ALUMNI IN OUR HALLWAYS
By: Dr. Shawn Brower, Upper School Principal
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Three years ago I first walked through the Briarwood hallways. Something was different at Briarwood. Most schools sport their school colors, have slogans, trophies, or simply white walls. True - some of these could be seen in Briarwood halls too. Yet what was most pronounced was the fact that entire hallways were lined with large framed senior composites representing decades of graduating Briarwood seniors. While I would occasionally linger in front of these photos that revealed styles and attire from eras gone by, the pictures largely represented faces of strangers I was not privileged to have met or to have been their principal.
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This all changed for me the day we hung on the wall, just outside my office, the composites of the graduating classes for 2016 and 2017. When I saw these composites, I exclaimed out loud,
“These are my students!”
This was a game changer for me! It has been a sweet blessing and honor to stop, reminisce, reflect back on 2016 & 2017 moments and to then lock in on a face and pray for that particular student / alumni as I walk the Briarwood halls.
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Now over time, the faces on all the other composite have taken on new meaning and significance for it is these alumni that have walked the same hallways and it is upon their shoulders that we now stand! Their daily presence remind us of where we have come, of who we have sent and that people and relationships is of supreme importance!
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ALUMNI, know our doors are always open to you and it always is a privilege to have you back on campus. While there are a lot of physical changes to our campus, our light for Jesus burns brightly and our heartbeat for students and alumni remains constant! At minimum, save the date and come back home for HOMECOMING 2018 which is scheduled for October 12th!
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The excitement is building as we prepare for the Briarwood Fine Arts Academy
Art Festival.
This will be a night you do not want to miss! The evening will begin at 6 PM with the Art Exhibit. The exhibit will display over 1300 works of Art and will feature over 217 artists. The exhibit will be accompanied by the smooth sounds of the amazing Lions Jazz Band.
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At 7 PM the Fine Art's Academy Choirs will present
#YouWillBeFound.
This performance will showcase our amazing Radica, Karis Choirs, as well, as our Junior High Show Choir.
Please join us for a night of beauty and worship!
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These Seniors were celebrating,
"Last Briarpatch Day EVER!"
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Back by popular demand, come and join students and faculty in a time of optional evening praise and worship this Monday evening at 7pm in the BBB Auditorium!
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Congressional Art Competition Winners
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Each spring, the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nation-wide high school art competition. The overall winner of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Building.
This year Briarwood has 5 students who were selected for the competition: Heather Houston, Trent Thomas ,Gabriella Priolo, Julianne Lett, and Jessica Southworth.
Gabriella Priolo received Most Expressive Brushwork in Painting in the Sixth Congressional Art Competition!
Their artwork will be on display April 14th-22nd in the Riverchase Galleria. On Sunday, April 22nd, students will be awarded by Congressman Palmer at a special reception given in their honor.
Congratulations Artists!
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Southeast ACSI Math League Winners
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The ACSI Math League is an activity that takes place on our campus. There are six categories of competition: P
re-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. It is a series of four separate timed tests given to students between March 1 and April 6. The top 5 scores are reported per category.
Briarwood Christian School won 5 of the six categories with the highest 5 scores.
Pre-Algebra
Briarwood Christian School, Birmingham, AL 90
Algebra I
Briarwood Christian School, Birmingham, AL 85
Geometry
Briarwood Christian School, Birmingham, AL 84
Algebra II
Briarwood Christian School, Birmingham, AL 84
Calculus
Briarwood Christian School, Birmingham, AL 100
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Baseball on to the Second Round
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A final run in the bottom of the 7th capped off the Briarwood baseball team’s improbable, 9-8, comeback win over Beauregard in a decisive Game 3 of the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
The team now plays Calera Friday at Calera High School at 4:30 and 6:30 pm, and Saturday at 1 pm if needed.
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Congratulations to our boy's and girl's varsity tennis teams that were undefeated in both singles and doubles in sectional play .
They are competing in the state championships in Mobile this week.
Go Lions!!
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For the first time in over a decade, we had the privilege to host a JH/HS track meet on our new track and field facility as we welcomed 10 other schools to our campus for the Shelby County Championships.
Thank you, parents and students that volunteered to make this A GREAT BRIARWOOD DAY and a hearty congratulations to our track student-athletes that represented us so well through stewarding well what God has entrusted to each one!
For a pictorial summary of the BCS winners, please
click here.
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Testing Reminders for the students in K5 - 3rd Grade:
School attendance during the testing period is very important. Testing is scheduled Monday through Friday from
promptly 8:15 am – 10:30 am (please be at School no later than 8:00 am).
In preparation for testing, parents can assist by ensuring that their child(ren) have adequate sleep
(10-12 hours nightly at this age)
, a nourishing breakfast that is high in protein
(Brain chemicals are protein based – eggs, sausage, cheese, grilled chicken, yogurt, even pizza etc.)
and low in sugar (cereal), and allow sufficient time to arrive at school.
Testing Reminders for the students in 7th - 11th Grade:
Take a few minutes to review these general tips and strategies before taking the ACT (Tuesday, April 24) and the ACT Aspire (Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24 & 25).
Before the test
1.
Prepare for the test ahead of time
and know what to expect. Go to www.actstudent.org and download Preparing for the ACT Test. Included in the guide:
a. Full length practice tests including instructions.
Become familiar with the instructions before test day.
b. Strategies to prepare for each of the subtests
(Writing will not be included in this administration.)
c. What to expect on test day
2.
Fuel your body and your brain
. Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast the morning of the test.
3.
Wear comfortable clothing
. Dress must be within dress code.
4.
Bring snacks.
Eating or drinking is not allowed during the test however you may eat a snack during the break.
5.
Bring a calculator and #2 pencils
. Mechanical pencils are not allowed, not even #2 mechanical pencils.
6.
Electronic devices are not allowed in the testing room
. Examples include cell phone, media player, headphones, iPad, iwatch.
7.
Read something before the test
to warm up your brain.
During the test
1.
Answer the easiest questions first.
2. Consider all answer choices before choosing your final answer.
3. Don’t get bogged down on hard questions.
4. It is OK to guess if you are unsure about the answer.
There is no penalty for guessing.
5. Be careful when bubbling in your answers.
6. If you have time left over, review your answers.
After the test
1. Relax and plan something fun after school!
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Weekly Schedule Highlights
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LOWER SCHOOL CAMPUS
Monday, 4/23
- K5 - 3rd Grade Achievement Testing
Tuesday, 4/24
- K5 - 3rd Grade Achievement Testing
Wednesday, 4/25
- K5 - 3rd Grade Achievement Testing
Thursday, 4/26
- K5 - 3rd Grade Achievement Testing
- Performance Choir to Restoration Academy
Friday, 4/27
- K5 - 3rd Grade Achievement Testing
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UPPER SCHOOL CAMPUS
(
Due to the number of spring sporting events, please refer to the Calendar below.)
Monday, 4/23
- State Tennis Tournament, Mobile
- Redeemed, Praise and Worship, 7 pm, BBB Auditorium
Tuesday, 4/24
- 12th Grade Career Day
- 11th Grade ACT Test
- 7th - 10th Aspire Test
- State Tennis Tournament, Mobile
Wednesday, 4/25
Thursday, 4/26
- No Late Start for Students
Friday, 4/27
- Girls Soccer State Tournament - 1st Round vs Sipsey Valley, 5 pm
- Boys Soccer State Tournament - 1st round vs Holt, 7 pm
- Sectional Track Meet, Corner'
- 2nd Round Baseball Playoffs at Calera, 4:30 & 6:30
Saturday, 4/28
- Sectional Track Meet, Corner
- 2nd Round Baseball Playoffs at Calera, 1 pm if needed
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For up-to-date info on times and locations, please always check the Briarwood's athletics page on our school website at:
Briarwood Athletics.
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