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Mark your Calendar
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March 17
MCAS Week
March 18
3:00pm Tuesday Release
(MCAS Switch)
March 19
12:30pm Wednesday Early Release
(MCAS Switch)
March 22
World Cultures Festival
March 23
4:00pm Burr Family Skate
March 31
Burr Book Collection Week
April 8
Burr Book Swap
April 13
Newton Kitchen Tour
April 18
No School
Good Friday
April 21-25
No School
April Vacation
April 28
Online Auction Opens
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 Dear Burr Families,
MCAS testing begins this week. Please remember that in order to accommodate the state's testing requirements, Tuesday, March 18 will be a full day with a 3:00 PM dismissal, and Wednesday, March 19 will be a 12:30 PM release day for all students. If any student is absent on the testing days, he/she must make up the test during the testing period. Any Grade 4 students who miss the writing test will take it on March 27. The Department of Education will send us a different test for these students.
Please note the testing dates for each grade level below:
MCAS English Language Arts tests:
Grade 3: March 24, March 26
Grade 4: March 18 (full day writing), March 24, March 26
Grade 5: March 17, March 21
MCAS math tests (and science for grade 5):
Grade 3: May 12, May 14
Grade 4: May 12, May 14
Grade 5: May 5, May 7, May 16, May 19
Student performance results will be shared with parents in September 2014.
As most of you know, Superintendent of Schools David Fleishman sent out a letter a few weeks ago announcing that 15 of the 21 schools in Newton will be participating in the PARCC (Partnership for Readiness for College and Careers) field tests. We have been informed that two of the classrooms in grade 4 and two classrooms in grade 5 at Burr will be taking the ELA PARCC test in April. These classrooms were randomly selected and more specific information has been sent out to the families of the children participating in testing.
PARCC English Language Arts Field Tests:
Grade 5: April 2, April 3, April 4
Grade 4: April 7, April 9, April 10
Student performance results will not be reported since this is a field test.
At Burr, we work hard to create a calm and industrious atmosphere during testing time. We try to instill in all of our students the attitude that they will be able to do well on these tests if they work hard and focus. The best way for you to help your child is to reinforce this attitude at home, and to ensure that he/she rests, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time. For both the MCAS and PARCC testing, directions will be given at 8:45 AM and students will begin the tests at 9:00 AM. If you have any question or concerns, please be sure to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mindy
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It's Here! Burr World Cultures Festival
This Saturday, March 22 from 2-4 pm
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The signature PTO family event of the season--travel the world, right at Burr! This coming Saturday, March 22, the school will be transformed into a bustling international festival. Please join us for an afternoon of exploration of culture, hands-games and crafts, Zumba and Irish Step dance, parade marching, music, and food. Can you bring a snack to share? Can't have a festival without lots of food... sign up here if you would like to lend a hand with refreshments.
- Due to health regulations, all food items must be kept at room temperature (no heating or refrigeration); also, no peanuts, please (allergies). (Remember, we alternate years with the Burr International Potluck--next year we can have hot and cold entrees.)
- If you have a special international dish, please include some information about the item's country of origin and ingredients on this slip. Individual portions for 20 people. American snacks are great, too--cookies, brownies, and Goldfish for everyone! This is a hungry crowd, folks--lots of food needed...
- Drop off in cafetorium between noon and 3:00 pm on the day of the event. Kelly Brown and Christine Gallivan will graciously accept whatever you've got!
World Cultures Festival Committee 2014
Cherie Bosarge-Dutton, Ellen Chu, Bijal Dalal, Dana Hanson, Ann Langenfeld, Susandra Pasaribu Ma, Natalie Moresco
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Creative Arts and Sciences welcomes Michael LaFosse, co-founder of the Origamido Studio, Monday, March 24
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March 24 in the fifth grade Classrooms
Michael LaFosse will present an Origami Math and Art enrichment program for the 5th grade students. The students will learn to make three-dimensional geometric origami designs while discovering the math connection in this amazing art form. Below is the schedule:
8:50 am - Ms. Harris
10:00 am - Ms. Moran
11:10 am - Ms. Cooley/Ms. O'Donnell
LaFosse is widely recognized as one of the top origami masters working today. His works have graced museums worldwide, including the Carrousel du Louvre, Paris; the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona; the Morikami Museum in Delray Beach, Florida; Hangar 7 in Salzburg, Austria; the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts; a five-city touring exhibit in Japan; and many others. He has authored over 70 books, kits, and video publications about origami and related paper arts.
You can see Michael in the Peabody Award-winning film Between the Folds. This documentary, about origami masters, artists and engineers, was hosted by Independent Lens, PBS, 2009 and 2010, and is available to watch on Netflix.
Creative Arts and Science programs are fully funded by the Burr School PTO
Parents are welcome to attend, but no younger siblings please. Thank you for your cooperation.
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| The Annual Burr School Book Swap is coming soon (April 8) |
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Book Collection March 31 - April 4
The Book Swap is a wonderful opportunity for students to exchange books they have read for ones they don't yet have, and gives parents/ guardians the chance to trim those dusty bookshelves.
Between March 31st and April 4th, we will be collecting gently used books that are appropriate for children in grades K-5. Please do not send preschool, adult, or activity/ workbooks.
Please put the books in a bag clearly marked with the child's AND teacher's names and send them to school!
On Tuesday April 8th, each class will have a chance to visit the Book Swap. This year, books will be totaled by class & then each student will receive the same amount of books based on how many the class collected. The more the class brings in as a team, the more each student will take home! Teachers get their pick too, and leftover books will be donated to the More Than Words, a nonprofit organization in Waltham, MA that trains at risk youth in how to run a bookselling business.
Volunteers are still needed to help collect and sort books and to help staff the swap. Please sign up here to help, or contact Sarah Sian if you are interested in helping or 617-388-3132. Thanks!
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Get Ready to Bid!
This Week's Sneak Peek - Summer Camps
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The 2014 Online Auction for Burr Playground will run April 28 - May 9
Check out some of the amazing summer camp opportunities that will be up for auction:
- Belmont Hill Summer Sports Camp- 1 Session ($365 value)
- 2 weeks at Camp Sewataro- 1st Session June 23rd-July 4th ($1,365 value)
- Fessenden Day Camp- ($2,500 value)
- Mass Gymnastics-One half day gymnastics camp ($190 value)
- The Camps at Babson College-1 session ($435 value)
- School of Rock Week of Summer Camp - ($500 Value)
- Beaver Country Day Summer Programs- 1 week day trip program for those entering grades 4-7 ($740 value)
- Camp Chickami Post Camp- August 25-29th ($320 value)
- Meadowbrook Summer Camp- 2 week session ($1,240 value)
- Learn to Fence at Boston Fencing Club- 1 week (up to $350 value
- Buckingham Browne and Nichols-1 week of camp ($400 value)
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Understanding Our Differences - Volunteers Needed & Program Announcement!
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The Understanding Our Differences Program is looking for parent volunteers to help present an upcoming program at Burr. 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. The kids will be learning about learning disabilities. Volunteers do not need to have children in a specific grade, teaching experience, or a medical background.
The dates for the next program at Burr School are as follows:
Physical Disabilities March 27, 2014 (3rd Grade)
Can you help out? Please contact Deanna Salemme or Kate Hoffman.
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The Burr Bulletin Needs YOU!
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 Are you interested in a great opportunity to help out at Burr that doesn't require you to come in to school or be available during the day? One you can do from home - or anywhere - even in your PJ's? Get involved with the Burr Communications Team! We're looking for more Bulletin editors to take a turn about once a month putting together the weekly Bulletin - a process that usually takes just an hour or two, and can be done from anywhere with Internet access! Please get in touch with Ellen Chu or Tricia Bombara.
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Evening Play Date for Children & Workshop for Parents/Guardians:
Managing Your Young Child's Challenging Behavior "Using 1,2,3 Magic" ~ and More
March 20 & 27
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It's hard to know how to respond when children test limits! In this 2-part workshop parents will learn to set clear limits, manage challenging behaviors, and communicate effectively using "1,2,3 Magic" and other positive approaches. ("1,2,3 Magic" is a technique developed by child psychologist Dr. Thomas Phelan, Ph.D.)
Attendance at both sessions is important!
Note: While everyone is welcome, it is important to know that the techniques being taught here are note recommended for children who are currently receiving ABA services, who do best with an individual behavior plan.
Presenters: Carol Shulman, NECP Psychologist, and Laura Perkins, NECP Social Worker
Times: Thursday, March 20th, 5:30-7:00 PM
Thursday, March 27th, 5:30-7:00 PM
Place: Newton Ed Center, 100 Walnut St. room 217 (second floor)
Childcare and healthy, gluten-free snacks will be provided!
Please let us know if you are coming and the number of children you will be bringing by calling Laura Perkins 617-559-9376.
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NewtonSERVES - A Day of Community Service
Sunday, April 27 from 12:30 - 4pm
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NewtonSERVES Announces Project Registration is Now Open for Day of Community Service on Sunday, April 27, 2014
NewtonSERVES is now accepting Project Registrations for its annual Day of Service to be held this year on Sunday, April 27, 2014.
Volunteer projects can be set up by Newton non-profits, Newton city departments, individuals, and groups of citizens interested in accomplishing specific tasks with the help of over 1,000 volunteers from the community. Projects can easily be registered online, by visiting www.newtoncommunitypride.org/NewtonSERVES-project.php
Projects can be in the morning, afternoon or all-day on Sunday, April 27th during the Day of Service, or they can be set up individually on an alternate date during the City of Newton's Volunteer Week, April 28th-May 4th. In addition to gaining access to volunteers to tackle specific tasks, project sites may be eligible to receive additional resources such as mulch, garbage and yard waste bags. Project sites also benefit from raised awareness within the community and all participants receive NewtonSERVES T-shirts and refreshments in honor of their volunteer service. New projects leaders are encouraged to sign up along with recurring projects and experienced leaders.
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Read to a Dog Literacy Event at Auburndale Library - Tuesday, March 25
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Read to Oliver Time Slots from 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Oliver the Golden Retriever will be at the Auburndale Community Library to listen to young readers. Children can have a 10 - 15 minute one on one reading session with Oliver. Bring the book of your choice, or choose one at the library. (Oliver enjoys all types of books, not just books about dogs!) This program is a great way for children to practice reading in a fun, non-judgmental environment where it is OK to make mistakes.
Space is limited and registration is required. Register by email to activities@auburndalelibrary.org 
Special thanks to the Pets and People Foundation for bringing Oliver and his humans to the ACL as a Certified Pet Therapy Team.
Auburndale Community Library 375 Auburn Street, 617-552-7158
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April Vacation with Newton Community Education
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Newton Community Education offers the following vacation-week programs for kids this April: Babysitting and CPR training classes for kids ages 11 and up, and Science Gadgets and Contraptions, for kids in grades 1-4. All programs will be held at Newton North High School. Call the NCE office at 617-559-6999 or visit http://www.newtoncommunityed.org for more information or to register.
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For more announcements about Newton community events, enrichment programs, sports programs, summer and school vacation camps, and other resources, please visit the Community section of the Burr PTO website:
Additional information can be found at:
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