Anonymous wrote:Honestly, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. These comments are hateful and hurtful and are just plain wrong. Burgundy would not exist without these teachers. How is it possible that you value childcare for your kids over their families lives? Some of them have family members that could DIE if they caught Covid. I am so beyond disgusted reading these comments.

You are welcome to be upset about losing your money but EVERYONE in the entire WORLD is going through the same thing. You are not special. You are all acting so entitled and heartless and like big babies. Unbelievable. If i were one of them i would refuse to teach them at all now.

mombn wrote:I truly get why people are upset. I do and I am deeply sad and scared. I have been really trying to get passed my emotional reaction and think about more of the facts of what an organization like Burgundy might be up against. There are so many factors that I feel like are missing from the perspectives shared here.

- On numbers and risk factors, while VA numbers may not be as bad as other places, the facts around children's rates have changed as of late. Also, check your facebook and insta feeds full of pictures of Burgundy families in WY, CA, FL, MT, TX and all over the freaking map. While I trust that members of our community are trying to take precautions, people are on planes and people are undoubtedly in high risk situations which influences how one might think about the true risk factors of Burgundy come Sept. I think it is smart and thoughtful to get us back in the region, teach the children protocols safely and in age appropriate ways and acclimate whole fams to a set of shared community norms is smart and thoughtful and mitigates risk not only for the community, but also for the school itself.

- On that note, doesn't anyone work in an organization with an HR department and laws that regulate HR and doesn't anyone recognize the hypocrisy of all the people on here threatening to sue. How can an organization reasonably open with factual risks on the table and employee concerns about those risks. It is why you are seeing more and more schools do just what Burgundy did with the same timing as ours. Yes, there are still some out there that claim they will open, but I suspect that will evolve and if not, i'm not sure what the moral and legal ramifications will be if outbreaks occur. Those are some brave school leaders. Love the lookbacks and comparisons to 1917 and outdoor school. Sounds so idyllic, but folks it is not 1917 and all the threats of lawsuits prove that.

- We live in a shitty society where people are seen as replaceable and that is likely driving many of our own fears about having to show up at work, but I think we would lose the most special part of Burgundy if we had to divert resources to bring in new teachers who were comfortable with risk. It is so unbelievably antithetical to our values as a school and I have to say as a member of this community the lack of awareness around that, particularly after the last few months where I hoped we would all be getting smarter on racial justice, equity and inclusion is really heartbreaking. Even if you are not suggesting we get rid of teachers, your suggestion ultimately has that ramification and factually will disproportionally impact our black and brown teachers. These kinds of actions will ultimately lead to a teacher pool made of white, young to middle aged, able-bodied, more economically privileged teachers. I specifically don't want my kids only learning from people who are like me. I'm sorry to say that given many teachers are also parents that we may already be driving important members of our community away with this kind of rhetoric.

- I am confused by the people who thought Burgundy was making solid commitments about re-opening. It was a very real aspiration, but not a fact or a commitment. What organization would do that during a global pandemic? Of course this has all been caveated along the way. My husband fully admits that he was a believer because he was reading headlines and not the full comms and that he was hearing what he wanted to hear and not actually what was being communicated. Yes, communications could have been better and more regular here, but also the ones that did come out do pretty clearly caveat all of this.

I am deeply concerned for the student families struggling through this, my own included. I hope we can all focus on bringing only the most valid feedback forward and to keep sourcing productive ideas. I have seen a lot of that too and I appreciate it because we need to work together to get this done.

Honestly, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. These comments are hateful and hurtful and are just plain wrong. Burgundy would not exist without these teachers. How is it possible that you value childcare for your kids over their families lives? Some of them have family members that could DIE if they caught Covid. I am so beyond disgusted reading these comments.

You are welcome to be upset about losing your money but EVERYONE in the entire WORLD is going through the same thing. You are not special. You are all acting so entitled and heartless and like big babies. Unbelievable. If i were one of them i would refuse to teach them at all now.

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. These comments are hateful and hurtful and are just plain wrong. Burgundy would not exist without these teachers. How is it possible that you value childcare for your kids over their families lives? Some of them have family members that could DIE if they caught Covid. I am so beyond disgusted reading these comments.

You are welcome to be upset about losing your money but EVERYONE in the entire WORLD is going through the same thing. You are not special. You are all acting so entitled and heartless and like big babies. Unbelievable. If i were one of them i would refuse to teach them at all now.

I have nothing against teachers, but the the expectation that parents can work full time jobs while supervising kids in distance learning is crazy. That's not possible for us, and we don't earn enough to pay a nanny on top of expensive private school tuition. If the school wanted to offer childcare for families who needed it to support their kids in virtual learning, I'd be fine with that. But I've seen no such offer. I've seen no offer of help of any kind from the school. The school doesn't seem the least bit concerned about our problem, so why should we be concerned about the school's problem (that they cannot, they believe, safely hold classes)?

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. These comments are hateful and hurtful and are just plain wrong. Burgundy would not exist without these teachers. How is it possible that you value childcare for your kids over their families lives? Some of them have family members that could DIE if they caught Covid. I am so beyond disgusted reading these comments.

You are welcome to be upset about losing your money but EVERYONE in the entire WORLD is going through the same thing. You are not special. You are all acting so entitled and heartless and like big babies. Unbelievable. If i were one of them i would refuse to teach them at all now.

I have nothing against teachers, but the the expectation that parents can work full time jobs while supervising kids in distance learning is crazy. That's not possible for us, and we don't earn enough to pay a nanny on top of expensive private school tuition. If the school wanted to offer childcare for families who needed it to support their kids in virtual learning, I'd be fine with that. But I've seen no such offer. I've seen no offer of help of any kind from the school. The school doesn't seem the least bit concerned about our problem, so why should we be concerned about the school's problem (that they cannot, they believe, safely hold classes)?

Honestly, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. These comments are hateful and hurtful and are just plain wrong. Burgundy would not exist without these teachers. How is it possible that you value childcare for your kids over their families lives? Some of them have family members that could DIE if they caught Covid. I am so beyond disgusted reading these comments.

You are welcome to be upset about losing your money but EVERYONE in the entire WORLD is going through the same thing. You are not special. You are all acting so entitled and heartless and like big babies. Unbelievable. If i were one of them i would refuse to teach them at all now.


I have nothing against teachers, but the the expectation that parents can work full time jobs while supervising kids in distance learning is crazy. That's not possible for us, and we don't earn enough to pay a nanny on top of expensive private school tuition. If the school wanted to offer childcare for families who needed it to support their kids in virtual learning, I'd be fine with that. But I've seen no such offer. I've seen no offer of help of any kind from the school. The school doesn't seem the least bit concerned about our problem, so why should we be concerned about the school's problem (that they cannot, they believe, safely hold classes)?


I think you and others are figuring out what lower class and minorities have known all along:

No one cares about you. No one cares about your struggles. And no one is going to help you.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Maybe they won’t sue you but it costs them nothing and very easy just to turn it over to a collection agency for the contract you signed for ant money owed. Not saying they will but likely, they’d at least gain 40% back and ruin your credit.

Anonymous wrote:I have to echo the sentiment of poor leadership (in both the HOS and AHOS) at this school. My child has been taught by many wonderful and dedicated teachers, but the school has been fraught with issues concerning leadership and communication (especially in the lower school.)

The spring DL was a total disaster, and I have to blame that on the leaders not taking the time to develop a cohesive plan for use by all of the teaching staff! I understand that no one planned for this pandemic, but the Burgundy leadership left all of the teachers to fend for themselves. Some did a fantastic job, while others floundered.

This summer, Burgundy continued to push the message of on-campus learning, even though (from the sound of it) a number of the teachers were not on-board with this plan. They spent a lot of time and effort to prepare the environment for on campus learning, with full awareness of the possibility that school would have to start remotely. (I wonder how much effort went into their remote learning planning?) This abrupt shift in direction highlights the leadership’s shortsightedness and systemic failure maintain open lines of communication with their staff and the parents. For this, and several other examples from the past, I often wonder how the Heads of School have been able to continue with this lackluster performance year after year. I am especially displeased with Ms. Lener, and often wonder who thought she was a good candidate in the first place? Sometimes I feel like Burgundy hires some (not all) of it’s staff out of desperation.

Anyway, I still love this little school and the community within it. I wish the teachers the best of luck as they begin this school year, because I know it’s not going to be easy for them. However, after this year’s debacle I think the board needs to take a really hard look at Burgundy’s vision for the future and how to restore confidence in their ability to provide an effective education to our kids. I hope the leadership will respond to our comments as a wake-up call, and rise above their inadequacies!

Anonymous wrote:I have to echo the sentiment of poor leadership (in both the HOS and AHOS) at this school. My child has been taught by many wonderful and dedicated teachers, but the school has been fraught with issues concerning leadership and communication (especially in the lower school.)

The spring DL was a total disaster, and I have to blame that on the leaders not taking the time to develop a cohesive plan for use by all of the teaching staff! I understand that no one planned for this pandemic, but the Burgundy leadership left all of the teachers to fend for themselves. Some did a fantastic job, while others floundered.

This summer, Burgundy continued to push the message of on-campus learning, even though (from the sound of it) a number of the teachers were not on-board with this plan. They spent a lot of time and effort to prepare the environment for on campus learning, with full awareness of the possibility that school would have to start remotely. (I wonder how much effort went into their remote learning planning?) This abrupt shift in direction highlights the leadership’s shortsightedness and systemic failure maintain open lines of communication with their staff and the parents. For this, and several other examples from the past, I often wonder how the Heads of School have been able to continue with this lackluster performance year after year. I am especially displeased with Ms. Lener, and often wonder who thought she was a good candidate in the first place? Sometimes I feel like Burgundy hires some (not all) of it’s staff out of desperation.

Anyway, I still love this little school and the community within it. I wish the teachers the best of luck as they begin this school year, because I know it’s not going to be easy for them. However, after this year’s debacle I think the board needs to take a really hard look at Burgundy’s vision for the future and how to restore confidence in their ability to provide an effective education to our kids. I hope the leadership will respond to our comments as a wake-up call, and rise above their inadequacies!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to echo the sentiment of poor leadership (in both the HOS and AHOS) at this school. My child has been taught by many wonderful and dedicated teachers, but the school has been fraught with issues concerning leadership and communication (especially in the lower school.)

The spring DL was a total disaster, and I have to blame that on the leaders not taking the time to develop a cohesive plan for use by all of the teaching staff! I understand that no one planned for this pandemic, but the Burgundy leadership left all of the teachers to fend for themselves. Some did a fantastic job, while others floundered.

This summer, Burgundy continued to push the message of on-campus learning, even though (from the sound of it) a number of the teachers were not on-board with this plan. They spent a lot of time and effort to prepare the environment for on campus learning, with full awareness of the possibility that school would have to start remotely. (I wonder how much effort went into their remote learning planning?) This abrupt shift in direction highlights the leadership’s shortsightedness and systemic failure maintain open lines of communication with their staff and the parents. For this, and several other examples from the past, I often wonder how the Heads of School have been able to continue with this lackluster performance year after year. I am especially displeased with Ms. Lener, and often wonder who thought she was a good candidate in the first place? Sometimes I feel like Burgundy hires some (not all) of it’s staff out of desperation.

Anyway, I still love this little school and the community within it. I wish the teachers the best of luck as they begin this school year, because I know it’s not going to be easy for them. However, after this year’s debacle I think the board needs to take a really hard look at Burgundy’s vision for the future and how to restore confidence in their ability to provide an effective education to our kids. I hope the leadership will respond to our comments as a wake-up call, and rise above their inadequacies!

Speaking to the bolded above, I agree that this was a huge failure and I am not confident that it will be different in the fall, based on langauge I see coming out in the plans. It has been said that "some" teachers will offer on-campus experiences in September and "teachers are encouraged" to offer additional content beyond the 45-90 minutes outlined for grades 1-2. That means they aren't required, but again, can do it if they feel like it.

A message to Burgundy administrators and board members:

We implore you to create and enforce standards and expectations for the teachers so all students can have a good experience.
We implore you to offer transparency to parents about how decisions are being made and what the rest of the school year will look like. HOS Sindler said last week's meeting was in the name of transparency, when there has been little actual transparency other than a heads-up that a plan was about to be formalized by board vote. No information on why certain decision were made.
We recognize that no one can predict what will happen with this pandemic week-to-week, but we implore you to be transparent with parents about what may or may not happen in October. We all know that K and 1st grades aren't on campus because teachers can't/won't come on campus. What happens if this continues in October? (Completely understandable if they need acccommodations due to health issues). However, it is then Burgundy's responsibility to hire additional staff who are willing to be on campus to deliver an education to young children who cannot learn via DL, supplementing whatever the WFH teachers are doing.
We implore you to tell us if you are willing to hire additional staff to bring little ones back on campus?
Lastly, we implore you to tell us how we can help make this safe for everyone (we can have a PPE drive, etc.).