Burgundy Farm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully everyone saw the new robust improved remoteplus plan they just sent out. Btw it’s bullshit and there is nothing plus about it. It’s all remote.

It’s actually similar to what other schools are doing. They are having some in-person experiences during September while they are remote. Kids will come on campus in small groups and practice distancing and masking together. And they are having more synchronous classes and predictable schedule. Seems reasonable to me.

When will kids come on campus?

They have an on-campus orientation and some on-campus experiences during virtual learning that teachers are currently planning. They even said they hope to use their West Virginia campus.

Ha! Just like they said they hope to send kids to the Cove this summer and they hope to be back in person five days a week in-person? Give me my money back

Shoulda thought of that before you signed that contract.

[Anonymous]

I know pandemics suck. I hope this will be all you have to complain about. Then you will come out on the other side of it a lot better off than millions of people. Good luck to you!


Lots of people always have it worse. Before this, I hope you never complained about someone stealing your wallet or robbing your house, because that doesn't compare to the suffering of people who were dying of cancer at the time. Best of luck to you.


I don’t see how that’s related. Cancer and being robbed have no connection.

The pandemic and schools operating remotely do have a connection.

It's an analogy, but if you want a connection I have an even better example. As the result of fighting during the Vietnam war, my dad lost several fingers, rendering him unable to play his instrument, which was a huge part of his life before, ever again. Should he never complain or be unhappy about that, just because others lost legs or died in that same war? He's glad he's not dead and can walk for sure, but he's unhappy that he doesn't have his fingers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! While I agree with some of the concerns about lack of transparency and other issues at Burgundy and understand the child care concerns, it is amazing to me how so few people in this set of posts acknowledge that the CDC says that we are at 50,000 new COVID cases per day, but should be under 10,000 before we can get things under control. Sure, we are doing OK in Northern Virginia right now, but that is because many people have diligently followed the CDC's advice despite the madness in other areas of the country. Look at Georgia. They rushed to send their kids back to school and generated many new COVID cases. And what about the documented concerns that many people are left with chronic illnesses and disabilities even if they are not hospitalized? What about the more vulnerable members of childrens' households? What about the welfare of the more vulnerable among our teachers. Burgundy teachers are not alone in their concerns. An NPR/Ipsos poll found that 82% of teachers are concerned about coming back to school and 2/3 prefer to teach primarily remotely: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/06/898584176/most-teachers-concerned-about-in-person-school-2-in-3-want-to-start-the-year-onl. All I have seen on this forum is a lot of whining about inconvenience. Start talking about COVID risks vs. pros and cons of distance vs. on-campus learning. Personally, I don't trust teachers to be able to enforce social distancing among younger kids, especially among those who can't seem to control their impulses and there have been several in my daughter's classes. Teachers will have a huge burden to control these kids and at personal risk. And all that crap about open space goes out the window when it is raining, snowing, or just freezing. And don't tell me a kid can learn better sitting on a tree stump than they can sitting in a classroom or in front of a computer. There are only so many fru-fru nature lessons that Burgundy can teach. And by the way, I attended the July Burgundy Town Hall and the school did NOT promise on-campus learning in September. We were told that the school had a plan to try to do that, but that it was unsure how things were unfolding with COVID and therefore would re-evaluate and report back to parents in early August, which is what it did.

Burgundy parent here.

1. Georgia schools started in person without a mask mandate. Any proposed on campus learning would follow recommended masking protocols.
2. Northern VA data is fairly good good. We are not trending up (unlike the rest of VA) (https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/key-measures/).
3. A poll that covers all teachers to me is irrelevant. I hope Burgundy polled teachers and wish they had shared the results with the community. Public schools don't have similar space and resources. I would not be in favor of a school with no outdoor space returning in person. Burgundy is not in that situation and specifically advertised they can offer outdoor physically distanced education. They even have a map with outdoor learning locations on campus. Without the outdoor space, it would not make sense to hold classes in person.
4. I am extremely disappointed in the lack of clear communication on the part of the administration. This is a huge failure of leadership.
5. They should offer an off-ramp for those parents who cannot manage their job+zoom classroom+hypothetical half days. A half day in person with zoom specials in the afternoon does not provide smart infection control or reasonable feasibility for parents.
6. Highlighting point 4 for good measure. It's the total about-face that has me deeply disappointed. They described in person plans in detail two weeks ago. Apparently without checking with faculty if that was feasible.
7. Offer high-risk teachers a pathway to become lead distance teachers. They can and should do more than 90 minutes of live zoom, which is what it seems is all that is being offered. That's insufficient. I know SSAS students who were in FULL DAY school this spring. Made me question why our day typically involved 60-90 minutes in person.
8. Cross-train specials teachers who are willing to be in person. They can become homeroom teachers to "pinch hit" for high risk teachers. Specials teachers this spring engaged in no face to face synchronous education with the students. Their skills and talents are not being utilized well at all. This enables high risk faculty to be protected and not have to teach in person before they are able to do so safely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think parents who don't want to do online learning should withdraw and direct those funds at childcare/learning facilitators, etc. I wouldn't pay this money for an online education either, but I alslo wouldn't blame the teachers for wanting to do their jobs virtually.

Would gladly do this in a heartbeat. Would like word from the school that we won't be sued.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I know pandemics suck. I hope this will be all you have to complain about. Then you will come out on the other side of it a lot better off than millions of people. Good luck to you!


Lots of people always have it worse. Before this, I hope you never complained about someone stealing your wallet or robbing your house, because that doesn't compare to the suffering of people who were dying of cancer at the time. Best of luck to you.


I don’t see how that’s related. Cancer and being robbed have no connection.

The pandemic and schools operating remotely do have a connection.

It's an analogy, but if you want a connection I have an even better example. As the result of fighting during the Vietnam war, my dad lost several fingers, rendering him unable to play his instrument, which was a huge part of his life before, ever again. Should he never complain or be unhappy about that, just because others lost legs or died in that same war? He's glad he's not dead and can walk for sure, but he's unhappy that he doesn't have his fingers.

I’m sorry about your father and grateful for his service. I still think loss of life and limb is not comparable to what people are complaining about on these forums. Hardship is relative but losing a family member or being hospitalized for an extended period of time or not being able to safely care for aging parents just isn’t the same as being disappointed and frustrated that schools are starting remotely. It’s just about perspective. And focusing frustrations on the real culprit which is the uncontrolled pandemic. But I am happy to agree to disagree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! While I agree with some of the concerns about lack of transparency and other issues at Burgundy and understand the child care concerns, it is amazing to me how so few people in this set of posts acknowledge that the CDC says that we are at 50,000 new COVID cases per day, but should be under 10,000 before we can get things under control. Sure, we are doing OK in Northern Virginia right now, but that is because many people have diligently followed the CDC's advice despite the madness in other areas of the country. Look at Georgia. They rushed to send their kids back to school and generated many new COVID cases. And what about the documented concerns that many people are left with chronic illnesses and disabilities even if they are not hospitalized? What about the more vulnerable members of childrens' households? What about the welfare of the more vulnerable among our teachers. Burgundy teachers are not alone in their concerns. An NPR/Ipsos poll found that 82% of teachers are concerned about coming back to school and 2/3 prefer to teach primarily remotely: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/06/898584176/most-teachers-concerned-about-in-person-school-2-in-3-want-to-start-the-year-onl. All I have seen on this forum is a lot of whining about inconvenience. Start talking about COVID risks vs. pros and cons of distance vs. on-campus learning. Personally, I don't trust teachers to be able to enforce social distancing among younger kids, especially among those who can't seem to control their impulses and there have been several in my daughter's classes. Teachers will have a huge burden to control these kids and at personal risk. And all that crap about open space goes out the window when it is raining, snowing, or just freezing. And don't tell me a kid can learn better sitting on a tree stump than they can sitting in a classroom or in front of a computer. There are only so many fru-fru nature lessons that Burgundy can teach. And by the way, I attended the July Burgundy Town Hall and the school did NOT promise on-campus learning in September. We were told that the school had a plan to try to do that, but that it was unsure how things were unfolding with COVID and therefore would re-evaluate and report back to parents in early August, which is what it did.

Burgundy parent here.

1. Georgia schools started in person without a mask mandate. Any proposed on campus learning would follow recommended masking protocols.
2. Northern VA data is fairly good good. We are not trending up (unlike the rest of VA) (https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/key-measures/).
3. A poll that covers all teachers to me is irrelevant. I hope Burgundy polled teachers and wish they had shared the results with the community. Public schools don't have similar space and resources. I would not be in favor of a school with no outdoor space returning in person. Burgundy is not in that situation and specifically advertised they can offer outdoor physically distanced education. They even have a map with outdoor learning locations on campus. Without the outdoor space, it would not make sense to hold classes in person.
4. I am extremely disappointed in the lack of clear communication on the part of the administration. This is a huge failure of leadership.
5. They should offer an off-ramp for those parents who cannot manage their job+zoom classroom+hypothetical half days. A half day in person with zoom specials in the afternoon does not provide smart infection control or reasonable feasibility for parents.
6. Highlighting point 4 for good measure. It's the total about-face that has me deeply disappointed. They described in person plans in detail two weeks ago. Apparently without checking with faculty if that was feasible.
7. Offer high-risk teachers a pathway to become lead distance teachers. They can and should do more than 90 minutes of live zoom, which is what it seems is all that is being offered. That's insufficient. I know SSAS students who were in FULL DAY school this spring. Made me question why our day typically involved 60-90 minutes in person.
8. Cross-train specials teachers who are willing to be in person. They can become homeroom teachers to "pinch hit" for high risk teachers. Specials teachers this spring engaged in no face to face synchronous education with the students. Their skills and talents are not being utilized well at all. This enables high risk faculty to be protected and not have to teach in person before they are able to do so safely.

7. I’m not sure why you think the remote is only 90 minutes synchronous? The schedule for lower school has 1-2 live specials a day which is already 30-80 minutes. Plus the morning with homeroom teaches says 2-3 academic zooms at 20-45 minutes each and also morning meeting/social time.

In middle school it has 4 hours (240 minutes) of synchronous sessions a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully everyone saw the new robust improved remoteplus plan they just sent out. Btw it’s bullshit and there is nothing plus about it. It’s all remote.

It’s actually similar to what other schools are doing. They are having some in-person experiences during September while they are remote. Kids will come on campus in small groups and practice distancing and masking together. And they are having more synchronous classes and predictable schedule. Seems reasonable to me.

When will kids come on campus?

They have an on-campus orientation and some on-campus experiences during virtual learning that teachers are currently planning. They even said they hope to use their West Virginia campus.

Ha! Just like they said they hope to send kids to the Cove this summer and they hope to be back in person five days a week in-person? Give me my money back

Shoulda thought of that before you signed that contract.

A mistake I will never ever make again. Thanks burgundy for
Showing your true colors.

[Anonymous]

[quote=

Burgundy parent here.

1. Georgia schools started in person without a mask mandate. Any proposed on campus learning would follow recommended masking protocols.
2. Northern VA data is fairly good good. We are not trending up (unlike the rest of VA) (https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/key-measures/).
3. A poll that covers all teachers to me is irrelevant. I hope Burgundy polled teachers and wish they had shared the results with the community. Public schools don't have similar space and resources. I would not be in favor of a school with no outdoor space returning in person. Burgundy is not in that situation and specifically advertised they can offer outdoor physically distanced education. They even have a map with outdoor learning locations on campus. Without the outdoor space, it would not make sense to hold classes in person.
4. I am extremely disappointed in the lack of clear communication on the part of the administration. This is a huge failure of leadership.
5. They should offer an off-ramp for those parents who cannot manage their job+zoom classroom+hypothetical half days. A half day in person with zoom specials in the afternoon does not provide smart infection control or reasonable feasibility for parents.
6. Highlighting point 4 for good measure. It's the total about-face that has me deeply disappointed. They described in person plans in detail two weeks ago. Apparently without checking with faculty if that was feasible.
7. Offer high-risk teachers a pathway to become lead distance teachers. They can and should do more than 90 minutes of live zoom, which is what it seems is all that is being offered. That's insufficient. I know SSAS students who were in FULL DAY school this spring. Made me question why our day typically involved 60-90 minutes in person.
8. Cross-train specials teachers who are willing to be in person. They can become homeroom teachers to "pinch hit" for high risk teachers. Specials teachers this spring engaged in no face to face synchronous education with the students. Their skills and talents are not being utilized well at all. This enables high risk faculty to be protected and not have to teach in person before they are able to do so safely.

7. I’m not sure why you think the remote is only 90 minutes synchronous? The schedule for lower school has 1-2 live specials a day which is already 30-80 minutes. Plus the morning with homeroom teaches says 2-3 academic zooms at 20-45 minutes each and also morning meeting/social time.

In middle school it has 4 hours (240 minutes) of synchronous sessions a day.

90 minutes was based on our experience in the spring, which was typically 20-60 minutes of zoom per day. Then I added a half hour based on this information provided in the remote lower school plan, "Zoom sessions in the lower school will range from 20-45 minutes in length and will include homeroom-based subjects in the morning (math, LA, social studies, and in grades 2-5, science) and specials Zooms in the afternoon and on Fridays."

I admire your optimism that this fall will being longer synchronous learning. I wish there had been better communication over the summer and that teachers with concerns could have voiced those and that those concerns could be conveyed to the community. The plans that the school has developed are lackluster in terms of infection control, which also concerns me.

[Anonymous]

Some of you have some nerve. Sorry everything isn’t working out perfectly during a pandemic. Sorry there are changes as admin and teachers and the committee try to find their way in a colossal mess of a situation, figuring out the path forward to balance everyone’s needs and safety. Sorry you find yourselves struggling in the same exact situation as so much of the country, with kids distance learning, while you try to work. And how dare you say the teachers are lazy! That is unconscionable! I’m am SHOCKED that some of you are part of this community to begin with, because you don’t seem like you have the values or perspective of a Burgundy family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think parents who don't want to do online learning should withdraw and direct those funds at childcare/learning facilitators, etc. I wouldn't pay this money for an online education either, but I alslo wouldn't blame the teachers for wanting to do their jobs virtually.

Would gladly do this in a heartbeat. Would like word from the school that we won't be sued.

I work for the school. We don’t have the money to sue you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you have some nerve. Sorry everything isn’t working out perfectly during a pandemic. Sorry there are changes as admin and teachers and the committee try to find their way in a colossal mess of a situation, figuring out the path forward to balance everyone’s needs and safety. Sorry you find yourselves struggling in the same exact situation as so much of the country, with kids distance learning, while you try to work. And how dare you say the teachers are lazy! That is unconscionable! I’m am SHOCKED that some of you are part of this community to begin with, because you don’t seem like you have the values or perspective of a Burgundy family.

It would have been helpful for admin to communicate any of this to parents prior to 3 weeks before the start of the school year. Apparently, admin and teachers knew that what was being said at the zoom 2 weeks ago and what has been said in numerous other communications with parents would not actually happen.

I believe I do have the values and perspective of a Burgundy family. I value open and clear communication. Burgundy is not holding up their end of the bargain. Parents feel blindsided and are frustrated. No one thought this would work out perfectly. This is a pandemic. Everything is a disaster. That being said, if anyone could do it, Burgundy could do it. They told parents they were going in person 5 days a week up until this week with plans for temp checks, staggered arrivals and divided classrooms broken into smaller cohorts. Then today they release an entirely new plan that has nothing to do with what we have seen previously. Moreover, this plan includes a ridiculous half day period of in person education which seems to only be feasible for the stay at home parents of the community. That is not effective or transparent communication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think parents who don't want to do online learning should withdraw and direct those funds at childcare/learning facilitators, etc. I wouldn't pay this money for an online education either, but I alslo wouldn't blame the teachers for wanting to do their jobs virtually.

Would gladly do this in a heartbeat. Would like word from the school that we won't be sued.

I work for the school. We don’t have the money to sue you.

Well, phew, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you have some nerve. Sorry everything isn’t working out perfectly during a pandemic. Sorry there are changes as admin and teachers and the committee try to find their way in a colossal mess of a situation, figuring out the path forward to balance everyone’s needs and safety. Sorry you find yourselves struggling in the same exact situation as so much of the country, with kids distance learning, while you try to work. And how dare you say the teachers are lazy! That is unconscionable! I’m am SHOCKED that some of you are part of this community to begin with, because you don’t seem like you have the values or perspective of a Burgundy family.

Are we not part of the community, too, or does that only count for teachers? Those of us with young kids in particular have been thrown to the wolves to figure out how to balance working and managing remote learning. My child will not learn this year unless I somehow find more money on top of tuition to hire someone to do what I already paid BF $35k to do. But, hey... parents and kids come last.

[Anonymous]

Everyone who has school-age children is trying to manage remote learning this year. I can understand not wanting to pay $35k for online learning that you can get through your county for free — I would not pay that either. So withdraw. But teachers do not have to risk dying because you do not want to balance working, children at home, and their education. You are not special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone who has school-age children is trying to manage remote learning this year. I can understand not wanting to pay $35k for online learning that you can get through your county for free — I would not pay that either. So withdraw. But teachers do not have to risk dying because you do not want to balance working, children at home, and their education. You are not special.

We are a burgundy family and we are doing just that. Asking for our money back.