Recently the President announced the "Every Kid in a Park" initiative, which gives 4th graders and their families free access to national parks for a year. The initiative also pledges support for teachers and schools making efforts to help children experience our national parks. Education Week was one of many with an update on the announcement.

Nine years ago, as I began my first year at Burgundy, we operated a minor marketing campaign signified with a Burgundy t-shirt that said on the front, "Got barn?" and on the back included a Burgundy barn with the words "No child left inside." While the t-shirts are something of a collector's item now, the sentiment remains strong, and I am thrilled that the President joins us in understanding the importance of children learning from nature.

 

Anyone who sees education as less than a fundamentally spiritual enterprise that involves the whole person is looking at learning in a sterile context, I would argue. Education is very much about nourishing the spirit. Without the will and enthusiasm for learning--for exploring and wondering, for testing ideas and skills, for learning how to learn--one can never grow to love learning. Being out of doors, experiencing the beauty, complexity and awe of nature, and learning to appreciate and navigate what might initially be fearsome in nature are critical forms of personal development, the kind of experiences that may be sublime and inspirational!

 

I was fortunate to attend school for 12 years on an 800-acre campus that was once a farm school for orphans. We rode horses, explored the woods, played in old barns, fished and (unwisely) walked across the ice in the ponds. Our teachers were given room to be innovative; we were given academic projects to be completed outdoors. That campus, the sense of freedom and fresh air and the stimulation of imagination that arose from time out of doors and time allowed for free play and independent travel across campus, along with the school's inspired and committed teachers, lit a desire in me to spend my career in education. And in almost 20 years heading schools that value time outdoors and in Nature, I know this adds up to incalculable benefits. That is why, as both a parent and an educator, I knew Burgundy was the place for us! Kudos to the President on this initiative.

Burgundy on Broadway Tonight and Tomorrow

With school closed on Thursday, the 6th grade performance of Burgundy on Broadway: Changes was rescheduled. Shows are now tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. Call time for 6th graders is 5 p.m. both days. If you missed 8th grader Logan Murphy-Redd's preview of the show last week, check it out.

 

We Need Your Auction RSVP!

Congratulations to Beth Horak, mother of JK student Andrew, who won a $100 Visa gift card! She was randomly selected among those who had RSVPed early for the auction. If you haven't yet done so, please let us know right away whether or not you'll be able to attend this fabulous fundraiser on Saturday, March 7. We need a headcount for logistics soon, so take a few moments now to RSVP yes or no.

 

If you cannot attend the auction, please enter your information and mark "1" on "I cannot attend." If you don't, you will be contacted. Save us an email or phone call and RSVP now. Don't forget that you can purchase class projects or raffle tickets even if you can't make it to the event--you don't have to be present to win!

 

 

Auction Update: All the Sparkling Details

For anyone who has never attended a Burgundy auction before, it is quite a sight! On Saturday, March 7, you will enter the event through the Middle School Atrium beginning at 5:30 p.m. At the registration tables you will check in and collect your seating information and bidder number.

 

Then, you may think you're entering the Gym, but you will be entering a shining, transformed wonderland! Keep your bidder number handy. You'll use your number to bid on items in the silent and live auctions and to enjoy the various games, raffles and festivities, including:

 

Artisanal Cocktail Bar: Delight in specialty cocktail drinks ($10) from Suellen and Joe Savukas and Cindy Dyer and Jason Ankele. Look for these fun bartenders and be sure to try the signature drink of the evening, a sparkling wine drink called the Burgundy Marquise. It is fantastic!

 

Pick a Diamond: A new take on the ever-popular Balloon Pops, Pick a Diamond is a game through which you can win gift certificates to some of your favorite local restaurants in $25, $50 and $100 values. At the auction, look for people holding boxes of light-up diamond rings. But play early, this is always a popular game and the prizes go fast!

 

Burgundy Raffle and 50/50 Raffle: If you haven't already purchased raffle tickets online, or you want to increase your chances of winning one of these great prizes, look for the raffle ticket table immediately upon entering the Gym. Burgundy Raffle tickets are 3 for $25 or 10 for $75, and 50/50 Raffle tickets are $50. You do not have to be present to win.

 

Bucket Raffle: Burgundy's newest raffle is back again this year. Here's how it works: Purchase a $10 two-part ticket. Place one part of the ticket in a bucket in front of the prize of your choice and keep the other half of the ticket, which you will need for the drawing. Just before the Live Auction begins, we'll draw a ticket from each bucket and announce the winning numbers. If you really want one of these items for yourself or someone else, purchase multiple tickets! Increase your odds of winning while also supporting financial aid. The three great prizes, a Kindle Paperwhite, a Fitbit Charge and an Apple TV, were donated by parents Missy and Chad Murrell. The bucket raffle table will be next to the raffle ticket table. You must be present to win.

 

Silent Auction: You'll see a wide range of items donated by parents, students, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni  and local businesses. This year, bidding for all silent auction items will close at 7:15 p.m.

 

This is an elegant, adults-only evening. Plan ahead so you can enjoy yourself and know you have a safe way home. Consider establishing a designated driver, or book a ride with a service like Uber, Alexandria Yellow Cab (703.549.2500 or  www.alexandriayellowcab.com), or Drivers Incorporated (will drive both you and your car home, 703.994.3931).

 

We're looking forward to a fun and festive night, and we're excited to celebrate with you. See you there!

- Jacqueline Norris and Nancy Weissman, Auction Co-Chairs

 

Photos Needed for Yearbook

Middle School students are continuing to work on Burgundy's 2015 yearbook, but photos are still needed. We're looking for photos of any variety, but especially photos from Burgundy sports games and special events and trips. There are several easy ways (PDF) to submit photos for the yearbook.

• Get a hands-on preview of new offerings from Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp at an open house Saturday, February 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Burgundy Gym. Learn more and register now. 
• Registration is ongoing for both of Burgundy's summer camps: Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp on the Alexandria campus and Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies Camp at Cooper's Cove. Please note that the junior session at BCWS is already full, and Session 3 (senior) is full for girls. Contact Michele McCabe if you'd like to be added to the waitlist. 
• Complete Burgundy Calendar

Please Curb Your Dogs

Burgundy is a dog-friendly campus, but if you bring your pets to visit, please:

• Be aware of people--both children and adults--and other animals around you and make sure everyone stays calm and comfortable.

• Come with bags and pick up and dispose of any waste.

• Remember, our students are constantly outside exploring campus for class projects and playtime--so help us keep our campus usable and beautiful!

Middle School Dance and Air Band Competition

One of the air bands (also a hair band?) at the Middle School dance.

   

On Friday night, February 20, the Middle School celebrated Valentines (and Anti-Valentines) Day with a rocking dance in the Loft. In addition to the usual snowballs and hula hoop and limbo contests, the 8th grade dance planners introduced a new competition, for the best air band (where band members mime playing instruments). Students were invited to form air bands that included members from more than one grade, and perform one of three songs: "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift; "Can't Stop" by Red Hot Chili Peppers; or "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. The bands included instrumentalists and vocalists (and admiring fans). Since three bands entered the contest and each of the bands chose a different song, the battle of the bands was declared a tie, and all band members will receive an ice cream social.

- Charlene Pritzker

  

Community Service Report

On Sunday, February 8, a group of Middle School students and parents participated in Meals on Wheels. During this monthly community service activity, our students delivered one cold and one hot meal to each of the homebound seniors on six different routes in Alexandria. Meals on Wheels, a part of Senior Services of Alexandria, delivers food every day.

 

On Thursday afternoon, February 19, a group of Middle Schoolers helped create letterboxes for the tutors who work with Wright to Read, an Alexandria non-profit that serves students who are having difficulty learning to read. Students cut out letters from cereal and other food boxes, so that tutors can help students learn phonics and put together words.

 

On Friday afternoon, February 20, several Middle Schoolers helped with setting up the annual Hip Hop for Heart dance at Durant Center in Alexandria. Alumni parent Catherine Joyce has been organizing this event each year for foster families and other at-risk young people in Alexandria.

- Charlene Pritzker

 

Burgundy Bulletin

On February 13, The Washington Post published a feature on Capitol Hill restaurant Mr. Henry's, "a legendary spot in the annals of D.C. jazz." Mr. Henry's is owned by Burgundy alumna and current parent Mary Quillian Helms '85, who has overseen refurbishments, menu updates, and the return of live music to the restaurant.

 

Lost and Found: Keys, Cell Phone

Geraldine Portillo recently found a set of keys (pictured) at her desk. There are two keys, a dog training button, and a Los Angeles keychain. A Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone with a black case and a New England Patriots home screen photo was recently discovered in the Gym. It appears to be a child's phone, with no recent calls since early July. If you know the owner of either the keys or the phone, please contact Meghan Williams.