Burbank Elementary School

Burbank Family News

September 7, 2025

Dear Burbank Families,

Buddy the Bear

What a fantastic start to the school year! It’s been wonderful to see our students settling into their new routines, building friendships, diving into learning, and enjoying lunch and recess together. The energy and excitement in our halls remind us why Burbank is such a special place.

I am deeply grateful for the many ways our community comes together to support our school. Your positivity and partnership set the stage for a year full of growth, discovery, and meaningful connections. We can’t wait for all that lies ahead this fall and look forward to sharing many memorable moments with you and your children.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or thoughts. I will be sending the Burbank Family Newsletter every other week, alternating with the PTA newsletter on the opposite weeks. I look forward to continuing our partnership in making this a truly wonderful year for everyone.

Here’s to a bright, exciting, and successful school year ahead!

Warmly,
Lisa

A Few Important Reminders:

  • Morning Arrival 

    • Please be mindful that there is no parking on Sharpe Rd on and after the bend in front of the school, as buses cannot pass safely. You are welcome to park further up the street before the bend. And, there is supervised live drop off on Gale Rd. behind the school. 

    • If your student(s) arrive after 8:40 a.m., they will be marked tardy. At that time, you will need to park and sign your child(ren) in at the main office.

    • Please refer to this Welcome Back Slides for Families presentation for a review of our school routines

  • If your child participates in after-school programs (such as BASEC or WSCC Chinese After School), please remember to notify both the Burbank School office and the program directly if your child will be absent. This helps ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process for everyone.

  • Each student is entitled to one free school breakfast and one free lunch every day. However, please note that a second lunch, milk-only purchases, or à la carte items will be charged to your child’s account. Be sure to discuss your expectations with your child regarding food and drink purchases.

    • Students who would like to participate in breakfast  should enter through the front door at 8:20 and go down to the cafeteria, where Mrs. Lee will greet them and oversee the breakfast. At 8:35, students will head to their classrooms with their peers. 

  • Important Follow-Up: Using TalkingPoints for School Communication

    • Now that the school year is underway, families are beginning to receive messages through our new family communication platform, TalkingPoints. As mentioned in the Superintendent’s back-to-school message, this tool is designed to make communication between home and school easier and more effective.

    • If you receive a message from TalkingPoints, please know it is coming directly from a staff member at your child’s school. These messages are official school communications, not spam or a scam.

    • The simplest way to view and respond to these messages is by using the TalkingPoints app, which you can download using the links on this page. If you do not have the app, the teacher’s communication will come to you as SMS text messages.

    • To help you get started, here are some general guidelines for accessing and using TalkingPoints

  • Curriculum

    Consistent with Massachusetts regulations, 603 CMR 26.05(1), the Belmont Public Schools, through its curricula and materials, encourages respect for the human and civil rights of all individuals, regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.  In accordance with district guidelines, families may request information from the building principal on available accommodations related to curriculum content.

  • Family Handbook

    Here is our Family Handbook. Please take some time to review it carefully as it has a lot of important information about our school and district’s rules, procedures, and structures.

Dates to Remember:

  • Burbank’s Fall Social on Thursday, Sept. 25th from 5:00-7:00 PM (rain date 10/2)

  • Back-to-School Night on Sept. 17th (6:30-8:00 PM) - More details to come.

  • National Custodian’s Day - Oct. 2nd

  • Picture Day on Oct. 9th

  • Indigenous People’s Day (No School) - Oct. 13th