US Valentine’s Day Dance Upper School students came out for a night of dancing and to help raise awareness and food for the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington.

   Second Grade Theater Performance Second Grade students demonstrated their theater skills in a special presentation entitled, “The Boy Who Could Do Anything: The Legend of Quetzalcoatl.” The Legend of Quetzalcoatl was drawn from the pre-Columbian tradition of ancient Mexico. This story tells of the god coming to earth and eventually bringing with him the secrets of agriculture, art, beauty, and eventually music for the people to enjoy and find fulfillment in life. Missed the show? View below:

Second Grade Mexican Fiesta – After the Second Grade play, students and parents danced the Mexican Hat Dance, a Second Grade tradition, and then returned to the classroom where everyone enjoyed a Fiesta lunch of mexican-inspired foods and desserts. The day ended with the traditional breaking of the pinata. For more information visit the Second Grade Blog.

 Love Train The First Grade Class with Amy Hilliard spread the love around campus on Tuesday for Valentines Day by singing songs and bringing smiles.

Sports Update The last day of practice for Middle and Upper School students is February 18th.  There will still be some competition planned for the boys’ varsity basketball team (Feb 23) and the ski team (on Feb 25 and for the top eight skiers on Feb 28). If you had planned for your child to be in the one day of sports program next week on Thursday, Feb 24, there will be an optional study hall available.  Please remind your children that there are to go home on Thursday, Feb. 24^th at 3pm dismissal only if you have spoken to them and will be there. Also, please note that there will not be a Ski Friday on the 25th.  We will run a full day of school, with dismissal at 3pm.  March 4th will be the last Ski Friday.

Alaska Day What do you do when it’s cold outside and there’s snow on the ground? Celebrate Alaska Day! Preschool and Lower School students made the most of our winter weather by sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, playing traditional Alaskan childrens games, and enjoying s’mores by the fire. Watch some of the fun:

ArtSoirée AT BCD, being in the “IN” crowd means “INCLUSIVE,” a core value that makes our school a stronger, more dynamic environment for ourselves and our kids.  Support BCD’s vital Financial Aid Program at ArtSoiree, an evening celebration of the arts – an event not-to-be missed! This year we will gather at the beautiful, elegant and rustic Stonover Farm in Lenox.  Are you IN?  Your friends are coming and you should too! Please click here to learn more about ArtSoirée.

Upcoming at BCD

Monday, February 21—No School

Tuesday, February 22—No School

Wednesday, February 23—Heads Chat, Upper School Parents

Thurs, Fri, Sat, February 24, 25, 26—REM, Upper School Theatre Production

Friday, February 25—No Ski Friday

Grade 6 Play – Thank you to the Sixth Grade and Meg Agnew for a thoroughly original and enjoyable production of Everyone’s Alice. Missed the show? Here’s one of the many highlights:

Winter Enrichment Forms – Information on the new Winter 2011 After-School Enrichment Program for Grades K-6 and the Sign-Up Form is now online. The new session will run from January 10, 2011 through March 10, 2011, Monday through Thursday. Forms, with payment, are due to BCD by December 31, 2010.  Click here to download

REMINDER: The on-line auction for the sound booth that James Taylor used to write the songs for his Grammy winning album, “October Road” ends on Tuesday, December 21.  The winner can have the booth personalized to a person of their choice, and they will also receive many other items including the framed RIAA “certified platinum” record for over 1,000,000 sold.  All proceeds from this sale will benefit BCD!  Everyone is encouraged to share this news with anyone and everyone that they feel may be interested in this special opportunity.  This item can be viewed at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/25061891.

Happy Holidays from the Grade 4 Spanish Class!

Book Sale Starts on Monday:  The BCD Holiday Book Sale is a great opportunity to support the Library and get your holiday shopping out of the way at the same time.  The Book Sale will be open:

Monday, November 29 – 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 30, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 1, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 2, 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, December 3, 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 Reptiles Invade BCD – NERD – North East Reptile Distributes – brought their prized snakes and other special reptile friends to BCD’s campus last Friday for a special assembly on these fascinating creatures. Students got to pet and handle the reptiles and learn more about how they live and what they eat. Thank you Sharon Smullen for bringing another great assembly presentation to our school. View our guests:

Thanksgiving Soup – Hundreds turned out today for Thanksgiving Soup, a BCD tradition that celebrates the holiday season by bringing our community together to give thanks and enjoy a special soup prepared from community contributions. Thank you to Joanne DelCaprine , Soup Co-Chairs Paige Orloff, Jennifer Capala, and Gwen Jurney, and all the parent volunteers who made this day possible by preparing soup, setting up, serving and cleaning up. It was a special day and, as  always, great to see so many of our alums! Share in the fun of our day:

Sign-up Now for Parent Teacher Conferences -  Conferences for parents of students in grades K-9 will be held on Thursday, December 2nd from 3:15 PM- 8 PM and on Friday December 3rd from 8AM to 12 PM. Lower school homeroom teacher conferences are 20 minutes, all others are 10 minutes, with the exception of secondary school placement conferences with Ms Dockery Perkins(20 min). Each teacher has a page to sign up for a conference time. These pages are Google spreadsheets, linked to this site. You simply click the individual teacher links to the left. Click on the teacher’s name and a new window will open with that teacher’s conference schedule. To add your name to a time slot, double click in the colored box to the right of the time you wish to chose.   Simply type in your name and press enter. The page will automatically save. SIGN UP SHEETS WILL BE CLOSED AT 9 PM DECEMBER 1ST. Click here to sign up for your conferences. Know where you are going for your Parent Teacher Conference? Download a copy of a Campus Map

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friendship Lunch - The Preschool and Kindergarten students held their annual Friendship Lunch on Tuesday, using the opportunity to sing songs about friendship, exchange gifts, and enjoy a special lunch together. The table was set with handmade placements and everyone had a hand in decorating. Thank you to all our students’ special friends who came in to cook, serve, and share the experience with us.

Nov/Dec After-School Enrichment Sign-up -Sign-up forms are due this Monday for the November 29-December 16 After-School Enrichment session. Classes offered include Mini-Movie Greetings (only 2 slots left!), Gift Making Clay Class, Festive Woodcrafts and Nature Explorers. Download form now.

Sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences: Conferences for parents of students in grades K-9 will be held on Thursday, December 2nd from 3:15 PM- 8 PM and on Friday December 3rd from 8AM to 12 PM. Lower school homeroom teacher conferences are 20 minutes, all others are 10 minutes, with the exception of secondary school placement conferences with Ms Dockery Perkins(20 min). Each teacher has a page to sign up for a conference time. These pages are Google spreadsheets, linked to this site. You simply click the individual teacher links to the left. Click on the teacher’s name and a new window will open with that teacher’s conference schedule. To add your name to a time slot, double click in the colored box to the right of the time you wish to chose.   Simply type in your name and press enter. The page will automatically save. SIGN UP SHEETS WILL BE CLOSED AT 9 PM DECEMBER 1ST. Click here to sign up for your conferences.

Third Grade Berkshire History Presentations – As part of their Berkshire History unit, the Third Grade researched and created a diorama of and presentation on a Berkshire area landmark. View their work:

 Soup Reminder -Don’t forget that your class contributions to Thanksgiving Soup are due in school Monday morning. Please note that drop off receptacles will be located outside of Fitzpatrick Hall under the alumni walkway. Parent volunteers are still needed for all aspects of the event. To volunteer for Soup, click here.

Student Photos are Online - Please click here to look at and order your student’s photo.

Sports Corner -The Upper School (Blue Team) versus Faculty (Red Team) Soccer Game was a great success. Thank you to all who came out to cheer us on. The game was tied, 1-1, and everyone had a great time! Running Club is off to a great start. Please remember to send in your Ski Friday form (even if your child is not participating in Ski Friday we need to know how and when they will be picked up – need another form? Contact Coree Reid) and talk to your child about winter sports.

Save the Date: The ArtSoiree, a celebration of the Arts to benefit the Financial Aid Fund at BCD, will be held at Stonover Farm on the evening of Saturday, May 7. More information to come!  

Volunteers Needed for Book Sale: Particularly the 5:30-8:00 p.m. shift on Thursday, December 2.  To volunteer for the Book Sale, click here. 

BCD Masters -School was in session this past Saturday as parents, past parents, and grandparents attended the first BCD Masters Lecture Series. To view a sampling of the day, click here.

Third Grade Theater Performance - The Third Grade performed The Rabbit Dance on Monday to parents and Lower School students as a performance piece to show off the skills they learned this past trimester in theater class. The students built an ensemble around the adaptation of a Native American folk tale about The Rabbit Dance. Students were encouraged to not only play roles in the demonstration performance but participate in developing ideas for costumes, choreography, staging and props.

Next Stop….Ethiopia- Lower School students�traveled to Ethiopia this month with Jilly Lederman as part of the Library’s Passport to Readingprogram. Each month, Dr. Lederman features a different country, creating a ‘touch’ display, reading stories and folk tales, and sharing photographs.

Festival of Trees - Once again, BCD students will have a tree at the Berkshire Museum’s Festival of Trees. This annual event, considered by many to be the unofficial kick-off of the holiday season in the Berkshires and beyond, is a community tradition now in its 26th year.� It brings together over one hundred schools, businesses, community groups, and festively minded individuals who decorate holiday trees based on a special theme. This year’s theme is Storybook Forest. Mrs. Cromwell worked with the�Third Grade class to create ceramic and book ornaments reflecting their favorite stories and storybook characters. This year’s Festival will run from November 13, 2010- January 2, 2011.

Student photos are now online. Click here to view and order. Password is BCD.

Preparing for Thanksgiving Soup – Please see the contributions needed for Thanksgiving Soup per student, per class. Donations will be collected at DROP-OFF at tables outside the GYM under the overhang (Alumni Walkway) before homeroom on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd. NOTE CHANGE IN DROP-OFF LOCATION FROM LAST YEAR.

B3+PK – 1 lb. dried Orzo Pasta, 1 apple

K – 1 celery bunch, 1 apple (this class ONLY bring items to class)

1 – 1 stick butter, 1 apple

2 -1 bunch of scallions left whole, 1 apple

3 – 1 zucchini (chopped), 1 apple

4 – 1 28 oz can crushed tomato, 1 apple

5 – 1 zucchini (chopped), 1 apple

6 -1 large potato (peeled and chopped), 1 apple

7 – 1 bulb of garlic left whole, 1 apple

8 – 3 carrots each (peeled and chopped), 1 apple

9 – 3 yellow onions (chopped), 1 apple

If chopping is noted, we are asking that vegetables be cut into pieces around 1/2 inch square–image a piece or two in a spoon. Please send them to school in a non-disposable container clearly labeled with your child’s name so it can be returned to your child’s homeroom by lunch time. Non chopped items can be dropped off in a paper bag or without packaging. We will have some boxes on the tables for these items. Thank you for helping make Soup a success. To volunteer, click here.

Thank You to….all who came out to support the Upper School Theater Fall Production of “The Proposal” and “The Pretentious Young Ladies.” The eleven actor ensemble received a tremendous amount of positive feedback and emerged from the experience glowing. Thank you specifically to Ticky Kennedy, Nick Raposo, Doria Pollinger, Adam Weinberg, Rebecca Tillinghast, Meg Agnew, Merlin Wisswaesser, Andrew Hoar, Shakespeare and Company, Tina Petricca, John Bianchi, Sarah Novak, Glenn Novak, Sue Benner, Karen Cole, Win Hampton, Danielle Hampton, Nikki Speranzo,� C. Raposo, Richard Lichte, Maxine Carter-Lome, Coree Reid, Gwen Connelly, Joanne DelCarpine, Mike Cunningham, Larry Bingham, Jesse Howard, Dan Mathieu at Max Ultimate Food, Jilly Lederman, Marianna Poutasse, M. Weinberg, Ross Jolly at The Mount, and�Paul Lindenmaier who attended both evenings and offered kind words of support for all. The help received from parents and faculty is deeply appreciated and essential to the success of the theater/film program at BCD. The production was filmed and anyone interested in purchasing a DVD may contact Amy Brentano at 637-0755 ext . #28.

Fall Sports Award: On Friday, November 5 the Athletic Department held its�Fall Sports Assembly. All athletes grades 4-9 were recognized, with the following athletes receiving special recognition for their contributions to the team. Congratulations to:

JV Boys: MVP – Jackson R.; Coaches Awards – Viggo  B., Nick R., and Skylar G.

Varity Girls: The Lyman Award – Mary Grace M.; MVP – Abigail S.; Most Improved Player – Molly W. and Rebecca vdM.; Coaches Award – Ruth K.

Varsity Boys: The Talbot Award – Quintin P. and Charlie C.; MVP – Mike  B.; MIP – Casey P.; Coaches Award – Jack D.

PLEASE NOTE:Upper School vs. Faculty Soccer Game to be played today on Albright Field at 3:15; Running Club starts on Monday; Look for information on winter sports coming soon.

CALENDAR NOTES:

Monday, November 22 – There will be NO late bus (4:40 bus run) but�after-school care�will be offered.

Tuesday, November 23 - Early dismissal for Thanksgiving break after Thanksgiving Soup. Buses will depart at 1:05 p.m. There will be NO later buses.

Thursday, December 2 - Parent-Teacher Conferences. PLEASE NOTE: There�will be no after-school Sports, Theater, or After-School Program so no�late bus will be offered.

Friday, December 3 - NO SCHOOL due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Community Campus Day is scheduled for this Saturday, November 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The rain date will be Sunday, November 7. If Community Campus Day is cancelled due to weather, parents will be notified via a post on MyBCD.

Parent Volunteers Needed for Thanksgiving Soup – This wonderful BCD tradition and community event requires many volunteers to work. We need parents that can help make soup on Monday, November 22, as well as parents who will help set up Fitzpatrick Hall, serve soup, and help clean up on Tuesday, November 23.  Click here to volunteer.

Fourth Grade Sculpture Exhibit -now on display in the Library. Take a few minutes next time you are on campus to see their sculpture dioramas. Speaking of the Library…..plans are underway for this year’s Holiday Book Sale! Scheduled for Monday, November 29 through Friday, December 3, the Holiday Book Sale is a great opportunity to support the Library and get your holiday shopping out of the way at the same time. Order forms have been sent home with students in backpacks. If you need another form, click here.

Thanksgiving Floral Centerpieces- The BCD Parents’ Association has collaborated with The Berkshire Flower Company to bring you lovely center floral pieces for your holiday table. $25.00 each. Please submit your order to Coree Reid in the Main Office no later than Monday, November 15.  Arrangements will be delivered to BCD for parent pick up on Tuesday, November 23 – just in time for the holidays! Order forms went home in student backpacks this week. For another form, click here. Every arrangement purchased is a donation to the PA and all the worthwhile initiatives it supports throughout the school year.

 Penguin Colonial Museum - For the fifth year in a row, Mrs. Meyer and Pitcher-Hoffman have worked with the 7th graders to put on the Penguin Colonial Museum as part of their history unit on Colonial America.  Students reproduced colonial artifacts (many with the help of Ms. Gratz in Shop class) and documents, and created information panels to add to their displays. In preparation for a tour by the Second Grade, Mr. Uhas coached the class on how to give presentations and be a good museum tour guide. Second graders were invited to tour the museum as part of their Colonial America unit. Take a Tour of the Museum:

Upper School Theater Production Tonight & Saturday Night @ 7:00 p.m. Please come out to join in the fun when the US Theater Ensemble presents The Proposal by Anton Chekhov and The Pretentious Young Ladies by Moliere. BCD’s new Theater and Film Director, Amy Brentano, chose the one-acts for their resonance in contemporary society. The ensemble cast of ten actors explored the rich material while learning about comic timing and participating in all aspects of a theater production: design, publicity, lighting, props, and costumes. The evening is a showcase for a multitude of student talents. Both productions will be in the Winthrop Theater, located at 45 West Street in Lenox.

Sports Corner – JV Boys played IMS on Friday and won, 2-1, but the 5th Graders lost their game against IMS, 4-0 (picture courtesy of Thatcher Keats).  Varisty Boys came in Third in their tournament last Saturday. In Intramurals, the Sopranos won! Coach Benner said the 9th graders did a fabulous job coaching and captaining their teams. Next Friday is the Upper School vs. Faculty Soccer Game. Children with their parents are welcome to watch. Game starts at 3:15. Running Club starts on Monday for grades 6-9.

 Call for Speakers - The PA sponsors one or two lectures a year for BCD families and the public. The subjects directly relate to parenting and education.  The lectures can cover anything from the effects of nutrition on behavior, to bullying, to the long-range effect of TV on our kids.  The field is wide open.  Before looking for someone outside of our community, the PA would like to know if any of the parents are experts in a field that would fit the criteria of these lectures? Or, do any of the BCD parents know of a person who might be a worthy candidate?  If so, please contact Rochelle O’Gorman at rogorman@verizon.org or 413.243.4539. 

MS Poetry Assembly - Students in Grades 4-6 shared their favorite poems from their favorite authors to a packed house of students and parents.

News to Use

• Don’t forget about the PA’s Berkshire Grown Fundraiser! Order forms are due to Class Parents by November 10. This is a great way to get a jump on your holiday shopping with a full array of items from local Berkshire businesses and BCD parents. Additional order forms can be found on the PA blog on MyBCD.
• The last in the series of master facilities planning workshops with Centerbrook Architectswill be held this coming Monday night, November 8, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for community members who have pre-registered.
• Registration is still open for BCD Masters, a morning out adult education and enrichment lecture series presented by members of BCD’s faculty. For more information, contact Maxine Carter-Lome. The BCD Masters Lecture Series will be held on Saturday, November 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• BCD will be holding a Legacy Open House this Wednesday, November 10^th at 9:00 a.m. in the Library for current families with siblings interested in applying to BCD.  Tours will be offered with a current parent conversation to follow. Please register with Amy Freeman, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, at 413.637.1755 x 16 or afreeman@berkshirecountryday.org
• Reminder: There is no school next Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
• Preschool Pay Date - BCD will be hosting an Admission Open House and Preschool Play Date on Saturday, November 13 at 9:00 a.m. for families interested in learning more about our Preschool program. BCD’s preschool educators, Ellie Atwater, Sara Bannon, and Joni Guerette, will facilitate a 45-minute playgroup designed to simulate a classroom experience for the children with activities that highlight our educational philosophy of learning through purposeful play. Parents will then have an opportunity to tour BCD’s 27-acre campus and meet members of the faculty and administration to learn more about what makes BCD’s Preschool Program so special.

The Pumpkin Fairy made a rare, pre-Halloween appearance Tuesday morning, much to the delight of the Preschool and Kindergarten classes. After luring them out of their classrooms, the Pumpkin Fairy took them on a short hike up Albright Field to a special pumpkin patch behind Paul Lindenmaier’s house to pick pumpkins for their holiday celebration. Then on Thursday, the Second Floor of Albright Hall was overrun by princesses, Spiderman, animals and other adorable characters on the hunt for stickers and to show off their Halloween costumes. Friday morning, students were greeted by the Tooth Fairy (a.k.a Mr. Lindenmaier) and Safety Man (a.k.a Mr. Frantz) at drop off. Then, the Lower School went on parade, much to the delight of the BCD community.

Sports Corner - It was a busy week for our Varsity Teams. The Girls team started their week on Saturday with their tournament, where they came in 4th place. Game photos courtesy of Pier Boutin. On Monday, the girls played Steiner, where they lost 2-0, but came back on Wednesday when they tied their game against Charlamont, 3-3. Boys Varsity played IMS last Friday and won, 5-0; played Steiner on Monday and won , 4-1; and played Mt. Everett on Wednesday, losing 2-1. Join us at BCD this Saturday for the Varsity Boy’s Soccer Tournament. Games begin at 10:00 a.m.  The intramural soccer tournament will be played next Monday and Tuesday. All teams in grades 4-9 will participate, with 9th graders taking on the roles of captains and team coaches. PLEASE NOTE: Running Club starts November 8. Running Club is open to all students in Grades 6-9 and will be held on Mondays and Thursdays after school until Thanksgiving Break.

BCD Music & Me -  Friday morning was the first BCD Music & Me program for 2-4 year olds and their parents and caretakers. Over 10 families showed up for a morning of circle time, music, stories and art projects. Today’s theme was “Pumpkin Hunt.”  There are three more dates in the fall session so please spread the word to people you know. BCD Music & Me is free and open to the public.

News to Use

Bingo Night Postponed - The PA sponsored Family Bingo Night scheduled for next Friday, November 5 has been postponed.

Thanksgiving Soup, that most beloved of BCD tradition, is fast approaching.  As most of you know, it takes a small army of volunteers doing everuything (donation collection, vegetable prep, cooking, set up, serving, and clean up) over the course of two days to make this event happen. Please use this Volunteer Sign up Form to let us know when we’ll be seeing you. If you have any questions, please contact the Soup Co-chairs Paige Orloff, , Gwen Jurney and Jen Capala – or Joanne DelCarpine in the Development Office. See you at Soup!

Berkshire Grown PA Fundraiser: Back by popular demand, the BCD Parents’ Association is holding its annual Berkshire Grown Fundraiser in time for the upcoming holidays. This year we are confident you will find something for everyone on your holiday gift list. View what’s new for this year’s fundraiser and help support the many school-wide activities supported by the PA. Order Forms will be distributed next week. View the catalogue.

Community Campus Day - Berkshire Country Day School invites you and your family to the Third Annual Community Campus Day, Saturday, November 6 (rain date Sunday, November 7), from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Help us as we complete outdoor renovations and ready our school grounds for winter. Come for an hour or stay all day. Community picnic lunch (bring your own lunch; we’ll supply beverages and dessert) at noon. Bring a rake and your work gloves and come prepared to work and have a great time! Childcare available with advance notice to Maxine Carter-Lome.

BCD Masters - Please join us on Saturday, November 13 for the first in the BCD Masters Lecture Series. The adult education and enrichment program presented by members of BCD faculty covers a wide range of interests, from Mozart to Mexico. Please consider attending and bringing a friend from outside of the community to show off the caliber of our teachers at BCD. Advance registration is required. Course fee is $45. For more information, contact Maxine Carter-Lome at 413-637-0755 x15.

Upcoming at BCD

• Saturday, October 30 - Boys varsity Soccer Tournament, games start at 10:00 a.m. at BCD
• Wednesday, November 3 - MS Poetry Assembly
• Thursday, November 4 - Preschool Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Friday, November 5 - No School for Preschool families; Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Friday, November 5 - US Fall Theater Production, 7:00 p.m., Winthrop Theater
• Saturday, November 6 - US Fall Theater Production, 7:00 p.m., Winthrop Theater

Preparing for the US Theater Performance next Friday & saturday night

Saturday, November 6 - Community Campus Day, 9-3, BCD Campus