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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 26, 2007 |
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FROM THE HEADMASTER...
This has been a very productive week for all at Brookwood. Our students and teachers continue to take pride in their academics. Did you realize the mid-point of this quarter is just around the corner? As spring is the busiest time of the year, I urge everyone to keep pace with their work.
Many of you have been inquiring about the calendar for the 2007-2008 school year. The calendar is now complete and can be viewed through the link on our website. There are a couple points of interest that I would like to bring to your attention concerning what you will find while reviewing next year's calendar. The faculty and staff dedicated a good amount of time in discussion and suggestions. One of the most important challenges was to increase the number of days in school from 175 to 180, and I very pleased that this was accomplished. An attempt was made to move the first day of school deeper into the month of August but this task could not be reached. The reason for our start date being what it is for the upcoming year is ultimately out of our control for the following reason. The College Board sets the Advanced Placement exams nationally well in advance of the upcoming years. With this in mind we must give our teachers of AP ample time to cover all material necessary to prepare our students for those exams which take place in May. After doing some additional research with other schools in our area and comparing the public school's calendar, our spring break will coincide with most region schools as well as our counterparts in the public system. It is very difficult to please everyone, but we feel extremely good that this calendar works best for the entire school.
Congratulations to Anne McPherson, this week's "Warrior of the Week." Way to go Anne!
The excitement is mounting for the opening of this year's performance of "Camelot." If you have not already purchased your tickets, please do so soon. Tickets are available at the front desk in Flowers Hall.
Next weekend through Monday, February 5th, Dr. Bill Campbell, our Visiting Committee Chairman, will be at Brookwood to conduct his preliminary SAIS/SACS visit. Dr. Campbell is currently the Headmaster at The Covenant School in Nashville Tennessee, and is one of the most respected Heads in the southeast. During this visit he will meet with faculty, visit classes, tour campus, review the rough draft of standards and indicators that we have completed, and take in the Sunday performance of "Camelot." We look forward to sharing this wonderful place with Dr. Campbell.
Our Annual Fund for Excellence has been doing very well and we are so grateful to all who have stepped up and made their contribution or commitment to this extremely worthy cause. As you know, our faculty participation is 100%; this is a very strong statement in their belief in Brookwood. Our parent participation is currently at 34%. This is a number that is falling quite a bit short of our goal of 75% participation by our parents. It is not too late to send in or drop by with your contribution or commitment. Thanks to you all for helping make Brookwood the best it can be.
Please be sure you continue to read through the entire eNewsletter. It contains a great deal of information from each Division along with upcoming activities. Have a great weekend!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS (Ashley Harper)
Middle School Soccer
Congratulations to our Middle School Soccer team, coached by Mrs. Lindsey Bader. They are off to a fantastic start this season with a record of 1-1. This co-ed soccer team meets at Remington Park to practice and play. Team members include Christian Quinones, Chance Harbin, Paul Brewer, Austin Tyler, Emily Myers, Ryan Hudson, Cory Sigler, Alex Muller, Taylor Bragg, Melanie Morales, Sam Sewell, Jacob Dennis, Katie Rumble, Danielle Harrell, Kelsie Ingram, Leigh Stauffer, and Caroline Penhallegon.
Science Class Materials Request
If your child is in Mrs. Grubbs' sixth, seventh, or eighth grade science class, please make sure he or she has a three ring binder or a section of a binder dedicated to science. Mrs. Grubbs is beginning notebook checks for organized and appropriate materials in class. Thank you in advance for your help.
Middle School Tutorials
The mission of our Middle School is to provide a quality college preparatory educational experience for our students. One way we endeavor to do this is by providing appropriate student support services, afternoon tutorials are one of those services. Most afternoons, Middle School teachers are available to aid students in understanding the lessons being taught that day or that week. Additionally, some teachers schedule weekly review sessions for current material. Students are always encouraged and welcome to seek help from their teachers on current classroom studies. Should a student need long term remediation or bolstering of skills taught in previous years, please contact the Middle School Director for suggestions. Your support of our active learning environment is always appreciated.
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS (Francine Wright)
A FROGGY DAY in LINDENTOWN
When Bully, the frog, moves into Lindentown Swamp, it turns out to be a "Froggy" day for all of the inhabitants. This once happy little community of creatures finds itself up against an unpleasant and rude bully. Bully torments the tadpoles and refuses to allow the swamp's residents to pass by his lily pad. When Toady is unable to sing bass in the "All-Swamp Sing", Allie the alligator remembers that Bully has a great voice. Thinking of the notoriety he could gain, Bully agrees to do it. Through the power of music, Bully is transformed and learns to be a positive citizen of Lindentown.
Thank you first graders for a "ribbitting" good time! Mrs. Sims and Mrs. Collins, your support and guidance helped to bring to us a delightful performance. And as always, Mrs. Lee we truly appreciate your musical talents.
Brookwood parents are the greatest! Thank you to all the moms who helped decorate, create costumes, and get students dressed for this adorable performance.
Celebrating 100 Days of School!!!
On Thursday Mrs. Martin's and Mrs. Waters' Kindergarten classes had a day filled with fun activities to celebrate their 100th day of school. They began the day with a special breakfast of 100 pieces of cereal and the works! Other fun activities included visiting other classrooms and getting 100 autographs, doing 100 exercises, reading, writing and singing about 100 and last, but certainly not least, giving 100 hugs to their teachers!
After School Pickup
Please help us be more efficient. Make your After School Pickup arrangements before 12:30 pm (preschool by 11:30 am) by calling the LS office or e-mailing your child's teacher in the classroom before 12:30. Thank you for remembering our policies. (Blue Book page 68)
Carpool Safety
In order to ensure the safety of our children, it is school policy that LS students wait in the Preschool building for carpools and buses. Please support our efforts by reminding your child to wait in the designated area. Please do not ask children to leave the pickup line to meet you or to come to waiting cars. This causes the children to cross traffic areas which are dangerous, and it creates confusion for the teachers on duty. Thank you for helping us maintain an efficient carpool and to ensure the safety of our children.
A Note From Mrs. Roach
Mrs. Roach would like to offer a special "Thank You" to all the mom's who came to help out on the Auction Project Workday! Their generous help and hard work is very much appreciated!
Reminder: Each child is asked to donate $10.00 for the Auction. This can be turned in to your child's teacher.
COLLEGE COUNSELING (Vic Spigener)
1. The College of William & Mary and Hampden-Sydney College were inadvertently omitted from the list of schools to which our students have been admitted.
2. As of January 25, our seniors have received $182,800 in merit scholarship money - This does NOT include the HOPE scholarship.
3. Seniors are reminded to bring in all college notification letters so I can update my records.
4. SENIORITIS:
The early signs of this potentially "fatal" disease are lethargy, lack of focus, and difficulty making decisions. Seniorities attacks, otherwise, healthy high school seniors. Many of our seniors have received college acceptance letters; many of them understandably feel entitled to a little downtime. Taking it easy academically may seem like a nice break, but doing so may do more harm than good. Seniors (and their parents) need to be reminded that colleges can revoke both admission decisions and scholarships. I personally have seen this happen. Seniors and parents of seniors need to know that one of the primary conditions of Brookwood School's membership in both NACAC (National Association of Colleges and Schools) and SACAC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) is that I have to report any changes in a senior's academic and/or personal profile. Even worse, I have seen colleges rescind their acceptances after they receive final transcripts once seniors have graduated high school. This is devastating to families.
The best cure for some cases of seniorities is a strong dose of reality. Students need to continue their active involvement in activities, sports, and volunteer work. Their school work needs to be just as important now as it was at the beginning of the school year. The last thing a senior should want is to start the entire application process over again after they graduate in May!
- JUNIOR PARENTS: Mark your calendars Monday, February 19, at 6:30 pm. There will be a meeting (in the library) of parents of rising seniors about Brookwood School's College Counseling Program. If you have any questions call me at 226-8070.
- The State of Georgia has changed the voter registration application forms. The new forms no longer require the full social security number. Now, the applicant is required to provide EITHER his/her driver license number OR the last four digits of their social security number. I have a small supply of the new forms if anyone would like to register to vote. Students have to be at least 17 ½ years of age to register and 18 to vote.
"CAMELOT" Join Brookwood School and Director Constance Clineman as they present this year's musical production, Camelot. We will have a live orchestra, wonderful singing and dancing from a cast of over 100 students, parents and faculty. In short, we promise an entertaining and wholesome show suitable for your whole family!
Performances will be held at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium.
Ticket prices are:
Angel $65.00 per ticket
Reserved $20.00 per ticket
General Admission $12.00 per ticket (adults), $5.00 per ticket (students)
Angel and reserved tickets are on sale at the school. General admission tickets are on sale at the school, CoCroft Music Store, Jan's Hallmark and Center Drug Store in Cairo. Performance times are:
Friday, February 2, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 3, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 4, 2:00 p.m.
Ticket order forms are available on the Drama Guild page of the website http://www.brookwoodschool.org/page/brookwood_today. As always, call the school office for more information
27th ANNUAL BROOKWOOD AUCTION - MARCH 10
Light up the night at the Brookwood Auction! For a minimum donation of $5, you may purchase a luminary that will shine all night at the 2007 Auction in honor of a special teacher, friend, student, administrator, coach, parent, etc.---that someone special. Forms were sent home today with Lower School students and are also available in the front office in Flowers Hall.
SPORTS RECOGNITION ASSEMBLIES
Middle School Cheerleading Assembly, Wednesday, January 31, 8:00 a.m.
Middle School Girls Basketball Assembly, Wednesday, February 7, 8:00 a.m.
Middle School Boys Basketball Assembly, Wednesday, February 21, (not February 13), 8:00 a.m.
Varsity Cheerleading Assembly, Monday, February 26, 8:00 a.m.
Varsity Girls Basketball Assembly, Wednesday, February 28, 8:00 a.m.
Varsity Boys Basketball Assembly, Wednesday, March 7, 8:00 a.m.
Winter sports pictures are available in the front office for parents to view and order. Questions? Call Jamie Whiddon at Take Your Best Shot Photography
CLASS OF 2007 BOOK DRIVE
The Senior Class of 2007 is sponsoring a book drive to benefit local organization through February 28. Students are asked to bring in gently used books suitable for ages preschool-high school. They can be deposited in marked boxes in the following rooms for each grade: 6th: Phipps, 7th: Lewis, 8th: Grubbs, 9th: Sheftall, 10th: Nicholson, 11th: Hunt, and 12th: Callaway. The seniors hope that this can be a great success and encourage you to share with others the joy of reading.
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
