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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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September 27, 2013
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Quick Calendar
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7th Grade returns from Cove
Cross Country Practice
JV Soccer Practice
September 29
4/5 Redtails Potluck
September 30
2/3 Viceroys go to Cove
Cross Country Meet (home)
October 1
2/3 Viceroys at Cove
JV Soccer Practice
October 2
2/3 Viceroys return from Cove
2/3 Buckeyes go to Cove
Varsity Soccer Practice
Volleyball Practice
October 3
2/3 Buckeyes at the Cove
Varsity Soccer vs. Browne (home)
7th Grade Potluck
October 4
2/3 Buckeyes return from Cove
JV Soccer vs. Browne
Varsity Soccer vs. CHDS (home)
Cross Country Practice
October 6
Open House
1st Grade Sheep Potluck
8th Grade Potluck
October 7
Varsity Soccer vs. CHDS (home)
October 8
JV Soccer vs. ACDS (home)
October 9
4/5 Coopers go to Cove
Cross Country Practice
Volleyball Practice
October 10
4/5 Coopers at Cove
Volleyball vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
Varsity Soccer Practice
October 11
4/5 Coopers return from Cove
Cross Country Practice
Click here for a full calendar.
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Greetings!
During the fall I watch Cove trips come and go. When I am lucky and can schedule it, nothing makes for a happier day than driving out, spending the night, and observing one of our Cove trips in action. There is no better expression of our mission and progressive education in action than our students working and learning at the Cove under the wise tutelage of Vini Schoene and the Burgundy homeroom and core teachers who accompany and help lead the trips!
As much as anything, the Cove curriculum makes students researchers. Learning how to be close observers, watchers and listeners, they learn plant, animal and insect species identification skills, for instance, and apply them -- to anything, native or invasive, that grows, flies, creeps, crawls, runs, forages or is foraged at the Cove. Each specimen or creature may be examined in great detail; students learn about the lives, loves and perils of species. They make hypotheses and test their predictions. They learn distinctions and habits. They often draw pictures of what they are learning about. Students write in and can illustrate journals that are kept for all their years of Cove trips and that become a testament to an impressive body of science and ecology learning.
Students and teachers and parents who accompany them eat together. They help with preparing food and cleaning up. They dance and entertain one another in the Barn in the evenings in activities similar and sometimes identical to ways that trips have enjoyed for decades, including square dances. My favorites, thus far, without giving away anything: the 1st Grade Underground Railroad re-enactment; the 4/5 Colonial unit (I've done only the Fall half); and, of course, the eighth-graders' final Cove trip. That last trip includes a final exam that is a demonstration of learning that demonstrates what a vast body of biological and environmental science knowledge our students depart with. There are reprises of 'old favorites' among Cove activities and rituals shared over the years, and it is the first real herald of the end of the Burgundy experience and thus can be bittersweet, though mostly sweet.
Seeing a second-grader confidently identifying a bug or a Middle Schooler identifying the skeleton (or scat) of a mammal, we witness the development of confident, curious, independent learners. That is the gift of Burgundy, and the Cove experience is a mighty important part. Deep thanks to Vini Schoene, BCWS Director and one of the most respected science educators around, as well as to her partner Cove Caretaker David Sicree, and all the assistants Vini trains into existence, some inspired as young Burgundy students visiting the Cove. Cove assistants include young budding graduate students to the full-time Burgundy faculty, many who already are estimable naturalists, all who are trained by Vini and become naturalists and great science teachers in their own right.
Sincerely,
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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Reminders
Buy a Book for Burgundy Ends on Monday! Monday, September 30 is the final day to participate in the annual Buy a Book for Burgundy tradition! Through this program, families may donate the purchase price of one or more of our new books, which will then live in the Library with a bookplate stating "Given by" followed by a child's or family's name. If you haven't already, please come by the Library to choose a book with your child, or send $18 cash or check per book (made out to BFCDS) with your child(ren) to allow them to choose a book on their own. Credit cards can also be accepted for payment. As an added bonus: your child will be the very first student allowed to check out the donated book! Click here for a flyer, and contact Ann Van Deusen (annv@burgundyfarm.org) or Barbara Krainik (barbarak@burgundyfarm.org) with questions.
Volunteer at the Fall Fair! We ask each of our current parents to donate at least one hour of time at the Fall Fair to ensure it is fun and successful for everyone. Each class is assigned an area to manage (click here for class assignments). You may have received an email this week from your class Fall Fair representative with information about how to sign up. Keep in mind that Book Sale and Kid's Closet volunteers get "first dibs" on items. Volunteers for these events are allowed to shop in their respective areas the week prior to the Fair as a token of our appreciation. We will soon be asking our Middle School students to volunteer as well. If you have any questions about volunteering at the Fall Fair, please email Amy Heist (amy.heist@us.army.mil). Fall Enrichments: Registration Ends October 2
The Fall Enrichment session at Burgundy has begun! Click here for all the information you need, including a registration form, for the upcoming fall session of enrichments. To register, simply fill out the registration form for your student(s) and submit it, with your check payment (checks may be made out to BFCDS), to Hugh Squire, Director of Auxiliary Services. Please fill out one registration form per student. Registrations can be sent directly to Hugh or dropped off for him at the Main Office. Registration ends October 2. If you have any questions, please contact Hugh (hughs@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0480).
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 Student SpotlightIn celebration of Peace Day on Friday, September 20, the 2/3 Viceroys and Buckeyes gave new life to old tires by painting them bright colors. In the next few months, they will use the painted tires to build a "tire garden," a structure of stacked tires filled with soil in which they can grow herbs and flowers.
During class this week, the 2/3 Viceroys practiced writing strong sentences by reviewing photos of the activity (including the photo at the right) and describing it. Click here to open a PDF that includes all of their sentences, and be on the lookout for a subject, a verb, and lots of colorful details in each sentence!
*Special thanks to all of the local businesses that donated supplies and contributed greatly to its success, including Lindsay Lexus of Alexandria, which donated tires, and Potomac Paint in Bradlee Center, which donated paint. Many thanks to our parent volunteers as well! |
 Community Service Spotlight
Students Clean Burgundy Road
On Saturday, September 21, a group of Middle School students and parents worked together to clean up Burgundy Road and surrounding streets, from our campus to Telegraph Road via East Street, as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation "Adopt a Highway" program.
Students separated trash from recyclable items and discussed what items they found. The neighborhood streets were relatively clean, but there was a lot of trash in the area from Burgundy Road to Telegraph via East Street. The students observed that the most frequently found items were cigarette butts, which were declared "gross!" Second in frequency were plastic bottles. The students were pleased to note that several neighbors came out of their homes or stopped their cars as they were driving by to thank us for cleaning their street.
 Sixth-Graders Support Burgundy
As part of our sixth-graders becoming a community and beginning, as Middle Schoolers, to become leaders of the school, they completed three in-school service projects on Wednesday, September 25: recording children's books, painting the 1st Grade playground and making leaf-print notecards.
Wright to Read will use some of the recordings to help struggling readers; and they will give others to families with limited English, so parents can help their children learn to read. While Burgundy students have been recording books for many years for a variety of organizations, for the first time, recordings will also be uploaded to Haiku and made available to Early Childhood teachers and parents of early readers.
At the 1st Grade playground, students renewed the painting of the meeting circle and some of the games, adding some math equations. This project was part of the 6th Grade's growing relationship with 1st Grade, as the two are buddy classes.
The third project was making notecards that will be sold at Burgundy's Fall Fair to support financial aid. Students used the leaf printing techniques they learned at the Cove, extending their study of leaves and trees, which has included studying herbivory, analyzing data, identifying trees and writing leaf-shaped poems.
Many thanks to the terrific group of parents who came in to help with all of these projects!
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 Introducing Austin Fodrie and Hugh Squire
Austin Fodrie, Technology Support and Integration Specialist (TSIS)
Q. How would you introduce yourself to the Burgundy Community?
A. I'm from New Bern, North Carolina, and I just graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. I majored in Computer Information Systems. I enjoy playing video games and hanging out with friends. I love the outdoors, and I love to go hiking.
Q. Why did you decide to come to Burgundy?
A. Everything really fell into place for me, and Burgundy felt "right." When I came here for my interview, I really enjoyed the campus and everything that the school has to offer.
Q. What are you most excited about in working at Burgundy?
A. My role is unique in that I am a resource for students, teachers and staff members. I'm excited that I get to work with everyone and get the full "Burgundy experience."
 Hugh Squire, Director of Auxiliary Services
Q. How would you introduce yourself to the Burgundy Community?
A. I am thrilled to be a part of the Burgundy community. I have been working with children since 1999 in both environmental education and auxiliary programs, and I absolutely love it! I love the informal setting of my programs (Extended Day and Summer Camp) as they exist the in the context of a formal educational institution. I am a graduate of the University of Delaware and have lived in Northern Virginia all my life. I am very excited about working in Virginia again, especially now that my wife and I have a little girl. In my spare time, when I can find it, I like to hang out with my family, watch both American and European football, read anything with pages, and spend time outside.
Q. Why did you decide to work at Burgundy?
A. Quite simply, I fell in love with the campus and the community. It was such an overwhelmingly positive, warm, and compassionate feeling as I stepped out of my car for my interview; it was palpable! It only got better from there as I learned more about the school's philosophy and met more of the staff. I also thought that I had the ability to make a really positive impact here. Plus, I think the animals are really, really cool.
Q. What are you most excited about in working at Burgundy?
A. Learning from my colleagues, hanging out with the students, feeding the animals, walking this beautiful campus, swimming, teaching, my short commute, watching the leaves change color, creating fun and educational programs for children, sledding, taking kids on hikes. . . Is there a word limit to this interview? I could go on and on and on. . .
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All Parent Meeting: October 8
Please join us on Tuesday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the Loft for an open discussion with Burgundy leaders, including Jeff and Kari and members of the Board of Trustees. Bring your questions! Each parent is an equally important member of the Burgundy Parent Association (BPA), and this meeting is a wonderful opportunity for direct, face-to-face dialogue. If you already know what you hope to hear about at the meeting, let us know when you register to attend. We'll devise an agenda based on what's most important to you. Complimentary childcare will be provided for children 4 and older in the Extended Day building (any children enrolled in Extended Day can stay on). Pizza will be served. Because of space and staff restrictions, we may only provide childcare to the first 60 children registered, and registration must be completed by 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3. If you are registering a child who is not a Burgundy student, please email Hugh Squire (hughs@burgundyfarm.org) after you register online, so that we may gather important health information. |
Fall Fair: Call for Donations
As we get ready for the Fall Fair, we're depending on Burgundy parents and friends to supply materials for the Kid's Closet, Used Book Sale and Bake Sale. Details are below:
Kid's Closet and Used Book Sale
Please gather and hold on to gently used kids' clothes, toys, adult & children's books and media (including DVDs), and shopping bags in good condition.
- Start date to bring to campus: Tuesday, October 15, you can drop off donations at the trailer that will be in the Middle School parking lot. Donation slips provided.
- End date to bring to campus: Thursday, October 17 for Kid's Closet donations; Friday, October 18 for Used Books donations.
- We cannot accept electronics, car seats, helmets, pajamas, bathing suits or underwear. We can only sell items in good condition, but we encourage you to donate "not-so-gently-used" adult and children's clothing for scarecrow stuffing. These donations should be labeled "scarecrow stuffing" and dropped off at the trailer.
Bake Sale
We'd love to add your goodies to the Bake Sale. Looking for a family activity? Kids love to bake, and they love to decorate too! Many baked goods freeze well, so it's not too soon to get started.
- The Fall Fair is a NUT-FREE event. We cannot sell any baked goods containing nuts.
- Wrap your goodies for individual sale with clear plastic wrap and decorate with ribbons, stickers and more to add "kid appeal."
- Label and identify your sweets. People like to know what they are buying!
- Start date to bring to campus: Thursday and Friday, October 17-18, you can drop off baked goods at morning carpool or the Admission Office.
- End date to bring to campus: Please bring by the Bake Sale (next to Admission Office) by 10 a.m. the day of the Fair, October 19.
Loan Items to the Haunted House
Consider loaning Halloween decorations from your collection to the Fall Fair Haunted House. Email Fall Fair Coordinator Allison Niedbala at allisonn@burgundyfarm.org. Label any loaned items, so that we can return to you before October 31!
Thank you! Proceeds from the Fall Fair support student financial aid.
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Haiku Pages for Athletics, Extended Day and Middle School
We are excited to announce two new Haiku pages that every Burgundy parent can access (via the "Quick Links" section of Haiku on the right side of the portal): Athletics and Extended Day. Check out the Athletics page for updates about each of our sports teams, including scores and schedules. On the Extended Day page, you will find information about Extended Day activities, enrichment opportunities, scheduling and staff.
The Middle School Resource Room is also back by popular demand. This Haiku page, also accessible via the "Quick Links" section of Haiku, is a one-stop shop for all your Middle School needs. Thanks to the expertise of our Middle School Assistant and Database Manager Kathleen Hennessey, this page is now live, interactive and functional. Check the page periodically for information about Middle School events and activities as well as resources from School Counselor Elizabeth Schachter and Director for an Inclusive Community/Middle School Learning Specialist Stephanie Borges.
All parents should have already received information about how to create their accounts in Haiku. If you have not received that information or need a reminder about how to log in, please email Director of Technology Joe Peacock (joep@burgundyfarm.org). |
| Help the Homeless Mini Walk: October 23
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 23, when Burgundy will be coordinating its annual Help the Homeless Mini Walk. Each year, Burgundy students participate together in this community service event, sponsored by Fannie Mae to help raise funds for New Hope Housing, which operates several homeless shelters in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington. Burgundy has partnered with New Hope Housing for more than 10 years, raising thousands of dollars for New Hope's work in our community.
All students will participate in the walk, and all parents are welcome to register and join the walk as well; however, it is important that each student complete a registration. We will have more information regarding registration and other details in the coming weeks, but for now, please save the date!
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| Burgundy Bulletin
Parents Council of Greater Washington
Burgundy is a member of the Parents Council of Greater Washington (PCW), a network of more than 50 independent schools throughout the Washington, DC metro area for parents, school leaders and students. As a member school, our community members are welcome to take advantage of the wealth of resources PCW offers, including the various speaker series listed here. Additional opportunities will be announced in Constant Comment.
Parent Yoga on Thursdays
We have a new day and time for Burgundy Parent Yoga this year. Join us each Thursday from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. in the Drama room, beginning immediately and continuing through the end of the school year. All parents are invited to attend for $10 per class -- come when you can! This is a personal invitation to any of you who thought of trying last year and would now like to take the leap and join us. We would love to have you! Bring comfy clothes, a mat, a water bottle, and a spirit for fun! Email Tara Casagrande (tara@carrotseed.net) if you are interested. Namaste.
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Parting Pictures
Kindergarten students enjoy some time on "Polar Bear Beach" after a trip to the pool.
The 4/5 Redtails spread throughout their classroom (and even outdoors!) for some quiet reading time.
Celebrating diversity, seventh-graders showcase for friends and teachers their various talents (such as making balloon animals while hula hooping) in the Atrium.
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