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It's been an interesting week -- between an awesome Martin Luther King Jr. 'Day On' set of community service/service learning projects on Monday and an inspiring all-school assembly on Wednesday morning and, on the other hand, one of the worst nights of driving -- ever -- for some of us on Wednesday evening, followed by a day off Thursday and (as of this writing) who-knows-what for Friday... followed by quite a lot of snow, we are told!
But back to Monday. Monday was inspiring! I was working with a group of Middle School students preparing a meal they later served at Meade Memorial Church. Brown bags with fresh turkey sandwiches, courtesy of a parent donation, shortbread cookies, baked by another parent (custom decorated that morning by middle school and a couple of Lower School students and a handful of their parents), along with chips, fresh fruit, etc.
All of this, along with an incredibly nutritious homemade vegetable soup made by two Burgundy teachers with help from students, was served by the students to grateful Meade clients who were coming in from a very cold day. The chance to serve lunch to those who very well may not have eaten a good meal that day, or even the day before, was instructive for the students, I sensed. It was instructive too, I think, for them to see the diversity of the people coming in, from some who may have looked like what kids might expect to see in a homeless person to some who well may not have -- several races and ethnicities and levels of elegance of attire, with differing visible challenges, and so forth. Each received the same service.
Early Monday, as we circled up with students doing service and their parents, and again Wednesday in the assembly -- organized by one of our teachers, but led by students in every grade -- we noted Dr. King's courageous example and commitment to justice and dignity for all people, and we also recalled, among many notable quotations, his admonition: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
What an important question. It is this kind of thinking that undergirds Burgundy's mission and all truly progressive school missions. We are preparing children to be active participants in a democratic society -- a society that needs, indeed depends upon, their active citizenship, and citizenship can exist only with a genuine concern for others. Burgundy students, as evidenced in Monday's day of service and many other activities at home and emanating at school, are learning to care about one another in a classroom and school community and about people beyond their school and family. Dr. King's example is well understood by nearly all of our students, even some of the youngest.
Some of our parents were at church this past weekend, when the pastor, speaking with the children of the congregation before they were dismissed to their Sunday school, asked if any of them knew about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Well, it happened that one of our first graders raised her hand and gave quite a detailed and nuanced explanation of the political and moral leadership Dr. King offered America in a difficult time (and beyond). She was so impressive that the pastor asked where this little wunderkind of a public speaker and historian attended school, and, as the story has been related to me by another Burgundy parent (and not the parent of this child), when the pastor heard "Burgundy Farm," she was not surprised, and offered her own testimony for Burgundy.
A nice moment. But more important, a reflection on the reality that our mission resonates beyond the array of nice high schools and colleges our students attend after Burgundy. It's a reflection of the kind of people and citizens they become.
Jeff Sindler
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Coming Up at Burgundy ...
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Burgundy Alert Notifications
This week we held a test of our notification system, and sent out broadcasts about the school closures Thursday and Friday. The system sends emails and automated phone calls, as well as text messages to those who have opted in.
For regular decisions, emails and text messages will be sent; in the case of a revised decision (i.e., changing a delay to a closure) or emergency early release, emails, calls, and texts will be sent. If you have questions about your subscription, please contact alert@burgundyfarm.org.
More details about Burgundy's notification process are available in the Parent Handbook (PDF).
 Reminder: Bingo Night Jan. 31 Don't forget to RSVP for Burgundy Bingo! Join us Sunday, January 31, now from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Loft. In addition to bingo games, we'll have a raffle -- get a ticket and you might be chosen as a special guest caller! Popcorn and drinks will be on hand. This event is free, but RSVPs are requested by Friday, January 29.
Registration Open for BCWS Nature Camp!  The Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies, located at Cooper's Cove, hosts an overnight nature camp with sessions for children aged 8-15, and an Adult Weekend for those aged 21+ (a rare opportunity for adults to enjoy Cooper's Cove without the need to supervise children or do dishes!).
All sessions are staffed by energetic, creative college and high school students and directed by Vini Schoene. Learn more at www.burgundycenter.org, and if you'd like to register you can do so now! (Please note that, atypically, the girl's dorm for the first senior session is already full with a wait list.)
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Who knows who you might see at Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp!
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Plan Ahead for Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp! Don't let the winter weather get you down -- start planning your summer at Burgundy! With all new programs for 2016, plus favorites from previous summers, there is more than ever for you and your camper to choose from at Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp!
Registration will open in February but you can browse our flier for an overview of camp, and check out the detailed offerings grid to see what's available. It's nature and nurture all summer long at camp!
Want to learn more? Join us Saturday, February 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for an open house. Camp Director Hugh Squire will offer opening remarks starting at 9 a.m., followed by campus tours and Q&A sessions. Light refreshments will be served. Then, beginning at 10:30, you'll get the chance to experience the fun of summer camp with demonstrations of the programs we'll be offering. Pick up to three to preview in 30-minute rotations.
Author Visit Feb. 25 The Burgundy Library is excited to welcome Dan Gutman on Thursday, February 25, at 8:30 a.m. thanks to our partnership with local bookstore Hooray for Books!
Dan Gutman, author of The Genius Files series, Baseball Card Adventures, and the My Weird School and related series, will be coming to Burgundy as part of his book tour for a new series called Flashback Four. The first book in the series, The Lincoln Project, is geared towards 8 to 12-year-olds. Grades 3-6 will be attending his 30 minute presentation, and if there are students from other grades who are interested, they may attend with teacher permission.
Please complete and send in the order form (PDF) by February 5 if you are interested in purchasing signed copies of his new book.
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Don't Forget!
Monday, January 25: MS Math Club, 3:15 p.m., Matthew's classroom. Basketball home games vs. Capitol Hill Day School: varsity boys, 3:45 p.m., varsity girls 5 p.m., Gym.
Wednesday, January 27: Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library. Basketball home games vs. Trinity: JV boys, 4 p.m., varsity boys 5:15 p.m., Gym.
Thursday, January 28: Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library.
Friday, January 29: 7th Grade Ski Trip. Basketball away games vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, varsity boys and girls.
Saturday, January 30: Yearbook Meeting, 1-4 p.m., 8th grade homeroom.
Sunday, January 31: BCWS summer camp presentation, noon, drama room. Burgundy Bingo Night, 4-6 p.m., Loft.
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Parting Photos
Scenes from the activities on campus during the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday
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