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 Dear Burr Families,
We're almost at the finish line of the school year! Today is our last full day of school and on Wednesday we will be sending children off to begin their summer vacation. These past few weeks have been packed with presentations and celebrations of the growth Burr students have made during this academic year. The children have worked so hard and it has been wonderful to see the pride they show in the results their efforts have produced. All year we have made it our mission to shift student thinking from "I can't do it" to "I can't do it YET!" It has been a pleasure visiting the classrooms as children proudly share their accomplishments. Looking beyond the obvious academic achievements, we must also notice the social and emotional growth that has occurred throughout the year. We must recognize the process that has led to the completion of the presentations and projects that were shared. I want to give special recognition and thanks to the Burr teachers for providing an excellent education for our children. Their skill and dedication has made this yet another, very successful school year. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge all of the parents, grandparents, friends, and relatives who have given us so much support, time, and assistance throughout the school year. We needed you and have greatly appreciated the time and energy you have dedicated to the school. Your volunteerism in both big and small ways not only moves the school forward, but gives children the message that school is an important place and that you and the teachers are working together for their benefit. This year cannot end without heartfelt thanks to Ted Vahey and Jason Wong. Ted and Jason have worked closely with me this year as the PTO Co-Presidents. It has been my pleasure and privilege to have the opportunity to get to know them. They have committed countless hours to ensure that the Burr School experience is an exceptional one for all children. Ted ends his two year term this year and I'm sure he has already signed up for some other important projects. I would like to welcome Jaye Schneider as she joins Jason as next year's Co-President. Many thanks also to this year's PTO board members who are stepping down and to those newly elected to serve for the coming year. We have a strong foundation to build upon and a community dedicated to continued improvement. I look forward to working with you all.
This Week's Events:
Students' progress reports will be available today. Parents will receive an email with their individual login information and directions for downloading the report card. Paper copies will not be sent home unless requested. Please be sure to look for the comments. It has come to our attention that some parents have only looked at the check marks and not seen the comments that explain what is reflected in the checks. If you would like a paper copy please inform your classroom teacher and he/she can send it home with your child.
Today, we will celebrate our fifth graders with a Moving On Ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 1:00 PM and will be followed by refreshments for families and friends of the fifth graders. This year we say goodbye to more than 45 families who are leaving Burr and moving on to middle school because their fifth grader is either an only child or the youngest. These families will be greatly missed and their contributions to the Burr School will have a lasting impact.
Tomorrow, June 26, the K-4 students will have a "Step-Up Day" where they will meet the teaching team for next year. We realized the uncertainty and anxiety that goes along with making the transition to another grade level and hope that meeting the whole team of teachers will alleviate some of it. Newly hired classroom teachers will be joining us that day. The teachers will share some highlights for the coming year that the children can look forward to and answer some of their questions. Class lists for all Newton's elementary students will be emailed on August 23. Each grade level has a list of supplies which you will find posted on the school website.
We will have an All School Meeting on the last day of school to bring the school community together one last time before the summer. We will watch a Color Day slide show (thanks to Tricia Bombara), the fifth grade will perform a song from their Moving On Ceremony, and there will be some individual and group students sharing. This All School Meeting will also be a time for us to reflect on the year and say goodbye to students and staff who will not be with us next year. Due to space constraints we unfortunately cannot accommodate any visitors.
Finally, to end the school year and acknowledge the fifth graders moving on to middle school, we will have a Fifth Grade Clap Out. At 11:45 AM students in grades K-4 will line the upstairs hallway and cheer and clap as the fifth graders walk out of the school for the last time as Burr students. Parents should wait outside the school for their children to join them as the hallway will be crowded.
Looking Forward:
On August 29 at 1:30 to 2:30 PM we will have our first Burr School Open House for families to come in and look at the classrooms and meet their teachers. I am happy to announce that we have hired a fifth grade teacher and a kindergarten teacher for next year. Annalee Harris will be joining the fifth grade team and Qiana Rudek will be joining our kindergarten team.
Annalee is a graduate of Smith College (BA in Education and Child Study) and Boston College (M.Ed in Reading and Literacy). She taught fifth and third grade at the Advent School in Boston for four years. Most recently she has been a pre-practicum supervisor at Boston College where she has supervised graduate and undergraduate students during their student teaching while completing her M.Ed.
Qiana is a graduate of UMass (BA in Psychology) and Wheelock College (MSc in Child Development and Early Childhood Education). She comes to us from the Nashoba Brooks School in Concord where she has been teaching kindergarten for the last three years. She comes to us with a sound knowledge of kindergarten curriculum and the developmental needs of children just beginning their educational journey. We are looking forward to having both Annalee and Qiana join the Burr faculty.
I look forward to seeing most of you in the fall and wish a fond farewell to several wonderful families who are moving to other towns, states, and countries. Burr is a special place because of our tremendous kids and families, and our dedicated and talented staff! I wish you all a fabulous summer - relax, connect, and re-energize.
With Warm Regards,
Mindy
Dismissal on Tuesday, June 25th is at 12:30 PM
Dismissal on Wedenesday, June 26th is at 12:00 PM. It is very important for you to pick up your child on time as it is also early release for staff.
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