Message from the Principal…
Happy 2013! I hope that all of you enjoyed some
wonderful family time during the holidays.
It was exciting for all of us to come back to a new semester. It is so important to check in
with your son or daughter to make sure that they have all of the supplies they need for their
classes. Please check in with the Parent Portal to see how your students are doing in their
classes and encourage them to read. We know that the connection between home and school is
so important for student success. This especially applies to 8th graders as they prepare for
promotion and high school.
The spring semester is crammed with activities! You can keep up to date through the daily
bulletin which is posted on our website. The Luther website contains valuable information on
many topics and we are working diligently to make it a vital part of daily life at Luther. Please
visit us at: www.burbankusd.org ; Click on schools, middle schools and then Luther.
Take this opportunity to mark your calendars for our Open House on February 12th from
6:30-8:00. Be sure to visit the PTSA Book Fair while you are here.
Dr. O’
THE BUZZ Volume VI - Issue#6 - February 2013 Luther Burbank Middle School
3700 West Jeffries Ave., Burbank, CA 91505 - (818) 558-4646
Principal: Dr. Brian O’Rourke
PTSA President: Tammy Sparks
Facebook: Luther Burbank Office (818) 558-4646
From the PTSA President
February may be the shortest month, but it’s also pretty busy here at Luther. Luther is hosting the Middle
School Tri-School Basketball Competition this month, and PTSA is organizing goodie bags for each
participant. Our Spring Scholastic Book Fair starts on the 8th, and will run through the 15th. You can also stop
by the Book Fair during Open House on February 12 and stock up on some new titles! At our February 13th
PTSA meeting we’ll be celebrating PTA Founders Day. All the past PTSA Presidents from Luther, stretching
back to the sixties, have been invited to attend, as we remember the women who founded the PTA over 100
years ago. ASB hosts the Valentine’s Dance on Friday February 15th after school, where students can dance,
have fun with friends, and purchase some Valentine’s themed goodies! On Campus Lunch is the 15th too,
don’t forget! And 8th graders are getting ready for promotion and high school by taking promotion pictures
and registering! It’s hard to believe they’ll be promoting in a few short months.
Whatever you can join us for this month, we look forward to seeing you! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Tammy Sparks
PTSA President
[email protected] or [email protected]
What kind of flower do you NEVER give on Valentine’s Day?
(answer on the back page)
2
Counselors’ Corner
The school year is zipping by! It’s especially important for students to stay on track for second
semester. Here are a few tips for all families to avoid Spring Fever:
~ Check the grade website weekly. Pick a day as a family to log on and look at progress. Keep
your child’s backpack nearby to look for assignments that may not have made their way into
the hands of teachers on the due date.
~ Clean out backpacks and notebooks once a week. Sharpen pencils, toss trash, and clear out
items not needed for school.
~ Read 15-20 minutes nightly. Independent reading just before bed encourages restful sleep,
and keeps students on track for meeting Accelerated Reader goals for the semester.
~ Get outside! Regular physical activity helps the human brain function properly. Take a walk
after dinner together. Get out on your bikes. Play a family game of soccer. Turn on some music
and dance. Just get moving!
Luther’s Open House is on Tuesday, February 12th from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Stop by all of your child’s classrooms, and make a point to visit the classrooms of the teachers for the next grade level to get an idea what to expect next year. We hope you’ll join us! Traci Fellman (A-L) 818-558-4646 ext. 20920
Michelle Hacking (M-Z) 818-558-4646 ext. 20922
YEARBOOK Reminders ATTENTION: 8th Grade Parents!
There are only 3 pages of YEARBOOK space available. First come first serve. The deadline for ad submission is
March 1st, or until all pages are sold. Please give copy (printed, e mail or disk) to Debra Reynolds the Yearbook
Advisor ([email protected]). Prices are as follows:
Business card sized ads (4" wide by 2 1/2" tall) are $25
Quarter page ads (4" wide by 5" tall) are $50
Half page ads (8" wide by 5" tall) are $100
Full page ads large groups only (8" wide by 10" tall) for $200.
Best Friends Pics
ALL STUDENTS - Ms. Reynolds and the yearbook staff will be taking best friends pictures on the lawn during
lunch on Thursday, February 14th and Friday, February 15th. Only one picture will be allowed per students so
choose your group carefully. If you want - bring your Valentine's Day gifts to add to the picture.
YEARBOOK SALE
Yearbooks are currently on sale for $50, cash only, from Mrs. Lusby in the main office. Over 470 books have
been already sold. Order now to avoid having to stand in line at the end of the year, hoping that we do not run out
of copies. Prices will go up the last week of school and supplies are limited.
To view a color version of the BUZZ, go to
Burbankusd.org; click on Schools, drag to
Middle Schools, click on Luther Burbank,
click on the BUZZ.
Or
Go to THE LUTHER LOWDOWN
http://www.lutherptsa.wordpress.com
A Note from the School Nurse By Peggy Kurihara, RN
Seasonal flu vaccines are still available. Please
contact your Primary Care Physician or visit the
CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu for more
information on the vaccine and whether to have
your child vaccinated. It is highly recommended,
especially with the havoc this flu season
has caused on the East Coast and other parts of
the United States. The CDC recommends a
yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important
step in protecting against the flu virus.
Please encourage good hand washing
practices with your child.
Teach your child to cough into a tissue or
their elbow when a tissue is not
available. Wash hands after.
Eat nutritious meals -including fresh fruits and
vegetables, protein, and whole grains.
KEEP SICK CHILDREN AT HOME. A child with
a fever of more that 100 degrees or one
displaying flu-like symptoms such as cough,
runny nose, aches/chills, headaches, sore
throat and fatigue, should not come to
school. Give fluids and encourage plenty of
rest if they become ill.
As adults, we can serve as good role models
by frequently washing our hands and covering
our nose/mouth when we cough and sneeze.
If your child is sick, please keep them home.
Reminder, ALL current 6th grade
students must bring in proof of having
the TDap Vaccine by 3/1/2013.
"No shot, No Fall Registration packet."
"Remember, healthy children
learn better."
Attention All Parents Tuesday, March 5th will be Writing Test Day.
All grades will be taking a writing test but the 7th
graders will be taking the California State Writing
Test. Please help your students by insisting on a
good night’s rest, giving them a good breakfast
and helping them arrive to school on time.
Liz Costella
Assistant Principal
818-558-4646 Ext. 20910
On Time Means Well-Educated Did you know that a student who is five minutes late to school each day misses fifteen hours of instruction over the course of the school year? Arriving tardy to the same class multiple times will result in a “U.” Our Eighth Grade students need to be especially punctual so they do not miss out on promotion because of a “U.” We like our students on time and in class. Please help us help your students! Make sure your son or daughter is here before 8:00am and is organized so they can make it from class to class on-time throughout the school day.
Robyn Anders Asst. Principal, Discipline
3
IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR NOVEMBER
by Lisa Dyson, your Arts for All Chair
Well, 2013 is off and running:
MRS. CATHY KIM’S LBMS WIND
ENSEMBLE spent the day performing at Disneyland on
January 21st. They have postponed their 10-week concert
due to Mrs. Kim’s maternity leave. But once she returns,
they’ll be gearing up for their Spring Concerts and we will
need items donated for gift baskets along with needing
volunteer help. Please contact IMA Booster Chair Sue
Brewer or email [email protected], if you can help
out in any way.
MRS. DEBRA REYNOLDS and her students are deep into putting our LBMS yearbook together. She’d like to
remind all parents and friends that the deadline for 8th grade ads is March 1st!!! There are only 3 pages still
available so first come, first served. Business card-sized ads are $25, ¼ sized page ads are $50, and ½ page sized
ads are $100. For groups only, one-page ads are available for $200. If you would like to purchase an ad, please
contact [email protected]. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR THE YEARBOOK – best friend pictures
on the lawn on Valentine’s Day. **You can still purchase a yearbook; the cost currently is $50 (cash only). Don’t
wait, as the price will go up to $55 during the last week of school!**
MR. TONY REDMAN’S VMA choirs are beginning their
competition season. SPOTLIGHT led off by heading to
Disney’s California Adventure on January 25 to sing their
“Mamma Mia” set and play in the park. On February 2,
STARLIGHT and SPOTLIGHT choirs had the opportunity to
participate in the John Muir Middle School Overtures Show
Choir Workshop and Clinic. This fun-filled day gives our
choirs a chance to work with professional show choir
adjudicators to enhance their performance as well as observe
other competing choirs. Pop Show specialty act auditions
were held on February 4 & 5.
SAVE THE DATES: VMA POP SHOW
APRIL 4TH & 5TH at 6:30 pm
LBMS Wind Ensemble at Disney’s California Adventure
LBMS Spotlight Choir at Disney’s California Adventure
Spotlight hits the stage! Lucy Brooke sings a solo. Mamma Mia we love Disney!
Article continues on page 5 4
GREEN FOR GREEN RECYCLING
Please bring your plastics, cans and paper goods to be recycled and make money for our school while helping the environment. Bins are located on the Maple Street side of campus next to the 700 wing and just inside the fence. You may enter through the big parking lot.
Cheer News Our cheer squad took 2nd place
at their January 12th competition
at J. Serra Catholic High School.
Congratulations!
Our next competition is Sunday, February 10th at
CV High School in La Crescenta. We earn extra
points for spectators, spirit and participation. Come
out and "Feel The Sting".
For more information, contact Melissa Galan
Auditions were held on January 28th for our LBMS Musical Theatre presentation of
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. Performances are set for April 18th and 19th
at 6:30. More info about this upcoming show will be posted in the March Buzz.
OUR ELD CLASSES went on their field trip to Glendale Centre Theatre in December to
see “A Christmas Carol”. The show was the culmination of their Artist-in-Residence
program made possible by a grant from BAFA.
MR. JOE REED’S EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY CLASS - UPDATE ON THE LUTHER MOBILE - The Luther
Mobile project is coming along beautifully. As you know, we were recipients of an Arts for All Grant. We have
used that money to work on the graphic arts portion of the VW as well as the "wrap" that will go around the sides
of the vehicle. The Upholstery and Art team joined Mrs. Fariss and myself at Ghost Industries in San Fernando
on January 8, 2013. Ghost Industries creates cars for movies, TV shows, and commercials. The students were
able to see the paint process, custom upholstery department, and graphic arts department. The upholstery will
have our custom Luther logo sewn right into the fabric of the seats! The graphic arts department had a small
version of the "wrap" that will go on the sides of the VW prepared for the team. The Animation students at
Burbank High School created this graphic. There was a competition for the best design using our Luther Yellow
Jacket Logo at BHS.
Ghost Industries should be finished with this part of the car restoration in the first week of February. The
Upholstery and Art team will travel to Warner Bros. along with the Animation students from Burbank High School
for the application of the wrap. Finally, the Electronics team will return to Warner Bros. for the radio and
speakers installation along with some other electronics work. You may follow the process at the website:
www.luthermobile.com.
AROUND TOWN:
JBHS DRAMA “SWEENEY TODD” (the Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
FEB. 8TH & 9TH @ 7:00 pm - FEB. 10TH @ 2 pm
And, as usual, if you have any questions about the Burbank Arts for All Foundation or wish to become a member or
volunteer your time, please click on the website at www.burbankartsforall.com or contact me directly
Continued from page 4
5
Cupid is ready to shoot his arrow….
Join the fun at the
ASB Valentine’s Day Dance
February 15 from 3:15 – 5:00 pm
PTA will be there selling yummy iced
cookies ($2) and popcorn ($1). Have
fun with your friends
and get some treats too!
See you there……..
Our Spring PTSA Book Fair is Here!
The PTSA Scholastic Book Fair begins on Friday, February 8th and runs through Friday,
February 15th. We will be open during lunch, after school, and at Open House on February
12th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. The last day of the Book Fair is also our PTSA On Campus Lunch,
so feel free to drop on by. The Book Fair is also having a drawing to guess how many
candies are in the jar. The student can win a $10 certificate toward a book. Friday,
February 8th will be 6th graders turn, Tuesday, February 12th will be the 7th graders turn,
and on Wednesday, February 13th will be the 8th graders turn. On Thursday, we will
announce the winners. I am currently looking for helpers at lunch, after school, and Open
House. If you can help out, just email Sonia at [email protected].
If you can’t wait, or you’re too late, don’t fret, Luther’s book fair is on-line!
Anything in Scholastic’s warehouse is available 24/7 at
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/lutherburbankmid
Sunday, February 3 through February 23, 2013 and it will credit Luther
the same as if you bought it at the school book fair.
The book will be shipped directly to your home.
cheer Sharky's fundraiser
All day Tuesday, February 19th.
Must present flyer at the time of order.
Flyers are available in the LBMS office.
6
7
Mission Statement of the California State PTA The mission of the California State PTA is to positively impact the lives of all children and families by representing
our members and empowering and supporting them with skills in advocacy, leadership, and community.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 13th at 7:00 in Library (due to Open House)
February
8 Book Fair through February 15th
8 Spring Portraits
11 Lincoln’s Birthday - No School
12 Open House 6:30 - 8:30 pm
13 Parents and Students PTSA Meeting 7:00 pm Library
15 On Campus Lunch 12:00-1:00
15 Valentine’s Day Dance 3:15 - 5:00 pm
18 President’s Day - No School
19 8th Grade Promotion Pictures
26 College T-Shirt Day
March
5 “Surviving Adolescence” 6:30 pm Library
12 Parents and Students PTSA Meeting 7:00 pm Library
14 Band Concert 3:30 pm
15 On Campus Lunch 12:00-1:00
15 6th Grade Greek Day
18-22 Spring Break
26 College T-Shirt Day
LBMS PTSA Calendar LBMS PTSA
President: Tammy Sparks
1st VP/Family Picnic: Gabriella Platten
2nd VP/Membership: Magda Sellon
3rd VP/Fundraising: Amy Phelps
Treasurer: Annette Fiol
Financial Secretary: Nancy Kim
Recording Secretary: Laurette Cano
Historian: Ilya Mindlin
Parliamentarian: Tami Bercini
Auditor: Carol Skaar
Corresponding Secretary: Kate Platten
A Special Valentine Gift The My School's Cool program is still going up at the mall. It's time to go get that Valentine of
yours something special. The mall is the perfect place to find that unique gift. Luther is still doing
well with the help of all of you shoppers. Remember, we are competing with all of the other
middle schools. The school with the most points from January to March will win $500.00. All mall
retailers are part of the program, including IKEA, AMC 6 and 8, Baja Fresh, Barnes & Noble,
California Pizza Kitchen, Chevy's, El Pollo Loco, In-N-Out Burger and Office Depot. The double
point retailers for the month of February are Aldo, Aeropostle, AMC 6 & 8, As Seen on TV, Carlton
Hair International, Coach Store, Colony Theatre, IKEA, Inspire, Magnifique Madmoiselle, Mandarin
Gems, Media Time Watch, Modern Ring, My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, Old Navy, Perfumes N
Cosmetics, Red Persimmon Nail Spa, Ruggles Hallmark, Sport Chalet, Sunglass Hut, Timepiece
Network, Zales Jewelers, and Zono Sushi. So please help earn extra money for our school by
collecting those receipts! Any questions, please call Tami Bercini (818)848-5378.
Answer from page 1: A Cauliflower