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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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October 5, 2012
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Quick Calendar
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October 5
Cross Country Practice
October 7
Open House
October 8
Columbus Day, No Classes or Extended Day
October 9 All Parent Meeting
JV Soccer Practice
Varsity Soccer Practice
October 10
8th Grade to the Cove
JV Soccer v. Browne
October 12
8th Grade returns from Cove
Cross Country Practice
JV Soccer v. CHDS (home)
October 13
Fall Fair
October 15
Cross Country Meet (home)
October 16
JV Soccer Practice
SSSAT Tutoring
October 17
4/5 Coopers to the Cove
Cross Country Practice
October 18
Varsity Soccer v. ACDS
October 19
Varsity Soccer v. Browne (home)
Click here for a full calendar.
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Greetings!
On Saturday we celebrated 50 years of the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies (BCWS) summer camp with a "pop up museum" and remarks from various founders, staffers, campers and supporters in the Loft.
You'll read more about the history of the BCWS camp in the upcoming issue of Voices, but it's important to emphasize that for 50 years the school has benefited from the wisdom of early Burgundy parents, who realized the value of a nature camp. The fact the camp would be run by teenagers was cutting edge in 1963, but the founders knew it would be educationally very helpful in building caring citizen-custodians of this planet. They recognized also that the experience at a mountain campus would offer a spiritual sort of education: the chance for children to know better themselves and their place in the universe. The spiritual excitement of the Cove is not only for students but also the adults who accompany students and help run the school programs.
Vini Schoene '73, daughter to two of the founders (Lester Schoene and Meg Schoene), early BCWS camper, and BCWS Director for 29 years, shares below some of her thoughts:
Among the strongest memories of my early adolescence is the single "ping" of a tiny bell, at which an entire dining room of teenagers, ravenously hungry from a rigorous afternoon of workshops and hiking, was hushed.
"Listen..." John [Trott, founder] would urge in a low voice. Floating down the hill and across the stream came the flutelike song of a Wood Thrush... Packed into that simple moment is the essence of the lasting success of the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies. Partly it was the magic of the sound itself. Partly it was the power of being able to identify the singer. Partly it was the sense of belonging to a community that held that much respect for a single bird. However it was, a huge percentage of us proceeded into adulthood committed to the inalienable right of that bird to sing.
{Early camper and camp staffer] Tony Lewis '51 once commented to me, "when I think of the responsibility placed on me by John back then, I am terrified." I know what he means, and yet here the camp still is, relying on high school and college students who maintain the health and serenity of the place while teaching about the natural world through first-hand experiences; they incorporate humor, physical activity, arts and high academic standards just as Tony and his crew did in the 60s -- taking it seriously but keeping it light.
This past year we have reflected on the evolution of the program to adjust to the times, reviewed the extent of data collected and shared by campers and staff as a contribution to the wider scientific community, and reveled in the sheer numbers of us who have gone on to careers in conservation, science, and education. It is not uncommon for summer camp experiences to make lasting friendships and memories, but it is not every camp that has this degree of specific societal impact.
That last point bears emphasis. As Vini alludes, BCWS extends beyond 500 acres in West Virginia. Our camp and its staff collect data that is used by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Natural Audubon Society and Cornell University, to name a few organizations; and our campers and staffers have "graduated" to support and lead revered programs and projects around the world. Even our students here in Alexandria feel the immediate effects of BCWS camp. The collections of mammals, birds and insects at the Cove, for instance, have been created by campers and staff over the years. Trails have been cut or maintained, and many learning areas have been created.
As former staffers Nate Erwin and Johnny Carrera said on Saturday, "This was one of the first camps devoted to learning about nature for children...It's an incredible little camp with a huge impact around the world." The longevity and benefit of this program is cause for celebration...Happy Birthday, BCWS!
Sincerely,
Jeff Sindler
Head of School
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Dan Lufkin, pictured in the back row, applied for a special license to wire all the electricity at Cooper's Cove in 1967.
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Reminders
All Parent Meeting: October 9
Please plan to join other parents on Tuesday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Loft for coffee and dessert, but more importantly, an open discussion with Jeff, Kari and Jason as they discuss Lower and Middle School news and future plans at the All Parent Meeting (click here to register). Bring your questions! This meeting is a wonderful opportunity for direct communication with Burgundy's administrators. Contact BPA President Nancy Weissman (echoivus@aol.com) with questions.
Applications for New Students of Current Families Due November 15
Current families and/or faculty and staff members who would like to apply for admission for the 2013-2014 school year for any of their children who are not currently enrolled at Burgundy are encouraged to do so by November 15. Visits for these students will be scheduled in early December. Our online application may be accessed here or on our website under "Admission" in the "Applying to Burgundy" section. Please feel free to contact Lori Adams (loria@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0464) if you have any questions or need assistance with the online application. |
Cultural Celebrations
October is a month filled with cultural celebrations, including: National Italian American Heritage Month, Polish American Heritage Month, Filipino American History Month and LGBT History Month. On October 6, the country will celebrate German-American Day. We encourage you to log into Haiku and check out the Diversity @ Burgundy site, where you will find more information on these celebrations and a host of other social, political, religious, educational and cultural events. |
 Student Spotlight: Rock & StrollOn Saturday, September 29, a group of Middle School students volunteered to support the Acacia Rock & Stroll, an event to raise awareness and funds to fight homelessness in Northern Virginia. In addition to a Fannie Mae Mini-Walk around Cameron Run Regional Park, activities included live music, lunch, games, salsa dancing and more. Middle School students volunteered to help wherever help was needed and supported some of the events for young children. At the event, our students met Rep. Jim Moran (pictured right). |
| Sports Success
Burgundy's Varsity Girls' Volleyball team lost 2-0 to The Field School's high school JV team on Thursday. Coach Travis Hudson commends the girls for playing well against a bigger and older team.
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 Introducing Charles Mitchell and Tiffany Richardson
Charles Mitchell, Lower and Middle School Drumming Teacher Q. How would you describe yourself to the Burgundy community? A. I've been playing drums most of my life and teaching for the past 35 or 40 years. I'm in at least six different bands, and we play absolutely everything. For instance, one of my bands, Wild Man Band, has an extremely diverse set list. We've got a violin, guitar, bass and drums, and we play Cajun zydeco to Bob Marley to Allman Brothers. For several years I toured with a band called Solar Circus. We did four national tours, playing 180 to 250 dates a year - a guy named Bruce Springsteen sat in with us one time. I have a severe passion for this. It is incredibly therapeutic. In fact, I am a drum therapist as well. I'm also an avid gardener. Q. Why did you decide to teach at Burgundy? A. This is my ninth year teaching guitar at Burgundy. I started when one of my private students, also a student here at Burgundy, suggested that I teach here. I started teaching sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, and two years ago, Cathy asked if I would consider teaching the young children. The night before my first Early Childhood class, I lost sleep. I thought, "What am I going to do with 28 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds?" You know what? It was a blast. I was able to find a way to compartmentalize it and help them find different sounds, which is the first step in drumming. But this is not just drumming; this is developing your brain. It takes a certain amount of focus and discipline to play drums - it's developing independence and interdependence and so much more. I love teaching that. Q. What are you most excited about in teaching drumming at Burgundy? If I can pass on just a small amount of the enjoyment and enthusiasm I have gained from playing drums all my life to younger people, I walk away and know that I've done something positive in my life.  Tiffany Richardson, Lower School Violin Q. How would you introduce yourself to the Burgundy community? A. I have a passion for music, education and outreach. When I'm not busy with my musical pursuits, you can find me raising awareness for the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, practicing Yoga, or exploring new places. Q. Why did you decide to teach at Burgundy? A. I first heard about Burgundy from a former student, and once I set foot on campus I knew it was a truly unique place. I love the philosophy of the school, and think it's exactly the type of environment a music teacher welcomes. Q. What are you most excited about in teaching violin at Burgundy? A. I'm most excited to teach in a school environment that is so supportive of the music and arts programs. I know there is a lot of opportunity for creativity within violin class and throughout Burgundy. I'm excited for the opportunity to show the students how music-making can integrate with other studies and enrich their lives. |
| Henry Edwards Attends Everyday Math Conference
This summer, 4/5 Teacher Henry Edwards attended an Everyday Mathematics (EM) Conference in Chicago. Henry took advantage of an in-depth introduction to EM, through which he better learned how to integrate math games into his curriculum more often and how to use some of the electronic resources available in EM, among other topics.
Opportunities like these enrich classroom experiences for our students and are made possible by your generous contributions to Burgundy's Annual Giving Fund.
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 Fall Fair: The Final Countdown!DonationsThere's still one week to go before the Fall Fair on October 13, and we would still love your help! Starting Tuesday, October 9, we welcome donations of:
- Gently used kids' clothing and toys
- Books, DVDs and other media (adult and children)
- Clean but not gently used clothing for scarecrow stuffing
We can provide receipts of your donation when you drop these items off at the trailer in the Middle School parking lot. Bake Sale donations (nut-free goodies only, please) may be dropped off at the Admission Office on Friday, October 12, or brought directly to the Bake Sale (next to the Admission Office) before 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Fair. Ticket Pre-SaleOn Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week (October 10-12), be on the lookout for parents selling bundles of 25 Fall Fair tickets for $10 during afternoon carpool. Tickets are also sold on the day of the Fair for 50 cents each, so you're saving $2.50 over day-of-Fair prices by taking advantage of the pre-sale! How many tickets will you need? Well, how much fun do you plan to have? Below are some of the activities available and the number of tickets required for each: - Face Painting: Tattoo - 2 tickets; Stencil - 4 Tickets; Creative - 6 tickets; Full Face - 8 Tickets
- Games: 3 tickets
- Barnyard Tours: 4 tickets. Tours will be at these times only: 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 and will last 30 minutes. Ticket price includes animal feed for feeding animals.
- Moon Bounce: 4 tickets
- Pumpkin Painting: 6 tickets
- Scarecrow Stuffing: 8 tickets
- Haunted House: 8 tickets
- Lemonade Stand: 4 tickets
The Bake Sale, Used Book Sale, Kid's Closet, Burgundy Mart, Artisan Mart, Food Tent, and the new-for-2012 Funnel Cake Stand are handled on a cash basis.
Friday Book Sale
Next Friday, October 12, the Used Book Sale is open to all Burgundy families, faculty and staff from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Please stop by and shop early! All sales are cash and carry.
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Campus Renewal Update
On Monday, October 1, representatives from Burgundy attended the first of four hearings to gain county approval on Campus Renewal Initiative work. At the meeting, the Lee District Land Use Committee voted in favor of our applications. We will have three more hearings throughout the month. If you have any questions about the Campus Renewal Initiative, please contact Jeff Sindler ( jeffs@burgundyfarm.org or 703.960.3431) or Jen Pusatere ( jenp@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0466). |
Burgundy Bulletin
2012 Winter Carol CompetitionEach fall, Alexandria Choral Society is please to invite young artists in Kindergarten through 12th Grade to enter the Winter Carol Competition, a songwriting competition. Patrick Sansone '13 won the competition last year and donated his $300 winnings to Burgundy to allow the school to purchase additional djembes for drumming classes. Click here to read more about this year's competition. Fuse Box Plays at Virtue Feed & Grain on SaturdayFuse Box, a rock band that includes members Perry Conner '11, Kent Jenkins '11, Ian Lloyd '11 and Luis Milburn '10, is excited to play at Virtue Feed & Grain in Old Town Alexandria this Saturday, October 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They would love to see members of the Burgundy community in the audience!
Decorative Accessories from Burgundy Grandparent
Keep a Burgundy grandmother busy sewing with your decorative accessories such as your decorative pillows, table toppers or skirts, or lightweight casual window treatments. Contact Laura Wirkkala (llwirkkala@yahoo.com). |
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Parting Pictures
During Science class, seventh-graders presented cells they had created from various materials, explaining some of the challenges they had encountered. Abbas Ali '14 used candy, clay and a fish bowl to create his cell.
Students traveled with their buddies from Wednesday's All School Meeting.
After making scientific observations about the apples they had picked during a field trip, Junior Kindergarten students used the apples to make apple sauce and apple pancakes.
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