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burgessconnect@gmail.com
MAY 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,
Welcome Spring!
What a busy few weeks it has been for Burgess; Book Fair,
Kindergarten Orientation, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, Parent
Teacher Conferences and one more to go! Not to mention, everything
else that is going on outside of our school. It’s a busy time for
everyone.
Square 1 Art
This year we added Square 1 Art to our fundraising efforts. This
fundraiser was a great success and our Burgess Families raised $5,704.02. We are planning
to bring back Square 1 Art in the 2015-16 Fall School year. We would like to Thank Mrs.
Vinton our Art teacher for all her hard work in this fundraiser.
Burgess Magnets
Don’t forget to purchase your Burgess Bear
Magnet, another new fundraiser this year. Magnets
are $5.00 each and also a great general fundraiser
for Burgess.
Teacher Appreciation Luncheion - Thank you!
We would like to thank Jen O’Neil and Erinn Mizikar for heading up the Teacher
Appreciation Luncheon. We have received several thank you cards from the staff at Burgess.
Thank you to all the students and parents who sent in their Petals with words of Gratitude.
Our teachers and staff loved them!
Jog-A-Thon
The Burgess Jog-A-Thon is coming up and is our last fundraising effort of the year. We are
looking forward to getting the kids outside. Every child that participates will receive a water
bottle and if your child raises a minimum of $20.00 they will receive a Jog-A-Thon t-Shirt
before the end of the school year. Please contact me if you would like to volunteer at
burgesspto@gmail.com.
Burgess PTO Emails
Please remember to sign up for Burgess PTO emails – it helps our school save paper and
money. Email me at BurgessPTO@gmail.com to be added to the list. Also, The Connection
is emailed each month and can be found on the Burgess PTO website at
http://burgesspto.homestead.com. Also, Like us on Facebook (Burgess Elementary School
PTO).
What’s inside:
PTO Elections ................................2
Save the Date .................................3
Burgess Electronic Library ............4
Spring Wacky Dash........................5
All Arts Day ...................................7
Thank you to all the parents who volunteer at our school. Without you, we could not
accomplish the things we set out to do for our children. We have a wonderful support group
of parents and guardians who are always willing to help and give their time. Thank you for
supporting your PTO.
Kellie Moats, PTO President
email BurgessPTO@gmail.com, web burgesspto.homestead.com
The next PTO meeting will be held in the library: Tuesday,
May 12 at 7:00 pm See you then!
Month-At-A-Glance
M AY
S M T W T
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
22
28
F
1
8
15
23
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
May 1 - Early Release, Professional Day
May 25 - No School, Holiday
Burgess PTO Website
burgesspto.homestead.com
Burgess PTO Meeting
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!
PTO Elections
Tuesday, May 12
Elections for the positions of Vice
President and Secretary will take place at
the PTO Meeting held on Tuesday, May
12.
Questions? Contact Kellie Moats at
burgesspto@gmail.com or
508-347-3421.
at the Burgess Elementary School
in the Library on
Tuesday, May 12 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.
The Connection
Submission Deadline
All material for the June issue
should be submitted by 3:00 pm:
Wednesday, May 20
email: burgessconnect@gmail.com
Contact Burgess
Main Office:
Nurse:
Website:
Address:
508-347-7041
774-241-3004
www.tantasqua.org/burgess
45 Burgess School Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Worcester Bravehearts
Fundraiser
SAVE THE DATE
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 this month. Any
questions please contact Gretchen
Marino at gmarinorn@gmail.com.
Add yourself to “The List”
It’s never too late! Get added to the PTO
email list and stay informed year round.
Event reminders, volunteer opportunities
and even The Connection are sent out
each month.
To be added, contact Kellie Moats at
BurgessPTO@gmail.com
2 • May 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
2015 Jog-A-Thon
May 5 - May 7
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.
Your monetary donations
are always tax-deductable
Monetary contributions to the Burgess
PTO are tax-deductable. Your check is
your tax receipt. Thank you!
Make Your Mark
Bookmark Contest
Get creative and participate in the Make
Your Mark Bookmark Contest presented
by The Friends of Joshua Hyde Library.
This year’s theme is “Every Hero has a
Story” and the deadline for entries is
May 14. Entry forms can be found
online at www.sturbridgelibrary.org or
on the Burgess PTO website at
http://burgesspto.homestead.com.
Burgess SPIRIT DAY
Our next SPIRIT DAY will be Friday, May 8.
Wear your BLUE and GOLD and/or Burgess Wear!
The Connection
From the Nurse’s Office
Save the Date!
The following students recently completed a babysitting
course and received a certificate of completion. They
learned how to care for different age groups including
infants, toddlers and school-aged children, reviewed
nutrition and making healthy food choices, reviewed
home safety topics, discussed many first aid topics and
practiced on a Heimlich mannequin. I was impressed
with how respectful, and interested they were as they actively participated in
all of the activities. I am proud of all of them and am confident that they will
become successful babysitters. Congratulations from Lisa Meunier and Lydia
Lucas!
Early Release
Dear Parents,
Miranda A.
Allison A.
Madison B.
Jonah C.
Ellen D
Bradley E.
Katarina C.
Jessica E.
Ashlyn F.
Madison C.
Emma F.
Laurel I.
Chase C.
Aidan F.
Deanna K.
Emma L.
Brian L.
Jameson M.
Morgan M.
Katelyn N.
Hope N.
Erin P.
Kim P.
Eva R.
Elise M.
Cole P.
Adele R.
Anna R.
Caroline S.
Kylie M.
Allie P.
Jack R.
Loralie S.
Crystin T.
Zoe M.
Arianna P.
Madelyn R.
Claire S.
Ella V.
The Smile Mobile Dentist is visiting Burgess on May 14th and 21st.
Registration forms have been sent home. Please sign and return them if you
would like your child to take advantage of a professional cleaning and/or
sealants. Your insurance is accepted. If you don’t have dental insurance,
grants are available.
Physicals for 6th grade students should be submitted to the health office
before the end of the year unless your child’s physical is scheduled in the
summer. These will be forwarded to the Jr. High nurse along with your
child’s health record.
Lisa Meunier, School Nurse
meunierl@tantasqua.org
Thank You!
The recent PTO sponsored Scholastic Book Fair added $500 in books to the
Burgess Library, and boy, are we happy about it. We were able to select
something for everyone: picture books, early readers, fiction, non-fiction,
graphic novels, new titles in the “Who Was” biography series. Buying at the
book fair is always a pleasure. We get to see what is interesting to students,
and try to buy what will appeal to the most people. Thank you, again, PTO,
for your generosity. And thank you, Heather Adamson, for your skillful
managing of the book fair, itself. You make it so easy!
Sarah Swift, School Librarian
swifts@tantasqua.org
The Connection
May 1
May 5 - 7
Jog-A-Thon
May 13
Jazz and Blues Night, 7:00 pm in the Cafeteria
May 17
Wacky Dash
May 22
Burgess Memorial Day Program,
1:00-2:30 pm the Lower Gym
May 25
No School, Holiday
May 27
Spring Chorus Concert, 7:00 pm in the Cafeteria
May 29
Spring Band Concert, 7:00 pm in the Cafeteria
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
Looking for PTO
Volunteers - PMC Kids
Ride Sturbridge
The Burgess PTO will be volunteering again
this year at the 2015 Pan Mass Challenge
Kids Ride on Sunday, May 31. The PMC
Kids Ride takes place at Burgess Elementary
from 8:00 am - 11:00 am and is for kids ages
4-13.
Register to ride or volunteer at
www.kids.pmc.org/sturbridge.aspx
Questions? Contact the PTO at
BurgessPTO@gmail.com
burgesspto.homestead.com • May 2015 • 3
Burgess Electronic Library
Students in Grades 4-6 are learning how to use the
library’s new and growing electronic library. By
logging into their own accounts, students now can:
• See what books they checked out
• Recommend a book to another Burgess student
• Write book reviews
• Create resource lists of books, eBooks and
websites, to return to later
• Create a bibliography, electronically, in a few
simple steps
• Check out an eBook from within their account
• Safely and reliably search the internet through
WebPath Express, a student-friendly search engine
created and maintained by librarians and teachers.
All of this is made possible thanks to the generosity of
the local Ted. Foundation, which supported my grant
proposal to make eBooks and the library catalog
available to students 24/7. Once the power of this new
technology became evident, it was a no-brainer to add
WebPath Express.
All of these services are available to all K-6 Burgess
students. Parent information sessions were held at
both sessions of the April parent-teacher conferences.
Additional sessions will be held during Open House in
the Fall.
The “REAL” Six Flags Tickets
The students who participated in the “Read to Succeed” program
and earned a Six Flags ticket as a reward can expect to receive
the “REAL TICKET” in May. The ticket will be placed in a small
white envelope with your child’s name, grade, and homeroom
teacher stated on the front of the envelope. The ticket is not for
resale, and cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. Please
be reminded of that the ticket is valid only at a Six Flags theme
park on selected dates during the 2015 season and cannot be used
after the expiration date. Once again, congratulations to all of our
readers!
Katie Bernier, Literacy Coordinator
Sturbridge Fall Soccer
At this time, direct instruction to students is limited to
grades 4-6, with parents of younger children advised
to assist at home. I’m working on a how-to piece for
parents that will go up on the Library’s website by the
end of May. It will explain how to log on, and how to
access and download several apps that will make
mobile access smoother. The library website can be
reached at http://burgesslibrary.weebly.com. A link to
Destiny Quest is on the main page. Destiny is our
library catalog containing access to all these goodies.
It is hosted by Follett School Solutions.
All of the new features are available on the internet
directly by going to http://burgess.follettdestiny.com.
The eBooks can also be read on Apple and Android
tablets, and Nooks and Kindles with an internet
connection.
At this time we have a smallish collection of 85
eBooks, but by summer vacation the eBook library
will be larger and include fiction, non-fiction, early
readers and picture books. I plan to add to it each year.
Register by May 15
If you have any questions, please email me at
swifts@tantasqua.org, putting Electronic Library in the
subject line.
Soccer registration is open now until May 15. Please note ALL
registrations must be completed online.
Mrs. Swift, School Librarian
swifts@tantasqua.org
www.leaguelineup.com/sturbridgerecsoccer/
Questions? Email sturbridgetrysoccer@yahoo.com
4 • May 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
Happy online reading!
The Connection
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.
5th Grade Fundraising Committee presents
Spring Wacky Dash
WHEN
WHEN
COST
Sunday, May 17
Hyland Orchard, Sturbridge
$15 per child
(includes PreK-8th Graders)
First 150 pre-registered kids receive a
t-shirt and a water bottle!
WHY
To benefit next years Ferry Beach Trip
The Wacky Dash is an obstacle course race, similar to the
Warrior Dash, but geared for children. Kids from Preschool
through 8th Grade will be put through a series of age
appropriate obstacles, (climbing over hay bales, rope swings,
mud crawls) while running a race. There will also be face
painting and a 50/50 raffle.
Registration forms have already been sent home. If you did not
receive yours, or need more, please contact us or visit the PTO
website at http://burgesspto.homestead.com
We are still looking for people to help out with the creation
and building of obstacles.
Can you help? If you are willing to lend a hand please let us
know by contacting: Kerry Winco at wink630@gmail.com.
A WINNER EVERYDAY!
Calendar Giveaway is going on
NOW
The “Month-of-May-Winner-Everyday” Calendar Giveaway
is currently happening throughout the month of May.
• One lucky winner everyday!
• Winners are contacted by phone each night.
• Winners will be listed on the PTO website
BurgessPTO.homestead.com
A special THANK YOU to all the area families and
businesses that contributed to this event so that all members
of the 5th grade class could benefit!
Questions? Contact Shelly Carey at
shelly.carey1@gmail.com or Chris Ellithorpe at
rcellithorpe@yahoo.com.
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
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
THURSDAY
Parent/Child Playgroup
9:00-11:00 am, Hitchcock Academy
2 Brookfield Road, Brimfield
FRIDAY
Parent/Child Playgroup
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.
burgesspto.homestead.com • May 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 • May 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
The Connection
Read to Feed
ASK-PAC OF TANTASQUA
A longer description of this project was published in the April, 2015
Connection, when I reported that this year’s donation supports Phase II
of a program that Burgess supported in 2008, when our $2,500 was
matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Phase I work.
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
Burgess students raised $2,000 in the final tally for
the 2015 Read to Feed effort in January and
February. Another $100 came in after our last
announcement. With matching grant monies, we
will be contributing $4,000 to Heifer
International’s East Africa Dairy Development
program. The program is devoted to helping small
dairy farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
improve their herds’ milk production and their
own marketing skills.
As I said then, and repeat now, 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.
For more information on this important work, go to
http://www.heifer.org/eadd/index.html.
Sarah Swift, School Librarian
What Have We Been Doing in Art Class?
Kindergarten: Children learned how to draw a self-portrait which
included details. They practiced making people look more realistic by
avoiding the use of stick figures.
Grade 1: Children used mirrors to assist them in drawing a close up
self-portrait. They observed the football like shape of the outer edge of
the eye and noticed where the iris and pupil were located within that
shape. They tried to draw themselves as real as possible. Children
were introduced to Vincent Van Gogh, observing some of his
self-portraits as well as watching a Brain Pop educational video about
the artist.
Grade 2: Second graders learned that artist Paul Cezanne believed that
if you could draw a cone, cylinder, and sphere that you can draw
anything at all. Children practiced making these forms then observed
and drew a still life.
Grade 3: Third graders have been working on a cross-curricular project.
During art class, students are drawing, coloring and painting three
pictures of the animal of their choice. Later, they will create poems to
go along with their animal pictures. These poems and paintings will be
assembled into a trifold picture book for each child.
Grade 4: Zentangles were doodled by fourth graders during their art
classes. Zentangles are an art form that are made with various lines and
shapes to create repeated patterns. Zentangles are meant to be relaxing
and if a mistake is made we figure out a way to hide it within the
picture so it is not noticeable. The Zentangles will be displayed at All
Arts Day.
Grade 5 and 6: Fifth and sixth graders created Papier Mache jellyfish
or bowls. First we covered a bowl with plain white then added colorful
tissue paper as well as unusual findings such as ribbons, glitter, fuzzy
fabric or marker. Students had to pay close attention to color theory as
tissue paper runs and blends like paint when it gets wet.
Julie Vinton, Art Teacher
The Connection
“Assist Special Kids Parent Advisory Council of
Tantasqua School District”
ASK-PAC provides FREE guidance, information,
resources and support to parents and caregivers of
children with special needs.
All Arts Day
I want to share a change of plans for All Arts Day
which takes place on the evening of Thursday,
June 11, 2015 at Tantasqua Regional High School.
Please take note that this spring the All Arts Day
exhibit for Burgess Elementary School will
include art from students in fourth grade only.
This is a change from years past.
Julie Vinton, Art Teacher
National Trail Day
Please help the Burgess Elementary School PTO
create a nature and education trail on school
property! Join us for National Trail Day, on
Saturday, June 6, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm,
behind the lower ball fields. Plan to stay for as
little or as long as your schedule will allow.
Wear boots, work gloves and bring yard tools to
help remove the results of many years of neglect.
If you are interested in volunteering your time,
please contact Sarah LaFrance at
sarahlafrance_13@yahoo.com. Thanks in
advance for your time and dedication, to the
children, teachers, staff and neighbors of Burgess
Elementary School.
burgesspto.homestead.com • May 2015 • 7
Next Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 20
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 • May 2015 • burgesspto.homestead.com
45 Burgess School Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
508-347-7041
phone •
508-347-8237
fax
The Connection