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For those who could not join us at last week's Thanksgiving assemblies, I announced the exciting news that Brimmer and May has been awarded a prestigious Edward E. Ford Foundation Grant. This is a 1:1 matching grant, which will total $100,000, in support of innovative educational programming. We are proud to have received such positive affirmation from a team of external evaluators who studies schools throughout the country.
The Edward E. Ford Foundation is known for rewarding private secondary schools that are on the leading edge of teaching and learning. Only a small number of the schools that go through the lengthy process are selected each year. The funds from this grant will support innovative educational ideas along with the classroom materials needed to an Upper School faculty member. One or two of these grants will be awarded each year (5 in total over three to five years), enabling Upper School faculty to explore new ideas, new curriculum, and advances in education along with compensating those faculty for their time to implement new programming.
Our grant proposal drew from the proven success we have experienced over the past four years from a generous current parent donor who has funded several Innovation grants. This process has advanced many of our programs and curriculum in such impressive ways that the Edward E. Ford Foundation was inspired to further these efforts. If you would like to learn about the previous award winning innovative programming, please click here to read about them.
Judith Guild Head of School
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"Oh, The Places You'll Go" Auction 
Seeking parent/guardian volunteers from all three divisions of the School! Our Spring Auction is planned for April 30, and our first volunteer meeting is on Tuesday next week. There will be many opportunities to make this a great event for our community, and our fabulous Executive Committee is waiting to meet you!
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Auction Volunteer Meeting - All ARE WELCOME!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 8:15 a.m.
Chase Building - Wright Conference Room (Lower Level, next to Reenstierna Library)
*Stop by the Dining Room for some coffee before coming downstairs*
Amanda Spooner Frank '88
Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events
afrank@brimmer.org
617-264-1424
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Buy Your Yearbook Today!
Ordering your yearbook is quick and easy! Simply go to www.coffeepond.com; click "Order Yearbooks"; and enter the password "gators." You will be directed to the Brimmer order form to complete your 2015-2016 yearbook order.
Congratulate an individual or class! Promote your business!
Buy a Special Message in the 2015 Yearbook! Forms are due by Monday, January 4, 2016. Please click here for the form.
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Holiday Concert Tickets
Grade 6-12 Holiday Concert This concert features performers from Grade 6-12 only.
Wednesday, December 9 @ 7 p.m.
Grade 4-12 Holiday Concert Thursday, December 10 @ 7 p.m.
Ticket buyers please note:
* Reserved seats must be claimed at least 15 minutes prior to the performance or they will be released to the public.
* The front doors are open until 7:45 p.m. on performance night.
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Connect with Brimmer and May!
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Join the Conversation!
Follow Brimmer on social media for lots of news, photos, & video!
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Lower School News 
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 Dear Lower School Families,
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week!
Thursday evening, December 10, starting at 7:00 p.m., Grades 4-12 will present their Holiday Concert. This concert always draws a very large audience, so I hope you have already reserved your seats! (Students need to be at school by 6:30 p.m. and wear appropriate concert clothing.)
Grade 3 parents will have an opportunity to join me, along with Mr. Stattel, to hear about our science program on Friday, December 11. We will meet in the Lower School Library at 8:15 a.m. (A light breakfast fare will be served).
Please keep an eye out for information regarding the Lower School Food Drive.
Thomas A. Fuller
Head of Lower School
Courtney P. McGillicuddy
Assistant Head of Lower School
Early Childhood Coordinator
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Attention 5th Grade Families
Please save the date for a Middle School Information Session.
January 28, 6:30 p.m.
More details will follow in early January.
Brian C. Beale
Director of Enrollment
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Lower School Grandparents' and Special Friends' Video and Photos
Click here for video and photos from our pre-Thanksgiving Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day
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After School Programs
REGISTRATION is OPEN for After School Clubs that begin in January 2016! After school clubs are open to any Lower School student. Click here to register.
Beginning the week of January 19, 2016, we will offer Chess Club, Newspaper Club with Ms. Pappas and Ms. S-G, Design Squad with Mr. Stattel, Kung Fu, Imagine and Move, and Cultural Connections.
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Extended Day Programs
REGISTRATION for Extended Day Block II, which begins on January 4, 2016, is OPEN.
Extended Day enrollment for BLOCK II is now open for any Lower School student. Parents can find the form attached here.
Enrollment Forms are due back by December 18 to Extended Day Director Laura Foley. If you have any questions: contact Laura at lafoley@brimmer.orgLaura Foley Extended Day Director
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Music Performance Information
Grades Four and Five Chorus
All students in Grades Four and Five will present several selections at our Holiday Concert on December 10 at 7:00 p.m. Students should arrive at 6:30 p.m. to warm-up. Concert dress is required (black pants or skirt, white shirt or blouse, dress shoes and black socks). Please reserve tickets now at www.ticketstage.com. It promises to be a glorious evening of song. Choruses in Share Assembly
The Second/Third Grade Chorus and the Fourth/Fifth Grade Chorus will present several songs at our Share Assembly on Friday, December 11, at 9:00 a.m. Students are asked to wear typical school clothing with a solid color shirt. Please make sure that your child has a healthy breakfast. Parents are welcome to attend.
Elizabeth Wooster
Lower School Music Educator
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Middle School News
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From the Middle School
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Last night's performance of Charlotte's Web was outstanding. There are still tickets available for tonight's performance at 5:30 p.m., so please join us if you can! Quarter 2 Academic Warnings will be issued on Tuesday, December 8. These will be posted to the grades portal on the Brimmer and May website and will be mailed home as well. Below please find a few important dates and events. Monday, December 7 Holiday Concert Rehearsal (for students in May Chorale only) 2:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 9 Holiday Concert, Grades 6-12 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 10 Holiday Concert, Grades 4-12 - 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 14 Grade 6 Global Connections Exhibition - 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 15 Grade 7 Global Connections Exhibition - 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 16 Grade 8 Global Connections Exhibition - 8:00 a.m. Friday, December 18 Early Dismissal - 10:45 a.m. Winter Break Begins Monday, January 4 School Resumes Sincerely,
Carl Rapisarda-Vallely
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May Chorale
Below are several important dates and times for singers in May Chorale. Students are required to wear performance apparel only for the concerts, not for the rehearsal. Performance apparel includes the white May Chorale shirt, a white undershirt with no writing, black pants, black shoes, black socks, and a black belt.
Rehearsal:
Monday, December 7
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Middle and Upper School Concert:
Wednesday, December 9
6:00 p.m. call, 7:00 p.m. performance
All-School Concert:
Thursday, December 10
6:00 p.m. call, 7:00 p.m. performance
Frank Van Atta
Middle & Upper School Music Teacher, Choral Director
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Middle/Upper School News
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Attention 8th and 9th Grade Families!
8th and 9th grade families, please save the date for an information session to learn more about Winterim and other Signature Programs in the Upper School. January 26, 6:30 p.m.More details will follow in early January. Brian C. Beale Director of Enrollment
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Grandparents' and Special Friends' Video and Photos
Click here for video and photos from our pre-Thanksgiving Grandparents' and Special Friends day.
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Upper School News
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 From the Upper School
Congratulations to the Girls' Varsity Soccer Team!
The 2015 Girls' Varsity Soccer Team finished the season with a 13-3-1 record and as the third seed in the 2015 New England Prep School Athletic Association Class D Tournament. This young team had an outstanding season, and we look forward to continued success in the coming years:
2015 Team Roster
Hannah Ahearn, '20
*Sita Almoran, '19
Zia Angell, '16
Shani Breiman, '18
Rebecca Calhoun, '19
*Donna Columbo, '19
Sofia Coronado, '18
Caitlin Cullen, '19
Alina Fischer, '16
Emma Hastings, '19
Alexis fill, '17
Sophie Lapat, '18
Claire Masterson, '20
Elle McDermott, '16
Abigail Mynahan, '19
Elizabeth Picken, '17
Kimberly Santos, '18
Claudia Slifka, '16
Sarah Smith, '17
Enna Spivak, '17
Hanna Spivak, '20
Samantha Vingers, '17
*Sylvia Welch, '19
*JV Girls Soccer Team call-ups
NAIS People of Color Conference
Dr. Reese, Ms. Graves, Alexis Ifill, '17, and Katheryn Maynard, '18 will represent the Upper School at this year's People of Color Conference (POCC) sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools in Tampa, Florida. This year's overall conference theme is "Art, Science, Soul and the Equity Imperative." Our representatives departed for the conference on Wednesday, December 2, and will have the opportunity to attend film screenings and learning labs, hear keynote speakers, participate in discussion sessions, and visit exhibitors through December 5. Student representatives will attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference at this event. Brimmer and May's Upper School sends faculty and student representatives to participate in this conference annually. Last year's student representatives, Simon Acevedo '16 and Jacob Quiles '16, formed their own Student Diversity Leadership Council based on their experiences at the 2014 POCC. This group meets during our Upper School Student Activity Period on Wednesday afternoons.
Semester I Academic Warnings for Period 2 will be issued on Tuesday, December 8. These will be posted to the grades portal on the Brimmer and May website and will be mailed home as well.
Mid-Year Exam General Schedule and Information, Week of December 14 - 18 Mid-year exams will be given to students in grades 9-12 during the week of December 14. Upper School classes will not meet that week as exams will be given during two periods each day, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00/11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon - 2:00/3:00 p.m. Students will be provided with individual schedules for the exam week; these schedules detail the time and room location of each exam. Standard time testing is two hours; extended time testing is three hours. With the submission of completed permission forms, students may go off campus between exams for lunch. (All seniors and any juniors with off-campus forms already completed do not need to fill out any permission forms.) Click here for the form. Lunch is available at school between exams and students may use available classroom or the library between exams or during unscheduled exam periods. Elective and conflict exams are scheduled for Tuesday - Thursday afternoon or as needed. Students are required to sit for exams when scheduled. No changes can be made to the exam schedule.
Monday 8:00 a.m.: World Languages
Monday 12:00 noon: Science
Tuesday 8:00 a.m.: History
Tuesday 12:00 noon: Conflict and Elective Exams
Wednesday 8:00 a.m.: English
Wednesday 12:00 noon: Conflict and Elective Exams
Thursday 8:00 a.m.: Math
Thursday 12:00 noon: Conflict and Elective Exams
Friday: Jr.-Sr. Breakfast, 8:00 a.m.; Ring Ceremony, 9:00 a.m.
This is a Dress Day, and attendance is required for all Upper School students. Dismissal for vacation immediately follows the conclusion of the Ring Ceremony (approximately 10:30 a.m.). Lunch is not served on this day.
Click here for exam guidelines for students.
Upcoming Events
Friday, December 4: Varsity 2 Boys' Basketball Team Home Opener, 3:30 p.m.,
Thompson Gym vs. The Newman School
Varsity 1 Boys' Basketball Team Home Opener, 5:00 p.m.
Thompson Gym vs. St. Sebastian's School
Saturday, December 5: SAT I and SAT II Testing
Monday, December 7: Holiday Concert Rehearsal, 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8: Varsity Girls' Basketball Team Home Opener, 4:00 p.m.
Thompson Gym vs. Cambridge School of Weston
Wednesday, December 9: Holiday Concert, Grades 6 - 12, 7:00 p.m., Corkin Theatre
Thursday, December 10: Holiday Concert, Grades 4 - 12, 7:00 p.m., Corkin Theatre
Saturday, December 12: ACT Testing
Joseph Iuliano
Upper School Head
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Greenline
Below are several important dates and times for singers in Greenline. Students are required to wear formal performance apparel only for the concerts, not for the rehearsal. Performance apparel includes tuxedos for the tenors and basses and concert dresses for the sopranos and altos. Rehearsal: Monday, December 7 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Middle and Upper School Concert: Wednesday, December 9 6:00 p.m. call, 7:00 p.m. performance All-School Concert: Thursday, December 10 6:00 p.m. call, 7:00 p.m. performance
Frank Van Atta
Middle & Upper School Music Teacher, Choral Director
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College Counseling
Evening Program: The New SATIf you are the parent or guardian of an Upper School student, you have likely read or heard about the changes to the SAT that will go into effect in March. Because the scoring of this new test will take as long as two months or more (as the necessary calibration must be figured out) some pundits are suggesting that this might be the year for students to concentrate more on the ACT exam. Some secondary schools are making specific suggestions to families about this. At Brimmer, we would like to provide as much information as possible about both exams, outline various time lines to take one or both exams, and then let families decide the best options for their student. To this end, we have planned an informational program to address these issues. The presenter will be Joshua White, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Training at Summit Educational. Mr. White has a PowerPoint, and he will also distribute folders to all attendees containing a copy of the PowerPoint to assist in note taking as well as a copy of the 2015-2016 Summit Testing Guide. We encourage all Upper School parents to attend this program as it will provide useful information about both the SAT and ACT programs. Questions: cpendergast@brimmer.org When: Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. Where: Chase Theatre What: A presentation to explain the New SAT that will debut in March 2016 and how it compares in content to the ACT. Mark Your Calendar - The Junior College NightThe Junior College Night for the Class of 2017 will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016. This is a required event for all juniors, and we highly encourage all parents and guardians to attend.
Cindy Pendergast Director of College Counseling
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From the Parents' Association
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We look forward to seeing you at the many School events and celebrations taking place in December. Please refer to the Brimmer Bulletin above for details about upcoming events, as well as ticketing policies for the Holiday Concert.
Save the date: LS Community Service Day, Friday, December 18
Look for details on how you can help our annual LS Community Service Day, benefiting the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Equal Exchange Catalog Orders Have Arrived!
If you ordered Equal Exchange from the catalog, you should have received a confirmation email this week. LS catalog orders have been delivered to homerooms. MS/US students can see Mary Gates to pick up their orders. Thank you for all of your support!
And thank you to our Equal Exchange Co-Chairs Rossanna Lizama-Soto P '22 and Veronica Picon P '22 for their hard work!
Shopping for the Holidays? Consider supporting Brimmer When You Shop Amazon
Give back to Brimmer as you shop Amazon for the holidays! We receive a portion of every purchase when you start your shopping here. Or find the Brimmer Amazon link under the "Discover Brimmer and May" tab on the school website. Thank you!
Friday Parent Walking Group
Join us Fridays at 8:15 a.m. in front of the Chase Building for a 40-60-minute walk around the Reservoir (weather permitting). All walkers are welcome. As the weather turns chilly, look for our Friday Parent Coffee Group!
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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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12/4
Academic Warning (Gr. 6-12)
Middle School Play Charlotte's Web
5:30 p.m.
12/5
SAT I & II
12/8
The New SAT & Other Testing Info
7:00 p.m.
12/9
Admissions Walk-In-Wednesday
8:15-10:00 a.m.
Holiday Concert
(Gr. 6-12)
7:00 p.m.
12/10
Holiday Concert
(Gr. 4-12)
7:00 p.m.
12/12
ACT Test
12/14 - 12/17
Semester Exams
12/17
Holiday Reception for Seniors, Alumni, and Trustees
6:00 p.m.
12/18
Holiday Breakfast (Gr. 11-12) 8:00 a.m.
Pre-K - 5
Community Service Day
Upper School Ring Ceremony
9:00 a.m.
Grade 6-12 Early Dismissal
10:45
Pre-K-5
Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m.
1/5
School Resumes
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