March 13, 2015
Constant Comment

Jeff

Collectively, we shined bright like a diamond at a wonderful Auction last Saturday evening. More than one parent quipped, it's amazing how well we clean (and dress) up! Alumnus Anthony Jones ('09, VCU '18), a beneficiary of financial aid, gave everyone present ample motivation to do their best to support financial aid through bidding at the Auction.

 

With the Arts Festival continuing and concluding this evening, most 8th graders finalizing high school decisions, parent-teacher conferences next week, and spring break starting next Friday afternoon, the end of the year is in sight. As the flowers emerge and spring is sprung, don't forget to slow down and enjoy the final section school year journey and 'smell the roses' -- regardless of whether your Burgundy student will be graduating from 8th grade, JK, or any grade in between!
Jeff_Signature

Jeff Sindler

Head of School

Coming Up at Burgundy ...
Auction
A brilliant Auction evening! More photos online.

 

After Auction Updates

Pick Ups and Connections

Please remember to pick up your items from Allison Niedbala (allisonn@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0488) in the Advancement Office prior to Spring Break.

 

To everyone who received a certificate at the auction: please reach out to the donor as soon as you can to make arrangements to redeem your item. Similarly, if you as a donor know who won the item you donated, please reach out to the winning bidder. If you have have a question about who won the item you donated, please contact Allison.

 

Post-Auction Sale

Because there were so many terrific items available on the night of the auction, a few great ones got lost in the shuffle and did not receive bids. There are also additional CDs available, and one more spot in an April party. Don't forget, all sales benefit financial aid.

 

There are a handful of items available in our after auction sale. We think you'll agree that these items are worth a second look! Please note that many prices are set at 40% of value. Contact Allison Niedbala (allisonn@burgundyfarm.org or 703.842.0488) to indicate your interest in purchasing by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. First come, first served!

 

Additional Copies of Soundtrack CDs

Emily McCrory offered four soundtracks (Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd  Grade, and 3rd Grade) of students singing their favorite songs. Each CD is $25 each. If you did not purchase at the auction and wish to buy, please email Michele McCabe by Wednesday, March 18. Copies will be ready for pickup Monday, March 30.

 

One Space Available for Art Afternoon

There is still one space left in this great sign up party for children in 1st or 2nd grade. Teachers Ann Douglas and Nicole Pagett will team up to host an afternoon of art for up to 10 1st or 2nd Grade students on Friday, April 17. These lucky children will immerse themselves in art and also enjoy a healthy snack. The art session will take place from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the First Grade Building. $35 per student. Please email Allison Niedbala right away, as the last remaining space will go to the first person to respond.

 

Spring Break Camp at Burgundy

Burgundy Farm Country Day School's Spring Break Camp is just one week away! Extended Day is offering activities and care all break long, Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Come for one day, several, or the whole week. Campers need to bring a lunch, but snacks are provided. The schedule is:

 

Monday: Group Games at Burgundy

Tuesday: Art Projects with Pottery Playground

Wednesday: Field Trip to Flight Trampoline Park in Springfield, VA

*We will leave Burgundy at 1 p.m. and return by 4:30 p.m. Permission slip and Flight Trampoline Park waiver required.

Thursday: Sports with Excite Soccer

Friday: Cooking Projects at Burgundy 

 

If you'd like to register your child, contact Hugh Squire with the days you'd like attend. Cost is $80 per day and payments are due before camp begins on Monday, March 23. (Checks can be made payable to Burgundy Farm Country Day School.) Please note that if you are part of the Extended Day Holiday Plan, you are already registered for these days, but email confirmation is required.

 

Evening of Science Fair and SustainabiliTEA

On Thursday, April 2, 4th and 5th grade students will be presenting their experiential investigations from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Loft. The entire Burgundy community is invited to come see the presentation boards and chat with the principal investigators. Bring your own mug if you'd like to enjoy tea.

- Carol Schwartz, Lower School Science Teacher

 

Cove  

Cove Opening Weekend April 25-26

Come help open up the Cove for the 2015 Season! Contact Vini Schoene if you're interested in coming. So that we can accurately plan, please share how many people will come; what meals they plan to eat at the Cove; whether they have any food allergies.

 

Children are welcome and will be put to work, but parents are responsible for their supervision.

- Vini Schoene, BCWS Director
Don't Forget
  • The Burgundy Arts Festival, which showcases artwork from every student at Burgundy, continues tonight, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Loft.
  • In response to interest expressed during last month's Annual Meeting of the Corporation, Burgundy will host a fundraising focus group on Monday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m.
  • 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 
Recently at Burgundy ...

Music Theory games

Students' Music Theory Games

Recently, 7th grade students have worked in teams to design games to help other Burgundy students learn about music theory. The games were designed for each grade level and included a lot of creative and interesting ideas. The music classes have been playing the games this week.

 

After Auction Thanks

Thanks and Congratulations

Many thanks to everyone who donated items or experiences to the auction or who solicited businesses for donations.

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in our exciting raffles, and congratulations to those of you who won the following raffle items!

 

 

A Big Shout Out to Our Merry Pranksters

Before the auction, we went to great lengths to keep the identities of our Merry Pranksters a secret! Now we want to shout our thanks from the rooftops: Thank you returning Pranksters Peter Nippard and Joe Peacock and thank you to our newest Prankster Emily Jonas. Your entertainment made the Live Auction memorable!

 

Board Election Results

Thank you all for voting in the recent Board elections. The community input into these elections are so important for maintaining the strong governance structure at Burgundy. The Committee on Trustees is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been elected for a first 3-year term beginning July 1 on the Board of Trustees:

 

David Aaron

Jake Brody

Tara Casagrande

Susan Hepler

Catriona McDonald McCormick

 

The Committee is also grateful for the continued service of these current trustees who have been elected to serve a second term beginning July 1:

 

Chris Foster

Sheila Gardner

Pam Hunt

Dan Logan

Charlie Rawls

 

Carpool Reminders

Burgundy staff assist children and families at morning and afternoon carpool. Please be aware that morning carpool begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 8:25. Students should be on campus by 8:25 so classes can begin promptly at 8:30.

 

A few additional safety reminders:

  • The campus speed limit is 5 m.p.h.

  • After you have dropped off or picked up your child, wait until the car at Station #1 pulls away before following station by station.

  • Do not back up from the circular parking lot during carpool times. This creates potential rear-end collisions. If you park, you must wait until after carpool to back out.


Jordan Burgundy Bulletin

Jordan Johnston, 6th grade, finished up her first year wrestling by beating all three of her opponents and taking first place in the Northern Virginia Wrestling Federation Regional Tournament. Jordan happened to be the only female in her division so it was quite fitting her victory came on International Women's Day. This was the final competition for wrestling this year, and Jordan is considering playing rugby this fall. Way to go, Jordan!

Parting Photos

Barn Club

A group of young Barn Club members count their chickens.  

Photo by Ali Shepard '04.

 

Sustainability

With Doug Fishman, members of the Sustainability task force examine offices at Burgundy for planet-friendly practices. Photo by Cathy Guertin.

 



From left, alumni parent Mary Lee Anderson, Executive Director of  

Senior Services of Alexandria, Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va. 8),  

Owen Hunt (6th) and Lily Hunt (7th). A group of Burgundy Middle School students and parents volunteered with Meals on Wheels on March 8. Congressman Beyer joined the group as part of "March for Meals" month celebrating these volunteers, who deliver meals year-round.