Calendar
November
3 VSAC Financial Aid Night, 7 pm, Rowland Center
6 Calliope Cafe, 6:30 pm in the Rowland Center’s Scranton Room
9 Freshmen and New Parent Forum, 6 pm, Hunter Seminar Room
11 Full-day Faculty In-Service – No school
11-14 Play On! in the Riley Center, 6:30 pm
12 Winter Sports Mandatory Parent/Athlete Meeting, 6 pm
16 Winter Sports begin
18-19 Senior College Application Work Sessions 12:30 – 3:30 pm
18-19 Parent Conferences. Early dismissal at 12:35 pm
25-27 Thanksgiving Break
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From the Headmaster
Dear Families,
I am delighted to report that we are back to full strength after the extraordinarily high absentee rates during the week of October 18. Now we can look forward to the busy days of November. This month, we have:
* Soccer playoffs. This is the first year that we are in Division I, and we are in the dangerous position of being considered “favorites” for the State title.
* Play On! a comedy, opens for a four-day run at the Riley Center on November 11. If it is like any other stage production at this school, you can be assured that it will be high caliber, professional, inspiring, and (since it is a comedy) funny show.
* Freshmen and New Parent Forum, November 9, 6 pm. The Parents Association is sponsoring a forum for parents of freshmen and new students to help you navigate the next four years. You will hear from a number of academic leaders as well as veteran Burr and Burton parents. I look forward to meeting our newest families at this event.
* Annual Giving Campaign. Our “Raise the Bar” challenge is in full swing. If you are a new donor or you increase your gift from last year, I will personally invite you to a celebration in February. Your support at any level is very important.
We are also entering the heart of the semester. With mid-terms complete, leaves off the trees, and shorter days, I suggest this is the perfect time of year for Burr and Burton students to hunker down and focus on their academic work. Your support of our educational goals is, as always, appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mark H. Tashjian
Headmaster
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From the Athletic Department
Important Winter Sports Information Night
The mandatory winter sports parent/athlete meeting will be held Thursday, November 12, at 6 pm in the following locations:
Boys Basketball: Hunter Seminar Room
Alpine Skiing: gym
Nordic Skiing: Wellness classroom off the gym lobby
Girls Basketball: John Wright’s room #31 in the Seminary Building
Snowboarding: gym
Dance: Barb Miceli’s room #221 Rowland Center
November 16 All winter sports begin practice.
All freshmen and transfer students who did not play a fall sport will need a physical exam prior to participating. All returning students must have had a physical exam after March 2008.
Physical forms and permission forms can be downloaded from the schools web site burrburton.org. These completed forms must be brought to the meeting on November 12 or mailed (attn. Kathi Bierwirth) to the school before November 12 (please identify the sport on the form).
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Director of Athletics Kathi Bierwirth at 549-8119.
Attention All Theater-goers and Winter Sports Sign-up families: Spaghetti Dinner on November 12
Ever feel stressed finding time to squeeze in dinner prep when evening commitments force you out? Escape the hectic hassle of the kitchen and join us for an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner on Thursday, November 12, from 5-8 pm in the Rowland Center. Waiters and waitresses from the boys’ and girls’ ice hockey teams will proudly serve up a delicious dinner for all. Please come and support us and enjoy great time. Admission: $7 adults, $5 students with a maximum charge of $20 per family.
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Parent – Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled this semester for Wednesday, November 18 from 1 pm – 5 pm and Thursday, November 19, from 1 pm – 8 pm with a break from 5:00-5:45 for dinner. Students will be dismissed at 12:35 on both days. Scheduling is done again this year online starting November 5 at: https://www.pickatime.com/client?ven=11601183. This link will also be available on our web site: www.burrburton.org in the Parents Center.
All parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with teachers. If you have any questions or are having problems scheduling appointments, please email us at stowslee@burrburton.org.
Helpful Hints: The pick-a-time software is VERY sensitive to both case and punctuation. Please follow the examples exactly in order to register. The most common problem when trying to set up appointments is not entering your student’s birth date correctly. It needs to be entered exactly as the example is shown: mm-dd-yyyy. Also, if you are a split family, and another parent has already made appointments, you will need to contact us at stowslee@burrburton.org so that we can “clone” your student.
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From the Advancement Office
Annual Giving Campaign Kick-off – Raise the Bar Challenge
Be on the lookout for Mark Tashjian’s letter asking for your support of the 2009 – 2010 Annual Giving Campaign. Mark has a challenge out to our parents – all new donors and any donors who increase their annual gift will be invited to our Raise the Bar celebration party in February of 2010. Mark is encouraging all parents to participate in the Annual Giving Campaign. Every gift counts and we want your support. Please be as generous as you can and respond quickly to the parent appeal letter – return those pledge cards or make a gift. You can also give online to save time and having to track down a stamp. Thank you!
Freshmen and New Parent Forum
On Monday night, November 9, 2009, from 6 – 7:30 pm, the Parent Association is hosting a Freshmen and New Parent Forum in the Hunter Seminar Room, in the library of the Smith Center. The program will include a presentation on Technology at Burr and Burton, a curricular overview by Jen Hyatt, Dean of Studies, an update on the Mountain Campus by Mark Tashjian, and a panel of “seasoned” parents who will discuss what freshmen parents need to know to navigate through four years of high school. Light refreshments will be served and we would appreciate knowing if you will be attending. Please call Amy Comar at 549-8281 or e-mail her at acomar@burrburton.org. Questions can be directed to Eve Perni (362-0775) and Margaret Saling (362-1776), co-chairs of the Parent Association Welcoming Committee.
Mountain Campus Ribbon-cutting Ceremony

Celebrating the completion of Phase I of the project, Burr and Burton Academy marked the opening of the entry to the Mountain Campus in Peru on October 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a small reception on the site. Attending were trustees, Advisory Council members, and other invited guests including former Headmaster Chuck Scranton and Mountain Campus Committee members Mark Wright, Jack Phillips, and Tony Whaling.
“Today’s ceremony marks an important milestone not only in the development of this project, but in the history of this school,” said Headmaster Tashjian stated “It brings us one step closer to creating a program that will provide authentic, powerful opportunities for students to engage in hands-on scientific research and environmental studies, develop leadership skills, and instill an abiding appreciation for the magnificence of the natural world.”
Small groups of students will begin to visit the campus this coming winter for special environmental education projects. A post and beam cabin is currently under construction which will serve as a temporary shelter for ongoing programs. Plans for a permanent, state of the art, energy efficient L.E.E.D. certified building are underway.
E-Mail Addresses
It is very important that we have current e-mail addresses for all our parents. Unless you’ve turned in an e-mail address on the summer data collection sheet, you will not be receiving e-mail notices from the school. Please return your data collection sheet as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
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From the Performing Arts Department
Burr and Burton Academy Presents “Play On” November 11-14
Don’t miss the Performing Arts Department’s fall production of Rick Abbot’s hilarious comedy “Play On!” The show looks at how a local community theater company navigates the final days of rehearsal of an original old English-style murder mystery play ”Murder Most Foul.” The actors are squabbling, the director is losing control, the author keeps rewriting, and opening night fulfills the old theatrical adage that “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!” The performances run from November 11 through November 14 at 6:30 pm in the Riley Center for the Arts. Tickets are $6 for Burr and Burton students and faculty and $10 for the general public. You can purchase your tickets online at: bba.ticketjunior.com. For 24-hour information, please call 802-549-8224.
Click here for a look at the commercial shot by the Digital Film students.
Calliope Café has been re-scheduled to November 6, at 6:30 pm in the Rowland Center’s Scranton Room. This is an evening of live entertainment in a coffee house environment to display student talent in all areas of the performing arts; many styles of music are represented as well as dancing, acting, and poetry reading. Drinks and dessert are provided throughout the night. Admission: $5 adults and $3 students.
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From the Library
Art Display
Mrs. Silver’s ceramic students have an ongoing display in the library of their favorite pieces. From teapots and bowls to sneakers and vases – please stop by to view this colorful display of student creativity.
Newspapers
Newspapers are available for students and teachers to use for a relaxing flip through or for photocopying an article for class. If you missed an article about Burr and Burton, we archive them all – just ask to see our BBA in the News book.
Websites to Check Out
The Biography Maker http://fromnowon.org/bio/biomak2.htm
Country Information http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
US Primary Sources http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amhome.html
Internet Public Library http://www.ipl.org
Library Stats
Since school began 40 classes per week are scheduling time in the library! In addition it is SRO in the morning before school –we do not have enough seats to accommodate the students who choose to start their day in the library.
The top authors being read this week include Stephen King, Stephenie Meyer, Tim O’Brien, Libba Bray and Jon Krakauer.
New arrivals
First Darling of the Morning by Thrity Umrigar
Freeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
On Ugliness by Umberto Eco
Enchanted Hunters by Maria Tatar
We hope you enjoy your Lisa B. Tuttle Library experience. If you have any suggestions or comments we would love to hear them. Just stop by the Library and tell us!
Library website: http://northshirelibraries.com
Library Hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
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School and College Counseling
VSAC Paying for College Night
- Information about the Financial Aid Process
- Tuesday, November 3, at 7 pm, in the Rowland Center
Seniors
Keep those applications coming! Let us help you brainstorm essays, review applications and consider good matches. Many seniors have already submitted one application; other students are still working through the initial process. A good rule of thumb is to apply before the December break. Remember to have your test scores sent directly to the colleges from the College Board or ACT. We’re here to assist and support you.
If you still need to schedule some campus visits, consider taking advantage of days and times when there are no classes: Wednesday, November 11 is an in-service day for teachers only. There are also two early release days (for parent conferences) on Wednesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 19. We will also host after-school application sessions in the Moritz Lab following early dismissal on November 18 and 19.
AP Exam Information
All students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses during the 2009-2010 school year are required to pay their exam fee of $86 per exam by November 10. Students may bring in cash or checks (made out to Burr and Burton Academy) to Cristin Rose or Lynne Welsh in the School and College Counseling Office. There are fee waivers available for eligible students. All students enrolled in AP courses are required by Burr and Burton to take the AP exam. AP exams will be held May 3 – May 13.
Castleton On-The-Spot Admission Program
Seniors with completed applications have an opportunity to interview with Castleton admission counselors at Burr and Burton and immediately receive their admission decision. Sign up in the School and College Counseling Office if you’d like to participate in this program that will take place on Tuesday, December 8.
Juniors Class Update
College-bound juniors took the PSAT on October 14 and those results are due in December.
Beginning in late January, when we will have completed our most intense period of work with the current seniors, we will conduct individual meetings with juniors.
Upcoming College Visits
Juniors and seniors may be excused from class, with teacher permission, to attend college meetings. Students and parents can find our most up-to-date list at http://connection.naviance.com/burrburton.We post a paper calendar inside the School and College Counseling Office and we also remind students through daily announcements.
College Athletics
Seniors interested in playing intercollegiate athletics next year need to register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Stop in the School and College Counseling Office for assistance or computer access.
Selective Service Registration
Eighteen-year-old males need to register with the U.S. Selective Service at www.sss.gov. Male students need to do so in order to be eligible for federal financial aid.
SAT/ACT Registration Information
We recommend that juniors hold off on these tests until the spring semester when they will have had a chance to review PSAT results and take a prep class, if desired.
Seniors should note that November 12 is the end of the late registration period for the SAT on December 5 at Burr and Burton. Go to www.collegeboard.com.
Seniors who want to take the December 12 ACT at another school should register by the Nov. 6 deadline at www.actstudent.org.
Scholarships
Forms for all of the scholarships listed below are available in the School and College Counseling Office. This scholarship information is also listed on the Naviance website at http://connection.naviance.com/burrburton.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Eligibility: senior, employment, community service, leadership, financial need
Award: $4,000 – $60,000; Deadline: November 2
Application online at www.elks.org/enf/scholars
AXA Achievement Scholarship
Eligibility: students who set and reach ambitious goals, demonstrate drive, determination and ability to succeed in college, respect for self, family and community
Award: $10,000; Deadline: December 15
Online Application: www.axa-achievement.com
American Legion of Vermont Scholarship
Eligibility: seniors accepted at approved or accredited school or college,
Award: $1,500; $1,000; or $500; Deadline: April 1
Application information online: www.legionvthq.com
Posted by bbabullhorn
Posted by bbabullhorn
Posted by bbabullhorn