THE BURR PTO PRESENTS 

Room Parents Needed!

Burr PTO is looking for parent volunteers to serve as Room Parents for their child’s classroom this school year!

As a Room Parent, you’ll work closely with your child’s teacher, help organize classroom activities and special events, and build a strong connection between home and school. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be more involved in your child’s school experience and help create a fun, supportive classroom community.

Interested in learning more? Read the Room Parent Guide here and sign up through the link here. You can also reach out to kiki@burrpto.org with any questions.

Thank you for helping make Burr a welcoming and connected community for all our students.

Save the Date - Picture Day!

Please save the date! The photo day is scheduled for Monday, September 28! 

Parent volunteers are needed for the Picture Day. 

It would be ideal if volunteers are available for the back-up rain date too (date to be informed), just in case.

Volunteers will assist photographers, organize class flow, and have lots of fun helping kids and teachers smile for their photos. Please stay tuned for how to sign up!

**You must have your CORI submitted and cleared to volunteer for this event.  To complete a CORI/SORI check, please visit any Newton school at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled school visit. For more information, please visit this website. 

SAVE THE DATE: 

BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC 

Burr PTO is happy to welcome everyone back for our annual Back to School Picnic on Thursday, September 17th. More details to follow soon. 

Volunteer Opportunities 2026–2027

There are many ways to get involved and support the Burr community this school year! We’re looking for volunteers for a variety of PTO roles, including:

• Events Co-Chairs
• Kindergarten CAS Coordinator
• BooFest Committee Members (date: 10/25/2026)
• Garden Team Co-Chairs
• Teacher Appreciation Co-Chairs
• Auction Volunteers

Whether you have a little time or a lot, your involvement makes a difference! Please sign up here to volunteer and help make this a wonderful school year for our students, teachers, and families.

Important Upcoming Dates

September 2 - Early dismissal 

September 7 - Labor Day - No school

September 9 - Principal's Community Chat & Coffee at 8:15am, Cafeteria

September 17 - Back To School Picnic from 5-7pm

September 21 - Yom Kippur - No school

September 23 - Curriculum Night 

September 28 - Picture Day

October 12 - Indigenous People's Day -  No school 

October 25 - Boo Fest (Volunteers Needed) 

 THE BURR PTO PRESENTS 

Help Our Garden Grow This Summer! 

Thank you to all who helped make Garden Days a huge success! We had fun planting things like milkweed, gourds, oats, and the Three Sisters… ask your kiddos about it.

Now we need your help. If you are around Newton over the summer, consider signing up for a week to take care of the Burr Garden. Volunteering primarily includes watering but can also include weeding, harvesting, and training our vining plants. No experience needed!!

If you are interested, please find the sign-up here. For questions, contact Erin Fichot at erin.fichot@gmail.com. 

Retirements of 

Virginia Studley and Sonja Robinson

This year, Burr Elementary School celebrates the retirements of Virginia Studley and Sonja Robinson. We are deeply grateful for their years of dedication, service, and commitment to our students, families, and staff.

Virginia and Sonja have requested that no retirement party be held in their honor. Instead, those who wish to recognize their retirement are invited to make a donation to one of their favorite charities:

• Virginia – American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

• Sonja – The Bruno Project (www.brunoproject.org)

We will miss them dearly and thank them for the countless contributions they have made to the Burr community. We wish them both all the best in their retirement and the exciting adventures that lie ahead!

The Burr PTO is Recruiting!

For the next school year, Burr PTO has many roles open. Our main goals are to support our students, teachers, and school community through events, programs, and fundraising efforts and you can be a part of it. Here are our openings:

• Co-president 

• Education Chair

• Events Co-Chair(x2)

• Fundraising Chair

• DEI Chair 

Our board consists of 10–12 volunteers, each serving a 2-year term. With new members filling in the positions, it will tremendously help our Burr Community. Board roles require a commitment of about 6–12 hours per month, including monthly meetings (usually held via Zoom in the evenings) and other event planning or committee work. Click here for more information on responsibilities for each role.

Not sure about committing to a board position? We have many more opportunities that you can help with, such as BooFest Committee, May Fair Committee, World Cultures Fair Co-Chairs, Lost & Found Coordinator, and many more. Check out here on what you can help with! 

All events at Burr rely on volunteers like you to make it happen. Please consider signing up!

Question? Please contact info@burrpto.org.

Wrapping up the School Year: 

Honor Thy Teacher

Show your appreciation to your student’s teachers or school staff member by making a gift in their name to Newton Schools Foundation!  

Say “Thank you” (while also complying with NPS’ gift policy) to one or more classroom teachers, education aides, fine arts or music teachers, coaches, counselors, or other school staff members who have made a difference in your student’s life.

A donation to Newton Schools Foundation will support grants that fund new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students.  See the Impact your donation can have on your students and their teachers.

We understand that families have different resources and obligations.  Your donation in any amount you are able to give is truly appreciated.

Donate here.

You can also donate by check made out to “Newton Schools Foundation” and mailed, along with a note containing your name, your student’s name, and the name and school of the teacher(s) or staff member(s) to be honored, to: Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton, MA 02459