Principal's Newsletter
May 1, 2020
Dear Families,
We’re all slowly coming to terms with the fact that school will not open for the rest of the school year. I’ve heard from teachers, parents, and students, and so many of us are sad and disappointed. We’re mourning the loss of all the wonderful events and activities that were planned for the spring. It’s hard to believe that we won’t be able to send off our fifth graders with the traditional Moving On Ceremony or celebrate June with Color Day. It’s sobering to think that children and teachers will only be meeting virtually until September when they will all be in new classrooms and some in new schools.
We must now begin to think creatively and plan for the rest of this school year. We must still celebrate special milestones and plan memorable events for all grade levels. Teachers and district administrators are sharing ideas across schools and exploring different options. We are also figuring out efficient ways of preparing for the opening of school in September.
At this time of year, we always begin the process of gathering information for classroom placement for the next academic year. As usual, you are invited to provide some input. This year, we will do it electronically on the Burr School Optional Classroom Placement Input Form. This form will be due by May 8.
Please know, your child’s placement is given careful consideration by the Burr staff, and completing the form is OPTIONAL. The form is simply to ensure we do not miss information that may not be available or known by your child’s current teachers. To understand how we do placement and the things that we consider to form balanced classes, see the Placement Process Explained for Parents document.
Forms submitted after May 8 may not be considered. You should be aware that the information will be shared with the teachers in both the sending and receiving grades.
Next week, I’d like to offer some time for parents to check in with me and chat with other parents about how distance learning is working in their home. Sometimes, it’s easier to join a discussion than it is to send an email when you have something on your mind. Below are scheduled times for virtual meetings. Burr math coach, Ms. Feroleto, and literacy specialist, Ms. Wong-Tucker, who have both been working on district curriculum teams, will join us. I think organizing our Check-In meetings by grade levels will allow for targeted and meaningful discussions.
***Grade 5 Parents are invited to stay online for an extra 15 minutes to share ideas for celebrating the 5th graders’ graduation from Burr.
I wish you all good health and hope the month of May brings an abundance of sunny days so we can spend time outside.
Best,
Mindy
Dear Families,
We’re all slowly coming to terms with the fact that school will not open for the rest of the school year. I’ve heard from teachers, parents, and students, and so many of us are sad and disappointed. We’re mourning the loss of all the wonderful events and activities that were planned for the spring. It’s hard to believe that we won’t be able to send off our fifth graders with the traditional Moving On Ceremony or celebrate June with Color Day. It’s sobering to think that children and teachers will only be meeting virtually until September when they will all be in new classrooms and some in new schools.
We must now begin to think creatively and plan for the rest of this school year. We must still celebrate special milestones and plan memorable events for all grade levels. Teachers and district administrators are sharing ideas across schools and exploring different options. We are also figuring out efficient ways of preparing for the opening of school in September.
At this time of year, we always begin the process of gathering information for classroom placement for the next academic year. As usual, you are invited to provide some input. This year, we will do it electronically on the Burr School Optional Classroom Placement Input Form. This form will be due by May 8.
Please know, your child’s placement is given careful consideration by the Burr staff, and completing the form is OPTIONAL. The form is simply to ensure we do not miss information that may not be available or known by your child’s current teachers. To understand how we do placement and the things that we consider to form balanced classes, see the Placement Process Explained for Parents document.
Forms submitted after May 8 may not be considered. You should be aware that the information will be shared with the teachers in both the sending and receiving grades.
Next week, I’d like to offer some time for parents to check in with me and chat with other parents about how distance learning is working in their home. Sometimes, it’s easier to join a discussion than it is to send an email when you have something on your mind. Below are scheduled times for virtual meetings. Burr math coach, Ms. Feroleto, and literacy specialist, Ms. Wong-Tucker, who have both been working on district curriculum teams, will join us. I think organizing our Check-In meetings by grade levels will allow for targeted and meaningful discussions.
Parent Principal Check-In Meetings
Kindergarten and Grade One: Tuesday, May 5 from 7 to 7:45 pm
Meeting ID: 949 7503 2840
Password: 009509
Grade Two and Three: Wednesday, May 6 from 7 to 7:45 pm
Meeting ID: 967 7980 9957
Password: 202344
Grade Four and Five: Thursday, May 7 from 7 to 7:45 pm
Meeting ID: 949 3162 0230
Password: 012285
***Grade 5 Parents are invited to stay online for an extra 15 minutes to share ideas for celebrating the 5th graders’ graduation from Burr.
I wish you all good health and hope the month of May brings an abundance of sunny days so we can spend time outside.
Best,
Mindy