April 11, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Luther Burbank Families,
We are currently closing in on the completion of our state-wide assessment testing for English language arts. Over the past two weeks, our sixth and seventh graders took both sessions of their ELA MCAS assessment. Our students worked so hard to show all that they know, and that is certainly all that we can ask. We could not be more proud of their commitment to the task at hand. Impressive. This week, our 8th graders will complete their testing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thank you for your continued support as we collectively provide positive encouragement to our students during our assessment window. Thank you, also, for your support in ensuring your child’s prompt arrival to school each day. Our attendance rates have been on the upswing and it's fantastic. Thank you!
Additional MCAS testing focusing on math and science/technology engineering will be held in May. For your reference, last day for ELA make-up exams for any student, regardless of grade, is April 29th.
April vacation is nearly upon us. Heartfelt wishes for a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter to our practicing community members as well. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate as the forecast ahead suggests. There is ice cream in the Friend family forecast. We've hit the trifecta - Rota Springs, Kimballs, and Cherry Hill - all open for the season! Enjoy!
2022 LBMS MCAS Testing Schedule
Dates to Remember
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: Stakeholders Survey Closes
April 18-22: April Vacation, No School
April 27-28: District Targeted Review Team Visits LBMS
April 28: LBMS School Council, 3:00 PM
Link to NRSD 2021-2022 School Calendar
April 2nd marked the first day of Ramadan for Muslims around the world. The 9th month of the lunar calendar, Ramadan is not a holiday by Islamic standards; it is a holy month of worship. We respect the Muslim students in our classrooms who may be engaged in the practice of fasting as part of their religious faith. For Muslims, Ramadan is much more than abstaining from food and drink, it is a month that exemplifies the Islamic values of gratitude, strengthening bonds of kinship, spirituality, and maximizing acts of charity. We support our students in observing their Islamic faith and will make quiet space available for them at their request and as needed.
Nashoba Regional School District Stakeholders Survey
At this time, the Strategic Planning Team is soliciting additional input from the community. Parents/Guardians and other community stakeholders are asked to please complete a feedback survey to provide constructive input. The survey link will be open for input until Monday, April 18, 2022. Survey Link
Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to reflect upon and respond to essential questions that can help shape our district for the future. Your input is important.
At Home Covid Testing Program Continues
I am happy to report that, once again, we had no newly identified positive Covid cases at Luther Burbank. We have had 2 positive Covid cases since February 28th.
For those students participating in our At Home Covid Testing program, students will receive their next testing kit on Thursday, April 28th.
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).
At Home Testing Schedule through the month of May, as follows:
(No testing on April 16th)
"SPARK for German" - After School Opportunity for Grades 6 & 7
The German Honor Society at Nashoba RHS is excited to bring a new after-school opportunity to Luther Burbank Middle School.
SPARK for German is a bilingual STEM program, where middle schoolers learn about a variety of topics from different STEM fields while also getting an introduction to the German language.
We will run our pilot program for 6th and 7th graders on the three Wednesdays following April vacation (4/27, 5/4, 5/11). The lessons will build on each other, so ideally, students would attend all three. The program is free of charge and no materials or prior knowledge is necessary.
You can use this form to sign your child up for the 3-week pilot program. We are hoping to gain some insights and feedback to help us launch the full program in the coming school year 22-23. In the form you will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have or you can reach out directly to Frau van Toorn: email@example.com.
Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive - A Success
Thank you to all of our families for donating your new and gently-used clothing in support of our Project 351 Cradles to Crayons efforts. Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that works to help children in economically disadvantaged families receive much needed clothes and footwear. As a result of our clothing drive, Caroline Pinto, our Project 351 Ambassador, was able to provide Crayons to Cradles with donations on our behalf. Great work, Caroline!
Dollars for Scholars
Dollars for Scholars is a group of volunteers responsible for raising and awarding many
thousands of dollars each year in scholarships to high school seniors of Nashoba Regional High School. Nashoba Dollars for Scholars will be awarding over $30,000 to graduates this Spring.
The group is looking for parents across the district with children in grade school, middle school and/or high school who want to get involved with a meaningful organization that directly impacts Nashoba students. Please see the flyer below, or contact the chapter president at firstname.lastname@example.org, to learn more about the opportunity!
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 email@example.com 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.
Innovation School - Summer Camp Opportunity
The Innovation School in Cambridge brings creative education to students around the world. Their mission is to empower the next generation of young designers, entrepreneurs, makers and inventors who will impact their communities and world through their work and ideas. Currently, registration has begun for their in-person summer camp program. Click on this link for more information: