Brookwood School - eNewsletter Archive 2005-06

FROM THE HEADMASTER...

It seems to me that I was producing this eNewsletter for last week just a few minutes ago. The time is moving quickly past us and I feel it is important that we all find a way to slow down just a little. The nature of the school business is such that we and our children are moving from one class to another, one meeting to another, or one activity to another. Before we know it we will be making plans for graduation!

As I mentioned to you last week we are in the process of developing our information necessary for our dual SACS/SAIS accreditation visit this spring. We are addressing a list of "Standards and Indicators" that are provided to us through SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools). There are thirteen standards that are broken down into 113 indicators. With each indicator we must answer four very important questions:

1. Profile: Where the school is today? This will include clear comprehensive information reflecting current student performance data, stakeholder perspectives, community characteristics, and analysis of strengths and limitations in the areas of student learning and school performance.
2. Vision: Where does the school want to go? The Vision is a clear, compelling purpose communicated through our vision and mission statements, beliefs, and core values.
3. Plan: What is the plan to get there? The Plan is based on an analysis or pertinent data, research of best practices, and alignment with generally-accepted expectations for student learning at schools with similar missions.
4. Results: How will the school know when it has accomplished its plan? The results are documented evidence demonstrating successful implementation of strategies that resulted in accomplishment of our mission and student achievement gains related to the mission.

Statements responding to these questions must be written and compiled in an orderly and detailed fashion for the visiting team. We must show that we comply with the standards by producing evidence of each of the indicators under the standard. The short and long of this means we (all of us) will need to answer 452 questions (none of which are multiple choice or true or false) to complete the self-study report and have it in the hands of all visiting team members at least four weeks prior to the official visit. As you can see it is a major undertaking that is critical to the future of our school.

Brookwood "B" Decals - During our Parents Back to School Nights we distributed a large number of the Brookwood "B" decals for you to place on your rear window of each of your vehicles. If you have not already done so please make it a point to show off your pride throughout the community by placing these on your cars. If you are in need of an additional "B" or two, they are available in the front office.

Town Meeting-Parent Council- I hope you are planning to be on hand Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Williams-Parker Library for our September Town Hall/Parent Council meeting. Once per quarter we will piggy-back with the Parent Council and conduct both meetings simultaneously. Please make plans to attend this open forum to discuss positive topics that will continue to help Brookwood meet our needs and dreams. May I also remind you again that we will not provide child care for this meeting.

Many thanks to all of you who have called, e-mailed, written letters, or spoken to us in person expressing so many positive statements about how well school is going! It has been a team effort by this entire faculty and staff. They all should be commended for the excellent start we have had to this year. Let's all try and slow down a little this weekend and enjoy the time we share with our family. Blessings to you all!

Mike Notaro
Headmaster

UPPER SCHOOL NEWS (David Grooms)

On Wednesday, the traditional assembly for Senior Privilege Day took place in Flowers Hall. Alumnus Heeth Varnedoe IV, Class of 1985, addressed the class about the responsibility that is required when privileges are given. Seniors received a gift of a monogrammed key chain with the school seal. A breakfast reception in the breezeway followed the ceremony, which marks the official beginning of seniors' off-campus sign-out privileges. After morning classes, seniors had an al fresco luncheon prepared by parents before heading to the parking lot to individualize their parking blocks. First grade buddies eagerly joined seniors, painting a small portion of the block and enjoying a popsicle treat with their new friend. Thanks to Mrs. Larson and Mrs. Callaway for organizing this event.

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS (Ashley Harper)

It has been a short, but exhilarating week in Middle School. This week's assemblies have focused on leadership and our Middle School Council, specifically how our students can direct our future.

The new Middle School Council structure is designed to mirror our national government. There are now three sixth grade representatives, three seventh grade representatives, and two eighth grade representatives, each elected by their grade level in homeroom meetings this week.

The officer positions of president, vice-president, and secretary, are open to eighth grade students and elected by the entire student body. Eighth graders interested in these positions completed an application process and will present speeches to the Middle School Student Body on Tuesday. Following the speeches, the entire Middle School will participate in elections for our officers.

We are proud of all the students who expressed an interest in leading through the Middle School Council and look forward to a positive impact from this organization.

6^th - Elin McGregor, Peyton Patterson, and Mandy Yost
7^th - Leigh Avera, Hannah Notaro, and Caroline Penhallegon
8^th - Margaret Hancock and Karen Swann

LOWER SCHOOL NEWS (Francine Wright)

Step It Up! Step It Up!
Time is Running Out!!
After two turn-in days, we have only sold 24% of our $50,000 goal. Please work hard this weekend . The last two turn-in days are scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, and Thursday, September 14. Come on Warriors! You can do it! We're looking forward to our big cookout with Mr. Bass - but only if we meet our goal.

Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival
Each year the Lower School students (K-5) participate in a wildlife poster contest sponsored by Flowers Foods. One hundred finalists will be selected from thousands of entries. Students have completed their entries in art class with Mrs. Roach. We look forward to the announcement of lower school students who become finalists. This year's theme is "Wildlife, Water, Wildflowers, and Woods". The deadline for entries is September 18, and finalists will be announced on October 9. This is a great opportunity for students to be creative and display their artistic talents.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Progress Reports - Friday-September 15
EED Screenings - Friday-September 22
School Pictures - Tuesday-September 19

COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE (Vic Spigener)

(1) Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, and Stanford will hold a Student/Parent Information Session on Monday, September 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Tallahassee, 101 South Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL (850) 225-5000.

(2) The ACT will be given Saturday, September 16, at Brookwood School. Students should plan to arrive here no later than 8:00 am. They should have their admission ticket, picture ID [driver's license or passport], several sharpened pencils with erasers, and a calculator with fresh batteries. If a student does not have a valid picture ID, he/she should see Mr. Spigener first thing next week.

(3) Don't forget Woodward Academy's College Fair Sunday, September 17, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. All juniors and seniors planning to attend the fair should see Mr. Spigener for a valuable handout outlining "Fairing Well at a College Fair" as well as a list of schools planning to attend the fair. This a great opportunity and students are highly encouraged to take advantage of it.

(4) Seniors planning on taking the October and/or the November SAT should be taking advantage of the College Board's free on-line SAT Preparation Course. Mr. Spigener has the access code students will need to get into the program.

(5) ALL seniors should be well into the college application process. Students and parents who have not made an appointment to see Mr. Spigener should do so as soon as possible.

ATHLETICS (Tony Rogers)

This coming Sunday, our athletic program has received an invitation from the First Baptist Church in Thomasville to attend their annual Squad Day service. The featured speaker is Steadman Shealy, a former starting quarterback for the national championship teams at University of Alabama, '78-'79. All the schools in town come out annually for their 11:00 service and leave the facility extremely encouraged. I'm sure that this that this is something you will not want to miss.

We realize that many of you are faithful in attendance at your own church and it is difficult to make arrangements to attend such a service. Just know that this is something that our coaches encourage the athletes to attend. Parents are welcomed to come and be a part of this event and sit along side the coaches and the teams. Have a great weekend.

NEWS FROM THE ART DEPARTMENT

BROOKWOOD SCHOOL PLACES IN TOP FOUR IN 2006 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION