Don't Forget to Register for the STEM Fair!

The Burr STEM Fair is coming up on Friday, January 27th, from 6-8pm! Don't forget to register your student or your own parent demonstration using the attached form or by e-mailing Laura Sexton at laurasexton1@hotmail.com. Registration is required by Friday, January 20th so we know how many tables we will need in the cafetorium.

burr-school-stem-fair-2017-registration-form

Need project ideas? Check out Pinterest.com, type in Science Fair and you'll find tons of ideas! Just remember that these do NOT need to be Pinterest-quality at all. The fun is in the discovery, and all projects should be kid-focused and kid-created.

Display board ideas? Try one of these: http://elmers.com/products/foam-and-display-boards?filters=school-and-science-fair|tri-fold|36in-x-48in

Make sure to let us know if you'll need anything special such as an electrical outlet, and check out the Guidelines included in the registration form.

Thank you from the Burr PTO

Guys Read is BACK March 1

One night a month guys can come to school and talk about a book with Mr. Gaita. There will be pizza and other yummy treats available.

In the past, the guys have read books like The Magic Pickle, where all the guys left the meeting with pickles. They have also read Captain Underpants where toilet paper was handed out. Throughout the hourlong meeting, there is a game show where guys answer questions about the book. Some of the questions will be easier than others.

The book they will read is King Arthur and His Knights: The Classic Starts Version.



You can find it on Amazon for $5.00. The Classic Starts series is kid friendly and easier to read.

The first Guys Read meeting will be Wednesday, March 1^st from 6-7pm in Mr. Gaita’s classroom. This gives you enough time to read the book over vacation. If you are interested in coming, please email Mr. Gaita at david_gaita@newton.k12.ma.us.

This group is for the guys. Fathers, brothers, uncles, and grandfathers are encouraged to attend. Supervision is also encouraged for the meetings. However, if you email Mr. Gaita, special arrangements could be made.

January Health News from Nurse Best

January 2017 School Health Newsletter

Coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, oh my! Winter illness is abounding, as is often the case during the colder months.

Here are some Stay Healthy Tips:

Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness.

• Wash your hands often -- when they are dirty, before eating, after using the restroom and after sneezing into a tissue


• Use soap and warm water and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds before rinsing and drying.


• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ok to use when your hands aren’t visibly dirty, but hand washing is preferable


• Make it fun with kids – sing a song and model thoroughly soaping up!


• Vomiting and/or diarrhea -- “the stomach bug” – are often transmitted via a fecal/oral route, meaning virus is shed in the stool, gets on hands, and then enters the body through the mouth. Thorough hand washing after using the bathroom helps prevent this type of illness.

Cough Etiquette

• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands – use a tissue or your elbow

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Stay away from people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

If your child unfortunately does get sick, please follow the illness policy. A student will be excluded from school if he/she has:

• A fever of 100° or greater in the past 24 hours


• A communicable disease diagnosis


• A cold in the active stages – coughing, sneezing, nasal drainage


• A sore throat and/or swollen neck glands


• Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours


• Acute pain that requires relief by narcotic medication


• An undiagnosed rash or skin eruption

Nurses monitor illness patterns so please contact the school nurse:

• If you are uncertain if your child should come to school


• To report illness when keeping your child home

Adapted from cdc.gov/handwashing

 

Thank You, Understanding Our Differences Volunteers!

Thank you to the following volunteers who have helped run the first three sessions of the Understanding Our Differences program so far this year:

Kristine Carey, Lisa Parker, Michael Grubb, Valerie Wastcoat, Colleen McIntyre, Valerie Miller, Anestis Pistofidis, Justine Fialkosky, Deborah Hill, Jen Sulewski, Ruchi Bhasin, Gina Quinn, Elise Person, Diana Gomberg and Kim Tulimieri. We couldn’t have done it without them!

If you haven’t volunteered, don’t fret! You still have plenty of opportunities. You can Be An Understanding Our Differences Presenter to the Burr School 3rd 4th and 5th Graders for the upcoming programs:

3rd grade (Wednesday 9-11am)

February 1, 2017 -- Blindness/Low Vision

March 15, 2017 -- Deafness/Hard of Hearing

4th grade (Wednesday 9-11 am)

May 3, 2017 -- Chronic Medical Conditions

5th grade (Thursday 11:30-1pm activity; 2-2:30pm guest speaker)

January 12, 2017 – 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.

Thursday Night Basketball at Burr

A group of current and former Burr dads play basketball on Thursday nights at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. We are looking for a few more players to participate in the weekly game. Joining the game involves signing up with Newton Community Education and paying a fee for the semester.

Please contact Sean Gallivan at sgall90210@aol.com  or (617)957-6102 if you are interested in joining.

Burr Night at Launch Jan. 13

Bring the kids to jump their post-holiday, winter blues away with their friends from Burr School on Friday, January 13th from 6-8pm. Two hours of jumping for only $20. Launch will donate a portion of the night's proceeds to the Burr PTO. Hope to see you there!

 

Creative Arts and Sciences Welcomes the Jackson Homestead: Mapping Your Town - January 10 (3rd Grade)

Students will take on the role of city planners as they develop the City of Newton with residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, as well as parks and green spaces. They’ll need to make sure their city plans meet the needs of its residents!

Tuesday, January 10

9:15 Ms. Canning (Cafetorium)

10:55 Ms. Oh (Classroom)

** Ms. Tice and Ms. MacNeill's classes will be scheduled for another day soon!

Join us! Parents are encouraged to attend, but no younger siblings, please. Thank you for your cooperation.

This program was fully funded by your generous donations to the Burr PTO and the Burr Wolf Fund. To donate, go to Burr PTO.org and click on "Donate."

Creative Arts and Sciences Welcomes the Science Discovery Museum’ Rocks and Minerals on January 9th (4th Grade)

What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? How do rocks and minerals form? Handle several large specimens representing the three basic rock types. Grow your own crystals and make a sedimentation chamber.

Monday, January 9

8:35-9:20 Ms. Collins

9:35-10:20 Ms. Miller

10:35-11:20 Ms. McLean

Presentations will take place in the Music Room.

Join us! Parents are encouraged to attend, but no younger siblings, please. Thank you for your cooperation.

All Creative Arts & Sciences programs are fully funded by your generous donations to the Burr PTO and the Burr Wolf Fund. To donate, go to Burr PTO.org and click on "Donate."

 

NewtonSERVES: Building Community Through Service

The next NewtonSERVES day of service will be held Sunday April 30th! SAVE THE DATE….. more details to follow!

Watch this space!