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In January's edition of The Atlantic the article on education titled "Joy: A Subject Schools Lack: Becoming educated should not require giving up pleasure" caught my attention. The author writes, "you can't force a person to think carefully, enjoy books, digest complex information, or develop a taste for learning. To make that happen, you have to help the child find pleasure in learning--to see school as a source of joy." She contrasts this concept of instilling joy within the learning process with what usually happens in classrooms across the country as we strive to educate our children.
This week, I spent time watching our students learn and demonstrate their knowledge. Joy was present. Students in our fourth grade exuded not only joy, but also great pride, as they shared their carefully researched information on one of three countries in Asia. Several Upper School students published their work on our new online student publication, The Gator, which recently received an award for excellence. The students write about topics that reflect their own passion and interest, and they display pleasure and satisfaction in their printed words. Lastly, while spending time in the science labs, I listened to students discover the "feel" of cutting through organ tissue and say the words "cool" and "amazing" as they conducted their lab work.
This weekend I will experience another source of joy as I attend our community events --Seussical and Winterfest. I hope to see many of you there.
Sincerely,
Judy Guild
Head of School
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 Loose Change Fundraiser for Peruvian Schools Ends Saturday
Brimmer and May's Community Service Club will continue its fundraiser for Loose Change, a Wayland organization that builds and equips schools in poor, remote, mountain villages in Peru through Saturday. Watch this moving video about the organization's mission, and read more on our website.
Donations will also be accepted at Winterfest and at the musical.
Thank you!
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Summer Camp Open House
Join us at the Summer Camp Open House tomorrow -- Saturday, March 7, from 10-noon in the Dining Room -- and learn about our many programs!
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Website Directory
Log in to www.brimmerandmay.org to access our online Directory. It contains the most up-to-date contact information for families.
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Winterfest - March 7
The PA is hosting Winterfest, a winter carnival, on March 7, from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Join in on the fun! Read more and see video from last year's wonderful carnival.
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 Seussical Tickets on Sale Now!
The Brimmer and May Upper School Creative Arts Department proudly presents Seussical.
Thursday, March 5 @ 7 p.m. Friday, March 6 @ 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7 @ 7 p.m. (2 p.m. is sold out)
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 Passport to the World Auction: Calling all parents!!
It's not too early to start thinking about donations for our April 25th Auction. Donate items from your family, local businesses, corporate gifts, or items from your Winterim or March Break travels. Anything you can imagine!
We are seeking volunteers to assist with a number of areas of the event planning and execution. Please visit the updated Auction page on the School's website to find donation forms, volunteer forms, and a list of suggested items to help jump-start your thoughts.
For additional ideas, try surfing through Bidding For Good's website, and maybe pick up something for yourself too!
Invitations will go out at the end of the month via email and Paperless Post.
Amanda Frank '88Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events
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Connect with Brimmer and May!
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Keep up with our Upper School students through social media as they travel the globe next week on Winterim!
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News from Lower School
Dear Lower School Families,
Winterfest is almost here! We hope to see you all at this very special event--there is fun for all! Stay to see the Upper School production of Seussical at 2:00 p.m. Speaking of productions, the Fourth and Fifth Grade musical is coming up next week. Tiny Thumbelina will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening and again at 9:00 a.m. on Friday.
A reminder: If you have a fourth or fifth grade student and walk up to dismissal, please make sure the student checks out with the teacher (fifth grade students should not be picked up on the Chase Building side of the street). Thanks!
Best wishes,
Thomas Fuller Courtney P. McGillicuddy
Head of Lower School Assistant Head of Lower School
Early Childhood Coordinator
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 Kindergarten's 100th Day Celebration Photos
Kindergarteners celebrated the 100th day of School on Monday.
See photos and learn more.
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 Grade 4 & 5 Presentation -
Tiny Thumbelina
The 4th and 5th grade proudly presents Tiny Thumbelina.
Thursday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 13, at 9:00 a.m.
Ruth Corkin Theatre.
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Spring Break Camp
This year's Spring Break Camp will take place during the first week of vacation, March 16 through March 20. Each day will begin at 8 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m. We are now offering enrollment at the following prices:
Single day (8 hours) - $100/day
Full week (5 days) - $450
Activities will include: sports, games, science experiments, cooking, gymnasium fun, Lego engineering, and more!
Please contact Matt Vaughan for information or to enroll now!
MVaughan@Brimmer.org.
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Middle School News
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 From the Middle School
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Just a reminder that next week the 7th grade will be leaving for D.C., and the 6th and 8th grades will be involved in Exploration week. Please reference the materials you have received via email and in the Bulletin.
Spring Break begins at the end of the school day on Friday, March 13. School resumes at 7:50 a.m. on Monday, March 30.
Homework over Break: Please expect that there will be some reading assigned to students over the Break in some of their classes.
Parent-Teacher Conference Information
Parents and guardians will receive instructions for signing up for conferences via postal mail prior to Spring Break. Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, April 9, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. and Friday, April 10, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Peter Gordon
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT to Grade 7 Parents/Guardians about WASHINGTON, D.C.
The drop-off time on Monday morning, MARCH 9, has been moved to 5:15 a.m. and IS NO LONGER 5:45 a.m. The bus will LEAVE BRIMMER at 5:30 a.m. and not at 5:45 a.m. The reason for this slight change is that we want to ensure that we plan for any traffic or delays en route.
If you are planning on bringing your child to the airport instead of to Brimmer and May, please be at the airport by 6:30 a.m. Also, please send me an email indicating this plan.
Thank you,
Peter Gordon
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 Benjamin Jaffer '21 Scores in Top 100 of the State Qualifying Test of the National Geographic Bee
If you see him, please congratulate Benjamin Jaffer '21. For the second year in a row, Ben's excellent score on the State Qualifying Test of the National Geographic Bee was among the top 100 scores from Massachusetts. That means Ben will compete at the State Bee on March 27, in Worcester, MA. One winner from each state and territory will advance to the national competition, which will be held May 11-13 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Congratulation, Benjamin Jaffer!
Andy Ferrara
Grade 6 Dean
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Middle & Upper School News
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Upper School News
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 Upper School Information
CWRA Testing for Grade 12
The School will administer the College Work and Readiness Assessment (CWRA) to members of the senior class during the first weeks of April. Students will be tested on one day for approximately 90 minutes. Results will be available in the summer. Please read the Student Guide for information about this computer-based, performance task standardized test.
Parent-Teacher Conference Sign Up
Sign-up information will be sent home via postal mail next week. The online site for sign-ups is being prepared now and should be available shortly. Parent-Teacher conferences at the end of Interim I will be held in the Chase Building on Thursday, April 9, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. and Friday, April 10, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Brimmer and May uses the web-based Parent-Teacher Appointment System to set up parent-teacher conferences. This system is truly a "first-come, first-served" mechanism, and you are encouraged to set up conference appointments as soon as possible.
I wish all of our students safe, enjoyable, and educational Winterim trips to all our destinations near and far. These are wonderful and memorable learning experiences for the all students in the Upper School. I wish them a restful vacation during the March vacation as well.
Joseph Iuliano
Upper School Head
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Winterim Reminder
Parents, please make sure you are clear on where and when your child's group will be meeting for Winterim departures and arrivals. Students must have their passports with them when you bring them to meet their groups. Please beware that Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend, and you'll need to set your clocks an hour ahead! Safe travels everyone!
Kelly Neely
Director of Global Studies
Co-Chair, Humanities Dept.
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 Curling Team Wins Finals!
Congrats to the Curling Team on winning their finals!
See video of the team being piped in at the Bonspiel prior to finals.
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Upper School Play Rehearsal Schedule
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College Counseling
Junior Reminders
As we have discussed in College Counseling classes this week, all juniors are encouraged to visit at least one or more colleges during the March Break. Many families have planned trips, and others will visit local Boston area colleges. The main purpose of these visits is to begin to gain an understanding of the different kinds of institutions out there--large and small, liberal arts and business or engineering, urban, suburban, country. Students and parents who have met with a counselor and/or completed their questionnaires in Naviance will likely have received a preliminary college list or suggestions about possible colleges to visit.
All juniors must register to take at least one SAT and/or ACT exam this spring. Please refer to the Brimmer and May College Guide for test dates and registration deadlines. Guidelines to qualify for fee waivers for these tests can also be found in the College Guide. The College Guide can be found on the Brimmer and May website in addition to the hard copies that were distributed at Junior College Night.
Many colleges have campus-based open house programs in the spring as well as Boston-based information evenings. Students will be alerted to these opportunities by email if they are registered on the website for that college. Announcements are also sent to schools. Announcements, received in the mail will be posted on the College News board; those received electronically will be forwarded on to students. These programs provide excellent introductions to a variety of institutions.
Class of 2015
Nearly all seniors have received an acceptance from at least one college at this point. By March 31st all decisions should be emailed or mailed to students with just a few exceptions. This is a very exciting time for seniors, and we are glad that these last few weeks of waiting will be spent enjoying Winterim trips and then March Break! Thus far, seniors have received acceptances from colleges as close as Emmanuel and Suffolk University in Boston, to the University of Houston in Texas, and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Cindy Pendergast
Director of College Counseling
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| From the Parents' Association |
Join us for Winterfest tomorrow, Saturday, March 7!
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Gymnasium
Come enjoy carnival games, delicious food, and try your luck at raffle prizes. We still need parent volunteers to make Winterfest a success! Any amount of time you can give is greatly appreciated. Help set up, donate a cake for the ever-popular Cake Walk, run a carnival game, sell raffle tickets, or do a run for supplies. Find the full list of volunteer openings at: SignUp Genius. Please help us to keep the day fun and safe! Children attending Winterfest should be accompanied by an adult. Thank you!
Brimmer Apparel Sale at Winterfest, Saturday, March 7
In-Stock Brimmer Apparel Available at Winterfest, Saturday, March 7
Show your Brimmer pride on Spring Vacation and Winterim! Brimmer apparel will be sold from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Gym. In-stock items will be available immediately, and new orders will arrive this spring. (Payment may be made by cash or check, made out to Brimmer and May Parents' Association.)
Bon Voyage to Grade 7 and Upper School Winterim!
The Parents' Association wishes our traveling students and faculty chaperones happy and safe journeys next week. We look forward to following our grade 7 travelers in Washington, D.C., and our Upper School Winterim travelers world-wide, on the trips' official blogs.
 Save the Date: Parents' Association Meeting
Thursday, April 2, at 8:15 a.m.,
Wright Conference Room
Special Guest Speaker: Judy Guild
"Conversations with the Head: Strategic Planning Update"
Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to hear from our Head of School Judy Guild. Parents and guardians from all grades are invited to attend.
Reminder: CORI Forms for Parent Volunteers
If you are planning to volunteer for Winterfest, the June Book Fair, or other events this spring, please remember to submit a CORI form as soon as possible. Please sign and mail (with a photocopy of picture ID) to Carol Croffy, Assistant Business Manager, or scan and email to ccroffy@brimmer.org.
Link to Amazon, Support Brimmer!
Please consider supporting the Parents' Association when you shop Amazon.com! When you go to PA page to start your Amazon shopping with the link at the bottom, a portion of every purchase goes to support the Parents' Association.
Parent Coffee Group
Join us for coffee and casual conversation every Friday at 8:15 a.m. in the Lower School French Library. Parents and guardians from all grades are invited.
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Please note that this email was generated from a "no reply" email box.
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3/6
Seussical - 7:00 p.m.
3/7
Wintefest
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Summer Camp Open House
10 a.m. - noon
Seussical - 7:00 p.m. (2 pm is sold out)
3/8
Winterim departs
Daylight Savings
3/9
Gr. 7 Washington, D.C. trip
3/12
Gr. 7 returns
3/12
Thumbelina
6:30 p.m.
3/13
Thumbelina
9 a.m.
School vacation begins,
No School for gr. 7
3/30
School resumes
View the full School calendar
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Congratulations to Winter Sports Award Winners!
