Monday, January 30, 2017

Dr. Conti's Open Letter to Burlington Students

This was originally posted on Dr. Conti's blog. 

January 30, 2017
An Open Letter to Burlington Students:
It is hard not to hear many adult conversations and see news reports around you regarding the recent restrictions on immigration.  Many people are struggling with questions of belonging.  Some question if everyone belongs and whether we can be safe.  Please be assured that all of you belong in the Burlington Schools.  Our commitment to educating all of you has never been more unyielding and important.
In my opinion, adults simply need to look inside our classrooms and learn from you.  I see classrooms where everyone is accepted regardless of faith, culture, ability, economic standing, and other differences.  You all believe in the best of your classmates and their intentions.  What you may not realize is that these lessons have been at the heart of public schools for a long time.
A part of the answer to the question of who belongs in public school can be seen in the Supreme Court’s decision of Plyler v. Doe (1982).  In Plyler, the Supreme Court determined that children belong in our public schools no matter how the children came to live in a community.  In other words, a child’s immigration status is not relevant.  You are all learners first.  If you live in Burlington, you are welcome in school.  You belong in school.  You are safe in school.  You are loved in school.
Moreover, nearly 75 years prior to the Plyler decision, John Dewey, a great American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer, said:
“The intermingling in the school of youth of different races, differing religions, and unlike customs creates for all a new and broader environment. Common subject matter accustoms all to a unity of outlook upon a broader horizon than is visible to the members of any group while it is isolated. The assimilative force of the American public school is eloquent testimony to the efficacy of the common and balanced appeal.”
Please know that all of you belong, and together in Burlington, we are creating a broader horizon for everyone.
Thank you, Eric Conti  

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Grade 1

Ms. Mills talking about text features with first graders.

Reading in Kindergarten

Mrs. Hoyt teaching a guided reading lesson with some of her kindergarten students.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Chipotle Fundraiser Tuesday, January 31st


Students of the Week

Students of the Week: Ben Filosa, Gianna Gomes, Matthew Oveson, Hazel Yiu, Nathaniel Williams, and Max Hawkins

Congratulations to Ben Filosa, Gianna Gomes, Matthew Oveson, Hazel Yiu, Nathaniel Williams, and Max Hawkins. Ben, Gianna, Matthew, Hazel, Nathaniel, and Max have done great work showing appropriate, safe and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being role models!

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Burlington Education Foundation: Trivia Night



Kindergarten Selfie

Kindergarteners in Mrs. Petelle and Ms. Trahan's room shared their writing with me during my daily walk through. The students wrote posters. They were very excited to share their work. In addition, they thought it would be fun to take a selfie showcasing their fantastic writing with Mr. Lyons.

Grade 2 Science

Today during my daily walk through I saw Mrs. Beaulieu working with one of her second grade students on the different stages of matter. All the second grade classrooms are using Google Classroom, the app Explain Everything, and iPads to have individual digital notebooks related to this scientific concept.

The students are also using their higher order thinking skills that require categorization and written expression in this lesson.

Music

Today during my daily walk through I saw students in Mrs. Agati's class writing music. The students were also using different instruments to explore how the music sounded when performed.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Library Learning Commons

During my daily walk through today, I saw our teacher-librarian, Ms. Small, reading "Freedom in Congo Square" by Carole Boston Weatherford to fifth graders. This book is one of the recent Caldecott Honors.

Life-Cycle

First and fourth grade are currently studying life-cycles. Ms. Pavlicek from the Burlington Science Center discussed the life-cycle of a chicken with students today.

Soles 4 Souls

The Pine Glen Student Council under the guidance of Ms. Lane and Mrs. Finn collected 105 shoes for the organization Soles 4 Souls. This organization distributes shoes to people in need of footwear around the world.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Kelly Boswell, Kindergarten and First Grade

Author and consultant, Kelly Boswell, collaborated and discussed pedagogical practices related to written expression with kindergarten and first grade teachers at Pine Glen Elementary School this morning.

Kelly modeled lessons on written expression as well as collaborated with teachers. Students, staff and I greatly enjoyed this professional development.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Come and learn tips for helping with Math homework!


Does your child look like this doing math homework?
Screenshot 2017-01-19 11.25.48.png

Come and learn tips for helping with Math homework!

Who:
Parents and/or Guardians only

When:
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Where:
Memorial Elementary School - Cafetorium
District-Wide Presentation


Thursday, January 19, 2017

Film Crew at Pine Glen Elementary School

We are excited to have a film crew at Pine Glen Elementary School. Linda Hoyt, the author of "Explorations in Nonfiction Writing", filmed instruction for her second edition of a resource called "Conventions and Craft."

The filming is taking place in Mrs. Bourgeois' and Mrs. Visocchi's classrooms. Mrs. Bourgeois, Mrs. Visocchi, Ms. Sacco (our district English Language Arts Coach), and Mr. Lyons were all filmed providing instruction to students too.

It was great to highlight the fantastic writers and teachers we have at Pine Glen Elementary School!

Practice

Tomorrow we are scheduled to have a Lockdown practice at Pine Glen Elementary School. Officer Sheppard, our school resource officer, will be on hand to assist with the practice drill. We are sending home today a copy of "How I can stay safe at school!" to all our Pine Glen families. This resource is helpful to prepare children for emergencies, drills or process what happens after a drill.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

A Centennial Celebration to the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald!



Friday, February 3, 2017
7:30 p.m.
Fogelberg Performing Arts Center
123 Cambridge St
Burlington 

Burlington Community Concert Series presents The Capital Jazz Orchestra, Clayton “Skip” Poole, Music Director, in “A Centennial Celebration to the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald!” Featuring Count Basie alum and Ella Fitzgerald protégé Ms. Carmen Bradford. Free interactive workshop/lecture from 6-7 by jazz educator, Ms. Nanette Perrotte. 

Tickets: 
$25 adults
$20 senior citizens
$5 students
includes light reception
BurlingtonTheatre.com
781-A-FUN-TIC 
tickets@bpsk12.com 
& at door

Friday, January 13, 2017

Students of the Week


Students of the Week: Sofie Grossman, Dylan Mooney, Ryan Heldenbergh, Shefali Bakre, Nathan Horne, Caleb Holland, Natalia Pelayo, Owen MacKinnon, and Dante Gomes

Congratulations to Sofie Grossman, Dylan Mooney, Ryan Heldenbergh, Shefali Bakre, Nathan Horne, Caleb Holland, Natalia Pelayo, Owen MacKinnon, and Dante GomesSofie, Dylan, Ryan, Shefali, Nathan, Caleb, Natalia, Owen, and Dante have done great work showing appropriate, safe and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being role models!

Monday, January 9, 2017

Burlington Public Schools Kindergarten Information

Burlington Public Schools
Kindergarten Information Night

The Burlington Public Schools will host an information night for parents of incoming kindergarten students. During this informational evening, you will learn about what a typical day in kindergarten looks like. We will review registration procedures, kindergarten screening, and overall kindergarten readiness. There will also be time allotted for questions and answers. Please join us for this important event.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017
(Snow Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017)

Burlington High School Auditorium

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Please note: this evening is for parents/guardians only.



Pine Glen Kindergarten Registration Information

Pine Glen Way
Burlington, MA  01803
Mrs. Gosselin, secetary
(781) 270-1712

Registration Dates: February 8-9, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Students of the Week

Students of the Week: Addison McWhinnie, Kayleigh McCabe, Mia Conlon, Brooke Baglio, Jason Bergeron, Damien Rodriguez, Leonidas Giamas

Congratulations to Addison McWhinnie, Kayleigh McCabe, Mia Conlon, Brooke Baglio, Jason Bergeron, Damien Rodriguez, and Leonidas Giamas. Addison, Kayleigh, Mia, Brooke, Jason, Damien, and Leonidas have done great work showing appropriate, safe and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being role models!

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Morning Meeting & Responsive Classroom

This morning during my walk through I saw and participated in the Morning Meeting in Mrs. Hoyt's kindergarten classroom. I later observed Morning Meeting in Ms. Mills first grade classroom.

This meeting helps create a community in the classroom which leads to students academic and social growth throughout the day.

Mona Lisa

Today during my walkthrough I saw Ms. Fallon or was it a live version of a painting teaching fourth graders?

The students were studying Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting The Mona Lisa.