THE BURR PTO PRESENTS 

Information Regarding Teachers’ Strike

Dear Burr parent community:

As our children have missed 4 days of school, we recognize that it’s a difficult time for all of us. Complex feelings and a wide range of opinions are all over the place. We PTO exists to support parents, teachers, and students. Hereby, we will be distributing information and resources daily.

The Newton Public Schools (including Burr) remain closed as the strike continues. There will be No School tomorrow, Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

Latest News and Resources:

• The NTA proposed a Memorandum of agreement

• The School Committee engaged in a very productive day of bargaining with the Newton Teachers Association, but still have not reached agreement. Productive plans for small group work in mixed NTA and administrator groups will start in the morning and the larger group will reconvene in formal mediation after lunch.

• The NTA is facing a $175,000 fine (Monday $25,000 + Tuesday $50,000 + Wednesday $100,000)

• Community Forum with Councilor Bill Humphrey by PEC (Parent Educator Collaborative)

• Spreadsheet with the differences between the two parties from the School Committee

• The Letter from PTOC (The Newton Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Council) to the Mayor and the Mayor’s response.

• Middlesex Superior Court Judge Christopher Berry-Smith will schedule a hearing for January 26, 2024, at noon if the strike does not end after January 25, 2024, at 8 pm.

• FY24 budget message

• Special Education FAQ

• Newton Social Services Support for Families

Burr Teachers:

Burr Teachers will be standing out at Burr school from 8:30 am - 9:00 am and then will move to other locations.

Please contact Angie Kim(angie@burrpto.org) about a more detailed schedule.

Message from Teachers:

Action You Can Take:

• Email your opinion to the Mayor/City Council/School Committee (fuller@newtonma.gov; schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us;citycouncil@newtonma.gov )

• Sign up to support our teachers and Burr staff.

• Read about the Petition made by Newton Parents.

Resource for Children:

• Resources for Families of NPS students, made by Newton parents.

• Talking To Elementary Students about the Strike.

Academic resources:

• NPS Elementary Library Resources (needs to be accessed from an NPS Google Account - student accounts will work)

• K-5 Family Math Page

• Student Quicklinks

Food Service:

Newton Public Schools will offer Grab and Go meals, similar to what we did during COVID on Thursday, January 25, 2024 (4-day breakfast and lunch). Pick-up locations and times are as follows:

Location and time

• Newton North (457 Walnut Dr.) – Tiger Drive 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Newton South (140 Brandeis Rd.) – Wheeler entrance 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

METCO Headquarters (for Boston Families) – 11 Roxbury Street, Boston, MA 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Please feel free to contact info@burrpto.org if there is something we can do to help or if there are questions or concerns about topics that need to be covered.