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We have two exciting events at Brimmer next week!
Please join our students and faculty in grades 5-12 next
Wednesday, January 20 from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. in the Corkin Theatre. I will be making an exciting special announcement about progress on our strategic priorities! Parents from all three divisions are invited. If you are unable to make it, news and information will go live on our website that afternoon.
Also next week, on Tuesday, January 19, we kick off the second semester for grades 6-12 with the much-anticipated Bissell Grogan Symposium. This year the day will feature many thought leaders who are in fields where innovation and disruption are part of their daily lives. To launch into the day's focus, Lower School parent and best-selling writer Ben Mezrich will offer the Keynote Address entitled "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of the MIT Blackjack Team, Russian Oligarchs, and the Harvard Geniuses who Created Facebook." Parents from all divisions are invited to attend the event. If you are interested, please click here to read more. Judith Guild Head of School |
 Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium Please join us at the 11th Annual Kenyon Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium. Innovation and Disruption January 19, 2016. Featuring keynote speaker Ben Mezrich P '28. Read more about the workshops. |
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Information Sessions
We wanted to let you know that the Upper and Middle School Information Sessions (scheduled for January 26 and 28 respectively) are designed for parents only. Please be in touch if you have any questions and R.S.V.P. to Myra Korin at mkorin@brimmer.org by Thursday, January 21. We hope to see you later this month!
Brian C. Beale
Director of Enrollment
617-278-2333
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Buy a Special Message in the 2015 Yearbook
Congratulate an Individual or Class Member! Promote your Business!NEW! Gator Note: $20 (50 characters of text, no photo) Business Card size: $50 (3.5" X 2") 1/4 Page: $90 (3.5" X 5") 1/2 Page: $140 (7.5" X 5") Full Page: $200 (7.5" X 10") NEW DUE DATE! Complete the form and submit no later than February 1, 2016. Questions? Email kgraves@brimmer.org
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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 can take advantage of the long weekend. We had an outstanding group of prospective students join us for our admissions assessment today. After the testing, the faculty had two opportunities for professional development, which will certainly help them enrich their work with your children.
A message to all Lower School families (especially Fifth Grade): Please make sure your child checks in with Ms. Beech if you arrive late in the morning. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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 Parents
5th grade parents, please save the date for a Middle School Information Session.
January 28, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for an information session to learn more about the Middle School Program. Engage in a conversation with administrators and faculty about the academic program, athletics, and extracurricular offerings. Light dinner fare will be served.
Brian C. Beale
Director of Enrollment
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Pre-K and Kindergarten Informance
The Pre-K and Kindergarten Informance will take place on Friday, January 29, from 8:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m. in the Dining Room. Dress for students is casual. Drop-off is in the driveway/classroom as usual. Students will report to their classrooms and settle into their morning routines. The event begins in the Dining Room with a Coffee Reception and Art Exhibit for parents and guardians. Students will sit with their classes in the theatre, and each shares a presentation that highlights the skills and curriculum students are working on in their Creative Arts classes.
Joanne Clamage
Lower School Creative Arts Coordinator
After School Music Coordinator
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Middle School News
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 Dear Parents and Guardians, The second quarter of the year ended on Thursday, and grades and narrative comments will be released at the end of next week. After the grades are released, advisors will be contacting you to set up conferences.
Enjoy the long weekend.
Sincerely, Carl Rapisarda-Vallely Middle School Head |
Benjamin Jaffer- School Champion of National Geographic Bee
CONGRATULATIONS to Benjamin Jaffer for being named the School Champion of the 2016 National Geographic Bee and to Richard O'Keefe who took 2nd place! Read more about our participants and the contest.
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MS Band Concert Video & Photos 
See video and photos here from the recent M.S. Band Concert!
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Middle/Upper School News
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Attention 8th and 9th Grade Parents!
8th and 9th grade parents, please save the date for an information session to learn more about Winterim and other Signature Programs in the Upper School. Engage in a conversation with administrators and faculty about the various options available to students at Brimmer.
January 26, 6:30 p.m.
Light dinner fare will be provided.
Kindly R.S.V.P. to Myra Korin Brian C. Beale Director of Enrollment
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Upper School News
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From the Upper School
Important Upcoming Events - See sidebar calendar
Upper School Mid-Year Exam Grades
Mid-Year Exam grades have been published to the grades portal on the Brimmer website. In order to see the exam grades available, please do the following:
Once logged in, click on the "Resources" icon.
When the Resources page opens, scroll down to and click on the "Grades and Updating Personal Information" tab.
When this opens, click on your child's name and then the "Grades" tab.
To see the exam grade for any subject click on the triangle next to the course title; this will open up the exam grade that will be shown in white text in the gray bars under the S1 heading.
Several courses did not have standard mid-term exams but had projects or other assessments instead. Information about these will be available in the written reports for the semester. Semester grades and these reports will be available later in January.
Semester I Advisor-Parent Meetings
Following the publication of Semester I grades and teacher comments, parents and guardians have the opportunity to meet with Upper School advisors at their mutual convenience. We have set aside time after school during the week of January 25 for this purpose; however, meetings may be arranged during other times of the day as schedules allow. Advisors will contact parents to set up these meetings.
Upper School Semi-Formal, Saturday, January 30
This year's Upper School Senate sponsored Semi-Formal Dance will once again be held in the Chase Dining Room. The event begins at 7:30 and concludes at 10:00 p.m. This year's theme is Winter Wonderland. The cost per student is $5 before the event. Upper School students may bring one guest each to this event, but this does not include students in Middle School. All Upper School students are encouraged to attend this social event, which is a wonderful, annual, mid-winter tradition at Brimmer. All School rules apply, and all students are discouraged from hosting after-parties for this event.
Upper School Students to Represent Brimmer and May at Yale Model UN
Twenty-five Upper School students will represent Brimmer and May at the Yale Model UN Conference from January 21-24. The Brimmer delegation will act as representatives of Iceland and Zimbabwe, and two students will serve as members of the Security Council: William Ma, '17 will represent Venzuela and Julie Whelan, '17 will represent Tunisia on the Security Council. Elle McDermott, '16 and Owen Meredith, '16 are the lead delegates for the School's contingent this year. Students, accompanied by Mr. Cutler and Ms. Rudolph, will depart on Thursday afternoon, January 21 and will return on Sunday afternoon, January 24.
Model UN Delegates for 2015-16
Abigail Mynahan
Hannah Winthrop
Gabriela Maynard
Caroline Bell
John Donnelly
Jack Duroucher
Ethan Eastwood
Michael Hastings
Grant Iuliano
Amy Nwachukwu
William Ma
Sarah Smith
Julia Whalen
Julie Blazar
Regina Carey
Alina Fischer
Alison Gill
Paul Lafferty
Olivia Malmstrom
Samuel Marcotte
Elle McDermott
Owen Meredith
Xiomara Nunez
Kate Murphy
Nicholas Correra Brimmer Graduates Currently Competing in Intercollegiate or Professional Sports - Updated
At least 18 Brimmer and May graduates are currently playing, managing, or coaching intercollegiate sports at NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA or the professional level. Many play on local teams or will play games in the Boston area. Here is a list of those playing:
KJ Baptiste, '13
Brandeis University - Basketball
Bobby Books, '15
Gustavus Adolphus College - Basketball
Kyle Casey, '09
Bakersfield Jam (NBA D-League) - Basketball
Ryan Canty, '10
Fordham University -Basketball
Sarah Conklin, '12
Amherst College - Swimming
Jake Fay, '13
University of Hartford - Basketball
Max Horvath, '13
Macalester College - Basketball
Keenan Iuliano, '15
Colby College - Baseball
David Labossiere, '15
Connecticut College - Basketball
Alison Mariano, '14
Elmira College - Field Hockey
Sammy Mojica, '14
Drexel University - Basketball
Adrian Oliveira, '13
SNHU - Basketball
John Powell, ' 13
Brandeis University - Basketball
Derek Retos, '10
Tufts University, Asst. Coach -Basketball
Danielle Slichenmyer, '12
College of Wooster - Field Hockey
David Watkins, '15
University of New Hampshire - Basketball
Ruth Wooster, '14
Indiana Wesleyan, Mgr.- Soccer
Houghton Yonge '14
Hamilton College - Crew
Joseph Iuliano
Upper School Head
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 U.S. Instrumental Ensembles Re-Scheduled The Upper School Ensemble concert is re-scheduled for Thursday, January 21, at 10:45 a.m. in the theatre.
Bill Jacob
Creative Arts Department Chair
Director, Creative Arts Diploma Program
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From the College Counseling Office
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Summer Opportunities
I am often asked to offer suggestions for summer activities that would "look good" to colleges. My response is nearly always to ask, "Well, what would you enjoy doing?" The truth is, colleges are not impressed by anything in particular. They encourage students to spend their free time doing what interests them. Summer can be a great time to try a new activity, study a subject of interest, get a job, do volunteer work, or go camping. Contrary to popular belief, an important or impressive summer experience does not have to take place in another country or on a college campus; it can happen in one's neighborhood. In past years, we received printed materials from a variety of programs throughout the country and from abroad. This year, however, most program announcements and registration materials are sent to us via email. For the past few months, I have been emailing this information directly to students. It is our hope that students will check their Brimmer email on a daily basis to take advantage of this information flow.
Junior College Night
Mark your calendar! College Night for students, parents, and guardians of the Class of 2017, will take place on Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the theatre. This is a required event for students and is strongly suggested for parents and guardians. We will go over all of the nuts and bolts of the process as well as the schedule of important dates and deadlines. A short Powerpoint to introduce Naviance will be shown, and all families will receive their Naviance login information.
GAP Year Fair
The practice of taking a year off between high school and college is a long-standing tradition in England. Termed a "Gap Year," the practice has become increasingly popular in this country and, in fact, is encouraged by some colleges including Harvard. Students decide to take a Gap Year for a host of reasons: to gain maturity, to take a mental break from academics, to take classes to strengthen their academic preparation, to travel, to do an internship, to do volunteer work, and the list goes on. Kathy Cheng, Director of the USA Gap Year Fairs, writes, "A gap year is an intentional period between completing high school and beginning college when a student steps outside the traditional classroom experience. This is a time to explore the world, reflect on their personal values and goals, and prepare to take the next purposeful step in life."
Dynamy, an internship-based gap year program in Worcester, MA, is sponsoring several Gap Year Fairs in this area that will feature over 35 programs from around the world. Brimmer families are invited to attend.
Saturday, Jan. 16 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Brookline High School, 115 Greenough St., Brookline
Speaker 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Noble and Greenough School, 10 Campus Drive, Dedham
Speaker 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
PSATs
Most sophomores and juniors have been able to access their PSAT scores and explanatory information through a link emailed to them from The College Board. By clicking through the prompts on this site, students are able to see an answer chart detailing the correct answer to each question, the answer the student put, the level of difficulty of the question, and an explanatory note about question content. This provides a valuable study guide for the student when used in conjunction with their exam booklet as it will point out the areas of strength as well as the areas where the student could use additional review and study. Exams booklets are in the College Office. Students should see a member of the College Team to discuss their PSAT results and to obtain their exam booklet. Parents should note that the scoring is now different (until the new PSAT and SAT can be re-calibrated). The PSAT scores currently range from 340 to 1520. The old scoring was 200 to 800. Percentiles (as noted) reflect this new scoring. The College Board is still having problems with sending scores and information -- particularly to school guidance offices. As we continue to receive and process the information, we will update families. Until then, families should explore the PSAT website and links sent to their student.
9th and 10th Grade Parent Meeting Moved to 7 p.m. on Feb 11 Although the school calendar lists the program for 9th and 10th grade parents on Thursday, February 11, as breakfast, we have decided to change the time of day to enable more people to attend. The program will now take place at 7:00 p.m. on February 11. This will be an informal discussion to inform parents and guardians of what to expect regarding the college process at Brimmer and May. Some of my colleagues in BISCCA call this meeting "Mythbusters" because it is an opportunity for us to explain the real facts about the college process and offer our assurance that we will be here to guide families every step of the way. We hope to have a large turnout!
Cynthia Pendergast
Director of College Counseling
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From the Parents' Association
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January Events at Brimmer
January 29: PIN Annual Meeting Hosted at Brimmer, 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m., Wright Conference Room. Judy Guild leads a Heads of School panel on the topic "Cultivating Character in Our Students."
Parents' Association Meeting, February 4 Parents and guardians of all grades are invited to attend our next PA Meeting on Thursday, February 4 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., Wright Conference Room.
In Perfect Harmony: Music Education at Brimmer, Pre-K through Grade 12 Speakers: Elizabeth Wooster, Lower School Music Teacher and Frank Van Atta, MS/US Music Teacher. Learn about the Pre-K - 12 integrated music curriculum, and hear how Brimmer parent volunteers support the music program.
Annual Staff Appreciation Lunch, Friday, February 5
Join the Parents' Association as our entire parent community honors Brimmer's dedicated staff! There are many ways for every parent to contribute to this well-loved annual event -- details will be emailed to families in the Class Rep update this week.
Parent Coffee Group As the weather turns chilly, 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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| 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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1/18
No School - Martin Luther King, JR. Day
1/19
Semester II,
Quarter III Begin
Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium 10: 45 a.m.
1/20 Special Announcement on progress on strategic priorities 8 a.m.
1/21
Upper School Instrumental Ensemble
1/23
SAT I & II
1/24
Upper School Model U.N. Returns
1/26 - 1/27
Advisor Conferences
1/26
Spencer Christian Assembly
10:45 a.m.
Info Session for 8th & 9th Gr. Parents
6:30 p.m.
1/28 Middle School Info Session for Gr. 5 Parents 6:30 p.m. College Counseling Evening (Gr. 11 & Parents) 7:00 p.m.
1/29
Pin Meeting
Pre-K & K Informance 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.
1/30
Upper School
Semi-Formal
7:30 p.m.
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