I let my daughter take some photos for the Buzz this week, and I’m liking her ideas. This one is a little too zoomed in, but I like where she’s going with it!

Good morning, Burlington!

Last night at School Committee, the body reorganized following the April 1 election. Martha Simon is now Chair, and Melissa Massardo is Vice Chair. I didn’t catch the entire meeting, but a couple of tidbits I took from it:

In the policy handbook, they are planning to add a piece about teachers not being able to withhold recess from students as a punishment or have them work on academic work at recess time. This discussion was in a response to an incident where elementary school students were made to do their homework instead of playing at recess. Some members of SEPAC were present to advocate for the explicit inclusion of this policy, citing that students who are excluded from recess are often the ones who need it the most.
The calendar was presented for a first read. The first day of school is expected to be August 30 next year, with teachers reporting two days before. However, School Committee member Christine Monaco requested to see a version of the calendar with school on Good Friday and a version without. This conversation was had last year, too, and the district decided to have school on the holiday. Last year we had so many absent teachers that we had to cancel school, and this year we had 85 teachers out across the district. Superintendent, Eric Conti, agreed to present the two versions of the calendar at a later date.

A hodgepodge of other things I want to be sure are on your radar as we round the corner towards the back half of April:

The second public meeting to discuss the vision of the Blanchard/Wheeler Corridor project will be held virtually at this address on April 26 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Cross Fit Exclamation is having a Pre-Game Pride Fit Fest on May 20, from 9-12. There will be fun workouts, yoga, and music for people of all fitness levels. Stay tuned for more info as this event approaches!
On April 30, from 11-2, there will be a character luncheon with Woody & Jessie from Toy Story at Eddie V’s to benefit Adopt-A-Class 2034. The cost is $40 per adult and $15 per child. Tickets are going fast; get yours here!

In partnership with Roots Yoga

Join the team at Roots Yoga for Root & Run, a supportive seven-week training program where we will pull together as a team and take our discipline outside to support the Lahey Cancer Institute 5K! Enjoy twice-weekly run training as well as Yoga for Runners workshops that will focus on the areas of the body that runners need to stretch, lengthen and strengthen. A seven-week program for less than $100! Click here to learn more and register, and don’t forget to check out all of Roots’ AWESOME April offerings!

Today in Burlington

Meetings and Events

4:00 PM – Board of Assessors will review real estate and motor vehicle exemptions/abatements and reorganize following the recent election. (Town Hall)
4:00 PM – Council on Aging will hear a report on the new liaison/board member from Minuteman Senior Services and more. (Human Services Building and virtual)
6:00 PM – Ways and Means Committee – Education Subcommittee will review the local education operating budget, accommodated budget, and capital warrant articles for the FY24 school year. (Town Hall)
6:30 PM – Zoning Bylaw Review Committee will hear updates from the Planning Director about MBTA Communities and the Master Plan, and get updates on future Town Meeting articles including signage districts, posting of legal notices, and Accessory Use definitions and regulations. (Town Hall Annex and online)
6:30 PM – Shishu Bharati School, educating young children about the languages and culture of India (library event; no registration required)
7:00 PM – Ways & Means Committee will review the operating budget, capital warrant articles, and accommodated budgets for local education, including special education, and Shawsheen/Essex/Minuteman Assessment. (Town Hall and virtual)

Sports and Activities

Boys’ volleyball lost both their Varsity and JV games yesterday, but the teams have seen progress already this season and left disappointed yet hopeful!

Today, it looks like there is a unified coed basketball game against Lexington at 4:00, but last I heard we didn’t have enough signups to make a team, so I’m unclear whether or not that will be happening.

Tennis is at 4:00, too, with our teams facing Watertown. Boys play at Rahanis, while girls travel.

Boys’ baseball is at 4:15; both JV and Varsity will be playing in Stoneham. JV Girls’ softball will play at rotary field at the same time.

In lacrosse, girls are traveling to Lexington with JV playing at 4:45 and Varsity at 6:30. Boys host Lexington at BHS at 5:30.

That’s all I’ve got for you today. Have a great one, neighbor!

Nicci