Burroughs Chess, 2012-2013 Edition Begins November 15

Hi Everyone:

We're starting Burroughs Chess Club for the 2012-13 school year this Friday, November 15.  Chess will start at 3:40 for the kids and finish at 4:45 (though they can go home sooner if they wish).  

We're initially planning on informal practices, but we still need LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS (well, about 15 parents)  to help with practices!  I think you'll be amazed to see 75-100 kids, grades K thru 5, get excited about sitting down and playing chess against each other. You absolutely do NOT need to know how to play chess to help - just help them find someone else to play and be encouraging. 

To sign up as a volunteer, we ask that you go to the MySignUp website for Burroughs 2012-2013.  Click here http://www1.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=burroughs_2012-2013

So, please take a moment to go the signup page so we have a sense of the volunteers who can assist us.  You will see the various roles we have for parents.

The PTA sponsored Burroughs Chess Club, which boasted over 100 kids last year, is looking to build on last year’s success. The goal is to get as many kids to try chess as possible and maybe even help them compete in city and state chess tournaments. Here are the details:

• Open to all Burroughs students and all skill levels.
• Practices are scheduled for Fridays after school.
• Mostly, the kids play a lot of chess with new friends.
• No cost again this year! THANKS PTA

I look forward to seeing some of you Friday and to starting up another year of Chess Club.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Burroughs Chess Wrap Up 2011-2012 Season

Chess Parents

Burroughs Chess Club wraps up its 2011-2012 "season" just as Spring arrives. Our final meeting is this Friday, March 9, starting at 3:45 and ending 4:45.

I'm also asking parents to volunteer one last time. Please go to the mysignup space and register with us on how you can help out. http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=practicechess

It's been a fun season. I hope your kids have enjoyed learning and playing chess.

See you on Friday.

Burroughs Wins 3rd Place at Check-it-Out Tournament

Seven kids represented Burroughs today at the Check it Out Chess Tournament. Our 4th-5th grade team played tremendously. Led by Nathan Barney, Jacob Thiegs, Sergei Miller & Davis Everson-Rose, they earned 3rd place among the Minneapolis schools in their division. After a slow start, this "gang of four" had 13 wins & 3 draws in their last 20 games, with Nathan and Jacob making it to the trophy round of the top 8 players in their division.

Nicolas Nielsen, Louis Walthour & Maclain Everson-Rose each played well in the K-3 division. With only 3 players on this team and often playing older kids, they still earned 6th among all schools in the division. Overall, it was real fun time for the kids and a great day for the Burroughs team.

Next Chess meeting: Feb 17, 3:45-4:45 pm. As always, we need parent volunteers to help out. Please sign up at the MySignUp volunteer page: http://www2.mysignup.com//cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=practicechess

Chess club meets again this Friday, January 20from 3:45 to 4:45. Like last week, kids who want more instruction & a chance to play a quieter room will go to the media center. The feedback from some of the kids was that the media room worked well. So we will try it again.

The call for parent volunteers: Please sign up again to volunteer.. Our practices can't run well without parent to assist. Click on this link to go to the volunteer website. The mysignup.com website will show the roles that you we need help with. Just click on the task you wish to do!) Please do not email about volunteering--just use the mysignup volunteer website.

Another Upcoming Chess tournaments: If you interested, there will be another chess tournament put on by MPLS schools. Here's the details on the 2nd Check it Out Tournament. This tournament is formal, but far more easy going. There should be lots of prizes. They also provide lunch. If interested email me or see me Friday for a registration form. We will try to send a Burroughs team, if we have enough interest.

MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STUDENT ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT
24th “Check It Out!” CHESS TOURNAMENT. February 11, 2012 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
North High School, 1500 James Avenue North (Enter on Knox Avenue side of building)

A Reminder: We end at 4:45. Please be at Burroughs by 4:45 to pick up your child. Once it is 4:45, we do not "hold" kids. So please be there on time.

Starting 2012 Year with Chess @ Burroughs

The Burroughs Chess Club starts back up on Friday, January 13. This will be the start of several Friday afternoon practices.

We really need parent volunteers for this Friday. The parent sign up is up and running. Each week, I'll send out an announcement for the next practice and will have a link to the volunteer website. We have several tasks for parents to cover, so please sign up.

There may be a few changes. We are talking with Vice Principal Catchings about getting access to another room because we are literally overflowing with kids on our side of the cafeteria. This may provide a chance for more focused instruction for those kids who are interested. I hope to have more details on Friday.

Upcoming Chess tournaments: If your child is enjoying playing chess and would like to try a tournament, you should look at the website of the School Chess Association. The tournaments are competitive, but they are great learning experience. We may try to have a Burroughs team at either the Groundhog Open on Feb. 11 or the Burnsville Open on March 10. Both are at Metcalf Junior High.

See you Friday.
Roger