Introducing Ollie

Fourth graders in Mrs.Visocchi's class had an opportunity to work with Ollie, an app controlled robot. Students first learned how to steer Ollie and had the chance to "drive" it around the room. Once everyone had a "test drive," it was time to see if students could complete a challenge. They were asked to move Ollie three meters in a straight line, turn it around, and bring it back to the starting line. Students designed a runway using meter sticks. They measured three meters and discussed strategies to complete the challenge. Students recorded their strategies and observations with each attempt. With each attempt, students got closer to completing this challenge. The students had a wonderful time using Ollie, and it was a fun, engaging way to work collaboratively incorporating math, technology, and the design process.

Harlem Superstars vs BPS Teachers

The Best Family Entertainment in Burlington is Back!!! TD Bank, in support of BHS DECA, Proudly Presents: The Harlem Superstars versus the Burlington Teachers.  Come join us March 18th for great family fun and an entertaining show! This night of family fun includes: a comedy basketball show versus your favorite Burlington Public School Teachers​, and an audience involved half-time show, and spectacular dunk and trick shots.  Tickets are on Sale now at the Burlington Rec Department​ or go to: https://squareup.com/store/bhsdevils $8 advance ticketing (ages 3 and up) by 3/17 and $10 at the door. VIP options available online. Game Info: March 18, 7-9pm, Burlington High School Gym.

Author Brian Lies to Visit Pine Glen

Author and illustrator Brian Lies will be visiting Pine Glen on Tuesday, March 22nd. He will be speaking to our K-3 students about his work. Pre-sale order forms for Brian's books will be sent home this week. Take advantage of the 45% discount- autographed books make great birthday and holiday gifts! Please contact Miss Carney at 781-221-7798 or mcarney@bpsk12.org for more information.

A Letter From the Principal - Student Safety

"Gardening is Easy" Lecture

BURLINGTON COMMUNITY VICTORY GARDEN PRESENTS

Gardening is easy - Come learn how to make it easy and fun at this FREE interactive lecture at the Burlington Library on Saturday March 12 from 10:15AM - 1:30PM. It will increase your understanding of plants and gardening techniques and you can get all your gardening questions answered by our Master gardener Peter Coppola. Also, whether your are a seasoned gardener or a newcomer consider joining the volunteer crew at the Burlington Community Victory Garden behind Francis Wyman Elementary School growing vegetables for the Burlington Food Pantry. Call Jane at 781-864-9367 to volunteer or learn more.

Students of the Week

Students of the Week: Angela Simeone and Jordan Lloyd

Congratulations to Angela Simeone and Jordan Lloyd for being our Students of the Week. Angela and Jordan have done great work showing appropriate, safe and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being role models Angela and Jordan.

Burlington PAC Presentation

Please join us for our next presentation

Understanding Executive Functioning

Presented by OTA Wakefield

Wednesday, March 9^th
7:00-9:00pm

(doors open at 6:45)

Marion Tavern

Ever wonder what executive functioning is? 

When kids have issues with executive functioning, any task that requires planning, organization, memory, time management and flexible thinking becomes a challenge.

The more you know about the challenges, the better you’ll be able to help your child build executive skills and manage the difficulties.

Join us for a discussion about what executive functions are and how they impact learning and everyday living.

We hope you can join us for what's shaping up to be a very informative night!

*In addition, Jessica Reedy from the Burlington Youth & Family Services Center will be there for an introduction to their services.

Please contact us at burlingtonspedpac@gmail.com with questions

Dollars for Scholars

The Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Annual Telethon Fundraiser is Wednesday, March 9, 2016. I invite you and your business to make a tax deductible donation live on Burlington Cable Access Television (BCAT), 6-9PM. Businesses should schedule a time to present your donation and to be interviewed on live TV, please contact Debbie Keene 781-270-8192 or dkeene@bcsfds.org.  You may also make your tax deductible donation on our website www.bcsfds.org, click the donate now button or mail your donation Payable to BCSFDS: BCSFDS Treasurer's Office 29 Center St. Burlington, MA 01803 or drop off at the Treasurer's Office, Town Hall.  The Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation is a Non Profit 501C3. This is our annual major fund-raiser! Thank you for your consideration and helping to...

“Raise Dollars for Scholars.”

Sincerely,
Jack Ferren, President
jferren@bcsfds.org
339-234-4728
www.facebook.com/bcsfds

Harlem Superstars

First Grade and The Lorax

I greatly enjoyed reading the Dr. Seuss book, The Lorax, to the first grade today. The first graders made fanastic Lorax mustaches for Lorax Day.

Dr. Seuss's Birthday

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to read to Mrs. Hoyt's kindergarten classroom.  It was a lot of fun reading a book by Dr. Seuss with all the students wearing their hats.   

Burlington Police School Resources: Twitter Account

Burlington Police School Resources now has an official Twitter account.

We need followers @bpdschools

There’s information on youth issues as well as upcoming BPD programs and classes for our Burlington students. The account will be updated frequently so check back often. Even if you don’t use Twitter a lot please consider following us, the higher the number the more we get recognized. Thanks and have a great day!

Officer Steve Cross  

School Resource Officer

Burlington Police Department

45 Center St.

Burlington, MA  01803

781-505-4919

scross@bpd.org

School: 781-270-2913

scross@bpsk12.org

Certified Instructor:

D.A.R.E. G.R.E.A.T.   radKIDS  R.A.D.

MPTC Level III Instructor

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IN BURLINGTON

The growing season starts with Spring shares on March 7. Burlington Presbyterian Church and Farmer Dave’s, a sustainable farm in Dracut, MA, continue to bring locally-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables to the town of Burlington with a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Join to receive your weekly share of freshly-harvested produce available in 4 seasons from March to December. Distribution happens on Monday afternoons at Burlington Presbyterian Church, 335 Cambridge St.  Last year 7,800 pounds of unclaimed produce was donated to the Burlington Food Pantry. For more information about 2016 CSA membership, contact Farmer Dave's at (978) 349-1952 or visit http://www.farmerdaves.net to register.

Third Grade MA Historical Figures Movie

On Wednesday our third graders participated in their "wax museum" where they were dressed as their MA historical figure and presented all of their research as well.  After the wax museum concluded in the morning, the third grade students and teachers, Miss Carney and Mrs. Ardizzoni organized an activity where throughout the day, every student came to the lab in character, and we recorded them.  Students stood in front of the green screen, which had an appropriate background, and they were asked to introduce themselves in character and tell us at least two important or significant events in their character's life.  Please enjoy their video below.  Two iPad apps were used to create the video - Green Screen by Do Ink and iMovie.

Students of the Week

Students of the Week: Thomas Gallagher and Liam Gilligan

Congratulations to Thomas Gallagher and Liam Gilligan for being our Students of the Week. Thomas and Liam have done great work showing appropriate, safe and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being role models Thomas and Liam!

Appropriate, Safe and Kind (ASK)

Ms. Zanotti, guidance counselor, and Mr. Lyons do quarterly mini-lessons with with all grades about the importance of being appropriate, safe and kind (ASK). The latest lesson focuses on being an "upstander" and not a bystander. In the picture below fourth graders are learning about "upstanders."

Code Blue Drill

We had a Code Blue practice drill today at Pine Glen Elementary School.  The Burlington Police Department and Officer Cross, our School Resource Officer, had a lot of complements for staff and students.  Officer Cross told everyone that we did a great job!  

Fire Drills and Code Blue Drills

Fire Drills and Code Blue practice drills are held periodically during the school year. The purpose of these drills is to prepare children for emergency situations. Fire and Code Blue drills are conducted in conjunction with the Town of Burlington Fire and Police Departments. During a Code Blue drill, police cars might have their sirens on when arriving at the school.   We will be conducting a Code Blue drill this Friday.  A Code Blue procedure will be used when a dangerous scenario impacts the safety of the students. 

Walkthroughs

Today during my daily walkthrough of classrooms, I took some pictures. The first picture is Mr. Wittbold working with a fifth grader on strategies for dividing decimals by decimals. In the second and third picture you can see Ms. Carney, library media specialist, and Mrs. Aridizzoni, instructional technology specialist, working with fourth graders in Mrs. Visocchi's classroom who are researching national parks. The following picture shows Ms. Mills teaching a guided reading lesson to her first graders. The final picture has Mrs. Hayes also teaching a guided reading lesson to her first graders.

Third Grade Wax Museum

The following pictures are from the 3rd Grade's Massachusetts Biography Wax Museum. I am vey proud of all the 3rd graders and the fantastic work they did researching famous people from Massachusetts.

Walkthroughs

Today during my daily walkthroughs of classrooms, I took some pictures. The first picture shows Mrs. Potts teaching a guided reading listen with kindergarten students. The next picture shows Ms. Anderson teaching her second grade students how to read non-fiction text in order to produce informative writing. The third and fourth pictures are from Ms. Lane's class were students are learning about explorers and the age of discovery. The graphic organizers used by the students help with vocabulary acquisition and retaining information when reading a textbook.

Student of the Week

Student of the Week: Missy Skehan

Congratulations to Missy Skehan for being our Student of the Week.  Missy has done great work showing appropriate, safe, and kind behavior (ASK).  Thank you for being a role model Missy!

Pajama Day - Friday, February 12, 2016

Students of the Week

Students of the Week: Joe Withycombe and Dylan Adams

Congratulations to Joe Withycombe and Dylan Adams for being our Students of the Week.  Joe and Dylan have done great work showing appropriate, safe, and kind behavior (ASK).  Thank you for being role models Joe and Dylan!

Burlington All Town Band Concert

Mark your calendars.  Burlington's All Town Band Concert will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 7:00pm.  The event will take place at Burlington High School.

Student of the Week

Student of the Week: Hannah Stephan 

Congratulations to Hannah Stephan for being our Student of the Week. Hannah has done great work showing appropriate, safe, and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being a role model Hannah!

Owl Cam

The second floor hallway has a tv which is currently showing a live web cam feed of a barn owl (Live Barn Owl Cam).  This technology, provided through a BEF grant, allows our students to learn while in the hallway.  In addition, it helps us to bring the outdoors inside.  

Pine Glen Celebrates Students Being Appropriate, Safe, and Kind

Recently, our Pine Glen students got to participate in a school-wide dance performance of the "Whip and Nae Nae" song by Silento. Students earned this school-wide reward by earning 50 Hoot cards per grade by showing appropriate, safe, and kind behavior the last few months. The students and staff had a great time and enjoyed the dance party! Great work, everyone!

Ms. Lauren Zanotti
Guidance
Pine Glen School

Life-Cycle

Miss. Pavlicek worked with fourth grade today and studied the lifecycle of a chicken. It was interesting to learn the importance calcium played in developing an egg.

Chicken

Miss Pavlicek from the Burlington Science Center worked with first grade today to understand the life cycle of a chicken.

Intervention/Enrichment Block

All students at Pine Glen Elementary School have a half-hour intervention/enrichment block.

I noticed some fantastic enrichment work students completed hanging up in Mrs. Fitrparick's classroom today during my daily walkthrough.

During the enrichment lesson students researched a Wondering Question such as "How big is Fenway Park?" The students presented their research findings on a poster board with an attached QR Code. The students all showed excellent critical thinking skills in their research.

Student of the Week

Student of the Week: Jillian Noke

Congratulations to Jillian Noke for being our Student of the Week. Jillian has done great work showing appropriate, safe, and kind behavior (ASK). Thank you for being a role model Jillian!

Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation

Burlington Science Center - "Our Trash, Our Choices"

Dear Families,

Bringing up our children to take good care of our Earth is a goal all of us share. The Science Center aims to support those efforts through our show, “Our Trash, Our Choices” to be shared with Pine Glen students next week​. During the show students will participate in a “trash audit” of the school’s cafeteria waste and learn how sorting their waste and making thoughtful choices can reduce the amount of trash that goes to our landfills everyday​.

During the show, students will be challenged with reducing the amount of trash and food waste they produce over the next school week​.​ Many ideas will be shared. You can support your child and school’s efforts to reduce their waste by:

● Using reusable bags and containers.

● Limiting the amount of snacks that use disposable packaging (think fewer wrapped bars and more fruits and veggies!)

● Sending appropriate portions of food to school.

In addition, we encourage you to have conversations with your kids about ways to reduce your waste at home! Your child may ask you what things your family reuses or recycles​.​ You can talk about hand-me-down clothing/toys, ways you might recycle plastic bags at the grocery store or as pet waste containers, and how you might save leftovers for a next-day meal​. All of these actions will speak louder than words alone​.​ For more ways to participate and engage in the recycling and conservation conversation, look to the Burlington Science Center’s website this week for more ideas and resources to share with your children, family and friends​.​ Thank you for being a part of this special experience for your child​.

Sincerely,

The Burlington Science Center ​
bsciencecenter.wordpress.com