Burgundy
November 7, 2014
Constant Comment

Welcome to a refurbished Constant Comment, courtesy of Meghan Williams, our Communications Manager! We hope this new layout--which is, for one, more mobile-friendly than the previous design--allows you to more easily keep in touch and updated with Burgundy news. Constant Comment is an important vehicle for keeping parents connected with the school.

 

Everybody has too much email and too little time, but we strive to pack all of the most important school-wide information into these regular Friday emails to complement messages coming straight from your child's classroom, or via Haiku. Thus, I encourage you to keep reading now and at least to scan the stories each week, in order to stay connected and aware of what's going on at Burgundy.

 

So, what's going on? Plenty, as usual! Next week we'll have finalists for the Assistant Head of School position visiting campus. I invite you to sign up to attend a parent session with each candidate and afterwards share your thoughts via a brief feedback questionnaire we will send participants.

 

We've also got additional and fun ways to connect with Burgundy, with an upcoming BPA Family Fun Night, the 7th grade play, and a new opportunity to swap home-canned goods, thanks to science teacher Carol Schwartz! If you have extended family members who would like to receive Burgundy news, we'd like to collect that information starting this week as well. Read all about these things and more below.

 

Thanks, and have a great weekend!

Jeff_Signature

Jeff Sindler

Head of School
Coming Up at Burgundy ...

parentsParent Sessions with Assistant Head Finalists
As we announced last week, we have two finalists in the search for a new Assistant Head of School who will visit campus next week on Monday, November 10 and Thursday-Friday, November 13-14. There will be two parent sessions (8:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.) during the candidates' visits to meet them and ask questions. Information about the candidates and their work experience will be distributed at these sessions. Childcare is available for the evening sessions. If you attend, we will ask for your feedback in an emailed questionnaire. Please register if you're interested in attending so we can make proper accommodations for you and your children, and send you the questionnaire afterwards.

 

Register Now

Music Box Student Performances

There is a student recital Wednesday, November 12, 7 p.m. in the Loft. The program is approximately one hour and is free of charge, family and friends are welcome. Please join us! You will hear music from instrumentalists and singers of various ages. If your child would like to participate in the recital, please email Cathy Manley and Emily McCrory by Monday, November 10. Include the child's name and song selection so Cathy and Emily can set up a time to hear the piece prior to the recital.

 

BPA Family Fun Night: Destination Imagination

Do you know how Destination Imagination can inspire and equip our children to become the next generation of innovators and leaders? The Burgundy Parent Association invites families with kids of all ages to a Family Fun Night centered around this global program on Friday, November 14, 6-8 p.m. in the Gym.

 

The evening begins with a discussion of the Destination Imagination (DI) concept and how the program fosters creativity and teaches students to interact productively in a group environment. Then families can try out Instant Challenge stations to explore core DI concepts of collaboration, brainstorming and creativity. A snack station (think playing with your food!) will offer sustenance. A few former DI team members will also speak about what DI means to them.

 

Join other Burgundy families and see how DI cultivates teamwork, communication, project management, perseverance, creative and critical thinking, and self-confidence.

 

New Sibling Applications Due November 15

We give priority consideration to applications from siblings of current students and others in the Burgundy community. If your family includes children who are not currently attending Burgundy, but for whom you would like to apply for admission for the 2015-2016 school year, applications are due November 15. Apply online and contact Lori Adams (loria@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0464) if you have questions or need assistance. Campus visits for these potential students will be scheduled in early December.

 

Bike Collection November 15

We are collecting bicycles for Bikes for the World on Saturday, November 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in recognition of America Recycles Day. Bikes in any condition and any size are welcome. Collection will be at the Middle School parking lot. Students will dismantle bikes and prepare them for shipment. Bikes for the World provides fully repaired used bicycles and parts to low income people in the United States and developing countries to make it possible for them to get to school, work, and health services. Contact Charlene charlenep@burgundyfarm.org or Doug dougf@burgundyfarm.org with questions. All donations are tax deductible; receipts provided.

 

Charlotte's Web on the Burgundy Stage

Burgundy's Seventh Grade is pleased to announce that they will be performing E. B. White's classic story Charlotte's Web. Join them for a trip back to the 1950's, before tablets, cell phones, and computers held sway, to a simpler time and the rhythm of seasons lived on a farm close to the land. It is the story of Wilbur, a little runty pig, who--with the help of his wise spider friend Charlotte and barnyard friends--becomes famous, thereby ensuring a long life for himself. The story provides lots of lessons about the power of words, friendship, loyalty, truth, and love. Performances are Thursday and Friday, November 20 and 21, 7 p.m. in the Loft.

- Director Deborah Clark Ives

 

Contact Information for Grandparents and Special Friends

Your entire family is a part of the Burgundy community. From time to time, we would like to correspond with grandparents and special friends with invitations to upcoming events and information about the school. Please let us know how to stay in touch by filling out a contact information form. Please complete and submit the form by Tuesday, November 25.

 

Home-Canned Goods Swap

Do you can your own jams, jellies, salsa, pickled onions or anything else? Do you want to savor some new flavors? Carol Schwartz is organizing a swap of home-canned goods. Come swap your canned delights with other Burgundy Community Canners. Open to all members of the Burgundy community: alumni, parents, grandparents, retired faculty, etc. Sign up today or contact Carol for more information.

 

Don't Forget!

  • Tuesday, November 25 is a full school day with regular dismissal. School is closed Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28, for Thanksgiving.
  • Share your photos with Burgundy's yearbook staff for possible publication.
  • Complete Burgundy Calendar
Recently at Burgundy ...

Spotlight On: Cross Country

Congratulations to the 2014 Cross Country Champions!

 

Burgundy hosted eight schools and more than 150 runners for the Cross Country Championship meet on Wednesday. Both the Burgundy girls and boys teams finished first, leaving Edlin's boys and girls in second place. The girls team was led by Kennedy Cameron (6th), who finished third in the girls race. The boys team was led by Forest Miller (8th), who finished second in the boys race. A total of 23 Burgundy runners participated in the final meet, contributing points toward the overall result. We also had five runners who were unable to participate in the final meet for health reasons but contributed to the team in the past meets this season.

 

Not only did both teams move up from their third place finishes in 2013, but they had many more runners participating. The effort by all runners was impressive throughout the season. And thanks to all parents and other loyal fans!

- Coach Ivana Bulirova

 

Community Service Report

Sock collection
Katie King and Hannah Miller with the collected socks.

Eighth graders Katie King and Hannah Miller led a "Socks at the Sock Hop" drive for Koinonia Foundation, our neighbors on Franconia Road. Each year, at the first Middle School dance, we collect new socks for Koinonia's clients. Koinonia provides food, clothing, learning and emergency financial assistance to Burgundy's neighbors. Koinonia is the sole nonprofit organization recognized by Fairfax County to provide both short-term emergency assistance and self-sufficiency services to citizens of the Greater Kingstowne/Franconia area. While Koinonia gets many donations of good used clothes, they cannot distribute used socks. Our donation of 257 pairs of socks will fill Koinonia's sock drawer, and provide warm feet for many families this winter.

 

On Saturday, October 25, 18 Burgundy Middle School students and about a dozen parents delivered Meals on Wheels to homebound senior citizens in Alexandria. Each group of parents and students traveled along a route and delivered one hot and one cold meal to each recipient. Meals on Wheels, a program of Senior Services of Alexandria, delivers meals 365 days a year to seniors who cannot get out on their own. Alumni parent, Mary Lee Anderson is the Executive Director of Senior Services. Current Burgundy parents Sarah Drexler (Sofie, 7th) and Jane Marcus (Eliza, 7th, and Estee, 4th) are members of the Senior Services staff.

- Charlene Pritzker

 

Thanks from the Cove

We rounded up the usual suspects for Cove Closing, and a hearty thanks to all the Burgundy school and camp enthusiasts who came to help!

 

The Friedl family collect firewood with help from Robert Williams (5th).
The veteran attendees would like to offer a special commendation to two families with tiny children who came for their very first taste of the Cove, despite the fearsome weather: Amanda and David Cumti with Noah (K) and Gillian; and Jenny and Lawrence Friedl with Lindy (JK), Tyler (JK) and Porter (1st). You may think you have been cold at the Cove: these folks know they have. The work weekend old timers salute you!

 

- Vini Schoene 


Parting Photos

Boys in Extended Day cheer on Burgundy cross country runners.

Finding a groove at the Middle School dance.

Molly Jones offers Lulu a pumpkin for Halloween. More photos and a video on Facebook.
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