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Nov 21 Early Release
12 p.m.
Nov 22-23
Thanksgiving Break
No School
Nov 27, 7pm
PTO Meeting with Kalpana Guttman
Nov 27, 28, 30
Bookfair
Nov 29, 30
Creative Arts and Sciences: Suzy Kline
Dec. 4
Burr School Day at Just Next Door
Dec. 6
Early Release
Dec. 20, 5:30pm
GUYS Read
Swiss Family Robinson
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PTO Co-Presidents' Letter
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Dear Burr Parents, Please mark your calendars for the next PTO meeting to be held Tuesday November 27th from 7pm to 8:30pm in the Cafetorium. Our very own literacy specialist, Kalpana Guttman will be our guest speaker that evening. Topics to be covered include: - the literacy curriculum at Burr and how it is adapting to the new Common Core
- Suggestions on how parents can help support the curriculum at home
- the benefits of the Book Room and its role in supporting the students and teachers in teaching the literacy curriculum.
There will be time for Q&A. Similar topics were discussed at a recent Parent-Principal Coffee and resulted in a very informative and interactive discussion. Please join us, along with your children, for this special event - we'll have sitters available during Ms. Guttman's presentation. The meeting will also be preceded by the opening of the annual Burr Book Fair - a great chance to get a jump on your holiday shopping; books make great gifts for friends, families and teachers! More details are below - Thank you to the Book Fair team, Nancy Caulfield, Sarah Sian, and Dana Hanson for their hard work arranging the Book Fair this year! Cyber Safety: T hanks again to all who joined us for the most recent Parent-Principal Coffee. Thank you to Eileen Keane, our tech specialist, for sharing the Newton Cyber Safety Curriculum and facilitating an informative discussion. Eileen has posted her presentation, which includes several great resources, on the Burr School website. Please check it out if you were unable to attend the coffee. As a reminder a few people have suggested that we have another meeting on this topic in the evening for parents who are unable to attend morning meetings. If you are interested in and would attend an evening event about Cyber Safety, please email us at "pto-board@burr.org"
A shout out goes to the many volunteers who helped with the successful PTO Election Day Bake Sale! Thank you to Erika Drezner f or her well-orchestrated organization of this event and the many volunteers who helped set-up and sell goods throughout a robust Election Day turnout. Thank you to everyone who brought food and drink to benefit the PTO, and to all who purchased items from the sale!The Gift for Burr campaign is wrapping up! Once again, we remind you that your Gift for Burr can be sent to school in your child's folder, or you may use the PayPal link on our website, www.burrpto.org. Please mark the envelope "Gift for Burr." Every contribution is greatly appreciated; please give what you can.Giving Thanks! As we try to catch our collective breath from experiencing Superstorm Sandy, recovering from election fatigue and wrapping up our first round of Parent/Teacher conferences it seems appropriate, in the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, that we stop and make note of what we are thankful for. We are thankful for all our community and school has to offer; all the dedicated, hard working, and caring families, teachers and staff. We are thankful for our kids who bless us with wonder and frustration; so often in equal measures. Thank you to YOU, our neighbors and friends, because IT TAKES A VILLAGE to raise our children and keep them safe. We are thankful for all the volunteers who have given their time, effort and energy as well as donations to the Gift for Burr. All of these contributions allow us to give the gift of a more vibrant and rich educational experience to all our children at Burr. THANK YOU!  We wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! See you around The BurrJason and Ted / PTO Co-PresidentsPTO-Board@burrpto.org
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Burr Book Fair 2012!
Tues., Wed. and Fri. after Thanksgiving...
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 An annual Burr School tradition! The cafeteria will be converted to a top-notch bookstore for three days the week after Thanksgiving. It's a convenient, low stress way to get an early jump on your holiday shopping...and all purchases support Burr School! Book prices are typical for paperbacks and hardcovers . SCHOOL DAY BOOK FAIR HOURS Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday--November 27th, 28th, and 30th
8:00 - 11:00 am
Burr parents are welcome to shop and browse before school each day...or visit when their child's class is scheduled (see below)...or really ANYTIME we're open!
FAMILY BOOK FAIR NIGHT & PTO MEETING
Tuesday, November 27th 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Parents, children, grandparents, neighbors, and friends are welcome -- the more the merrier! Childcare provided while parents shop and take in the PTO meeting at 7 p.m.
Our guest speaker, Burr Literacy Specialist, Kalpana Guttman will give a talk entitled "Reading the Future: Literacy at Burr" about our school's wonderful literacy program and the many ways parents can support it at home. Don't miss this unique opportunity to have access to Burr's very own expert on children and books!
CLASS BOOK FAIR SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, November 27th
8:35-9:00 - Lawton
9:00-9:25 - Field
9:25-9:50 - Gaita
9:50-10:15 - Taylor
10:15-10:40 - V. McMahon (K)
10:40-11:05 - Canning
Wednesday, November 28th
8:35-9:00 - Cooley
9:00-9:25 - Golden
-Moran
9:25-9:50 - Creeden
9:50-10:15 - Fitch
10:15-10:40 - Frail
10:40-11:05 - Crowley
Friday, November 30th
8:35-9:00 - Glode
9:00-9:25 - Espinal/Miller
- J. McMahon (5)
9:25-9:50 - Roberts
10:15-10:40 - Robinson
During the book fair, please be sure to look for classroom teacher "wish list" book selections at the register area. Teachers will identify books they would like to add to their classroom libraries and then families may purchase them. This is a great opportunity to build classroom libraries for all Burr children to enjoy collectively ! Questions about the Book Fair? Contact Nancy Caulfield.
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Creative Arts and Sciences
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 Beloved author, SUZY KLINE, will be visiting the 3rd and 5th graders at Burr School. Author of the Horrible Harry and Herbie Jones series, Suzy will share her writing experiences, show how the "seeds" of stories can come from everyday life and help students perfect their writing skills!
3rd Grade
Thursday, November 29th 1:50pm - 2:50pm in the library,
all 3rd grade classes
5th Grade
Friday, November 30th
8:45-9:55am 5th grade class #1 Mrs. Moran
10-11:10am 5th grade class #2 Ms.O'Donnell/Ms. Cooley
11:15-12:25pm 5th grade class #3 Mr. McMahon
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BOOYA Meeting
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Tomorrow, November 20th at 8:00am BOOYA AMBASSADORS will be meeting in Mr. Gaita's room to discuss some upcoming events. They will be hosting a bake sale at the Auburndale Community Library on Saturday, December 8th from 10:30- 12:30pm. At this meeting AMBASSADORS will decide on where to donate the proceeds from the bake sale. In addition, AMBASSADORS will be thinking about how they can help the families in NY and NJ who have been affected by the storm. We hope to see many AMBASSADORS at the meeting.
GO BOOYA!
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Let's Give Thanks to a Great School!
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 We on the Gift for Burr Committee are very thankful to the m any families who have generously donated to this year's campaign. And we know we are all thankful for our wonderful school and all that it offers our children. Please help us continue to fund the programs and services that help make Burr the fantastic place that it is. Make your Gift for Burr contribution today and help us reach 100% participation by our Burr families. Send a check in your child's backpack, or click here to donate by credit card. Please email GiftForBurr@gmail.com with any questions.
Want to encourage your extended family to help out with Gift for Burr? Keep an eye on your email in-box for an information-packed "Friends and Family" notice to forward on to family over the holidays. Instead of buying gift wrap or cookie dough this holiday, ask them to consider making a Gift for Burr!
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Burr School Day - Dec. 4
at Just Next Door in Auburndale
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 Plan to do your holiday shopping after the Thanksgiving break at Auburndale's own Just Next Door on 327 Auburn St. On Tuesday, December 4th, just tell the cashier "I'm shopping today for Burr School" and 20% of your total purchase value will go right to Burr! This offer is good all day long so let's take advantage of a great deal during a busy season and spread the word to family and friends! They need only remember to mention Burr and we're on our way. Contact Jessica Avery with any questions.
Thank you and Happy Shopping!
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GUYS Read - Swiss Family Robinson
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 The GUYS Read book groups has selected their next book. It is the Classic Start Series: Swiss Family Robinson. A shipwreck; a deserted island; a single family, wondering if they can survive. Readers will travel on a wonderful adventure, where each moment brings a new thrill. Featuring amazing characters and a wondrous landscape bursting with exotic wildlife and plants, it's a wonderful story to read.
The next meeting will be Thursday, December 20th from 5:30- 6:15 in Mr. Gaita's room. Books are available at Amazon.com for $5.99. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Happy Reading GUYS!!!
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5th Grade Parent Night Thanks
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Thank you for all the parents who supported the 5th grade Parent Night out at the Skellig on Saturday night. Fun was had by all, and it's a great way to catch up with old friends and meet some new friends too.
A special thank you to Loretta Cox, Joanmarie Lee and Pam McVey for their donations of 2 Full of Cheer baskets. Congratulations to both Stacey Bates and Beth Tierney, winners of these amazing baskets.
We couldn't have pulled it off without the musical talents of both Unfinished Product (featuring our very own Steve Regan, 5th grade parent) & Lost Articles. Two bands that are a must see.
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Basic Rights in Special Education
Tues., Nov. 27, 7:30pm |
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Learn your rights as the parent of a child receiving special education services. Daniel Ahearn, Esq., director of the Landmark School Outreach Program and former director of the Massachusetts Board of Special Education Appeals, will present an overview state and federal special education regulations including new anti-bullying regulations, new transition guidance and autism insurance law. Click here for more information.
Networking and light refreshments beginning at 7:15 pm.
Presentation at 7:30 pm at The Education Center, 100 Walnut St, Room 210.
All Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education meetings are free and open to the public.
Questions: email info@newtonpac.org .
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Holiday Hustle!
Sunday Dec. 2 at the Boys & Girls Club
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Please kick off the holiday season with a fun race for a great cause. Hosted by The Boys & Girls Club of Newton, Holiday Hustle! is a 5k road race with fun for the entire family. This race includes a 5K run on a certified, flat course through the neighborhood of West Newton, professional chip timing by RaceWire, guaranteed shirts to the first 200 runners, sports bottles for all, prizes to top finishers, and post-race festivities! Costumes, ugly sweaters, festive attire encouraged!
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2012
Time: 8:00a.m. registration; 9:00a.m. start
Location: John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton, 675 Watertown Street, Newton, MA
For more information, visit this website.
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Executive Function/ADD/ADHD Issues? Homework Issues?
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Special Presentation by NESCA Director Dr. Ann Helmus and Dr. Bonnie Singer, CEO of Architects for Learning
After a long day at school, even the most organized and capable students may find it challenging to settle down, finish their homework and get it to where it needs to go. Parents face the daunting task of providing support while attempting to determine what actually helps their children succeed. In this complimentary talk, Drs. Helmus and Singer will discuss the ways in which executive functions influence students' ability to tackle their homework, introduce an effective model for helping students of all ages manage it successfully, and explore how parents can nurture their children's planning, organization, and self-monitoring skills so necessary for long-term academic success. When: 7:00 - 9:00pm, Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Where: Architects for Learning 160 Gould Street, Suite 203 Needham Heights, MA 02494 781-235-8412This presentation is free! Seating is limited and advance registration is required. RSVP to Olivia Miller at Architects for Learning, by calling 781-235-8412 or by email: office@architectsforlearning.com.
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