Tanglewood Marionettes The Dragon King 10/25

The Tanglewood Marionettes will perform The Dragon King at Burr on Tuesday, October 25.  

This production is based on many Chinese folktales - an underwater fantasy that tells the tale of an intrepid Grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea in search of the elusive Dragon King, and the answer to why he has forsaken the land above. The program includes cultural music and many themes such as respect for differences, compassion, kindness, and perseverance.

Tanglewood Marionettes are renowned for creating enchanting, theatrical experiences with their exquisitely hand-crafted scenery and marionettes.

Tuesday, October 25

8:45 K-2

10:15 3-5

Cafetorium

Please join us!

Creative Arts and Sciences programs are fully funded by the Burr School PTO. Parents are welcome to attend, but no younger siblings please.

 

Burr PTO Vacancies

Every year as families move on, the PTO is in need of volunteers to fill vacancies in many of our programs.  Please consider volunteering to help lead one of the following:

Spirit Wear Sales

Coordinate the sale of Burr Wear at events such as the Back to School Picnic, May Fair, etc.  Keep track of the current Burr Wear inventory and make recommendations for ordering new inventory as necessary.

Understanding Our Differences

UOD school coordinators organize the units regarding understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.  Units occur once monthly in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.  There are usually 7-8 units per year.  Coordinating duties include scheduling the speaker for each unit from a list of approved speakers, gathering care giver or parent volunteers and providing volunteers scripts and materials for the break out activity sessions.  Coordinators may also introduce units and present activities when necessary.

Sleep Under

Collaborate with the Burr Staff to plan a babysitting/movie night hosted by the Burr staff.  Publicize the event, coordinate ticket sales, purchase necessary supplies, and coordinate a small number of volunteers for event set-up.

Book Swap

Coordinate the donation of books from each classroom prior to the book swap. Solicit volunteers to organize books prior to the event and to help on the day of the event.  Coordinate with teachers regarding schedules on the day of the event.  Coordinate the donation of leftover books to charity following the event.

Green Team - Help solicit and organize grade level volunteers to initiate green projects and awareness at each grade level.

Safe Routes to School- Attend city-wide "Safe Routes to School" events.  Organize/publicize events such as International Walk to School Day.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information about one of these roles, email pto-board@burrpto.org

2016-17 Burr School Winter Youth Soccer/Basketball

Burr K-5 Youth Soccer Academy by Professional Coach

Sign up at bit.ly/burrsports for 12 professional one-hour training sessions on Friday evenings @ Burr Gym!  $10 off with early bird coupon code 45719.

Professional soccer coach: Jared Lewis. Coach Jared works at a prestigious Newton-based soccer club.  

Dates: Dec2, Dec16, Dec23 of 2016

Jan6, Jan13, Jan20, Feb3, Feb10, Feb17, Mar10, Mar17, Mar24 of 2017

Times: 
Group 1: Friday 6-7pm elementary K level boys and girls;
Group 2: Friday 7-8pm elementary 1-2 level boys and girls
Group 3: Friday 8-9pm elementary 3/4/5 level boys and girls;
Please always have shin guards, sneakers, bottled water and comfortable clothing ready for participating this soccer academy. No cleats are allowed.

Pay $185/each player for 12 sessions, minus $5 sibling discounts and early bird discount ($10 with coupon code 45719).

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO BURR SCHOOL FUND. Please direct all questions to Burr PTO contact guolinwen@gmail.com

This youth indoor soccer academy will be a great opportunity to learn through fun-based drills, small-sided games, and scrimmages; or just to meet schoolmates/ friends in a “no pressure” setting. All games and drills will be age appropriate and are set to improve skills. Skills based, with a small element of game play, this is a great opportunity and training environment for players looking to continue their development over the cold, winter months!

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Burr K-5 Youth Basketball Academy by Professional Coach:  TUESDAYS WILL OPEN SOON!

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Calling all Parents! PTO Meeting October 5 at 7 pm

Calling all Parents! PTO Meeting October 5 at 7 pm

Calling all parents!  The first PTO Meeting of the school year will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at 7 pm in the Burr School Cafeteria. This meeting will include a presentation on the Creative Arts and Sciences program as well as a review and vote on the proposed 2016-2017 PTO budget.

 Every parent/guardian is automatically a member of the Burr PTO. Please come to the meeting on Wednesday, get to know other parents and learn about the PTO happenings at Burr.

We look forward to seeing everyone on October 5!

Ten Fun Facts about the Burr Wolf Fund

Ten Fun Facts about the Burr Wolf Fund

1. The Burr Wolf Fund replaces Gift for Burr as the PTO's fall fundraiser.

 2. The date to be eligible for the ski package drawing is extended to Tuesday, October 4.* The ski package consists of Bolle Mojo Snow Goggles, Climate Smart long sleeve crew neck & pant, Luck Bums Snow Helmet, SmartWool socks and Thinsulate & Waterproof Ski Gloves.

 3. Every contribution matters!

 4. This year’s goal is to raise $22,000 by January 31, 2017.

 5. Why $22,000? Because that will pay for the Creative Arts and Sciences Programs and technology line items of the PTO’s budget. (These are the two largest line items in the PTO budget.)

 6. Creative Arts & Sciences (CAS) brings 3 curriculum enrichment programs to each grade level. CAS is amazing! If you can, go to a CAS program. Better yet, volunteer for CAS.

 7. CAS will cost $14,500 this year. CAS is required by Newton Public Schools and 100% funded by the PTO.

 8. You can contribute by sending a check into school in your child’s folder or using this link: http://burrpto.org

 9. Many companies have matching gift programs. Ask your employer to match your gift.

 10.As of September 29, 2016, 22 families have contributed $3095 to the Burr Wolf Fund. A huge thanks to those who contributed early! It’s a fabulous start.

 Questions? Email us at wolffund@burrpto.org and we’ll get back to you.

 Thank you to everyone! We can do this together!



 * To be eligible your envelope has to be delivered to school in your child’s folder on Tuesday, October 4 or your online donation has to be made by 5 pm on Tuesday, October 4.

Movie Night Summary

Movie Night Summary

Last week, we had a FUN and successful movie night! We raised just over $1,000! Thank you to the following volunteers:

 

Stacey and Ted Richard, Larisa Herrera, Katrina Hester, Jennifer Reale, Nicole Gordon, Sharon Reilly, Sloane Goldhagen, Anestis Pistofidis, Susan Cantrell
Michelle, Frayman, Annika Fockens, Jaye Schneider, Sinead McAuliffe, Kristin Frohn, Jenna Poras, Dina Jajjaj-Saouli, Justine Fialkosky, Ning Wu, Kristine Munroe, Ruchi Bhasin and Michael Grubb.

 

Please Be An Understanding Our Differences Presenter to the Burr School 3rd 4th and 5th Graders

Please Be An Understanding Our Differences Presenter to the Burr School 3 rd 4th and 5th  Graders

The Understanding Our Differences Program is looking for parent volunteers to help present the upcoming programs:

3rd grade (Wednesdays 9-11am)

November 30, 2016 -- Physical Disabilities

February 2, 2017 -- Blindness/Low Vision (Thursday due to early release on Wednesday Feb. 1)

March 15, 2017 -- Deafness/Hard of Hearing

4th grade (Wednesdays 9-11 am)

November 9, 2016 -- Learning Disabilities

May 3, 2017 -- Chronic Medical Conditions

5th grade (Thursdays 11:30-1pm activity; 2-2:30pm Guest Speaker)

October 6, 2016 -- Intellectual Disabilities

January 12, 2016 – Autism

The goal of this citywide program is to increase information, understanding, and acceptance of people with disabilities and individual differences in our community.

Volunteers do not need to have children in a specific grade, teaching experience, or a medical background. We will provide the training and materials. You provide the fun!

Can you help out? Contact: Deanna Salemme: salemme@comcast.net or 617-877-7576.

PTO Volunteer Vacancies

PTO Volunteer Vacancies

Every year as families move on, the PTO is in need of volunteers to fill vacancies in many of our programs.  Please consider volunteering to help lead one of the following:

Spirit Wear Sales- Coordinate the sale of Burr Wear at events such as the Back to School Picnic, May Fair, etc.  Keep track of the current Burr Wear inventory and make recommendations for ordering new inventory as necessary.

Understanding Our Differences

UOD school coordinators organize the units regarding understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.  Units occur once monthly in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.  There are usually 7-8 units per year.  Coordinating duties include scheduling the speaker for each unit from a list of approved speakers, gathering care giver or parent volunteers and providing volunteers scripts and materials for the break out activity sessions.  Coordinators may also introduce units and present activities when necessary.

Sleep Under

Collaborate with the Burr Staff to plan a babysitting/movie night hosted by the Burr staff.  Publicize the event, coordinate ticket sales, purchase necessary supplies, and coordinate a small number of volunteers for event set-up.

Book Swap 

Coordinate the donation of books from each classroom prior to the book swap. Solicit volunteers to organize books prior to the event and to help on the day of the event.  Coordinate with teachers regarding schedules on the day of the event.  Coordinate the donation of leftover books to charity following the event.

Green Team 

Help solicit and organize grade level volunteers to initiate green projects and awareness at each grade level.

Safe Routes to School- Attend city-wide "Safe Routes to School" events.  Organize/publicize events such as International Walk to School Day.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information about one of these roles, email pto-board@burrpto.org

Burr Needs a Safe Routes to School Rep

Burr Needs a Safe Routes to School Rep.

The Safe Routes to School Task Force is a group of PTO volunteers who are working to support safe and active transportation options in each of our schools.  This is a critical time in Newton for advocacy.  Many important NPS and city initiatives are underway that will shape our students’ transportation options for years to come including school reconstruction, school assignment, updated health and wellness policies, high school start times, sustainability and complete streets.  The task force can be much more effective if all the schools are represented.  Burr School is currently unrepresented and we need volunteers!

The task force is planning a special Open House on Friday, October 7th at the Waban Library Center from 9:30 am to 10:30 am to give current and potential representatives a chance to learn more about SRTS and to ask questions of volunteers and city officials on important elements of the program including fun ways to promote walking and biking, bike & pedestrian safety training, crossing guards, school buses, addressing safety concerns in your school neighborhood.  They will be joined by city staff including the Newton Police Department, DPW and others.

 

Please contact the Burr PTO if you are interested in volunteering or getting more information: pto-board@burrpto.org