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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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October 11, 2013
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Quick Calendar
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4/5 Coopers return from Cove
October 14
Columbus Day: School Closed
October 15
JV Soccer Practice
Cross Country Meet at ACDS
October 16
4/5 Redtails leave for Cove
Volleyball Practice
October 17
4/5 Redtails at the Cove
Varsity Soccer vs. Green Hedges
6th Grade Potluck
October 18
4/5 Redtails return from Cove
JV Soccer vs. CHDS (home)
Cross Country Practice
Junior Kindergarten Potluck
October 19
Fall Fair
October 20
Garden Work Day
October 21
Varsity Soccer Practice
October 22
JV Soccer Practice
Student Recital
October 23
Cross Country Practice
Volleyball Practice
October 24
Varsity Soccer vs. CHDS (home)
October 25
Cross Country Practice
JV Soccer Practice
Middle School Dance
Click here for a full calendar.
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Greetings!
I want to thank the approximately 60 parents who came to the All Parent Meeting on Tuesday evening. We've begun offering these meetings particularly as an opportunity for a direct, frank, lively give-and-take with parents and administrators, and we have covered a range of topics and updates each time. Tuesday, following a welcome from Burgundy Parent Association President Amy Heist, an update on the Fall Fair from Chair Tara Carter, and a herald for the Annual Giving campaign from Director of Advancement Jen Pusatere, Assistant Head of School Kari Cafeo and I spoke about the smooth start to the school year, sharing some of our direct observations of students and faculty, as well as updates on Campus Renewal and campus safety.
Kari, I should note, in her new role as the academic leader for all grades, Junior Kindergarten through 8th, has reprised in the Assistant Head position the old Burgundy 'Assistant Director' position that existed previously at Burgundy for many years, when we had a Director and Assistant Director. Her role as Assistant Head has nurtured more connectivity and communication between our Lower School (Early Childhood and Elementary grades) and Middle School divisions, bringing continuity to curriculum work and awareness across the grades and classes and disciplines. Kari is in every classroom and has been meeting with every teacher, supporting and examining teachers' goals and best practices throughout the school.
Tuesday, Kari mentioned our new Folio program, an online goals and professional development tool that we have begun using with teachers, along with some staff and administrators. Early indications are that this tool, essentially a web-hosted hub for all professional activity, nurtures attention to and enthusiasm for doing and tracking activity toward professional goals. The program is not terribly expensive on a per-person basis; but it is a substantial expense, and there can be no more important investment than the one we make in continuing to train, connect and support our teachers. Most important, this is the sort of innovative program in support of teaching excellence that is made possible by Annual Giving dollars, without which our operational budget would be approximately $250,000 smaller -- which means there is a lot we would not be able to afford!
We want to be able to give our teachers the best possible tools and resources. Tools like Folio help make teaching here the best it can be. It improves professional practice and makes it easy to do things -- like recording important conversations, reflecting on our goals and progress, connecting with peers and sharing learning -- that make us all better educators. That is why we ask that every parent and every staff person make a contribution to Annual Giving, commensurate with their ability to contribute. Tuition covers only about 85% of the real cost of a Burgundy education. We have remarkable facilities and programs, from the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies to our terrific arts and world language programs, wonderful P.E. program and interscholastic sports, and instrumental music, none of which requires additional fees. We afford these essential features of our 'whole child education' and the tools that make our teachers great teachers through the generosity of voluntary giving. We ask that every parent and every employee give something, as a demonstration that we believe in what we are doing here.
I am grateful to Seileen Mullen for chairing this important effort and I hope you will all make a contribution. You will be hearing more from Seileen in a few weeks. It is a pleasure and privilege to lead this school, but it is a total community effort to sustain it.
Sincerely,
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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Reminders
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 2014-2015 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.
Help the Homeless Mini Walk
On Wednesday, October 23, all Burgundy students will participate in a Help the Homeless Mini Walk at school at 8:35 a.m. Our walk raises funds for New Hope Housing, a non-profit organization that provides shelter and tools to build a better life for homeless families and individuals in our community. If we register 250 walkers, we will earn a $2,500 "walker bonus" for New Hope Housing in addition to the registration fees ($30 for adults; $20 for anyone 25 or younger), 100% of which help our homeless neighbors and are fully tax-deductible. Registration must be done online before our walk on October 23! Please email parent Torun Walker (wtorun@hotmail.com) with any questions.
Fall Fair Donations
We welcome donations for the following items, and we are happy to provide a receipt for tax deductions. Unless otherwise noted, please drop off items at the trailer in the Middle School parking lot October 15-17.
- Kid's Closet: Gently used kids' clothes and toys. We cannot accept electronics, car seats, helmets, pajamas, bathing suits or underwear.
- Scarecrow Stuffing: Old, torn, adult-sized clothing is perfect for scarecrow stuffing!
- Used Book Sale: Used books and media (including DVDs) for adult or child readers.
- Haunted House: Scary decorations that you no longer use will help us transform our Extended Day space into a Haunted House. If you are willing to loan or donate items, please contact Allison Niedbala (allisonn@burgundyfarm.org).
- Bake Sale: Please drop off individually packaged nut-free cookies, cupcakes, brownies and other goodies at the Admission Office on Friday, October 18 by 3:00 p.m. We will handle pricing, and we encourage festive decorations! (If you can't drop off items on Friday, you may also bring them directly to the Bake Sale, next to the Admission Office, by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Fair.)
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 Student SpotlightAt the closing circle at the end of their Fall Cove trip, seventh-graders shared excerpts of their journal writings with each other anonymously. They were all given quotes to read aloud, one after another. Each quote was written by someone else, but no one knew who wrote the quote they were reading. Their words captured the trip, and it was a privilege to hear. Below are three examples of "Cove Vespers," and you can click here to open a PDF of all of the vespers that were read aloud.
During break, a group of people and I went down to the rock wall near the swing and made an arch with the rocks. It was hard but we worked as a team and finished it. After it was done, it looked cool and it stood up on its own.
Middle School has taught me a lot about myself that I never would've known if I wasn't at Burgundy. Also: Burgundy ROCKS!
Today was very fun. First thing this morning, we woke, went to have a delicious breakfast. After that I did workshops. There were four. The first one I did was drawing a detailed image of a flower. After that I made a model cell and then I looked at a cell through a microscope, and then we worked in the kitchen to help cook. Then we did more workshops. During break, I played a great game of football. Now we are at the Bald. I think the temperature is perfect. I am not very cold.
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Burgundy Hosts Visiting Teachers from Singapore
We are excited to share that the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) has asked Burgundy to host a group of visiting teachers from Singapore on Wednesday, October 16. ACEI is coordinating a leadership training in the D.C. area and wanted the teachers from Singapore to spend some time on Burgundy's Alexandria campus to gain an understanding about early childhood and elementary level education in the United States.
We are always thrilled to share our unique campuses, and we are particularly honored that this visit will help inspire conversations about best practices in elementary and early childhood education around the world.
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 The Fall Fair is Next Week!
Ticket Pre-Sale
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week (October 16-18), 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; Face Painting - 8 tickets
- Games: 3 tickets
- Barnyard tours with the animals: 5 tickets
- Moon Bounce: 5 tickets
- Pumpkin Painting: 6 tickets
- Scarecrow Stuffing: 10 tickets
- Haunted House: 8 tickets
The Bake Sale, Used Book Sale, Kid's Closet, Burgundy Mart*, Artisan Mart, Food Tent, Lemonade and Funnel Cake Stand are handled on a cash basis.
*This year's Burgundy Mart will feature tie-dye t-shirts in red and green for $15. Both kids' and adults' sizes are available.
Friday Book Sale
Next Friday, October 18, the Used Book Sale in the Loft 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.
Middle School Volunteers Needed
Middle School students, we need your help to box unsold books at the end of the Used Book Sale. The more volunteers we have, the less time it will take, so get some friends together and sign up to help here. If this is a "second shift" (i.e., if you are already volunteering another hour of time at the Fair), this work will count toward your community service hours. Email Laura Dworken (thedworkens@comcast.net) with any questions.
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 Music Box: Student Performance Opportunities
Burgundy's first student recital will be on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Loft, and all students are invited to sing or play instruments - with friends or family members or on their own. Please email the name of your piece to Cathy Manley (cathym@burgundyfarm.org) before Friday, October 18 to participate.
Students who are interested in performing at the Fall Fair on Saturday, October 19 must speak with Cathy Manley (cathym@burgundyfarm.org or 703.960.3431 x520) as soon as possible. There are only a few slots left!
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 Bikes for the World: November 16
In a creative celebration of America Recycles Day, Burgundy will partner with Bikes for the World on Saturday, November 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to collect, repair and donate bicycles to community development programs in more than 12 countries. Burgundy students and parents participate in the program each year, becoming bike mechanics for a day to provide affordable transportation to low income laborers, business people, farmers, health workers and studentsaround the world.
Last year, Burgundy students and parents broke down 41 bicycles and donated them to high school students in a small town in the Philippines. While the elementary school in that town is within walking distance from the children's homes, high school students must travel six miles to and from school. Thanks to Burgundy's collection, these high school students now have a reliable way to get to school each day and are less likely to drop out.
Here's how you can help:
- Save or collect any bikes you are no longer using and bring them to the Middle School parking lot on Saturday, November 16. We encourage you to ask your neighbors or friends if they have any unused bikes as well. Bikes do not have to be in perfect condition.
- Middle School students and parents may volunteer to break down the bikes on November 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You don't need to have any previous experience with tools. We will teach you!
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Cove Closing Weekend: October 26-27
This year we are closing up Cooper's Cove for the winter on the weekend of October 26 and 27, and everyone is invited to come help!
It's a family-friendly event, and you are welcome to come for all or any part of the time. It's mostly a lot of hauling, packing, storing and weather-proofing, but it's also a time to enjoy the Cove at a very pretty time of year in the company of other people who love being there so much that they just don't care what the weather brings. We all have a great time visiting as we work, we take time out for a nice walk and we enjoy catching up around the fire in the evening. We promise to feed you well, and all you have to bring is yourself, a pair of favorite work gloves, and the usual bedding/layers of clothing that you would for a vigorous Cove visit. Children of all ages are welcome, and we do put them to work; but parents are completely responsible for any children they bring.
Still interested? Let us know you are coming by emailing vinis@burgundyfarm.org.
We need to know: how many/for what meals/any dietary issues. Email any questions to vinis@burgundyfarm.org.
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 Introducing Andreas Barrett and Pilar Latorre
Andreas Barrett, Lower School Violin Teacher and Middle School Guitar Teacher
Q. How would you introduce yourself to the Burgundy community?
A. I'm a father of two, I'm happily married, and I like to think of myself as fun-loving and creative. I love to cook and am an avid and lifelong musician. In addition to working at Burgundy, I also lead two bands at Aldersgate United Methodist Church as a Worship Leader. When I'm not playing with my kids, I spend my free time writing music and playing a variety of instruments (some better than others!).
Q. Why did you decide to teach at Burgundy?
A. I was performing in Man of La Mancha with Aldersgate Church Community Theater, and Cathy Manley was one of the show's music directors. She mentioned a teaching opportunity at Burgundy and I was immediately interested. I already knew [1st Grade Assistant Teacher and alumni parent] Diane Burr and [alumni parent] Neone Smith, so I was familiar with the school and its excellent reputation.
Q. What are you most looking forward to in teaching at Burgundy?
A. Nurturing the gifts of my students and collaborating with my colleagues. I'm also grateful for such a lovely place to work. The Burgundy campus is a great place for finding daily perspective and renewal.
 Pilar Latorre, Early Childhood Foreign Language Teacher*
Q. How would you introduce yourself to the Burgundy community?
A. My name is Pilar Latorre, and I am from Malaga, Spain. I have a degree in nursing from the University of Barcelona. Before I married Mike (my American husband), I worked as a pediatric/neonatal nurse in Spain, and I taught and coordinated formation courses to nurses as well. My passions are children and volunteering. My second language is French, which Mike and I spoke before we got married. I traveled twice to Albania as a medical volunteer with "Medicos Del Mundo" to help on a medical project and to assist with children in refugee camps during the Kosovo War (speaking French with interpreters). I am a volunteer member of the Medical Reserve Corps and the Red Cross in Alexandria. I actually teach Spanish around Northern Virginia (Alexandria, Burke, Springfield, Vienna and DC). My best Spanish student is my 10-year-old son Michael Angel. He is completely fluent in Spanish!
Q. Why did you decide to teach at Burgundy?
A. Burgundy is an ideal and unique setting for education with very eager and dynamic children. I felt I was a good match to Burgundy's goals in education.
Q. What are you most looking forward to in your role at Burgundy?
A. I think getting to know my children, connecting with them in a meaningful way and seeing them progress in the Spanish language.
*Pilar works at Burgundy through a contract with All About Languages.
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In Recognition of the Muslim Holiday Eid al-Adha
October 16 is the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in North America. This holiday falls a day later in North America because of our time zone. Eid al-Adha begins at sunset the night before and lasts two days. This holiday commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham) readiness to submit to God by sacrificing his only son in obedience to a command from God. People of the Muslim faith believe Ibrahim's son is Ishmael rather than Isaac, as told in the Old Testament of the Christian bible. In the Muslim faith, Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabic peoples. According to the Koran (the Muslim sacred text), Ibrahim was set to sacrifice Ishmael when a voice from heaven, God's voice, stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram as a substitute for his son. Muslim families celebrate Eid al-Adha by re-enacting Ibrahim's slaughtering of the ram. The families eat one third of the Eid al-Adha meal and donate the rest to the poor. Eid al-Adha also marks the end of the annual Hajj to Mecca. The Hajj, pilgrimage, is the fifth of the five pillars of Islam. This pilgrimage is a religious obligation that must be followed by every Muslim in good physical condition who can afford to go and must be completed at least once in a lifetime.
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A Change of Sport
During the last week in October a changing of the guards occurs. This week is the only time during the year when all four major North American Sports leagues (Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL)) schedule games. The NBA commonly starts the last week of October while the MLB postseason concludes.
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Alumni Corner
Fuse Box, a popular Alexandria band that includes Perry Conner '11, Kent Jenkins '11, Ian Lloyd '11, Luis Milburn '10 and Augustus Koch, released an EP of original songs this summer. You can click here to listen, and you can follow the band on Facebook.
Congratulations to Liz Piper '11, who placed third in the Landon Invitational Cross Country Meet on September 24, 2013.
We're happy to share that Joshua Prentice '84 will be publishing two of his poetry manuscripts. Click here to follow Joshua on Facebook and receive official notifications and details.
Alumni can keep us updated on their exciting accomplishments by contacting Michele McCabe (michelem@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0470).
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Burgundy Bulletin
Mary Lee Anderson, mother to Elizabeth '07 and Rachel '12 and former member of Burgundy's Board of Trustees, has been named as executive director for Senior Services of Alexandria. Mary Lee has served the Alexandria nonprofit community for more than 30 years, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, the Bag Lunch Program, the Virginia State Bar Association and Old Presbyterian Meeting House in addition to Burgundy. Click here for more information.
Neal Fitzpatrick, who taught at Burgundy in the early 70s, recently retired from his 33-year career as an educator, advocate, researcher and Executive Director of the Audubon Naturalist Society of Maryland. Click here to read more about Neal in the "Naturalist Quarterly."
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Parting Pictures
The Kindergarten Penguins prepare to feed the chickens during their rotation of Barn Duty.
During math class, sixth-graders practice finding the area of parallelograms by trying their hands at newspaper layout and design.
Assistant Head of School Kari Cafeo dances with Junior Kindergarten students as sixth-graders sing a Burgundy-specific version of Smash Mouth's "All Star" during the All School meeting.
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