Opening Day of school, seniors waiting to welcome the freshmen class.
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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.
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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
Change to
Gianmarco Giannini, ‘21
(P) 415-515-8557 - Matthew Giannini
Remove
Myles Cherry, ‘21
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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."
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Kobe Goldman in photo by Alan Dep published in the Marin IJ
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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 students 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 common, 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.
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Once a Runner, Always a Runner!
Branson Cross Country Event
September 9, 9 - 11 am
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Senior Families: College Night
Wednesday September 6th, 7 - 8:30 pm, Commons (see writeup above)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Post Office Box 887 Ross, California 94957
(415) 454-3612 • www.branson.org
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