"All I ever needed to know,
I learned in Kindergarten"
- Robert Fulghum

Burley Kindergarten

A big welcome to our new Burley Kindergarten families!
We are thrilled to enroll your child in our nationally recognized program and look forward to working together to instill a joy and love of learning that is the hallmark of Burley students.

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A Special Note

June 14, 2012

Dear Burley Kindergarten Families:

We have great news to share! The school has received its budget from Chicago Public Schools and learned that full-day kindergarten at Burley has been fully funded by the school district. We are pleased to inform you that there will be no special request for donations from kindergarten families to help fund this program.

In addition, we have more big news for you:

• Burley is pleased to announce that Catherine Plocher will become our new principal on July 1st. Ms. Plocher just completed her second year as our Assistant Principal. Prior to this, Ms. Plocher served as an instructional coordinator for literacy in several CPS schools and earlier taught 3rd, 4th and 8th grades. She shares Burley’s commitment to a literacy-focused, progressive and inclusive approach to elementary school instruction. We are thrilled and lucky to have her.
• Our school was recently named Illinois’ sole winner of the International Reading Association Exemplary Reading Award. At Burley, 91.5 percent of students are reading at or above grade level. We thank our teachers and staff for making our school a leader in education.
  
• Construction crews will break ground this summer to continue our eagerly anticipated playground renovation. Included in this Phase II are an artificial turf athletic field, a soft track and a new basketball court. Thanks to all of the Burley parents, grandparents, neighbors and community members for your donations. A ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for the fall. (Phase I included new early childhood playground equipment.)
• Burley’s new school hours for 2012-2013 will be 8:00am-3:00pm. We offer numerous after school enrichment programs as well as before and after school care. Please contact the office at (773) 534-5558 for additional information.
  

Please join our email list for updates regarding Burley’s summer activities and other announcements. Send an email to infoburley@gmail.com with your name, your child’s name and your email address. If you have friends or neighbors who plan to send their children to Burley this fall, please encourage them to register as soon as possible -- the office is open all summer.  Accurate enrollment numbers assist the administration in making preparations for the fall. Have them call (773) 534-5558 or just drop by the school office.

Important upcoming dates:

• Family Pizza Night Fundraisers - Pizzeria Serio on July 12; and Chicago Pizza on August 15
  
• Classroom Open Houses - August 30 from 8:30 – 9:30 am (visit classrooms and meet the teachers)
  
• Early Bird Day - August 30, 8:30am – 6:30pm (drop off school supplies and fill out school forms)
  
• New Parent Orientation - September 5 at 6pm
  
• Family Ice Cream Social - September 6 from 6-7pm
  
• Curriculum Night - September 20
  
• Fall Parent Social - September 28

Please visit the Friends of Burley website or the Burley School website for more information.