We’ve had a great start to 2012!  The slideshow includes a few snapshots of the fun.

Middle and Upper School Advisor Conferences – Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012
Middle and Upper School advisors invite you to discuss your child’s progress during this winter trimester.  Advisor conferences will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23 between 3-8pm. The link to sign-up is http://mybcd.org/april/.  The conferences will be an important moment to touch base with your child’s advisor as we begin to look towards the spring trimester and final exams for the Upper School students. Should you wish to meet with a specific subject teacher, we encourage you to set a separate appointment on a different day. Please contact Carmen Dockery Perkins if you have any questions.

Admission Open Class Visit Day – Friday, Feb. 24, 2012
BCD’s Open Class Visit Day will provide an opportunity for interested students and their families to visit BCD’s campus and to experience the warm community and engaged classes first-hand. Current students are welcome to bring a friend, a visiting cousin, or a younger sibling to school for the day.  We will pair these students with a buddy for the morning while their parents participate in a campus tour, enjoy refreshments, and chat with teachers. Spaces are limited so please go online or contact the Office of Admission to reserve your spot.

March Vacation Camp at BCD
Sign your child up for a vacation full of fun at BCD.  Full-day and half-day spots are available for students in Preschool up through Grade 6.  Please register by March 5.  Download the form here.

Enrollment Contract Due – Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
2012/2013 school year enrollment contracts should be signed and returned with the proper tuition deposit by February 15, 2012.  Please note that the school’s tuition structure is tied to the deadline for submitting the enrollment contracts with a deposit – there is a savings for those who return contracts by the deadline.

ArtSoiree – Saturday, May 5, 2012
Mark your calendars!  This year’s ArtSoirée, BCD’s annual financial aid fundraiser, will be held on May 5, 2012 in the magnificent barn at Stonover Farm in Lenox. A Cinco de Mayo theme will be woven into the evening through live music, food, specialty cocktails and decorations. Your compadres are going… ¿y tú?

UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS
Sat Feb 11
1-4 pm            Yearbook workshop – optional
Mon Feb 13
11:55 am        Grade 7 Lunch Bunch
4:30 pm           Varsity Basketball vs Lenox @ Home
Tues Feb 14
8:15 am           Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
11:25 am         Grade 3 Lunch Bunch
11:25 am         Grade 6 Lunch Bunch
Wed Feb 15
8:15 -9 am      Head’s Chat -Upper School parents
1:30 pm           Grade 2 theater performance
3:30 pm           Alpine Skiing vs IMS and Rumsey @ Mohawk
Thu Feb 16
8:15 am           Parents’ Association Steering Committee meeting
1-2:30 pm        Arts Block Performing Groups Concert
4:30 pm           Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade Boys Basketball vs Lenox Home
7-8:30 pm        Indoor Soccer (last gathering)
Fri Feb 17        Winter Sports Practice Ends
10-11 am         BCD Music & Me, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
11:30 am         Pizza Friday
12:45 pm         Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20
1:30 pm           US Winter Theater dress rehearsal – dinner served
3:30 pm           BCD Invitational vs Rumsey and IMS @ Bousquet
Sat Feb 18
11 am-1 pm     US Winter Theater dress rehearsal
Mon Feb 20     No School – Presidents’ Day/Mid-Winter Break
1-5 pm             US Winter theater dress rehearsal
Tues Feb 21     No School – Presidents’ Day/Mid-Winter Break
1-5 pm             US Winter Theater dress rehearsal
Wed Feb 22
11:25 am         Grade 2 Lunch Bunch
3-6:30 pm        US Winter Theater final dress rehearsal
3:30 pm          Varsity Basketball vs IMS Home PPU 4:30pm
Thu Feb 23
8:15 am           Admission Marketing Committee
11:25 am         Grade 8 Lunch Bunch
3-8 pm             MS & US Parent/Advisor Conferences
7 pm                US Winter Theater Production, Postcards from Canterbury
Fri Feb 24       End of Trimester 2
8 am                 Admission Open Class Visit Day until 12:30 pm
10-11 am         BCD Music & Me, Guess How Much I Love You
11:25 am         PK Lunch Bunch
2 pm                Gr 4 See  the USA event, gr 3 students and gr 4 parents invited
3:30 pm          JV and Varsity Alpine Skiing Cole/Clark Race PPU
7 pm                US Winter Theater Production, Postcards from Canterbury
Sat Feb 25
1-4 pm            Yearbook workshop – optional
7 pm                US Winter Theater Production, Postcards from Canterbury
Sun Feb 26
1:30 pm          US Winter Theater, set strike

“When people ask me why I love to coach, all they needed to do was watch Sam K finish today. It was as exciting as anything in sports to watch Sam come down the last long hill in a tuck smiling and yelling “I did it,”  and finish with his fists pumping in the air. To any of you who are unsure about racing, I really want to encourage you to come out and watch the next race and just enjoy skiing around and rooting on your teammates.” - Coach Reilly, BCD Cross-Country

BCD winter sports are in full swing – ski races, basketball games, indoor soccer.  Come out and watch our athletes!  In the meantime, here are some fabulous pictures, taken by John Dolan, of the race Coach Reilly was writing about:  http://johndolan.com/bcdnordicski/content/_MG_0901_large.html.

CLASSICS DAY - January 20 
BCD’s Upper School Latin students joined the Pioneer Valley Classical Association annual Classics Day at Mount Holyoke College .  They enjoyed participating in workshops and contests with their peers from Amherst, Herberg, Lenox, Pittsfield, Taconic and Williston.  BCD students received the following awards:
ART CONTEST
• Sculpture – First Place: Alaina G (G8); Second Place: Rebecca vdM (G8); and Third Place: Andrea V (G7)
• Drawing/Painting – First Place: Elise G (G8); Second Place: Harper G (G8); and Third Place: Francesca L (G8)
• Mosaic – First Place: Sam K (G8)
• Military – First Place: Henry D (G7) and Third Place: Cooper P (G7)
COSTUME CONTEST:
• First Place: Christopher M (G7) as “Achilles”
• Second Place: Rebecca vdM (G8) as “Demeter”
ORAL INTERPRETATION:
• Advanced Drama – Second Place: Elise G (G8) and Nicholas R (G8); Third Place: Isabelle R (G9) and Rebecca vdM (G8)
• Advanced Poetry – First Place: Ian P (G8)
• Intermediate Prose – Second Place: Sam K (G8)
• Novice Poetry – Second Place: Emily Y (G7)
CERTAMEN:
• Latin II – First Place: BCD: Isabelle R (G9), Elise G (G8), Emma L (G8), and Jacob L (G8)
• Novice/Latin I – Second Place: BCD: Alec G (G7), Jesse K (G7), Asa M (G7) and Sam S (G7)
• Mythology – First Place: White Team of Alaina G (G8), Jacob L (G8), Jesse C (G7) and Cooper P (G7); Third Place: Blue team of Frank P (G8), Nicholas R (G8), and Teddy M (G7) and Jackson R (G7)

REMINDERS:
 Two more spots are available for our Current Parent Open House on Wednesday, February 1.  This event is an opportunity for current parents to spend the morning getting to know the entire BCD program, visiting classes, and chatting with administrators. 

Family Movie Night – The Parents’ Association will be showing Mary Poppins on Saturday, February 4 at 5:30 p.m. Pizza will be offered at $1 a slice and popcorn will be available at no charge. We encourage you to bring own bottle of water, as we are trying to cut down on plastic.  Please remember thatthis is not a drop-off event; children must be accompanied by an adult.  We expect this to be a jolly good time, so please join us!

2012/2013 school year enrollment contracts should be signed and returned with the proper tuition deposit by February 15, 2012.  Please note that the school’s tuition structure is tied to the deadline for submitting the enrollment contracts with a deposit – there is a savings for those who return contracts by the deadline.

Completed Financial Aid Applications must be completed and submitted on-line for processing by February 1, 2012, and a copy of tax returns and schedules must be received by BCD on or before February 15, 2012.  Here is the link for applying: http://sss.nais.org/parents/

UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS
Mon Jan 30
3:30 pm               Varsity Basketball vs Mt Everett Away PPU 5:00 pm
5:30 pm                Nordic Skiing @ Berkshire East – TENTATIVE
Wed Feb 1
8:00 am               Parents (pre-registered) Visit BCD Day
4:30 pm               Varsity Basketball vs CYC @ HOME PPU
6-7 pm                 Grades 7-9 Trip Information Meeting, required for parents
Thu Feb 2
8:10 am               Development Committee Meeting
9:30-11:30 am PK & K to Norman Rockwell Museum
11:25 am             Grade 9 Lunch Bunch
4:30 pm               St Stephen’s Table, US volunteers
5:30 pm               Finance Committee Meeting
6:15 pm                Executive Committee Meeting
7-8:30 pm           Indoor Soccer
Fri Feb 3
10-11 am              BCD Music & Me, Leo the Late Bloomer
12:45 pm              Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20
Sat Feb 4
9:30 am                Nordic Skiing @ Notchview
10 am-4 pm        US Winter Theater set build,Winthrop
5:30 pm               Family Movie Night, Mary Poppins
Mon Feb 6
3:30 pm               Grade 6 Girls’ Basketball vs Steiner @ Home
3:30 pm               Varsity Basketball vs Steiner @ Simon’s Rock  PPU 5:30
Tue Feb 7
9-11 am                Grade 3 to Colonial Theater, Frindle
11:25 am              Grade 5 Lunch Bunch
Wed Feb 8
Alaska Day for PS and LS
11:25 am              Grade 1 Lunch Bunch
11:55 am              Grade 4 Lunch Bunch
4:15 pm                Varsity Basketball vs Mt Everett HOME PPU 5:30
Thu Feb 9
5:30 pm               Committee on Trustees and Governance
7 pm                      Board of Trustees Meeting
7-8:30 pm           Indoor Soccer
Fri Feb 10
8:15-9:15 am     ArtSoiree Committee meeting, Band Room
10-11 am             BCD Music & Me, Goodnight Moon, Let’s Look at the Stars
12:45 pm            Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20
3:30 pm              JV and Varsity Alpine Skiing vs Rumsey @ Bousquet
Sat Feb 11
10 am                   Nordic Skiing @ Mt Greylock High School
Sun Feb 12
1 pm                      Nordic Racing Grades 5-8 @ Notchview

We hope everyone had a great Ski Friday, and has a excellent long weekend.  The pictures above are from today’s Butternut Ski Friday.  We will make sure to get pictures from Bousquet soon.

Two Invitations:

Current Parent Open House – Wednesday, February 1 from 8:15 to 12:15

Our wish is for current parents to know our school as well as possible. This is your chance to have a tour with Paul Lindenmaier, sit in on classes, and have lunch with all administrators. After this informative morning, you will have a deeper understanding of BCD’s curriculum, admission program, development efforts, and finances.

There are only ten spots available. To register: aelmore@berkshirecountryday.org.

Movie Night -February 4 at 6pm
The Parents’ Association is pleased to announce that another Movie Night is coming up.  Save the date!  More details to follow.

Reminders for parents:
2012/2013 school year enrollment contracts should be signed and returned with the proper tuition deposit by February 15, 2012.  Please note that the school’s tuition structure is tied to the deadline for submitting the enrollment contracts with a deposit – there is a savings for those who return contracts by the deadline.

The 2012/2013 Calendar of Important Dates was mailed with enrollment packets.   Please review the dates before making vacation or other plans for next year.

Final tuition payments for the current school year were due January 1, 2012 for parents not utilizing Tuition Management System’s monthly payment plan.  Finance charges on late payment accounts will be assessed shortly – please send in your payment to avoid receiving these charges.

Completed Financial Aid Applications must be completed and submitted on-line for processing by February 1, 2012, and a copy of tax returns and schedules must be received by BCD on or before February 15, 2012.  Here is the link for applying: http://sss.nais.org/parents/

On Ski Fridays, some ski equipment is being mixed up among students or left at the mountain.  At the end of each Ski Friday, please ensure you are taking all your child’s equipment home from Bousquet or Butternut.

 Upcoming Calendar Items:
Mon Jan 16                   No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
5:00 pm                         Nordic Racing @ Berkshire East – tentative
Tue Jan 17
8:15 am -9:15 am       Talk & Tour, PS-Gr 3 parents for Middle & Upper School
11:25 am                        Grade 5 Lunch Bunch
Wed Jan 18
8:15 am – 9:00 am    Head’s Chat – Preschool
11:25 am                        Grade 3 Lunch Bunch
11:25 am – 12 pm      Grade 5 theater: Gr 4 & 6 invited with Gr 5 parents
11:55 am                        Grade 4 Lunch Bunch
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm    Varsity Basketball vs CYC @ Home PPU 5:30 pm
Thu Jan 19
8:15 am – 9:15 am       Parents’ Association Steering Committee, Band Room
11:25 am                         PK Lunch Bunch
4:30 pm                          St Stephen’sTable,USvolunteers
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm    Indoor Soccer
Fri Jan 20
7:30 am – 2:30 pm     Classics Day – Grades 7-9 Latin Students – Mount Holyoke
10:00 am                        BCD Music & Me, Animals in Winter
12:45 pm – 1:20 pm    Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20
4:30 pm                           JV and Varsity Alpine Skiing vs IMS @ Bousquet PPU
Sat Jan 21
10:00 am                        Nordic Skiing @ Greylock
Mon Jan 23
11:55 am                          Grade 7 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm      Varsity Basketball vs Steiner @ HOME
Wed Jan 25
9:00 am – 11:00 am   Admission Open House
11:25am                           Grade 2 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm                           V Alpine vs IMS & Rumsey @ Mohawk PPU 6 pm
4:00 pm                           Varsity Basketball vs IMS @ IMS PPU 6:30
Thu Jan 26
8:15 am – 9:15am          Admission Marketing Committee
11:25 am                           Grade 8 Lunch Bunch
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm       Indoor Soccer
Fri Jan 27
10:00 am – 11:00 am  BCD Music & Me, The Very Hungry Caterpillar
12:45 pm – 1:20 pm      Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20
3:30pm – 4:30pm          JV & V Alpine vs IMS & Rumsey @ Catamount PPU 6
Sat Jan 28
10:00 am                          Nordic Skiing @ Cherry Hill – Amherst

Happy Holidays!  The video of the Winter Music Concert above will help put you in a festive mood.  Thank you to Michael B. and Tyler S. for their expert videotaping.  Thank you also to Mrs. Tumenas for her wonderful editing.

The Penguinette
Click here to see the Fall Issue of The Penguinette, BCD’s literary magazine.

Annual Fund
Please remember BCD in your end-of-year giving decisions.  You can give to the Annual Fund by clicking here.

After-School Enrichment – January 9 to March 8
Click here for Enrichment Program Information and Registration Form.

Financial Aid Application Reminder
Completed application and a copy of tax returns and schedules must be received by BCD on or before February 15, 2012.  Here is the link for applying: http://sss.nais.org/parents/

Ski Fridays
The first Ski Friday is on January 6.  Please remember that if your child takes the bus to BCD, he or she cannot take their skis on the bus.  You are welcome to drop skis off at BCD or meet your child at the mountain with his or her skis.

Help the Yearbook
Do you have an old digital SLR camera sitting around your house?  If you would be willing to donate it to the BCD Yearbook staff, they will put it to good use.  BCD’s one SLR is shared by our development, yearbook, admission, and communications staff.

Upcoming Calendar Items
Tue Jan 3  
School opens following Winter Break
Wed Jan 4
8:15 am      Head’s Chat -Lower School
Thu Jan 5
8:10 am     Development Committee Meeting
4:30 pm    St Stephen’s Table, US volunteers
5:30 pm    Finance Committee Meeting
6:15 pm     Executive Committee Meeting
7 pm           Indoor Soccer
 Fri Jan 6
10 am         BCD Music & Me, Mouse Paint
12:45 pm  Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20
Sat Jan 7
10 am         Nordic Skiing @ Wahconah High School
10 am         US Winter Theater set build, Winthrop, PPU 4 pm
Mon Jan 9
8:20 am    ERB testing Grs 3-8
Tue Jan 10
8:15 am     Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
8:20 am    ERB testing Gr 3
10 am        ERB testing Grs 4-8
Wed Jan 11
8:20 am    ERB testing Grs 3-8
11:25 am  Grade 1 Lunch Bunch
Thu Jan 12
8:20 am    ERB testing Gr 3
10 am        ERB testing Grs 4-8
11:25 am  Grade 9 Lunch Bunch
7 pm          Indoor Soccer
Fri Jan 13
8:15 am    ArtSoiree Committee meeting, Band Room
10 am        BCD Music & Me, Dream Snow
11:30 am  Pizza Friday
12:45 pm  Ski Friday – PK-4 dismiss 12:45; 5-9 dismiss 1:20

First Trimester Honor Roll 
Congratulations to the following Grade 7-9 students for achieving Honor Roll status during the first trimester of the 2011-2012 school year. To achieve high honors, a student must maintain a GPA of 3.8 and receive no grade lower than a C+. To achieve honors, a student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.33 and receive a grade no lower than C+. 

High Honors
Grade 7:  Alec G., Asa M., Teddy M., Jackson R., Sam S., and Emily Y.  Grade 8: Elise G., Harper G., Alaina G., Sam K., Emma L., and Jacob L.  Grade 9: Isabelle R.

Honors
Grade 7: Meg B., Viggo B., Neeka D., Will H-B., Elizabeth H., Ruth K., Jesse K., Sophie U., Molly W., and Hanna Y.  Grade 8: Sam C., Francesca L., Nicholas R., and Rebecca V.D.M.  Grade 9: Martha B., Ginger C., Samantha S., and Tyler S.

Holiday Gifts
Don’t forget that all gifts are due Monday, December 5.

Winter Concert – Friday, December 9 at 1:30 pm
Lower School Chorus, Middle School Chorus, Upper and Middle School Bands, and Musical Theater students will join together in a performance in Fitzpatrick Hall on Friday, December 9 from 1:30-2:55 pm.

Bingo Night - Friday, December 9 at 6 pm
Mark your calendars for BCD’s family Bingo Night, Friday, December 9, 6:00-7:30 pm in Fitzpatrick Hall.  Join the Bingo Prince (aka Paul Frantz) for B-I-N-G-O and chili (meat and veggie options available).  Tickets are $5 each for dinner and 3 cards.  Or $2 for 3 cards (if you’re not having dinner).  Organized by the Parents’ Association Steering Committee members Elise De, Rochelle O’Gorman and Courtney McDonnell.  Please email Courtney with questions, courtney@birdhousestudio.net.

Student Photos
Student photos are now ready to be viewed on the photographer’s website.  Please CLICK HERE to view them. Enter the password “BCD2012″ (case sensitive) where prompted.  Since photographer Sean McLaughlin generously donated his time for the photo shoot this year, the Parents’ Association was able to provide this service without charging a sitting fee.

Just a Name, Grade 6 Theater Production, Furey Hall
Tuesday, December 13, 7 p.m. & Wednesday, December 14, 11:25 a.m.
An adaptation of a play by Lindsay Price, Just a Name, is directed by Meg Agnew. The ensemble gives an “orchestra-like​” expression to a series of very “human” moments – blunders, mistakes, and bad decisions ending in self-forgivenes​s and acceptance. It’s funny and heart-breaking, mortifying and uplifting. Come enjoy this courageous group of youngsters as they show us ourselves with all our foibles!

Grades 6-9 Indoor Soccer Program 
BCD is sponsoring a weekly indoor soccer program during the winter trimester.  Registration is on a first come, first served basis for a maximum of 15 students.  The hours are Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  Starr Nader, a BCD JV Soccer coach and Varsity Basketball coach, will be running these sessions. If your child is interested in participating in any of these, please email Athletic Director Sue Benner at sbenner@berkshirecountryday.org granting your permission, and provide your home and cell phone numbers so that Mr. Nader can reach you if needed.  Students will be asked to sign up each Monday for that week’s Thursday session. The dates are December 15, January 5, 12, 19, and 26, and February 2, 9, and 16.

Upcoming Calendar Items
Mon Dec 5
9:30 am – 11 am                  PK and K to Knuffle Bunny, Colonial Theatre
Tue Dec 6
11:25 am                                 Grade 5 Lunch Bunch
Wed Dec 7
8:15 am – 9 am                      Head’s Chat -Upper School parents
11:25 am                                 PK Lunch Bunch
11:55 am                                 Grade 4 Lunch Bunch
Thu Dec 8
8:15 am                                  Admission Marketing Committee meeting
4:30 pm – 6 pm                   St Stephen’sTable, US volunteers
5:30 pm – 7 pm                   Committee on Trustees and Governance Meeting
7 pm                                        Board of Trustees meeting
 Fri Dec 9
8:15 am – 9:15 am              ArtSoiree Committee meeting, Band Room
10 am – 11 am                      BCD Music & Me, Elmer the Elephant (Preschool Classroom)
11:30 am                               Pizza Friday
1:30 pm – 2:55 pm            Concert – LS, MS, US (LS & MS Chorus, MS & US Band, Musical Theater)
6 pm – 7:30 pm                  Bingo Night sponsored by the Parents’ Association
Sat Dec 10
10 am – 12 pm                     Admission Open House
10 am – 3 pm                       Grade 6 Theater special rehearsal
Mon Dec 12
3 pm – 5:30 pm                  Grade 6 theater extended rehearsal
Tue Dec 13
8:15 am – 9:15 am             Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
2:30 pm – 7 pm                  Grade 6 theater rehearsal until performance (dinner served)
7 pm                                       Just a Name, Grade 6 theater production (Furey Hall)
Wed Dec 14
8:15 am – 9 am                    Head’s Chat – Middle School parents
11:25 am                               Grade 3 Lunch Bunch
11:25 am – 12:15 pm        Just a Name, Grade 6 theater demonstration (Furey Hall)
Thu Dec 15
8:15 am – 9:15 am             Parents’ Association Steering Committee meeting, Band Room
11:25 am                               Grade 8 Lunch Bunch
Fri Dec 16
10 am – 11 am                     BCD Music & Me, Hello Snow (Preschool Classroom)
11:55 am                               Grade 7 Lunch Bunch
11:55 am                               Grade 9 Lunch Bunch
                                                 Winter Break begins at the end of the school day 
                                                  Happy Holidays!

Below are two reminders for next week.  Most importantly, scroll down to see which ingredient your child needs to bring on Monday for Tuesday’s Thanksgiving Soup.

BCD Lost and Found
Has your child’s wardrobe gradually disappeared this fall? Are you wondering where those coats, gloves, and shirts are? There is a good chance that they are in the BCD Lost and Found. Please stop by the walkway in front on the gym on Monday or Tuesday of next week to claim your lost items before they are donated.

Thanksgiving Soup and Dismissal for Break
Thanksgiving Soup is served Tuesday, November 22 at noon. The students will be dismissed for the Thanksgiving break at 1:00, immediately following Soup. There will not be any after school activities that day.

Volunteers will cook the soup on Monday.  All soup ingredients should be delivered to Fitzpatrick Hall by your children at drop-off on Monday, November 21.   

Below is a list of the soup ingredients assigned to each grade*. 
     *Please note that some ingredients should remain whole or packaged and some should be chopped. A good rule of thumb in making 1/4″ dice chops is to cut the veggies small enough to fit two to three pieces per soup spoon.  Kindly send any chopped veggies in a reusable container labeled with your child’s name and grade (masking tape will do!). All empty containers will then be returned to your child’s homeroom.

• Pre-K – one apple
• Kindergarten - one apple and one bunch of celery per student (they will chop in class)
• 1st Grade - one apple and one zucchini per student – chopped and in a labeled reusable container
• 2nd Grade - one apple and 8 large cloves (NOT heads!) of garlic per student – NOT peeled or chopped
• 3rd Grade - one apple and one stick of butter per student
• 4th Grade - one apple and 2 whole onions per student – NOT peeled or chopped
• 5th Grade - one apple and one zucchini per student – peeled, chopped and in a labeled reusable container
• 6th Grade - one apple and one 28oz can crushed tomatoes per student
• 7th Grade - one apple and 2 carrots per student – peeled, chopped and in a labeled reusable container
• 8th Grade - one apple and one bunch of scallions per student – NOT chopped
• 9th Grade - one apple and one potato per student- peeled, chopped and in a labeled reusable container.

Thank you and see you next week.

The last couple weeks have been full of culminating moments – plays for Upper School and Third Grade, sports awards for fall athletes, the Poetry Assembly for Middle School, the Penguin Colonial Museum for Seventh Grade, the end of the trimester - and much more.  Above is the slideshow from the sports assembly. Please click on the photo gallery to the right for glimpses of some of the other great moments of the last couple weeks.

Now, some News to Use:

Kathryn Lasky Event
Berkshire Country Day School Parents’ Association is pleased to host noted author Kathryn Lasky on Saturday, November 19 at 10 am in Fitzpatrick Hall.   Her award-winning children’s books include the series of books (Ga’Hoole, Wolves,  and Deadlies), Silk and Venom, and many, many others. Click here for more information.

Thanksgiving Soup
Please review today’s email sent to you to review important details about this Tuesday, November 22 event! 

Grades K-6 November/December Mini-Enrichment
Gift-Making Clay Class (K-6) and Nature Explorers (1-6) – please open and print the form here.  Completed information due Tuesday, November 22.

REMINDER – The forms below have been sent home with students, or mailed to parents.  Whenever a form is needed, it can typically be found on the Download bar at the top of this page.  In the meantime,the three forms listed below need to be completed and sent in as soon as possible – a link to each form is embedded below.

Library Book Sale - IMPORTANT
Please open and print the permission form here.

Winter Friday Transportation Plan - IMPORTANT
Plans for every student must be on file.  Please open and print the Winter Friday Transporation Plan form here .

Grades 4-9 Winter Co-Curricular Registration - IMPORTANT 
Please open and print the Registration form here .

Upcoming Calendar Items

Fri Nov 11
No School               Veterans’ Day (Grade 6 theater rehearsal happening)
10 am-3 pm              Grade 6 Theater additional rehearsal

Mon Nov 14
3 pm-4:30 pm         No Rehearsal for Grade 6 Theater

Tue Nov 15
9:45 am-11:45 am  K to Dakota Restaurant
11:25 am                   PK Lunch Bunch

Wed Nov 16
8:15 am-9 am          Head’s Chat – Preschool parents
11:25 am                   Grade 2 Lunch Bunch
3 pm-4:30 pm        Grade 6 Theater additional rehearsal

Thu Nov 17
8:10 am-5:25 pm   Grade 6 to Boston Museum of Science, Pompeii Exhibit
8:15 am-9:15 am    Parents’ Association Steering Committee meeting
11:25 am                   Grade 8 Lunch Bunch
11:40 am                  PS/K Friendship Lunch
4:30 pm-6 pm        St Stephen’s Table, US volunteers

Fri Nov 18
8:15 am-9:15 am     ArtSoiree Committee meeting, Band Room
10 am-11 am             BCD Music & Me, Share and Give Thanks
11:25 am                    Pizza Friday
2:10 pm-2:50 pm   All-School Assembly, Zoo Show
6:30 pm-8:30 pm  PA Movie Night, Legend of the Guardians

Sat Nov 19
10 am-12 pm           Author Kathryn Lasky event - Bring your friends!

Mon Nov 21
11:25 am                   Grade 3 Lunch Bunch

Tue Nov 22              Thanksgiving Soup – dismissal 1 p.m.  no programs follow

Wed Nov 23-            Thanksgiving Break
Fri, Nov 26 

Mon Nov 28
7:45 am-4:30 pm   Library Book Sale
11:55 am                   Grade 6 Lunch Bunch
3 pm-4:30 pm         Winter after-school sports, theater and enrichment begins

Tue Nov 29
7:45 am-4:30 pm    Library Book Sale
4:45 pm-5:30 pm    US Winter Theater parent/student meeting, Furey Hall

Wed Nov 30
7:45 am-4:30 pm    Library Book Sale

Thu Dec 1
7:45 am-4:30 pm   Library Book Sale
8 am-8 pm                Sports Equipment Swap by PA, Fitzpatrick Hall
2:30 pm-4:30 pm  Grade 6 Theater special rehearsal (no sports or US theater)
2:30 pm                     Grades 8 and 9 optional ski trip to Killington, VT departure
3 pm-8 pm                Gr 4-9 Parent Teacher Conferences–No sports/US theater
3 pm-8 pm                PS/LS parents invited to meet with teachers of special subjects
5:30 pm-6:15 pm    Finance Committee Meeting
6:15 pm                      Executive Committee Meeting

Fri Dec 2
No School for Grades 4-9
7:45 am-4:30 pm   Library Book Sale
8 am-12 pm              Grs 4-9  Conferences (PS & LS in school;  Grade 6 Theater on)
8 am-12 pm               PS/LS parents invited to meet with teachers of special subjects
8 am-3 pm                 Sports Equipment Swap by PA, Fitzpatrick Hall
10 am-11 am             BCD Music & Me, When Winter Comes
10 am-3 pm              Grade 6 Theater special rehearsal
8 pm                           Grades 8 and 8 optional ski trip to Killington, VT returns

Book Sale – Monday, November 28- Friday, December, 2
The BCD Library and The Bookloft will host our annual Holiday/Library Book Sale in several weeks. The sale takes place in our school library. It is a great opportunity to support the Library and get your holiday shopping completed at the same time. It is also a wonderful way to honor a teacher, student, or anyone at all by giving a book to the Library in his/her name. You may also choose to donate a book to your child’s classroom. As the date of the sale approaches, teachers will have “wish lists” set up for you to check out.

We need volunteers to make the Book Sale successful!! There are still slots available for set-up on Monday, November 21 (beginning at 1 pm), and Monday, November 28 through Friday, December 2 (7:45 am – 4:30 pm). Please e-mail Jenny Greenfeld at bergtwins@aol.com to volunteer.

Thanksgiving Soup – Tuesday, November 22
Thanksgiving Soup was started over 25 years ago in Rachel Hennick’s second grade class. Inspired by the book Stone Soup, they created a Thanksgiving assembly that brings the entire school together. Each grade is assigned an ingredient (such as 2 carrots per student) to donate to the pot. All the donations are collected on Monday and cooked into a giant batch of soup by parent volunteers. On Tuesday morning Fitzpatrick Hall is set with a seat for every student, faculty and staff member, and many returning alums. After a short presentation we all enjoy a bowl of hot soup together (served out by an army of parent volunteers). This year’s event is Tuesday, November 22.

Reminder: Wednesday, November 2, Admission Open House, 9 am – 11 am.  Tell a friend!

Upcoming Calendar Items 
Sat Oct 29
9 am – 3 pm                  Varsity Boys’ Soccer Tournament at BCD
Mon Oct 31
11:25 am                        Grade 3 Lunch Bunch
11:55 am                        Grade 6 Lunch Bunch
Tue Nov 1
11:25 am                         Grade 5 Lunch Bunch
2:45 pm – 6:30 pm     US Theater dress rehearsal
Wed Nov 2
9 am – 11 am                  Admission Open House
11:25 am                          Middle School Poetry Assembly, parents invited
3:30 pm – 5 pm             Grade 9 SSAT prep course, if registered
Thu Nov 3
8:10 am                           Development Committee Meeting
11:25 am                         Grade 9 Lunch Bunch
2:45 pm – 6:30 pm      US Theater dress rehearsal
3:15 pm – 8:15 pm       Preschool andLowerSchoolParent Teacher Conferences
4:30 pm                          Last day of fall after-school sports
5:30 pm – 6:15 pm      Finance Committee Meeting
6:15 pm                           Executive Committee Meeting
Fri Nov 4
8 am – 12 pm                 PS and LS not in session – Conferences (grade 4-9 in school)
11:55 am                         Grade 7 Lunch Bunch
3 pm – 4:30 pm            Faculty vs Upper School Soccer Game
3 pm                                 US Theater call time with final dress rehearsal at 7 pm
Sat Nov 5
2 pm                                 Rhinoceros, US Fall Theater Production
7 pm                                 Rhinoceros, US Fall Theater Production
Sun Nov 6
2 pm – 4 pm                    Rhinoceros, US Fall Theater Production
Tue Nov 8
8:15 am                             Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
Wed Nov 9
11:25 am                           Grade 1 Lunch Bunch
11:55 am                           Grade 4 Lunch Bunch
1 pm                                    Grade 3 theater performance
3:30 pm – 5 pm               Grade 9 SSAT prep course, if registered
Thu Nov 10
4:30 pm – 6 pm               St Stephen’s Table, US volunteers
5:30 pm – 7 pm               Committee on Trustees and Governance Meeting
7 pm                                    Board of Trustees Meeting
Fri Nov 11                         No School – Veterans’ Day

We have had two great weeks since our last News to Use – Board Visiting Day, Secondary School Night, Second Grade trip to Sturbridge Village, Lower School’s Mountain Day, Fifth and Sixth Grade trips, soccer games, Lunch Bunches and more.

The pictures above are from Mountain Day, but please take time to look at the slide show to the right for more pictures from recent events.

5th and 6th Grade trips

Welcome back, 5th and 6th graders!  A distinctive part of BCD’s program, curriculum-based educational travel programs take students out into the world to extend their academic and group-building experiences.  Beginning in Grade 5, students participate in extended travel programs designed to strengthen independence, build community, and culminate programs of study. Students in Grade 6 returned this afternoon from a four-day leadership skills building program at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Vermont.  Students in Grade 5 spent the same four days immersed in science study at Nature’s Classroom on the coast of Rhode Island.  Information and pictures about the Grade 5 trip can be found on science teacher Tim Gore’s blog at: http://mybcd.org/science5/  For more information about the exciting educational travel opportunities awaiting students in Grades 7-9 this spring, please look at this page on BCD’s website: http://berkshirecountryday.org/academics/travel/

Community Campus Day, TOMORROW, Saturday, October 15 from 9 am to 3 pm

WEATHER OR NOT, YOU SHOULD COME! Community Campus Day is on for tomorrow. Be sure to bring work gloves for you and the kids (last year’s worn out winter gloves are just fine) and something to eat at lunch time. Sweet treats will be provided throughout the day, along with hot and cold beverages.  So don’t let a little rain dampen your desire to be here!        

Grandparents’ and Grand Friends’ Day, next Friday, October 21

What parents need to know….

If there is no guest coming for your student(s):

Please encourage Grandparents or Grand Friends to send a letter for your student(s) to the school.  Parent volunteers will deliver these letters to the students during the event.

• Students will be dismissed at 1:00.  Note: There is no PM or study hall Friday, October 21.

If there is a guest coming for your student(s):

• Guests are welcome on campus a little before 10 am for “Coffee and…” in Fitzpatrick Hall.
• We will reserve a few parking spaces for guests who need to park close.  There will also be a golf cart available for guests who need extra help getting around.  Please instruct your guests to speak with parent volunteers if they need this type of assistance.
• Mr. Lindenmaier will greet guests with brief opening remarks at 10:15.
• At 10:30 guests will disperse to classrooms for 3rd & 4th periods.  If your child is in grade 3 or lower, a parent volunteer will lead the guest(s) to the appropriate classroom.  If your child is in grade 4 or higher, he/she will be sent to Fitzpatrick to meet their guest(s) and escort them to his/her 3rd period class.
• In the case of families with siblings in different grades, please determine where your guest(s) are going for 3rd and 4th periods BEFORE FRIDAY and be sure they and your children are clear on this.  We are expecting close to 200 guests and want to make sure each guest knows where to be.
• Parents should send lunch for students and guests with their children Friday morning.  BCD will provide apple cider and fruit for everyone.  Guests will eat lunch in the student’s homeroom, except for grades 7-9, who will lunch in Fitzpatrick.  In cases where there are siblings in different grades, all siblings and guests will join the oldest sibling’s class to eat together.  Please discuss this with your guests and students BEFORE FRIDAY.
• At 12:30 everyone will go to Fitzpatrick Hall for closing remarks and a song from the Lower School Choir.  Guests will be dismissed at 12:45.  If you would like your student(s) to leave with their guest(s), you must inform their homeroom teacher of this IN WRITING. All other students will be dismissed by their usual method at 1:00.  Note: There is no PM or Study Hall Friday October 21.

Please feel free to call Joanne DelCarpine at 413-637-0755 x22 or email jdelcarpine@berkshirecountryday.org with any questions.

Playground Reminder

BCD’s After School Care program instructor Julia Hobart is responsible only for the children in her care, and should not be expected to supervise other children on the playground with their parents.

Another Reminder: It is a school policy that there be no dogs allowed anywhere on campus.

Upcoming Calendar Items
Sat Oct 15
9 am-3 pm              Community Campus Work Day (rain date 10/16)
Mon Oct 17
11:25 am                  PK Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm                   VB Soccer vs Steiner Home PPU 5 pm
Tues Oct 18
9:30 am -1 pm       PK and K to Ioka Valley Farm
3 pm                          Farm Team Intramural Game
Wed Oct 19
8:15 am-9 am         Head’s Chat – New BCD Parents
11:25 am                  Grade 1 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm                    JVB Soccer vs Steiner Away PPU 5 pm (dismissal 2:30)
3:30 pm                    VB Soccer vs IMS Home PPU 5 pm
3:30 pm                    VG Soccer game vs Steiner Home PPU 5 pm (rescheduled from 10/14)
Thu Oct 20
8:15 am                     Parents’ Association Steering Committee meeting, Band Room
11:25 am                   Grade 8 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm                     Fourth Grade Soccer vs Pine Cobble Away PPU 6 pm (dismissal 1:45)
Fri Oct 21                  NOTE: 1 pm Early Dismissal – No PM or Study Hall
10:30 am-1 pm       Grandparents’/Friends’ Day
3:30 pm                     VB Soccer vs IMS Away PPU 6 pm (dismissal 1:50)
Sat Oct 22
9 am-2 pm                VG Soccer Tournament at BCD
12 pm-4 pm              US Theater set build Winthrop
Wed Oct 26
8:15 am-9 am           Head’s Chat – Lower School parents
11:25 am                    Grade 2 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm-5 pm           Grade 9 SSAT prep course, if registered
Thu Oct 27
8:15 am-9:15 am     Admission Marketing Committee
3:30 pm                      VG Soccer vs Mt. Everett Home PU 5 pm
5:30 pm-7 pm           Grade 9 Discovery Night
Fri Oct 28
8:15 am-10 am         ArtSoiree meeting, Band Room
10 am-11 am              BCD Music & Me
11:30a-12:30p          Pizza Friday
3:30 pm                       Fifth grade Soccer vs IMS Home PPU 5 pm
3:30 pm                       JVB Soccer vs IMS Home PPU 5 pm
3:30 pm                       VG Soccer vs Academy Away PPU 6 pm (dismissal 1:45)
7 pm-9:30 pm           Upper School Halloween Dance, Furey Hall Music Room
Sat Oct 29
9 am-2 pm                   VB Soccer Tournament at BCD

As September draws to a close, BCD students and faculty members are fully immersed in their work. Above are a few pictures from our days.

Student Photos – Wednesday, October 5 and Thursday, October 6
The Parents’ Association has arranged for local photographer Sean McLaughlin to take individual photos of all BCD students next week. Unlike in previous years, there will be no sitting fee. Prints will be available for purchase on the photographer’s website. If you do not wish to have your child(ren) photographed, please inform Melissa Kruse in the Main Office.

The tentative schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, October 5, 8:15-9:45:  Early Childhood and Lower School
Thursday, October 6, 8:15-9:45:  Middle and Upper School

If there is a change in the schedule (due to weather or unforeseen reasons) it will be posted on the MyBCD calendar.

Community Campus Day – Saturday, October 15 from 9 am to 3 pm
Catch up with old acquaintances and make new friends at the Fourth Annual BCD Community Campus Day! Bring your work gloves, favorite rake, and a lunch. Morning coffee and baked goods will be here to greet the early-birds, and beverages and desserts will be plentiful at lunchtime. Free on-campus childcare for ages 3-9 is available. To let us know that you will be attending and to sign up for childcare, please contact Melissa Kruse at the Main Office at (413) 637-0755 or mkruse@berkshirecountryday.org.  Come for an hour or stay all day! (Rain date: Sunday, October 16)

Upcoming Calendar Items
Sat Oct 1                    
10 am–5 pm Harvest Festival – BCD Booth
12 pm–4 pm US Theater set build at Winthrop
Sun Oct 2       
10 am–5 pm Harvest Festival – BCD Booth
Mon Oct 3                  
8:15 am–12:30 pm Board of Trustees Visiting Day at BCD
3:30 pm Varsity Boys’ Soccer versus Mt. Everett Home PPU 5 pm
Tue Oct 4                   
8:15 am–9:15 am ArtSoiree Volunteer Coffee, Library
11:25 am Grade 9 Lunch Bunch
11:25 am Grade 5 Lunch Bunch
5:30 pm–7 pm Secondary School Night
Wed Oct 5
8:15 am–9:45 am Student Photos by Sean McLaughlin
8:15 am–9 am Head’s Chat – Middle School parents
3:30 pm Varsity Boys’ Soccer versus Academy Home PPU 5 pm
3:30 pm Varsity Girls’ Soccer versus IMS Away PPU 6 pm (dismissal 1:45 pm)
Thu Oct 6                  
8:15 am–9:45 am Student Photos by Sean McLaughlin
8 am–2:15 pm Grade 2 to Sturbridge Village
5:30 pm–6:15 pm Finance Committee Meeting
6:15 pm–7:30 pm Executive Committee Meeting
Fri Oct 7           
8:15 am–9:45 am Student Photos by Sean McLaughlin (if needed)
10 am BCD Music & Me – Preschool Classroom
2:10 pm–2:50 pm All School Assembly, Tony Vacca World Percussion – Furey Hall Music Room
Mon Oct 10                
No School – Columbus Day
Tue Oct 11      
Grades 5 and 6 on trips (departure at 7:30 am)
8:15 am–9:15 am Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
Wed Oct 12      
Grades 5 and 6 on trips
10 am–1:30 pm Mountain Day for grades K-3, KennedyPark (rain date 10/13)
11:15 am Grade 4 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm Varsity Girls’ Soccer versus Academy Home PPU 5 pm
Thu Oct 13     
Grades 5 and 6 on trips
8:10 am–10 am Development Committee Meeting
3:30 pm Fourth Grade Soccer versus Pine Cobble Home PPU 5 pm           
4:30 pm–6 pm St Stephen’s Table, US registered volunteers
Fri Oct 14         
Grades 5 and 6 on trips (returning at 3:30 pm)
10 am  BCD Music & Me – Preschool Classroom
11:55 am Grade 7 Lunch Bunch
3:30 pm Varsity Boys’ Soccer versus Academy Away PPU 6 pm (dismissal 1:45 pm )
3:30 pm Varsity Girls’ Soccer versus Steiner Home PPU 5 pm
Sat Oct 15 
9 am–3 pm Community Campus Work Day (rain date 10/16)