these past several weeks to advocate for a modular for Burr. We are very lucky to have a parent body so dedicated to keeping our school the wonderful learning environment that it is.
More than 30 Burr parents and staff attended last week's special School Committee meeting about space. At this meeting officials from the Newton Public Schools presented a recommendation to the School Committee that a modular classroom be installed at Burr School for the upcoming school year. Modulars were also recommended for Zervas and Horace Mann, along with school-wide sprinkler systems (required by state law) for each of the schools.
While we can view this development with cautious optimism, there is still a long way to go. The first step is a School Committee vote on the elementary school modular plan, taking place at tonight's (Monday 5/23) public meeting at 7:30 at the Education Center on 100 Walnut Street (and broadcast on NewTV). More updates coming soon!
Thank you again for your hard work on this important issue.
PTO Board |
| Creative Arts and Sciences - 5th Grade | |
Phebe Emerson: Eyewitness to a Revolution
Friday, May 27th at 9:00 am in the CafetoriumPhebe Emerson was the wife of Concord's minister in 1775. She witnessed the famous battle that took there on April 1, 1775. In this engaging program, Jan Turnquist does a convincing historical impersonation of Ms. Emerson. She recounts in detail the events leading up to this historical event and provides an eyewitness account of the battle. Ms. Turnquist has used primary sources to develop this amazing program and adds many anecdotal sidelights to historical facts. Please join us for this fabulous 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
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| Help Needed Thursday & Friday for The Burr Garden Classroom | | |
Springtime at Burr...'tis the season for our beloved Burr Garden Classroom. If you enjoy gardening (or have always wanted to learn more about it!), we invite you to become involved with our Burr Garden Classroom. Every class at Burr visits the classroom and plants a garden with a different "theme".
We're always looking for parents to stop in and assist in their kids' classes as they plant their gardens. Please let Dana Hanson know if you think you might like to join us. Younger siblings are welcome--please come a few moments before your child's class is scheduled. (If you can't make the planting sessions, but would like to join our Summertime Burr Family Garden Club, we'll be sending out weekly signups for that soon--this is a flexible gig and you help out when it's convenient for your schedule.)
Thursday, May 26 (raindate Thurs June 2)
8:45-9:20 3-Rendulich
9:30-10:05 3-Lawton
10:15-10:50 K-Frail
11:00-11:35 3-Canning
12:30-1:00 5-Cooley
1:05-1:40 4-Robinson
1:45-2:20 1-Espinal & 1/2 Gaita
2:25-3:00 1-Golden & 1/2 Gaita
Friday, May 27 (raindate Fri June 3)
8:45-9:20 K-McMahon
9:30-10:05 K-Fitch
10:15-10:50 5-Moran
11:00-11:35 2-Roberts
11:50-12:25 4-Cohen
12:30-1:00 2-Creeden
1:45-2:20 2-Field
2:25-3:00 4-Taylor
See you in the garden!
Diane ("Ms. J") Jaquith, Jessica Avery, Marlene Gibson, & Dana Hanson--Burr Garden Classroom Coordinators |
| Guys Read Meet this week May 26th | |  On Thursday May 26th the GUYS READ book club will be meeting to discuss the book Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen From the Future. This graphic novel is about Ook Schadowski and Gluk Jones, who have a knack for getting under the skin of no-good Chief Goppernopper, the ruler of Caveland. When one of his distant descendants uses a portal to travel back in time from AD 2222 and steal natural resources, our heroes jump into action, traveling to the future, where they learn kung fu and eventually put a stop to the evildoers. This will be the last meeting for the year. |
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School Store Clearance - Just One Week Left! | | |
The Burr School Store is closing for the school year - ONE SHOPPING WEEK LEFT. Come by on Tuesday morning (5/24) for our Year-End Clearance Sale - Everything $1 or less!!!
Thank you for supporting the Burr School Store and the 5th grade fundraising efforts. All proceeds go towards the 5th graders' Moving-On Celebration, End of the Year Party, Yearbook, and Class Gift to the School. |
| Newton Serves/Burr School Save the Date Saturday June 4th | | |
 Due to the rain and low turnout, we are calling a Do Over!
Meet us in the garden on Saturday June 4th at 9:00 AM
**Please wear old clothes, bring gloves, wheelbarrels & garden tools, a saw and pruning sheers
** All are welcome and encouraged to HELP.
Please contact: Kelly Brown at kellyebrown@verizon.net if you have questions.
Note anyone can contact Dana or Marleen to join the Garden Club and get the secret passcode to enter the shed for supplies. Why not do a little digging or weeding while your kids play after school??? |
| Newton Serves/Burr School THANK YOU | | |
As you may have noticed, despite the rain, Sunday was not a complete wash out.
Thank you to the hardy folks in raincoats that came out to meet us Sunday afternoon in the rain. If you look out back you will see we managed to get a lot done considering the low turn out.
Thank you to :
- A special thanks to Bill Hoch for leading the inside crew, scoping out the work, checking in with the teachers last week, supplying the paint and prepping the benches! He also tracked down an alumEd Englander who has volunteered to build a new wooden base for the display case in the front entry.
- Ms. Johal and her daughter for showing up and painting K benches.
- Steve DeJesus for fixing many bookshelves
- Michelle Strout and Alanna for cleaning and painting bookcases.
- Outside Stephanie, Calvin and Piper Mamis created a garden at the back entrance where there was once a jungle.
- Collette Burke and Isabel and Nicole weeded and mulched under trees.
- Marleen and Zachary Gibson, Ted Vahey, Nicholas Hoch, and Brian Burba turned over and weeded most of the garden beds until it started to pour. Luckily, Tricia Bombara showed up just as the pouring rain was passing and encouraged us to continue while it was just sprinkling.
- Tricia and Andrew Bombara , Calvin & Piper Mamis, Tracy Carter,Vicky Gifford, James Loftus, Marleen & Zachary Gibson , Dana Hanson, and Ted Vahey managed to move 2 HUGE piles of woodchips and fill in ALL the puddles in the playground. Sorry kids no more king of the mountain fest at recess for you, we were hoping to avoid a line at Nurse Phillips' door. If you see any of these brave souls that came out in the rain PLEASE SAY THANK YOU to them.
A Special thanks to Brian Burba, Sean Galvin and John Biebel for moving a huge pile of topsoil on Tuesday night after work in the rain! You guys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A final thanks to The Butera Family for donating a huge pile of beautiful topsoil. The salsa garden, Big kid garden, and gnome and fairy garden that are soon to be planted will love it.
This yard belongs to all of us. Please take a moment to help make it look nice for all to enjoy.
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Nurture Shock Burr Parent Book Group: delayed until Fall | | |
Good and Bad News
The bad news is we need to postpone our Book Discussion on Nurture Shock until the fall. The 4th and 5th grade concert is scheduled on June 1st, the same night as the scheduled book club meeting. The good news is that you have all summer to read or reread the book! The Respect for Human Differences Committee will schedule a meeting in early October to discuss the book.
Thank you and happy reading.
Jody Klein |
Honor Thy Teacher 2011 Reminder | |
Please support our exceptional Newton teachers and staff by donating to the Newton Schools Foundation's 14th Annual "Honor Thy Teacher" Campaign.
The suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member. Make your Honor Thy Teacher donation:
· By Check
- Made out to "Newton Schools Foundation" and mailed, along with a note containing the name and school of the teacher to be honored, to: Newton Schools Foundation, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460
· By Credit Card - Phone the office at 617.559.6120
· Online by PayPalor Credit Card
We celebrate Newton Public Schools teachers and staff by:
· Notifying honored teachers and staff
· Listing all honored teachers and staff in the Newton TAB
· Sharing honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals
· Ensuring your donations go to support 21st Century classrooms in Newton |
Understanding our Differences seeking Program Director | |
Understanding Our Differences is seeking a dynamic Program Director who will be responsible for recruiting, training and managing the network of volunteers that deliver the program. Excellent leadership, organizational and communication skills are needed to ensure the delivery of the highest quality curriculum to Newton Public School students. For more information about this position and how to apply, please visit our website at: www.understandingourdifferences.org |
NE Mobile Book Fair Supports 21st Century Classrooms in Newton | |
Snatch up the latest bestsellers, shop for graduation gifts, and pick up your summer reading, while helping put innovative learning tools in Newton's classrooms. From May 22 through August, independent bookstore New England Mobile Book Fair® will donate 6 percent of sales (excluding tax) to the Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) when you mention at checkout that you're from Newton or you wish to support Newton's schools. NSF will use the proceeds to purchase interactive whiteboards suites in Newton's schools. So tell your friends, neighbors and family members and help put 21st century technology in our classrooms. New England Mobile Book Fair® is located at 82 Needham Street in Newton. For more information, visit the NSF website at http://newtonschoolsfoundation.org. For more information on New England Mobile Book Fair®, go to www.nebookfair.com/ . |
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Ceramics Exhibit to Benefit Newton Schools Foundation June 5th | | | A ceramics exhibit and celebration brunch to benefit Newton Schools Foundation will be held 10:30 to 1, Sun., June 5th, at L'Aroma Café and Bakery (behind Bank of America) in West Newton. The exhibit, entitled "Flat Forms & Nature", features work by Newton Highlands potter Tom Friedman. The event is free and open to the public. |
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Underwood PTO Spring Carnival Fri June 3rd | | COME AND ENJOY RIDES, GAMES AND PLENTY OF FOOD AT THE UNDERWOOD SPRING CARNIVAL- Friday Night, June 3rd from 3-7pm
Rides, music, games, food, prizes and raffles, will be featured at Underwood School's Annual Spring Fair. The fair will take place on Friday, June 3rd-----3-7pm, rain or shine, 101 Vernon Street!
Take your chances at the Color Wheel or slide down the giant inflatable slide, bungee extreme or interactive basketball! The Carnival promises a day of fun for families of all ages. Come for games, stay for dinner!!!
The school which is located in Newton Corner, is raising money for the school's PTO. For directions or more information, please call 617-559-9660. |
| "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" TONIGHT | | |
 "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
TONIGHT at 7:00 pm
United Parish of Auburndale, 64 Hancock St.
The Childrens Choir of the United Parish of Auburndale proudly presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Come see this delightful musical, peformed by thirteen local 2nd-6th graders (including 6 current Burr students and 1 Burr alumnus!) The performance is tonight - Monday, May 23rd - at 7:00 pm at the United Parish of Auburndale (64 Hancock St. in Auburndale). For this performance, please enter through the church's side door on Woodland Rd. For questions, contact allison_sharma@yahoo.com. |
| Celebration at Norumbega Park Conservation Area Saturday May 28 | | |
A Ceremony to show Appreciation for bench, path & wood chips on path
When: Saturday, May 28th @ 10:00 a.m.
Where: Norumbega Park, Charles River overlook
Parking: Islington Circle and Woodbine St.
Sponsor(s): Newton Conservation Commission & Marriott Hotel
Particularly in tough economic times, the Conservation Commission and the City could not do many of the things they would like to do without the help of Newton residents. We will meet at Norumbega on Saturday, May 28th, at 10:00 a.m. to show our appreciation to Tom McKinney, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel and to Mr. Romeo D'Agostino, Newton resident, for their help to maintain Norumbega Park conservation area for the public use of all. The Marriott donated $6,000 to purchase a new bench for our Charles River overlook, and to re-grade a badly eroding path. Mr. D'Agostino provided materials and labor to completely re-cover the path around the fields with wood chips. The work and the bench have been needed for some time.
Visitors may park at the Islington Road circle, or on Woodbine Street. We will meet at the overlook to the Charles, and take a short walk from the overlook to the newly graded path, to the chipped path around the field, then back to the overlook. Refreshments will be supplied by the Marriott Hotel. |
| Theatre for Kids at Newton Cultural Center | | |
"Rockin Opera" Summer Workshop
There are still a few spaces left in the 'Rockin' Opera Workshop' this summer at the Newton Cultural Center. Choose one or two sessions - they will both be different!
June 27 - July 8, 1pm - 3pm
July 11 - July 21, 1pm - 3pm
Music Director: Amy Kyle
Kids will write an 'opera' as a group, in a rock 'n roll style, using a familiar tune and story line. There is something for everyone: lyrics, singing, stage crew, costume design. Perform it for your family and fans!
$250 Newton Residents per session. For more information, call 617-527- 8283. Register at: activityreg.com, click on Newton Parks & Recreation, click on Register for Activities, click on Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs.
Sign up for Spring 2012 show "Fiddler on the Roof"
Get ready to sign up for the Spring 2012 show for Newton Youth Players: 'Fiddler on the Roof'! The registration is open on June 10, 2011 at 6:00am. Remember to set your alarms: the shows fill up quickly! There are three casts. Visit www.newtonyouthplayers.com for more information. Register at: activityreg.com, click on Newton Parks & Recreation, click on Register for Activities, click on Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs. |
| Ride Your Bike for a Good Cause June 18 | | Bicycle riders are invited to join a 20-mile fun ride through the beautiful back roads of Bolton, Lancaster, and the hills of Harvard, MA on Saturday, June 18 at 9:00 a.m. The ride will begin and end at Trinity Church of the Congregation, 14 Wattaquadock Road in Bolton.
Riders will receive a free bike check by Assabet River Bicycle and a RoadID gift certificate. There will be a water stop at Carlson Orchards, and a rider support van will travel the route to collect riders who are not able to finish the ride.
Funds raised will benefit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter. AAFA New England sponsors educational support group programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, offers training to child care providers and others, and runs a telephone information line for people coping with allergies and asthma.
For more information about the bike ride or free fact sheets about managing asthma or food allergies, call (781)444-7778 or see www.asthmaandallergies.org. |
| Nordic Children's Author program at Scandinavian Living Center, June 12 | | |
Astrid Lindgren and other Nordic children's authors
June 12, 2011, 2:15 - 4 PM
Scandinavian Living Center.
206 Waltham Street,
West Newton, MA 02465
Everyone is welcome to this free program where elementary school children can play old-fashioned games, do crafts, learn about Nordic children's authors and the Nordic countries. Some of the extra-ordinary Nordic characters the authors have dreamt up will be on display. There will be free refreshments, participation certificates and many book prizes.
For more information and directions to the Center, please contact www.slcenter.org or inielsen@slcenter.org. The program is made possible by a grant from the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation and the Scandinavian Charitable Society. |
| Watertown Children's Theatre presents "Damn Yankees" June 17-19 | | Everybody wants his team to win...but how far will you go to make sure that they do? Damn Yankees, the spring musical at WCT, is the Broadway hit that asks what one man will do to make sure his team wins the pennant. A cast of 5th to 9th graders including Newton's own Ella Duchnowska, Caroline Hoban, Sam Hoban, Antonia Irving, Sonia Joffe, Sophia Jrolf, Alex Weylman-Farwell, and Marcia Zimmerman, brings this homerun-hit to the Mosesian stage, directed by Erica Berman.
Tickets are available beginning May 24th through our website at www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org or by phone at 1-800-838-3006. Performances are June 17 at 7 pm, June 18 at 2 pm and 7 pm, and June 19 at 2 pm, in the Charles Mosesian Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.
For more information call Watertown Children's Theatre at 617-926-ARTS, or visit our website at www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org. |
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Garden City Girl's Lacrosse Camp June 27-July 1 | | |
Lacrosse is a fast growing sport, and the Garden City Girl's Lacrosse Camp is a great opportunity for girls ages 8-16 to learn more about the sport. We've moved the camp to the last week in June from June 27 - July 1 this year, to allow for more girls to take part before heading off to sleepaway camp.
Instructors will emphasize the development of individual lacrosse techniques and skills. The staff will concentrate on fun aspects of the game, while teaching fundamentals. The students will be divided into two divisions, ages 8-12 and 13-16. Participants are expected to provide their own equipment, but some equipment is available for new players to borrow. Equipment required includes mouth guard, stick, and goggles.
Register at www.newtonsummerschool.com. Camp Details are below...
Course Code(s):0604
Time:9 AM-3 PM
Tuition- Residents:$275; Non-Residents:$275
Instructor:Katie Neal-Rizzo,Head Coach, N.S.H.S Kim Keefe, Head Coach, N.N.H.S.
Location: Newton North High School |
| Newton City-Wide Summer Baseball for 10-12 Year Olds | | |
Registration deadline: June 10
Evaluations: June 11, 9-11 AM at Jay Gordon, 50 Homer St.
Newton East Little League is running a summer baseball program open to all eligible players residing in the city of Newton. To be able to play in this short-season program a player must also have been eligible for the Spring 2011 Little League Program within one of the Newton Little Leagues (North, South, East, West or Central). All players ages 10-12 who participate in the evaluation process will be placed on a Summer Intramural team. 9 year olds who believe they are skill eligible can tryout but may not be placed in the 10-12 Summer Program. Those not placed will instead be directed to the 8 and 9 year old league, administered by Newton West Little League (www.newtonwestll.org). 12 year old players who have graduated from the Spring Little League Major Division are eligible for this program.
The season is expected to run from about July 1 through August 18. Teams are created to accommodate vacations. The program cost is $95 and a discount of $20 will be applied for each additional child registered in the program. Evaluations are scheduled for Saturday, June 11 (rain date, June 12) from 9-11AM at Jay Gordon (50 Homer Street, Newton Center). The online registration deadline is June 10. For further details and to register, please visit the NELL website: www.newtoneastll.org. |
| Nike Basketball Summer Camp for Girls and Boys | | |
This summer Nike Basketball is offering 4 weeks of summer camp in Newton at the Brown Middle School.
Location: Brown Middle School
Time: 9AM - 3PM
Dates: June 27 - July 1 / July 5-8 / July 18-22 / July 25-29
Who: Boys and Girls ages 7-15
For more information visit website: www.asahoops.com/camps or contact Coach Smith at 617-909-5990 / Coachb@asahoops.com.
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| BC Lady Eagles Soccer School | | | The BC Lady Eagles Soccer School will be holding their Summer Clinic for girls ages 6-14 during June 27-30 and July 18-21, 9:00am-3:00pm at the BC Newton campus. Come join us for soccer fun and development. Registration may be found at: http://bceagles.cstv.com/camps/bc-w-soccer-camps2.html |
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