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Welcome back to school! It was great to see so many of you at the coffees this week. Thank you for stopping in to say hello, and for those who could not make it, I look forward to seeing you at the Back-to-School nights.
Now that summer is over, I find we often switch into our new schedules and daily routines with a sigh of relief. Unscheduled time has its own set of challenges, no matter the age. I urge you not to be so quick to shed some of summer's relaxing activities. In August, The Atlantic posted a great article on the value of playing games with your children. According to cognitive development experts, many of the board and card games we play have great value for improving classroom learning. The article shares three different games that may help with executive functioning skills.
I hope you all progress into the school year with ease. When dropping and picking up your children, please remember to follow the traffic rules, the crosswalk rules, and please respect our neighbors and their environment. I look forward to seeing you at the respective Back-to-School nights.
Sincerely,
Judy Guild
Head of School
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 Congratulations to our Teachers of the Future
Brimmer and May is proud to announce that Kelly Neely, Brimmer and May's Humanities Department Co-Director, Director of Global Studies, Director of the Winterim Program, and an 8th and 9th grade history teacher, was selected by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as part of its annual Teachers of the Future program.
Click here to read more about Kelly.
Alumni and Brimmer and May teacher David Cutler was named a NAIS Teacher of the Future in 2013. David is Director of the Writing Center, a U.S. History & Journalism Teacher, and a Technology Integration Specialist. Previously, he taught history and journalism for six years at Palmer Trinity, a private school in Miami, Florida. He often writes about education for his blog, Spin Education, is a freelance writer for The Atlantic and Edutopia, and frequently presents at education conferences.
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Seeking Annual Fund Volunteers
Want to be a part of a GREAT team?
Want to help out in a BIG way with a not so big time commitment on campus?
Well, we are looking for parents to join our growing team of ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEERS. Contact Annual Fund Director, Sharin Russell at srussell@brimmer.org or 617-278-2342.
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International Student Update
It has been a busy couple of weeks as we welcomed international students to campus. Our new student orientation for Middle and Upper School students was the week of August 18, and we had a wonderful turnout of 13 new international students to this 4-day program.
We welcomed a total of 16 new international students to Middle and Upper School in these last weeks and are excited to have them as wonderful additions to our globally-minded community. They have gone off to their respective camps, and I know they will return connected and bonded with their peers. We have also welcomed 5 new international students to our Lower School, and I joined in on Lower School goals conferences and was able to meet new and returning families with ELS needs.
It was exciting to see new and returning families come together on the field at the Lower School picnic on Tuesday. The picnic was a place of joy and reconnection, and it was great to see the growth of our Lower Schoolers over the summer. It made me proud of the wonderful, welcoming, and international community that Brimmer and May is.
Welcome back! I hope you have a great year!
Christine Chapman
Director of International Students
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Tutoring
Please click here for tutoring information and an application.
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All-School Photo Day - Monday, September 8!
Photo Day is on Monday, September 8! Please click here for the Order Form and have your child bring the completed form and check to School on Photo Day.
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Yearbook Order!
Don't forget to get a head start on your Yearbook order! Click here and enter the password: gators.
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Join the Conversation - Connect with Brimmer and May!
Brimmer and May news and photos are posted to social media on a regular basis. Stay connected with us!
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News from Lower School
Dear Lower School Families,
Well, the weather certainly cooperated this week, especially Tuesday evening! Courtney, the teachers, and I enjoyed seeing you all at the Welcome Picnic, and what more can be said about my favorite day of the year--it's always terrific to have students back in our buildings!
If you did not meet with your child's homeroom teachers on Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss goals, please arrange to do so early next week. The progress report that will come out in October is partially based on your goal-setting meeting with your child's teacher.
A few thoughts about dismissal: Lining up on Devon Road may be a little difficult at the beginning of the year due to the major renovation of a home on that street. We will do our best to direct you around the construction vehicles. Please remember not to block driveways; also, we may ask Gr. 4 and 5 cars that arrive before 3:00 p.m. (Mon.-Thur.) and 2:30 p.m.(Friday) to go around the block. Please make sure you write your child's name on your green (Pre-K&K), yellow (Gr. 1-3), and blue (Gr. 4&5) tag that should be hung from your car's inside mirror. Thanks for your help, and please realize that the first week of dismissal can be challenging!
Best wishes,
Thomas Fuller Courtney P. McGillicuddy
Head of Lower School Assistant Head of Lower School
Early Childhood Coordinator
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Seeking L.S. Library Volunteers
Last year, the Lower School Library enjoyed success with students signing out many books, engaging in critical thinking, using iPads in their learning, and generally enjoying our library. I would like to thank the twenty parent volunteers for their time--they shelved over 6,500 volumes in our well-organized library! That figure represents our students reading approximately thirty-five books each during the year. Christine Lo and Lynne Segal were our terrific Library Volunter Co-heads. Thank you!
We welcome you to volunteer in the Lower School Library this year. You may be signing out materials to students, aiding in organizing the collection, and partaking in many other activities. Don't worry if you lack knowledge; we will train you. We ask a commitment of two hours every other week. You may give more time if you are able.
To find a convenient time slot for you to help, please contact Christine Lo at 617.782.1576 or hashemlo@hotmail.com, or Lynne Segal at 617.264.4442 or lynnbrennersegal@gmail.com. You may also call the library at 617.264.1430 or drop in to see me if you would like to volunteer.
We would be delighted with your company!
Annabelle Ambrose
L.S. Librarian
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Extended Day Information
If you are planning to sign up for Extended Day, please click below for the forms and return them to the School. New program offerings will be sent out in a few weeks, and clubs will begin in late September.
Extended Day Agreement Form
Enrollment Form
Matt Vaughan
Extended Day Director
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Middle School News
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MS Play Auditions
Auditions for the fall play, Peter Pan, will be held on Monday, September 8, from 3:15-4:45 p.m. in the theatre. Students do need to prepare anything in advance. These auditions are open to all students in grades 7 and 8. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Carl Rapisarda-Vallely
MS Drama Director
CRapisarda@brimmer.org
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Middle School Supplies
All Middle Schoolers should bring in the following school supplies next week. Please note that some teachers may add to this list as the year progresses.
* 3 binders. Best option: get the very flexible, plastic binders. They fit into a backpack much more easily
(1) 3-ring binder for History/English
(1) 3-ring binder for Science/Math
(1) 3-ring binder for World Language/Life Skills
* set of dividers for each binder (above)
* 1 colored (2-pocket) folder (hole-punched, if possible) for each class (2 per binder - ie., 1 folder for History, 1 for English, etc.)
* Pencils, pens, highlighters
* Looseleaf paper (college-ruled)
* iPad (and stylus - if so desired)
Andy Ferrara
Dean of Sixth Grade
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| Middle and Upper School News
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From the Middle & Upper School Heads
We had a great first day of School, and both the Middle and Upper School trips have been great experiences for our students as they engaged in team-building activities.
Highlights of the Middle School trip to Camp Cedar included team raft building, a trip to Emerald Pools, and a high ropes course for 8th graders; canoeing and low ropes course for 6th graders; and the new high ropes elements for 7th graders. A highlight of the Upper School trip to camp Wingate*Kirkland, in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts, was a camp-wide relay race and a Tae Chi lesson. Each grade also participated in separate activities including kayaking, a low ropes course, beach tide-pooling, and paddleboarding.
Joe Iuliano
Head of Upper School
Peter Gordon
Head of Middle School
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Dress Day Monday
Monday, September 8 is a dress day for grades 6-12.
The Opening Convocation takes place at 8:15 a.m., and it is also Photo Day.
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eBackpack Parent Access
In the Middle and Upper Schools, Brimmer and May uses the system eBackpack to post all homework assignments. In addition to the student view, eBackpack offers a parent portal to view assignments. Directions on how to sign up for this service will be distributed at Back-to-School Nights. Should you wish to access the parent portal prior to these dates, please e-mail Jason Bock at jbock@brimmer.org.
Jason Bock
Technology Department
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Upper School News
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 College Counseling
The fall 2014 College Night program this year will feature a nationally known speaker whom we have had at Brmmer and May in the past. We are happy to welcome back Mr. Peter Van Buskirk who will present his interactive program "The Admission Game." The content of this program is of general interest and importance to the entire parent body of Brimmer and May and to both parents/guardians and students in the Upper School. We urge everyone to mark your calendars for Thursday, October 16, at 7 p.m. More specific information will follow.
Cindy Pendergast
Director of College Counseling
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| From the Parents' Association |
PA News and Reminders
Welcome to the new school year! We hope you have enjoyed the School's Welcome Back events. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who have worked so hard to make these events a great success. We look forward to seeing all of you at the Lower, Middle, and Upper School Back-to-School Nights this month.
In addition to the many hours donated to by parents last year, the Parents' Association made a gift of $14,000 to the School in July. The funds were used to improve classroom technology and bring a little fun to Lower School recess. Click here to view the acknowledgment letter from the School.
Here are a few PA reminders for September: Click here for upcoming PA events.
All-School Photo Day is Monday, September 8 (rain date, Tuesday, September 9). It is a Dress Day for grades 6-12. Photo Day Order Forms were mailed home this week are also available by clicking here. Please return a completed order form to School on September 8. All photos will appear in Brimmer and May's Yearbook!
Learn how to best use Brimmer and May's website at a Parent Website Primer with Michael Langlois, Director of Technology. Choose from two dates: Wednesday, September 17, at 8:00 a.m. and Tuesday, September 23, at 6 p.m. Both events take place in the Wright Conference Room (Chase Building, Lower level).
Thanks to all of you who have already signed up as parent volunteers! There's still time to join--just sign up for an event on our Sign-Up Genius. To help you plan early, the entire year's events are listed. It's a great way to experience life at Brimmer and May and be a presence in our children's school lives.
Our weekly Parent Walking Group resumes on Friday, September 12. All parents are welcome. We meet every Friday in front of the Gym at 8:15 a.m. for a 40-60 minute walk around the reservoir (weather permitting). Catch up with old friends or meet new ones on this casual weekly constitutional. Babies, strollers, and leashed pets are also welcome.
Save the date for our first PA Meeting on Thursday, October 2, at 8:15 a.m. in the Theatre! Join us for a special presentation on Digital Citizenship led by guest speaker Tanya Avrith. This is a wonderful lecture no matter the age of your child.
Give back to the PA when you shop Amazon.com! Our PA receives a portion of every purchase when you begin your Amazon shopping through Brimmer and May's website. To start, click here to go to the PA page on the Brimmer and May website. The Amazon link is on the bottom. Then start shopping!
All PA and classroom volunteers are required to complete a CORI form.
Instructions for Volunteers:
Please complete pages 1 & 2 and return with a copy of your photo ID. DO NOT double-side or staple. Please sign and mail or scan and email to Carol Croffy, Assistant Business Manager, ccroffy@brimmer.org, and feel free to contact Carol with any questions.
PA Parent Positions
Leadership Positions
Class Reps
Parent Liaisons
Questions about the PA, suggestions, thoughts? Please feel free to email us at brimmerparents@brimmer.org.
Sincerely,
Roslyn Pedlar P'18 (roslynpedlar@aol.com) and
Lynn Segal P'26 (lynnbrennersegal@gmail.com)
PA Co-Chairs
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| Click here for Brimmer and May School's website. |
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Please note that this email was generated from a "no reply" email box.
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9/5
Pre-K-1 early dismissal
11:00 a.m.
US Class Trips return, 12:00 p.m.
MS Class Trips return, 2:00 p.m.
Gr. 2 and 3 dismissal, 2:20 p.m.
Gr. 4 and 5 dismissal, 2:35 p.m.
9/8
MS/US Opening Convocation,
8:15 a.m.
Bus routes begin
Extended Day begins
MS After-School STudy Hall begins
Class photos
Dress Day
9/9
Rain date for Class Photos
9/10
Pre-K, K early dismissal
11:30 a.m.
9/11
US Back-to-School Night, 6:30 p.m.
9/18
New LS Parents Breakfast and Orientation,
8:00 a.m.
LS Back-to-School Night, 6:30 p.m.
9/23
Middle School Back-to-School Night,
7:00 p.m.
9/25
No School - Rosh Hashanah
View the full School calendar
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