Mary Lee Burbank School
266 School St.
Belmont, MA 02478
617-993-5500
http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/burbank
Tricia Clifford, Ed.D, Principal
BURBANK SCHOOL NEWSLETTER: FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
We Strive for Love of Learning, Respect and Well Being
Dear Burbank Families,
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to work with the Student Council on resolutions for 2012. We
discussed what some personal goals might for the New Year, and also how those goals might align with
the Burbank School core values. I asked the children to think of goals under each of the three core
values, love of learning, respect and well being. We had a great conversation about their ideas and
goals. The students then spent some time writing down what their resolutions or goals would be for the
New Year and how our school values related. The children came up with very good goals includinggetting more sleep, being nice to siblings, doing their homework and listening during class. It’s great to
know that our students are aware of the important pieces required to learn, they understand that they
need sleep, and need to listen during class-this activity gave us a chance to bring those important
ingredients required to learn to the forefront and remind them how they can get off to a good start for
2012.
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We had a great PTA meeting on January 9 . Two classroom teachers, Ms. Pellegrine, and Mrs.
O’Sullivan presented information on the PLT (Professional Learning Team) that they are working on this
year. I also encouraged parents to fill out the School Advisory Council survey that was sent out on the
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listserv last week. The deadline for completing this survey is on January 26 , so if you haven’t had a
chance to complete the survey, your responses would be appreciated.
Have a great three-day weekend, and we’ll see everyone back at the Burbank School on Tuesday,
January 17th!
Sincerely,
Tricia Clifford, Ed.D
Dates to Remember
Monday, January 16: NO SCHOOL – Dr. Martin Luther King Day
Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Breakfast – 8:30am at Belmont High School (details below)
Wednesday, January 18: Burbank School Advisory Council meeting-conference room, 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 24: Burbank Principal’s Coffee-library, 8:40 a.m.
Friday, January 27: Last Student Council Meeting for Term 1
Friday, February 3: Burbank Skating Party – 7:00-8:00pm – Viglirolo Skating Rink
February 18-22: NO SCHOOL Vacation Week
MCAS DATES FOR SPRING 2012
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ELA Long Composition March 20
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ELA Long Composition Make-Up March 29
ELA Reading Comprehension test sessions Grade 3 March 20-April 2
ELA Reading Comprehension test sessions Grade 4 March 21-April 2
Mathematics test sessions Grades 3-4 May 7-22
Parking Reminder
Please do not park between the “No Parking” signs on the corner on Sharpe Rd. It is important to keep
the bus pick up and drop off area cleared.
Burbank Has Bike Racks
You may have noticed the two new blue bike racks located on the parking lot side of the school
and in the alleyway located next to the playground. Thank you to Ian Todreas and the Energy Committee
for spear heading this initiative to get the town to apply for a grant to get the bike racks from the Metro
Area Planning Commission (MAPC). If you or your children do ride their bike to school, please remember
to lock your bike to the rack and to wear a helmet. Thank you also to the Belmont DPW for installing
them.
School Lunch Online Payment System
Parents, you are encouraged to deposit money into your child’s online account. Children
may also bring cash or checks to school to be deposited into their accounts. Be sure to have your child’s
name on the envelope or written on the check. Students should memorize their PIN numbers, in order to
make the meal lines move faster. Any previously purchased lunch tickets can still be used. If you have
any questions, contact Paul Browne, Director of Food Services, at 617-993-5871 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Principal Coffee Hosts
The PTA is looking for hosts to provide coffee and light refreshment for the Dr. Clifford’s principal
coffees. If you are interested, please contact Elena Hanley ([email protected]) for more details.
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Hosts are needed for the January 24 , April 24 and June 12 meetings.
A Note From the Nurse
As the cold weather arrives, so does the need for chapstick, tissues, hats, gloves, scarves, and
extra drinks of water. I’m finding that children are requesting blistex and Vaseline for their lips and tissues
for their pockets. If you can try to send these from home, it is better for the children not to miss valuable
classroom time coming to the clinic. Water bottles also help as the heat in the building can be drying.
Please keep me informed of any heath concerns so that I can monitor what is going through the school.
Thank you, Heather Blake, School Nurse
The Belmont Public Schools Elementary Instrumental Music Program presents
A Third and Fourth Grade Informance
Friday, January 27
9:15-10:00
Burbank Cafeteria
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Performance will include 3 grade strings, 4 grade strings, and 4 grade band.
Students will showcase the many skills they have been practicing since the start of the school year in an
informal performance setting.
All third and fourth students and parents are invited. We hope you can join us!
Library Note
Due to the success of the book fair, the library was able to get an additional box of new books!
These will be available to students as soon as we get them processed. Many thanks to the families and
organizations who purchased books at the fair to make this possible for our library!
Thanks from the Library!
To all the parent volunteers who came in to help shelf read in the library, we thank you for your
help! It was a productive morning getting the books in order. Thank you to each of you for your time and
dedication and especially to Alisa Todreas and Jenn Greenleaf, our library liaisons for helping us arrange
this activity.
MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
REGISTER NOW!
DATE:
LOCATION:
TIME:
ADMISSION:
Monday, January 16, 2012
Belmont High School Cafeteria, 221 Concord Ave., Belmont
Registration at 8:30 am; Breakfast at 8:45; Program 9:00–11:00 a.m.
$5 per person, $10 per family
Supervised activities (with Mr. S.) for children 6 to 11; childcare for under 5 by the Belmontian Club.
This event will have sign language interpreters.
Guest speaker: Callie Crossley, WGBH Radio and TV
"Out of the Mountain of Despair a Stone of Hope"
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This Week’s Geography Detective Questions: ANSWERS DUE: Tuesday, January 17
Be sure to include your NAME, GRADE & TEACHER’S NAME
1. Where is the biggest volcano? (John Whouley, gr. 2)
2. What ist the length of the Andes Mountains? (Colby Woo, gr. 3)
3. 0 degrees latitude is called the equator. What is 0 degrees longitude called?
(Audrey Abraham, gr. 4)
4. Make up your own question. Be sure to include the answer.
Answers To Last Week’s Geography Detective Questions: Due January 10th
1.) Which two states are not part of the continental US? A: Alaska and Hawaii
2.) If you were located at 0 degrees latitude and 0 degrees longitude, would you be walking or
swimming? A: Swimming in the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean
3.) Where is the highest waterfall located? A: The Angel Falls located in Venezuela
PTA News
Top 10 ways to Support the PTA
Number 8 - Register Your Stop and Shop Card
Go online at www.stopandshop.com and register your card to participate in the A+ Bonus Bucks
program. First, click on My Stop and Shop card, then click the A+ icon. Choose Mary Lee Burbank
School as your designated organization. After you complete the registration process, you can either
shop at Stop and Shop stores or online with the Peapod home delivery program. A portion of your
purchases will automatically go to the Burbank PTA.
HELP THE BURBANK PTA TODAY! Donate your empty laser and inkjet printer cartridges from
home or work. The PTA will redeem them for cash or free equipment. There is a collection box in
the school office. Thanks!
Note: Change of Date!!
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Join us for the Annual Burbank Skating Party Friday, February 3 (originally Jan. 27) from 7:00
to 8:00 p.m. at the Viglirolo Skating Rink.
PTA Capital Appeal Update
The PTA has raised $12,605 to date in the annual capital appeal. Our budgeted goal is $16,000.
Your tax-deductible donation directly benefits the students, teachers and staff at Burbank. Without these
funds, the PTA cannot provide the curriculum enrichment programs and community-building activities and
events that we all enjoy throughout the school year.
Please join your fellow Burbank supporters, and help us reach our goal. Any donation, big or
small, is appreciated! Checks made payable to Burbank PTA can be sent to the office in your child's
backpack. Thank you!