Brookwood eNewsletter
January 5, 2007

Brookwood eNewsletter
Wisdom, Honor, Achievement, Citizenship

Brookwood School Mission Statement
The purpose of Brookwood School is to provide an exceptional college-preparatory educational experience to students from four years of age through the twelfth grade.  Brookwood is committed to developing the whole child:  academically, physically, spiritually, and socially.

January 5, 2007
 

FROM THE HEADMASTER...
 
Welcome back!  I hope everyone enjoyed a very long Holiday vacation. We have all returned with an energetic attitude, and it seems as though the majority of the students are glad to be back (although they would not admit it) into the routine of school.

Since this was a very short week and the beginning of a new semester, our eNewsletter will unfortunately be shorter as well.

This has been a relatively quiet week as we prepare for the always busy spring.  Numerous activities will begin to fill our calendars, please monitor our webpage as we will continue to update all schedules and events.  I encourage you to attend and support the many activities that will be taking place throughout this winter and spring.

I wish to thank all of the Brookwood families, alumni, grandparents, and friends for their thoughtful, generous and continuing strong support to the Annual Fund for Excellence.  We continue to move closer to our goal each day.  Remember it is not too late to participate, and your commitment may be spread over a period of months through June. 

As we move into this New Year, numerous plans are being made for the 2007-2008 school year.  We are currently developing the very important calendar for the upcoming year and have listened to the suggestions many of you have made regarding the calendar.  We propose to have this completed before the end of this month.

Congratulations to Joe Hawkins, this week's "Warrior of the Week!"  Good going Joe!

Our faculty and staff would like to publicly thank both our Board of Directors and the Parent Council for their thoughtful gifts that were given for Christmas.  Your appreciation for a job well done means so much.  We thank you as well for the work you are doing to help make Brookwood School the best it can be. Thanks to you all!

Now that this second semester is underway I encourage each of you to continue your active participation in the life of this fine institution.  Your passionate pride and continued involvement has been remarkable.  Let's keep this ship moving on the positive course that it has been on throughout the first semester.

                                                                                   Blessings,

                                                                                    Mike Notaro
                                                                                    Headmaster



MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS (Ashley Harper)

National Geographic Geography Bee

Congratulations to Trey Collins, the winner of the 4th - 8th grade National Geographic School Geography Bee.  There was fierce competition in Chubb Hall this morning, as ten students competed for the title.  Trey, Charlie Wedding, and Ryan Hudson emerged as our top three competitors.  Trey, we wish you luck as you prepare for the written exam to move forward in regional and state competition. 

Congratulations to all of our grade level winners:
Sixth grade - Jackson Harris and Olivia Howell
Seventh grade - Sarah Chason and Charlie Wedding
Eighth grade - Trey Collins and Ryan Hudson

Mrs. Harper is finalizing the plans for the Washington, DC trip in March and will have an updated itinerary and more information soon.  She is extending a final invitation to any parent who would wish to join the trip.  Please contact Mrs. Harper if you are interested.



LOWER SCHOOL NEWS (Francine Wright)

National Geography Bee - Congratulations to Trey Collins, 2007 Geography Bee champion and Charlie Wedding, first runner-up.  The finalists from Lower School are:

Fourth Grade                                          Fifth Grade
Heeth Varnedoe                                    Jordan Bradshaw
Taylor Patterson                                    John Penhallegon





Pre-Kindergarteners celebrated with Ms. U this week by trying some upside down art.  They also tried to paint like Michelangelo did in the Sistene Chapel.  It was amazing to learn that he did that for four years.  What a feat!









"CAMELOT"

Camelot tickets are on sale!  Ticket order forms are available on the Drama Guild page of the website.  http://www.brookwoodschool.org/page/1849



ATHLETICS 

 

Middle School Girls Basketball Team Still Undefeated! (Coach Hogan)
The Middle School Girls Basketball Team, led by eighth graders Haley Caldwell, Grace Allen, Paige Petrey, Brittany Vinson, Margaret Hancock and Sloan Breese are 5-0!  Seventh graders Hannah Notaro, Leigh Avera, Caroline Penhallegon, Brennan Horner, Garland Turner, Emily Hancock and Krysta Hiers are getting playing time and improving so they can take over the reigns of the team next year.  Four sixth graders are also on the team this year; Peyton Patterson, Elizabeth Johnson, Jessi Hurst and Elin McGregor.  The girls are 5-0, beating Whigham Middle both at home (34-11) and away (31-20), defeating Georgia Christian at home (25-10) and away (38-18), and also defeating South Georgia Academy at home 39-14.  Coach Hogan is blssed with four tall girls that dominate the backboards.  Haley is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds, leading the team.  Grace is grabbing 10 boards per game.  Paige and Brittany are leading the team in steals and fast break points.  Coach is also very pleased with the play of Hannah at the gambler position on the press and Peyton is working hard on her ball handling and passing.  Coach Hogan says these girls  are a joy to coach with their enthusiasm and hustle.  The girls are starting to understand the press and pressure defense.  If we can keep them out of China (ask a MS girl basketball player) and improve our shooting, Coach Hogan believes this team will be tough to beat.  Check out their upcoming schedule on the school's website.



 27th ANNUAL BROOKWOOD AUCTION    (BROOKWOOD GOES BROADWAY)

Can you believe it is time to start full force in preparing for the auction? Well, it's that time and we need your help! There have been lots of  people offering to do something but now we need to nail down some specifics. There will be a meeting on Monday, January 8, at 2:00 in the Board Room, for those interesting in helping with the auction. Please try your best to attend. Thank you so much.

Mary Nelson Notaro and Katherine Davidson




SAT PREPARATION COURSE 

Matt Nicholson will be offering a SAT test preparation course for the upcoming SAT on January 27, 2007.  Matt graduated from Brookwood in 2002 as the valedictorian and star student.  This past May he graduated with high honors from the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar in the Politics Honors Program.  He is currently attending the University of Virginia School of Law on an academic scholarship.  Matt has taught eight SAT preparation courses over the past four years and has tutored students individually since graduating from Brookwood.  Many students have been able to improve their test scores by 100 to 200 points.  The course emphasizes strategies for taking the test and problem solving.  Because the New SAT now includes an essay section, Matt discusses the elements of a strong essay and what graders are looking for.  The course will consist of eight (8) sessions beginning on Monday, January 8 and concluding on Wednesday, January 17.  The cost for the class will be $150.  Students will also need to purchase The Official SAT Study Guide:  For the New SAT.  The deadline for signing up is Friday, January 5, 2007.  Matt has sent letters and registration forms to the parents of sophomores and juniors. For more information contact Matt Nicholson at mbn6d@virginia.edu or call him at (434) 825-1124. 










HOTC Youth Service Week- January 12th -19th
Call the HOTC office at 226-5200 or see Mr. Spigener at Brookwood to volunteer to help.






Detailed school-wide calendar and athletic event information can be found simply clicking the following link: http://www.brookwoodschool.org/page/brookwood_today

Want to know a game score? Check out http://www.brookwoodschool.org/page/athletics