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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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May 9, 2014
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Quick Calendar
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May 9
1st Grade Goats from the Cove
Pizza Day
Lacrosse Game vs. St. Ignatius
May 12
2/3 Buckeyes to the Cove
Book Fair
Lacrosse Practice
May 13
2/3 Buckeyes at the Cove
Book Fair
Lacrosse Game vs. Potomac (home)
Softball Practice
May 14
2/3 Buckeyes from the Cove
2/3 Viceroys to the Cove
Book Fair
Lacrosse Game vs. Trinity (home)
May 15
2/3 Viceroys at the Cove
Book Fair
Softball Practice
8th Grade Musical
May 16
2/3 Viceroys from the Cove
Book Fair
8th Grade Musical
May 17
8th Grade Musical
May 19
Lacrosse Game. vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (home)
4/5 Coopers Instrumental Showcase
May 20
Softball Game vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
May 21
7th Grade to the Cove
Lacrosse Practice
4/5 Redtails Instrumental Showcase
May 22
7th Grade at the Cove
Softball Game vs. ACDS
May 23
7th Grade from the Cove
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This week we received a great email from a Burgundy parent who told the story of one of our Middle Schoolers taking his first turn as a worship liturgist at his church. His performance was excellent. As his parent reported, "He got comment after comment about his poise and his speaking voice. I was really proud. You all deserve so much of the credit for growing a sense of confidence and assurance in these kids. We are very fortunate. Thanks to each of you."
Of course, it is always rewarding to get this sort of feedback. It is not uncommon. Our students are very comfortable speaking in front of whatever audience is required, whether classmates, parents and visitors to the classroom, or the entire school, and this confidence and poise extends to audiences beyond school and well beyond Burgundy. As is true with so many skills and habits, the better they are exercised early, the more potential for their expression later. We are glad to claim public speaking as an area of strength, which, even in the advent of technology, is a traditional art and skill that has not gone out of style!
The same sense of confidence and 'stage presence' holds true for our students in the performing arts. Monday evening I was happy to be among the audience in the Loft for the 3rd Grade final instrumental showcase. Students shared ensemble performances on flute, violin, oboe and saxophone. Some of the students had been playing only about a month. But they knew how to read music, and they understood their instruments and how they make notes. Their poise and their joy were clear. The skills and sensitivity developed by learning to play a real instrument will translate regardless of students' musical futures. Much credit goes to instrumental music teachers Cathy Manley, Emily McCrory, Andreas Barrett and Cheng-Yin Lin! Next week, by the way, we will see our eighth-graders in their Burgundy arts grand finale, the 8th Grade Musical, this year, The Wizard of Oz!
Finally, this week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. To offer a simple thanks we had an ice cream sundae bar for our teachers on Tuesday afternoon before our faculty meeting. But they deserve a much more poignant recognition. They are the catalyst for everything wonderful that happens for, within and among our children at Burgundy. Therefore, I want to offer publicly my sincere thanks, affection and admiration for our faculty!
Sincerely,
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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 Happy Mother's Day!
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 | | The books have arrived for next week's Book Fair! |
Reminders
Burgundy Book Fair: May 12-16
Come and get your summer reading! Burgundy's annual sale of new books will begin Monday, May 12. Classes will visit the Library to look at the books, and each student will bring home a list of books and games to consider for purchase. Parents are welcome to return with their children to browse or may send in money with which to purchase the books. Pay by credit card, cash or check (made payable to BFCDS). A percentage of each sale supports the Library program. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on May 12, 13 & 16; and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on May 14 & 15.
The Wizard of Oz: May 15-17
Burgundy's eighth-graders are preparing to debut their musical, The Wizard of Oz, May 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Loft. In researching topics and themes
from the story, from tornadoes to Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Great Depression, the students learned why this story has become one of the most beloved tales in American history. "The overall notion is that each one of us, deep down, has exactly what we need to get through hard times," says teacher Deborah Clark Ives. "That's a message that continues to resonate and inspire."
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 Student Spotlight: The Wizard of OzAhmei Thevoz Glitter, Dancer
Q. What has been the most fun aspect of preparing for this production? A. I enjoyed learning and dancing the dances, especially the Jitterbug.
Q. In your opinion, what is the most important theme of The Wizard of Oz? A. It's about a young girl that goes to a place in her imagination, and it's about finding family. She finally realizes that what she was looking for the whole time was all around her.
Q. Why are you most excited to share this musical with the Burgundy community? A. It's just so lively, and it shows the innocence in us eighth-graders. It's a real crowd pleaser, and everybody will know the show because of the movie. |
Rapunzel in the Amphitheatre: May 13
You are invited to see a production of Rapunzel from a group of 3rd Grade Viceroys on Tuesday, May 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the amphitheatre. Director Estee Marcus revised the script from its original. Kate Cantu is the co-director, and there will be several 3rd Grade actors playing the roles of Rapunzel, the prince, the witch, and a man and a woman. They are having fun working on the play and can't wait to present it.
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 Student Spotlight
On Saturday, May 3, Burgundy's 3rd Grade Brownie Troop did a three-hour outdoor climb at Sandy Spring Adventure Park. The girls navigated platforms in the trees connected by cable, wood, rope and ziplines that form bridges. They were very proud of their achievements and all of them asked to go back.
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Spaces Available for Upcoming Sign-Up Parties to Benefit the Auction
We've had two wonderful adults-only Sign-Up Parties already -- Flavours of Spain and Kentucky Derby -- and we have two more with openings to look forward to on Saturday, June 7, and Saturday, September 13:
1. Enjoy a mix of margaritas, Jimmy Buffet music, leis, Hawaiian shirts and poolside frivolity at Sexton Island. Terrific themed food -- including a roast pig -- and great company. Hosted by Seileen Mullen, Mary and Chris Sexton, and Amanda and Larry Traub at Mary and Chris Sexton's home in Alexandria from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. $75 per person.
2. Come join the fun as the Ridenhour and Savukas families recreate an adults-only version of the world of the Astors and the Vanderbilits. Weather permitting, Steve will set up a croquet court. A dazzling array of appetizers and finger foods reminiscent of The Age of Innocence will be provided by Ann and Suellen's masterful cooking, and our Auction mix masters, Suellen and Joe, will supply their expertise and supplies to create cocktails such as the Stinger, made by mixing brandy and white crème de menthe! Gilded Age attire requested but not required. Hosted by Ann and Steve Ridenhour and Suellen and Joe Savukas at the home of Ann and Steve Ridenhour in Alexandria from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m on Saturday, September 13. $90 per person.
If you are interested in attending these parties, please email Allison Niedbala (allisonn@burgundyfarm.org).
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| Congratulations, Kira Cotter!
Congratulations to 1st Grade Sheep teacher Kira Cotter, who has been accepted to a graduate program with The University of Virginia to earn her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in reading. As she pursues this degree, Kira will take a one-year leave of absence from Burgundy, returning for the 2015-16 school year. We are interviewing excellent candidates for a one-year teaching position, and we look forward to sharing more information about our 2014-15 1st Grade Sheep teacher in an upcoming issue of Constant Comment.
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Staffing Announcements
As the school year comes to a close, some of our teachers are preparing for some transitions of their own. Please join me in thanking each of them for their many contributions and wishing them well on their new journeys:
Martha Kapur, 4/5 Redtails
Martha Kapur, an anchor for the 4/5 team for the past five years, has announced that she is retiring after this year in order to spend more time with her family.
Mandy Kimlick, Kindergarten Penguins
With the happy news of her engagement to be married also comes the sad news that Mandy Kimlick will be moving away from the area. Her new school will be very lucky!
Peter Nippard, 2/3 Viceroys
Our favorite Aussie Peter Nippard has accepted a position to teach at the Muse School in Calabasas, California next year. The position will bring Peter to another student-centered school with a mission similar to Burgundy's, and it will also bring him closer to his family.
We have already hired strongly qualified teachers for the Kindergarten Penguins and 4/5 Redtails positions, and we are interviewing excellent candidates for the Viceroys position. We will introduce all of our new teachers in an upcoming issue of Constant Comment. Thanks again to Martha, Mandy and Peter for their great work with our students and faculty.
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Support Burgundy by Shopping on Amazon.com
Support Burgundy with your Amazon.com purchases! First, visit AmazonSmile, where you will be prompted to choose a charitable organization you'd like to support. Type "Burgundy Farm Country Day School" into the search tool, select us as the charitable organization you'd like to support, and Burgundy will receive 0.5% of the purchase price of your eligible purchases. It's that simple! Money raised will benefit Annual Giving.
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