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Tonight, Sept. 10Back to School Picnic, 5-7pm Sept. 12 BOOYA 5th grade ambassador meeting, 8am Sept. 17 No School
Sept. 20
Curriculum Night Sept. 21 School Picture Day Sept. 26 No School Sept. 27 PTO Meeting
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Dear Families,
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year! I am excited to begin this journey with you
towards another invigorating and rewarding school year.
Our first week back has been a successful one. The staff and several PTO members have
worked over the summer months to ensure a smooth school opening. Thanks to Jack Tobin and Tony Marrazzo, our custodians, the building looks fabulous. Countless hours
were spent cleaning, updating and decorating the building in preparation for opening day. Jack and Tony flexibly worked around the installation of the new sprinkler system, an out-of-order elevator, and the painting of several rooms in the building. Their hard work is
truly appreciated by us all.
Burr School teachers have spent the last couple of weeks before school preparing their classrooms. Each room was artfully set up to welcome its new inhabitants and help ease them into the new school year. How wonderful it must be for students to come into these
brightly decorated classrooms with their names on cubbies and bulletin boards, and special messages from their teachers posted around the room. I love this time of year because there is always such promise of things to come. We all eagerly prepare to make
this one even better than the last.
A big thank you goes to Maura Albano, my executive assistant, and to the parents who have helped to prepare for our school opening. So many of you have worked diligently behind the scenes by arranging play dates for our incoming kindergartners, getting out time sensitive information to the community, providing a delicious Back to School Luncheon for the staff, hosting the Welcome Back Coffee, and planning the Back to School Picnic. Of course, this is just a sampling of all the hard work that you have done to ensure the start of school is organized and that all families feel welcomed.
I have spent these first few days of school popping into classrooms and getting a feel for how everyone is settling in. Students have been involved in assorted activities ranging from scavenger hunts to learn about their classmates and teachers, to writing and/or drawing about their hopes and dreams for the new school year. Teachers have given
careful thought to how they will help set the tone for a year of emotional and academic growth for their young charges.
I am looking forward to spending as much time as possible in the classrooms with students and teachers supporting and improving teaching and learning for the adults (myself included) and the children at our school. The commitment and expertise of the
Burr staff is second to none. So many of them work above and beyond what is expected by quietly taking on projects for the good of the group. Leadership committees are being formed and teachers are looking at student data from last year and preparing for the
fall assessments. This work will help us determine how to best meet the needs of each student.
 This summer the Burr teachers all read the book Opening Minds: Using Language to Change Lives by Peter Johnston. In this book Johnston reveals how the things we say (and don't say) impact children's development. He talks about helping children develop Dynamic-Learning beliefs rather than Fixed-Learning beliefs. Johnston demonstrates the importance of teaching children that hard work and effort equal success. I'm looking forward to our book discussion during our staff meeting tomorrow. I invite you to also read the book. I have a few extra copies in my office that parents are welcome to borrow.
This school year brings several new and talented staff members to the Burr community. I would like to welcome the following new staff to Burr:
Carrie O'Donnell, grade 5 teacher, will co-teach with Robin Cooley.
Joanna Sorenson is a special education intern in the co-taught classroom. Erin Cotton will teach art on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Amy Broder will teach art on Mondays. Diane Holzheimer will be our librarian on Fridays. Lauren Tenney will teach all general music classes and chorus. Betsy Juarez is our new school psychologist. Laura Perkins is our social worker. Julie MacDonald will be job sharing with Marie Phillips our school nurse.
Robert Streetman will be our new building aide. Amelia Elton, a Northeastern student, will be at Burr through December.
Jenna Mastroianni is a behavior therapist in Ms. Frail's classroom.
Elizabeth (Libby) Tracy is a behavior therapist in Ms. Fitch's classroom. Emily Smith is student teaching for six weeks in Ms. Fitch's room. Charlotte Nickerson is an inclusion aide in Mr.Gaita's classroom. Holly Mathaisel is student teaching in Mr. Gaita's room.
Jen Miller will be the long term substitute during Ms. Espinal's leave.
Ashley Levesque is a behavior therapist in Ms. Roberts' classroom
Emma Fogg is an inclusion aide in Ms. Canning's classroom.
Kristine Donovan is student teaching in Ms. Canning's room.
Heather Weake is student teaching in Ms. Lawton's room.
Jeannie Blazer will work as an intervention aide.
Jessica Melfa is an intern in Ms. Mc Mahon's kindergarten classroom.
They are wonderful additions to our staff and I know we will all benefit greatly from the skills and expertise they bring.
I hope to see many of you at the Back to School Picnic today, Curriculum Night on September 20, and the first PTO meeting of the year on September 27. I am looking forward to a wonderful year as we work together to ensure that each child's school experience is an exceptional one.
Sincerely,
Mindy Johal
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A Few Important Reminders From Ms. Johal
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Newton's Life Threatening Food Allergies Policy: This policy calls for reducing/eliminating food in schools for birthday and holiday celebrations. For the past six years, the teachers and parents have thought of creative alternative ways to acknowledge and celebrate students' birthdays in class.
Student Contact Information: Please remember to return the yellow Student Contact Information sheets to school as soon as possible. As you know, it is crucial that the school has correct and updated student/parent contact information throughout the year. If you change your address or phone number(s) during the year, please let us know!
Student Absence/Tardy Notification: If your child will be tardy or absent on a given day, please call the "call back" number to leave a message: 617-559-9380. Please do not call the main number.
MESSAGES: Please DO NOT call the office to have us give messages to your child unless it is an emergency. With 400+ students in the building, taking and delivering messages overwhelms the office and disrupts classrooms. Please make after school arrangements and tell your child what these are, before sending him/her to school. We
appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
BLUE ZONE: PLEASE abide by the Blue Zone rules to ensure that dismissal and drop off is as safe as possible for our children.
Students in grade K-2 should be picked up on the school side of the road. This will ensure that the teachers see you pull up and can get your child to you quickly and safely.
Any motor vehicle may stop in a Blue Zone location only long enough to let a child enter or exit the vehicle. There is no parking in the Blue Zone before or after school. The two zones (directly in front of the school and directly across from it) are marked by signs. Also, there is a "No Turning in Driveways" policy for cars. Since most of our students walk to school and cross two school driveways or the Gazebo driveway opposite the school, we can only be sure of their safety when cars do not pull into the driveways to reverse direction. It takes a little longer to continue around the block, but please do
observe the rules to protect our children.
Please do not park in the teachers' parking lot. Last week I had several teachers unable to park because parents were parked in the lot. Parking is difficult at Burr. To alleviate this problem I encourage driving around the block, car-pooling, walking children to and
from school, having children walk across the field and picking them up on Lexington Street. Thank you for your cooperation with this issue. Click here for more information about Blue Zone policies.
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Burr Back to School Picnic - TONIGHT, 5-7pm!
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The Burr Back to School picnic is TONIGHT, from 5-7 pm, on the Burr fields behind school. It is open to all Burr families and staff
 and is a great chance to meet your fellow class parents. Bring your own picnic dinner or purchase food from local vendor The Dining Car. WARNING: We've made an effort to cut the line times down by limiting the menu and keeping it to faster items. However, the purchase line does get long, so the earlier you purchase the better. Menu items include: Pulled Pork sandwich $7 Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich $8 All-Beef Hot Dogs $3 Honey-Truffled Goat Cheese Sandwich (vegetarian) $8 Note: This has walnuts Fried Cauliflower (vegetarian) $4 Fresh Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies $3 Rosemary Lemonade $3 Water $2 Juice Boxes (sold by the PTO) $1 For dessert, the Burr PTO will hand out free popsicles for all kids.
To make it easier to meet your class, look for class areas marked by balloons in the following colors:
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Kindergarten:
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Purple
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3rd grade:
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Yellow
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1st grade:
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Blue
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4th grade:
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Orange
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2nd grade:
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Green
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5th grade:
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Red
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Finally, since this is an all school event, please make sure to watch your child on the playground as it gets very crowded. ALSO, please remember to wear bug spray. WE'LL SEE YOU THERE! |
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New PTO website: www.burrpto.org
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Check out the all-new Burr PTO website, with up-to-date information about PTO activities and events, volunteer opportunities, Safe Routes (with everything you've ever wanted to know about the Blue Zone!), and supporting your school. You can even subscribe to our Google calendars - never forget an Early Release Day again!
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BURR DIRECTORY - Make Sure Your Information is Correct!
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If you have not received an email from the Burr Directory Editor, Cecelia Kwartler, over the summer, to confirm your family's entry in the Burr Directory, or are new to Burr, or just want to double check the information, please send an email to
cecelia.kwartler@gmail.com. One free directory will be provided to each family in your child's backpack in October.
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It Only Takes 2 to 3 Hours a Month...
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The Burr Bulletin is looking for help in getting this newsletter out to the Burr community. If you are looking for an easy, behind-the-scenes way to stay involved with the school community and PTO, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. Please contact Ellen Chu for more information.
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Respect For Human Differences'
Community Read
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Join the Burr Community as we read Wonder, the fictional story about a 5th grade boy with facial disfigurement who goes to public school for the first time. It tells the story of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. It is a great read for 3rd graders through adults. You can read it along with your child & have an opportunity to discuss these important themes. Auburndale Communuity Library & Newton Free Libary both carry copies of the book & it is available on Amazon or at Barnes & Nobles. 
You can then join Understanding Our Differences at a reading & discussion with the author of Wonder, R.J. Palacio, on October 23rd at 7:00 pm Newton South High School. Meet the author, listen to her read from & discuss the book, and have your copy signed! To register for this free event, please visit the Understanding Our Differences' website. |
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Volunteers Needed for Burr's Understanding Our Differences Program
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The Understanding Our Differences Program is looking for parent volunteers. The goal of this citywide program is to increase information, understanding, and acceptance of people with disabilities and individual differences in our community.
These programs are brought to Burr by parent volunteers and take place on Thursday afternoons from 12:45 - 3:00. Parents can leave at 2:15 or stay to see the guest speaker. Volunteers do not need to have children in a specific grade, teaching experience, or a medical background.
The programs at Burr School are as follows:
Autism Spectrum Disorder September 20, 2012 (5th Grade)
Intellectual Disabilities September 27, 2012 (4th Grade)
Deafness & Hard of Hearing October 11, 2012 (3rd Grade)
Chronic Medical Conditions November 29, 2012 (4th Grade)
Blindness & Low Vision December 13, 2012 (3rd Grade)
Physical Disabilities January 31, 2013 (3rd Grade)
Learning Disabilities January 24, 2013 (4th Grade)
Please look for the flyer in your child's backpack to sign up. Can you help out? Contact Us:
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Do You Want to Do Some Local Community Service? Do You Want to Make a Difference?
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Do you want to offer up some time to help other people?
Well, now you can. Introducing.... B.O.O.Y.A Burr Organization of Youth Action Students in any grade will be coming together to help out in the community. The group will be cleaning up playgrounds, volunteering at the Special Olympics, helping seniors, hosting parties for families in need, and volunteering at the library. This will be a great opportunity for families to get involved and make a difference. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, September 12th at 8:00am for 5th grade AMBASSADORS. The meeting will take place in Mr. Gaita's room. Throughout the year we will host many other events. If you have any questions you can e-mail Mr. Gaita.
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SAVE Halloween Family Fun Night!
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In June of 2013 the current Boo Crew will turn to dust and vanish behind the full moon. Now is your chance to come and learn the spells and incantations that transform the lovely Burr Elementary School into the creepatorium and the gymcrazium; how to save the school from falling prey to the wacky experiments of Dr. FrankenBurr; how to pull a gypsy fortune teller out of a hat; and why the Fate of the Dragon Oracle is trapped in the wall of the school. Come and learn how to manage a party for 400 of our friends with no muss, no fuss. We have streamlined this party but it still takes someone at the helm. Please consider joining us and mastering the mystery this year so next year won't be gruesome. If you are interested in joining the Boo Crew this year please contact Stephanie Mamis.
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After School Video Program
Brought to You by NewTV
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 Four sessions offered Thursday's from 3:00-4:30pm, starting the week of October 11, 2012 and ending November 1, 2012. Open to 4th and 5th Graders who did not participate last school year.
Curriculum includes learning to use a video camera, proper shot composition and names, storyboarding, PSA making, Music Video exercise, and editing. All students will receive a DVD of their projects and will be featured on NewTV's Education Channel. This program will be held at the Burr School and parents must pick up their child directly from the designated classroom. Sign up now because enrollment is limited. Unfortunately if you participated last year you must wait until next year to be considered to give other students a chance to participate. Deadline to register: Thursday, Sept. 27. Please email Melindag@newtv.org to register. |
Newton's One to One Program
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Could your child, aged 6 to 11, benefit from the consistent, caring friendship of a Newton teenager? Newton's One to One Program has an enthusiastic and responsible new group of high school juniors & seniors from Newton North and Newton South High Schools. If you would like the opportunity to have your child matched this academic year with a "Big Brother/Sister", please call or email Nancy Holczer, Program Director by the end of October for more information. Please email or leave a message when calling 617.559.9063 with your name, address, and phone number.
A program of the Newton Public Schools since 1972.
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Newton Community Ed. Programs at Burr
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Registration is now underway for fall classes through Newton Community Education. Coming up at Burr we have Chess and Fold It on Tuesdays, Mad Science on Wednesdays, and Chinese Club and Lego We-Do Robotics on Thursdays, as well as a new one-session Home Alone Safety class, coming to Burr on Thursday October 4. We have many more weekday classes at schools throughout Newton, including Computer Animation, Actors Studio, Fencing, Fast Math, Wicked Cool Science Wiz, and the list goes on. We have many family classes, such as Italian Comfort Food, Glass Fusing, Family Night under the Stars, and more. We also have Saturday sports options for kids ages 2 and up, and weekday afternoon sports options such as Archery and Sports Jam. For more information or to register, call our office at 617-559-6999 or visit our website at newtoncommunityed.org. Be sure to check out our adult classes too!
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Helping Your Child on the Journey Towards Independence
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A six week education program for parents of 4th and 5th grade students with learning challenges.
Parents will:
- Gain a better understanding of what motivates their child's behavior
- Learn ways to help their child be more resilient
- Examine temperament and how it affects interactions with their child
- Understand the benefits and skills gained from a weekly family meeting
Terry Bromfield, M.Ed., course leader, is beginning her 18th year as an Instructor at Lesley University. Terry has over 35 years experience in the field of Childhood Development. Terry is a Board member of Understanding Our Differences, and is a citywide resource specialist for the Learning Disabilities unit that is taught in all of Newton 4th grade classrooms.
Dates: Monday evenings: October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19
Time: 7:30pm to 9pm
Convenient Newton location.
Cost: $30.00, scholarship assistance available
Contact: terrybromfieldgroupleader@gmail.com
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The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program - Volunteers Needed
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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. 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. To make it easier for people with busy schedules to train we have decided to divide the training into two parts. Part 1 is scheduled for Wed. Oct. 17, Fri. Oct. 19, Wed. Oct. 24 (8:45 a.m. to noon), and Fri. Oct. 26 (8:45-1 p.m.) Part 1 of the training will prepare trainees to present one of the three facilitations and participate in all of the role plays. Part 2, on Review Time (1:1 conversations) is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2, 8:45- 4 p.m. For information or to set up an interview email or call Gail Sommer, 617-969-5906, x143. 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.
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Calling All Music Parents, Teachers, and Musicians
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 You are all invited to join Newton's new list serve, Newton Friends of Music, dedicated to music awareness and advocacy. Posts to this list can be anything music related, such as ads to look for or sell an instrument, to advertise your own or your child's concert, to ask questions about music at your school, to get information on music teachers or outside programs, to get help launching a music-oriented college search, etc. Sign up at friendsofmusic-subscribe@newtonlowerfalls.org, and you can send messages to friendsofmusic@newtonlowerfalls.org. Please help spread the word to anyone you know who's interested in an online community of music-minded people; there's a wealth of knowledge and ideas among us waiting to be shared. Please contact Lisa Rucinskis with questions
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Girl Scouts Welcomes New Members, Grades K-12
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New badge program, outdoor skills, exciting leadership opportunities, and more. Newton has school, neighborhood, and citywide troops. Parent volunteers are key to a successful Girl Scout experience. To start your Girl Scout journey, contact Newton Girl Scouts at 617-671-1223 or newtongs@gmail.com. Website www.newtongirlscouts.org. Be sure to mention the girl's school and grade.
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