BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 2011
MONTHLY MAILING A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER The Admissions Puzzle Brunswick School is in an enviable position. At all levels, Pre School, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School, our Admissions Officers are blessed with an overwhelming and exceptionally talented pool of applicants from which to pick an incoming class. In doing so, they weigh, to one degree or another, the academic promise of each candidate, all the while factoring in other variables such as whether the candidate is also a strong musician or artist, a Brunswick sibling, the son of an alumnus, a Greenwich Academy sibling, or of either a diverse economic or ethnic background. All these factors matter enormously to us as Brunswick seeks to make each and every Brunswick class as strong and as widely talented as possible. Nevertheless, picking those who ultimately get admitted is exceptionally hard. Last year, the school-wide admittance rate was in the high teens and several grades saw admittance rates in the low single digits. The Admissions Committee for each division agonizes over each and every decision but in doing so, each year, we ultimately add new, exciting and complementary “talent” to each already talented class. One of the ways we manage to consistently add talent to each class on an annual basis is that we have designed grade sizes so that at each divisionbreak classes grow, thus providing space for new students. As example, Pre K is 32 boys, 1st through 4th are each 54, 5th is 64, 6th – 8th is 74 and each Upper School grade includes close to 90 boys. Each step along the way, a given class gets stronger and stronger and, appropriately, larger. Sometimes additions to a given class can cause a reshuffling of sorts. The School’s goal of “preparing young men for life” plays out in such instances, as talent will always meet talent and competition tends to breed still greater strength. For example, the boy who was at the top of his class’ Honor Roll in 8th grade might find that in 9th grade (with the addition of some new students), he has company at the top. In the same vein, the 4th grader who was always a stand-out in gym class, might find that in 5th grade he has a new classmate or two who are equally talented at sports. Occasionally someone will ask if Brunswick “recruits.” The honest answer to that question is yes, but not in a way one should interpret cynically. We recruit in the sense that we are always looking to welcome new students to Brunswick who are exceptional: exceptional students, exceptional artists, exceptional musicians, exceptional athletes and most importantly, exceptional young men. We do not recruit, however, in the traditional (and negative) sense of the word. Our music teachers don’t hand out business cards at concerts of other area independent or public schools; our hockey coaches don’t (and are not allowed to) hang out around local rinks and approach players or their parents. More than anything, we rely on our wonderful momentum and word-of-mouth to get interested and talented students to consider Brunswick as a place to continue their education. As a result, the School continues to get stronger and stronger and yet, happily, even in the Upper School, all activities, clubs, teams and honors include a mix of students who joined Brunswick in Pre School, Lower School, Middle or Upper School. For example, if we look at the year-end Honor Roll for last year’s Freshman Class: 36% of those on the High Honor Roll joined the school in Pre K, 28% joined the school in the Middle School and 36% joined the school in the Upper School. Even if we look at the year-end Honor Roll for last year’s Senior Class, we see the same pattern: 35% of those on the High Honor Roll joined the school in Pre K, 22% in Lower School, 8% joined the school in the Middle School and 35% joined the school in the Upper School. We can see the same pattern play out in Student Government, Blue Notes, and even on varsity sport teams. In fact, on each and every varsity team that Brunswick fielded last year, were found balanced numbers of boys who began Brunswick in Pre, Lower, Middle or Upper School. So, as hard as it is to be an Admission Officer at Brunswick, the great news for our boys and for our school is that they are clearly doing a wonderful job picking an exceptionally talented group of young men. And that makes Brunswick a very, very lucky school.
NOVEMBER 2011
Upper school
From The Deans’ Office: The beginning of November brings to a close the first of our four formal grading periods of the year and those results are emailed home the second week of November. We encourage all in our community, students, faculty as well as parents, to take full advantage of all that a quarter's end, well utilized, might offer. Specifically, as parents: - now is the perfect time to assess a student's progress to date and to focus on what a student might be able to control that will lead to better results in the next grading period. - all should remember the reaffirmation that comes when we take the time to commend our sons on a job well done. - stress with your son that his experience here at Brunswick transcends grades and therefore this point in the year (25% of the way through) is also an ideal time to discuss his involvement in other areas of school life. - remember also the importance of keeping in close contact with your son and with the school throughout the year so that together we may provide your son with the very best educational Dates to Remember in November: experience possible. 11/3, 4, 5 US Fall Play 7pm Baker Theater 11/4 End of the 1st Quarter 11/5 SATs at Brunswick (King Street) 8am 11/7-10 US FCD (Parent FCD Meeting TBD) 11/18-19 GA Fall Production 7pm Massey Theatre 11/22 Regular Dismissal for Thanksgiving Break 11/28 Classes Resume
Some events of note this month: END OF 1ST QUARTER: The first quarter closes on Friday, November 4th. Comments will be written for all students in every academic course. In addition, parents will receive a report card assessing the academic results achieved by your son thus far in the year. We expect to email reports home by the end of the first week of November. Please use this as a valuable opportunity to sit down with your son to discuss his progress. NOVEMBER SAT ADMINISTRATION: Saturday, November 5th will offer the second SAT administration date of the school year. Students should remember to show up at their assigned test center with their registration card, several #2 pencils and, if necessary a calculator.
THE UPPER SCHOOL FALL PLAY AND OTHER ARTS NEWS: “Black Comedy” by Peter Schaffer will be presented on the evenings of November 3rd, 4th and 5th. As always, the fall theatrical production promises to be a wonderful theatrical event. All performances will begin at 7:00pm and will be held at Brunswick’s Baker Theater. Additionally, Brunswick boys will appear in GA’s production of "An Evening With Brunstetter and Durang” on November 18th and 19th at 7pm in Massey Theatre. The month wraps up with auditions for this year's Upper School Musical, "Guys and Dolls.” Auditions will be held on November 15th, 16th and 19th with callbacks on the 21st. Please consider coming to watch the boys perform and support the arts at Brunswick! US FCD WEEK: As part of our health program and our ongoing commitment to the wellness and safety of our boys, we will welcome three educators from Freedom from Chemical Dependency join our community for the week of November 7th. They will discuss salient drug and alcohol issues with sophomores during the course of the week. Parents of sophomores are cordially invited to meet and talk with the FCD representatives on Tuesday evening, November 8th, at 7:00pm in Brunswick’s Upper School Library on Maher Avenue. THANKSGIVING BREAK: Finally, we will be having dismissal after a FULL DAY of classes and sports on Tuesday, November 22nd for Thanksgiving Break. As with all school vacations, we ask that parents not seek an earlier dismissal for their sons. We feel strongly that it is important for all students to be present for all classes and commitments that meet on Tuesday. On behalf of all the members of the Faculty, we wish you and your families all the best of sharing and gathering on this most special of American holidays.
MIDDLE school
NOVEMBER 2011
From Sarah Burdett: Brunswick Middle School supports African penguins! For the second year in a row, the Earth Allies Club and the Brunswick Middle School Cross Country team headed to Mystic, Connecticut to participate in the Penguin Run, Walk (or Waddle) hosted by the Mystic Aquarium. In the weeks before the event, the Middle School students raised almost $1,000.00 for African penguin research by sponsoring a black and white free dress day. At the actual event, our cross country runners, the defending champions, finished first once again. After the race, all the Brunswick boys were treated to the “California Sea Lion Experience” which they won during last year’s event. We could not be more proud of the initiative and participation of these students. Special thanks to Suzanne Zekonis, Kevin Landesman, and Matt Ducharm for chaperoning! Middle School Parent Workshop: Wednesday, November 9th at 7:00pm in Camuto Auditorium. This year's Parent Workshop, led by Middle School Academic Dean Neil Minsky, will focus on the importance of EQ and how it affects academic achievement. By looking at all areas of Middle School life including academics, sports, and the arts, Neil will explore the role of emotional intelligence and social functioning in Middle School boys. Particular attention will be given to the topics of motivation and technology use. Those that have attended Neil's workshops in Dates to Remember in November: the past can attest to their usefulness and relevance in 11/4 Mayfair understanding boys, specifically in the Brunswick environment. 11/9 MS Parent Workshop: Technology and Learning st Parents are strongly encouraged to attend. 11/11 1 Trimester ends Mayfair 11/16-17 1st Trimester Exams: 6th-8th Grades 11/17 MS Dismissal @ 1:00pm (Bus service @ 3:35pm) 11/18 NO SCHOOL – Faculty Grading Day 11/22 Thanksgiving Break REGULAR DISMISSAL 11/28 Classes resume Winter sports season begins 11/29 FCD Parent Coffee Grades 5-7 8:15am FCD 8th Grade Parent/Son Evening 7:00pm 12/1-2 MS Musical 12/2 5th Grade Conference Day – No School for 5th Graders
End of 1st Trimester: The first marking period officially closes on Friday, November 11th and the first Trimester will end after 6th - 8th exams on Friday, November 18th (Make-Up Exam Day). Please see letter sent with Midpoint Comments for more details.
Trimester Exams - Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade: First Trimester exams will take place the week of November 14th. Along with this newsletter, you will find a copy of the exam schedule. As exam week approaches, please look over this information with your son so that you may work with us to guide him in his preparation. Note: Thursday, November 17th will be a 1:00pm dismissal for all MS students. There will not be bus service until 3:30pm. We will supervise boys here if they need to wait for the bus. Thanksgiving Break: The boys will be dismissed at the regular time on Tuesday, November 22rd for Thanksgiving break. We ask that parents do not pull their sons from school early for this or any other school vacation. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Winter Sports: The winter season will begin on Monday, November 28h. The options include basketball, wrestling, hockey, and squash. FCD Week: We have again invited a national drug education group, Freedom From Chemical Dependency, to visit the Middle School the week of November 28th. During this week, George Brown - our FCD representative – will work primarily with 8th graders (although he will spend some time with 6th & 7th graders) and offer an evening session for 8th grade parents and boys, which will take place on Tuesday, November 29th at 7:00pm in the Camuto Auditorium. We encourage all 8th grade families to attend. For parents of 5th -7th graders who might want to meet with George, we will schedule a coffee at 8:15am on Tuesday, November 29th in the Dining Hall. Middle School Musical: We are looking forward to two entertaining performances of “Seussical”on Thursday, December 1st at 7:00pm and Friday, December 2nd at 3:30pm in the Baker Theater at the Maher Avenue campus. Information regarding ticket sales will be forthcoming.
PRE
and
LOWER school
NOVEMBER 2011
From Gina Hurd and Katie Signer: November offers us numerous opportunities to come together with our parents and we are thankful for that! Please take note of the many events outlined below and do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. “Paws” for Reading! Special thanks go to Bridgette Jean-Jacques and Kim Augustine for coordinating this year’s Book Fair. With a fun-filled Preview Party and a vast selection for all ages, it is sure to be a huge hit. Many Lower School boys enjoyed designing their own bookmarks and can’t wait to see their artwork on display. We are excited for this special event that encourages us to “Paws” for Reading! Pre and Lower School Parent Visiting Day is November 1st. We are pleased to invite parents to visit and join in a special learning experience with your son on Parent Visiting Day. Parents of First and Second Graders will enjoy a visit that incorporates class time, a specials period and a visit to the Book Fair. In addition to time in the classroom and a visit to the Book Fair, Third and Fourth Grade parents are invited to a special parent education workshop entitled “Navigating Your Son’s Digital World.” Enclosed you will find a schedule for each grade level. Pre School parents are invited to visit their son’s classroom in the afternoon from 1:30 to 2:30pm. We look forward to a wonderful day with parents in our midst. Please note, we ask that only one parent visit at a time. If you are unable to come and would like to send a close friend or family member in your place, feel free to do so. Lower School Student Council Elections will take place on Dates to Remember in November: Friday, November 4th. Each third and fourth grade boy running for 11/1 Book Fair 8 am-12pm office will deliver a speech to the entire Lower School student body. 11/1 LS Parent Visiting Day 8:15-11:00am All candidates are asked to attend a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 3rd 11/1 PS Parent Visiting Day 1:30-2:30pm at 7:45am to address any final questions. Please note that all boys who campaign for office will be invited to sit on the council. We 11/4 Student Council Speeches & Elections 8:25am commend them for their courage and wish all candidates the best of 11/7 Student Council Food Drive Begins luck. The main focus of our Student Council is coordinating school11/11 NO SCHOOL - PS/LS Conference Day wide community service projects. Many thanks in advance for 11/13 PS Admission Reception 1:00-3:00pm supporting our service learning efforts. 11/14 1D/J trip to Westchester Airport 8:40 am-12:15pm 11/15 1L/V trip to Westchester Airport 8:40 am-12:15pm November Food Drive: Beginning on Monday, November 7th, 11/15 Music in the Atrium 7:40 am-8:10am all Pre and Lower School boys will be invited to donate non11/16 1R/J trip to Westchester Airport 8:40 am-12:15pm perishable goods for our school-wide Thanksgiving Food Drive. 11/16 4th Gr. Colonial Day Preview 7:00pm Please consider sharing canned or boxed goods from your pantry 11/17 4th Gr. Colonial Day (no glass, please!) The boys at the Pre School are being asked to 11/17 Kindergarten Night Party 5:30-7:00pm practice an act of kindness to earn their food donation. The acts 11/18 Civies Day will be recorded on paper feathers they will receive from their 11/22 Pre School Thanksgiving Feast 11/22 Regular Dismissal for Thanksgiving Break teachers. The feathers will adorn a turkey in the Pre School Lobby 11/24-27 Thanksgiving Break as a reminder of how small acts of kindness can truly make a 11/28 Classes Resume difference. We encourage all families to discuss the importance of thinking of others during this holiday season. Parent-Teacher Conference Day: On Friday, November 11th, please note that the Pre and Lower School boys will not have school, allowing teachers the necessary time to meet with parents. In addition to the conference, all Lower School families will receive a fall checklist highlighting your son’s progress in academics, work habits and social behavior. If you have not yet signed up for a conference time, please be sure to do so. Lower School Colonial Day: On Thursday, November 17th, Lower School Students can expect to take a step back in time as they visit Hingham, Massachusetts, circa 1764. Fourth Grade Parents are invited to a Preview Party on the evening of November 16th at 7pm. This timehonored tradition is a wonderful way for our students to learn history and transport us all back to Colonial times. Additionally, on Thursday, November 17th, our Kindergarten boys will culminate their Night Time Study with a “Night Party.” Dressed in pajamas, the boys will come back to school at 5:30pm for pizza, stories, an outdoor search for their nocturnal animals and a family sing-a-long in the gym. The boys will be on their way home by 7pm. Before dismissing for the Thanksgiving Break, the entire Pre School community of boys, teachers and staff will gather together to give thanks at a specially prepared Thanksgiving Feast on Tuesday, November 22nd. The boys will not need to pack a lunch on this day. This is a special time of the year to stop for a moment and appreciate all that we have to be thankful for. On behalf of all of us in the Pre and Lower Schools we wish you and your families warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
BRUNSWICK PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS
NOVEMBER 2011
President’s Letter Thanks to all the parents who have volunteered in one of the many BPA sponsored events this fall. In many instances, a Brunswick parent worked quietly behind the scenes, often without any recognition, ensuring the success of these events. To all of our volunteers, the BPA is truly grateful for your selfless contributions. Homecoming weekend was another tremendous success! The Bear Fair once again outdid itself with exciting games, delicious baked goods and endless prizes. Kudos to Maine Park and Tiffany Burnette for creating an outstanding day for our community. Not one detail was overlooked! A big shout-out to all the Middle School boys who ran the games and donned the Bear mascot costume - what a give back! Laura Darrin and Betsy Korn organized our first Parent Program lecture with author Dr. Ned Hallowell. Dr. Hallowell provided a refreshing look at what children really need in order to grow up to be happy adults. Bravo Laura and Betsy for reminding parents that they (and their children) should slow down, enjoy life and learn to play well. Even after such a strong start, there is still so much more to come!! Christina Kazazes, President, Brunswick Parent Association Bearly Used Closet Thanks to all who donated to the Drive-By Clothing Drop in late September and to those who have generously brought gently used things to the Bearly Used Closet. The closet is boasting a great selection of trousers and dress shirts in sizes 12 and up, as well as nearly new sweaters, gym clothes, shirts and pants in all Lower School sizes. We also have a number of skates, helmets and pads to get your guy ready for ice time. Please stop in and stock up! Teacher Appreciation Thank you to all of our generous parents who have donated gift cards and tickets for our monthly faculty raffle. Winners for the month of September were as follows: Kirstyn Sotak, Susan Smith, Carter Hempleman, Johnny Montanez, Eric Tillman, John Pendergast, Sunil Gupta, Vanessa Moors, and Margot Beattie. In addition, Kimberly Goodman won Saturday Night Live tickets and Brynn John won Yankees tickets. For the month of October, our winners were Beth Barsanti, Genevievre Broche, Matthew Kirby-Smith, Ellen Marie Sargent, Virginia Martin, Rob Follansbee, Ali Al-Maqtari, Guy Pratt, and Olivia Ciacci. We rely on donations from our parents to be able to give raffle prizes to our faculty each month. Please send gift cards to Rene Chronert, 10 Marlow Court, Riverside, CT 06878 or email: RChronert@aol.com if you have tickets for sporting events, concerts, etc. BPA Fall Fundraiser – Brunswick Sport Chairs, Tumblers and Innnisbrook wrapping paper Thank you very much to everyone who has supported the BPA Fall Fundraiser! The Brunswick community purchased 340 chairs and 275 sets of tumblers! For those who ordered chairs and tumblers at the class coffees and have not yet received the merchandise, the pick-up date will be Monday, November 7th from 8:30am – 11am and 3pm – 4:30pm at the Pre School. If you would like to purchase additional items, the bookstore will also be selling a limited supply of tumblers and chairs in November. In addition, thank you for your purchases of Innisbrook wrapping paper and hostess gifts. The pick-up date for orders sent to the school will be in the second week of November and you will be notified by email. Bear Fair 2011 Bear Fair Chairs Maine Park and Tiffany Burnette would like to give a big thanks to all the parent and Middle School student volunteers who helped make Bear Fair a fun and successful event for the Brunswick community. We would like to give special thanks to our committee chairs, game MCs, the Development Office, Division Reps, Donna Miller, and Chuck Redahan and his maintenance staff for their help with set-up and cleanup before, during and after the event. Mayfair - To the parents of all 5th and 6th graders We are off to a great start! On Friday, November 11th, the theme for the Mayfair dance classes will be a 1950s Rock ‘n Roll Party. Dress the part with a leather jacket, blue jeans and slicked back hair. Get ready to “Do the Twist” and “Rock Around the Clock.” If you haven’t signed up, it’s not too late. Contact Catherine Cone at catherinecone@earthlink.net or Tracy Grossman at tracygrossman@optonline.net. Upper School Performing Arts The upcoming month is a busy one at Brunswick. "Black Comedy," directed by Seth Potter will be performed in the Baker Theater at 7pm on November 3rd, 4th and 5th. Brunswick boys will appear in GA’s production of "An Evening With Brunstetter and Durang” on November 18th and 19th at 7pm in Massey Theatre. The month wraps up with auditions for this year's Upper School Musical, "Guys and Dolls.” Auditions will be held on November 15th, 16th and 19th with callbacks on the 21st. Please consider coming to watch the boys perform and support the arts at Brunswick!
BRUNSWICK PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS
NOVEMBER 2011
Middle School Performing Arts Our Brunswick/GA Middle School fall production of “Seussical” features many of those loveable (and sometimes quirky characters) in one show-stopping number after another. Our show promises to delight everyone from one to one-hundred-and-one! Tickets will be available Tuesday, November 15th through our Baker Theater Box Office (online). Our show dates will be December 1st (7pm) and December 2nd (3:30pm). There will also be a preview on November 30th at 5:30pm that will be free with the optional donation of any Dr. Seuss book. Save the Date – Skate Night and Bingo Night Please save-the-dates for these wonderful events for your Pre School and Lower School boys. Skate Night will be held on Friday, January 27th, from 3:30 - 6pm. The first hour is reserved for Pre School boys only. Bingo Night is scheduled for Friday, February 10th from 6 - 8pm. These events will both be held on the King Street Campus. Volunteers are needed to help make both nights successful. If you are interested in helping with Skate Night, please contact Heather Anderson at heatheranderson@optonline.net or Martine Vuursteen at vuursteen@gmail.com. If you would like to help out with Bingo Night, please contact Christine Fouts at christinefouts01@yahoo.com or Jill Raker at jraker@greenbriarequity.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join the Brunswick Parents’ Association (BPA)! Please join the BPA for the 2011-2012 academic years by mailing in your $25 dues with the convenient tear strip below. Additional contributions towards general donations and Teacher Appreciation are also welcome. Please tear off the form below and enclose it with your check made payable to Brunswick Parents’ Association, 100 Maher Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830. If you pay by bookstore charge, you may scan and email your form to cnbednar@gmail.com or fax to 203-422-5393. Brunswick Parents’ Association Dues and Contributions 2011-2012 Annual Dues @ $25 per family $25.00 General BPA Contribution
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