Negotiations Update
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Welcome Back-to-School
August 27, 2010

Welcome back to school. We've been busy this summer preparing for a great new school year. We look forward to continuing to partner with families and the community to continue to provide meaningful learning opportunities for all of our students.

For information about the school calendar and school hours, Click Here
To find the location and contact information for our schools, Click Here
For information about our vision, strategic plan, renovations, after school programs, budget, and support services, use the links under Parents or Community, or the quick links at left

Use of Video Surveillance
August 27, 2010

The Burlington School Board is considering adoption of a policy on the use of surveillance cameras. To read the policy, Click here. To give input, please email the superintendent or attend a Policy Advocacy hearing or Board meeting in September. For the board calendar, Click Here

Burlington Schools Financial Update
August 26, 2010

Michael Gilbar, Burlington's new Business Manager, issued a year-end report indicating a surplus of $509,257 for the fiscal year 2010. While our accounting for the year is not yet audited and some closing entries are yet to be completed, we're pleased that the cost controls and review systems we've put in place have been effective. Although we are still carrying forward the adjusted prior year deficit, our revenue for FY 2010 exceeded our expenses. Audited financials will be available in the spring of 2011.
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Construction Updates

For the latest information on the construction, see the Capital Projects section of the Property Services webpage.
Last update: August 18 2010

Smith Students to Start School at Flynn and St. Mark's
August 11, 2010

The kindergarten classes and second grade of C. P. Elementary School will be housed temporarily at the start of this school year at J.J. Flynn Elementary School, 1645 North Avenue and the first grade classes will join grades 3 through 5 at St. Mark's Community Center, 1251 North Avenue.
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Welcome Back-to-School
Superintendent's Message
August 9, 2010

Although there are a few more weeks of summer, we're getting ready for students to return to school. We've continued our work to put our community vision into action. Our goal is to prepare all students to succeed in higher education, careers and citizenship by providing challenging core academic instruction, enriched arts, math, sciences and wellness experiences, and opportunities to develop 21st century skills. This year, our students will benefit from our ongoing improvements.
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Burlington Kids Community Advisory
August 16, 2010

The next Community Advisory Committee meetings will be on Monday, August 23 and Wednesday September 15, 2010 from 6 PM to 8 PM at The Burlington Parks and Recreation Department's conference room at 645 Pine St.
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Sanders Visits Summer School
August 3, 2010

Senator Sanders visited summer school at the Integrated Arts Academy.
Read the announcement
Read the Burlington Free Press article

Key Factors in Parent Involvement
July 12, 2010

We gained important information about parent involvement from research conducted last fall as part of our grant funding for the magnet academies. (See "Parents Positive about Academies"). The research showed that:

  • Teacher outreach drives involvement
  • Parents are seeking regular and responsive communication and opportunities to provide input and be involved in decision-making

    • View the presentation. We will further explore the suggestions to increase parent involvement offered by the researchers. We have also begun the process to review our parent involvement policy and continue to work on ways to increase communication with families in each of our schools.

    Parents Positive about Academies
    July 12, 2010

    In the Fall 2009, we conducted research to help us to better understand and improve parent involvement in all of our elementary schools AND to understand more about perceptions of our new academies in their first year. This research was required as part of our grant funding for the academies and was paid for by grant funding.

    A quick summary about parent perceptions of our Academies:

  • Parents are hopeful and want to see the Academies succeed
  • The general experiences of families have been very positive
  • In-neighborhood and out-of-neighborhood families hold a common vision
  • Some questions about enrollment choices and programming have been raised. Victor Prussack, our magnet school coordinator, works with families individually to address any questions. We are continually working to improve our processes and communication.
  • Families are seeking more multicultural teachers and staff. I thank you all for your support and efforts on this front. We continue to work with Dan Balon, Sara Jane Mahan, school principals and staff, an Equity Council, and community members, to recruit and hire highly qualified staff and to increase our diversity and cultural competence in every school.

    • This research was presented at the Board Curriculum Committee. View the presentation here.

    In The News
    June 14, 2010

    The Sustainability Academy was featured in this week's Nation Magazine.
    Read Article

    Burlington elementary students were featured in the Free Press studying the ecology of our lake.
    Read Article

    Students were also featured showing their new school garden to Senator Sanders, as he announced a grant awarded for community gardens.
    Read Article

    You can also view video of a host of events at BHS on the BHS "School Tube" channel.
    View the Video Site

    Excellence in Teaching and Learning
    June 2, 2010

    See how BHS teachers David Rome, David Williams, Jackie Kohler, Andrew Mack and David Lamberti engage students in learning that is interactive and challenging. In every school, our teachers are working to help students develop and apply their critical thinking skills. Community members and families have asked us to share more about what this means -- click here to for a window into today's classrooms.
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    BHS Students Write Powerful Micro-Fiction
    May 28, 2010

    English teacher Benjamin Roesch gets students writing powerful short stories with a "Flash Fiction" contest. 80 students submitted entries - 25 words or less. The winners were selected this week by a panel of teachers.
    Read the Burlington Free Press article.

    Requesting Extra Support

    Several of our schools provide Supplemental Educational Services - extra academic assistance/tutoring to improve students' academic performance -- free of charge to a limited number of eligible students. We offer these services as required by the the No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress standards. It is available only for children who are eligible for free and reduced-price federal meals. Click here for more information.
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    MORE NEWS

    Click here for the latest H1N1 information !!!
    Students in various school settings