Introductory Meeting Notes

We had a great introductory meeting on Friday. We have more than 30 kids signed up for chess club and received lots of volunteer interest. Thanks!

Below is an a handout that was passed out in case you weren't able to be there. Expect an email soon with updates on purchasing chess sets and asking for volunteers to sign up for specific practice days.

THANKS for everyone's support and work.

Kickoff Meeting - 12/11 - 3:00-3:30 - Burroughs

I just asked that the following be added to the Burroughs Bulletin. Please spread the word!

Burroughs Chess Club
We’re starting up a Burroughs Chess Club! The goal is to get as many kids to try chess as possible and help them compete in city and state chess tournaments. Here’s the details:

- Open to all Burroughs students and all skill levels.
- Nine practices on Fridays from 3:00 to 4:30 PM, starting 1/8 in Burroughs cafeteria.
- Students can also attend three tournaments on 2/13, 2/20 and 3/6.
We will have a meeting for interested parents and students on Friday, 12/11 in the Burroughs auditorium at 3:00. Or you can sign up for more information at BurroughsChess.Blogspot.com.

I anticipate this being an introduction to our plan for this upcoming year, while getting lots of feedback from other interested parents and talking through some specifics. I hope you can all make it.

Thanks,
John Bonnes

More Information

Burroughs Chess Club is a new organization that is being tried out in 2010. The goal is to get as many kids to try chess as possible and help them compete in city and state chess tournaments.

For 2010, we'll be using a trial schedule that includes nine practices and three tournaments. The practices will take place on Friday afternoons in the Burroughs cafeteria from 3-4:30 starting the week after winter vacation. We hope to have two activities available:
1. In the cafeteria, kids will check in, find partners to play against, play, and then report their results. They'll continue to be able to do this against various levels of competition for the hour-and-a-half.
2. We will also provide opportunities for those students who are interested in rules and strategies of the game.

We plan on taking a Burroughs team to three tournaments towards the end of the ten weeks. The first is a tournament sponsored by the Minnapolis Public Schools to encourage kids to try chess. The second two are School Chess Association (SCA) Tournaments. Any student is welcome to register, and we'll provide information in order to do so, but the student is responsible for any fees the tournament charges.

Volunteers are necessary to help during the practices, and we'll limit students based on the number of volunteers that we expect to attend. We are also limited by space in the cafeteria to 72 students.

The Chess Club is currently supported by a grant from the PTA, and we hope that it will be free for students wishing to participate.

2010 Schedule

Event	Day	Date	Time	Place
Informational Meeting	Friday	12/11	3:00-3:30	Burroughs Auditorium
Practice 1	Friday	01/08	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
Practice 2	Friday	01/15	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
NO PRACTICE!!!! (cancelled)	Friday	01/22	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
Practice 4	Friday	01/29	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
Practice 5	Friday	02/05	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
Practice 6	Friday	02/12	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
Mpls Schools Check It Out! Tournament	Saturday	02/13	TBD (approx 9-5)	North High School, Mpls
Practice 7	Friday	02/19	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
SCA Statewide Grade Level Tournament	Saturday	02/20	TBD (approx 9-5)	Capitol Hill School, St. Paul
NO PRACTICE	Friday	02/26	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
Practice 8	Friday	03/05	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria
SCA Burnsville Open	Saturday	03/06	TBD (approx 9-5)	Mitchell Jr. High, Burnsville
Practice 9	Friday	03/12	3:00-4:30	Burroughs Cafeteria

Overview

Burroughs Chess Club is a PTA sponsored organization of volunteers and students dedicated to introducing and educating Burroughs students to the challenging game of chess is a relaxed atmosphere.

• We will have a meeting for interested parents and students on Friday, 12/11 in the Burroughs auditorium.
• Open to all Burroughs students.
• Nine practices on Fridays from 3:00 to 4:30 PM, starting 1/8 through 3/12 (not including 2/26).
• Students can attend three tournaments on 2/13, 2/20 and 3/6.
• Practices will take place in the Burroughs cafeteria
• No cost for practices. Tournaments fees are to be determined.
• Transportation not available.

Interested? You can get all the news by signing up for more information.