special edition EARLY COLLEGE COUNSELING HELPS STUDENTS FIND PERFECT SCHOOL
BROWNELL-TALBOT SCHOOL
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WE WORK INDIVIDUALLY WITH EACH STUDENT TO DETERMINE HOW COLLEGE CAN FIT INTO THEIR LIFE GOALS AND WHAT TYPE OF COLLEGE SETTING THEY WILL FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE IN.
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~ STACEY EVERT DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
COLLEGE COUNSELING
that’s why the whole notion of finding the right college for the student enters the conversation much earlier here. through Brownell-talbot’s oneof-a-kind college counseling program, students are guided to the big picture of how their choices now affect their college – and life – plans later. students begin with a required class called educational Planning in eighth grade. the key objectives of the course are to identify the factors colleges consider in granting admission and to assist students in setting challenging goals and making careful plans regarding their academic and extracurricular programs in grades nine through 12. then Brownell-talbot gives students opportunities to explore their strengths, investigate college options, and develop their admissions essays. the college counseling classes cover a broad range of topics and life skills that benefit students long past the moment they submit their admissions applications. skills such as interviewing, time management, and financial planning are strengthened and developed throughout the curriculum. stacey evert, director of college counseling, states that the goal is to SPECIAL EDITION: BROWNELL-TALBOT SCHOOL
help students find the college that is the best fit for them. “we want our students to be aware of all the college choices out there. this may not always be the most popular ‘big name’ schools, but those that fit the student’s personal learning styles, social needs, and career paths best. we work individually with each student to determine how college can fit into their life goals and what type of college setting they will feel most comfortable in. we also advise them on crafting admissions essays that reflect who they uniquely are – and that get them noticed,” said evert. college counseling at Brownelltalbot is a group effort, with the faculty and staff supporting evert’s work. students often credit faculty, particularly Jackie Byers, with giving great advice on their admissions essays. “Personal contact with the students is key,” says Byers. “all the faculty know our students individually. we use that insight to help students express true representations of themselves.” Parents get involved, too. evening college planning workshops with parents include advice on planning college visits, applying for scholarships, and accessing financial aid. evert and Byers work together with students and families to apply for admission and scholarships, make final decisions, and successfully transition from Brownelltalbot school to the best college or university for each student. 5
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metroMAGAZINE • OCT 2012
ALL THE FACULTY KNOW OUR STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY. WE USE THAT INSIGHT TO HELP STUDENTS EXPRESS TRUE REPRESENTATIONS OF THEMSELVES.
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One Of the things that makes BrOwnell-talBOt schOOl unique is that faculty and staff understand that getting intO a “dream” cOllege takes mOre than gOOd grades in high schOOl.
~ JACKIE BYERS FACULTY MEMBER
CONTINUED
special edition
ALUM ENJOYS LEGACY OF HER CHILDREN AT THE SCHOOL
Brownell-tAlBot school
she and her husband Bob have since seen four of their six children graduate from the school, including sons Patrick, daniel, and corey, and most recently, only daughter molly. karen’s youngest son, dylan, is a sophomore slated to graduate with the class of 2015. “the Brownell-talbot environment allows children to grow as well-rounded individuals, nurturing them academically, physically, and spiritually, “ she said. “the fact that the class sizes are small allows the faculty to get to know each of the students as individuals and to work with a student’s abilities and interests to foster their success. the faculty encourage each student to strive to do their best in all that they do, whether it be in the classroom or in extracurricular activities. KAREN THOMPSON BURKLEY, CLASS OF 1974 DAUGHTER MOLLY BURKLEY, CLASS OF 2012
this encouragement fosters in each student a self-awareness and desire to be successful, not only while they are students at Brownell-talbot, but when they go on in their educational endeavors and beyond.” the Burkley children have a multigenerational tie to Brownell-talbot school. their maternal greatgrandmother, helen smith thompson, 1910, attended what was then the allgirls boarding school Brownell hall. their maternal grandmother, mary mcfayden thompson, 1948, also attended Brownell hall. aunt, katharyn thompson wyckoff, is a 1973 alum.
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THE BROWNELL-TALBOT ENVIRONMENT ALLOWS CHILDREN TO GROW AS WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUALS.
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KAREN THOMPSON BURKLEY attended BrOwnell-talBOt frOm nursery schOOl thrOugh grade 12.
~ KAREN THOMPSON BURKLEY Alumnus
NEW PARENTS APPRECIATE PERSONAL ATTENTION AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR JAMES AND LAURA FOXALL, One day Of shadOwing at BrOwnell-talBOt schOOl last sPring was all it tOOk fOr them and their children ethan and tess tO Be excited aBOut middle and uPPer schOOl.
ETHAN AND TESS FOXALL TRANSFERRED TO BROWNELL-TALBOT LAST FALL
SPECIAL EDITION: BROWNELL-TALBOT SCHOOL
the foxalls were looking for an alternative to their previous school experience where they felt their children weren’t challenged or exposed to project-based learning opportunities that would impart the knowledge and skills needed for the future. “Our kids are happy and engaged, and they are learning at an entirely new level. they are not distracted by cliques, excessive ‘drama,’ or other non-learning issues that they encountered elsewhere,” said James. “they go on field trips, participate in interactive labs, and because so much is expected of them, they work hard and are living up to a higher standard.”
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“it’s so much more than the academic focus at Brownell-talbot,” added laura. “Our daughter has come alive here. she has made new friends and is surrounded by peers who seek to do as well as she does. Our son used to hate going to school. today he is the first one in the car. he even carries himself differently and talks about becoming a doctor. he’s looking ahead at a path that goes beyond high school.” the foxalls relayed that they expect a lot from Brownell-talbot as well. “we want our children to be academically prepared to go to college and into careers that provide them with selffulfillment and financial stability. we want them exposed to different thoughts, ideas, cultures, and religions, and we want them to learn to appreciate diversity while being happy and confident in who they are,” relayed James. “Brownell-talbot shows our children that it is a good thing to be smart, work hard, and succeed.”
metroMAGAZINE • OCT 2012
STUDENTS GROW WITH OPPORTUNITY TO TAP INTO TALENTS
EXTRACURRICULAR academically, classes at Brownelltalbot school are smaller and varied so students can feed an interest in a subject to see if it may be a topic to pursue in greater depth in college. from an extracurricular perspective, students who attend Brownell-talbot can participate in a variety of activities at the same time, allowing them to explore and develop their talents and abilities. this is where students play varsity level football, tennis, golf, volleyball, and more. this is where students participate in top speech and robotics teams. the Brownell-talbot “yakking raiders” have won six consecutive state championships from 2007 to 2012, plus they are nine-time district champions and have won more than 10 conference championships. Brownell-talbot’s raider robotics team earned runner-up in the nebraska state robotics tournament before traveling to california last spring to compete in the vex robotics world championships.
for the students, however, the thrill isn’t just in winning awards. it’s about being part of a team and having the chance to participate in a club, activity or sport that they may not have had the chance to do at a larger school. “at Brownell-talbot school we seek to educate the whole child,” said head of school sylvia rodríguez vargas, Ph.d. “academics is our primary focus, but the academics, and the students, are ‘rounded out’ with the experiences that come from leading a committee, holding an office in a club, or having a part in the play or a key position on a team. these are the social and emotional learning playing fields that help students tap into their strengths, learn collaboration skills, tolerance, and more.” dr. rodríguez vargas noted that in addition to sports, speech, and robotics, the school offers vocal music starting in preschool and strings and band classes beginning in fifth grade. Brownelltalbot’s one-of-a-kind band curriculum focuses on training students to be jazz combo musicians rather than concert band musicians. this non-traditional approach is particularly beneficial for small classes and allows for individual attention. “Our proudest moments are in helping students find their voices – singing and otherwise,” she added.
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One Of the distinct advantages Of attending BrOwnell-talBOt schOOl is the OPPOrtunity students have tO exPlOre their strengths, talents, and interests Because they can try many things.
metromAgAzine • the spirit of omaha
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AT BROWNELL-TALBOT SCHOOL WE SEEK TO EDUCATE THE WHOLE CHILD. ~ SYLVIA RODRÍGUEZ VARGAS, PH.D. heAd of school
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metroMAGAZINE • OCT 2012
CONTINUED
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