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 This week brought Earth Day and the spring opening of our mountain campus--the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies at Cooper's Cove. My class ('73) had only one Cove visit, but interaction with the natural world infused my Burgundy childhood. In keeping with a holistic approach to education, Burgundy has long recognized that we cannot separate ourselves from nature, nor should we separate study of the natural world from the rest of the curriculum. It was years before the first Earth Day when our board foresaw D.C. urban sprawl and sought a spot where children could be fully immersed in their subject. Thus, the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies was founded in 1967.
As visitors struggle for a few days with limited internet connectivity, and unaccustomed exposure to the elements, insects, and pollen, we all may wonder why this was a good idea. We support the children as they struggle to hold a newt gently, sit quietly alone in the dusk, or climb 60 feet into a canopy walkway because we want them to live in a world where nature continues to provide the breathable air, drinkable water, and sustainable agriculture that we all often take for granted. We know that if they don't look at a stonefly wriggling under good magnification, they'll likely be indifferent to the health of that varmint and never understand that it indicates water quality in a stream and thereby the Chesapeake Bay. We want them to know that when we are no longer around to sit with them, they can still enjoy their solitude on any hilltop, an impossibly large moon cresting the horizon.
All of which explains why you'll find this wrapping up the Burgundy mission statement: "... responsibility for self, for others, and for the natural world."
Vini Schoene '73
Director, Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies
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Coming Up at Burgundy ...
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 Reminder: Spring Spirit Wear and
Burgundy Items
Spring Spirit Wear is available to order online through Wednesday, April 27. An update from last week: the baseball cap is available in both youth and adult sizes. Check out the sizing guide (PDF) for more information and product images.
Net proceeds will go toward student financial aid. Those who order will receive an email with pickup options when the order arrives in mid-May.
 Author Visit: Tom Watson Author Tom Watson will visit Burgundy on Tuesday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. thanks to a partnership with Hooray for Books!, Alexandria's only independent bookstore. Grades 2-5 will be coming to his presentation, and students from other grades are welcome with teacher permission. If your student would like to order any of his books, please download and fill out an order form and return it with cash or check (made out to BFCDS). Orders are due Friday, April 29. He will also sign books after his presentation.
Burgundy Book Fair Coming in May  Come and get your summer reading! Burgundy's annual sale of new books will run Monday, May 2 through Friday, May 6. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Classes will visit the library to look at the books, and each student will bring home a list of books to consider for purchase. Parents are welcome to return with their children to browse, or may send in money with which to purchase the books. A detailed letter and preview flyer will be coming home next week with your child. Middle School required summer reading will be available. The fair is open until 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, so you can stop by after your child's club or enrichment! Pay by credit card (in person), cash, or check (made payable to BFCDS). A percentage of each sale supports the Library program. Hope to see you there! |
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Don't Forget!
Monday, April 25: Math Mondays: Grades 3-5 Math Club, 3:15 p.m., Scout's classroom.
Wednesday, April 27: JK Tour, 10-11:30 a.m. Work Smarter session, 3:15 p.m., Library. MS Running Club, 3:15 p.m. Lacrosse home game vs. St. Anselm's, 3:30 p.m., field. 7th Grade Musical Showcase, 7 p.m., Loft. Spring 2016 Spirit Wear order deadline.
Please note: there will be no Work Smarter sessions after school on April 28, May 4, or May 5.
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Thursday, April 28: Lacrosse home game vs. Trinity, 4 p.m., field.
Friday, April 29: Pizza Day. MS Running Club, 3:15 p.m.
May 2-6: Burgundy Book Fair. Monday, May 2: Math Mondays: MS Math Help, 3:15 p.m., Matthew's classroom. Tuesday, May 3: Teacher Appreciation Day. Wednesday, May 4: MS Running Club, 3:15 p.m. Lacrosse home game vs. Maret, 3:15 p.m., field. Thursday, May 5: 6th Grade Musical Showcase, 7 p.m., Loft. Friday, May 6: MS Running Club, 3:15 p.m.
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On April 12, the Board of Trustees met and covered a number of topics including: (1) the rollout plans for the newly selected math curriculum known as TERC Invesitgations (if you haven't yet, see the letter sent in the April 8 issue of Constant Comment); (2) the efforts of the new academic leadership and learning support team; (3) an update on enrollment and financials; (4) a report from the Cove Strategic Study Committee; and lastly (5) a report on the progress and status of the Campus Renewal Initiative.
-- Seileen Mullen, Secretary, Burgundy Board of Trustees
Downton Abbey Meets Cooper's Cove Phenomenal weather conditions brought us record-breaking numbers of volunteers this past weekend, which is a good thing, because there were also a record-breaking number of tasks and complications to start off our season! Luckily, thanks to Chris "Mr. Carson" Mills and Karla "Daisy" Jamir, we also had a record-breaking number of tea sandwiches with which to fortify ourselves.
We extend our gratitude to these families!
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Current Burgundy Families
Cumti
Friedl
Gonzalez-Acevedo
Inguagiato
Katzin-Aaron
Lener-Stachowiak
Riseman-Taylor
Sindler
Smith
Thomas-Cottingham |
Burgundy Alumni Families
Adler-Fishman
Entabi
Khwaja
Mikeska
Pipkin
Schwartz-Mills |
BCWS Camp Families
Abraham
Bell
Bostick
Bradshaw
Garrabrant
Glist/Jamir
Reiner
Schoene
Simon |
It was a grand weekend, largely scandal-free (despite several unfounded rumors of Vini going missing). We have sent off Downton Abbey and ushered in the season for the Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies in high style.
Keeping calm, and carrying on,
 Vini Schoene '73, a.k.a. Lady Cora a.k.a. Mrs. Pattmore
David Sicree, a.k.a. Estate Steward
Thank You: Paving Work
Burgundy families, thanks for your patience and cooperation as paving work in the immediate area of campus was completed this week. We are glad to have the new smooth entrance road!
Burgundy Bulletin Burgundy alumna Kate Gardner '08, currently a senior at Princeton University, recently presented an independent TED talk on virtual reality storytelling. Kate is exploring the subject for her senior thesis. Her 15-minute talk explores how technology changes narrative techniques and the types of stories that will be told.
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 Some smiles and silliness leaving Wednesday's All School Meeting.|
| | Browsing the book swap in between classes. |
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