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Once again this year we had a very successful, cheerful start to the new school year. So much of that cheerful start is due to teachers' efforts to create, with students' help, from day one, a welcoming community of learning. Wednesday, I personally checked in during the day and at afternoon carpool with several of our new students, who seemed to be getting on well and were happy to be at their new school.
For some students, especially the younger ones, settling in can take a few days to a few weeks. It's normal and no reason for panic. If, after several days, your child is still having a challenge, let us know.
Thursday we had our first All School Meeting. Due to early morning rain and the possibility of storms we held the meeting in the Gym, but the spirit was still high! We welcomed all new students, one building at a time, then new staff and faculty, before reviewing the Three Expectations:
1. Be nice to everyone. 2. Be nice to Burgundy. 3. Respect learning.
These simple expectations speak largely for themselves (though we review them to understand their fullness); they cover so much regarding the kind of learning community we want to be!
Near the conclusion of our first All School Meeting we were led in song by new Assistant Head Elizabeth Lener and faculty and staff. Just before we offered a Mindful Moment and moment of silence for Ann Van Deusen, our beloved librarian who passed away this summer after a courageous battle with cancer.
Future All School Meetings (every other week) will be facilitated by 8th graders, and in other weeks the Lower School and Middle School will conduct their own distinct community meetings. In the Middle School, this also gives our students new dedicated time to meet with teachers, work on group projects, or do quiet work or reading on their own.
Next Friday, I hope to be able to check in with many of you at the Burgundy Back-to-School BBQ. Please be sure to register (see below, in the Don't Forget section). Saturday afternoon we will hold a celebration of the life of Ann Van Deusen. All are welcome. Again, please RSVP.
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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Coming Up at Burgundy ...
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Carpool Reminders
Help keep our students, families, and staff safe by respecting the carpool rules. Morning carpool runs 8-8:25 a.m. Students arriving before 8 a.m. should go to Extended Day. Late students must check in with Geraldine at the Main Office desk so she can update their attendance status. Afternoon carpool is 3:15-3:45 p.m.
- The campus speed limit is 5 m.p.h.
- Middle School students must be dropped off in the carpool line at the Blacktop; students should never be dropped off at the Middle School building.
- 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.
- At afternoon carpool, please display a sign with the names of the children you are picking up in bold, easy-to-read font as large as possible. This helps our carpool announcer (Efrem Solomon) keep the carpool line moving efficiently.
- 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.
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Cooper's Cove Logistics
As students and teachers gear up for the first trips out to our campus in West Virginia, a letter (PDF) from Vini Schoene '73 and Elizabeth Lener lays out Cove trip logistics for new and returning families.
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Lower School Math Program Update
Burgundy teachers are in the final phases of a multi-year math curriculum review. This review consists of an examination of our approach to teaching math and our goals, as well as a review of the textbooks and materials with which we teach.
For this school year, we will continue to use Everyday Mathematics as the foundation of our program and will continue to supplement with resources and activities to meet students' needs. During fall 2015, teachers in grades K-5 will sample lessons from additional programs and evaluate each program's potential fit for Burgundy. By early spring 2016, the faculty and administration will make an informed decision based on this deliberate review process. Implementation of the chosen program will commence fall 2016.
School Directory Coming Soon  Burgundy's Parent Handbook and School Directory will be sent home via child mail next week. In recent years, we have distributed the directory to come home at the end of the first week of school. Because not all parents were able to update information by our deadline, we had to delay printing. Thanks for your understanding. New this year, the Handbook and Directory is also available on the Parent Resources page of Haiku.
Please review information in the handbook and your family's contact information in the directory. If you have directory updates now or anytime during the year, please share them with Kathleen Hennessey. Updates will be published in Constant Comment and on Haiku.
Buy a Book for Burgundy Buy a Book for Burgundy is a fundraising program for the library, begun in the early 1970s to enhance a small library budget and keep our resources up to date. It's also a great way to introduce children to the idea of giving back to Burgundy. A donation of $20 covers the purchase price of one of our new books. These books remain in the library with a bookplate that recognizes the child or family donor. As an added bonus, your child will be the very first student allowed to check out the donated book!
Our new books will be on display in the library for the entire month of September. Please come by during morning or afternoon carpool, or even during the school day-whatever is most convenient for you. We will also be open until 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout September. If you wish to have your student choose a book on their own, you may send in a check or cash for $20 with a Buy a Book form (PDF). Credit cards will be accepted for payment in person only. Checks should be made out to BFCDS.
Thank you for supporting the library! - Cindy Woodruff and Barbara Krainik, Librarians
Enrichment Registration Through Sept. 16 Registration is continuing for fall after-school enrichment classes. Review the Fall 2015 class offerings (PDF) and register now through Wednesday, September 16. Classes begin the week of Monday, September 21.
To register, create a family account with your name, email address, and a password. If your child attended Burgundy summer camp this year (day camp or BCWS), you should already have a valid account. Payment is due at the time of registration and should be submitted online.
Even if you have already registered, you can add additional classes through September 16 as long as the class has space available. If you'd like to cancel or switch registrations, contact Hugh Squire or Laura Motaweh in the Office of Auxiliary Services.
Board Meeting Sept. 15 Burgundy's Board of Trustees will have its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. in the Loft. All current parents/guardians are welcome to attend Board meetings. Please notify Board President Charlie Rawls if you plan to attend to ensure adequate seating.
Burgundy BBQ Sept. 18
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| | Digging in at last year's BBQ. |
Join the Burgundy community on Friday, September 18, 6 p.m. on the Blacktop for the Burgundy BBQ, a well-loved tradition. Socialize with parents, teachers, and classmates, as everyone recaps the first week of school. A buffet-style barbeque dinner will be served, with vegetarian options available. The new playground will be open as well!
- Tara Carter, BPA communications officer and parent of Emma, 5th grade Cooper, and Landon, 2nd grade Viceroy.
BPA Survey Reminder The BPA's Volunteer Survey is still open! Through the survey, the Burgundy Parent Association is inviting you to share your time and talents with the school community by volunteering in the 2015-2016 school year. We are pleased to offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including many projects that can be done off campus and/or outside of school hours to better accommodate challenging schedules. Any way you can participate is welcome! (Grandparents are also welcome to sign up for any of our volunteer efforts.) Thank you in advance for your help and commitment to continue the legacy of making Burgundy the amazing place it has always been!
Fall Fair: What to Know Now
It's hard to believe, but the Fall Fair will be here soon! This annual family-friendly event attracts current, prospective and alumni families, as well as friends and neighbors. It's a fun, festive way to celebrate our community while also raising money for financial aid. There's food, live music, games and prizes, and so much more. The Fall Fair is one of the oldest community activities at Burgundy.
More information will be coming soon. But for now:
- Save the date: Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Start saving supplies: as you clean out closets, set aside any books or clothing (child sizes) to donate to the Book Sale and Kid's Closet.
Introducing Our Co-Chairs Amy Walsh (mother of Sean Robinson, 2nd grade Buckeye, and William Robinson, 1st grade Goat) and Preston O'Neil (mother of James Perriam, 2nd grade Viceroy) will be staying especially busy in the next few weeks as they lead the 2015 Fall Fair efforts. Amy and Preston are this year's Fall Fair Co-Chairs, working with Fall Fair Coordinator Allison Niedbala to plan, organize and staff the event. The fair would not be possible without parent leadership. Many thanks to Amy and Preston for their enthusiasm and support! Volunteers Needed We are looking for a volunteer team to plan and set up the Haunted House for this year's Fall Fair. Without volunteers, this popular attraction cannot be sustained. This team will lead the planning and organization of the Haunted House, but additional volunteers will help with setup and execution. Interested? Please contact Fall Fair Coordinator Allison Niedbala by Tuesday, September 22. Keep an eye out for more volunteer opportunities. We've heard parents say that volunteering and attending helps them meet other parents and become more actively involved in the school community! Burgundy Bulletin On Tuesday, September 15, the Mobile Market from Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture will visit Burgundy. The Mobile Market improves access to healthy food by making regular stops in low-income, food-insecure communities and selling locally grown farm products. Burgundy has a connection to Arcadia through Michael Babin and Stephanie Babin (parents of Harris, 7th grade, and Hammatt '15). The Mobile Market will complement lessons on sustainable agriculture for our 7th graders. From noon to 12:30 p.m. in the Middle School parking lot, the Burgundy community will have the opportunity to make purchases from the Mobile Market; cash, check, and credit card will be accepted. Girls on the Run is a running program for girls in grades 3-5. There are both fall and spring programs. Currently, Burgundy does not have a volunteer coach for fall 2015, but there is likely to be a spring 2016 team. If you are interested in coaching a fall team, contact Girls on the Run ASAP; the deadline to register a fall team is September 21. Those interested can also contact parent Jane Marcus (Eliza, 8th grade, and Estee, 5th grade Redtail), who has coached for three years and has offered to answer questions. Cub Scout Pack 1943, located at Browne Academy, is currently recruiting boys in grades 1-5 for the Tigers, Bears, Wolves & Webelo Dens. The pack will be hosting a Join Scouting Event on Sunday, September 20, 3-5 p.m. at Browne Academy. Learn more online (PDF). Do you have news about Burgundy alumni or other community members? See if it's right for the Burgundy Bulletin! Email meghanw@burgundyfarm.org. |
 Don't Forget!
Tuesday, September 15: Board of Trustees meeting, 7 p.m. Loft. Please RSVP to Board President Charlie Rawls.
Wednesday, September 16: Lower School Curriculum Night, 7 p.m. Gym. Extended Day is offering free childcare for this event (ages 4 and up). A pizza dinner will be provided. If you would like to use our childcare, please RSVP to Laura Motaweh by Monday, September 14 with children's names and ages.
Friday, September 18: Burgundy BBQ, 6-8 p.m. Blacktop. Please RSVP.
Saturday, September 19: Ann Van Deusen Burgundy Memorial Service, 1 p.m. Gym. Please RSVP.
Monday, September 21: Peace Day school activities and programs.
Middle School Curriculum Night, 7 p.m. Gym. Extended Day is offering free childcare for this event (ages 4 and up). A pizza dinner will be provided. If you would like to use our childcare, please RSVP to Laura Motaweh by Friday, September 18 with children's names and ages.
Friday, September 25: BPA Morning Mingle, 8:30 a.m. Loft.
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Summer Campus Refresh
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| | JK Chicks at play in their newly renovated and painted classroom. |
Many thanks to our hardworking maintenance team--Larry Inguagiato, Jerry Vaughan, Russell Boone, and Gene Douglas--for getting the campus in top shape for the new school year! Throughout the summer and especially during the last several weeks after summer camp ended, the maintenance team has been busy with a litany of improvements.
Perhaps the biggest changes was the renovation of the JK classroom. It included repairing and painting the walls, refinishing cubbies, patching the floor, installing a new HVAC system, and overhauling the bathroom with new fixtures and tile. Also at West Barn, there was a new sunshade installed on the Early Childhood deck, a new HVAC system installed in the dragon room, and roof repairs.
At the First Grade building, there's a new deck on both sides of the building and a new basketball hoop on the playground. The retaining wall and landscape edging was also replaced. Downstairs in Extended Day the bathroom was updated with ceramic wall and floor tile.
Near Hawks' Nest and Monarch Haven, there's new blacktop resurfacing and a new LED pole lighting. Both buildings got siding replaced, and Hawks' Nest has a new deck, as well as flooring repairs inside.
In the Middle School, the team made cubby improvements in the homerooms.
There's new flooring in the Main Office clinic. There was painting campus wide, and siding repairs to the Loft, Main Office. Janitor closets were also updated with waterproofing in First Grade, Monarch Haven, Hawks' Nest, and the Middle School. |
Parting PhotosPhotos and a video from the first day of school.
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| | Students head to their new classrooms. |
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| | Parents reconnect at the BPA Coffee. |
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| | Reading the First Grade Goats' first day message. |
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| | VIDEO: Kindergarten Polar Bear Kian invites more friends to the tire swing. |
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| | Group bonding in the Middle School. Photo by De Shan Lett. |
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| | High fives before heading home in the afternoon. |
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