I hope everyone enjoyed family time and experienced real 'thanksgivings' in our Thanksgiving holidays this year! It is so important (and nurturing of own wellness) to take time to recognize all for which we should be thankful. It can be easy for us to forget how fortunate we are.

At the same time, there is no doubt that we constantly face challenges on a personal, community, national level. I am sure I'm not the only one who thinks the news over the past few months and indeed the past few days has felt heavy with stories of violence. In our family and here in our Burgundy workplace, we have had some challenging conversations lately.

At school, we try to keep focused, first and foremost, on learning and our learning environment, keeping in mind also that we are part of a broader, more complex world. Naturally, here at school we do not burden our youngest children unnecessarily with talk of events or phenomena of which they are blissfully ignorant or may not be ready to talk about.

And when our older children ask questions at school and teachers address them, the teachers do so first and foremost with children's developmental social-emotional needs in mind. As when we, perennially, teach human rights and civil rights, emphasizing respect and dignity for all persons, and the responsibilities of our citizenship, we address these issues in developmentally sensitive ways across our grades and curriculum.

Our counselor Elizabeth Schacter and our Director for Academic and Student Support Stephanie Borges Folarin have resources for parents as well as for students and teachers, and teachers are eager to let you know if and how they are touching on any 'tough issues' that are either in the news or that may filter into school due to children's own awareness and questions.  

Should you have questions around what is being discussed or not discussed at school and how, or, what resources are available to you as a parent to contextualize or discuss difficult topics at home, please reach out to any of us.

An Introduction to Competitive Graph Coloring

Middle School math teacher Julie Vega will give an introduction to competitive graph coloring on Thursday, December 11, at 6:30 p.m. in Burgundy's Library. At this presentation, Julie will explain graph coloring, discuss how to think through an abstract question, and walk through a mathematical proof. She will also share her summer experience -- with six undergraduate math students and two mentors, she was part of a seven-week Research Experience for Teachers. They studied competitive graph coloring and by the end of the program, Julie and her research partner proved new results and presented at a national Mathfest. Julie also worked on a teaching resource that connects undergraduate mathematics to middle school math concepts.

This presentation is for anyone interested in learning more about mathematics, strategies to think about abstract problems, or about the research process. This talk is intended to reach all age levels. An understanding of graphs is not required. Contact Julie if you have questions or would like to RSVP.

4/5 Studies and MayaWorks Sale

In December the 4/5 classes begin their study of the ancient and modern Maya of Central America. As a kick-off event we will hold the biennial MayaWorks sale Thursday and Friday, December 11 and 12, on the Blacktop 3-3:45 p.m. In addition to learning about the Maya, 4/5 students are learning about Fair Trade economics, retail and customer service skills, and real world math practice (like making change & doing inventory). This sale is an important foundation of our curriculum and provides hands-on learning about business skills and the Maya of Central America.

MayaWorks is a nonprofit social venture that empowers indigenous women of Guatemala to achieve economic security by providing markets for their handcrafted products, access to microcredit loans and expanded educational opportunities. Items for sale include clothing, jewelry, bags and other merchandise made in the distinctive Mayan style, with bright colors and bold patterns. Prices run $4-$39; cash or checks accepted.

Winter/Spring Enrichment

Registration for the winter/spring session of enrichments is ongoing through Friday, December 12. The first day of classes for the new session will be Monday, January 12. Two classes have been added to the winter/spring session and are now available for registration. They are:

Lower School Glee Club - Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Grades: 2nd-5th

Instructor: Leslie Summey

Let your child meet their inner rock star! Taught by classically trained, professional vocalist and longtime Burgundy parent, Leslie Summey, kids will learn what it takes for their performance to go from the living room to the stage! Students will memorize age-appropriate songs while learning basic vocal technique and song presentation, culminating in a fun "live performance" at the end of the session.

Price: $450

Middle School Glee Club - Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Grades: 6th-8th

Instructor: Leslie Summey

Let your child meet their inner rock star! Classically trained, professional vocalist and longtime Burgundy parent, Leslie Summey, teaches this enrichment. While preparing for a fun, live performance, middle schoolers will learn about the vocal mechanism and what makes it work along with vocal balance, proper mic technique, and stage presence. Kids will learn how to take their music from blah to Ahhhhhh!!

Price: $500

Please contact Hugh Squire with any questions.

Board Briefs

There will be a Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 p.m. in the Loft. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Board President Charlie Rawls to ensure adequate seating.

Nominations are currently being accepted for new Trustees. If you are interested in or have questions about service as a Trustee, or if you know of someone who might be interested, please contact Joanne Petty, Chair of the Committee on Trustees at joanne_petty@hotmail.com or 312-560-9796, or visit Burgundy's website for more details.

Auction Prep: Solicitation Planning Meeting

Auction Co-Chairs Jackie Norris and Nancy Weissman will host a meeting on Friday, December 12 at 1:45 p.m. in the Main Office conference room to kick off business solicitation for the 2015 Auction. This is a chance to brainstorm new ideas for business outreach. Whether you have solicited businesses before or would like to try your hand this year, we welcome your participation. RSVP to Allison Niedbala by Wednesday, December 10 if you can attend, or if you have suggestions of businesses to solicit but won't be able to attend.

Carpool Reminders: Help Us Be Safe!

Carpool rules are in place for one reason: to keep our students safe. Unfortunately, sometimes we still have instances of unsafe behavior, especially in the mornings. Your cooperation is expected and appreciated.

• The campus speed limit is 5 m.p.h.

• If you want to walk your child to class, first drop him or her off in the carpool lane, then park and meet your child at the Blacktop. We want to avoid children crossing the carpool lane so they are out of the way of drivers.

• After you have dropped off or picked up your child, wait until the car at Station #1 pulls away before following station by station. Pulling around cars randomly risks pedestrian and/or vehicle accidents.

• Relatedly:

• When pulling away, keep your eyes in front of you, watching for adult pedestrians.

• Do not back up from the circular parking lot during carpool times. If you park, you must wait until after carpool to back out.

• Avoid exiting the Middle School parking lot during morning and afternoon carpool when the line is backed up. There is no drop-off or pick-up from the Middle School lot.

• If it's cold or rainy and your child will wear a jacket or coat, please help him or her put it on before you pull into the carpool station, or wait until he or she is out of the car, when Burgundy staff can assist. Dressing while parked at a station holds up the carpool line.

Snow Policies

Burgundy makes it own decisions regarding school closings and delays after taking into account the forecast, conditions on campus, and decisions by Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Schools. We strive to make and share delay or closing decisions by 5:30 a.m. If inclement weather is expected, the best first place to check for updates is Burgundy's website homepage, www.burgundyfarm.org. If school is closed or opening with a delay, we will  email parents and send text messages to those who have subscribed to text alerts. We will also notify local media stations. Emergencies or heavy snow during the day may cause an early dismissal or school closing. In that event, we will send email, automated voicemails, and text alerts.

If school is closed for the day, Extended Day is cancelled as well. In the case of a delayed start, Extended Day morning programs will be cancelled automatically, due to the dangerous road conditions presumed to exist. If an emergency or inclement weather causes an early dismissal, evening programs and afternoon Extended Day will be cancelled as well.

After two consecutive snow days, teachers may assign school work or teach lessons online utilizing email, PCR, or Haiku. Information on make-up days will be offered if we have several snow days. Please note that possible make-up days are noted on the school calendar (February 16 and March 20).

Burgundy Bulletin

Katie King (8th) and Austin Fodrie, Burgundy faculty/staff, will help the Little Theater of Alexandria bring the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol to the stage, December 5-20. Katie is part of the show's cast and Austin is stage manager. Tickets are $15. Visit www.thelittletheatre.com for more.

Director of Advancement Jen Pusatere plans to join Wreaths Across America to place Remembrance Wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on December 13. Jen welcomes Burgundy families to join her and other volunteers. The event is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

Don't Forget!

• The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive runs December 8-17. Collection boxes are available in each classroom for new, unwrapped toys appropriate for children up to age 12.

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

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

• Complete Burgundy Calendar 

8th Grade Thanksgiving Feast

8th graders work to prepare their feast.

The week of Thanksgiving, The Class of 2015 collaborated for the first ever 8th Grade Thanksgiving Feast. In groups, the students worked together to prepare and cook a meal for each other, their teachers, and Burgundy administration and staff members. They also took an opportunity to reflect on what they had learned from and enjoyed about the experience. After the feast, Assistant Head of School Kari Cafeo, who hosted the cooking at her house adjacent to campus, wrote to the students and parents and shared some of these reflections. 

• Read Kari's letter to 8th grade students and parents

• View photos of the Feast and other Burgundy Thanksgiving activities

Campus Renewal Construction Update

Working on the treehouse!

If you haven't been on campus lately to see the new features of our Outdoor Classroom and Discovery Playground rising from the ground on either side of the West Barn, at least check out the pictures! As you can see by the progress, work lately has focused on the Worm, playground, back deck and treehouse. Soon work on the gabion walls will resume. Our priority in this phase of the work is replacing a staircase and walkway from below Extended Day to Early Childhood.

Girls on the Run Finish Season

On Sunday, November 23rd Burgundy's Girls on the Run team completed their season with a 5K race in Arlington. Twenty-five girls in Burgundy's 3rd, 4th and 5th grades completed the race with smiles and pride! The race celebrated the Girls on the Run message of healthy living, self-confidence, fitness and "girl power." Please give these girls congratulations when you see them!

2014 Girls on the Run group

Giving Tuesday: Thank You

Giving Tuesday, an online movement to kick off the holiday giving season, was December 2. Thank you to all who supported Burgundy with a financial gift! We received donations and notes from every corner of our community, with an especially strong showing from alumni. A total of 65 donors made gifts. We didn't quite reach our goal of 70, but these donations went to the Scholarship Endowment Fund, Cooper's Cove Conservation Fund, 8th Grade Legacy Fund, Campus Renewal Initiative, and Annual Giving--which supports financial aid, classroom budgets, and professional development. Even if you didn't get a chance to participate in Giving Tuesday, it's never too late to give.

Community Service Report

Middle schoolers create Thanksgiving cards.

Thanksgiving Cards. A group of middle schoolers, led by eighth graders Hannah Miller, Margaret Ann Herbold, Christiana Cody and Abi Abraham, spent their lunch hours Thursday and Friday, November 20 and 21, creating beautiful Thanksgiving cards for to be given to 75 homebound seniors served by Senior Services of Alexandria. They solicited volunteers, collected materials and supervised the event.

Painting the playground elements.

Painting the Playground. On Saturday, November 22, a group of Burgundy Middle School students, assisted by parent and architect, Scot McBroom, and by some young residents of the Elbert Street community, painted the playground elements that more Burgundy volunteers installed a few weeks ago. We painted the table and stools built from Burgundy stumps, and a toy car trail on the path outside the playground. We will be building additional playground elements as one of the Middle School Martin Luther King Projects, and are planning to install them in the spring.

Holiday Baskets. Thank you to everyone who donated to holiday baskets for our neighbors at Koinonia. This afternoon a group of Middle School students will organize baskets, as well as decorate cookies to include, and wrap the baskets will help from Cathy Guertin in time for delivery next week.