FROM THE HEADMASTER...

As we complete another great and exciting week, I am beginning to see our students feeling more comfortable with the routine of school.  I actually think many look forward to coming to Brookwood every day.

Last week we mentioned we would begin to provide you with other brief reports from each divisions and other departments. Please be sure that you continue to read all the way through this report.  I believe it is important that you are aware of all the many activities that are enriching your children's lives throughout the school.  It is also essential that you can speak about happenings in other divisions when conversing positively with individuals throughout the community.

More Great News:  A new computer lab is coming to our campus!  In a few short days we will be introducing to the students and faculty our new "Laptop Lab" to be housed in the Library.  We have purchased twenty-one laptop computers along with a special recharging cart that will be available for classes to use as an additional location to do research and writing.  A wireless network will be installed in the library and a new DeskJet Color printer will be added and used exclusively for this lab.  This addition will benefit the entire school.  This is a huge addition to our move toward keeping up with the demands technology has in education.

New and Old Family Member:  We are extremely excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Tommy McMillan as Brookwood's new Head Baseball Coach.  Mr. McMillan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program.  He was a member of the USA World Team in 1972 and a All World All-Star.  While attending Jacksonville University he became a 1^st Team All-American in 1973,  was a second round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians, and made it to the Major Leagues with the Seattle Mariners in 1977.  Along with numerous other accolades, "Coach" McMillan was inducted into Jacksonville University's inaugural Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.  You may recognize the McMillan name... he and his wife of 32 years, Bonnie, have three daughters at Brookwood, Keri (Class of 2007), Christy (Class of 2009), and Amy Stalvey, our Study Lab teacher.  Please help us welcome Coach McMillan to Brookwood.

Thanks again to all of the Brookwood community and especially this faculty and staff for two outstanding weeks of enjoyment and learning.  
                                                                                   Blessings to all,
                                                                                    Mike Notaro 
                                                                                    Headmaster

UPPER SCHOOL NEWS (David Grooms)

The classroom of the Twenty-first Century is one which is increasingly rich in technology.  Electronic communication grows constantly.  Some Upper School teachers use email to communicate with students on a frequent basis.  This is evident in classes such as Biology and U.S. History which have online resources, including outside readings and online review quizzes available for student use.  Brookwood is fortunate to have SMART Boards in many classes to facilitate technological integration into the classroom.   These boards allow a more interactive style of learning and allow the presentation of lessons to be more colorful, thus increasing student interest.  The Upper School faculty recommends that students have flash drives to allow files to be transferred easily from home to school and from computer to computer.  These drives are often no larger than a thumb but can store large chunks of information.  They are more dependable than floppy drives or even CDs. 



MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS (Ashley Harper)
Enthusiasm abounds in the Middle School.  Our Middle School assemblies on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are off to a great start. This week's theme has focused on being honorable citizens on campus and how we can create a climate of respect for all students.  Specifically, we have discussed bullying and how the Middle School student body can prevent and respond to inappropriate conduct and actions they witness.  Thank you to Chance Harbin for being an eighth grader leader on Tuesday as he helped Mrs. Harper in a skit at the assembly program. 

Poof!  The sixth grade enjoyed a laboratory experience with Mr. East and Mrs. Grubbs on Tuesday.  Mr. East shared a polymer experiment with the students showing off the properties of liquids and introducing Chemistry to them.

 Let's get ready to rumble . . . Mrs. Lewis's seventh grade English class is currently studying The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, a favorite summer reading selection.  The Greasers and the Socs are on the prowl as the seventh graders delve into a societal commentary by a renowned seventeen-year-old author.  Be on the look out for rolled jeans, t-shirts, and leather jackets as they celebrate this novel.

Speaking of student authors, Mrs. Nicholson's eighth grade English class has embarked upon the great American collaborative novel.   In response to this summer's reading selection, The Messenger, the class is writing a sequel.  This week Ryan Hudson and Jackson Brannon completed chapter one.  After a brief editorial review, it will be passed on to Kaitlyn Roberts and Brooke Collins for the continuing saga. 

LOWER SCHOOL NEWS (Francine Wright)
 
Lower School students are off and running as they exit vehicles each morning.  What a reward to see them enthusiastic about school, new learning, and enjoying friends. 

We are in the process of revising the loading and unloading zone so as to protect the attractive new landscaping.  Thank you to our parents for patience and caution.

Our new science curriculum has students engaged in discoveries involving concepts such as building bridges with K-Nex. Fourth graders focused on investigating a type of bridge called a beam bridge.  They investigated the parts of a beam bridge and what will happen to the load-carrying ability of the bridge as it becomes longer.

Hola!  Senora Malek says that she is so impressed with our students.  As she noted, "They are so well behaved and learn so fast." Games and fun activities make learning Spanish an enthusiastic experience.

The Lower School has enjoyed a smooth second week; the students seem to be settled in successfully.   Great job teachers, students, and parents!

Coming:   Magazine Sale Kick-off next Friday

ATHLETICS (Tony Rogers)

 Congratulations to Christa Boggs, her coaching staff, and the Softball team for yet another successful beginning to the softball season.  The team hosted a pre-season tournament and finished 2^nd place, losing to Randolph Southern in the final game.  You'll want to mark their home games down from the Brookwood web site and come out to support our Lady Warriors.

The Lady Softball Warriors would like to thank Bobby Johnson for taking an entire day last week to hang a scoreboard in the softball outfield.  It is great to be part of such a truly giving community.

Coach Hogan and the Varsity Soccer team began their season with a tough 4-3 loss to Grace Christian Academy of Bainbridge this past Tuesday.  Many fans were in attendance and there was a true excitement in the air.   Their next match is scheduled to be at Remington fields next Tuesday against Open Bible at 5:00 pm.

Our Cross Country team travels to Macon early this Saturday morning for their 1^st race of the 2006 season.  This committed group of runners has been coming to school early two days a week to prepare for their season and avoid the extreme temperatures of those hot August days.  They have an outstanding crop of runners poised to make a huge impact on the GISA this season. 

The Varsity Football team begins their season tonight at 7:30 p.m. as they travel to Quincy, Florida, to battle the Bobcats from Robert F. Munroe.  You can pick up directions in the front office or click on Robert F. Munroe from the "upcoming matches" column on the athletics page at www.brookwoodschool.org to see a map on how to get to the stadium.  Also, next Thursday's home game is not a typographical error.  We are hosting Fullington Academy on Thursday, August 31^st (not Friday) at 7:30 p.m.  This game kicks off our regular season, and our football team would love to have everyone there cheering them on to victory.

Finally, if you haven't heard, Saturday, August 26, is a Booster Club workday at the athletic fields.  The start time is 8:30 a.m.  This is an opportunity to join with others in our community and spruce up our facilities.  Please bring your garden tools, your painting supplies, and your spouse as we continue the campus upgrades started by our Board of Directors this past summer. 


COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE (Vic Spigener)

I.  Students at Brookwood School now have access to the online SAT Preparation class created by the College Board.  The course features the following:
(1)     18 interactive lessons
(2)     6 full-length, official SAT practice tests, plus diagnostic pretests
(3)     over 600 practice questions
(4)     explanations of answers to all questions
(5)     automated essay scoring
(6)     personalized score reports for students

This course was previously only available (at no charge) to public school students.  This is the first year that private school students can register (at no charge).  Our students will be able to access this course shortly.  We have not received our activation code; however, as soon as we do, you will be notified.

II. Applications for the Coca-Cola Scholarship (one of the largest in the country) must be received by October 31.  This program was established by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is 1986 to recognize outstanding seniors.  Each year the Foundation awards 250 achievement-based scholarships.  Fifty awards are for $20,000, payable in equal installments over a four-year period.  The remaining 200 awards are for $10,000, also payable over a four-year period.  The scholarship can be used for any line of study at any accredited U.S. college or university. 

Recipients are well-rounded students with highly developed interest in the Thomasville community.  Applicants are evaluated on the following:
(1)     demonstrated leadership in our school
(2)     commitment to community service
(3)     academic achievement
(4)     part-time employment

Each year the Foundation selects up to 2,000 semifinalists in what has become a very competitive program, as evidenced by nearly 50,000 applicants last year.  These students are selected from ten districts and only compete with others from their geographic region.  Applications can be found at http://www.coca-colascholars.org

Interested students should allow plenty of time to apply online before the October 31 deadline. 

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (Ann Larson)

The National Honor Society Tapping Ceremony will take place October 4, 2006.  This change will allow students to have their membership on their records as they apply for college.  The student's GPA at the end of the previous school year, in this case 2005-2006, will determine scholastic eligibility.  Requirements, which have not changed, are in the Blue Book.  Details of time and place will follow.

"CAMELOT" AUDITION DEADLINE

Deadline for completing audition forms for the Brookwood musical, "Camelot," is August 29^th.  An audition form should be completed for each actor wishing to participate in the play.  Audition forms are available on the Brookwood web site.  A link to the Drama Guild Page is located in the Weekly Announcements on the Brookwood Today page of the site.  The address for the Drama Guild Page is http://www.brookwoodschool.org/page/1849

Completed forms should be placed in Mrs. Clineman's mailbox in Flowers Hall.  Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, September 9^th.

ONE-ACT PLAY AUDITIONS

Auditions for the Brookwood One Act Play are scheduled for September 8^th.  The One Act Play is open to students in grades 8-12. Brookwood will be presenting The Boyfriend for our One Act Play.  An audition form should be completed by each actor prior to the audition.  The deadline for completion of the One Act forms is August 29^th.  Audition forms are available in the front office and on the web site at http://www.brookwoodschool.org/page/1849

 
STADIUM SEATS for Sale