Principal's Newsletter 4/1
Dear Burr Families,
We’re ready for Monday! I hope you are too. Below are a few reminders:
Walking, Biking, and Cycling to School
The full return to school will mean increased traffic around the school. To help mitigate traffic congestion and improve safety, the City’s Safe Routes to School Teams have been working hard to identify safe and efficient ways for students to walk and bike to school. They have even identified spots for families to park a few blocks away from the school building and walk the rest of the way.
Below are links to information and resources available on the NPS website:
Walking and Biking: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3320
Safety Information and Maps: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3426
Safe Routes to Schools website: https://sites.google.com/view/newtonsaferoutes
Blue Zone
Please make sure you review the Blue Zone rules. There will be staff outside supervising the Blue Zone so please be kind if they need to redirect or remind you of a rule. We’re all trying to get things running smoothly. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is important. With the great weather, you can even skip the Blue Zone and walk or bike.
School Playground Use
Starting April 5, school playgrounds will be open to the public at 2:15 pm on long days and at 1:00 pm on early release Wednesdays. It will be a great time for children to connect with friends in other classrooms or DLA friends who they haven’t been able to see much.
COVID-19 Testing
As NPS prepares for a full in-person return to school for students at all levels, we strongly encourage families to enroll their student (s) in our COVID-19 testing program. Testing is one of the best ways we have to quickly identify infection and reduce the possibility of in school transmission.
Here are 3 reasons to enroll:
It’s easy! Complete the opt-in in Aspen (here’s the link!) High school students then create an account at JCM (do it here!) for access to a QR code they use to check in their sample. Pre-K - 8th grade students will receive their QR code from school staff.
It’s painless! This is NOT the “touch your brain” swab! This is a sample taken from the front of your nose with a Q-tip like swab. It’s super-fast and painless.
It makes a difference! The more students who participate, the better data we have on infection rates in our community. This means we can quickly identify infection, reduce the risk of in school transmission, limit quarantines, and keep our schools open in person.
We ask all families to strongly consider enrolling your student today. We thank you in advance for doing your part to keep our schools safer.
I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and a Happy Easter to those celebrating.
Best,
Mindy