Each December, as our students and teachers leave campus for Winter Break and a deserved respite, I reflect on the months gone by and those ahead. This year I am especially grateful to be at a school like Burgundy, a school that is grounded in its values, traditions and community. Those values, as they are enumerated in our mission and philosophy statements, inform all of our decisions and priorities, and that commitment has been evident this Fall in the new Middle School Humanities program, the Capital Area Progressive Schools (CAPS) Conference we hosted, a new forum for communication between parents and school leadership teams, the progress we are making in our Campus Renewal Initiative (CRI), and in many other ways!
First, reflective of our commitment to progressive education, we implemented an integrated humanities program in the Middle School. Under the leadership of Middle School Head Jason Gordon, teachers worked this summer to combine Language Arts and Social Studies, building on historical and thematic connections and providing additional research opportunities and more depth to both areas of study. For instance, students reinforce what they learn about social studies as they analyze literature written during and about historical places and times. As a result of this approach our students are even more excited about learning. And there has never been greater collaboration among Middle School humanities teachers, nor more energy among students.
Meantime, Lower School Head Kari Cafeo, with support from Lower School teachers Ann Douglas (1st Sheep) and Peter Nippard (2/3 Viceroys), was instrumental in coordinating Burgundy's hosting of the 2012 CAPS Conference, with approximately 200 attendees here on our campus. We are excited to bring Burgundy into an increasingly larger fold of conversation about what kinds of teaching and what kinds of schools are best for all children and to allow our campus and community members to inspire these valuable conversations.
Our parents, too, have been hard at work actively engaging the community. I thank BPA President Nancy Weissman for her vision and dedication in collaborating with the BPA Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees and the administrative team to organize October's All Parent Meeting. This new evening forum, combined with the corresponding complimentary childcare, made it possible for our working parents to attend the meeting and facilitated direct communication with Burgundy's leadership teams.
Last but not least, I am thrilled that we received unanimous approval for our CRI applications at four county zoning meetings. The Burgundy Village neighborhood and Lee District leadership have been very supportive. After years of planning these renewal efforts, we can look forward to breaking ground on these projects in the coming year. The result: improving our campus and facilities and creating an even more exciting learning environment.
As 2013 quickly approaches, I am energized by what has taken place thus far this school year. From classroom learning, to Cove trips, to our soccer championship to our Festival of Lights, it's been a great start. The spring semester promises to bring many opportunities for our students to continue to experience the joy of discovery and to better appreciate the connections among all disciplines of learning and all people.
I hope you all enjoy a safe Winter Break and holidays, with time for rest, reflection and renewal! Peace and joy to you all. I look forward to celebrating with you and your children a 2013 that continues to see our students nurtured and inspired.
