Constant Comment is on break next week for Thanksgiving. Look for the next issue on Friday, December 5. 

Congratulations to our 7th graders, whose production of Charlotte's Web is being shared with the Burgundy community this week. I have seen the preview and intend to be at the play this evening with Tatum and Tee. It will be Tatum's first opportunity to be one of the youngest Burgundians in the best seats -- on the floor right in front of the stage -- as they watch some of their Burgundy Middle School buddies in the limelight and dream of the day that they too will have their opportunities! The Middle School productions, both for those performing and those attending, are one of our signature rites of passage. It is always exciting and a little moving to see our kids performing and, in so many cases, growing up right before our eyes, as they take on roles so skillfully. Best of all, we see how the students have learned to work together as a group, a real ensemble, to put on something so much larger than the sum of the parts!

I am always grateful for the opportunity to witness and be a small part of students' and families' Burgundy journey. As a new Burgundy parent again this year, beginning a new journey, the feelings of gratitude well up inside of me with each of the many special and unique moments across our campus.

Thus, as we move toward a much-anticipated Thanksgiving break, one well earned by our dedicated faculty and staff, I wish you and your families good health and good fellowship. I am grateful for each of you as part of our special Burgundy family!

Board Briefs: Call for Nominations 

The Board of Trustees is a volunteer group of Burgundy parents, alumni, and supporters that is charged with ensuring the long-term stability and financial viability of Burgundy. Each year the Burgundy community has the opportunity to elect several new members to the Board while ensuring an important degree of year-to-year continuity among existing Trustees. Trustees serve for a 3-year term. From now until January, the Committee on Trustees will interview interested candidates to nominate a slate for elections in February.

'Tis the Season of Holiday Giving

As you prepare to do holiday shopping--both groceries and gifts--please be aware of the  affinity programs Burgundy has with local and national retailers. Sign up your grocery loyalty card to benefit Burgundy and look for Box Tops or Campbell's Labels on the products you buy. If you shop at Target, Pottery Barn, or Amazon.com you can give to Burgundy through their affinity programs.

You may be participating in Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday--but after that comes Giving Tuesday! Started just a few years ago, the Giving Tuesday campaign encourages people to give locally to organizations in their communities and show support online through social media. Look for an email on Giving Tuesday, December 2, and like Burgundy's Facebook page for more opportunities to interact.

You can also support Burgundy through workplace giving, if your employer participates in United Way or the Combined Federal Campaign. Our United Way number is 8380 and our CFC number is 15325.

Don't forget you can always give directly to Burgundy online.

Winter/Spring Enrichment Registration

Registration for the winter/spring enrichment session at Burgundy begins this Monday! Art, science, photography, video games, animals, Tae Kwon Do, writing, and general fun are just SOME of the topics covered during this session. Download the Winter/Spring Enrichment packet (PDF) for all the important information that you need to know, including all the classes that are being offered this session!

Registration runs Monday, November 24 through Friday, December 12. Classes will be Monday, January 12 through Friday, May 22. Don't miss out: sign your student(s) up right away! Questions? Contact the Director of Auxiliary Services Hugh Squire.

Don't Forget!

• One more performance of Charlotte's Web tonight, 7 p.m. in the Loft. $5 adults, $1 children.

• Tuesday, November 25 is a full school day with regular dismissal. Extended Day is open only until 5 p.m. School is closed Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28, for Thanksgiving. Please note bus service changes: there will be afternoon bus service on Tuesday, November 25, but there will be no service Monday, December 1.

• There will be an on-campus Toys for Tots drive December 8-17 with collection boxes in each classroom for new, unwrapped toys appropriate for children up to age 12.

• Please share contact information for grandparents and special friends so we can keep them apprised of Burgundy news.

• Sign up for a community home-canned goods swap.

• Share your photos with Burgundy's yearbook staff for possible publication.

Introducing Ali Shephard

A bittersweet announcement from the Burgundy barnyard: Molly (Buck) Jones will be moving to a new home in western Virginia, and alumna Aliana Shephard '04 will be taking over the position as caretaker. Ali, as she prefers, attended Episcopal High School and Christopher Newport University after graduating from Burgundy. She was part of the equestrian team at CNU and has several years of experience with horses, as a trainer and riding instructor at nearby Maryland farms. She has also served as barn manager, leading daily operations. Among her special skills, Ali is certified in equine acupressure and pain point release. We're happy to have her return to Burgundy and wish Molly and Pete the best with their new home. Ali has been shadowing Molly this week and will officially start her duties on Monday.

Good Season for Varsity Soccer

The Burgundy Blazers Varsity Soccer team lost its final game to their rivals from Capitol Hill Day School 6-2, after getting ahead early. After many scoring chances on both sides, the Capitol Hill team led 3 to 2 at halftime. Capitol Hill had an experienced team with a number of travel-soccer players who played excellent soccer in the second half, scoring three more goals. We lost to a great team, but all players should be proud of their personal achievements and team improvement during the whole season.

The 2014 Blazers team was comprised of thirteen 8th graders and seven 7th graders. These kids formed a great team that got them a semi-final win and a good performance in the final game. Congratulations to all the players and coach Ivana, of course, and to all our loyal fans!

Community Service Report: Bike Collection

On Saturday, November 15, in recognition of America Recycles Day, about 25 Middle School students and parents prepared 39 donated bikes for Bikes for the World to ship to one of a number of international sites, where the bikes may be used for transportation to work, or as a way to get goods to market, and often the only way for students to get to school. Bikes for the World celebrated the shipment of its 100,000th bike on Saturday as well. Burgundy's collected bikes are the first on the way to the next goal of 200,000! Burgundy students will have the option to load bikes at the Arlington Bikes for the World warehouse as one of our Martin Luther King Day of Service projects.

Before the collection, Yvette Hess came to our Middle School Community Meeting on Wednesday, November 12 and shared a film with Middle School students and faculty highlighting Bikes for the World's Ability program, which reconfigures bicycles as wheelchairs.

- Charlene and Doug

Directory Updates

Joanne and Joshua Petty, parents of Noah (K), Amelia (3rd), and Jacob (5th), have updated phone numbers to replace the one printed in the directory. Their cell phone numbers are the best way to reach them: Joanne's is 312.560.9796 and Joshua's is 312.560.6477.

Minh Vu, parent of Sofia Camacho (6th), has an updated email and mailing address: minhvu2014@gmail.com and 305 Cloverway Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314.