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 April Fool's Day has me reflecting on the literary trope of the wise fool: the intentional oxymoron often is seen in the literary character, the jester or Shakesperean fool who is known to be clever and even silly but who also may be the wisest person in the story, and the one who speaks the clearest truth.
Foolishness in an intellectual-historical context may arise from the Middle Ages as a concept set against learnedness, of the traditional (and elite) variety, and the use of the reasoning faculties held by all persons, even the commonest to disagree with conventional wisdom or to challenge the mores of the day. Even in modern times, this can be risky -- but also critically important to the evolution of civilization and our shared humanity.
Yet modern education and indeed the sciences across the ages are predicated on questioning. When Steve Jobs offered the advice "Stay hungry, stay foolish" in a Stanford commencement address, he alluded to the idea of keeping a child's sense of adventure, imagination, and tendency to test reality and blend it with what may seem to others fantastic. Only in the nexus of what is known and what is dreamy can we achieve the wondrous technological innovations we have witnessed in recent decades. This concept reminds of the importance of allowing for freedom and a sense of play even in the pursuit of knowledge.
I know that our Burgundy teachers understand this idea and use it to nurture creativity and innovative thinking that leads to testing reality and real learning.
Jeff Sindler
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Coming Up at Burgundy ...
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Reminder: Student Recital April 4
The final sign-up student recital of the year is Monday, April 4, at 7 p.m. in the Loft. This recital is for any student in the school. Please email Cathy Manley or Emily (McCrory) East by Friday, April 1 if your child would like to perform.
 Author Visit: Bryan Collier
Burgundy welcomes internationally known author-illustrator, Bryan Collier, on Tuesday, April 5 for a day-long visit. Guests are welcome to join students as they hear from Bryan: 8:40 to 9:30 a.m. - JK, K, 1, 2, and 3rd Viceroys; 11:20 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. - Middle School; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. - 3rd Buckeyes, 4, and 5. Several of Bryan's books are available to order. Learn more about the titles and complete an order form (PDF) - please return with cash or check on or before Monday, April 4.
Reminder: ERB Testing April 12-15 Students in grades 4 to 7 will be taking the ERB standardized tests during the mornings of Tuesday, April 12 through Friday, April 15. Homework loads will be lightened during this week and we ask that parents make sure children get lots of rest and start their day with a healthy breakfast.
Reminder: Cove Opening Weekend April 16-17 This is a fun and hard-working weekend at Cooper's Cove to get ready for student trips to resume. Anyone is welcome to attend for as much as you can manage. Adults should expect to supervise their own children. Bring your own bedding and clothing layers.
RSVP to Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies Director Vini Schoene '73 and share how many people will be there, for which meals, and any food issues you have.
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Don't Forget!
Monday, April 4: Math Mondays: 3rd-5th Math Club, 3:15 p.m., Scout's classroom. Music Box Student Recital, 7 p.m., Loft.
Tuesday, April 5: Author Visit: Bryan Collier. More details above; guests welcome.
Wednesday, April 6: JK Admission tour, 10-11:30 a.m. Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library.
Saturday, April 9: Yearbook meeting, 1 p.m., 8th grade homeroom.
Monday, April 11: MS Math Help session, 3:15 p.m., Matthew's classroom.
Tuesday, April 12: ERB Testing (4th-7th grades). Board of Trustees meeting, 6:30 p.m., Loft.
Wednesday, April 13: ERB Testing (4th-7th grades). Half-day for students: dismissal at noon, Extended Day open.
Thursday, April 14: ERB Testing (4th-7th grades). Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library.
Friday, April 15: ERB Testing (4th-7th grades). Day of Silence/Free To Be Me Day. Middle School Dance (5th graders invited), 7 p.m., Loft.
April 16-17: Cove opening work weekend. RSVP to Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies Director Vini Schoene '73 with how many people, for which meals, and any food issues.
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We're ready to open the Outdoor World Learning Lab! The OWLL, next to the Science Cottage and Burgundy's pond, will be available to all Burgundy students and classes for open-air lessons, group projects, and individual reflection. Based on feedback from a faculty committee, there are a few more finishing touches to come, including benches and tables and some additional plantings around the structure.
Part of Burgundy's Outdoor Classroom and Discovery Playground project, the OWLL is a legacy gift from the Class of 2015.
Professional Development Report Teachers came back recharged and ready to dive into thoughtful conversations at a professional development day this past Monday. During the morning the art, math, language arts, bibliotech, social studies, and Middle School humanities committees met to discuss presentations for Curriculum Night, clarify curriculum benchmarks, and make plans for curriculum revisions and future workshops. During lunch we heard from several of the committees about their exciting work. In the afternoon, Assistant Head of School Elizabeth Lener led teachers in discussions around report card writing in an effort to ensure that our reports are clear, consistent, developmentally appropriate, and reflect the values of our progressive school. We will continue these conversations at future faculty meetings. We concluded the day with Pat Harden, our school counselor, sharing important information about our duties in keeping children emotionally and physically safe.
Our next professional development day is Wednesday, April 13, when students will be dismissed at noon. Teachers will be traveling to Friends Community School for our biennial CAPS (Capital Area Progressive Schools) Speaker Symposium where we will hear from Steve Seidel from Harvard's Project Zero speak about documenting and analyzing the learning process.
Burgundy Bulletin Alumna Rachel Michael '12, currently a student at The Madeira School, shared her accomplishments in competitive equestrian events. She recently qualified for IEA Zone Finals as well as Pony Finals (in August at the Kentucky Horse Park) by winning Champion with her pony Empire's Strikes Blue in Medium Green Pony Hunter. Among several awards in 2015, Rachel received the Arianna Cox Memorial Junior Sportsmanship Award for the 2015 show season.
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An April Fool's Day prank on campus this morning. Photo by Jeff Sindler.
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 Growth in the garden and an uncovered pool ...spring has arrived at Burgundy!
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