BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
JANUARY 2013
MONTHLY MAILING Something Brunswick Can’t Give Our Boys We had the honor of welcoming Dr. Aaron Stern to a recent Upper School assembly. Dr. Stern is the author of “ME, The Narcissistic American,” a noted psychoanalyst and educator, former member of the faculties of Yale, Columbia and NYU, COO of Tiger Management, philanthropist, and grandfather of one of our seniors, Tommy Rosenkranz. Dr. Stern addressed the topic of narcissism and its opposite, more worthy trait, loving. He explained that all people are born narcissistic, caring only about their own needs while being totally unaware of and disinterested in the impact that their needs and behavior might have on others (think of having to wake up in the middle of the night to care for a crying infant or how a baby is seemingly unconcerned with how his demands might affect others, only concerned about his own immediate gratification). The developmental goal is that eventually, through nurturing and a supportive environment, a baby learns self-control and as he grows, begins to consider the needs of others. The hope is that with maturity, a person turns attention outward, toward others, in a loving way. What is true for individuals is true for societies as well, and Dr. Stern discussed the fall of Rome as an example of a society that crumbled because its members became too concerned with their own personal wants at the expense of what was good for the greater society. Dr. Stern emphasized that today our society is also supremely self-centered. We, and virtually everyone one around us, think of ourselves first and foremost. Yet, as Dr. Stern explained, it is only in learning to control our own desires and to think of the needs of others that we truly become the best that we can be, both individually as well as collectively. From both a student as well as a faculty perspective, Dr. Stern’s presentation was remarkable; superbly informed, filled with tangible examples and entirely appreciated by our boys. Even more impressive was the depth and breadth of the student questions that followed his presentation. At one point, a student asked Dr. Stern to explain the difference between narcissism and self-esteem….an excellent question. In essence, Dr. Stern explained that narcissism is self-centeredness stemming from a complete lack of consideration for others, whereas self-esteem is a legitimate sense of self-worth based upon deserved success of one kind or another. This distinction struck a chord with me. I thought about the example of everyone on a youth soccer team receiving an MVP prize and how such a diffusion of achievement sends a confusing message to the team members who have yet to earn success, while at the same time minimizing those team members who stood out in a distinctive way. It seems to me that conscious efforts to build self-esteem in the absence of actual individual achievement are likely to build narcissism, whereas an honest acknowledgment that everyone has strengths and weakness allows each to celebrate those strengths while also encouraging us to focus and improve upon our weaknesses. The conclusion: Narcissism can consume us (and our children) if we aren’t careful, while self-esteem can only be earned. Brunswick does all it can to give our boys everything they need to succeed. In all that we do, we endeavor to present our boys with so much: great teachers, wondrous facilities, goals and aspirations to live by. As parents, we do the same. In so many ways, there is nothing we won’t try to provide for our sons if we (and perhaps they) think it will be to their benefit. There is one thing, however, that is absolutely essential to success, something that, no matter what we do, we cannot give our boys. SELF-ESTEEM Self-esteem is critical to success, fulfillment and happiness, yet try as we might, we cannot give it to our boys; they can only achieve it by earning it.
Upper school
JANUARY 2013
From the Upper School Office: We hope that all members of our community enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating holiday vacation with family and friends. As with any new year, much important work for 2013 will get going immediately upon our return to school on Monday, January 7th. One of the main reasons for this swift shift into high gear is due to the fact that our first day back leaves students with only 10 school days prior to the end of the 2nd Quarter and the start of Semester Exams. Those few days, then, take on a heightened sense of import as they will be filled with some measure of new material as well as the review that will be critical to success on the upcoming exams. Therefore, although we know we run the risk of seeming repetitive, allow us to once again dedicate the rest of this page to some important points (and, we hope, worthwhile reminders) regarding exams, why we give them, what they are and are not and, most important, how best to approach them from a student and parental viewpoint. First: Brunswick sees exams as an extremely valuable and time-honored method of assessing a given student’s ability to consolidate large amounts of material taught over an extended period of time. Such a skill is both important for success in college as well as in life. In the Upper School, exams encourage students to carefully review and reDates to Remember in January: analyze material so as to draw worthwhile comparisons/contrasts and 1/7 Classes Resume conclusions. Simply put, exams are an effective method of determining 1/10 Summer Study Fair how much and how well a student has learned over the first semester. 1/17&18 Exam Review Days 1/18 2nd Quarter Ends Second: Exams (and exam week) should, as with all things, always be 1/21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL kept in perspective. Much as it would be a mistake to assume that exams 1/22-25 Mid-Term Exams (See enclosed schedule) are unimportant, easy, or worthy of little effort, it would also be an error 1/28 Classes resume 1/29 1st Day of the Second Semester to conclude that exams are the most important event of your son’s entire Brunswick College Night 7pm, Baker Theater school year. We hesitate to provide a purely numerical evaluation of just 1/30 MLK, Jr. Assembly 8:10am-9:30am how important we feel exams to be, yet it might be helpful to remind (US students start the day at King Street) parents and students alike that exams count as 28% of the semester grades 2/2 Brown and White formal dance for students in all classes. Third: Exams are most successful when studying is approached thoughtfully and in a measured and orderly fashion. To this end, we reserve the end of the week prior to exams for review. Specific review sessions are offered before as well as during exam week and, as always, Departmental Offices are open to any student seeking help. Parents remain, of course, a key ingredient to a successful exam experience by encouraging their sons to review in accordance with their teachers’ directions and by providing a quiet and supportive home environment for study and preparation. Finally: Be certain to familiarize yourself with the Upper School exam schedule (see insert). Students with conflicts should speak immediately with both the teacher of those courses as well as with their appropriate Grade Dean to work out an accommodating schedule. If necessary, exams can be administered on the afternoon of Friday, January 25th, as regular classes resume on Monday, January 28th (due to Hurricane Sandy re-scheduling). Finally, as is a tradition of long standing at Brunswick, students may dress casually (but neatly!) during exam week. Brunswick College Night: Tuesday evening, January 29th, at 7:00pm (in Baker Theater), we look forward to seeing all Juniors and their parents at College Night. The evening is traditionally an informative introduction to the college process. We would like to emphasize here that attendance at College Night is a requirement for all juniors. Brown and White Formal: You will shortly receive a letter regarding the upcoming Brown and White dance, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich on the evening of Saturday, February 2nd from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. An annual event, we hope that your son will attend and, of course, encourage all parents to take the time to sit down with your son(s) to discuss appropriate behavior and overall expectations for such an event well in advance of the evening. Donate your old, working laptops to Reboot. Laptops must be capable of word processing; For planning purposes, please note the following dates: some physical damage is okay. No speakers, Monday, January 28th will be a regular day of school and Exam Return Day with Blocks printers, or desktops, please. Laptops will be G through A cleaned and donated to local students in need. A Tuesday, January 29th will mark the start of 2nd Semester, all periods A through G collection bin will be in the front foyer of the Thursday, February 14th our academic day will run as follows (we've skipped F block Upper School throughout the school year or since it will have met three times that week): laptops can be picked up at your convenience. Advisory A Block 8:00 - 8:35am D Block 10:15 - 10:50am Please contact Henry Hobbs B Block 8:45 - 9:20am E Block 11:00 - 11:35am (HHobbs@brunswickschool.org) with any C Block 9:30 - 10:05am G Block 11:45 - 12:20pm questions.
MIDDLE school
JANUARY 2013
From Sarah Burdett: Happy New Year! We hope that all enjoyed a peaceful break with time to relax, read, and play outside. As we start the new year and think about goal-setting for our sons, we would like to remind you of the importance of a good night of sleep. Our boys lead very active lives during their middle school years, and, as much as they may fight it, still need to have a set bedtime in order to rejuvenate for the next day. In addition, as much as your sons may insist that they need their cell phone, iPad, or laptop in their rooms with them at night (“It’s my alarm clock,” “I like to unwind by watching a show,” etc…), they may still at this age be too drawn to the “screens” to set their own limits and too stimulated to settle into a good sleep. A consistent bedtime routine with even ten minutes of reading can help to get our boys the rest they need. The Second Trimester Mid-Point: On Friday, January 11th, we reach the mid-point of the Second Trimester. Teachers will assess the progress of each boy at this point and, as in the First Trimester, write comments discussing both strengths and weaknesses. Your son’s advisor will call if your son is experiencing difficulty (“C-“ average or below, or “1” Effort grades), or if they have any other information they would like to share. As at the end of the first trimester, these comments will be emailed home. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call. Note: 5th graders do not receive comments until the end of the trimester because parents and teachers just conferenced in December. Instrumental Concert: The Middle School Instrumental Concert for Grades 6-8 has been scheduled for Thursday, January 17th at 6:00pm. Boys should wear their school uniforms and report for warm-up at 5:40pm. Dates to Remember in January: MS Parent/Son Book Club: You and 1/7 Classes resume nd your sons are invited to attend the 1/11 2 Trimester Midpoint meeting of our Middle School 6th Grade Hockey & Hoops 1:00-3:00pm th th Parent/Son Book Club, “Pageturners,” 1/12 7 /8 Grade Wickends-Skate/Sport Party at on Wednesday, January 23rd at 6:30pm in Sampson Fieldhouse the Lehrman Library. For more 1/17 Holiday Instrumental Concert at 6:00pm information, please see 1/21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL wickreads.brunswickschool.org. Please 1/23 Parent/Son Book Club 6:30pm th th RSVP by January 18th to 1/25 7 /8 BW/GA Dance at GA from 7:00-9:00pm mmcshane@brunswickschool.org. Mayfair 7th & 8th Grade Dance at Greenwich Academy: As they are every January, our boys have been invited to a mid-winter dance at GA. The dance will take place in the GA Dining Hall, on Friday, January 25th, and will begin at 7:00pm and end promptly at 9:00pm. Please make arrangements to pick up the boys on time. Attendance: Please remember to make note of the bottom of your son’s trimester report card to check his attendance for the year. We ask that you make every effort to get your sons to school by 8:05am so that they can use their homeroom period to get organized for the day. Also, please schedule any nonemergency appointments outside of school hours so that the rhythm of your son’s school day is not affected. M.L.K., Jr. Assembly: On Wednesday, January 30th, there will be an all-school assembly at 8:10am to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Middle School will run a one-hour delay schedule following this event.
PRE
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LOWER school
JANUARY 2013
From Katie Signer and Gina Hurd: Happy New Year! We are hopeful our students will return after a joyful holiday season, feeling rested, rejuvenated, and ready to put their full energy and effort into their schoolwork. We also extend best wishes to our families for a happy and healthy year ahead. On behalf of the Pre and Lower School faculty, we would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to the BPA for the wonderful “Night Out” basket. What a clever idea! We will certainly think of you as we relax and enjoy the fun entertainment package. Thank you for your thoughtfulness! We would also like to take a moment to express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to our community service efforts at the Pre and Lower School before the Holiday Break. Under the leadership of our Lower School Student Council, we were able to deliver a significant collection of gifts and warm clothing to Kids in Crisis. The Pre School Mitten tree allowed us to share warm mittens, gloves and hats with others in need as well. The warmth and generosity of our families is much appreciated. Dates to Remember in January: Our first semester officially concludes on Friday, 1/7 Return to school January 18th. Teachers will be working hard to 1/10 Second Grade Field Trip to Katonah Art Museum complete report cards evaluating your son’s academic 1/17 BPA Sponsored Assembly - Star Lab and social growth thus far. Please note report cards 1/21 NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. will be mailed at the end of this month and you should 1/25 Civies Day receive them the first week of February. If you have Kindergarten Father/Son Breakfast 7:30-8:30am any questions after reading your son’s report, please Skate Party do not hesitate to call your son’s teacher. PS 3:30-4:30pm LS 4:30-6:0 pm Thanks in advance go to our Skate Party 1/29 BPA Sponsored Program at the PS - Animal Embassy Coordinators, Suzanne Cabot and Lisa Murray. The 1/30 All School MLK Jr. Assembly Pre and Lower School Skate Party will take place on 1/31 Dinosaur Day at the Pre School Friday, January 25th and should be great fun. After the initial hour devoted specifically to Pre School aged children, Lower School boys will be invited to join in. Sharpen those skates and we’ll see you at the Hartong Rink! Lower School ‘Uncover and Discover’: As we continue to develop our yearlong theme of “Uncover and Discover,” we are thrilled to encourage our boys to discover the wonders of space. Thanks to our BPA Assemblies committee, we will welcome Steve Tomacek and the Star Lab on January 17th. Lower School boys will explore constellations and the solar system through special workshops in his inflatable planetarium. Additionally, we will resurrect an old tradition of “Who’s the Baby?” as our Lower School boys will try and match baby pictures to their teachers’ names. Come check out the bulletin board and see if you can guess as well! Winter Encore Clubs will begin the week we return from break and will continue through Thursday, March 7th. Boys have signed up for a wide variety of offerings and this winter’s session should prove to be one of our best yet. Pre School Happenings: The second semester of the Pre Kindergarten Cubs Program will begin on Monday, January 7. If you wish to make a change to your current Cubs schedule, please contact Beth Barsanti at bbarsanti@brunswickschool.org. During the month of January our Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten boys will be enjoying a variety of classroom activities related to dinosaurs. Our young “paleontologists” will conclude their dinosaur theme with a joint “Dinosaur Day” at which time both grade levels are mixed together and the boys visit in each of the five classrooms for fun games and learning experiences.
BRUNSWICK PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS
JANUARY 2013
President’s Letter Happy New Year and welcome back! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I would like to start the year by thanking our Upper School Arts Department and their students. They helped ring in the holidays with an incredible concert for the BPA/GAPA joint meeting. The concert was just spectacular and enjoyed by all! Many thanks to Teacher Appreciation chairs, Robin Sherwood and Kim Fulton, for the fun-filled holiday gifts that were distributed to all the teachers and staff that were truly appreciated by all. Thanks as well to the Hospitality chairs for their beautiful decorating of each of our campuses, putting us all in a festive mood to end the year. We have a lot to look forward to in January. The month starts off with the ‘Wickends Skate/Sports Party on January 12th and ends with the PS/LS Skate Party and Mayfair on January 25th. What a way to start the year! Alison Troy, President, Brunswick Parents Association Bearly Used Closet January is a great time to clean out closets and to donate outgrown clothing to the Bearly Used Closet! We welcome all gently used boys clothes and would love a few more pairs of skates to offer Lower and Pre School boys for upcoming ‘Wick skating events. The closet is located in the lower lobby of the Lower School. The key for the closet is in the binder under the lobby bulletin board. Stop in for some shopping! Save the Date! Spring Fashion Show – Black & White The 2013 Brunswick Fashion Show and Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 18th. Co-chairs Laura Darrin (lauradarrin@gmail.com) and Afton Fraser (aftonfraser@mac.com) and their committee are planning a memorable event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this unique Brunswick tradition. Hope to see you all there!
Pre and Lower School Family Bingo Night Calling all Bingo players!!! Bingo Night will be on Friday, February 8th from 6-7:30pm at the Burke Field House. Come enjoy a fun-filled evening for Pre and Lower School families! There will be a few grade-wide prizes awarded plus every child leaves with one of our great pre-selected prizes. The Brunswick Family Bingo registration form is now available online at: http://brunswickschool.org/events/bingonight Contact Lisa Lejdstrom (magnisa@optonline.net) or Sara Howard (howard.sara76@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help. We also need volunteers to each bake 24 nut-free goodies for Bingo Night. Please deliver your baked goods on February 8th at the PS or LS entry at morning drop-off or to the Burke Field House right after drop-off. Please contact Jackie Homan (Jackie@homan.cc) or Kristin Ingarra (kfrat@optonline.net) if you are able to contribute. Mayfair Mayfair has had three fun-filled dances so far, including a successful Holiday Dance on December 14th. There has been a tremendous amount of excitement shown by the 5th and 6th grade boys in the weeks leading up to each dance. They have enjoyed meeting the girls from Greenwich Academy and The Convent of the Sacred Heart. The new dance instructors and the new format have been a welcome change, and knowing that the 5th grade classes differ from the 6th grade classes also gives the 5th graders something to look forward to next year. We have 5 more dances scheduled, with Friday, January 25th next on the calendar. ‘Wickends The October 26th seventh grade dance was a huge success. Over 150 students from Brunswick, Greenwich Academy, The Convent of the Sacred Heart and The School of the Holy Child attended the dance, which featured a new DJ, lots of candy and baked cookies and brownies brought in by parents. The next dance is a Skating and Sports party for both the 7th and 8th grades, to be held on Saturday, January 12th from 7pm to 9pm in the Hartong Rink and Dann Gym. Sharpen your skates! We look forward to seeing everyone on the ice. For the non-skaters there will be ping-pong and basketball.
BRUNSWICK PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS
JANUARY 2013
Upper School Performing Arts December is always a busy month for Brunswick’s Performing Arts department. The members of the Men of Brunswick a cappella group sang beautifully (in tuxedos!) at the annual Latin Carol Concert held in Greenwich’s Christ Church, and the Upper School Holiday Concert was better than ever. Our hats go off once again to Paul Raaen, Shane Kirsch and Alexander Constantine, who work so hard with the boys and produce such top quality performances. Finally, Seth Potter held auditions, assigned roles, and started rehearsals for “Sweeney Todd,” this year’s Upper School Musical. Mark your calendars for this 2013 event to be performed at Baker Theater from February 28th through March 2nd. Tickets will be available on the Brunswick web site starting in mid-February. Pre and Lower School Skate Night Join us Friday, January 25th from 3:30-6pm. Pre School boys have the ice from 3:30-4:30pm at which point they are joined by the rest of the lower school students and siblings. A fabulous yellow embroidered fleece hat is available for purchase at http://bwick.org/sk8night13. Beginners are encouraged to come join the fun and skate in a special safety zone. Helmet and gloves are necessary. The Bearly Used Closet will have a table at the event for swapping or purchasing skate items. Volunteers are still needed for food, drinks and help the day of the event. Please sign up online at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C49ACA78-brunswick Contact Suzanne Cabot (suzannecabot@yahoo.com) or Lisa Murray (lisamurray14@mac.com) with any questions. Teacher Appreciation In December the BPA gave each of our faculty a gift from Popcornopolis, packaged with two AMC Movie tickets, snacks, and drinks. We hope everyone found a movie to their liking over the break. The monthly raffle targets eight to twelve teachers winning each month, so donations from our parent body are welcome and necessary. Gift cards, sporting tickets, theater tickets, etc., are all things a deserving teacher would appreciate. Contact Robin Sherwood (redwood2020@gmail.com) to send gift cards or other donations. Even if you have a change of plans on the day of the event, we can usually find a teacher who will happily use your tickets. Our "gifted" teachers in the December raffle were Paul Scheufele, Jarrett Shine, Seth Potter, Judy Gallagher, Erin Withstandley, Meredith McLennan, and Mary Alice Ackley, Daniel Dychkowski, and Tom Murray. The wonderful donations included Vineyard Vines gift cards, Giants tickets, Bed Bath and Beyond cards, and several restaurant certificates. Thank you parents for your generous donations! Brunswick School Golf Outing Kick-off Meeting The Golf Committee welcomes everyone to the "Tee Up With Brunswick" kick off meeting on Thursday January 17th at 10am in the BPA room. Questions? Contact Nancy Axilrod (naxilrod@aol.com), Alice Ruf (alice.ruf@gmail.com) or Jane Sprung (jssprung@optonline.net). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEE UP WITH BRUNSWICK! Support the Brunswick Golf Outing with a stylish, limited edition Brunswick Head Cover $30 each Proceeds will help establish the Brunswick Parents Association STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Endowment Fund To place an order go to http://brunswickschool.org/13golfouting Orders placed by January 25th will be fulfilled by Valentine’s Day
From Johnny Montañez, Director of Community Service: The Brunswick School Community has really made an impact over the Holiday Season helping those in need. With Sandy still fresh on our minds and constant reminders of how easily it is to lose the things dearest to our hearts, it was the enthusiasm and level of participation in our Holiday Drive that exemplifies why we are more than just a school with leaders. We are difference-makers, and possess the courage to do the best we can for others, all the time and without hesitation.
Holiday Drive Update: Our freshman and sophomores purchased and assembled Christmas wish list gift boxes for 28 families from the Waterside School and Family Centers. The underclassmen also bought coats, gloves, hats, and scarves for Staten Island families still housed at the Bayley Seton Hospital Shelter in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Our upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) purchased gift cards from Toys ‘R Us, Target, Stop and Shop, and Visa. These gift cards were distributed to families at the Family Centers in Greenwich, Thomas Edison School in Port Chester, Staten Island families, Inspirica in Stamford, Horizons in New Canaan, and other needy families as identified by people in our community.
Turkey Bowl Fund Distribution: Student participation in the Turkey Bowl on November 19th raised $3,400 and was used to make care packages for our troops, and also helped us to donate much-needed funds to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Boys and Girls Club, Adopt-A-Dog, Friends of Karen, and also helped us create Breast Cancer Survival gift bags for pre and post-surgical patients. I want to personally thank all of you for taking the time to “make the day” for someone in need. These individuals, who could not get a break from reality without your help, appreciate all your time and efforts. You all are amazing and very inspiring for going out of your way to make this a special season for people in need who live all over the tri-state area. Thank You!!! Happy Holidays from everyone at Brunswick School.
Brunswick School 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 1252 King Street Greenwich, CT 06831 (203) 625-5800
January 2013 Sun
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New Year’s Day
Holiday Vacation
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8 Classes resume
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Summer Study Fair US Main Foyer, 6-8pm
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Peer Disorientation Games, 4:30-6pm, GA
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16 BPA Meeting, 10am
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17 Gr 9 Luncheon
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day NO SCHOOL
*Gr 1 Luncheon *MS Winter Instrumental Concert, 6pm, King St.
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MS Parent/Son Book Club, 6:30pm
*US Exam Return Day
29 *1st Day of 2nd Semester (US) *College Night (Mandatory for Juniors) 7pm, Baker Theater
30 Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly, 8:10am
18 End of 2nd Quarter (US)
25 *LS Skate Party *Gr 7 & 8 Winter Dance *Mayfair
US Exams
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*2nd Trimester Midpoint (MS) *6th Gr Hockey & Hoops, 1-3pm, MS
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*ISEE/ERB Testing at MS *Gr 7& 8 Wickends *Sports Night
19 Brunswick Invitational Wrestling Tournament
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