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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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November 16, 2012
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Quick Calendar
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November 16
Pizza Day
7th Grade Play
November 20
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
12:00 p.m. Dismissal
No Afternoon Bus Service
No Afternoon Extended Day
November 26
Classes Resume
Student Picture Make-Up Day
Click here for a full calendar.
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Greetings!
We hope if you weren't able to make it to last night's opening of the seventh-graders' production of Haroun and the Sea of Stories that you'll be able to catch tonight's performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Loft.
Based on Salman Rushdie's children's book of the same name, Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a mythological fantasy that combines an exciting adventure story with hilarious physical theatre, emphasizing the freedom of speech and the importance of storytellers throughout history.
The 7th Grade students first read Rushdie's book as sixth-graders last year, and they were so excited by the material that they used their own freedom of speech to request to perform it as their 7th Grade production. Under Deborah's direction, they have personalized the performance, enhancing the script, rotating multiple student actors in the lead roles and adding two student-written raps.
Burgundy's arts program strives to foster the creative, critical and communicative potential of all students. Students learn to regard the uniqueness of the individual and at the same time, appreciate collaborative work and respect for others. Burgundy students are meticulous not only in their study of the story, the script, their voices and their bodies, but also in calling upon skills they have learned for creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and cooperative and collaborative team work. The result is a play that shines with youthful energy and a true sense of joy.
We continually hear from graduates that their Middle School productions were among the most meaningful experiences they had here at Burgundy. Just recently, two separate alumni, both active in high school theater, shared with us that they would have never gotten involved in performing arts had they not been involved in Burgundy's Middle School productions. Stories like these offer us, as a community, something to be proud of, and they also offer our students the opportunity to explore and create their own amazing stories. Rashid Khalifa and his only child, Haroun, would certainly be proud of us as well.
Sincerely,
Jason Gordon
Middle School Head |
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Reminders
Board Briefs: Call for Nominations
The Board of Trustees is a dynamic volunteer group of Burgundy parents, alumni and supporters that is charged with ensuring the long-term stability and financial viability of Burgundy. Each year the Burgundy community has the opportunity to elect several new members to the Board while ensuring an important degree of year-to-year continuity among existing Trustees. If you are interested in or have questions about service as a Trustee, or if you know of someone who might be interested, please contact Nancy Piper, Chair of the Committee on Trustees (npiper@virginiasosftware.com or 703-765-5440).
Grandparents and Special Friends Day: November 20
We hope you'll join us on Tuesday, November 20, for Grandparents and Special Friends Day honoring Barbara Simmons as our Special Friend of the Year. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., we will gather in the Gym for coffee and pastries. The program will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by classroom visits at 10:30 a.m. Classes will dismiss at 12:00 p.m., and there will be no afternoon bus service or Extended Day. No need to RSVP, but if you have questions, please call 703.960.3431. There will be parking and a shuttle service at Sunset Hills Baptist Church (at the corner of Franconia and Norton Roads). We encourage you to use this shuttle service and remind you that if you choose to park on neighborhood streets, you may only park next to a white curb (if you don't see a curb, you're in a no-parking zone). Do not turn around in or block anyone's driveway. You may be ticketed or towed. Picture Make-Ups and Retakes on Monday, November 26 Splendid Portraits has scheduled make-up pictures, including retakes, for Monday, November 26 (which is now a regular school day), from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. If your student is retaking his or her school portrait, he or she will need to bring the first proof on Monday to return to Splendid Portraits. Please contact Cathy Guertin (703.842-0469 or cathyg@burgundyfarm.org) with any questions. |
 | | Annual Giving Chair Seileen Mullen with daughters Kenna Murphy '18 and Arainn Murphy '15 |
Annual Giving Kicks Off!
It's that time of year again, and because no one can resist Board of Trustees member and fellow parent, Holly Sloan, I agreed to chair the Annual Giving campaign when she asked me to take the lead. With one child in Middle School, one in the Lower School and eight years of Burgundy under my belt, I can probably persuade just about anyone about the incredible value of the Burgundy experience. We are officially launching our Annual Giving campaign next week, and are hoping for 100% participation from our Burgundy families with a financial goal of $250,000. As many of you know, Burgundy relies on Annual Giving to help support (1) Program and Instruction (2) Financial Aid and (3) Professional Development. Details of Annual Giving, to include the various ways of giving, will be arriving shortly in your mailbox. We hope to have your pledge in by mid-December. One final note, I know that every single Burgundy parent has charitable giving as a core belief. Why not make Burgundy -- the place where your child goes and grows -- a priority? - Seileen Mullen, Annual Giving Chair
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 Sports Success
Varsity Soccer ChampionsThe Burgundy Blazers' Varsity Soccer team crowned their 2012 undefeated season with a championship win. On November 13, at Bishop Ireton High School's turf field, the Blazers came back to defeat Alexandria Country Day School (ACDS) 3-2 after conceding an early goal. At the end of the game, our defense successfully withstood ACDS's attempts to score a goal and tie the game in regulation time. The team played offensive soccer throughout the season, backed up by a powerful defense. Most importantly, these talented and determined kids formed a great team. The 2012 Blazers team was comprised of eight eighth-graders (Kyle Cafeo, Baker Casagrande, Alec Coakley, Lindsay Cullen, Greta Holt, Patrick Sansone, Dagmawi Shimeles, Eliza Snee), six seventh-graders (Tomas Camacho, Beata Corcoran, Miguel Davis, Jr., Kyle Miller, Ethan Steinberg, Spencer Wigodsky), and four sixth-graders (Abigail Abraham, Kevin Cafeo, Hannah Miller, Nick Sansone). Congratulations to all players and, of course, to all those loyal fans! - Ivana Bulirova, Varsity Soccer Coach  Cross Country NewsWe had nine cross country runners participate in the last meet of the season on November 14 at Alexandria Country Day School, where five schools gathered for the competition. Burgundy's team was led by Russell Broman '14, who came in fourth place, closely followed by Patrick Sansone '13 and Kyle Miller '14. Other boys who earned points for our team were Ayinde Summey '13, Noah Brody'15, Nyrere Sesay '15 and Weston Smith '15.. Two Burgundy girls ran in the meet: Thea Mills '14 and Christiana Cody '15. As a team, we placed second. Congratulations to all runners for a great meet! - Ivana Bulirova, Cross Country Coach |
Bikes for the World Collection: November 18
Bikes for the World, a project sponsored through the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, aims to collect valuable but unwanted bicycles and related material -- parts, tools, and accessories -- and deliver them at low cost to community development programs assisting the poor in developing countries. Burgundy will be hosting their annual collection on Sunday, November 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Middle School parking lot. The bikes donated to our partner organizations provide much-needed and affordable transportation to laborers, micro businesspeople, farmers, health workers, and students. Please click here for more information about the program and donations, and contact Doug Fishman (703.960.3431 x511 or dougf@burgundyfarm.org) with questions.
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Garden Open Harvest: Today!
There won't be many more opportunities for garden-fresh greens! Take advantage of an Open Harvest in the Community Garden today, Friday, November 16, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Take home lettuce, Swiss chard and spinach.
Happy Thanksgiving from your Garden Committee Chairs,
Jane Hanson and Jill Reuter |
"What Happened to My Lovable, Joyous, Friendly Child?"
Rescheduled for November 28
Have you ever tried having a discussion with your teen or tween (pre-teen) about tough topics such as being responsible, respecting yourself and others, completing homework independently, dating, or body image? If so, then you've probably heard them say, "Yuck," "I don't feel like talking," or ... nothing, just silence...
Not to fear, Elizabeth and Stephanie are here!
Please join School Counselor Elizabeth Schachter and Director for an Inclusive Community and Middle School Support Coordinator Stephanie Borges for a conversation/information session on Wednesday, November 28, from 8:40 to 9:40 a.m. in the Library. Together, we will help you understand where your child is developmentally by breaking down developmental milestones, both academic and social-emotional. If you are planning on attending please RSVP (stephanieb@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0465), so that we have an accurate count to help us plan accordingly. All parents are welcome.
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