
Burbank Bulletin
February 14, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Luther Burbank Families,
This edition of the Burbank Bulletin is all about school spirit and fun. It's about time, right!? With the decline in our positive COVID cases and the gradual lifting of some of our more rigid COVID physical distancing restrictions, we are knee-deep in the planning stages of two of our students' more favorite activities and traditions, and we could not be more excited! And, if we are excited, I am certain our students are beyond excited! So here is a sneak peek of what is in the works... Oh, and it's School Spirit week this week, too!
On Friday, it's all about basketball. The 4th Annual Ballin' @ Burbank faculty vs. student basketball game will hit the courts on Friday afternoon. The event will begin with the National Anthem performed by our very own LBMS Chorus. Then, our 7th & 8th grade girls and boys basketball players will take on our near and dear faculty in a winner takes all event that is sure to be one for the record books. It's been two years since our last Ballin' event. Our faculty may be a bit creaky, but you never know what sneaky finishing moves we may have up our sleeves. Two years is a lot of time to plan!
The second event is all about socializing and showing off those dance moves. That's right, pull out those dancing shoes, we have a SCHOOL DANCE on the calendar for March 4th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Two years is a lot of time to practice those dance moves, too! Step aside Tik Tok, we've got some real, in-person, dance action happening right around the corner at LBMS, and we just can't wait.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Laura
Laura Friend
Principal
Dates to Remember
February 15: SEPAC Event, Children Dealing with Trauma, 7:00 PM (Virtual Event)
February 16: Lancaster PTO Monthly Meeting, 6:30 PM (Virtual Event)
February 17: LBMS School Council, 3:00 PM
February 18: Ballin' @ Burbank for 7th & 8th Graders, In-School Event
February 21-25: February Vacation, No School
February 28: 8th Grade Families - Save the Date, NRHS Parent/Student Night @NRHS, 6:30 (click here for more information)
March 3: Early Release Parent-Teacher Conferences, 11:30 Dismissal
March 11: Early Release Parent-Teacher Conferences, 11:30 Dismissal
March 11: Trimester 2 Grades Close
March 16: Lancaster PTO Monthly Meeting, 6:30 PM (Virtual Event)
March 18: No School, Full Day Professional Development for Teachers
March 25: Trimester 2 Report Cards Issued
March 25: Spring Musical, Seussical, Jr., 6:30 PM
March 26: Spring Musical, Seussical, Jr., 6:30 PM
March 28: SEPAC Event, Executive Functioning with Sarah Ward, 7:00 PM (Virtual Event)
Link to NRSD 2021-2022 School Calendar
School Spirit Week
Tuesday 2/15: Hat Day - no pay
Wednesday 2/16: Cosplay day- Dress like your favorite character!
Thursday 2/17: Twin day
Friday 2/18: PJ day
Classroom and School Volunteers Return
Beginning on February 28th, we welcome school volunteers back to our classrooms. If you are interested in lending a hand, or sharing your expertise, we would love to have you. Please email Laura Friend, lfriend@nrsd.net. Thank you!
At Home Covid Testing Program Continues
For those students participating in our At Home Covid Testing program, please be reminded that bi-weekly testing kits will be sent home this Thursday, February 17th.
There will be no expected At Home Testing this Saturday due to the upcoming February vacation. At Home Testing should resume on February 26th, the Saturday prior to students' return from break.
Schedule for us at LBMS:
- Wednesdays: Weekly PCR Covid "Pool Testing" Safety Checks - in school
- Every other Thursday: Students take home Rapid Antigen Testing Kit (kit includes 2 tests/1 test to be administered at home each Saturday); Second kit to be sent home on 2/17. It's not too late to sign up (see link below).
- Saturdays: At Home Rapid Antigen Testing (at home). No At Home Testing this week.
- Saturday Testing Schedule Until April Vacation as Follows: 2/12, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9
Links:
Spring Parent Teacher Conferences - Please Sign Up
Our spring parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for the afternoon and evening of March 3rd and the afternoon of March 11th. Conferences are an ideal time to meet with your child's teachers, check in on progress, and ask any questions you may have about your child's performance and growth. Pick-A-Time, our conference scheduling site, opened last week. It's not too late to sign up. Please click the Pick-A-Time link on our website. Spring conferences will once again be held virtually, using the Zoom platform. Meeting links will be shared with families electronically on March 1st via email. Families wishing to schedule an in person conference are asked to contact Judy Ursuliak in the school office to make arrangements.
LBMS Musicians Audition for Massachusetts Jr. District Festival!
Massachusetts Jr. District Festival is an ensemble music opportunity available to 7th & 8th grade musicians across the state. Students in Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Jazz programs prepare a selection of solo repertoire and scales for an individual audition. Acceptance to the festival is a huge honor. In addition, accepted students get to experience working on new repertoire with other high-level accepted students from around the state. District Festival is very competitive and attracts hundreds of young Massachusetts musicians each year.
This February, Luther Burbank students recorded and submitted their audition videos. We would like to wish these students the very best of luck!!
Emma H. (alto voice, gr. 7); Isabella P. (alto voice, gr. 8); Maela G. (alto voice, gr. 7); Sarah G. (clarinet, gr. 8); Zoe H. (flute, gr. 7); Izabela S. (alto saxophone, gr. 8); Mukuhi N. (clarinet, gr. 7); Sophia K. (alto saxophone, gr. 8); Ayden L. (alto saxophone, gr. 7); Julia P. (tenor saxophone, gr. 8); Liberty Z. (trombone, gr. 7); Theo K. (french horn, gr. 8); Benjamin S. (baritone horn, gr. 7); Nate M. (trombone, gr. 8); Audrey F. (mallets, gr. 7); Katie P. (trombone, gr. 8); Stanley C. (trombone, gr. 8)
Author Rob Buyea's Visit to 6th Grade
On Friday, February 11th, the children's author, Rob Buyea, visited LBMS to present to and engage in writing workshops with our sixth graders. Mr. Buyea is the author of numerous books for young readers, including the popular Mr. Terrupt series. Mr. Buyea's visit was a HUGE success. To say our students were inspired, would be an understatement. Their pencils couldn't hit the page fast enough after listening to Mr. Buyea present.
A special thank you to the Lancaster PTO for sponsoring this event.
Best Buddies LBMS Gear Online Shop - REOPENED!
Check Out What our Students are Reading...
Substitute Teacher Pay Increase
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a substitute teacher and/or are interested in applying to become a substitute teacher, please email Laura Friend at lfriend@nrsd.net or call our main office at 978-365-4558. Substitute teaching offers flexibility and a direct interface with our awesome students. It also offers interested community members a way to contribute to our school.
Looking for Real-World Visual Arts Connections, We Need You!
Are the visual arts a part of your profession?
The study of Visual Art helps students develop creativity and innovation skills. Visual Art helps us understand history and culture, too. Art also helps us decode imagery presented in communication in our daily lives (for example, in advertising). We benefit from understanding the role of visual art in all aspects of society. Students can learn from marketing professionals, web designers, architects, engineers, retail workers, product designers, landscapers and other professionals who use knowledge of art in their daily work. Even if these careers are not labeled as "artists," visual art and the creative process is woven into the work that they do.
Are you willing to talk about your profession and how creativity, visual images, and/or design principles are used in your work?
Luther Burbank's Art teacher, Mrs. Slattery, will be recording video interviews with adults in a wide range of professions. The series of videos will be shared with students to develop an understanding of the widespread use of art in a myriad of careers. If you are interested in helping with this project, or would like more information, please fill out this Google Form: Art in Professions Questionnaire
Winter Attire, Recess, and Mask Breaks
This year we have continued with our longer recess blocks so that students can benefit from the fresh air and activity. During the winter months, students may elect to play in the snow. In this case, students MUST wear snow boots and snow pants. Thank you for your support with ensuring your child is adequately prepared. We know that sometimes it is tricky to wrangle a middle schooler when it comes to attire, and we appreciate your support from the homefront.
Luther Burbank Middle School
Email: lfriend@nrsd.net
Website: burbank.nrsd.net
Location: 1 Hollywood Drive, Lancaster, MA, USA
Phone: 978-365-4558
Twitter: @LBMSPrincipal