LUTHER BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL The Burbank 1 HOLLYWOOD DRIVE LANCASTER, MA 01523 978-365-4558 Bulletin Volume 1, Issue 7 March 1, 2016 NASHOBA REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT A Message from the Principal In two weeks, we will be springing forward with the start of Daylight Savings Time. Mark your calendars for March 13th. And, then just one week later, we will be enjoying the Dates to Remember first day of spring. Before we know it, the concrete March 2 evidence that spring surely has “sprung” will be upon us. Rising Freshman Open For me, the first sign of spring is always the blooming of House the forsythia. It is when I see the bright yellow buds of the 6:00-8:00 p.m. forsythia that I open my eyes (and ears) to all the other signs nature has to offer - NRHS more sunlight, budding crocuses, and daffodils, sap buckets on maple trees, peepers, robins, bluebirds, and starlings. All of these signs remind me of how grateful I am to March 5 be living in New England where each season brings with it its own uniqueness and Principal Chat appeal. Welcome, spring! 9:00-9:45 a.m. LBMS Library Before we spring ahead, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the Luther Burbank March 10 accomplishments that have occurred since I last wrote in February. Seventh grader, Parent Teacher Conf. Amy Vivanco, took top honors by winning our school-wide spelling bee. Amy will Early Release represent our school in the North Central Massachusetts Regional Spelling Bee at the Dismissal, 11:30 a.m. Four Points Sheraton in Leominster on March 22nd. Placing 2nd in our school Evening conferences spelling bee was Alex Allison, (gr. 6) and placing 3rd were three winners who faced off in a three-way tie: Aria Fernandez (gr. 8), Marissa Cloutier (gr. 8) and Felipe March 11 & 12 Cerioni (gr. 7). Congratulations to all! A Fairy Tale Life? LBMS Drama 6:30 p.m. A well-deserved congratulatory nod also goes to Boden Aurin who has qualified to MRE Auditorium compete in the state level competition of the National Geographic Bee, scoring in the top 100 of Massachusetts students on the qualifying exam. Boden will compete in the March 14 state competition at Elms College on April 1. Good luck, Bodie! Grades close Trimester 2 comes to a close during the month of March. Grades will close on March March 17 14th and report cards will be sent home on March 25th. Our spring parent/teacher LBMS School Council conferences will be held during the afternoon and evening of March 10th and on the 3:00 p.m. LBMS Library afternoon of March 18.th Conferences are a time to meet with teachers to discuss student progress and performance. If your child is progressing positively, please note March 18 that attending our spring parent-teacher conferences is encouraged but not Parent Teacher Conf. required. Pick-A-Time for conferences will open on March 1 . Early Release Dismissal, 11:30 a.m. Yours, in gratitude, st March 25 Laura Friend Report cards issued March 28-April 8 "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." -William Butler Yeats LBMS Community Happenings Important Calendar Information: Spring State Assessments, MCAS As we head into this spring’s state-wide assessment window, please be reminded that there have been some changes to our state-wide assessment. The grades 3–8 English Language Arts and Mathematics will be augmented with a limited number of PARCC items for spring 2016. The state intends that these changes will help make statewide comparisons easier and will offer students the opportunity to experience PARCC items while assessments for 2017 and beyond are being developed. The test design for grade 10 has not changed. Click here for more information about this test development. Please mark your calendars for the important MCAS testing dates below. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring your child’s attendance during his/her respective testing dates. ELA MATH STE Grade 6 March 28, 29, 30 May 11, 12 N/A Grade 7 March 31, April 1, April 5 May 13, 18 N/A Grade 8 April 6, 7, 8 May 16, 17 May 19, 20 LBMS School Council Homework Survey Our school council is in the process of developing a survey to solicit feedback from families about homework. The primary purpose of the survey is to learn more about homework practices and family experiences with homework at LBMS. Your feedback is important. Over the course of the next two weeks, we ask that you keep a mind’s eye out for your child’s homework. If possible, we ask that you keep track of the time your child is spending on homework on a nightly basis per content area. This information will be helpful as you complete the School Council Homework Survey which will be disseminated this month. A Fairy Tale Life? Luther Burbank Middle School Drama is proud to present A Fairy Tale Life? A Musical on Friday, March 11, 2016, and Saturday, March 12, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. Performances will be held at the Mary Rowlandson Elementary and Luther Burbank Middle School auditorium at 103 Hollywood Drive, Lancaster, MA 01523. Tickets will be available at the door for $4.00 for students and seniors and $6.00 for adults. More information is included in the flyers accompanying this newsletter. After School Security Procedure Change—Doors As you may be aware, extended day is offered for our elementary students at MRE until 6:00 p.m. In order to be consistent with the after school procedures in Bolton and Stow, entry doors with access to extended day, including the exterior doors at MRE, will be closed and locked until 6:00 p.m. While our hallway and cafeteria doors leading to MRE will be locked immediately after school, the LBMS exterior doors will continue to be opened at 3:00 p.m., providing limited access to our main hallway, gymnasium, locker rooms, etc. Have a submission for the April Burbank Bulletin? Please send copy-ready submissions to Judy Ursuliak, [email protected], by March 28, 2016. From Our Nurse, Mrs. Perkins March is National Nutrition Month The theme for 2016 is “Savor the Flavor of Eating.” We receive constant reminder about the importance of fruits and vegetables, watching our sugar and salt intake, limiting portion size, and minimizing empty calories/junk food. But, this year’s focus is somewhat different, and equally important. It reminds us to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures and social experiences food can add to our lives. How, when, why and where we eat, is as important as what we eat. Food is an important part of our culture. When we gather with family or friends, food is often an essential part of the plan. Whenever possible, take time as a family to gather for a meal. It is a wonderful opportunity to not only share a meal, but to also catch up with each other on the day’s events. Encourage your child/ children to help with meal preparation. They may be more inclined to try new foods if they have helped to prepare them. March also signals the start of the MCAS testing season. It provides us with an opportunity to talk about the importance of getting the day off to a good start with a healthy, nutritious breakfast. Of course, this is important every day of the year because we want to provide our child with all of the tools that they need to do their best each day. “Did you eat breakfast this morning?” and “What did you have?” are two of the questions that I often ask a student who arrives on the doorstep of the health office in the morning. I am often impressed with their answers. Many start off the day with a great breakfast! But, I also know that some students like to spend every last minute that they can sleeping and will often sacrifice breakfast for those last few minutes of sleep. In these cases, there are healthy foods that you can hand to your student as they walk out the door to eat on the way to the bus. How about putting a banana on a stick, coating it with a thin layer of peanut butter or sunflower butter and rolling it in granola. Or, maybe a smoothie is more their style. Put a few ounces of low fat milk or yogurt in a blender with a splash of orange juice and a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries. For other suggestions on how to power up breakfast for your student, go to http:// www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-sore/basics/definition/con-20021310 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, eatingright.org has great information to help guide families in healthy eating. Check it out! Thank you, Mrs. Perkins VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED! Are you interested in helping out our school? Have some time to help with projects, copying, assembling hands-on materials for our students, or lending an extra hand in a classroom? We need you! Many of our Burbank teachers would benefit in different ways from an extra pair of hands. If you are willing and able to volunteer, please email me directly at [email protected]. Thank you! Student Writing This month we highlight original extended metaphors inspired by Valentine’s day and the powerhouse of the rock band that is U2. By: Chloe Hall Grade 8 By: Amy Vivanco Grade 7 April is National Poetry Month, and the second annual student poetry contest! Deadline is April 1st.