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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
| January 31, 2014
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The polar vortex has covered our Alexandria campus in a beautiful layer of white, but it hasn't put a freeze on the exciting activities that always happen here at Burgundy. As we write this newsletter, the seventh-graders are traveling to their annual ski trip at Whitetail. Students in other grades still get the thrill of flying down snow-covered slopes -- they're sledding down the hill during their PE classes!
So far, 2014 has been filled with fun adventures and continued traditions for our Burgundy community. Since resuming classes after winter break, our Junior Kindergarten class has begun preparing for their annual "Around the World" unit, the 2/3 classes have presented dioramas and research about their endangered animals of choice, the 4/5 classes wrapped up their China studies with the China Expo, and 6th Grade has jumped right into Burgundy on Broadway rehearsals.
We hope the new year is bringing similar opportunities for you and your family to build on traditions as well as explore new adventures. We also hope that 2014 will bring many opportunities for you to stay connected to Burgundy. Visit us soon!
Sincerely,
Jen Pusatere
Director of Advancement
jenp@burgundyfarm.org
703.842.0470
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Burgundy Loses Notable Community Members
We have had a bundle of sad news recently with the deaths of Michael Sevareid '53, son of founders Lois and Eric Sevareid, a member of Burgundy's first entering and graduating class, and moderator for many of our Sevareid Forums; Anna McKenna, one of Burgundy's legendary teachers and a mentor of many teachers; Mike Niccolls, Burgundy parent-leader, volunteer, champion for Burgundy and good causes, and feminist before the term existed; and Don Mills, Burgundy's longest-serving director, from 1963-1986. We lost Shawn Bernstein, alumni parent to Liana '11 and Daniela '13 and a devoted Burgundy volunteer; and Richard Wolf, former Board member and parent to Anne '79 and Jennifer '80 in December; and in November, we lost "Polly" Hall, grandmother of Amanda Kane '02 and mother of former teacher Judy Kane.
Many of us are feeling profound loss for the departing of these individuals, whose contributions to Burgundy span at least six decades, and who represent distinctive and important pieces of Burgundy's past. But there is solace in having known and been connected to these remarkable people. What incredible people our community has included and benefited from over the years!
We were honored that Anna's family chose Burgundy for her memorial service earlier this month, and it was a privilege to witness nearly 200 people reconnect here on campus and celebrate the life of a master teacher. We are hoping to coordinate services to honor Don Mills and Michael Sevareid as well. Please make sure to check our Facebook page for more news about that in the coming weeks.
We issue fond and grateful farewells to all of these fine Burgundians. They all have contributed to Burgundy in more ways than we can count, helping to shape our culture and community. Indeed, it is people who make the institution. Anna, Don, Michael, Mike, Shawn, Polly and Richard will each be sorely missed, and we will continue to carry forward their legacy.
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Join Us for Burgundy on Broadway: February 20 & 21
On Thursday, February 20, and Friday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Loft, Burgundy's sixth-graders will perform Burgundy on Broadway: Heroes and Legends, a musical revue with a repertoire that spans from 1960's Camelot and 2005's Spamalot to 1984's Footloose and 1997's Hercules. Also listen for a fun rap and a rendition of Mariah Carey's "Hero." Burgundy on Broadway is an annual tradition for the school and an exciting rite of passage for sixth-graders. Musical Director Cathy Manley chooses the theme and songs each year. This class of students quickly volunteered ideas for characters, costumes, choreography, and more, and they are fearlessly taking on solo acts, instrumental performances, narratives, dance routines, and behind-the-scenes ventures.
"These students have grown and developed with our instrumental program, so they've already had a lot of experience performing together," said Cathy. "That comfort level -- with music and with one another -- has facilitated some great collaboration as they jump into their first major stage performance and explore this theme together as a class."
The theme 'heroes and legends' ties directly into the students' studies of Greek mythology at the beginning of the year, and they continue to discuss and clarify their own definitions of what it means to be a hero.
"It's interesting to see how strongly the students are relating to the theme," said Manley. "Even the lyrics -- the very building blocks of the production -- provide a great starting point in defining what's heroic. There are so many positive role models, male and female, and it's inspiring to see the students really consider the kinds of people they want to grow into. It's even more inspiring to watch them them bring those concepts to the stage."
WHAT: Burgundy on Broadway: Heroes and Legends
DATE: Thursday, February 20 & Friday, February 21
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Loft
COST: $5 at the door, $1 for children
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 Save the Date: Annual Auction on March 8
Invitations and Donations
What's "Black and White and Burgundy?" Burgundy's 32nd Annual Auction, our school's primary fundraiser for financial aid, which this year will be on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Gym. One in five students at Burgundy receives financial aid, and the auction is one of the most fun, most important ways to support our community and maintain the diversity that benefits every member of our Burgundy family. You will receive your official invitation via email in mid-February, and we hope we'll get to celebrate with you on Saturday, March 8.
If you'd like to get involved right away, please think of items or experiences you may be able to donate. Please note that we do not need to have the item you are donating at this time, we only need the donor form, which describes the donated item. In order to include a description of the item in our catalog, we need to receive the donor form by Wednesday, February 12. |
Burgundy Wants You to Participate
Par-tic-i-pate: (verb) to take part, be or become actively involved, or share
Guided by the belief that we are inherently connected to all people and the world around us, Burgundy teachers provide opportunities for students to learn about, to appreciate, and to do things for others. Our integrated curriculum emphasizes the interdependence of ideas and people, and we have high expectations of our students. Our graduates leave Burgundy with a strong academic foundation as well as a deep understanding of their responsibility to their communities.
Our community is asking for your help. Our goal is to receive gifts from 100 alumni donors in support of some of the most critical components of the Burgundy culture (financial aid, classroom budgets, professional development and curriculum development). We can't do this without you! We already have 54 alumni gifts; would you help us secure 46 more? Please consider the ways that Burgundy supported you and consider paying forward those kinds of experiences to another generation of young learners.
In making a tax-deductible gift you will be supporting some of the people closest to you and ensuring ensure that Burgundy may continue to provide an outstanding educational experience. We encourage you to consider making a gift in honor of a teacher who helped shape you into the successful person you are today. When you make your contribution via our secure website, please feel free to write a sentence or two to explain the impact that particular teacher had on your and your learning, and why you support Burgundy.
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News and Notes 
Congrats to Anjali Singh '98 and her new husband Scott, who got married in September. At the wedding was Khalan Boyer '97 (left), who met Anjali in JK at Burgundy -- they've been friends for 26 years! Also at the wedding were Anjali's mom (and former Burgundy teacher), Eloise, and Khalan's sister, Tess Boyer '04 (right).
Indie band The Dismemberment Plan, featuring Travis Morrison '86, released their first album in more than 10 years in October. Click here to read more and listen to a segment that aired on NPR.
Integriti Reeves '02 was recently accepted to the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead 2014 program, where she will learn from some of the world's best composers and the jazz greats of today.
Diana Webb '06 has made the final round of considerations for the Fulbright Scholarship. We wish you the best in this competitive endeavor, Diana!
Fuse Box, featuring Perry Conner '11, Kent Jenkins '11, Ian Lloyd '11, and Luis Milburn '10, was nominated in the Best New Artist Category for the Washington Area Music Association (Wammies).
Congratulations to Dave Evans, owner of La Prima Catering, which was honored as a semi-finalist in the National Capital Business Ethics Award. Dave, parent to Elizabeth '98, Madeline '07 and Margaret '02, has supported Burgundy in various ways for many years, including supplying "Dave's Famous Chili" at the Fall Fair for more than 20 years. Click here for more information about the awards.
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Keeping in Touch
No matter what paths our graduates follow, we are proud of their accomplishments. Please keep us up-to-date on your journey and let us know how we can support you. You can contact our Alumni Coordinator Michele McCabe (michelem@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0470), post on our Facebook wall, or send a letter to:
Michele McCabe
Burgundy Farm Country Day School
3700 Burgundy Road
Alexandria, VA 22303
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