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Burgundy Farm Country Day School
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September 26, 2014
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Quick Calendar
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September 30-October 1
2/3 Buckeyes at the Cove
October 1-3
2/3 Viceroys at the Cove
October 7
All Parent Meeting
October 8-10
4/5 Coopers at the Cove
October 10
Admission Open House
October 13
School Closed
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Greetings!
On Monday we celebrated International Day of Peace in our unique Burgundian way. Each year our classes have different ideas and preferences, so each Peace Day at Burgundy is recognized a little differently. The day opened this year with a Peaceful Run/Walk, a silent, reflective activity on a gorgeous morning, conceived and organized by the Redtails (4/5). At lunchtime, classes assembled at the Amphitheater, framed by Tibetan-style prayer flags they and their peers had decorated, and shared their Peace Day activities. Students from JK to 8 stood and spoke before the school with poise and enthusiasm. Check out the photos from the day.
The hope in recognizing Peace Day is that our students see the importance of practicing peace on a local level. We use the day to teach that our ability to work and learn and play together peacefully amidst our various kinds of diversity at Burgundy is rehearsal for lives in an increasingly multicultural nation and globalized world.
 | | Jeff reads his "This I Believe" essay. |
The diversity among our students and families was on display Wednesday afternoon, as the 8th grade presented their "This I Believe" essays and posters, based on the ongoing public radio project. These poignant, reflective and thoughtful self portraits revealed not only the students' courage, openness and reflectiveness, but also how these young adults see themselves and the world around them. Their beliefs were interesting and inspirational. Their essays were creative and engaging.
Next week, their posters with the essays attached will be posted in the Middle School Atrium. Please be sure to stop by to see them if you have a few minutes.
A few adults were invited by teacher Emily 'EJ' Jonas to participate as well. Although the 8th graders are a hard act to follow, I did submit a piece (PDF) about the impact of my middle school teachers and administrators.
Meantime, we wish a very happy Rosh Hoshana (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, or new year) to our families who are celebrating the holiday's end tonight. "Shanah Tovah" -- Have a good year!
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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Assistant Head Search
As some of you may know, Assistant Head of School Kari Cafeo will be leaving her post after this school year to move to New England with her family. The process to find a new Assistant Head has already begun, but still has months to go. An advisory committee, comprised mostly of faculty but with staff and administration representatives, has formed and begun to meet. They will work with the Head of School to review applications, conduct interviews, and evaluate finalists.
The next few weeks will allow for initial phone calls with a group of applicants, followed by on-campus interviews for a smaller group throughout October, as schedules allow. Finalists will then be invited to visit campus again in early November, at which point parents and students will have the opportunity to meet the finalists and give feedback. Should you have any questions about the process, please contact Jeff.
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Music Box Student Performances
The first student recital of the year is right around the corner: Thursday, October 2, 7 p.m. in the Loft. All styles of music and recitations of poems or monologues are welcome. Students need to preview their performance for Emily McCrory or Cathy Manley before the recital. Email Emily or Cathy by Tuesday, September 30 to make arrangements. Students, families and friends are welcome to attend.
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All Parent Meeting
You're invited to the All Parent Meeting on Tuesday, October 7, at 7 p.m. in the Loft. The gathering is a wonderful opportunity for direct, face-to-face dialogue between Burgundy parents and administrators, including Jeff and Kari and members of the Board of Trustees. Bring your questions! If you have specific topics you'd like to hear discussed, 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. Pizza will be served. Because of space and staffing, we may only provide childcare to the first 50 children registered.
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 Fall Fair
The Fall Fair--this year on Saturday, October 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.--is one of Burgundy's signature events, and it attracts hundreds of people to campus each year. We count on parents to participate in volunteer shifts, and hope that you may also have donations for our sales. Remember, proceeds from the event benefit student financial aid, so we want to have a successful Fair!
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Call for Volunteers
 We rely on support from all of our community members, particularly parent volunteers, to make this event a success. 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. To help "divide and conquer," we assign each class an area to manage and support with guidance from that class's Fall Fair Coordinator and the event chairperson. Parent volunteers are asked to help in their assigned class area.
Parent Volunteer Class Assignments
JK: Bake Sale
K: Games and Prizes
1st: Pumpkin Painting and Barnyard Visits
2/3: Kids' Closet* and Lemonade Stand
4/5: Burgundy Mart, Face Painting, and Food Tent
6th: Used Book Sale* and Games and Prizes
7th: Haunted House
8th: Moonbounce and Haunted House
We also ask our Middle School students to volunteer and support Games and Prizes (6th Grade), and the Haunted House and Face Painting (7th and 8th Grades). You'll get class-specific information from your classroom's Fall Fair Coordinator next week. If you have any immediate questions, please contact Fall Fair Volunteer Coordinator Laura Davis. *Keep in mind that Used Book Sale and Kids' Closet set up volunteers during the week of the Fair get first dibs on donated 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. |
Call for Donations
We depend on Burgundy parents and friends to supply materials for the Kids' Closet, Used Book Sale and Bake Sale. We'd also welcome a loan of Halloween decorations for our Haunted House.
Kids' Closet and Used Book Sale
- Please gather gently used kids' clothes, toys, adult & children's books and media (including DVDs), and shopping bags in good condition.
- Start bringing these items Friday, October 10. Please drop off donations at the trailer that will be in the Middle School parking lot. Donation slips available at the trailer.
- Collections end Thursday, October 16 for Kids' Closet donations and Friday, October 17 for Used Books donations.
- Please note that we cannot accept electronics, car seats, helmets, pajamas, bathing suits, or underwear.
Bake Sale
We'd love to add your homemade goodies to the Bake Sale. Looking for a family activity? Kids love to bake and decorate. 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! Don't worry about price tags--we will add those.
- Please bring baked goods to the Admission Office or drop off at morning carpool on Thursday and Friday, October 16 and 17. You can also bring to the Bake Sale table next to the Admission Office by 10 a.m. Saturday, October 18, the morning of the Fair.
Haunted House
Consider loaning Halloween decorations from your collection to the Fall Fair Haunted House. Email Fall Fair Coordinator Allison Niedbala if you're interested. Label any loaned items, so that we can return them before October 31!
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Federal Ballet
After dancing ballet for several years, Clara Corcoran '16 has performed in front of a variety of audiences, but she got an unusual opportunity recently. After seeing her Washington Ballet group perform, professional dancer Misty Copeland invited the student group to dance for the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition at a recent meeting in downtown Washington. Congratulations, Clara!
 | | Clara, center, with her Washington Ballet group at the President's Council meeting. |
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Emergency Test
Earlier this week, Burgundy conducted a test of the emergency alert notification system. This system is used to send updates about school closings, delays, early dismissals, and other unexpected events. If you did not receive a test phone call or email on Wednesday morning, please contact alert@burgundyfarm.org.
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Reminders
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Tuesday, September 30 is the last day to participate in Buy a Book for Burgundy. A donation of $18 covers the cost of one of our new books. The books remain in the library with a bookplate recognizing the child or family donor, and your child will be the first one allowed to check out the book. Download and print the flyer (PDF) to buy a book.
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A reception and tree dedication for Burgundy's late director Don Mills will be held Saturday, October 18 at 10 a.m., before the Fall Fair. RSVP or share memories of Don by emailing memories@burgundyfarm.org.
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We give priority consideration to admission applications from siblings of current students and others in the Burgundy community. Applications are due November 15. Contact Lori Adams with questions.
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Parting Pictures
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Polar Bears watch the construction from the top of the West Barn stairs. See more construction photos on Facebook. |
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Eighth graders applaud a classmate during "This I Believe" presentations.
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