Burbank Bulletin
January 11, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Luther Burbank Families,
I hope that this message finds everyone having enjoyed a restful and family-filled holiday break. While the vacation time was much appreciated, it was great to be back together as a school community last week. With the unsettled happenings on the national front, it was great for us to be back in school, together, as a positive and unified community. Every day, we are grateful for our Luther Burbank community of students, staff, and families. We are grateful for a community that values one another, validates individuals, and respects the experiences, perspectives, and opinions of each person. It is an honor and a privilege to step into a new year with all of you. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child's life journey.
This week's Burbank Bulletin provides information about a new breakfast program coming to Luther Burbank and provides important highlights about student accomplishments on both the academic and community front.
Yours in partnership,
Laura Friend
Important: Early Release, Wednesday, January 13th
This Wednesday, January 13th, will be an early release for students. Students in our Remote Learning Academy should be aware that their Related Arts classes have been scheduled in the morning so as to ensure learning in these classes without interruption. Families should be on the lookout for an email from Reina Rago, Remote Learning Academy Coordinator, with more information.
Staff will participate in professional development on Wednesday afternoon.
Dates to Remember
January 13: Early Release, Professional Development
January 18: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 19: Take Home Breakfast Program Begins
January 21: LBMS School Council, 3:00 PM
February 3: Early Release, Professional Development
February 11: LBMS School Council, 3:00 PM
February 15-19: No School, February Vacation
Take Home Breakfast Program Coming to LBMS
The Nashoba School Nutrition Team, along with the administration of Luther
Burbank Middle School, is very excited to introduce our new Take Home Breakfast
program at Luther Burbank Middle School.
Starting January 19th, shelf-stable breakfasts will be made available for all
students to bring home. These breakfasts will be handed out at the end of the last
period of the day for interested students to bring home for breakfast the following day.
Take home breakfasts will be free of charge and available to all interested students.
Should you not wish your child to participate in the Take Home Breakfast program
or have any questions regarding the new program, please call the Nashoba School
Nutrition office at 978-779-0539 X 3060 for Leah Botko, Coordinator, or 978-779-
0539 x3045 for Tom Houle , Director.
Congratulations to our First Trimester Honor Roll Recipients
Congratulations to all of our students who achieved the honor roll during the first trimester. I’m very pleased to report that 61% of our students met the honor roll criteria. What tremendous work! Honor roll names will be printed in the Clinton Item in the near future. Please be on the lookout.
Congratulations to our First Trimester Luther Burbank Award Recipients
Congratulations to our first trimester recipients of the Luther Burbank Award. The Luther Burbank Award is in its fifth year. Recipients are selected by their teachers for demonstrating the qualities of citizenship, respect, and kindness. These qualities are ones that epitomize the vision set forth by our school’s namesake, Luther Burbank.
Students should take a look at our video monitor in the main hallway where we recognize these award recipients: Lillian Principe (gr. 6), Joey O'Riorden (gr. 6), Caroline Pinto (gr. 7), Theo Kramer (gr. 7), Riley Forhan (gr. 8), and Isaac Burks (gr. 8).
Congratulations, Maddie Oxnard, LBMS Project 351 Ambassador
Project 351 is a nonprofit organization that develops a new generation of community-first service leaders through the yearlong engagement of an eighth-grade Ambassador from each of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Youth are selected by hometown educators for an exemplary ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. Founded in 2011, Project 351 has engaged 3,381 unsung heroes and quiet leaders as change agents in their community. Together, these remarkable eighth-graders have impacted more than 650,000 neighbors through transformational service.
The 2020-2021 Luther Burbank Middle School Project 351 Ambassador is Maddie Oxnard. Maddie is an enthusiastic and dedicated student, and she leads by example. She has made Luther Burbank a better place. We are confident that Maddie will represent our Lancaster community with the same strength and influence that she brings to our school.
Interested in Subtitute Teaching? We Need You!
We always want to bring talented and enthusiastic substitute teachers on board at Luther Burbank. This year, with the pandemic, we have found ourselves with an even more profound need for substitute teachers. 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.
Flu Immunizations
The Massachusetts state mandate for the influenza vaccination is fast-approaching. The vaccine is required and includes remote learning academy students and hybrid students. The deadline for proof of vaccination has been extended through February 28, 2021. The flu shot should not require a physical and can be made as a nurse visit. Please schedule this appointment if you have not already done so. When they receive their vaccination, forward a copy to the health office.
For more information about this requirement and the flu, you may visit the attached links Flu vaccine now required and Flu facts.
Questions related to a medical or religious exemption please contact Nurse Amy at 978-365-5629 or ajamieson@nrsd.net.
Reminder! Winter Attire, Recess, and Mask Breaks
During these times, it has never been more important for our students and staff to be able to get outside for fresh air. With the weather becoming increasingly colder and inclement, it is critical that students come to school with the proper winter apparel. Please help us by ensuring that your child arrives to school with a jacket, hat, and gloves/mittens. Layers are perfect.
This year, with our longer recess blocks, 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.
LBMS Spirit Wear Online Store - Winter Edition
Great News! Luther Burbank’s official online store is open and selling items to promote spirit and raise money for our Student Activity Fund. If you are interested in ordering items, please click here: https://stores.inksoft.com/LBMS/shop/home to access the online store. Items will be delivered to Luther Burbank and distributed from the office. The store will be open for a limited time, so now is the time to check out our new winter items and catch some school spirit! If you have any questions about the school store please contact Judy Ursuliak at jursuliak@nrsd.net.
LBMS Best Buddies Gear
We are super excited to offer LBMS Best Buddies Gear. A huge thank you to Cheryl Lonardo and our PACE Program for getting this online shop off the ground.
Shop 24/7, 365 days a year. Check it out and catch some SPIRIT!!!!!!!
Link to order: https://lbmsbestbuddies.secure-decoration.com/
Luther Burbank Middle School
