Volunteers for the Week

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
This is an oft-quoted line, perhaps because truer words were never spoken. One of the things we learn quickly as new parents is that this job of parenting is bigger than any one person. We all need the partnership of extended family, friends, and school to help us navigate the invigorating and, at times, murky waters of raising a child.

I've held many jobs in my life - everything from retail clerk, workers' compensation specialist, barista, tutor, teacher, college counselor, division director and now Head of School. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that all of those jobs pale in comparison to the awesome responsibility of being a parent.

As parents, we second-guess ourselves at any given moment; we try to make decisions that will give our children room to make mistakes, while offering them the support, nurture, and care that they need. We understand that we cannot fix every rut in the road for our children, and yet seeing our children struggle is the hardest thing we do as parents. This one truth is why we need more than our own efforts to provide our children the foundation they need to grow and learn.

We benefit from the perspective of those who have done the job before, whether they are grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, or educators. The lens of experience helps us remember that no single moment, disappointment, or achievement determines the person our child will become - that, in fact, it is the totality of those experiences, and our reactions to them, that form the basis for our adult selves.

Next Friday, February 12, is Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day at Burke's. This day reinforces the importance of these intergenerational connections in the lives of our girls. Our goal is that every child has someone here to share this day with her.

We know that it is not always possible for a grandparent to be a part of this day. We invite you to think broadly about a special friend or family member who can provide that message of support for your daughter. As someone new to the area without family close by, I also know that for some of us even a special friend or family member is impossible; if that is the case, we would love to have a parent join us for this special day.

We invite all of our Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day guests to participate in the Upper School Youth Voice Food Drive for the San Francisco Food Bank. Our girls are collecting non-perishable food all week, and we know there are many guests who would like to contribute in this community-wide effort.

In the life of every girl, there are many special people who provide wisdom, care, and support. Friday the 12th is about celebrating those many "villagers" in the awesome journey from childhood to adulthood.

I look forward to a wonderful day!

Kim Wargo,
Head of School

Volunteers Needed
Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day
Friday, February 12, 2010
We need more parent volunteers for this wonderful day. There are two shifts available, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. For more information or to sign-up please call or email Christy Weldon 415-640-3771.

All School News
Due to Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day on Friday, February 12, Taste will only provide a snack (graham crackers that contain no nuts and are made in a nut-free kitchen) for K and 1st grade students. Girls in 2nd through 8th grade will need to bring their own snacks since they will not be able to purchase any food in the lunchroom.

Upper School Spring Conference
2010 Request Form
The request form for Upper School Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences were emailed to parents yesterday, Monday, February 1. If you did not receive the email, please email Anita Painitz, U.S. Administrative Assistant or call 415-751-0177, ext 246 and she will get the form to you promptly.

Dates to remember regarding U.S. Spring Conferences:
The deadline to return the request form is in one week: Tuesday, February 9, by 4:00pm.
Schedules will be emailed to you one month later: Tuesday afternoon, March 9.
Upper School Spring Conferences take place the week after you receive your schedule:
Thursday, March 18, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. and Friday, March 19, 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Re-Enrollment Contracts
Re-enrollment contracts were mailed on Friday, January 29. If you have not received your contract(s), please contact Jeanette Moore, Business Manager, as soon as possible. Please note that re-enrollment contracts and deposits for the 2010-2011 school year are due on Friday, February 12. We appreciate your timely attention to this deadline as it allows us to plan effectively and efficiently for the upcoming school year.
Should you have any questions regarding tuition payments, financial assistance, or any re-enrollment matters, please contact Jeanette Moore, Renee Thompson, or Kim Wargo.

Food Drive
The Upper School Youth Voice have organized a food drive for the San Francisco Food Bank. This community-wide drive will take place the week of February 8 - 12. All non-perishable food items are welcome and can be place in designated bins around campus.

Dinner Auction, Starry Night

Wine Drive
Many thanks to everyone who donated to this year's wine drive. If you still have wine you would like to donate, please feel free to drop wine off in the main office.
Please email Nel Ellwein with questions or to arrange pick up.
Thank you for your donations!
Stacey Baenen and Nel Ellwein, Wine Drive Chairs

Underwriting Support
Many thanks to all the Burke's families who have already underwritten Burke's 2010 Dinner Auction, Starry Night!
It's not too late to be included on the invitation. To have your name listed please submit your underwriting form by Thursday, February 4 (our print deadline).









Be a star! The success of this year's dinner auction, Starry Night, depends on the generous contributions of parents and everyone in our community. We need underwriting support more than ever so please consider a contribution today. If you did not receive a form in the mail, or need another one, please click on the attached form below.

Dinner Auction Underwriting Form

Many Thanks,
Evie Davis and Gretchen Hansen,
2010 Dinner Auction Chairs

Silent Auction
Donating to the Silent Auction is easy!
Donate any gift certificates or tickets you may have: restaurants, music, apparel, books, sporting events...the list is endless.
Or how about any unused / unopened gifts from the recent holidays? Donate them to a great cause - our girls!
Donation forms can be easily obtained here

Starring You! Now is the time for your talent to shine! Please consider sharing a hobby or special skill to raise money for Burke's Dinner Auction. This category features our entire community... dinner parties are a great way to participate - a margarita party for Cinco de Mayo or a pasta night for 6 - it doesn't have to be gourmet. How about throwing a tea party for ten girls; offering sewing, surfing, or singing lessons...it's up to YOU!

*Calling all bakers If you can bake a beautiful birthday cake - we would love for you to donate your baking talents to support our Birthday Party category in the auction.

For more information please contact
Meeta Arcuri or Juliet Kelley
Silent Auction Chairs

Personal Touch Ad
Have you ever thought of.....Honoring your daughters class? Teachers? A sports team that your daughter plays on? Or maybe just your adorable daughter? Or anyone else that is close to your heart?
Well, now is your chance to buy a Personal Ad Space in the Dinner Auction Program!
Every Burke's parent on the night of the auction will receive the Dinner Auction Program
listing - Auction Items, Local Business Advertisements, and Personal Ads from our Burke's families!




If you have any questions or if you know of a local business that would like to advertise in the Auction Book. Please contact Julie Young or Mary Read

Bus to Burke's Week
We are in our second Bus to Burke's Week. Over 30 girls rode the bus on Monday!

New this time
Have your daughter remember to ask for her Muni transfer and bring it to school. The Upper School Youth Voice is going to be creating an interactive collage to which your daughter (Lower or Upper School) can add her transfer. The collage will morph and grow as the week progresses (a la "Sticker Man" at the Exploratorium.) Should be fun!


Upper School parents who live further out are welcome to shorten their morning drive by dropping their girls off along the route and picking up the bus at one of the many stops (California Street at Presidio Avenue is a popular drop-off point).

For the Lower School, we will have at least two parents riding with the girls to see them off safely at the Burke's stop on 32nd Ave, and a number of stops will have parents who will wait with the girls until the bus comes and then help them board. For Upper School, we will have a parent on the bus Monday and Tuesday to ensure the girls get the hang of it, although there are a number of seasoned Burke's girls who ride the bus regularly who will also be available for guidance. If your upper school girl is ready, consider having her take the bus home as well. Many Burke's girls text their mom or dad when they board the bus, letting their parents know when to expect them home.

General Bus Information:
Needless to say, there can be variability with this schedule, but in the morning the buses are pretty regular and should be within 1-3 minutes. Upper School girls should be sure to say hi to Dave, the regular driver of this bus. His daughter went to Burke's, and he thinks Bus to Burke's is great! Also, for upper school, if your daughter misses this bus, there is another that follows 7 minutes later that will also get her to school on time. Please note, if your daughter happens to miss this bus, you can check nextbus.org for GPS-based next bus arrival time at your neighborhood stop.

Questions?
If you would like to ride the bus with the girls or you have questions about Bus to Burke's, send an email to Karen Allen
Please note, if we get a torrential downpour, Bus to Burke's will be cancelled that day, although girls are still welcome to ride the bus!

Parent Volunteer for Chinese New Year Celebration
Every year, as part of our San Francisco heritage, Burke's celebrates Chinese New Year. For the last few years, a member of our parent community has organized this tradition, "Burke's style" and is now looking to share this responsibility. We are looking for someone to carry out our celebration, which entails creating and distributing goody bags, decorating the lunchroom and coordinating the lunch offering with Taste for the special day, which coincides with the February 25, 3rd Grade Lion Dance performance.
Please contact Lara Witter if you are interested in this position.

After School Enrichment Program

Girls on the Run

We are offering a Girls on the Run after school program starting on February 23. The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays and culminates with a fun run on Satruday, May 8 in Golden Gate Park. If you are interested in signing up your daugther, please contact Molly McCracken, molly@kdbs.org by February 5, 2010.

Open to: Grades 3-5
Location: TBA
Day: Tuesday and Thursday
Class Limits: Minimum 10, Maximum 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Course Fee: $320 (grades 3 and 4); $300 (grade 5)
Instructor: Girls on the Run
Dates:
February 23 and 25
March 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 23, 25, and 30
April 1, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29
May 4, 6 and 11.
With a Fun Run on Saturday, May 8, in Golden Gate Park.

Girls on the Run is an after school program that uses the power of running to help prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Coaches engage the girls in games and running-based workouts that encourage emotional, social, psychological and physical development. The curriculum covers important issues facing girls today, such as why drugs hurt your chances of success, how to make healthy choices, the importance of community, media awareness regarding body image and self-respect. The program culminates in a non-competitive running event that gives the girls a chance to shine and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Girls on the Run® is a non-profit organization with the mission of educating and preparing girls for a life-time of self-respect and healthy living.

Paid Advertisements
Need a plumber?
Burke's dad, Will Deemer, is available to help you solve your plumbing problems. Will has 20+ years experience in both residential and commercial plumbing and is happy to help with re-piping (both water and gas), drains, disposals, toilets, faucets, water heaters, etc. References available upon request. Cell: 415.235.6507, home: 650.364.3374.

Golden Gate Confections
Instead of chocolate and roses for your sweetheart(s) this Valentine's, choose our decadently delicious, CCOF-certified Organic Irish Shortbread created by a fellow KDBS mom and baked locally in San Francisco. Order at goldengateconfections.com and send to your Valentine anywhere in the U.S. or choose the "PICKUP ONLY" option on the shipping preferences menu for delivery to school on Friday, February 12.
Email info@goldengateconfections.com with your personalized greeting or if you have any questions. Happy hearts to all!

Roughing It Day Camp
Celebrating our 38th year and Voted Best of the Bay!
An all-outdoor lakefront day camp in Lafayette for ages 4-16. Instruction in horseback riding, swimming, sports, fishing, canoeing and more. Transportation and extended care provided.
Learn more at RoughingIt.com or contact us at (925) 283-3795
Amanda Wentz
Roughing It Day Camp