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Burr Bulletin
April 22, 2013
Drawing of Burr
In This Issue
Author/Illustrator Brian Lies visits Burr!
NewtonServes Burr Clean Up Day
Burr Book Swap Thanks
Burr Playground Maintenance
Coming Soon - Burr Mayfair
NPS News
Community News
Mark your Calendars

April 22
Earth Day

April 25
Creative Arts & Sciences, 2nd Grade, Brian Lies

April 28, Sunday, 12-4pm
NewtonServes

May 2nd
12:30 - Early Release
5:30pm Guys Read

May 10th
8:45am -Parent/ Principal Coffee

7:00pm Get a Sitter & Rock at the Skellig

Every Day Before School
BLOP Store Open

Quick Links
Email PTO Board

Email School Council



Past Burr Bulletins
(UN:burr / PW:171pine)

Newton Public Schools website

School Committee newsletters 
Fundraising Links
OneCause
 
Target: Take Charge of Education 
 
BoxTops for Education
 
 

Burr News 

Burr PTO Co Presidents Letter

Welcome Back from Vacation

 

The recent weeks have been a trying time for everyone. Our hearts reach out to all those affected by the events surrounding the Marathon tragedies. Let's hope that the capture of the suspects is the first step in the healing process. On the positive side, there were many things that made us proud to be  "Bostonians" and well as Americans. From the swift and unselfish acts of the first responders at the marathon to the emotional singing of the National Anthem at the Bruins game. And thanks to Principal Johal who sent out a letter last week with information about additional assistance available to anyone in need. We look to the strength of our family and our community to help us through difficult times like these.

 

Jason and Ted

 

Creative Arts and Sciences Welcomes Author/Illustrator, Brian Lies
Thursday, April 25th
Author/Illustrator Brian Lies will present to the 2nd graders in the Library at the following times:

12:45pm - 1:45pm
Ms. Creeden's & Ms. Roberts' classes

1:50pm -2:50pm
Ms. Field's class

New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Brian Lies has
illustrated over 26 books and created the beloved series: Bats at
the Beach, Bats at the Ballgame, and Bats at the Library, which
was named top picture book of 2008. He will inspire 2nd graders
as he talks about his creative process that evolves from "sloppy
copies" through the final manuscript and artwork. He shares the
original artwork for his books and shows them his own childhood
attempts at creating books and drawings. He motivates children
to keep working on their writing and drawing even when it
becomes frustrating.

Creative Arts and Science programs are fully funded by the Burr School PTO. Parents are welcome to attend.

 

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Newton Serves - Burr Clean Up Day
Sunday, April 28, 12pm-4pm, Rain or Shine



Please come help us with some spring cleaning. We need to get the

garden ready for planting, sweep, rake and clean up the grounds and we need to sand and stain portions of the playground structure.

Please click here to sign up.   

 

  
Come for an hour or whatever you can fit in between sporting/dance/music birthday party, etc...
Many hands make light work!

 

Questions? Contact Kelly Brown or Bill Hoch 

 

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Burr Playground Maintenance Project
Newton Serves - Sunday, April 28


As part of this year's NewtonServes, in addition to other projects in and around Burr we are planning on sanding the wood playground structure and possibly treating the wood with conditioner to help reduce the exposure to splinters and to help maintain the strength of the wood beams. We will need many volunteers to carry this out in a timely matter.  Also if you have access to portable and/or palm sanders and can bring them to the playground this will help make the work go faster and smoother (pun intended!). We will have access to the building for power but will need long extension cords and power strips if you have available. Need more info or have questions? Contact Jason Wong.

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The Burr Book Swap and
The Franco Garcia Library
 
The ever popular Burr Book Swap was once again held this year prior to break and proved to be another success. Thank you to all the volunteers who coordinated, collected, counted and sorted through a daunting collection.  As part of this year's program the books that remained at the conclusion of the Swap were donated to Saint Mary's Church in Waltham to be used in a library that was created and dedicated in the name of Franco Garcia, a former Burr alumnus. The library opened this past February and has been used by the after school program run by the church to offer children a quiet area to read, play, and do homework. The library is relying on donations to build its reading materials and the contribution from the Book Swap was a significant boost to their shelves!  Thank you to all the families who contributed to the Swap and subsequent donation to the Franco Garcia library. The Garcia family wishes to thank all of the Burr Community for your generosity.

 

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Save the Date:
Saturday, May 18, 12-3pm


WHAT IS MAYFAIR??

It is a day of fun and games for the entire Burr Community as well as friends, family, and neighbors. For those of you new to Burr, May Fair is a well-loved, much-anticipated annual event. Did you know that the grandmother of one of our current 5th graders started this event back in the 60's with a few other moms? It used to be more of a field games and swap meet that has morphed into a huge AWESOME event thanks to all our amazing volunteers. Please put this date in your calendar now and help us spread the word. Let the local pre-schools and incoming K 's in your neighborhood know.

 

Games and Crafts

We'll have all sorts of prizes and games for the kids. New trinkets and toys are on order -- not just super balls. We will have old faves like the bounce house and lollipop board. And, crafty kids will have a chance to custom-decorate their own picture frame for that awesome shot they'll get in the photo booth. (Yup, something new.)

 

That Takes the Cake!

You creative types can put your skills to good use by entering the annual cake decorating contest. Cakes can be entered in two categories: kids (under 18) and adults. Winners will be selected by a team of judges. The theme will be announced soon. Not much for designing? We're also looking for folks to donate cakes for the cake walk. (Kinda like musical chairs with cakes.) 

 

Plant Sale

Get your yard and porch glammed up with colorful planters and hanging plants thanks to Stephanie, Ellen, and Vinnie. These plants are amazing!!

 

 

Come for lunch!  Daddies on the Grill & Bake Sale

We'll be putting the fathers to work too, staffing the daddies on the grill concession stand. These guys are excited to cook up fresh hot dogs and hamburgers just the way you like them! Round out the meal with a sweet treat from the BAKE SALE.

 

Get Involved!

The May Fair is a great opportunity to participate in the Burr Community, help out, see your friends and meet new ones.

 

With your help we can make May Fair 2013 one of the best yet! We look forward to seeing you all there rain or shine!

 

Questions? Want to help?? 2013 May Fairies are:

 

Valerie Wastcoat - valerie@valeriewastcoat.com

Maren Oslund - marenoslund@gmail.com

Kelly Brown - Kellyebrown@verizon.net     

Deanna Salemme - salemme@comcast.net 

Sloane Goldhagen - sloanego@gmail.com

 

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NPS News 

NSF Alumni Awards Celebration April 27

Come Join the First Annual Newton Alumni Awards Celebration 2013 

 

On Saturday April 27, the Newton Schools Foundation will host Newton's very first Alumni Awards Celebration.  We will honor outstanding Newton Alumni for their innovations past and present, and take a look into the future of the Newton Public Schools.

 

Saturday, April 27, 2013
7-10 p.m. (VIP Reception at 6 p.m.)

Newton South High School
140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre

Cocktails, dinner, awards program and live auction

Dress: Smart casual

 

The primary beneficiary of the event is Newton's Lab, the Innovation Hub of the Newton Public Schools. Newton's Lab is a student-centered, faculty-powered design lab for collaborative, educational research and development.  Click here to read about some of the projects incubating in Newton's Lab.

 

Click here for details and to purchase tickets.  

 

Community News 

Burr Family Seeks Two Bedroom Apartment
Mother and daughter, a current Burr student, with a small dog, are looking for a 2 bedroom apartment in the Burr district. Please call 617-916-0009 if you can accommodate us. Thank you!
From Russia With Arts and Culture
April 26-28, Newton Cultural Center 
A three-day "From Russia With Arts and Culture" Russian Festival returns to the Newton Cultural Center for a second year from April 26 - 28, with a weekend packed full of Russian artists, musicians, food, dances, costumes, demonstrations and a film screening and discussion.

The Festival opens on
Friday, April 26th from 5pm - 9pm with a painting exhibition from the From Russia With Art Gallery, and musical performances including soprano Yelena Dudochkin and violinist Vera Rubin. There will be appetizers from local Russian restaurants and the screening of the award-winning film "Second Life - Boston."

On Saturday from 10am - 7pm and Sunday from noon - 6pm, you can fully immerse yourself in Russian culture with discussions, demonstrations, stories, songs, dances, fashion and jewelry shows and browse unique Russian souvenirs for sale.

See the program of events at
www.newtoncommunitypride.org 
The Festival is sponsored by the Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs and Newton Community Pride and their generous sponsors.

Admission is free, but please bring a donation for the Newton Food Pantries.
 
Cradles to Crayons Drop-Off
Newton Girl Scouts in conjunction with Newton Serves, is organizing a clothing, book and toy drive for Cradles to Crayons, a local organization that distributes new & gently-used items to more than 15,000 kids-in-need in Massachusetts. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall on NewtonServes Day: Sunday April 28th from 9:00 - 3:00.  This is a great time to do some spring cleaning and help children in need by providing items essential for their safety, education or warmth.  Please make certain items are clean, with no stains or tears.  To learn more about Cradles to Crayons visit www.cradlestocrayons.org.  All donations are tax deductible.

Newton Community Farm Seedling Sale
SAVE THE DATES for Newton Community Farm's 2013 Seedling Sale! 
 
Join us at the farm (303 Nahanton Street) on Saturday May 11  &  Sunday May 12 from 12 - 3  pm, rain or shine!  There will be 20,000 plants for sale. 

 

Spread the word and invite your family, friends, and neighbors.  Feel free to post a NCF 2013 Seedling Sale Flyer.
 
Start your garden with hearty seedlings from Newton Community Farm!  Choose from a wide array of vegetable and herb varieties, the same ones we have used and tested in our fields.  We start with the best seeds we can get and plant them in an organically-certified, compost-based potting soil from Vermont Compost Company.  All our seedlings are hardened off and most are ready for planting upon pick-up.  Talk to expert gardeners who will answer your questions. 

 

Cost:  $5 for four or six pack of plants.  Cash or checks only.  Bring a box or bag to carry your plants. 
 
Newton Family Singers May 11 concert
Get ready to dive into the warmer weather with the Newton Family Singers as they perform their Spring concert ... The Tide is High, Songs Reflecting on the Water. Go with the flow, and join us for a program of tender, poignant and rocking water-inspired songs by an eclectic mix of artists including the Beatles, Lyle Lovett, Blondie, the Grateful Dead and the Indigo Girls.

Sunday, May 5th,4pm
Memorial-SpauldingElementary School Auditorium
250 Brookline Street,Newton
 
 
 
Bring your family and come sing with us!  The Newton Family Singer are anintergenerational chorus and band celebrating family, community, and American folk music.  Tickets can be purchased online.