BRANSON BULLETIN • CAMPUS NEWS • AUGUST 31, 2017
Opening Day of school, seniors waiting to welcome the freshmen class.
IMPORTANT EVENT CHANGE
Home Football Game Canceled

Due to the extreme heat conditions forecasted for tomorrow, we have canceled Branson's home football game against South Fork to protect the health and safety of the student-athletes from both schools. The game was scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm.
NEED TO KNOW
Additional Directory Changes

Please note these changes to what appeared in the printed directory:

Add to Thomas Treadwell, ‘20
(H) 415-360-5603
(M) 415-686-3566 - Allan Treadwell 

Add to Samuel Yolles, ‘21
(M) 415-203-0432 - Peter Yolles
pyolles@gmail.com - Peter Yolles

Change to Gianmarco Giannini, ‘21
(P) 415-515-8557 - Matthew Giannini

Remove Myles Cherry, ‘21
Welcome Week Dance Pledge Forms

Students have access to these forms on Haiku under Student Resources and at Elizabeth Riley's desk. We are adding it here so you also have access to it.
Calendar Changes
The Families of Color Fall Event has changed from September 11 to September 25.
Location: The Commons Time: 6:30 - 8 pm.

The LGBTQ+ Social will no longer be September 13; n ew date TBD.
Testing Our Emergency Notification System

In the event that we need to communicate something to you quickly, we will use a robo-call/text system. We will be testing that system tomorrow, September 1. Beforehand, I will send you an email about when we will send it and how to let us know if you did not receive a message or call. Of course this is of critical importance during a crisis, but it is also useful for school closures due to flooding (as we had last year).
Need A Ride?

Need to ride the bus, but aren’t a registered rider? Pick up a pack of bus vouchers from Elizabeth Riley in Richardson Hall. Go can purchase a pack of 5 for $60 or a pack of 10 for $110.
SCHOOL NEWS
Football Team Preview in Marin IJ

Branson topped the local school football preview in the Marin IJ on August 24. The lead was:

"In its first year fielding a football team, Branson School dominated opponents en route to finishing a perfect 6-0."

Kobe Goldman in photo by Alan Dep published in the Marin IJ
Girls Locker Room Renovated

Over the summer, the Branson girls locker room received a major update. We express deep appreciation to the Zweben-Shalev Family and Branson Bullpen for their generosity. We could not have done this without you! The new locker room features individual lockers for our student-athletes, fresh paint, inspirational quotes and images as wall art and the ability for our visiting teams to huddle. Go Bulls!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Need Spirit Wear?

Spirit wear is now available at the Snack Shack during its open hours. Come check out all of the new gear — sweatshirts, long and short sleeve T-shirts, sports bras, tank tops, and hats – along with the old favorites — PJ bottoms and sweatpants.
Save the Date of September 14 for Branflix, aka the 2017 Junior Talent Show aka JTS!
by Elliot Cherry '19

On Thursday September 14, the junior class will be presenting Branflix  the 2017 Junior Talent Show. The first show (primarily for underclassmen and faculty) is at 4 pm followed by a 7 pm (mainly for seniors and parents), both in the Jewett Theater.

The juniors would really appreciate all the support they can get so please come out to one of the shows!
Because the late show usually hits capacity seating, we ask everyone (except seniors, for whom spaces are already reserved) to please reserve a free seat if you plan to attend the 7 pm show. Please note that you do NOT have to get tickets for your children unless they are freshmen or sophomores  and  want to attend the 7 pm show. 
 
Save the Date for Parents Day: September 23

The Branson faculty is pleased to invite you to Parents’ Day on Saturday, September 23 beginning at 8:30 am. After a continental breakfast and an assembly, you’ll follow your child’s schedule and attend classes. We hope that you can join us for this special event, a highlight of the school year. We regret that, because of space limitations, we cannot extend invitations to students or younger siblings. See you then! 

More information to follow in an invitation and future BULLetins.
For Senior Families: College Night 
Wednesday September 6th, 7 - 8:30 pm, Commons

Branson College Counseling kicks off each school year with ​an evening ​for seniors and their families. Parents and stud​en​ts will be given a guided tour through the college application and admission process. Attendance for students is mandatory, and parents are highly encouraged to join. The most commonly asked questions (and those that aren​'​t so com​m​on​, but should be​) will be answered.​ ​Please join ​us for an important evening of tips, best practices, and important deadlines, policies, and reminders. We are excited to guide you through the year. 
Once a Runner, Always a Runner!
Branson Cross Country Event
September 9, 9 - 11 am
Join Steve Reinertsen ‘82 , Head Coach of Branson’s Cross Country team, Will Kennedy ‘03 and Rebecca Houser ‘92 for an alum/current student weekend run at Phoenix Lake. If you are interested, register at the link below and meet at the Branson Gym at 9 am.

AT ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK
Year Kicks Off Strong with Opening Assemblies

Wow! What a great start to the new school year, one Chris Mazzola has called the best in her history with schools. At the first assembly, freshman were led into the theater and welcomed with rousing applause and high fives from the entire school (video above).

Seniors Charlie Paradis, Zyla Pinger, and our very own Head of School kicked the year off right with a crowd-raising rhyme that had everyone on their feet, laughing and cheering.

At Tuesday’s assembly, the new Student Life team introduced themselves and talked about how to grow a culture of care at the school, both in and out of the classroom. 
Check out their fun, informative, and vision-setting presentation!
CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 1 - Welcome Week Dance
The Commons, 8 - 10 pm

SEPTEMBER 4 - Labor Day, no school

SEPTEMBER 6 - Senior College Night
The Commons, 7 - 8:30 pm

 SEPTEMBER 9 - Alumni/Cross Country Team Run
Phoenix Lake, 9 - 11 am (meet at Branson Gym)

The above represents only the next two weeks. Check the calendar below for full lists.
PARENT TO PARENT (PA)
First Parents' Association Meeting of the Year!

Please join us at the first Parents' Association (PA) Meeting of the year on September 12!

From 8:30 am to 9:00 am coffee and a light breakfast will be served for parents to socialize; the meeting will start promptly at 9:00 am will end on or before 10:15 am. Come hear our Head of School Chris Mazzola kick off the year as our first guest.
Get Involved Now!

Have you thought about getting involved with the PA but haven't made a move yet? Do it now! This year, we are asking our students to reach out and try new things, meet new people. You can, too.

Go to the link below to access the Volunteer Spot, where you can see the wide range of opportunities available and sign up for one or more of them. You don't have to move mountains or lead a group--there are many ways you can contribute your part in accomplishing a larger task or events. Take a look!
CLASS OF 2018 PARENTS
Senior Families: College Night 
Wednesday September 6th, 7 - 8:30 pm, Commons (see writeup above)
Place Your Senior Yearbook Congratulations Ads Now
Celebrate your graduating senior with a tribute that will last a lifetime!

Purchasing a senior congratulatory ad lets you include pictures and a message to create your child's own special page in their senior yearbook.  Click here   to view some previously created pages.
Please purchase a half-page or full-page ad before October 16, 2017.

Go to this page for instructions on how to place an ad.
Graduation Announcement Ordering Information

Jostens is the company that provides Branson families with official graduation announcements and graduation-related accessories. Packets that contain a catalog and ordering form will be handed out at the Senior Parent/Student College Night on September 6.

A representative will be on campus, in the Commons on September 26 from 11-1 to take orders and answer any questions.

Orders can also be placed online at http://www.shop.jostens.com by first clicking on “Find My School’s Store” then enter Branson, Ross, CA. 

If you have any specific questions, please contact Bill Reid at bill.reid@jostens.com .
ANNOUNCEMENTS
High School Musical Cast
by Theatre Director Maura Vaughn

This fall's production of High School Musical has been cast! Congratulate the students in the show. High School Musical performs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday on November 2, 3, and 4. 
High School Musical Cast:
Troy Bolton                         Matt Hansen
Chad Danforth                    Gibson Morris
Zeke Baylor                        Jackson Baum
Sharpay Evans                  Sophie Klein            
Ryan Evans                        Josh Selig                  
Gabriella Montez                Bella Carlucci
Taylor Mckessie                  Isabel Scal
Jack Scott                           George Sutton
Kelsi Nielsen                       Mare de Marcellus
Ms. Darbus                         Louisa Conte
Coach Bolton                      Chris Nolan
Martha Cox                        Julia Lester
Ripper                                Chris Nolan 

Ensemble:
Melissa Chow
Audrey Dickinson
Isabel Folkers
Bliss Green
Ines Haslett
Zach Kariotis
Kate Lardner
Foster Lehman
Sarah Lind
Maddie Lowe
Ariana Lushtak
Kelly Napolitana
Maleena Shah
OPPORTUNITIES
Brain Research Talk
Lucas Miller, a recent Berkeley graduate will be presenting brain research about how we learn and Marin County of Education (MCOE) has invited our parents and students to attend. His talk will be on September 13 from 5 to 7 pm at the MCOE office, 1111 Las Galinas Avenue in San Rafael.

Lucas has written a book,  Beyond Brilliance,  full of quick tips on how to study. He used these strategies himself as a student at Berkeley. 

MCOE says, "He is young and dynamic and will provide parents and teens with research based tips on how to learn."
Race, Gender, and Ally-Ship:
Workshop Offered at Urban

NorCal POCIS (People of Color in Independent Schools) is sponsoring Tarah and Our Family Coalition on a workshop on intersections between race and gender and being an ally. Deans Jorge Rodriguez and Sabrina Wilson are members of the POCIS board and Sabrina will be attending the event. Tarah Fleming has presented and run workshops at Branson several times in the last few years, most recently last year on gender and being an ally.

The event is at Urban High School in San Francisco from 11:30 to 3:00 pm, and lunch will be provided.

See more details by clicking on the flyer.
Swiss Exchange Opportunity for Juniors and Junior Families!
by Anne Butti

Would your junior student like to spend a few weeks in Switzerland this summer? The Branson Swiss Exchange program is an excellent opportunity for your student to experience “studying abroad” while immersed in a memorable cultural exchange.

We are looking for junior families willing to host a Swiss student from October 21 to November 10, 2017. The Swiss students attend classes at Branson and participate in extracurricular activities while at Branson, much like your own son/daughter.

Your son/daughter will then leave for Switzerland June 9 (the day after Branson’s Graduation) and spend three weeks enjoying an incredible itinerary of activities hosted by the families (whose child you hosted) and faculty in Zurich.
This could be you! Branson students this summer.

This is a very special opportunity to dip one’s toe into the experience of studying abroad. 

Swiss students at Branson: October 21 - November 10.
Branson students in Switzerland: June 9 - June 30, 2018.

Please email  Anne Butti  for for details or call her at 415.455.7132.
REQUESTS
Short-Term Housing Needed

You may not know, but our Mandarin teacher, Shu-Chen Lin is going to have a baby in October. We are fortunate to have found a maternity leave replacement, Yuxiang Wang. Unfortunately, his family is moving back to China, and he will need housing for the four months when he will be here teaching.

If anyone has or knows of someone who has an in-law unit to rent or would be willing to house him, would you please email Jenny Diaz.
PHOTO GALLERY
SOPHOMORE ROPES COURSE
BULLhorn NEWS
FENCING
Interested in Fencing?

Here's what you need to know:

First meeting: Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00 at The Auditorium
Regular practice: Every Tuesday at 7:00 inside The Small Gym
No experience necessary and all equipment is provided.
For further information, contact Head Coach Ted Eckersdorff: ted_eckersdorff@branson.org
FOOTBALL
Bulls Football Ready for Action

This summer the boys have completed several weeks of two-a-day practices as well as a “double Dispsea," 15-mile team bonding hike. Last Saturday, the boys showed great teamwork and aggressive power right out of the gate during a pre-season scrimmage against Trinity Christian, Pinewood and Anzar in Los Altos. With the spirited leadership of co-captain seniors Juice Jacobs, and Alec Ritch and our awesome D1 college coaching staff, we are Bull strong!


2017 Home games, Tom Ryan Field:  


  • Saturday, September 16, 1pm v. Roseland

  • Thursday, September 26, 3:30pm v. Calistoga

  • Saturday, October 21, 1pm v. Stuart Hall

Scrimmage photos below courtesy of Miles Woodlief.