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burgessconnect@gmail.com
APRIL 2015
The
Connecti n
News and Updates from your Burgess PTO
Who the PTO is.
We are parents and guardians.
We are teachers and staff.
We care about our children.
We want to build a better Burgess.
We are you.
Every parent and guardian is
already a member of the PTO.
Please get involved. We welcome
your participation. Even as little
as an hour or two can make a
significant difference.
What the PTO does.
By raising funds, we are able to
provide school supplies, field trips,
cultural events and more, and in turn,
improve the educational experiences
of our children.
By publishing The Connection,
we promote communication between
the school and families.
By involving families in the
betterment of our children’s school
and experiences, we foster a spirit
of community and cooperation.
Dear Burgess Parents, Guardians and Staff,
I am so excited to be writing the April Connection! It means we made it
through yet another New England Winter! What a great feeling to see it
go!
PTO Board Positions Available
Available: rewarding positions serving a community of over 1,000 staff
and students. In June, the President, Vice President and Secretary board
positions are being vacated. Three people are needed to fill these
commitments.
The Vice President and Secretary positions are up
for renewal this year and are both two-year terms.
As for my position as PTO President, I have
decided to step down from my role a year early,
so this will be a one-year term.
If you would like to learn more about these
positions, please contact me at
BurgessPTO@charter.net. We will be voting for
these positions during the May PTO Meeting on
Tuesday, May 12.
Scholastic Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair is April 6 through April 10.
If you would like to volunteer please contact
Heather Adamson at hvadamson@gmail.com.
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon will be on April
7, which is also a early release day. If you would
like to volunteer at the luncheon please contact
Jen O’Neil at jnewman860@aol.com or Erinn
Mizikar at erinnmizikar@gmail.com.
Jog-A-Thon
Jog A Thon will be the week after April Vacation.
If you would like to volunteer please contact me
at rkmoats@gmail.com
What’s inside:
Scholastic Book Fair......................2
Cub Scout Pack 161.......................3
Brunch with Ted ............................5
Cafeteria News ..............................7
Calendar of Events ........................8
I would like to thank all our teachers and staff for
all that you do at our school. The Burgess PTO
hopes you enjoy your luncheon in your honor.
Kellie Moats, PTO President
email BurgessPTO@gmail.com, web
burgesspto.homestead.com
The next PTO meeting will be held in the library: Tuesday,
Help Wanted!
PTO PRESIDENT
Are you a great project manager?
Do you want to know more about
what’s happening in your child’s
school?
Do you want to make a difference?
Then you’re in the right place! The
office of the PTO President will
become vacant as of June 9, 2015.
Help Wanted!
PTO VICE PRESIDENT
Do you like to be involved?
Have you been looking for a
rewarding experience?
We need your help! Consider
running for PTO Vice President.
This position will become vacant as
of June 9, 2015.
Help Wanted!
PTO SECRETARY
Want to learn a lot about Burgess?
Do you have some free time?
If you answered yes, please
consider running for PTO Secretary.
This position will become vacant as
of June 9, 2015.
April 14 at 7:00 pm See you then!
Month-At-A-Glance
APRIL
S M T W
1
5 6 7 8
12 13 14 15
19 20 21 22
26 27 28 29
T
2
9
16
23
30
F
3
10
17
24
S
4
11
18
25
April 3 - No School, Holiday
April 7 - Early Release, Kindergarten
Orientation, No Kindergarten,
Parent/Teacher Conferences
April 20-24 - No School, April Vacation
Burgess PTO Website
burgesspto.homestead.com
Burgess PTO Meeting
at the Burgess Elementary School
in the Library on
Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00 pm
All parents and guardians are
welcome to attend.
School Improvement Council
will meet at the Burgess Elementary
School in the Conference Room on the
Second Monday of each month
at 3:15 pm (unless otherwise posted)
Open to the public.
Sturbridge School Committee
will meet at the Burgess Elementary
School in the Library on the
First Thursday of each month
at 6:30 pm (unless otherwise posted)
All parents and guardians are
welcome to attend.
Though fundraisers are not mandatory, please know that your participation in ANY
form is invaluable to our students, our staff and our school - and we always appreciate
all that YOU do to make our students’ community the best it can be. Thank you!
Scholastic Book Fair
April 6-10
The Book Fair will be open during
school hours and parent/teacher
conferences.
Check to see if your classroom has a
Scholastic Book Wish List!
Volunteers! Want to help out? Contact
Heather Adamson at 781-727-3510 or
hvadamson@gmail.com.
$1,06240
Penny Drive Results
And the winner is Grade 4!
Throughout the month of February, Grades
1-5 collected spare change for their 6th
Grade Environmental Excursion general
accounts. Here’s a look at the results:
Grade 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$78.45
Grade 4 - Winner! . . . . . . . . .$158.50
Grade 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$78.97
Grade 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$97.40
Grade 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$129.91
A grand total of . . . . .$543.23!
Great job and thank you to everyone
who participated!
Worcester Bravehearts
Fundraiser
Contact Burgess
June 6 at 7:05 pm come join us at the
Worcester Bravehearts Baseball Game.
More information about the game and
tickets will be coming in May. Any
questions please contact Gretchen
Marino at gmarinorn@gmail.com.
Main Office:
Nurse:
Website:
Address:
508-347-7041
774-241-3004
www.tantasqua.org/burgess
45 Burgess School Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
SAVE THE DATE
2 • April 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
April 28 - May 1
The PTO will again sponsor the annual
spring Jog-A-Thon. This is our second
largest fundraising event of the year and
one in which every child participates.
If you are interested in donating your time
to this fun and healthy fundraiser, contact
Kellie Moats, burgesspto@gmail.com
508-347-3421.
the amount of money raised this year from Box Top labels.
Great job Burgess Families!
The Connection
Submission Deadline
All material for the May issue
should be submitted by 3:00 pm:
Wednesday, April 22
email: burgessconnect@gmail.com
2015 Jog-A-Thon
Burgess Car Magnets
We are excited to announce that the PTO
is conducting a year round Car Magnet
Fundraiser! The money raised will be
used for many projects and activities that
occur at our school.
Each magnet measures approximately
6"x4" and are 30 mil thick, which is
about twice the thickness of refrigerator
magnets. These magnets are guaranteed
against fading for up to 5 years, under
normal conditions, and do not need to be
removed when the car is being washed.
There are 2 styles of magnets available
for $5 each.
Car magnet order form can be found on
the PTO website at
burgesspto.homestead.com.
Burgess SPIRIT DAY
Our next SPIRIT DAY will be Friday, April 10.
Wear your BLUE and GOLD and/or Burgess Wear!
The Connection
From the Nurse’s Office
Save the Date!
Asthma is a lung disease that makes it difficult to
move air in and out of the lungs because of
inflammation and narrowing of the airway. According
to the American Lung Association, asthma is the
leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects
over 9% of children in the United States and, for
unknown reasons, is steadily increasing. At Burgess
this year 85 students (9.7%) have a diagnosis of asthma. Asthma can
begin at any age but most children have their first symptoms by age 5.
Kindergarten Orientation
Early Release, No Kindergarten
Dear Parents,
This year we have a Burgess Asthma Support Group! Nadine Keville and
I meet monthly with six 5th grade students who have asthma and a
doctor’s order to use inhalers at school. Our group includes Calvin B.,
Kiley M., Griffin M., Katelyn N., Alex O. and Dakota S. These students
would like to share the following about their asthma:
Griffin states: The symptoms I experience with my asthma are tight and
heavy chest, wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Calvin states: I know I need to take my inhaler when I feel tight and
when I feel I’m not getting enough air.
April 7
April 7 and 9
Spring Parent / Teacher Conferences
April 6 - 10
Scholastic Book Fair
April 10
Burgess Spirit Day
April 16
All-Region Choral Concerts, THS, 7:00 pm
April 28 - May 1
Jog-A-Thon
May 17
Wacky Dash
Alex: The name of the inhaler I use is called Pro Air for my rescue
inhaler. I use Qvar daily to keep my lungs strong.
Kiley: The best way a friend can help me when I am having an asthma
attack is to tell a teacher or adult or walk with me to the nurse.
Dakota: The hardest thing about having asthma is that you have to be
more cautious in different situations and environments. I can’t run with
my brother in the winter because the cold air triggers my asthma. In the
spring I have to be careful not to get too near the pollen from the plants in
my yard. Sometimes visiting a city is difficult because of air pollution.
Katelyn: The hardest thing about having asthma for me is that sometimes
it is hard to participate in sports.
All of the students agree: Just because somebody has asthma, it doesn’t
mean you have to treat them differently!
The Smile Mobile Dentist is returning in May. Dental forms have been
sent home. If you are interested in your child receiving a screening,
cleaning, sealants, filling or xray, please return the registration form. We
have used the same dentist for the past several visits and love her! If your
insurance doesn’t cover the service there is grant money available. Please
call with any questions.
Scoliosis screening was done for 5th and 6th grade students in March. If
there was a concern you should have already received a referral. This
simple screening is performed yearly for students in grades 5-9 unless
documentation is provided from your child’s doctor.
Please be sure to provide your child’s 6th grade physical before the end of
the year if possible. Most 6th grade students will receive Td boosters,
Meningococcal vaccine, Hepatitis A vaccine if they haven’t received them
already.
Lisa Meunier, School Nurse
The Connection
burgesspto.homestead.com • April 2015 • 3
6th Grade Environmental Excursion
The 6th Grade Environmental Excursion refers to two trips
taken by each 6th Grade Class. The first trip, to Ferry Beach
Ecology School, takes place at the beginning of the school
year. The second trip, called Project O, takes place in June and
is located in Mystic, CT. For more information visit the
Environmental Excursion section of the PTO website at
burgesspto.homestead.com.
Fundraising Events Calendar
Month of May Calendar Giveaway
May
We are collecting donations for the Month of May Calendar
Giveaway. For more information contact Shelly Carey at
shelly.carey1@gmail.com or Chris Ellithorpe at
rcellithorpe@yahoo.com.
Wacky Dash
May 17
Mark your calendars - the Wacky Dash is taking place on
May 17. Questions? Contact Kerri Winco at
kerry_winco@tjx.com.
Cultural Arts Performances
Hellen Keller and Clara Barton
April/May
Grades: K-Grade 2, Helen Keller
Grades 3-6, Clara Barton
Boston Science Museum
June
Grades: PreK-Grade 5
Read Across America Day
Burgess Elementary School celebrated Read Across
America Day on March 2. This day recognized the
birthday of Dr. Seuss. The event provided an opportunity
for adults from our community to share the joy of reading
with children. Members from various boards and agencies
of our local government, police officers, fire fighters,
school officials and retired teachers volunteered as
celebrity readers. The students enjoyed listening to the
stories and participating in the various Dr. Seuss activities.
This special literacy event is always an enjoyable and
rewarding experience for everyone involved. Thank you to
all who participated! Read Across America Day is truly a
community celebration of reading.
Katie Bernier, Literacy Coordinator
4 • April 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
A Reading Celebration
Once again, Burgess students enjoyed recreational reading at
home through their participation in the Six Flags program “Read
to Succeed.” In addition, the Burgess community continued to
support the Heifer International fundraiser, “Read to Feed,” a
special cause which aids in relieving world hunger. Students who
completed the required number of hours of grade level reading
earned either one free ticket to Six Flags or a book of their choice
as a reward. The “real” Six Flags tickets will be distributed in
May for use over the summer months. Please be aware of the
expiration date, as the ticket is NOT useable after this date.
The final results indicated great success for student participation.
A grand total of 467 enthusiastic readers! Thank you to our
parent coordinators who volunteered their time and effort each
week. Our appreciation to: Heather Adamson, Laura Andersen,
Jen Bailey, Sue DeBruin, Cindy Forgit, Peg Hall, Karen Kowal,
Sarah Michalak, Kim Peretti and Sharmin Wengender. The PTO
has made a generous donation of $100.00 to the Read to Feed
Heifer International program as an expression of gratitude for the
efforts of our volunteers. Thank you to everyone involved in
these special literacy events.
Katie Bernier, Literacy Coordinator
Read to Feed
A generous outpouring of Read to Feed
donations has made 2015 the best Read
to Feed year since 2011. Donations small
and large, checks and change, added up
to more than $1,900. Money is still
coming in as of this writing. Better yet,
this year the funds will be matched by an
anonymous Heifer International donor.
Our $1,900+ becomes more than $3,800!
The money will go to Heifer’s East Africa Dairy Development
program, Phase II. Burgess supported Phase I of this program in
2008, when our $2,500 in fundraising was doubled by the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation. The East Africa Dairy
Development program is aimed at smallholder farmers in Kenya,
Uganda and Rwanda, where food security and income are huge
challenges.
In the first phase, EADD helped small farmers create networks
of support and resources to make a living raising cows and
selling milk. Phase II is aimed at increasing daily household
milk production, and at least a 100 percent increase in income by
2018. The program aims to create self-sustainability. One key
piece is to build awareness and capacity so women can take on
active leadership roles, jump-start business opportunities and
increase their household savings.
For more information on this important work, go to
http://www.heifer.org/eadd/index.html
Burgess students, families and friends are doing important work
in the world as they read to improve their own skills, and the
lives of others. Thank you, everyone.
Mrs. Swift, School Librarian
The Connection
The Union 61 Coordinated Family &
Community Engagement Program
The Union 61 Coordinated Family & Community Engagement
Program provides the following calendar events for free. These events
are provided through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of
Early Education and Care.
MONDAY
Parent/Child Playgroup
9:00-11:00 am, Hitchcock Academy
2 Brookfield Road, Brimfield
STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)
9:30-11:00 am, Brookfield Elementary
37 Central Street, Brookfield
TUESDAY
Parent/Child Playgroup
9:00-11:00 am, Brookfield Elementary
37 Central Street, Brookfield
WEDNESDAY
Music and Movement
9:00 am, Hitchcock Academy
2 Brookfield Road, Brimfield
Story Time NEW starting October 1
4:00 pm, Joshua Hyde Library
306 Main Street, Sturbridge
THURSDAY
Parent/Child Playgroup
9:00-11:00 am, Hitchcock Academy
2 Brookfield Road, Brimfield
FRIDAY
Parent/Child Playgroup
Order Burgess Wear Online
The Burgess Online Store features a wide selection of Burgess
Wear apparel and merchandise for men, women and children.
Burgess PTO will earn 12% of the retail price from each
purchase to support student programs. Orders are shipped
directly to the customer, about 7-14 days after the order is
placed.
Visit our new store at:
https://ssastores.com/store/burgess-elementary-school-sturbridge
-ma/ or by clicking the banner on the PTO website.
Sturbridge Fall Soccer
Online Registration Open Now - May 15
www.leaguelineup.com/sturbridgerecsoccer/
Soccer registration is open now until May 15. Please note ALL
registrations must be completed online.
Questions? Email sturbridgetrysoccer@yahoo.com
The Connection
9:00-11:00 am, Brookfield Elementary
37 Central Street, Brookfield
Questions or to register?
Please call 508-867-2232 or email Union61cfce@tantasqua.org.
The Union 61 Coordinated Family Grant is funded by the Massachusetts
Department of Early Education & Care. Visit their web site at:
www.mass.gov/eec for more information.
ASK-PAC OF TANTASQUA
“Assist Special Kids Parent Advisory Council of Tantasqua
School District”
We offer free guidance in special education issues and resource
information for parents and caregivers of children with special
needs.
MEETINGS ARE FREE and OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Stop by and see what we have to offer.
All workshops are held at: Rehabilitative Resources, Inc., 1
Picker Road, Sturbridge, MA.
For more information contact: Sherri Cloutier, ASK-PAC
Coordinator 508-347-0976 or askpactantasqua@gmail.com
ASK-PAC provides FREE guidance, information, resources and
support to parents and caregivers of children with special needs.
burgesspto.homestead.com • April 2015 • 5
Bus Pass
Burgess Elementary School Bus Pass 2014/2015
This form is to be used each time a child is changing their drop off location and/or bus. Thank you.
Name: _______________________________________Homeroom: ________________Date: __________________
Parent/Guardians Name & Day Phone: ________________________________________________________________
Bus #__________________ o Same Bus o Different Bus
Address to be dropped off at, and with whom: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Approved by the Bus Supervisor if taking a different bus: o Yes o No
Please contact Bus Supervisor for approval at 508.347.8940
Approved by the Main Office: _______________________________________________________________________
6 • April 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
The Connection
Burgess Cafeteria News
So glad to see that fruity yogurt parfaits and
specialty salads are selling well. With warmer
weather coming, look for our pasta and potato
salads, as well as fresh vegetables straight from
the farm If your child has any allergies or
specifications of dietary needs, please notify the
kitchen as we would be glad to accommodate any
of these needs.
We are now serving hot breakfast daily. Any child
with payment modifications (ex: free/reduced
meals) carries through the same modifications for
breakfast as well. There will now be an extra
keypad added to the cafeteria specifically for
children only purchasing milk, in efforts to speed
up the lines.
Kathy Davies, Cafeteria Manager
The Connection
Friends of the Joshua Hyde Public Library
The Friends of the Joshua Hyde Public Library are pleased to offer
Sturbridge residents and Friends members free or discounted admission to a
number of area museums and attractions. As part of our Museum Pass
Program, we have added or renewed a number of exciting new options for
the 2015 fiscal year.
Passes are available to a number of kid-friendly attractions, including:
• Boston Children’s Museum (pass is valid only on T, Th & Sat.)
• Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
• Boston Museum of Science
• Ecotarium
• USS Constitution
So come by the Joshua Hyde Library today or visit www.SLFriends.org to
check out all of the great places you and your family can attend! And
consider becoming a member of the Friends. Families can join for only $20
per year and only members are able to reserve Museum Passes so they are
sure to get them for the days they need!
burgesspto.homestead.com • April 2015 • 7
Next Submission Deadline: Wednesday, April 22
burgessconnect@gmail.com
Editors:
Dina Sexton dinasexton@gmail.com and Alicia Rice weeshrice@yahoo.com
Submission Guidelines: • Submissions may be sent to the newsletter editor(s) at burgessconnect@gmail.com. • The preferred format is
electronic. All submissions are subject to reformatting. • All articles are limited to school-, PTO- or town-sponsored activities intended for
Burgess students and their parents or guardians. • Publication of any submission is subject to space availability. • Approval of all articles is at
the discretion of the school’s Principal. • The submission deadline is on or around the 20th of the prior publishing month. • Late submissions
will either be put in a subsequent issue or, if time permits, placed in the current issue at the discretion of the editor(s).
All students, regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or homelessness, have equal
access to the general education program and the full range of any occupational/vocational education programs offered by the district.
8 • March 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
45 Burgess School Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
508-347-7041
phone •
508-347-8237
fax
The Connection