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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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February 21, 2014
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Quick Calendar
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February 21
CRI Informational Meeting
February 24
Varsity Girls' Basketball Practice
Varsity Boys' Basketball Practice
CRI Informational Meeting
February 25
Varsity Girls' Basketball vs. ACDS
Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. ACDS
February 27
Burgundy on Broadway
February 28
Pizza Day
Burgundy on Broadway
March 1
Summer Day Camp Open House
March 5
No Classes: Extended Day Open (Faculty In-Service Day)
March 6
Morning Coffee: Kid Friendships
March 7
Pizza Day
March 8
Auction
Click here for a full calendar.
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Last night I attended a fundraiser for the Emerging Scholars program (ES), a Northern Virginia/DC-area program that prepares a diverse group of promising fourth- and fifth-graders from modest income backgrounds for independent schools, and ultimately for college educations and leadership. Burgundy was a founding Emerging Scholars member school. We host the 14-month program on our campus, and each school year we typically have a sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grader in our Middle School who are ES scholars. Last night I listened to five 18-year-old ES graduates, including one Burgundy alum who soon will attend college, speak poignantly about the life-changing impact of the ES opportunity, and I was so proud that we at Burgundy provide the special environment for this foundational and transformational program that is a thread and manifestation of our Burgundy mission.
Earlier in the day Thursday I was visiting two high schools to which our eighth-graders are applying. I have been making these visits for two weeks, and in each case not only have the admission personnel spoken with respect and affection for our graduates currently or recently attending their schools, but they know our 8th Grade applicants and are able to speak in remarkable detail about our students -- their personalities, their interests, how they may fit into their prospective high school learning communities...I attribute this apparent 'memorable-ness' not only to the effective work of these schools' admission teams but especially to the way in which our students represent themselves: frankly, confidently and enthusiastically...and as students who enjoy school and learning!
Accordingly, as I ate lunch this week with groups of 8th Grade girls and boys I was absolutely struck with their reflectiveness and mature insights. We talked about curriculum and learning, and also how a school or a class makes room for individuality and personal differences, or does not, and how a school like Burgundy, over a period of years makes it easy and comfortable for students to search for and become comfortable with identities. We spoke of how in a family environment, students can learn how to get along and work effectively with different kinds of people -- people with different backgrounds, different strengths, different learning and communication styles...We spoke about readiness for high school and the different phases of the Burgundy journey. Throughout, the eighth-graders spoke with affection and respect for their classmates, their school and their teachers over the years.
Each of these three experiences for me this week reaffirmed why I am motivated to come to work each day and excited to begin each school year!
Sincerely,
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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Reminders
Burgundy on Broadway: February 27 and 28
On Thursday, February 27, and Friday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Loft, Burgundy's sixth-graders will perform Burgundy on Broadway: Heroes and Legends, an annual tradition for the school and an exciting rite of passage for sixth-graders. 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.
Last Call for Box Tops for Education: February 25
We are impressed with how many students have been bringing in Box Tops to help Burgundy raise money for Annual Giving. Each Box Top earns $0.10 for our school, and our goal is to raise $250 this year with Box Tops. So far, we've already raised $187.50, and to meet our goal, we must collect 655 more Box Tops by Tuesday, February 25. Can we do it!? Please make sure your Box Tops haven't expired and the date has not been cut away, and bring them to the Main Office or Advancement Office. If you miss the February 25 deadline, don't worry! We collect Box Tops year-round, this is simply the final deadline to raise money for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Thanks for your help!
Campus Renewal Informational Session: February 24
Please mark your calendars for Monday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Loft, so we can update you on the Campus Renewal Initiative process and share our vision for the projects going forward. This is an opportunity for you to learn about why these projects are important to your child's experience and Burgundy's sustainability. Please join us and come with your questions!
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 Student Spotlight: Burgundy on Broadway
Micah Hendricks
Superman, Soloist
Q. What has been the most fun piece of preparing for this production?
A. Acting out the scenes because you get to know more about your character and what you're supposed to do.
Q. How would you define a hero?
A. A person who will help you when you need help.
Q. Why should friends and family come see Burgundy on Broadway?
A. Because it's going to be a really great show. There are going to be some differences between the Thursday and Friday night performances, so you should see both shows.
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 Service Spotlight
On Presidents Day, a group of Burgundy Middle School students and their parents helped with Senior Services of Alexandria's Meals on Wheels program. Seven days a week, volunteers deliver one hot and one cold meal to homebound seniors in the City of Alexandria. As meals are delivered, volunteers greet clients and report back any unusual circumstances to the On-Site Volunteer Coordinator, Program Manager or Volunteer Leader of the day. Some days, the Meals on Wheels Volunteer is the only social interaction a senior may have. In this way, the volunteer serves as a link between the Division of Aging and Adult Services and the Meals on Wheels clients.
The Burgundy team of volunteers met on Wheeler Avenue at Jeffery's Catering of Alexandria, where all meals are prepared, and picked up containers of hot and cold meals. Each student was paired with a Burgundy parent as well as a long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer, and followed a delivery route set up by Senior Services.
The Friendly Visitor program of Senior Services of Alexandria is run by Sarah Drexler, parent of Sofie '16, Abby '11 and Hannah '09. The Executive Director of Senior Services of Alexandria is Mary Lee Anderson, alumni parent and Burgundy volunteer extraordinaire!
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Developing Our Youth Leaders
Understanding the complexities of diversity is an important part of adolescent development, and the annual Middle School Student Diversity Leadership Conference is an accessible platform to help our students learn about diversity and leadership. As educators and parents, we all know that Middle School students are naturally inclined toward fairness. We also know that they enjoy and are stimulated by social interaction. On Monday, January 27, Stephanie Borges, our Director for an Inclusive Community and Middle School Learning Specialist, brought eight students to this diversity and leadership conference, which was hosted at Sandy Spring Friends School; Randolph Carter's East Ed organization coordinated the event and all of the small group workshops. The theme this year was Embracing Neurodiversity: Affirming All Learners By Challenging Labeling. Neurodiversity is a form of difference that has historically marginalized individuals labeled as "less than," or underachievers: behavior problems. It is a concept akin to biodiversity or cultural diversity that recognizes neurological differences -- often labeled disorders -- as a natural human variation. Rather than looking for cures, neurodiversity advocates work to promote social support systems and spotlight the value of neurological differences.
This conference provided a safe space for students in grades 6-8 and their adult supporters to learn and grow together. It allowed our Burgundy student leaders to meet with other middle school student leaders from all over the region and affirm their identities while working on their leadership and communication skills. It was a place for our students to understand other middle school students and learn the skills they need to be active and participatory in multicultural/inclusive settings. The conference emphasizes student leadership, diversity skill building, and productive interaction among different people with different abilities.
"The conference at Sandy Spring was a great experience, and I learned a lot," said Noah Ashenafi '15. "It was fun learning with new people and learning new things all together. Neuroscience is an intriguing topic, and I loved learning that every brain is different. Everyone has a different learning style, which is great since the world isn't so boring and generic. I also learned a few small things that I can add to my vocabulary, such as the word 'equity.' It was overall amazing."
Click here to read more quotes from Burgundy students about their experiences at the conference.
Experiences like these are made possible by your generous contributions to Annual Giving.
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 Auction Update: RSVP Today!
The auction invitation has gone out, and we are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 8. Get your reservations in early -- it was a full house last year, and you won't want to miss this party!
Please help us get ready by sending an RSVP (Yes or No) by Thursday, February 27. We need to know how many chairs to order and how many mouths to feed (remember, there will be delicious food courtesy of Stephanie Babin, Michael Babin and Neighborhood Restaurant Group). Anyone who RSVPs prior to midnight on Thursday, February 27 will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 VISA gift card. If you cannot attend, we ask that you enter your contact information on the online registration and mark "1" for "I cannot attend" in the final drop-down menu.
Click here to go to the secure online RSVP page, where you can also purchase raffle tickets and make tax-deductible contributions to benefit financial aid. If you have not received an email invitation, or if you want us to email an invitation to a friend, please contact Erin Futrowsky (erinf@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0474).
If you have any questions, please email Erin or auction co-chair Amanda Traub (alwasik@aol.com).
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Swoosh: Hoop Dreams and Boys' JV Basketball
EXTRA, EXTRA! Read all about it: each member of the Boys' Junior Varsity Basketball team has scored this season!
In the second to last game of the season on Tuesday, February 18, the boys pulled together to distribute the wealth. They defended their goal, and they applied pressure to the other team as they attempted to score. The boys worked the court like champions, but what they did for each other was worth more than winning the game.
Scoring a basket in an eight-game season may seem small to some, but in reality, it's a lofty goal. Coach Jen Pusatere not only helped the boys develop their technical skills, she also instilled in them the true importance of teamwork, working together to achieve a goal while respecting one another's capabilities. The boys took this to heart as they entered into their game on Tuesday afternoon.
With two team members left to make at least one basket this season, the boys took to the court. Back and forth they passed the ball. Up and down the court they ran in an attempt to out pace and out maneuver their competition. In the second half of the game, one team member remained without a basket.
With Coach Jen's words in mind and their understanding of teamwork, the boys kept the competition at bay in a valiant attempt to achieve their "every player scores" goal. Our JV boys strategized and organized. They were clearly determined to set up the game in such a way as to allow their final team member to score. No matter how close one Burgundy Blazer player came to scoring, he would pass the ball to the teammate yet to score. Eventually, all of this hard work and dedication paid off.
SWOOSH, SWOOSH!
The final team member scored twice, racking up 4 points!
What a strong example of our community: wonderful leadership and support produce wonderful, supportive leaders.
Great work, boys!
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Morning Coffee Date Change
There has been a date change for Morning Coffee with Stephanie Borges, our Director for an Inclusive Community and Middle School Learning Specialist, and Elizabeth Schachter, our School Counselor. Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 9, at 8:40 a.m. in the Loft for "Stress Less: Mindful Meditation." Stephanie and Elizabeth will complement the student mindfulness component of the Middle School Advisory curriculum and the Middle School Social-Emotional curriculum by offering this mindfulness lesson/activity. As a reminder, Stephanie and Elizabeth will still be hosting the following Morning Coffee as well:
Date: Thursday, March 6
Time: 8:40 a.m.
Location: The Loft
Topic: Kid Friendships: Elizabeth and Stephanie will guide a discussion with parents about ways they can help their child navigate the sometimes stressful and emotional dynamics of peer relationships.
Parents are encouraged to engage in open dialogue around these topics and to use one another for advice and support. Stephanie and Elizabeth will facilitate the discussions and chime in with research-based suggestions and information. Each of the gatherings is scheduled to last between 60 and 90 minutes.
If you are interested in attending either or both of these events, please RSVP to Stephanie (stephanieb@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0465).
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