| Mark your Calendar |
February 5
7:00pm
Special Burr PTO Meeting
February 6
12:30 Early Release Wednesday
Feb. 4- Feb. 8
Booya Money Drive to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy
February 12
7:30pm
Planning meeting for the International Potluck in the Library
February 13
5:30pm Guys Read
Mr. Gaita's room
Feb. 18 - Feb. 22
Winter Vacation-No School
March 10
4:30pm Burr International Potluck
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12:30 Early Release This WEDNESDAY!
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This Wednesday, February 6 is a district-wide Early Release Day. All elementary schools will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a district-wide early release scheduled on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday - there is no change to the release schedule for the rest of the week: Monday 3pm, Tuesday 12:30, Wednesday 12:30, Thursday 3pm, Friday 3pm.
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Letter from the PTO Co-Presidents
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Dear Burr Community,
As a reminder, there is a critical special election on March 12th that asks voters to approve an operating budget override and approve debt exclusions for the re-construction of two elementary schools, Cabot and Angier. On Tuesday, February 5th, the Burr PTO has invited guests from the the Newton School Committee and Superintendent of Schools, David Fleishman to attend our February General Meeting here at Burr. This will be a special opportunity to hear straight from the school department how they plan on spending the additional funding that the override would provide. More details regarding the override and its impact on Burr can be found on the Burr PTO website (www.burrpto.org).
We encourage and invite all stakeholders - not just those who have school age children but all folks who care about and reside in Newton - to become educated on the issues surrounding this special vote in order to make an informed decision come March 12th. We also encourage folks not only to educate themselves but also friends and family who vote in Newton that you surround yourself with on a frequent basis. This will be a critical vote for the City of Newton as well as Burr school and we strongly encourage everyone to come out and cast your vote!
Additional resources: www.buildingnewtonsfuture.org (Building Newton's Future is a grassroots organization formed to support Mayor Setti Warren's override proposal.)
How can I get an absentee ballot?
Absentee Ballot Application (PDF)
Peticion de Voto en Ausencia (PDF)
For further information, visit the Election Commission web page.
Volunteering and the PTO Board
As we quickly head into the last third of the school year we ask folks to consider taking on additional roles within the the Burr PTO for next year. As a matter of practice the PTO Board rolls off half of its eight (8) members in each year and elects new members to fill those vacated roles. To this effect Board members are asked to serve for two years so that each year maintains a sense of continuity. This years openings include Treasurer, Secretary, Fundraising Coordinator, and Co-President. Descriptions of the roles and responsibilities can be found on the Burr PTO Website.
Parent involvement in the school is a fundamental part of what makes the school community at Burr rich and fulfilling. In the face of constrained district budgets and rapid student enrollment growth parent volunteer efforts are becoming increasingly critical to helping maintain the current excellent educational experience here at Burr. Interested in joining the Board or have questions? Send us an e-mail.
See you around The Burr,
Ted and Jason
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REMINDER: SPECIAL BURR PTO MEETING
Tuesday, February 5th at 7pm
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With Superintendent David Fleishman and Members of the School Committee to Discuss Space, Enrollment Growth, and the Override
 Please take this opportunity to hear directly from the school department about the pressing issues facing Burr and the Newton Public Schools including enrollment growth, space issues, and the upcoming override vote on March 12. This year's budget process and the proposed override will have a significant and very direct impact on Burr, due to our rapid enrollment growth and critical space shortage. More information is available on the PTO website - please make every effort to join us for this important meeting.
Child care - provided by Burr Alumni - is available in the Music Room. A small donation to defray the cost of the sitters is requested.
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Help BOOYA Help Families in New York and New Jersey Affected by Superstorm Sandy: Contribute to the BOOYA Money Drive!
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 BOOYA ambassadors will be walking outside in the morning and after school all this week: Monday, February 4th through Friday, February 8th
The ambassadors will be carrying around money containers so you can donate coins as well as cash.  All donations will go to the Red Cross to help these families rebuild and move forward. All checks must be written to the Red Cross Program.
You can help make a difference! Go BOOYA!
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Share the Love of Walking During Newton's
Winter Walking Weeks!
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 We invite you to Share the Love of Walking during Newton's Winter Walking Weeks, from now through February 14. Winter is a wonderful time to experience getting to school the healthy way by walking, biking or riding the bus to school, and it's even more fun when you invite friends and neighbors to walk with you! On Valentine's Day (Thursday, February 14) all Newton elementary students who participate in Winter Walking Weeks can stop by the Health Office at their school to get a heart sticker from the school nurse! Sponsored by the Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force and the City of Newton Health & Human Services Department.
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Burr International Potluck on March 10th -
Save the Date & Upcoming Planning Meeting
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 The entire Burr Community is invited to the International Potluck Dinner on Sunday, March 10th from 4:30-7 p.m. at Newton North High School. (More information to follow in your child's folder.)
In the meantime, anyone who is interested in helping organizing the event is invited to a planning meeting on Tuesday, February 12th at 7:30 pm in the Burr Library. You do NOT have to attend this meeting to join us for the potluck dinner...this is really just if you are extra interested in helping out. (For the potluck event itself, anyone may attend and all you'll have to do is bring some food to share!) For more information about the Burr International Potluck please contact Dana Hanson danakhanson@gmail.com or Ann Langenfeld annlangenfeld@gmail.com.
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Green Decade's Environmental Art Contest for Newton Students in Grades 2-5
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"How our schools can help the environment!"
Enter as individual or in team of 2 students; limited to 2D posters - 12"x18"max; recycled collage materials may be used; entry form attached to back of poster(see www.greendecade.org).
Due by March 1 at one of the following locations:
Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada St.; Mayor's Office at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave; New Art Centre, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville; Green Planet Kids, 22 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands.
Email notifications will be sent by March 15. An awards ceremony will be held on April 2. Prizes include Energy Smart Newton T-shirts with $25 gift certificates from the Art Loft at Green Planet Kids. All will be entered into a raffle and will receive certificates of participation. The Newton Cultural Center will display the art in April. For more info visit www.greendecade.org
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Not Quite Ready for Kindergarten?
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Bowen's Transitional Kindergarten offers a unique opportunity for a third year of pre-school. TK combines an exciting mix of academics and social skills brought together by a dedicated team of teachers. These older 4's and young 5's work toward goals comparable to those in Kindergarten but at a modified pace in a much smaller community with a 7:1 child teacher ratio. This class of 14 quickly becomes a cohesive group working and playing together with enthusiasm. We welcome your visit to our school to observe first hand how your child would benefit from our program. Parents of former students remark that "it was the best thing I did for my child." Contact Meredith Andrews at 617-332-2752 or meredithandrews13@gmail.com
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| Need a Dog Walker? |
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Taking A Walk In The Bark is a new dog walking business in Auburndale run by a Burr mom! My name is Jill Greblick and I have lived in Newton, Massachusetts for 8 years. My husband and 3 boys (2 human and 1 furry) make up my pack. I worked and volunteered at a dog shelter for 2 1/2 years and was responsible for finding forever homes for over 600 dogs. I also have helped my friends and neighbors, for 20 years, when they were in need of help with their dogs. I have walked and watched them when their families were not able to. I would be happy to provide references. Please check out my blog at www.takingawalkinthebark.wordpress.com for more information.
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LOOKING FOR AN AWESOME MUSIC TEACHER ??
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Sax, trumpet, clarinet, flute, piano, guitar, voice, Latin percussion,
music theory, how to read music... The best part is that he will come to you! No additional pick up/ drop offs/ carpools to complicate your busy schedule. Call Elliot 508-667-1613. References: Kelly Brown 617-925-5055 or email Kellyebrown@verizon.net He has been working with my sons Ages 8 and 12 for @ 2 years now
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