REFLECTION, RESILIENCE & RECONNECTION

Summer is a wonderful time for reflection and reconnection with friends and family, and both were particularly important after a year of pandemic management with social restrictions. I have heard many stories of families traveling to be with one another after a long period apart, and while gatherings sounded a bit simpler and more outdoor oriented, students’ stories were filled with happy times with long-anticipated family gatherings.

As we open the 142nd school year at Brimmer, the faculty embraces an important theme that will shape the work we do together: The New Three R’s: Reflection, Resilience, Reconnection. This theme offers us an important focus as we emerge with a spirit of hope and optimism from a year unlike any other and embark on another year of learning. In this edition of Brimmer Magazine, our faculty share how they implement the School’s health and wellness curriculum and programs as well as how we strive to meet the mission directed objective of what it means to belong at Brimmer.

Health and wellness came into sharp focus this past year. As educators, we are much more mindful of teaching the importance of having a balanced life. The research of Moore and Lippman as outlined in their study, “What Do Children Need to Flourish?” (2005), highlights the importance of having a positive attitude toward learning within the school environment and in a student’s life. School provides a space for friendships to develop and connections to occur. Their research reveals evidence that when students have positive peer relationships they are more resilient and less likely to feel depressed or troubled. The pandemic interrupted school for many of our nation’s young people, and while Brimmer was in-person learning all year, peer relationships were still disrupted. Outings and casual gatherings were limited, or sometimes eliminated completely, and friendships were interrupted. The needed emotional support that comes from these relationships was challenged for many students.

Even when faced with the pandemic’s disruption during the 2020-2021 school year, we prioritized having an interactive and supportive school experience for each student with as many social opportunities as possible. This year, we will continue to explore ways to help our students be resilient during times of change and understand how to be aware of their own needs. The details in the articles that follow highlight the various ways Brimmer’s faculty are helping students have a positive formation of self, develop healthy habits, and strive for positive values and behaviors so they can be healthy and resilient people.

This year, we will continue to explore ways to help our students be resilient during times of change and understand how to be aware of their own needs.

Additionally, last year when we added the fifth Core Value Equity, it prompted fresh and meaningful discussions about our curricular choices and offerings. Understanding the importance of every student seeing themselves in the content we teach spurs the formation of self. We will continue to explore what this means within our School community and examine how our curricular choices and program offerings impact our students’ feeling of belonging.

While COVID-19 has affected our community in many ways, our response to prioritize learning, protect the most vulnerable, and share in the responsibility for our students to flourish inspires me. The work of many made last year possible, and I am eager to see how that same committed spirit of shared responsibility will carry us forward. We are eager to reconnect and find time to be together once again. ■

Middle Schoolers enjoy lunch outside on the field.