THE BURR PTO PRESENTS
Bertucci's PTO Fundraiser
THIS Wednesday 10-28!
Please share with friends and family!
Principal's Newsletter: 10-24-20
Dear Burr Families,
Here are a few reminders and updates:
Curriculum Night for Hybrid and DLA classrooms is coming up next week.
Here are the dates to remember:
October 27th ~ DLA Grade 1
October 28th ~ Hybrid Kindergarten, Grade 1, & Grade 2
DLA Kindergarten, Grade 2, and Grade 3
October 29th ~ Hybrid Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5
DLA Grade 4 and Grade 5
Teachers will be sending out Zoom meeting links and times directly to families.
Welcome to Our New Custodian
I’d like to welcome our new Senior Custodian, Ricardo (Rick) Sousa. Rick has been with us since the opening of school in September. The school building is in great shape because Rick likes to make sure things get done in a timely manner. Rick is enjoying being with the Burr students and staff. Some of you have likely seen Rick outside the school building during arrival and dismissal. There are a few students who look for Mr. Rick in the morning when they arrive at school. His smile and quick check-in help them get a positive start to their school day.
School Attendance Expectations
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is requiring school districts to take and report attendance for all students, including those attending in person, in the hybrid model (on both in-person and remote days) and the distance only model. Please review Elementary Student Attendance, Participation and Zoom Etiquette for Families which goes over attendance expectations, recording procedures for tardiness, and the procedure followed by the school during excessive absences or when students are quarantined/isolated due to COVID 19. This document also addresses Zoom etiquette for educators, students, and families.
Zoom Connections on new NPS Chromebooks
Some families have reported some difficulties getting Zoom connections on the new Chromebooks. Please see this troubleshooting document for information to help. If you continue to experience problems, you should email familytechsupport@newton.k12.ma.us to request technical assistance.
Election Day (November 3) Schedule Change
On Election Day, the district is switching the Tuesday and Wednesday schedule on November 3rd and 4th, 2020. This has the following impact on students in our different learning models:
Students in Cohort A, who are typically in-person on Tuesday, will instead come into the building on Wednesday (and follow their Tuesday schedule)
Students in the Distance Learning Academy will follow their Tuesday schedule on Wednesday, November 4, and will follow their Wednesday schedule on Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day.)
Students who typically attend in-person on both Tuesday and Wednesday will follow their Tuesday schedule on Wednesday, November 4, and will follow their Wednesday schedule on Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day.)
Veteran’s Day ~ November 11th - NO SCHOOL
Best,
Mindy
THE BURR PTO PRESENTS
Election Day "Bake Sale" Update
The Election Day "Bake Sale" Committee is looking for baskets or gift card donations to be raffled off on Election Day in place of our usual amazing bake sale. If you have items you'd like to donate (wine, movie basket, craft basket, chocolate lovers basket, etc.) please email info@burrpto.org. We will also be looking for prepackaged food donations. ALl donations can be dropped off on Election Day or the weekend before at 87 Rowe St or 78 West Pine St.
Have a budding artist who is interested in making some Support Burr School signage? Let us know!!
Lastly, we will need volunteers to promote the raffle on Election Day. We will have a table/pop up tent outside to promote social distancing. Sign-Up Genius to go out soon!
The Boys & Girls Club welcomes elementary registrants for Out-of-School Time program
The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton is welcoming elementary and middle school registrants for its three or five day per week Out-of-School Time program. This EEC licensed small cohort program features dedicated work spaces, staffing, and materials.
It is priced at $5-$12 per hour based on income, has financial aid available for those in need, and provides full day remote learning coverage followed by enriching activities during the after-school hours.
Find out more or take a virtual tour at www.newtonbgc.com.
October Updates from School Health Services
We hope the start of fall finds your family settling into a new “normal” routine of in-person and remote learning days. These are challenging times for many families, and we want you to know the school nurses are available as a resource whether it’s food, mental health referrals, or something else. Reach out if you need us.
Here are a few health reminders:
Daily Health Assessment –
● Please be sure you’re completing the Daily Health Assessment with your child each morning. This is one of the COVID-19 prevention pillars that if followed, will help to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and allow the hybrid learning model to continue. Consider posting it in your home where you exit so you don’t forget.
- Use a thermometer to take your child’s temperature each morning. Do not come to school if your child’s temperature is above 100 degrees F.
- If you’re having difficulty obtaining a thermometer, check with your child’s school nurse. o If your child has difficulty tolerating an oral thermometer, consider a touchless model.
● If your child is staying home from school due to COVID-19 related symptoms, please call the school nurse in addition to checking in with your child’s healthcare provider about next steps.
● If your child has COVID-19 related symptoms, to return to school s/he will need either a negative COVID-19 test (PCR preferred, antigen ok, antibody not accepted) or a written alternative diagnosis from a healthcare provider. School nurses are available to help answer questions. Please reach out if your child has symptoms.
Flu Vaccine
● Flu shots: All students (even those learning remotely) must have a flu shot by 12/31/20, as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. If your family is having difficulty obtaining a flu vaccine, please check www.newtonma.gov/flu for a list of resources. Be sure your child’s school nurse has documentation of your child’s flu vaccine.
Medication at School
● Please note that regular rules apply for medication administration at school. All medications require a signed parent permission form and a written medication order by a prescriber. The form to use can be found here http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/70889
● Students cannot transport medication. Contact the school nurse to arrange medication drop off.
Mentoring Opportunity
Newton's One-to-One Program, our very own “Big Brother/Sister Program” has been matching wonderful high schoolers with children in grades one through five for over 30 years. This year relationships are more important than ever and we are pleased to have planned for both virtual and/or socially distant options for mentoring.
If you think your elementary-aged child would benefit from a mentor/"Big" in their life and you can commit 2 hours each week to have your child meet with a high school mentor from November to May - you should contact us!
To get more information and to get started, see: Google Doc Application for families:
Please contact Rebecca Young, Program Coordinator, with any questions rebecca_young@newton.k12.ma.us or 617-315-8733
BCAP Availability
The Burr Community Afterschool Program (BCAP) has a limited number of openings in our afterschool this year.
OPEN to all Burr Families, BUT if your child has been on our regular waiting list, you will get priority, so please call us to let us know if you are interested.
Enrollment is for the year ONLY. Previously enrolled BCAP families are guaranteed their child's schedule for the 2021-2022 BCAP year.
The program's hours are 12:30-5:30pm M,T, TH,F; cost is $65.00 per day. Your child can only attend on his/her in-school days. Wednesday's hour are from 8:15am-3:15pm. The cost is $90.00.
In November, as "in school hours" increase, our rates will be adjusted accordingly.
Please CALL (not email) the program at (617) 965-1518 for more information. As the year progresses, we hope to make available more spaces in the program. Again, families on the waiting list the longest will get first priority and enrollment is for this current year only.
Welcome from Burr School Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Liaison
Dear All,
I hope you’ve been hanging in as well as can be, and your school year is off to a good start! Belatedly, I wanted to reach out and introduce myself as the 2020-2021 Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Liaison for Burr. I also serve on the SEPAC Board as the Treasurer.
For those who may be unfamiliar with Newton SEPAC, our charge is to advise the school district on the education and safety of students with disabilities. Monthly, we meet with the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Beth Fitzmaurice, who oversees special education in Newton. We also attend School Committee meetings. Our greatest impacts have been achieved when a group of parents gather to voice an issue, so likely, if you are experiencing an issue, others are too. Please reach out to SEPAC.
In addition, we hold monthly open board meetings and educational programs that I hope you can attend, fill community-driven needs, and serve as a resource to families and caretakers of children with special needs.
This Wednesday, October 14th from 6-7:30pm, please join SEPAC for a virtual Q&A with NPS Student Services Leadership Team (Beth Fitzmaurice, Paula Black, Lisa Langone, and Maura Tynes ). In the coming days, the Zoom link will be posted to: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/212 .
During the school year, I will share information regularly through the Burr Buzz. P lease find below additional information about Newton SEPAC (including links to our website with the dates for upcoming meetings and events), and a range of other excellent resources in Newton and Massachusetts.
Please reach out anytime with thoughts or questions to help me best serve our community. Looking forward to a great school year together!
Warmly,
Eliza
2020-2021 Burr School SEPAC Liaison
elizaspaulding@gmail.com
Special Education Resources in Newton and Massachusetts
Newton SEPAC
https://newtonpac.org/
The Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Newton SEPAC) is a volunteer run organization of parents of children with disabilities who advise the school district on the education and safety of students with disabilities, and meet to learn and provide information about special education programs, issues, policies, regulations, and resources.
Informational presentations
Monthly, Newton SEPAC hosts virtual informational presentations on a range of topics (e.g., Basic Rights in Special Education) given by area experts. Everyone is welcome to attend these, and there always is time for Q&A at the end of the presentations.
Following the presentation, the PowerPoint often is made available on the Newton SEPAC website.
Open Board Meetings
Monthly, Newton SEPAC hosts virtual open board meetings, which parents and
caregivers can attend to learn more about SEPAC or to raise thoughts/questions.
Visit https://newtonpac.org/ for the schedule of presentations and meetings for the year.
Newton SEPAC Discussion Group
Newton SEPAC hosts a google discussion group where members can ask questions, and share information related to special education in Newton and the surrounding area. To join the group, visit: https://groups.google.com/g/newton-sepac/about , and request to join the group.
Network of Newton Autism Parents Discussion Group (NoNAP)
NoNAP is a google discussion group where Newton parents of autistic children or parents of children who attend Newton schools can ask questions, and share information. To join the group, visit: https://groups.google.com/g/nonap/about , and request to join the group.
Federation for Children with Special Needs https://fcsn.org/
The Federation provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with
disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. Their website is a wealth
of information, and many families have found their resources to be extremely helpful.
Mass Family Ties
https://www.massfamilyties.org
Family Ties is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs and provides information and training for families of children with special health needs or disability and their professional partners. They are a primary source for information about Early Intervention (EI) and maintain a complete listing of EI programs in MA. If you are a parent or caretaker of a child with special needs, you can call Family Ties with any questions you may have at: 1-800-905-TIES.
The Arc of Massachusetts
https://thearcofmass.org
The Arc’s mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. They fulfill this through advocacy for community supports and services that foster social inclusion, self-determination, and equity across all aspects of society. Their website also is a wealth of information, and they regularly offer educational programs in Massachusetts families have found to be extremely helpful.
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