Friday, January 17

Families,

On Thursday we launched our first Birdhouse of the 2024-2025 school year! The Birdhouse meetings are designed to help students connect across grade levels, build leadership skills, and practice living out our core values of kindness, respect, and empathy—The Blue Jay Way!

This month, we focused on the habit of synergizing. Synergy means working together to create something better than we could achieve alone. In their Birdhouses, students discussed what it means to synergize in school. Synergize is when you show kindness, respect, and empathy when working together.

Students also reflected on their hopes, wishes, and goals for 2025, sharing statements like: “I am ____ and my wish/hope/goal for 2025 is ____.” We encouraged them to embrace the idea that mistakes always happen and we can find beauty in our mistakes.

To support this message, two 5th grade students read aloud Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg, a wonderful book that teaches children to see mistakes as opportunities for creativity and growth. Students were then challenged to transform an "imperfect" piece of paper into their own unique and beautiful designs. Our Beautiful Opps are displayed around the Burton hallways, keep an eye out!

Looking ahead, our next Birdhouse meeting will be an exciting “Blue Jay Bash,” where Blue Jays TK through 5th grade will come together to celebrate Reading Month and practice synergy as a whole community.

Let’s Build Community with the Burton Caregiver Bird House Program!

Are you looking for ways to connect with other parents, guardians, and caregivers in the Burton community?

The Burton PTA DEI Committee is exploring launching a Caregiver Bird House Program to bring us closer together!

Here’s how it works:

• We’ll create small groups of caregivers from across different grade levels, providing opportunities for social engagement, connection, and mutual support.
• If you're interested, please complete the form below. Someone from the PTA DEI committee will follow up with you.

Let’s join forces to build a stronger, more connected Burton community!

Any questions regarding the Parent/Caregiver Birdhouse, please contact Ellie Mosko,
elliemosko@gmail.com

The cities and school districts of Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak announce their joint MLK Day event for the entire community to remember, participate, and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, January 20th, 2025, the community is invited to celebrate A Day On, Not a Day Off, with the three school districts and municipalities. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast together, participate in a Freedom Walk, complete volunteer activities such as donation sorting and blanket making.

This year’s event takes place at Berkley High School, (2325 Catalpa, Berkley MI 48072) and begins at 9 am.

The event committee will also be collecting donations to support the following groups:

• Redford Brightmoor Initiative

• Cass Community Social Services

• Judson Center

• Royal Oak First United Methodist Church

• Welcome Inn

Guests are encouraged to bring donations with them to the event or order donations on the event’s Amazon Wishlist.

Requested Donations

• Non-perishable food: Canned goods, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, boxed food items

• Home items: Toilet paper, dish soap, paper towels, laundry detergent

• Toiletries: Shampoo/conditioner (including the following brands: Shea moisture, As I Am, Curls, Aunt Jackie's), deodorant, shaving cream, feminine products

• Diapers and pull-ups: All sizes, no opened packages

• New children's books: Infant through middle school age

• Clothing: Socks (all sizes), underwear (men and children), winter hats (adult)

See a list of requested donations and additional event information on the City of Royal Oak website.

Next week, teachers will begin winter assessments. Students will take the NWEA assessment in the area of reading and math. The NWEA assessments are adaptive, meaning the test adjusts. If the student answers the question correctly, the next question will be harder. If the student answers the question incorrectly, the next question will be easier. This allows each student a personalized testing experience that is not based on grade or age, but achievement. Please tap the button below to learn more about the NWEA assessments. Your child's NWEA assessment score will be posted in MiStar at a later date.

Throughout the next several weeks, teachers will complete the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment. This assessment allows teachers to understand your child's reading behaviors and their reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. This assessment is given one-on-one with your child and their classroom teacher.

Please know the Burton team uses the NWEA, Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment, formative and summative assessments, as well as anecdotal observations to help make decisions that are best for students.

Tips to help for next week:

• A good night's rest
• Eating a healthy and filling breakfast
• Pack a snack and a water bottle

The most important message we can share with your Blue Jay is for them to give their best effort, that's all that's important!

Phase 2 of construction is scheduled to begin in February (exact timeline is TBD). Phase 2 will significantly impact staff parking, visitor/family parking,sidewalks, and student safety.

• Closures: The North Nadine sidewalk and public parking will be closed for the remainder of the school year and throughout the summer.
• Completion Timeline: All bond work included the multipurpose/cafeteria, Nadine sidewalk, and staff parking should be completed by August 2025.
• Safety Measures: To ensure student safety, a crossing guard will now assist students near the Burton Park entrance. All students are required to cross the street at the designated area where the crossing guard is present.

Thank you families for your patience as we all navigate the construction and parking challenges. Carpooling, bike riding, or walking is a great option even in the chilly weather.

Please continue to use the Rec Center "Kiss & Go" to help with a safe drop off area. Students dropped off prior to 8:00am are asked to line-up with their classrooms. At 8:00am, all students can enter the Plaza Doors. Please note that Kindergarten and TK only enter at 7:55am to avoid congestion. Students in grades 1-5 can enter at 8:00am.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Elizabeth Scott

PTA Teacher Appreciation Chair

ELHiggins@gmail.com

Winter Temperatures:

When the temperature "feels like" is 9 degrees or below, we will have indoor line-up and indoor recess. In the morning (beginning at 7:50am), our 5th grade safeties will open the doors and allow students to line-up inside the building. Students will then walk and line-up outside their classroom.

Student Drop Off:

• Please utilize the rec center drop off area to ensure students are exiting vehicles safely.
• Please pull forward before dropping off your child.
• All students should exit and walk on the sidewalk for student safety.
• If students arrive prior to 8:00 am, they may walk and line-up with their class
• Indoor line-up: Students can enter through the playground doors (near clock tower) at 7:50am
• Please do not drop off students near the Nadine doors. This area is utilized for families in the ASD program.

Looking for a glimpse into all the learning, fun, and creativity at Burton? Please follow me, principal_fragomeni on Instagram.

The spirit wear shop features Burton's updated logo. The crest, much like the classic football clubs, signifies the strength and lineage of our community. The bricks proudly represent our school building, the welcoming front sign, and the iconic clock tower—a true testament to our heritage. And, of course, our Blue Jay has been given a modern look, embodying the spirit of growth and innovation that defines us.

Let's show off our Burton pride!

January

*January 20: No School - MLK Jr. Day

*January 30 - Music Concert at Norup for grades 2 (6pm), 3 (6:45pm), 4 (7:30pm)

*January 31 - Report Cards Posted

February:

*February 4: PTA Meeting - 7pm Burton Media Center

*February 14: 1/2 Day for students (AM only) - Dismissal at 11:20am

*February 17 - Feb 21: Mid-Winter Break (no school). School resumes February 24

March:

*March 4: PTA Meeting - 7pm Burton Media Center

*March 5 - 7: 5th Grade Camp (4th grade safety patrol takes over)

*March 20: Spring Conferences, 5pm-8pm (virtual)

*March 21: Spring Conferences, 8am-4pm (no school for students)

All families are invited to join a 3-part parenting workshop focused on anti-racist parenting. Participating is free-of-charge with funding from Oakland Country. Please see flyer/PDF for details and registration.

Tuesday, February 4 at 7:00pm in the Burton Media Center or join for a "listen only" on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 880 9518 4741

Passcode: 26315

All are welcome! Please join the Burton PTA to help support our community!

President: Leah Wallbilich

Vice President: Natalie Friedman

Secretary: Ciara O’Laoire

Treasurer: Max Shear

Chair of Standing Committee: Elizabeth Scott

Principal: Lauren Fragomeni

The Burton PTA Tree of Giving highlights incredible contributions from our PTA, each leaf showcases items they've generously funded for our school community.

Each week our morning announcements on kindness, respect, and empathy featuring:

• The Pledge from a different classroom each week
• Wednesday Would You Rather? and Too Cute Tuesday!
  
• Friday Read Aloud
• Important events happening at Burton

On Tuesdays, Domino's Pizza will be among the five food choices students can select. All students ordering pizza will receive ONE free slice and a vegetable, fruit, and milk. If your child would like an additional slice of pizza (2 slices total), they must preorder it in the morning and have at least $2.00 in their student account. On Tuesday mornings, classroom teachers will ask students if they would like one slice or two. This is helpful so the lunch team is accurate on the total pizza slices to decrease food waste.

To add funds to your child's account, please access the Parent Portal.

Go Blue Jays!