Dear Burbank Families,

It’s hard to believe that the Thanksgiving holiday and break are just a week and a half away! As I reflect on the start of this school year, I feel so grateful to be part of the Burbank School community. Your children, your partnership, and the dedication of our staff make this a truly special place.

Please join me in congratulating second grade teacher Brianna Normile Chrislu (aka Ms. Normile) on her marriage! Brianna and her husband, Mike, were married on Saturday, November 15th, and we are thrilled for them as they begin this new chapter.

Our teachers have enjoyed connecting with you during Parent/Guardian-Teacher conferences. We look forward to our final day of conferences this Wednesday. It’s extremely gratifying to celebrate your children’s growth, highlight their academic and social accomplishments, and set goals for the months ahead.

Finally, this past week, our second graders had the chance to participate in an enrichment program through the Acton Discovery Museum. We are so thankful to our PTA for sponsoring these hands-on learning opportunities that enhance our school experiences.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback.

Warmly,
Lisa

2nd graders enjoying an exciting hands-on science experience with the Acton Discovery Museum

A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to our music teacher, Shannon Sinclair, for organizing such an outstanding Veterans Day assembly. The event was incredibly moving and truly powerful, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who attended. We are especially grateful to our veterans, whose presence made the day even more meaningful. 

November is Indigenous Peoples’ Month, a time to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Families and staff are invited to contribute photos, artwork, or other items, either as hard copies or via email to lwilliams@belmontschools.net. A special note of appreciation to Kim Kost-Okitsu (school psychologist) and Felisia Sainz (BASEC educator) for sharing pieces of their family histories and cultures with all of us. We love learning about the people in our school community, and your contributions help us celebrate and understand one another more deeply.

Please see below for instructions. Parents/guardians, if you can please make sure you or your child lets your classroom teacher know at drop-off on Fri., Nov. 21st that they need a retake, that would be helpful so the teacher knows to send them down to the photographer!

Tuesday, Nov. 18th is School Spirit Day! Show your school spirit by wearing your Burbank Spirit Wear or our school colors: Blue & Gold. Any pre-ordered spirit wear from the PTA pre-orders are ready for pickup @ Champions in Belmont. The PTA has a limited quantity of extra items available at their Online PTA Store.

Each month, our Student Support Team reviews attendance records and reaches out to families if a student has been absent, tardy, or dismissed for 5 or more days (or 10% or more). If your child meets this criteria, you will receive this notice, even if we’ve already been in contact.

We understand that there are many reasons for absences, but missing school frequently can impact a child's ability to keep up with their learning. We’re reaching out to:

On Wednesday, Nov. 26th, all Burbank students will be able to participate in a walk/run around the school building for exercise and enjoyment while helping their community! A suggested donation of a non-perishable food item is asked to be brought to school from November 18-25th. All collected food will be donated to the Belmont Food Pantry. Thank you for your support! 

It’s time for our Burbank Cares Gift Card Drive to support families in our school. We are requesting gift card donations of $25 to Amazon, Target, or local grocery stores. Please email Kristin Romig, the school counselor, with any questions: kromig@belmontschools.net

The Burbank PTA has teamed up with our amazing Art Teacher, Mrs. Sobkiw-Williams, and Original Works, an art-based fundraising company!

Each student will receive a flyer in their folder containing: Two prints of their original artwork (to cut out and keep!), Instructions for ordering keepsakes featuring their art, A unique access code specific to your child’s artwork

Store Site: http://store.originalworks.com/gallery

🗓️ Orders Due: Friday, November 21st
🎁 Delivery: By December 16th (PTA will reach out for pickup info!)

Create unforgettable keepsakes - magnets, mugs, tote bags, oven mitts, and more - just in time for the holidays! These make wonderful gifts for family and friends.

If you lose your child’s access code, please email maryleeburbankpta@gmail.com, and they'll be happy to provide it again. If you haven't received your flyer, please reach out.

Mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 5th, 3:00-6:30 PM! Stock up on great reads for the holidays while supporting our school - a portion of all sales goes right back to Burbank to fund enrichments, staff support, community events, and more. This is a one-day-only book fair!

We’re partnering with Best Book Fairs, featuring titles for all ages - perfect for every student reader in your life! Credit and cash accepted (credit preferred).

Volunteers Needed!
Help set up, run sales, restock, or clean up - these events thrive thanks to you!
Want to lend a hand? Signup to Volunteer or Email

Mon. 12/8 | 9-10AM | Jessica DeFrances, Elementary Curriculum Specialist for Math & Science, In-Person Burbank Library, Virtual Option

The FBE Spelling Bee will be February 7th this year at Chenery (snow date: February 8th). Please see this link for more information.

If you’d like to volunteer at Burbank, please stop by the main office to complete a CORI form. All volunteers must be cleared before beginning. See Ms. Boucher in the office to fill out the form (remember to bring your driver’s license).