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Over the past ten days our campus buzzed with admission revisit events, and our student hosts were outstanding ambassadors for Brimmer. Families remarked on how their accepted student felt welcomed into the community and any fears of feeling like an outsider vanished. Just as the visits were taking place, the School released two new videos that capture the spirit of Brimmer. I hope you have a few minutes to look at these two videos as I think they represent our Pre-K-12 School community well. Both of them show how our daily work captures the School's mission and learning environment. (Lower School Overview video and Middle/Upper School Overview video)
Thank you to our many volunteers who helped us with the various events for prospective families. We are excited about the positive response to our School and look forward to greeting new Brimmer families in September.
Judith Guild
Head of School
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Rights, Responsibilities And Respect: Educating Students About Interpersonal Misconduct
I would like to invite you to an upcoming program at Brimmer and to tell you about the program we will be offering to your children entitled "Rights, Responsibilities and Respect: Educating Students about Interpersonal Misconduct."
I hope you will attend the parent session of this program on April 19 at 8:00 a.m. in the Wright Conference Room.
Judith Guild
Head of School
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2016-2017 Calendar
Please click here for the 2016-2017 calendar.
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"Oh, The Places You'll Go" Spring Auction 
Tick, tock. . .tick, tock!
The "Oh, The Places You'll Go" Auction is just around the corner on Saturday, April 30! There is still time to purchase seats and to donate items. We welcome all sorts of items from restaurant gift certificates, travel adventures, sporting tickets to vacation homes! Did I mention that we have an African Safari Auction item?
Our Bidding for Good online auction goes live on Thursday April 21 at noon. . .stay tuned for the link!
Amanda Spooner Frank '88
Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events
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Field Hockey Clinic
Our very own Coach Goldberger is hosting a series of field hockey clinics for any student (boys and girls) in grades 4 - 8 on April 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Brimmer gym, or weather permitting, on the Brimmer field. All students are welcome and will have an opportunity to either try the sport or develop their skills. We will have extra sticks and goggles for those interested!
Abbey Nyland
Middle School Athletic Director, Lower School PE Teacher
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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,
It has been said that April is the cruelest month; Sunday and Monday's snow did nothing to diminish this saying; however, it can be a wonderful month, too, especially at Brimmer! Earlier today at Share, Buddy Groups focused on design and created 4-wheel balloon cars to race. What a way to finish a somewhat wintry week! Third-grade parents: Students will be performing their two French Plays next Friday--do not miss this extraordinary presentation! There will be a reception at 8 a.m., and the plays will begin at 8:30 a.m. We want to thank the Lower School Diversity Committee for sponsoring and directing last night's "Family Jeopardy" themed Community Diversity event. It was a great time! A reminder for all: Please do not park on Devon Road between 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. when we have our dismissals. We may ask cars arriving early for the 4/5 dismissal to circle the block so that the 1-3 dismissal runs more smoothly and quickly!
Thomas A. Fuller
Head of Lower School
Courtney P. McGillicuddy
Assistant Head of Lower School
Early Childhood Coordinator
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 Hip Hop Dancers at Share
The Lower School Community enjoyed the Young Audiences of Massachusetts Presentation: Hip Hop Promotes Positivity, at a recent Share Assembly. Watch the video and see photos here!
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Grade 3 French Play DVD Order Form
The 3rd grade French Play will be filmed by Fields of Vision. If you would like to purchase a DVD, please click here for the order form.
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Middle School News
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, April 15 - Middle School Dance (grades 7 and 8) 7:00 p.m. in the gym
Monday, April 18 - No School (Patriots' Day)
Upcoming Special Assemblies for Grades 8-12
Thursday, April 14 - Drugs and Alcohol Education
Thursday, April 21 - Understanding and Managing Microaggresions
Tuesday, April 26 - Blurred Lines: Understanding Personal Boundaries
Sincerely,
Carl Rapisarda-Vallely
Middle School Head
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Honor Roll Recipients
Congratulations to Quarter 3 Honor Roll recipients! Click here for the full list.
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Upper School News
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From the Upper School 
Upcoming Special Assemblies
Thursday, April 14 - Drugs and Alcohol Education
Thursday, April 21 - Understanding and Managing Microaggressions
Tuesday, April 26 - Blurred Lines: Understanding Personal Boundaries
Junior-Senior Prom
The Upper School will sponsor the Junior-Senior Prom on Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. The School will host a Pre-Prom Gathering on campus that will include a professional photographer and refreshments. Students and their families are invited to attend this event. The School will also provide bus transportation to and from the Prom for students who want or need to use this service. More information about how to get tickets, cost, and location of the Prom will be provided to students in the upcoming weeks.
Opening Days for Spring Sports
Varsity Girls' Softball
Tuesday, April 12 at Montrose School, 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Boys' Baseball
Monday, April 11 at Cambridge School of Weston, 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Girls' Lacrosse
Tuesday, April 12 at Cambridge School of Weston, 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Boys' Lacrosse
Tuesday, April 12 at Orr Field vs. Boston Trinity Academy, 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Girls' Tennis
Tuesday, April 12 at Landmark, 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Boys' Tennis
Tuesday, April 12 at Pine Manor vs. Boston Trinity Academy, 4:15 p.m.
Ultimate Frisbee
Wednesday, April 13 at Beaver Country Day, 4:00 p.m.
Upper School Head
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BBC Brimmer Student/Faculty Interview
Alongside his student Liam Johannson '17, American History teacher David Cutler '02 spoke to BBC World Service radio about how he teaches the American Revolution--and how he portrays the British. He and Liam took this selfie during the interview, which is available for listening here. Liam also spoke about an essay assignment, where Mr. Cutler asked him to analyze whether the colonists acted justly in rebelling against our friends across the pond.
The segment begins at around the 25-minute mark.
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Congratulations All-Stars! 
Congratulations to Shani Breiman '18 and Jacob Quiles '16 for being named NEPSAC Basketball All-Stars in the Sunday, April 3, 2016, The Boston Globe.
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Spring Testing for Juniors
All juniors MUST take the SAT or the ACT or both this spring. The following test dates remain:
SAT
May 7 (Registration deadline is April 8)
June 4 (Registration deadline is May 5)
ACT
June 11 (Registration deadline is May 6)
Open House Programs for Juniors
Many colleges hold open house programs on their campuses during the spring months for juniors. Students should check the College News board in Almy for notices or check their email from colleges frequently. These programs provide a great opportunity to meet professors and students and see the campus in full swing. In addition, a number of colleges will have receptions in Boston.
BISCCA College Fair
When: Sunday, April 24
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Milton Academy
Admissions officers from colleges throughout the United States and abroad (excluding New England) as well as Gap Year Programs will be represented at this college fair program that is open exclusively to students attending Boston area independent schools. Institutions in attendance are invited by the counselors in BISCCA because they are consistently the schools most popular with our students. This is a unique opportunity for families to meet the admissions officers and learn more about the colleges and universities. This is a required event for juniors. Students have been given the list of participating institutions so that they can do some research in advance of the day and create a plan of which colleges they would most like to meet with. An email with the invitation and list of colleges will be sent to parents.
College Essay Workshop
On Monday, April 25, the juniors will participate in a college essay workshop from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. The presenter will be Chris Teare, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Drew University in New Jersey. Mr. Teare is a veteran educator and college admissions officer who has worked at institutions in both the U.S. and abroad. He is a regular to the online Forbes Magazine and last fall published an article entitled "College Application Essays Must Have The Student's Voice."
College Results
As the colleges send their decisions to applicants, many admissions offices also include a letter to counselors to reflect on the admissions season. One recurring theme this year is that most of the top ranked colleges are reporting record-breaking numbers of applications and increased selectivity; fewer colleges meeting full financial need; and greater emphasis on factors that serve the needs of the colleges rather than the students. At Brimmer, we begin working with juniors early to prepare them to understand the nuances of the system and get them ready to write their applications and essays early. A number of students utilized their Spring Break to visit campuses. We can not emphasize enough how important campus visits and interviews are. Families should not put off visiting colleges until the fall of senior year in the mistaken idea that it is better to visit when students are there, and the college is in full swing. While this is true, the reality for our students' schedules is that fall of senior year is far too busy for them to take time off for travel except during long holiday weekends. We urge families to visit colleges during the summer. There will be time to re-visit if and when the student is accepted.
Colleges are also reporting that they were looking for students who did not try to follow a proscribed formula when applying. Words such as "creative thought matters" and "authenticity" featured prominently. The Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth asks counselors to assure students that there is no "right" summer activity and that they should "do what they are most interested in." He encourages students to seek out campus visitation programs held during the summer and fall and step outside their comfort zones to broaden their college search. These are all things we tell students, but it helps to hear it from a respected admissions professional. We recommend Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope and Colleges That Create Futures by Robert Franek. I have copies of both books in my office and encourage families to borrow them. Great ideas!
Todd Weaver, Senior Director
Financial Planning for College
Mr. Todd Weaver, of Strategies for College, will present on Financial Planning for College at Brimmer on, Thursday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m.
The price tag for a four-year college education is not diminishing. What are some strategies that can be employed by any family to address impending costs and expenses related to paying for college?
This presentation focuses on long and short-range planning for your child's college or university education. Parents of students from the Middle School through Upper School are invited.
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From the Parents' Association
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PA Meeting Thank-You
A tremendous thank-you to Head of School Judy Guild for her update on Strategic Planning Priorities at Brimmer. Judy outlined this year's exciting progress. From Pre-K through 12, students have seen the effect of these enrichments, from the curriculum to facility upgrades, from technology to health and safety. Judy gave an extensive update on the capital campaign, Realizing the Vision, and the Annual Fund. Minutes will be posted in the Bulletin next week. We would also like to thank Cynthia Bell P '20 and Mary Anne Bell P '18 for generously providing delicious homemade baked goods for the meeting!
Final PA Meeting of 2015-16
Please join us on Thursday, May 5, from 8:15 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. for our Library-themed/Summer Reading meeting. Parents and guardians from all grades are invited to attend.
All-School Earth Day, Friday, April 22
Pre-K-Grade 12 students celebrate an Earth-friendly morning at this all-school event. Volunteer opportunities are still available at www.signupgenius.com. Help with field setup, pop popcorn, and help LS students and their MS/US buddies with an Earth Day art project.
Friday Parent Walking Group
All parents and guardians are invited to join us at 8:15 a.m. in front of the Chase Building for a 40-60 minute walk around the Reservoir (weather permitting). Babies, strollers, and leashed pets are also welcome.
Support the PA When You Shop Amazon
Give back to the PA every time you shop Amazon.com! Our PA receives a portion of every purchase when you shop on Amazon. Go to the PA website page under the "Discover Brimmer and May" tab on the Brimmer website. Thank you!
Sincerely,
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Please note that this email was generated from a "no reply" email box.
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4/15
Grade 3 French Play
8:00 a.m.
Middle School Dance
7:00 p.m.
4/18
No School - Patriots' Day
4/19
Parent Program -
Rights, Responsibilities and Respect:
Educating Students About Interpersonal Misconduct
8 a.m.
4/20
AP Art and Video Assembly
10:45 a.m.
Early Childhood Music Recital
1:00 p.m.
4/21
Middle/Upper School Spring Choral Concert
7:00 p.m.
4/24
After School Music Recital
4/26
CAPARET
6:00 p.m.
4/27
CAP Senior Exhibition Assembly
10:45 a.m
4/29
Academic Warnings (Gr. 6-12)
4/30
"Oh The Places You'll Go" Spring Auction
6:00 p.m.
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