Burroughs Community School

MESPA Home > Honors > Minnesota Schools of Excellence > 2007-2008 Validations > Burroughs Community School

2007-2008 MESPA Minnesota School of Excellence
Minneapolis Public Schools, Special School District #1

"When you have deeply committed staff, parents and community members working in concert, you can achieve the high expectations all are hoping for."

Tim Cadotte is the principal and Frank Catchings, Jr. is the assistant principal of Burroughs Community School. It is an urban school located on the banks of Minnehaha Creek, just blocks away from Lake Harriet. This natural setting provides a connection between the science curriculum, outdoor courtyard living laboratory and partnership with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Continuing their tradition of being a strong community school, Burroughs serves its 700 students with a focus on academic achievement and rigor and the building of life-long relationships.

Burroughs Community School has leadership that provides opportunities for staff to help them grow and learn professionally. Stakeholders are on the forefront of technology and other up-to-date staff development opportunities. Teachers are constantly improving and refining instruction through professional development, study groups, learning walks, and other classroom visits.

A strong sense of community is exemplified at Burroughs. Parents and community are vital participants in the educational process. Each fall at Curriculum Night, teachers share curriculum and classroom procedures with families. This is the beginning of many conversations that continue all year. One very special component at Burroughs is the tutoring program. There are approximately 100 volunteers who work with students who need additional help or who need to be academically challenged. Every year a “Volunteer Tea” is held at principal Cadotte’s home and is one way the staff says thank you to community members for all of their contributions to the school.

Burroughs provides a friendly neighborhood atmosphere, academic excellence, a nurturing and caring environment, a balanced education filled with challenging curriculum, a faculty committed to children first, and an exciting, invigorating school spirit!

“To be recognized as a School of Excellence from MESPA is truly an honor,” said Tim Cadotte, Burroughs’ principal. “There are many components to developing an excellent school. It takes time and dedication. When you have deeply committed staff, parents and community members working in concert, you can achieve the high expectations all are hoping for. The final ingredient is great students. At Burroughs, we are fortunate to have all of these,” he concluded.

Burroughs Community Minnesota School of Excellence Celebration:
May 8, 2008
6 p.m.

Burroughs Community School will hold a celebration to honor its Minnesota School of Excellence validation on Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in the school gymnasium and cafeteria. All Burroughs families are welcome. The celebration is called Fiesta de Mayo and is being held in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo. “This will be a big evening of fun,” said Tim Cadotte, Burroughs principal. “It will be a packed house with great, and many events.”

The evening’s program includes performances by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade choirs, plus a traditional Mexican dance program performed by kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade Burroughs ELL (English Language Learner) students. In addition to the community of school parents, community and education dignitaries will include: Marianne Norris, Minneapolis Area C Associate Superintendent; and MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti, who will present the Burroughs school community with a Minnesota School of Excellence plaque.

Immediately following the program, there will be: a Latino and American buffet potluck sampler – each family is asked to bring a main dish, their favorite entrée; a “Kids American Picnic;” Mariachi, DJ, and dancing; a cake walk (contributions welcome!); and a book fair in the Media Center, with half-priced Scholastic books. To download a flyer describing the Fiesta de Mayo, click on the PDF link below.

Fiestademayo.doc

Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

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