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Saturday we celebrated our 70th year and 'Our Vision Forward' campaign kick-off in a lovely and exciting party at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. It was very exciting to share this happy occasion with about 250 Burgundians!
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| | Jeff addresses the crowd at the 70th anniversary party. |
We began by looking back. Board President Charlie Rawls and I each paid due respects to our Burgundy parent founders. They were audacious. In August 1945 the farm property and buildings were a mess. As World War II wound down, building materials were scarce, but they got their tools and paint and got to work! In September 1946 Burgundy opened with 33 students in grades 1-4. We have come a long way since then, with 285 students in JK through 8th.
Our founders were not educators, but they understood what children need to thrive! Foremost, as one of them put it, is "peace from fear--and opportunity to develop courage and hope about themselves." They recognized that children are born with a hunger for learning. Yet that hunger requires sustaining, with the right kind of campus, curriculum, culture, and community.
Today, Burgundy continues to be a school that encourages children to take intellectual, creative and physical risks. We encourage children to make choices in their own learning as they learn to work together with others. Increasingly we have seen the rest of the world buy into our core beliefs about learning. It's a great time to be Burgundy!
We are so proud of our 70 years of success and joy in learning. As we look forward, it's with excitement about a big new project: a new Arts & Community Center and Campus Green, which will be the heart of campus replacing the Loft and Blacktop. Of a $6 million fundraising campaign--which includes goals for critical needs including the new building and campus green, annual giving, and of course financial aid--we have raised $4.5 million to date and we will need everyone's support to reach our goal. Over the next several months, all current parents will be invited to a radius party to learn more about the plans with their Burgundy neighbors.
The new space will be one where our entire community can gather together; where all our students can draw inspiration from our environment in classrooms that open to the outdoors; where teachers and parents can find a quiet place to look at student art or schoolwork or to have a conversation or just read a book; where budding artists of all ages can celebrate and share their creativity with new a new gallery and theater. We're dreaming big--just as our founders did. I know they would be proud to see what we are accomplishing, and will continue to build, together! 
Jeff Sindler
Head of School
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Coming Up at Burgundy ...
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Great Backyard Bird Count
Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies Director Vini Schoene '73 says: Get out there and count some birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count today through Monday. Amateurs encouraged! You do not need to be able to identify every bird you see, and you can do your share in just a short outdoor stroll. Record your numbers online at birdcount.org.
PAAS February Events Parents of African American Students (PAAS) would like to invite our entire Burgundy community to explore and celebrate the rich, dynamic, and inspiring history of African Americans. This month we will host the following events:
1) An interactive, theatrical performance by Culture Queen Jessica Smith, celebrating African-American culture during All School Meeting, Wednesday, February 17, 8:45-9:45 a.m. Families are welcome!
2) An African-American History Walking Tour of Old Town Alexandria, for all ages! Veteran Burgundy parent Harold Summey (Njeri '09, Dara '11, Ayinde '13, 7th grader Ayo, and 5th grader Emi) will lead this tour from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 28. It is free, informative, and fun for all! We will leave from and return to Burgundy. Contact Harold for more information or to RSVP. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 24.
Save the Date: Burgundy on Broadway! Burgundy's 6th grade class musical is coming soon! Save the date for Burgundy on Broadway, Thursday and Friday, February 25 and 26. Each show begins at 7 p.m. in the Loft. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door; concessions will also be available. More information next week!
Auction Update: Volunteers and Tickets Seeking Volunteers We hope you have marked your calendars for Saturday, March 5, for our 34th Annual Auction, which is not only a fun social event, but also our primary fundraiser for financial aid. We have already received lots of volunteer support in soliciting and donating items, coordinating the upcoming raffles, designing class items, and more. We are seeking additional volunteers who are able to help with preparations the week of the auction:
March 3 and 4: Office work in Advancement Office
 March 3, 4, 5: Gym Set UpMarch 5 and 7: Gym Clean Up
Next week you will receive an email from Auction Set Up and Clean Up Volunteer Coordinator Fatima Ast with a link to a Sign-Up Genius form through which you can indicate your availability to help. If you have any questions, or if you do not receive the information, please contact Fatima.
We request that parents come without children who need to be supervised while they work for two reasons: 1) equipment such as tall ladders may be in use making it an unsafe environment for children, and 2) the Gym will be filled with fragile decorations and auction items.
Thank you for helping to make this special night a successful fundraiser for financial aid!
Tickets Coming Soon! Keep an eye out in your email inbox next week for the auction invitation! You will be able to buy auction admission and raffle tickets, contribute to financial aid, and purchase your child's special class project creation. |
Don't Forget!
Saturday, February 13: Camp Open House, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Gym. Yearbook meeting, 1-4 p.m., 8th grade homeroom.
Monday, February 15: School closed, President's Day. Tuesday, February 16: Re-enrollment contracts due. Wednesday, February 17: Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library. Basketball away game, JV girls vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, 2:45 p.m. Basketball home game, JV boys vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, 3:15 p.m. Thursday, February 18: Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library. Basketball home games, JV vs. Capitol Hill Day School, 3:45 p.m. boys, 5 p.m. girls. Friday, February 19: Pizza Day. Box Top collection deadline.
Wednesday, February 24: Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library.
Thursday, February 25: Author Visit for grades 3-6: Dan Gutman, 8:30 a.m., Library.Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library. Burgundy on Broadway, 7 p.m., Loft. Friday, February 26: Burgundy on Broadway, 7 p.m., Loft. Saturday, February 27: Yearbook meeting, 1-4 p.m., 8th grade homeroom.
Looking Ahead: March 21-25 is Spring Break, and that means Spring Break Camp with Extended Day. Registration is coming soon!
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Annual Meeting of the Corporation
Thank you to all parents who attended the Annual Meeting of the Corporation earlier this week! Board President Charlie Rawls opened the meeting and introduced the slate of candidates for nomination to the Board. The slate includes two returning Trustees and one new candidate; ballots were recently emailed and voting ends Monday, February 15.
After other updates from parent leaders and Burgundy administrators, Head of School Jeff Sindler spoke. He reflected on the party last weekend celebrating Burgundy's founding 70 years ago this year and our vision forward--including the plans for a new Arts & Community Center to replace the aging Loft. As announced Saturday, Burgundy is in a comprehensive campaign to raise $6 million for the new building and campus green, annual giving and financial aid, and $4.5 million has been raised thus far. Over the next several months, all current parents will be invited to a radius party to learn more about the plans with their Burgundy neighbors.
The updates were followed by a Q&A session.
Campus Renewal Construction Update  Even with some challenging weather, the last several weeks have seen a lot of progress for the Outdoor World Learning Laboratory. The butterfly roof of the structure has been added and is getting its finishing touches. Work remains on the grading of the ground around the lab, much of which cannot be done until after the ground has thawed and is dry, as well as landscaping. There may also be additional items to complete during the "punch list" phase. Fairfax County inspectors have to visit campus to review and approve the Outdoor World Learning Lab before it can be used by students.
Professional Development Reflections
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| EJ '03 coaches the boys varsity
basketball team last week. |
In addition to teaching duties, Emily "EJ" Jonas '03 has also coached basketball at Burgundy for several years. This fall, ahead of basketball season, she attended a coaching clinic with Kevin Sutton, the assistant coach for the Georgetown Hoyas. The two-part clinic included an informative dinner followed by a full practice run-through, where Coach Sutton gave attendees strategic tips based on more than 30 years of experience. EJ served as a "case study" to help Coach Sutton describe and explain different tactics.
The next morning, Coach Sutton ran a practice with students from the host school, Alexandria Country Day School. He talked about how to differentiate coaching based on specific player's skills and needs, and how to empower the student athletes through leadership opportunities. EJ found it very informative and has been implementing new skills with the teams she's coaching this season!
Burgundy faculty and staff engage in a variety of professional development opportunities like this throughout the year, made possible through Annual Giving.
Burgundy Bulletin Last week's Constant Comment highlighted Burgundy students' performances at the Birchmere in Alexandria as part of ROAMfest, put on by the Rock of Ages Music Rock School. Congratulations to Kaela Coren and Owen Hunt, both 7 graders, who were also among these performers!
Susan Thompson, mother to 2nd grade Buckeye Sawyer, is directing Elevate, a Broadway musical revue with Take the Stage Performance Company, Friday-Sunday, February 19-21 at the Kreeger Theater in Rockville, Maryland. All the performers are students in grades 4 through 11. While Sawyer isn't performing, he did help build the set and will be doing front-of-house duties during the performances. Burgundy families receive free tickets by visiting www.takethestageperformance.org and using the discount code BFCDS on the checkout page. |
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