
Burbank Bulletin
March 14, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Luther Burbank Families,
I hope that this message finds everyone having acclimated to the advancing of the clocks as we all spring forward. Daylight Savings brings more sunlight to enjoy at the end of the day and the prospect of spring which arrives this Sunday. How did that happen? And, how did we happen upon Trimester 3 already? The school year is flying by which gives us even more reason to relish each and every day.
Speaking of time flying by, we have had a busy go of it the past two weeks. Our first dance in over two years was a HUGE success with over 170 students in attendance. The students seemed to have a great time - there were activities in the gym, a room for students to play games, lots of snacks, a photo booth, and, of course, music and dancing. Luther Burbank was hopping! A very special thank you to Ms. Campbell, our Student Council advisor, for organizing the dance, and to Ms. Belhumeur for sharing her DJing skills. A thank you, as well, to our families for all of the snack donations (a huge hit) and for your patience during parent pick-up so that we could ensure a safe departure for all of our students. Finally, a heartfelt shout out of thanks to our chaperones and to our custodians for helping us navigate traffic and clean up. We simply could not have offered this dance without the help of our community. THANK YOU!
This past week, we concluded our spring conferences with a solid turnout. We always appreciate the opportunity to connect with our families whether it is in or out of the conference timeframe. so please do not ever hesitate to reach out to connect with any of your child's teachers or with myself or Mr. Grant. We are all here to help.
Finally, I am very happy to share that, from all reports, the first week of implementation of our optional face covering policy seemed to go very well. Our students and staff supported one another through yet another transition as a result of the pandemic. I continue to be impressed with everyone's sensitivity and continued support of one another. And, on yet another positive note, we had our second week of 0 positive COVID results as a school community. Great news all around.
With gratitude,
Laura
Dates to Remember
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/Pre-Registration Required)
March 30: Grade 6 ELA MCAS Testing
March 30: Parent Teacher Book Group, 6:00 PM (Virtual Event)
March 31: Grade 7 ELA MCAS Testing
March 31: SEPAC Event, Taking Care of Yourself - Parenting During Covid-19 & into the New Normal with Robin B. Bratica, 6:30 PM (Virtual Event)
April 5: Grade 6 ELA MCAS Testing
April 5: SEPAC Event, Growing up as a Girl/Woman on the Autism Spectrum with Rachel Barcellona, 7:00 PM (Virtual Event)
April 6: Grade 7 ELA MCAS Testing
April 7: SEPAC Event, Ask the Advocate with Special Education Advocate Cynthia Moore, 7:00 PM (Virtual Event)
April 8: Early Release, Professional Development for Teachers, Dismissal 11:30 AM
April 12: Grade 8 ELA MCAS Testing
April 12: LBMS Spring Concert @ NRHS Auditorium, 6:30 PM
April 13: Grade 8 ELA MCAS Testing
April 13: Lancaster PTO Monthly Meeting, 6:30 PM (Virtual Event)
April 18-22: April Vacation, No School
Link to NRSD 2021-2022 School Calendar
At Home Covid Testing Program Continues
For those students participating in our At Home Covid Testing program, students will receive their next testing kit on Thursday, March 24th.
Testing 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. 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: 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9
Links:
Central Massachusetts Junior District Festival Results are In!
In February, Luther Burbank ensemble musicians auditioned for the Central Massachusetts Junior District Festival. Each year, hundreds of high-performing 7th and 8th grade musicians from all over the state audition. It is extremely competitive, and only the top-scoring students are accepted to the festival. We are proud of all our auditionees for the dedication, skill, and exemplary musicianship that it takes to present themselves in this competition. Receiving the results, we are also proud to see that each of our auditionees scored competitively in their instrument or voice category.
Luther Burbank will have six students representing us in the Festival Band and Festival Chorus in April/May. Please join us in congratulating our accepted students!
Emma Hudak (gr. 7, alto voice); Zoe Hubbard (gr. 7, flute); Maela Griffin (gr. 7, alto voice); Isabella Paul (gr. 8, alto voice); Benjamin Shepard (gr. 7, baritone horn); & Audrey Frelick (gr. 7, mallet percussion)
An extra note of congratulations is extended to Ben Shepard, who achieved first chair (top score) for baritone horn, and to Audrey Frelick, who earned second chair on mallet percussion.
Ski Lifts and Simple Machines - LBMS 6th Grade Students in the Spotlight
We couldn't more proud!
Girl Scout Silver Award
LBMS Spring Musical, "Seussical, Jr." March 25th & 26th - Mark Your Calendar!
Luther Burbank Middle School Drama is proud to present Seussical Jr. on Friday, March 25, and Saturday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. Seussical Jr. is a fun trip through the imaginative world of Dr. Seuss! Seen through the eyes of a small child from Whoville named JoJo and his trouble-making side-kick, the Cat in the Hat, Seussical takes you from Whoville to the Jungle of Nool and beyond. Along the way, you will meet many characters from the “smallest of small to the largest of all”! So put on your imagination hats and suspend your disbelief as the LBMS Drama Club, AKA our amazing students, tell the tale of a kind-hearted Elephant who saves the “tiniest planet in the sky”.
Tickets are $4 students/seniors $6 adults and are available at the door or in advance through Stacy Kramer at skramer@nrsd.net. Come check it out!
Spring Intramurals
Spring Intramurals have begun! Intramurals are a great way to engage in physical activity and meet new friends.
Mondays and Wednesdays: Walking Club (2:15-3:00)
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Badminton (2:15-3:15)
Wednesdays: Floor Hockey (2:15-3:15)
Permission slips can be found on the website and in the school office.
Spring Interscholastic Season Around the Corner: Baseball, Softball, and Track and Field
Important Calendar Information: Spring State Assessments, MCAS
We are gearing up for the administration of this year's MCAS assessments. Results from MCAS are always useful; however, results from this year's assessment are much anticipated. We have been working diligently to strengthen our students' learning across domains as a result of the interrupted learning from the pandemic and MCAS results provide us important information about student growth as well as curriculum and instruction efficacy. MCAS testing is administered in an online format with students using their individually assigned Chromebook. Should your child's Chromebook not work properly, it is critical that your child submit a help ticket with our IT department or come to the school office for assistance. Please click here for more information about MCAS and test development.
As you plan ahead for the spring, please mark your calendars for the important Luther Burbank MCAS testing dates BELOW. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring your child’s attendance during his/her testing dates.
2022 LBMS MCAS Testing Schedule
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
Nashoba Regional High School Spring Musical
Nashoba Drama presents its 2022 Spring Musical: “CHICAGO: High School Edition” March 18-20. The Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7 p.m. The Sunday show is a 2 p.m. matinee. The show, presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, will be held at the Nashoba Regional High School auditorium. Tickets are available online and at the door. For details see: www.NashobaDrama.com or @NashobaDrama on Facebook.
Tickets are on sale at: https://sites.google.com/view/nashobadrama/tickets (and are also available at the door)
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