Blog Posts

Walkathon and Fitness Challenge: It's almost here!

5/22/2019

This FRIDAY, May 24!

Fun, friendship, fitness, and fundraising! The Walkathon is a special day when kids give back to Burley School.

All kids will need:

appropriate clothing and footwear (gym / walking shoes - no sandals or flip flops)
a water bottle (labeled with the child's name)

6th-8th graders also need:

A bag lunch (nut free)
A signed permission slip

Help your students secure donations by sharing their online pledge page and reminding them to bring their paper form to family events. The more donations, the more chances they have to win great raffle prizes like a bowling party, White Sox and Fire tickets, Bears and Bulls memorabilia, tennis lessons, and more!

Deadline for donations to get your kids entered in the raffle is Tuesday, May 28th (after Memorial Day!)

Explore More: May 3

5/2/2019

Preview the Explore More program!

Explore More is a presentation and celebration of student inquiry, curiosity, and creativity. Through inquiry-based learning, students explore meaningful questions and produce original work to communicate with an authentic audience and make a difference in the world.

Inquiry isn’t just about one special day. Student learning is driven by questions and curiosity all year long. We are proud to share this central part of the Burley curriculum with you and to celebrate the students’ expertise and hard work. Please join us!

Schedule of Exhibits
PreK-K - 8:45-9:30
Grades 1-3 - 8:45-9:45
Grades 4-5 - 9:00-10:00
Grades 6-8 - 9:00-10:30

Aspen replaces Parent Portal

4/24/2019

Parent Portal has been replaced with a new CPS system called Aspen. Aspen will provide the same capabilities of the old Parent Portal while adding new features like an easy-to-use mobile interface.

All current Parent Portal users and parents who are interested in creating an account for the first time must set up a new account.

All parents should have received an email with instructions on how to securely set up your new Aspen account. If you experience difficulties or did not receive an email, please complete Burley's Online Aspen Help Form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible!

Visit cps.edu/parent for information, tutorials, and helpful resources!

Fill out Burley's Online Aspen Help Form if you are unable to log in or have not received an email.

Burley Book Bash - order deadline is tonight!

3/8/2019

The annual Burley Book Bash is coming soon! Your child will have the opportunity to interact with, learn from, and be inspired by a professional author. Order books TODAY by 9:00 p.m. This is an extended deadline due to technical difficulties! Books will be signed by the author. Visit burleypta.org/book-bash for information and links to order!

Holiday Hoopla - Thursday, December 20

12/11/2018

Reminder: All performers should dress for the stage! No jeans or print T-shirts, please. Choir and band wear white tops and black pants or skirts.

Join us for a festive morning of music! Our annual Holiday Hoopla assembly is coming up. Here is the schedule of performances:

8:30-10:00am
Prek, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, Advanced Choir & Advanced Band, Student Soloists/Small Groups

10:30am-12:00pm
2nd, 3rd and 4th Grades, Intermediate Band, Student Soloists/Small Groups

1:10pm-2:40pm
5th and 6th grade Choir, Advanced Choir, Advanced Band, Student Soloists/Small Groups

Additional Information:
Auditions for soloists and small groups/ensembles:
Wednesday, December 12: 7:30am-8:15am, 11:00am-12:30pm, 3:15pm-5:00pm in Rm. 005 (Mr. Renfro's classroom next to the north lunchroom)

Food Drive

11/7/2018

The student council's annual food drive will be from Friday, November 9 through Thursday, November 15. Please send non-perishable food items to help our neighbors who use the Lakeview Pantry. Collection boxes will be placed outside each classroom. The class that collects the most will help deliver the food to Lakeview Pantry.

Lakeview Pantry will accept food items that are non-perishable, sealed, and not expired. The most needed items are:

Canned Tuna, Chicken, and Beef
Cereal and Oatmeal
Ramen and Rice
Microwavable Mac & Cheese and Soup
Condiments - ketchup, mustard, and mayo

The Fun Fair is almost here! Buy your tickets, and volunteer!

10/23/2018

Volunteer!

This event means so much to the kids -- and YOU can help make it happen! There are 3 easy steps to sign up and get CPS volunteer approval:

1.

Sign up:

Food/Bingo/Raffle

Admissions/Entertainment

Set up/Clean up

2.

Complete the MANDATORY but EASY
CPS volunteer application.

3.

Bring your DRIVER'S LICENSE or STATE ID to the office before Wednesday, October 24! We must have a photocopy on file to approve your volunteer application.

Visit burleypta.org/fall-fun-fair for all your Fun Fair information!

CPS Volunteer Process

10/16/2018

CPS has a new online process that all volunteers must complete. Please visit cpsvolunteers.org to begin your application.

We love our volunteers at Burley, and our school would just not be the same without you! CPS has a new volunteer application process. If you plan on volunteering at Burley this school year (chaperoning a field trip, helping at an event like Fall Fun Fair or Book Bash, volunteering in a classroom, etc.) you must complete the CPS volunteer application online. It takes less than 5 minutes!

Step 1:
Visit cpsvolunteers.org and click the "Complete a Volunteer Application" button.

Step 2:
Fill out the application. You will be asked if you are applying as a Level I or Level II volunteer. Most Burley parents will be Level II volunteers.

Step 3:
You will receive a confirmation email that CPS received your application.

Step 4:
Bring your driver's license or state issued ID to Burley before or after school (7:30 to 5:30 pm) so the office staff can make a copy. Once this step is completed, Burley can approve you as a volunteer.

We are asking all parents (and caregivers if they plan to volunteer) to complete this process so you can be ready should a volunteer opportunity arise.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to volunteer for the upcoming Fall Fun Fair, you must complete this process.

Fall Fun Fair - Friday, October 26

9/28/2018

Get ready!

There's fun planned for ALL ages - so mark your calendars, get your costume ready (no masks or toy weapons please!) and join us for a "spook-tacular" time at Burley's biggest family party of the year!

Stay tuned for more detail on tickets, activities, and more.

Volunteer!

Contact your room parent if you'd like to help plan your classroom activity. Or join a Fun Fair committee -- admissions, raffle, decorations, food, bingo, or haunted house (7-8)! We need lots of people to make this event a success. Email burleyptapresident@gmail.com. More volunteer information is coming soon.

Donate Raffle Prizes!

Check your closets! Donate new or barely used toys, games, and books to be Bingo prizes. The collection begins Monday, October 15th.

Curriculum Night - Thursday 9/20

9/16/2018

Parents: please plan to join us Thursday from 5:30-7:00 for Curriculum Night. This is an important opportunity to learn about the curriculum, academic goals, and procedures for the year -- and how you can best help your child succeed. You are our partners in a great year of learning!

Curriculum Night Schedule

5:30-6:00pm
Specials Teachers, Diverse Learners, Explore the Building
Feel free to explore the building or visit our Specials classrooms (STEAM, Art, Physical Education and Technology) and the Diverse Learners classrooms. These classrooms will be open and the teachers will be available to talk with you about their curriculum and goals for the year. Say hello to Ms. Plocher, Ms. Nash and Mr. Urbina who will be around the building throughout the evening. Diverse Learners and Specials classrooms will remain open for all three sessions.

6:00-6:30pm
Pre-K through 8th Grade Homeroom Presentations
Pre-K through 8th grade homerooms will open starting at 6:00pm. Visit your child's classroom, meet their teachers and attend a presentation on what your child will be learning this school year and how you can support your students at home. There will be a limited time at the end of the half hour session for a short question and answer session.

6:30-7:00pm
Repeated Pre-K through 8th Grade Homeroom Presentations
Teachers will be repeating their previous presentation for parents who have more than one child at Burley. If you wish, consider visiting another Specials or Diverse Learner teacher.

Please remember - children are encouraged not to attend Curriculum Night. This event is designed for parents only.