What a wonderful week! Our students are ready to engage in the work that lies ahead. From our youngest student to our oldest, summer was a time for refreshment and exploration.
On Monday we will begin the day with Convocation for grades 4-12. At this special event our academic leaders will speak on the year's theme, Building the Future. Each person's remarks will be printed in one of our publications in the coming months. Then at the conclusion of the program, our students will proceed to the field and join the other members of our community for the Ground Breaking Ceremony. This is a dress day for our Middle and Upper School students as we welcome the new year of study and learning.
The Ground Breaking Ceremony marks an important moment in our School's history. We will pause and thank those who have helped Brimmer continue to thrive for today's students. Please join us on the field if you would like to be part of this important event.
Judith Guild
Head of School
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Chase Construction Update
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Please join us at a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Chase Building Construction
Monday, September 12, 2016
9:30-10:00 a.m.
Brimmer field
Week of September 5, 2016
Newton Engineering Department received Brimmer's site drawings for review. After the city Engineer has approved these drawings the Zoning Building Inspector will review. The building permit should be in hand in September.
Week of September 12, 2016
Bowdoin Construction will begin mobilizing this week. A site trailer will be placed in the parking lot. Temporary construction fences will be placed to ensure safety.
Week of September 19, 2016
Preparation of the parking lot site will begin, including removal of trees.
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From the Assistant Head of Academic Affairs
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Dear Brimmer Families,
With the national debate still ongoing over Colin Kaepernick's choice to sit down during the playing of the national anthem before 49ers' football games, the Clinton-Trump Commander-in-Chief Forum this past Wednesday, the Massachusetts' primary election yesterday, and the national election just a few months ahead, the concept of citizenship is squarely on the radar screen for all of us. While "citizenship" has an explicit definition in terms of legal residency in a sovereign state (and can be applied in some instances when referring to one's "nationality"), it also carries a secondary meaning about an individual's character, conduct, and function in a society based on a recognized set of values and expectations. At Brimmer, for example, citizenship goes beyond mere enrollment status to encompass behavior and choices based on the Life Rules/Core Values of respect, responsibility, kindness, and honesty. The School's day-to-day goal is to have our students exhibiting "good citizenship" in their relations with all members of our School community as well as with guests and those they interact with on field trips-from apple picking to STEAM visits to MIT, on camp and outdoor education trips, during Model UN conferences (even more, to be "diplomatic"), at art, athletic, and academic competitions, on Winterim trips, etc. Throughout this academic year, Brimmer will provide numerous, varied, and intellectually and developmentally appropriate opportunities for students to grapple with and define their "citizenship," and will guide them to be "life-long learners who are informed, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders in our diverse world."
Joseph Iuliano
Assistant Head for Academic Affairs
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All-School News 
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Congratulations to our AP Scholars!We are proud of the accomplishments of our AP Scholars!
AP Scholars with Honor: William Ma '17 and Stephanie Zhang '16
AP Scholars with Distinction: Sean Lee '16 and Adam Mikula '16
AP Scholars: Simon Acevedo '16, Julie Blazar '16, Alina Fischer '16,
Nathaniel Friedman '16, Alison Gill '16, Mia Kundert '16, Charlie Li '17, Tony Ni '16, Jacob Quiles '16, and Reinhard Yin '17.
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Tutoring
Tutoring for the first quarter will begin at the end of September. If you are interested in requesting a tutor through the school, please complete the online form. To access it, sign into the website-- www.brimmer.org; select Resource Board; and select Forms. If you have previously emailed Kristin Sammeta with your tutoring request, there is no need to complete the form. Families who have general questions about the tutoring program are welcome to contact Kristin Sammeta at ksammeta@brimmer.org.
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From the Kitchen
We are excited to feature local New England raised beef this year, and on Monday we are serving local beef burgers. They are produced for us by a local meat processor using beef primarily from Vermont. We are always on the lookout for products that are better for us, better for the environment, and better for the local economy. Take a look at the September menu. We encourage you to review the day's meal with your Lower School students so that they know what to expect for lunch! Sarah Olliges
Director of Food Services
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Family/Student Handbook
Please click here for the 2016-2017 Family/Student Handbook.
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After School Music Lessons
Registration for After-School Music Lessons is open for all students in Pre-K through grade 12. For information, please see our website. Register online now by clicking here. Questions about After School Music? Please contact the new program director, Tom Bergeron, at tbergeron@brimmer.org.
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Photo Day Information
Photo Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 15. The photographer, CoffeePond, will notify you via email when your child's proofs are ready to be viewed online. When you receive the email, with a private password, you can go directly to the company's website at www.coffeepond.com to place your order. Please be sure to have your spam blocker set to accept emails from lifeguards@coffeepond.com.
Should you not receive your child's password within a few weeks after photo day, contact the Customer Care department at lifeguards@coffeepond.com or 1-800-632-2323 x0.
Megan Clifford
Communications Assistant
617-278-2359
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Lower School News
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Dear Lower School Families, 
Well, the weather certainly reminded us that summer is not over, and we were fortunate Tuesday evening when the rain stayed away! Courtney, the teachers, and I enjoyed seeing you all at the class visits and during the new "Music and Mingling" event, and what more can be said about my favorite day of the year--it's always terrific to have students back in our buildings!
If you did not meet with your child's homeroom teachers this week to discuss goals, please arrange to do so early next week. The progress report that will come out in October is partially based on your goal-setting meeting with your child's teacher.
Please see updated grade 3 and grade 4 homeroom lists.
A few thoughts about dismissal: Lining up on Devon Road may be a little difficult to start the year. We will do our best to direct you. Please remember not to block driveways; also, we may ask Gr. 4 and 5 cars that arrive before 3:00 p.m. (M-Thur.) and 2:30 p.m. (Friday) to go around the block. Please make sure you write your child's name on your green (Pre-K&K), yellow (1-3), and blue (4&5) tag that should be hung from your car's inside mirror. Thanks for your help and realize the first week of dismissal can be challenging!
Thomas Fuller
Lower School Head
Courtney McGillicuddy '89
Assistant Head of Lower School, Lower School Admissions Associate |
Extended Day Registration is Open for Fall 2016
All children in Pre-K through grade 5 are eligible for Extended Day. In an effort to make registration and payment easier for families, we have moved online and are using the same site used for all After-School Clubs, Music Lessons, and Summer Programs. Use the account you have used for each of these programs to register for Extended Day. Click here to register. Extended Day begins September 12. For questions and further information, see our website or contact Extended Day Director Laura Foley at lafoley@brimmer.org.
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Parent /Teacher Conferences for Lower School students are on November 2, 2016.
If you would like to enroll your child in our full day Extended Day for conference coverage, please click here. We have a limited number of spaces and will be planning a variety of special activities for the day!
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After School Clubs for LS Students
Registration will open online for our After-School Clubs (open to all Lower School students) in the next week. We will send out more information once registration opens. This fall, we will be offering Yoga!; Got Science? with Mr. Stattel; Newspaper with Ms. Pappas & Ms. S-G; Chess; Bookmaking & Journaling with Ms. Abrams. The afternoons at Brimmer are going to be action-packed, hands-on, and busy, so join us! Questions? Call or email Cassie Abodeely at 617-278-2350; camp@brimmer.org.
Cassie Abodeely
Director of Summer and Auxiliary Programs
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Dear Parents and Guardians, 
The Middle School students and faculty had an excellent three days at Camp Chimney Corners in the Berkshires. Highlights of the trip included team-building exercises, high and low ropes courses, canoeing, and swimming. It was a wonderful way to begin the year!
Please remember that Monday is a dress day for the Opening Convocation. Dress Days are special occasions, and students' attire should be appropriate for the academic day. The details on attire for dress days are outlined in the Brimmer Handbook on pages 59-60.
Carl Rapisarda Vallely
Head of Middle School
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Upper School News
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Dear Parents and Guardians, 
The first day of school always brings a lot of excitement and nerves. First Days bring with them hope and possibility and opportunity to start anew. Whether it is the first day of Kindergarten, Middle School, or senior year, students are faced with new experiences and opportunities to grow. Of course all that change and unknown can also bring about feelings of anxiousness.
During our Faculty Open Meetings we had the opportunity to learn from Lynn Lyons, LICSW, an expert in anxiety and worry. Read more about her presentation here. Brimmer students officially returned from vacation this past Tuesday and had a chance to attend all their classes. The halls were filled with energy and excitement. On Tuesday evening, seniors departed for Camp Wingate*Kirkland with the rest of the Upper School joining them at camp on Wednesday morning. It was a week filled with outdoor exploration, grade bonding, and community building. I am looking forward to sharing all the details of camp next week after we return.
The first day back from camp on Monday will be a Dress Day. Students should refer to the new Student Dress Code (See page 59 -60 of the Student Handbook) We will have our Opening Convocation ceremony and a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Chase addition. Next week we move into the full swing of School--athletes will be taking the field and hitting the trail with the first official games (see the game schedule) and meets of the season; auditions for the School play will start, and everyone will be hard at work in their classes. Upcoming Events
September 12
Opening Convocation/Dress Day
Groundbreaking Ceremony
September 15
Photo Day
September 29
Upper School Back-to-School Night
Evening October 2- October 4th
Rosh Hashanah
October 6
Senior Parents Dinner
October 10
Columbus Day - No School
Joshua Neudel
Upper School Head
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Winterim 2017 - Please Complete the Risk Tolerance Survey
In order to plan a successful program for this year's Winterim, Brimmer is seeking feedback from families about the trips that are currently being offered. The School takes the issue of safety very seriously in preparing its field trips and other programs. We realize there are several factors, including the Zika virus and global terrorism concerns, which may enhance travel risk for students and chaperones in March 2017. Keeping this in mind, the School wishes to gauge the level of families' comfort about the program advertised last May. We appreciate your participation in this anonymous survey to help us create a successful educational travel program for our students. Please complete the survey by clicking here by Friday, September 16.Please see information about each trip's purpose and other Winterim logistics in the attached documents.
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Upper School Students Collaborate with InIt, YW Boston's Youth Leadership Initiative
Two of Brimmer's Upper School students, Geo Echebiri '18 (left) and Steven Ramsden '19 (right), have joined the current cohort of InIt, YW Boston's Youth Leadership Initiative for the 2016-2017 school year. Geo and Steven collaborated with 38 other delegates this past summer from high schools across Greater Boston for a leadership development and social justice program focusing on topics such as racism, sexism, and ableism. Their work will continue throughout the school year with monthly program days with their InIt class. Training also includes meeting with civic and community leaders as they work to hone their leadership skills. The culmination of their hard work will be the development of a community action project that they will execute here in the Brimmer student community. Director of Diversity, Jessica Christian, will serve as their on-campus advisor and will meet with Geo and Steven regularly to oversee the implementation of their community action project.
Brimmer's students, faculty, and staff have been working closely with YW Boston since the spring of 2016 to engage in courageous conversations about race, gender, and identity and will continue that work throughout this academic year.
Jessica Christian
Director of Diversity, Associate Director of MS/US Admissions
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College Counseling
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College Visitors to Brimmer
Each fall many colleges send admissions counselors to Brimmer to meet with the College Counseling team and students who are interested in their institutions. This is a wonderful way for students to learn more about the colleges, make contact with a member of the admissions staff, and show their interest in that institution. All seniors are encouraged to attend as many of these meetings as possible and are allowed to do so during a free period or with the permission of their classroom teacher. Juniors are allowed to attend these sessions if they have a study hall. We now have over 40 colleges scheduled to visit and more are being added daily. All visits will be announced during morning meetings. Seniors and their parents can access the list on Naviance. The list will be updated periodically. Since new colleges are scheduled on a daily basis, students should listen carefully to announcements at morning meetings.
The PSAT
All students in grades 9 and 10 will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 19. Registration will be completed at school, and parents will be billed for the cost of the test ($15.00). Students will be given complete information about the exam as well as practice materials. Further information for parents will be sent at a later date.
Fall College Night--Required for Class of 2018
Mark your calendar for the Brimmer Fall College Night program. This evening event is open to all students and parents in the Brimmer community and is especially recommended for Upper School. A panel of three college admission professionals will present information about their institutions as well as general information about the application process, the admission selection process, and financial planning. Further information will be announced in the weeks to come. This is a required event for the Class of 2018.
Cynthia Pendergast
Director of College Counseling
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Volunteer Opportunities
Many thanks to all of you who have already signed up as parent volunteers! Whether you can give one hour or multiple hours, we hope that every parent will have the chance to volunteer at a Brimmer event this year. It's a great way to experience life at Brimmer and to be a presence in our children's School lives. Click here to find a volunteer opportunity fitting your schedule.
All parent volunteers need to complete a CORI form, which is good for three years. Please email Anne Bisson at abisson@brimmer.org to request an email copy of the CORI form. There are many types of CORI forms, and she will send you what you need.
Save the Dates: Fall Parents' Association Meetings
Parents and guardians from all grades are invited to attend.
Thursday, October 6, 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. in the Wright Conference Room.
The PA, Brimmer, and You! Learn how parents connect to the School and share your story about your family's first days at Brimmer.
Thursday, November 10, 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. in the Theatre
Writer Lynn Lyons, LICSW will speak on the theme Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: Strategies to Interrupt the Worry Cycle at Home and School. Click here to read more about Ms. Lyons.
Parent Walking Group Starts Friday, September 16
Catch up with old friends or meet new ones at our weekly Parent Walking Group! Parents and guardians from all grades are welcome. Meet 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. Please feel free to email us with questions, suggestions, or comments anytime:brimmerparents@brimmer.org. Sincerely, Alesia Singer P '27, P '22, P '22 (alesia116@me.com ) Roslyn Pedlar P '18 (roslynpedlar@aol.com) |
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Connect with Brimmer and May!
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Join the Conversation and Keep in the Loop!
Follow Brimmer on social media for lots of news, photos, & videos!
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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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9/9Pre-K, K, & Gr. 1 Early Dismissal 11:00 a.m.
Upper School returns from Camp Wingate-Kirkland
12:00 p.m.
Middle School returns from Chimney Corners
12:30 p.m. Grade 2 and 3 Dismissal 2:20 p.m. Grade 4 and 5 Dismissal 2:35 p.m. 9/12 Extended Day begins Fall Sports Practice regular schedule begins Middle School After-School Study Hall begins Middle and Upper School Opening Convocation
(Dress Day) 8:15 a.m. Ground Breaking Ceremony
9:30-10:00 a.m.
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