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Burgundy students are fortunate to have a remarkable array of learning opportunities. Some of them, like 7th and 8th graders performing Shakespeare on the Folger Theater stage, are very special. Others are downright remarkable! Today and Monday, for example, 7th grade students are observing open heart surgery as part of their biology studies. This trip is possible because of a longtime connection with an alumni parent physician through middle school science teacher Doug Fishman.
Unique learning experiences like these inspire sustained excitement in learning and leads to places we can only imagine. While open heart surgery is a most dramatic illustration of Burgundy's exciting, engaging program, the curriculum our teachers develop and teach each school year offers many memorable and formative experiences, and last Thursday several of our teachers presented at our spring curriculum night, reminding us of the purposeful planning and creativity that go into the creation of learning at Burgundy.
The curriculum at Burgundy is a living thing, as Elizabeth Lener reminded us before the teachers began their presentations. Guided both by national and regional standards and the latest research, Burgundy curricula reflect 21st century learning skills -- some of which, like critical thinking, application of ideas, and collaborative problem solving -- have been our Burgundy instructional bread and butter since our founding.
The key to learning, as Dewey suggested, is meaningful participation and ownership of the learner in the learning process. This translates into learning by doing, constructing learning, and our Burgundy commitment to experiential learning -- hands-on projects, thematic units, and integrated learning that often emphasizes a connection to the "real world."
Why does this idea of 'ownership' matter so much? Beyond our more immediate goal of preparation for high school and college/post-secondary learning, we want our kids to be prepared to be happy, productive, self-realized persons, and active, engaged, reasoning citizens who will be leaders and advocates in their communities. That begins with a program that keeps students learning to be learners for life who are active and curious about many fields of study and the world and people around them!
Jeff Sindler
Head of School |
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Coming Up at Burgundy ...
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PAAS Meeting on April 11
Parents of African American Students (PAAS) will hold its next meeting on Monday, April 11, at 6:15 p.m., by phone. We plan to do some long-term planning and brainstorming. Please be prepared to share your ideas! Contact Joanne Harris to request the call-in number and passcode.
Board Meeting April 12 Burgundy's Board of Trustees will have its next meeting Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Loft. All current parents/guardians are welcome to observe Board meetings. Please notify Board Secretary Seileen Mullen if you plan to attend to ensure adequate seating.
 Half-Day for Professional Development April 13 Students will be dismissed at noon on Wednesday, April 13 so faculty can attend a professional development conference in the afternoon. Please note that a preliminary Burgundy calendar had a different April date. For the most current information, check Burgundy's online calendar or here in Constant Comment.
Extended Day will be open April 13; contact Hugh Squire to make a reservation for your child.
 Box Top Collection April 15 While you're finishing your taxes, your children can clip Box Tops! Our next school collection will be Friday, April 15. Please send Box Tops in via your child's homeroom teacher or drop them by the Main Office.
 BPA Family Fun Night:
Movie Night April 15 Lights... camera... action! The Burgundy Parent Association invites 1st through 4th grade students, families and younger siblings to a Family Fun movie night on Friday, April 15, 7-8:30 p.m. (movie starts promptly at 7:05 p.m.) in the Gym. Please RSVP by April 13 if you can join us!
Bring your blanket or sleeping bag and pillows and join your friends for a screening of Inside Out (rated PG). Popcorn and drinks will be served. Families with students who will be enrolling in grades 2-5 in the fall have been invited. The evening will be the perfect chance to meet and welcome some of these new families to the Burgundy community. Parents, please plan to stay for the movie. All children in attendance must have a parent in attendance as well. Spaces Left in Two May Parties Two of the sign-up parties offered as part of Burgundy's auction still have space available. If you're interested in attending, contact Allison Niedbala for tickets.
Mad Hatter's Tea Party: 7 spaces left! A little hat made of ribbons and bows... a bird perched there, a nest, a rose -- a silly hat, or pretty too, which will we see on you? Join parents Amanda Traub and Nadia Grenier at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party for a fanciful and fun time on a Sunday afternoon sipping tea and adult beverages, knowing that you are supporting financial aid at Burgundy. All with the added bonus of enjoying and relaxing amongst Amanda's beautiful flowers. Please come wearing your tea hat (gentlemen are welcome, bow ties preferred). A total of 20 adults can attend the party at the home of Amanda Traub in Old Town Alexandria, 3-6 p.m. Sunday, May 1. $75 per person.
Dinner and Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks: 2 spaces left! A family-friendly night on Capitol Hill! Start with a cookout at the home of parents Mary Quillian Helms and Paxton Helms. Then walk two blocks to the Marine Barracks of Washington at 8th and I Streets, SE to enjoy reserved seating for the Evening Parade ceremony. The 75-minute performance of music and precision marching features "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and more. It's a night of patriotic fun you and your kids will remember for a lifetime at the historic 215-year-old barracks. A total of 40 adults and children can attend the party, 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 20. $30 per person.
BCWS Summer Camp Filling Fast If your child is interested in attending BCWS Summer Camp, please register soon as space is very limited. Junior Program is full. Senior Program Session 2 (advanced) and Session 3 both have limited availability while Session 1 is full with a waitlist. Learn more about BCWS camp or register now! Questions? Contact Michele McCabe, BCWS Camp Registrar, at 703.842.0470 or michelem@burgundyfarm.org.
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Don't Forget!
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. PAAS phone meeting, 6:15 p.m.
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. BPA Family Fun Movie Night, 7 p.m., Gym. Please RSVP.
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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Lower School Math Program Update
The Lower School Math Committee has completed its review process and has chosen TERC Investigations in Number, Data, and Space as its new core curriculum. Learn more (PDF) about this decision and next steps.
Parent Report: Curriculum Night
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Parents (above) and teachers (below) at curriculum night. Photos by Tara Carter.
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Last Thursday, parents enjoyed curriculum presentations on Burgundy's JK through 8 programs in social studies, visual arts and bibliotech. After the presentations, teachers and administrators continued the subject area conversations with parents in small groups around the Loft. Parents also enjoyed display tables of sample work in each of the areas, arranged by grade. Many thanks to all the participating teachers!
* At Burgundy, learning comes in large part through experience. Burgundy children learn by doing in an integrated curriculum that emphasizes problem solving, critical thinking, and social responsibility.
* Lower School Social Studies: Topics covered in JK through Grade 5 are wide and varied! They begin with close and familiar topics -- such as me, my family, my school, my community -- then expand to regional and national history, as well as worldwide studies, including perennial favorites like the Middle Ages and ancient Chinese culture and the Silk Road.
* Middle School Social Studies: In middle school, social studies are interwoven with Language Arts as part of Burgundy's humanities program. The topics covered are origins, ways of seeing, and voices of change. During the middle school years, students draw connections between literature and current events.
* Visual Arts: The visual arts program at Burgundy is based around four interconnecting components which are multicultural and interdisciplinary; the elements of art; the various art media; and self-discovery, self-expression and empowerment. Examples of K-5 art projects were displayed at the event and in a slide show presentation. Art projects are often integrated with social studies curriculum topics. Burgundy students love "junk art," and it is one of the ways in which they show the most creative expression. During middle school, students rotate through art electives, including murals, ceramics, photography, 2-D art, painting, and sculpture.
* Bibliotech is the combined library and technology staff team. For their curriculum presentation, the team chose three themes: the power of the story, information literacy, and the changing story (questions for the future). The library holds more than 18,000 books and materials, plus an online catalogue for access to even more resources and databases. The technology department provides more than 400 computers and iPads around the school for student use, including a 1:1 Chromebook program in the middle school, providing every middle school student with their own Chromebook for use in class and at home. -- Tara Carter, parent of Landon, 2nd grade Viceroy and Emma, 5th grade Cooper
Student Report: Model United Nations Last month, 16 Burgundy 7th and 8th grade students went to New York City to attend the 2016 Montessori Model United Nations Conference, where we represented the Republic of Cuba. In order to prepare for this trip, we researched Cuba and their stance on many world issues. We worked in teams of two to brainstorm solutions to issues such as women's rights, climate change, and world hunger. While in New York, each team worked with their committee, made up of kids from all over the world, to create two draft resolutions to the real world issues presented to them. Our team was chosen to speak at the UN General Assembly on behalf of our committee. All committees' draft resolutions were passed, and we all learned how we might be involved in creating a better world. -- Eliza Marcus '16 and Majlis Walker '16
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| | Burgundy's Model UN Cuba delegation in New York City. |
Parent Report: Music Box Student Recital On Monday, Cathy Manley hosted the last sign-up student recital of the year, likely the last of these events to be held in the current Loft. Recitals by grade are still scheduled for this spring.
Cathy awarded music medals to each of the 16 performing students. Parents, grandparents, and friends in attendance were treated to piano, vocal, violin, saxophone, flute, and cello performances. A highlight of the show was Kindergarten Penguin Tatum Sindler performing at her first recital. She sang a version of Mary Had a Little Lamb, and accompanied herself on the piano. Parents snapped photos of the group or performers onstage after the last song, documenting this last Loft event for Burgundy history. Students and parents have a lot to look forward to in the new space that is coming! -- Tara Carter, parent of Landon, 2nd grade Viceroy and Emma, 5th grade Cooper
The group of performers at this week's student recital. Photo by Tara Carter.
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Parting Photos
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| Author Bryan Collier gets some audience participation during his visit with
the 3rd grade Buckeyes and 4/5 classes. |
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| Art from above: 6th graders had class in the treehouse with
Annie Rocha earlier this week. |
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At work on the water play tables that will be part of our
Outdoor Classroom & Discovery Playground.
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