Constant Comment: November 20

Constant Comment

Constant Comment is on break next week for Thanksgiving. Look for the next scheduled issue on Friday, December 4.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it reminds us to be grateful for all that we have. It also begins the holiday season, which in our nation of plenty, often is an important opportunity to think about others, share our abundance, and offer gestures of peace, civility, and kinship.

At Burgundy, where a welcoming, respectful, safe community is the first priority, and the foundation of all learning and growth, we seek to offer our students lots of opportunities to practice--first, recognizing the needs of their classmates and friends (and family members) and then, the needs of those outside of their immediate Burgundy and family circles.

Burgundy's classroom buddies offer the chance for older kids to be friends and examples, even informal mentors, to the youngest Burgundians. When the sixth graders re-paint the first grade paved play areas; when fourth and fifth graders become reading buddies to Early Childhood students; when eighth graders lead by example at all-school gatherings, a community of care and concern arises.

As our children mature, the notion of service turns more outward and our 4/5 classes and middle schoolers contribute their time and energies and even their problem-solving skills to various local human services non-profits, from food kitchens and toiletries collection for the homeless to to environmental clean-up programs to senior service organizations!

You can learn more about these efforts in the Community Service Report section of Constant Comment, published throughout the year--including this week. I'm sure you'll share my pride and gratitude for our students in all they do for our Burgundy community and beyond!

Finally, in all of our focus on community within and beyond Burgundy, we hope each student has a growing understanding that we each are part of a human family. We all have the same basic needs, and we share many interests. We also share important differences in culture, customs, and perspective, and we are richer in our world and our local communities for this diversity. May we share a Thanksgiving prayer for our abundances and a genuine hope for peace and mutual respect and understanding throughout our world.
Jeff_Signature

Jeff Sindler
Head of School

Coming Up at Burgundy ...

7th graders on stage at the play preview for other students.

Last Chance to See Jane, James and the Giant Peach

The 7th graders present one more performance of Jane, James and the Giant Peach tonight at 7 p.m. in the Loft. Last night's show was a great success, so be sure to stop by tonight if you missed it! Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children, with concessions available to purchase at intermission.

Sofia Camacho

Here's a peek behind-the-scenes from one of the student producers, 7th grade Sofia Camacho:

I am a Student Producer, and I am also Narrator #9. Off stage I am monitoring all of the production teams that make this show possible! I'm not on stage much so most of my production life is back stage where the real action happens. Having to manage all the dates for the production as well as create them is very time consuming and tiring. I now understand what teachers go through just to educate us and create a curriculum.

One of my favorite parts about the show is probably the rush of performing and all of that crazy adrenaline running through your veins. As well as seeing all of those little guys in the front so engaged and wide-eyed at the sight of the peach. Or when the crowd goes wild at the end of the show and all of that applause!

Opt-In Day for Text Notifications on Nov. 23

Burgundy is transitioning to a new service provider, SchoolMessenger, for alert notifications. This system will be used to send notifications via email, text message, and automated phone calls about weather-related school delays or closures, as well as more serious emergencies should they occur.

On Monday, November 23, all SMS (short message service) text-capable cell phones in the system will receive a text message from 67587. Text Y (for yes) in reply to that text to confirm you would like to receive text message notifications from Burgundy. Confirmation is required if you want to receive further texts.

School delays or closures are announced via email and text. Decision changes (e.g., if weather conditions deteriorate and a delay becomes a closure) and changes to the school day after it has begun (e.g., emergency early dismissal) will be announced via email, text, and phone call.

New Burgundy Spirit Wear!

The Burgundy Parent Association has been working to expand the options for Burgundians to show their spirit. Thank you to Alison DeCourcey for working with Custom Ink on design and product options. The group of parents organizing this spirit wear offering vouch for their quality, and plan to order many items themselves!

Some of the new spirit wear options now available!

We're happy to offer these selections:

-- Barn door red and white striped winter hat with embroidered BURGUNDY text - One size fits all, $25

-- Zip-up fleece jacket with embroidered logo and school name - Choice of navy blue or heather gray for youth, gray only for adults, $50

-- Blue plaid pajama bottom with silk-screened BURGUNDY text - adult sizes, $37

-- Burgundy mesh shorts with silk-screened Burgundy logo - youth and adult sizes, $28

-- Navy fleece-lined technical jacket with embroidered Burgundy logo and school name - adult sizes, $77

Place your order online by Monday, November 30. Net proceeds will go toward student financial aid. You will receive an email with pickup options when the order arrives the week of December 14 (last week before winter break).

Looking for still more Burgundy gear? Visit the Advancement Office to check out baseball caps ($20), as well as long-sleeve ($15) and short-sleeve ($12) t-shirts in youth and adult sizes.

There is still time to order Burgundy sweatshirts ($30). Place your order by Monday, November 23.

A good crowd at the first Math Mondays this week!

Math Mondays at Burgundy

The Middle School Math Club started strong this week with 19 attendees! It was the beginning of a series of Math Mondays at Burgundy. Each Monday will bring a new opportunity to experience the excitement of math. On a rotating basis, we are offering a Middle School Math Club, a 3rd-5th Grade Math Club, and a Middle School Math Help Session. Additionally, on Mondays when we don't have school, the Math Mondays Haiku page will have some fun math things for you and your children to do at home.

Middle School math teacher Matthew Reames is hosting the sessions, with help from other faculty and staff. All sessions run 3:15-4:30 p.m. Middle School events are in Matthew's room in the Middle School, and 3rd-5th grade events are in Scout's room in the Coopers.

The Math Clubs are a time for children to experience math in a fun, interactive way. Topics might overlap with what children are currently studying, but not necessarily. The emphasis is on problem-solving, reasoning, and hands-on mathematical exploration. Help sessions are an opportunity for Middle School students to get help in math topics they are currently learning. The Math Mondays Haiku page is available to everyone at Burgundy. Email Matthew to be added to the roster if you'd like to receive page updates.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, November 23: MS Math Help Session

Monday, November 30: No classes, professional development day - check Haiku for activities.

Monday, December 7: 3rd-5th Grades Math Club, Math-nificent Numbers!

Monday, December 14: MS Math Club, Spy School: Codes, Ciphers, and Cryptography

'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 GivingTuesday, December 1, 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.

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.

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.

Don't Forget!

Tonight: 7th grade play: Jane, James, and the Giant Peach, 7 p.m., Loft. $5 adults, $1 children, concessions available to purchase.

November 25-27: School closed for Thanksgiving Break.

Monday, November 30: No classes, Extended Day open. Professional development day for faculty and staff.

Tuesday, December 1: #GivingTuesday. Parents of African American Students meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 2: Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library.

Friday, December 4: Pizza Day. Middle School dance.

Saturday, December 5: Admission Open House, 2-4 p.m.

Continuing: Dori Gonzalez-Acevedo offers a weekly "Morning Mindfulness" with meditation and yoga, 7:30-8 a.m. Wednesdays, Loft.

Recently at Burgundy ...

Ena, Noah, and Ethan at the Intermediate Math Open.

Congratulations to Middle School Mathletes!

On Saturday, November 14, three Burgundy mathletes--Ena Sullivan (7th grade), Noah Abramson (7th grade) and Ethan Oleksa (8th grade)--participated in the annual Intermediate Math Open, run by the Varsity Math Team of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. They participated in both individual and team problem solving competitions. The team contests includes students from various schools with coaching from high school students. Awards were given for individual and team scores. Burgundy was well represented--Ethan won 3rd place among students taking Algebra I and Noah won 2nd place among pre-algebra students! Congratulations to our mathletes!

Board Report

Burgundy's Board of Trustees met Saturday, November 14, led by Board President Charlie Rawls.

In his head's report, Jeff Sindler gave some campus updates, including an upcoming two-part diversity training for faculty and staff. The Board's finance committee and audit committee gave updates. Treasurer Neil Weissman reported that Burgundy is on budget for this year and planning has started for next year. Jeff Norris, chair of the audit committee, reported that Burgundy received a clean (unmodified) opinion from the auditor, with a few recommendations to make financial accounting system even stronger.

Chris Foster shared the results of the strategic planning workgroup, which met over the summer to consider Burgundy's 2008 strategic plan and the 2012 plan update. This discussion was a precursor; a more in-depth look at the strategic plan is on the horizon after this school year. Joanne Petty, chair of the committee on trustees, shared lessons from a workshop on effective boards that she attended with Jeff and Charlie.

Community Service Report

Middle School students and parents have been working on holiday baskets for the Koinonia Foundation--a Burgundy tradition with a new approach this year. On November 7, students asked shoppers at the Giant store at Alexandria Commons to donate food for the families Koinonia serves. Another group will solicit shoppers at the Kingstowne Giant tomorrow 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Back at school, students sort the food and fill baskets to deliver to Koinonia. One set of baskets will reach Koinonia families in time for Thanksgiving, with more later in the season. One student liked collecting the donated food from shoppers, and was surprised to learn not everyone wanted to contribute to help the less fortunate.

Collecting food at Giant.

Sorting food.

Finished baskets ready for delivery to Koinonia.

On a windy Saturday, November 14, 20 students and 5 parents took over the Blacktop to disassemble bicycles donated to Bikes for the World, an organization that sends bikes to developing countries. Burgundy community members and friends collected 94 bikes this year! The students who participated felt proud of their work.

Taking bikes apart last Saturday.

This week concluded a Soles4Souls shoe collection led by Ena Sullivan (7th grade). Earlier this month, Middle School students loaded travel-size toiletries for New Hope Housing after a collection drive organized by Anya Traub (6th grade). Students and parents also delivered meals with Meals on Wheels for Burgundy's monthly assignment.

Parting Photos

At work on murals during elective time--8th graders (top) and 6th graders (bottom).

Above, a handful of the Coopers and Redtails who dressed for success
in their biome on Thursday.

A rainbow over campus Thursday afternoon.

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