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Becoming a good writer is a life-long journey, one that I myself work on every day. Our students should understand that being an effective writer brings satisfaction and purpose to their future work and life. Unfortunately, sometimes -- especially when writing is done under pressure -- it generates the opposite experience.
Producing an outstanding paper only happens after a topic is thoroughly researched and read, carefully planned and outlined, and given time for numerous revisions. In a month when our students are writing research papers, thesis defenses, documenting culminating work, writing about a topic for the student newspaper(s), and embarking on the college essay, I thought I would share a few thoughts on how we can support our students as they become fluent and thoughtful writers.
* Begin by helping your student talk about his or her ideas and subjects. Learning to talk through a subject will help the writer get started and bring clarity to the idea. According to a recent article "Three Strategies to Improve Student Writing Instantly," telling the student to talk while the adult records what is being said makes the hesitant writer get going. "You talk, I'll write" actually helps.
* With easy access to digital tools, encourage your student to record his or her ideas or use interview techniques to keep track of important thoughts. Our journalism students will often ask if they can record their discussions, so they can write an accurate article. It also helps them hold on to their ideas instead of relying on their memories only.
* Finally, consider some of the apps that are available to use as graphic organizers. Our students know how to use a graphic organizer, and this is becoming easier to use with the many tools available online. Having a visual outline will help most students stay focused and will bring clarity to their writing. These tools also give the students space to keep notes, details, and quotes.
These are just a few ideas to use at home that your students are learning in School. Most importantly, please remind them that procrastination is the enemy of good writing!
Judith Guild
Head of School
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 Curriculum Night Reminder and Information
I look forward to seeing our families at the Curriculum Event next Wednesday, May 4. While the event itself is busy, please be assured that there will be administrators and faculty present to help our students and parents navigate the choices and decisions that need to be made. In addition, Mr. Neudal, our new Upper School Head, will be joining us for the evening so he can meet our students and their families and experience the event for the first time. I hope you will take a minute to welcome him to Brimmer. Mr. Iuliano and Mr. R-V have both spent time with him in preparation for next year, but please keep in mind that he will assume his responsibilities at Brimmer on July 1.
Judith Guild
Head of School
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 Athletics Schedule
Support Brimmer sports! Click here for the athletics schedule. Select "Spring Teams" from the left of the page, and you will see each team's season schedule and game results.
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"Oh, The Places You'll Go" Spring Auction
The "Oh, The Places You'll Go" Auction is TOMORROW!
We hope that you are able to join us. . .we have WONDERFUL items in all three of our Auction sections: Silent, LIVE, and online at Bidding for Good. Remember, all of the funds raised will benefit Financial Aid and Professional Development!
Thank you all for your support, and we hope to see you tomorrow night!
Amanda Spooner Frank '88
Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events
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All-School Earth Day Celebration 
Brimmer joined with Earth Day Network to celebrate with the entire community on April 22, 2016. It was great to watch Middle and Upper School students working with Lower Schoolers to decorate piggy banks, using paper cups donated by Peet's Coffee & Tea. Students will now begin a month-long coin drive! A big THANK YOU to all of the parents and teachers who planned this great event. Watch the Earth Day video here! |
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School E-mail
If you have not heard back from a teacher in response to your email within 48 hours, please contact Virginia Beech at 617-566-7462 or Mary Gates at 617-278-2369. Email may have been caught in the School's spam filter.
Thanks you.
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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,
Ms. McGillicuddy and I hope to see many of you tomorrow night at the Auction when Bob Annese will be honored, and of course, there will be plenty fun for those bidding on silent and live auction items, including the wonderful creations made by our Lower School students. Bid early, bid often!!
At 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, fifth grade students will take part in the culminating exhibition of the Lower School. The students have been asked to take a person or event from the period of history they have studied and answer how this person or event demonstrated independence. To be successful during this exhibition, the students have had to take advantage of what they have learned in all areas of the curriculum. They have been working with an adult advisor since the beginning of April, and on the afternoon of May 5, each student will present his or her written and visual component and answer questions. Then students will make an oral presentation for three to five minute and share what they have learned, explain how their person or event answers the essential question, and describe the process that was involved in preparing for the exhibition. The exhibition is certainly an example of 21st century learning, and the fifth grade has been holding this annual rite of passage since the early 1990s!
A couple of reminders:
- You can receive notifications when news is posted on your child's class web page by signing in to the Brimmer Community Page, clicking on the Resources tag at the top of the page, and then clicking on the website notifications tab.
- To speed up dismissal, if you arrive early for the Gr. 4 & 5 dismissals, you may be asked to circle the block. Those walking up to the gate for Gr. 1-3 dismissal should not park on Devon Road. Thanks!
Thomas A. Fuller
Head of Lower School
Courtney P. McGillicuddy
Assistant Head of Lower School
Early Childhood Coordinator
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Fifth Graders Use App to Play Music
Fifth graders used an iPad app called Notion, purchased as part of the Innovation Grant that Elizabeth Wooster and Frank Van Atta received this year. Students are studying the major scale--playing it on keyboards and mallet instruments, as well as their iPads. They used Notion to notate a French folksong entitled In the Moonlight. The folksong was introduced to the students through listening only, and students deduced the form, rhythm, and pitches using solfege and rhythm syllables. All of that information was transferred to the five line staff with absolute pitch names. Students played the G Major and C Major Scales and then played the folksong using their notation in the key of G major.
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Save the Date for our Lower School Spring Concert!
Thursday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.
Students in grades two, three, four, and five will present instrumental and choral pieces honoring the rich heritage of Russian music. In addition to our special evening performance, the Lower School bands will play in a Share Assembly on Friday, May 6, at 9:00 a.m., and the Lower School choruses will sing in Share Assembly on Friday, May 13, at 9:00 a.m.
Elizabeth Wooster
Lower School Music Educator
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Middle School News
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
This week, we had members of the law firm Schwartz Hannum present "Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect: Educating Students About Interpersonal Misconduct" to students in grades 8-12. It spurred an interesting conversation around the relationships the students have in their lives. I was incredibly proud of the way the students, especially the 8th graders, responded to the presentation. They were engaged and asked interesting and thoughtful questions.
The Academic Warning period for the fourth quarter ends this Friday. Warnings will be sent home next week.
Sincerely,
Carl Rapisarda-Vallely
Middle School Head
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Gr. 8 Models Convection 
Eighth graders in Dr. Gallon's class modeled convection in the Earth's mantle and observed how it drives the movement of tectonic plates as part of their geology unit on the structure of the Earth.
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Middle School Outdoor Ed
It's spring and time to get outside! Our 8th graders will spend an exciting day with Zoar Outdoor whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River on May 13. We will meet at School at 7 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. The permission forms need to be returned to Mrs. Shannon by May 6. If you have any questions about the trip, feel free to contact Bethany Shannon at 617-278-2358. For more information click here.
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Middle/Upper School News
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Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night: Wednesday, May 4, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Chase Dinning Room
The Upper School is planning for course enrollment for our students for the 2016-2017 school year. In order to provide the best experience for all, we have provided specific time slots for different student groups as follows:
New Students and Upper School Students
5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rising 9th and 10th Graders
5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Rising 11th and 12th Graders
6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Students and families who need to come at a time outside their assigned slot should make a request through Mary Gates, Administrative Assistant to the Division Heads, at 617-278-2369. Juniors enrolled in AP Calculus AB may attend the Curriculum Night during the 5:30 p.m. time slot in order to have time to study for their exam the following day.
At the Curriculum Night, students complete course sign up sheets and sign up for athletics or after school activities. Students, parents, and guardians have an opportunity to consult teachers, department heads, and program directors, College Counseling, Dean of Students, Upper School Head, etc. as they plan for course work and athletics/activities for the next school year and for their future high school years. Families also have access to program information for Arts, Athletics, the CAP, Global Studies, and STEAM Diploma Programs, the Honors Program, and Advanced Placement courses. Click here for the invitation to this event.
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Upper School News
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From the Upper School 
AP Exams and Exam Schedule
Students must arrive 15 prior to the start of each exam with needed materials (pencils, pens, calculators, etc.). Students who arrive late will not be allowed to sit for an exam. Exams will be held in either the College Counseling Office or the Wright Conference Room. No electronic devices are allowed in the exam room. Students are provided a break during AP exams and should not seek other breaks than those already provided within the testing period.
Tuesday, May 3
8:00 a.m. Spanish Language and Culture, College Counseling
12:00 p.m. Physics 1, Wright Conference Room
Wednesday, May 4
8:00 a.m. English Literature & Composition, Wright Conference Room
12:00 p.m. Physics 2, College Counseling
Thursday, May 58:00 a.m. Calculus AB and Calculus BC, Wright Conference Room
12:00 p.m. Chinese Language and Culture, College Counseling
Friday, May 6
8:00 p.m. Studio Art and Studio Art 2D portfolios due for submission
Monday, May 9
8:00 a.m. Biology, Wright Conference Room
8:00 a.m. Music Theory, College Counseling
Tuesday, May 10
12:00 p.m. French Language and Culture, College Counseling
Wednesday, May 11
8:00 a.m. English Language & Composition, Wright Conference Room
12:00 p.m. Statistics, Wright Conference Room
Thursday, May 128:00 a.m. World History, Wright Conference Room
12:00 p.m. Macroeconomics, Wright Conference Room
Friday, May 13
8:00 a.m. Microeconomics, Wright Conference Room
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Friday, April 29
Academic Warning Period 4
Academic Warnings for students in Grades 9 - 11 are determined. These will be issued early in the week of 5/2.
Monday, May 2
Begin Senior Projects (for seniors released to participate)
Wednesday, May 4
US Curriculum Night, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Chase Building
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Upper School New Students only
5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Rising Returning Students, Grades 9 - 10,
6:15 - 7:00 p.m. Rising Returning Students, Grades 11- 12
Friday, May 6
Physics and AP Physics 1 & 2 Field Trip to Six Flags, All Day
Saturday, May 7
SAT I & II
Saturday, May 21, 7:00 p.m
Junior-Senior Prom at the Newton-Marriott Hotel
Junior-Senior Pre-Prom Gathering, 5:30 p.m. on Brimmer Campus
Details in next week's Bulletin!
Final Exam/End-of-Year Schedule
This comprehensive document will be posted in next week's Bulletin and sent out via email to all families at the end of next week.
Upper School Head
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The Creative Arts Diploma Program Welcomes our 6 Newest Members!
Emily Onderdonk - Visual Arts
Sadie Goodman - Musical Theatre
Katheryn Maynard - Music Performance
TC Ye - Visual Art
Cara Rittner - Musical Theatre
Michelle Levinger - Music Performance
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Essay Workshop for Juniors
On Monday, the junior class spent two full hours in a college essay workshop led by Chris Teare, the Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Drew University. Mr. Teare kept the class fully engaged with his dynamic delivery and direct approach to the subject. He began the presentation with a number of stories and anecdotes about various essays he had read in the past--both good and bad--and then went over each essay prompt on the Common Application and opened the floor for discussions on each. Following this, the students were given 30 minutes to choose one of the prompts and begin writing. Although students may not necessarily choose to use this first essay attempt like the one they will proceed with, it was a valuable exercise in getting started.
Colleges That Change Lives Reception at Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
One of my favorite books to recommend to students and parents is Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope. As an outgrowth of the book, the 40 colleges described in it formed an organization that travels across the country to proclaim how their colleges have changed so many lives. Admission directors from the 40 colleges will be in Boston on Saturday, May 14, at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel. The program will begin with a 30-minute session on the college search process followed by a college fair when families will have the opportunity to meet with the representatives from the colleges. I encourage you to read the book before you attend the program. This is a not-to-be-missed event. The colleges included in this book are favorites among educators. I am attaching here an article entitled " College Counselor: I'm sick of reading about golden kids getting into Harvard. Here's the story I want to see" that appeared recently in the Washington Post and referenced Loren Pope and his book. The article is written by Valerie Strauss, who reprinted an article written by Brennan Bernard, a college counselor at an independent school in New Hampshire. Brennan writes numerous articles on the college process and is usually spot on in his opinions.
Inside the Application Process at Boston University
What: Inside the Application Process
Where: Boston University College of General Studies, 871 Commonwealth Ave. Boston
When: Wednesday, May 18. Registration and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Presentation at 7:00 p.m.
In a flyer advertising this event, Boston University poses the question about 3 students--"Which student did we accept?" One student had straight As; one student had enrolled in 4 AP classes; one student was a National Merit Scholar. If you are curious to know the answer, the admissions staff at BU will explain how they make their decisions. This program is open to parents and students. Please RSVP to admissions@bu.edu.
Registration for SAT and ACT
Juniors should register NOW for the June 4 SAT and the June 11 ACT.
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From the Parents' Association
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Last PA Meeting of the School Year!
Thursday, May 5, 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.Wright Conference Room. Summer Reading, Pre-K-Grade 12. Speakers: Brimmer librarians Megan Dolan and Sarah Abrams. Don't let your student miss out on the best beach reads for 2016! Find out the "must buys" at Brimmer's annual Book Fair (May 31-June 3). Mrs. Dolan and Ms. Abrams will help you craft a terrific summer reading list for your  child and address tips for supporting literacy during the summer months.
Save the Dates: Book Fair, May 31-June 3
 Come browse Pre-K through grade 12 titles, volunteer to decorate, set up, or staff the register at the PA's annual end-of-year fundraiser. Sign up here.
Web Express Store Extended to May 1!
Classic Brimmer crest on branded gear by Nike and Under Armour. Perfect for your graduating students! Click here to purchase your gear!
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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| 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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4/30
"Oh The Places You'll Go" Spring Auction
6:00 p.m.
5/2
Senior Projects Begin
5/2 - 5/13
AP Exams
5/3
Middle School Band Concert
7:00 p.m.
5/4
Middle and Upper School Curriculum Night
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
5/5
Parents' Association Meeting
8:15 a.m.
Wright Conference Room
5/7
SAT I & II
5/11Grade 8 Community Service Exhibition 8:15 a.m. Pre-K & K Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m. Gr. 1-5 Early Dismissal 12:00 p.m. Grade 2-5 Chorus and Band Spring Concert Alumni Weekend
5/13
Grade 8 Outdoor Ed. Day
5/20 Student Directed Play 7:00 p.m. 5/21
Pre-Prom Gathering
5:30 p.m. Juinor/Senior Prom 7:00 p.m. 5/25Middle School Musical - The Sound of Music 7:00 p.m. 5/26 All-School Celebration of the Arts
3:10 p.m. Middle School Musical - The Sound of Music5:30 p.m. 5/30Memorial Day - No School 5/31
Kindergarten Portfolio Exhibit
8:00 a.m.
Senior Project Exhibition 3:30 p.m. Chamber Concert Reenstierna Library 6:00 p.m. View the full School calendar
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