Welcome, New Families
"Meet" Your Student's Teachers!
Put a face with the name: We enlisted a few third-form teachers to introduce themselves and offer advice for students this year. Check it out, and share it with your child, on our Meet Some Third-Form Teachers page.
New Family Q&A Session
A reminder that we will hold a virtual question-and-answer session for new parents and guardians next week on Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Links to join this session will be sent early next week.
New Student Academic Orientation
Don’t forget: Tonight at 8 p.m. EDT, we will be holding the first of our virtual orientation events. The program, led by Academic Dean Susanna Waters and Registrar Lisa Saunders, will give your child all the necessary tools to utilize OnBrooks appropriately, will detail expectations around academic life and will help walk them through their schedule. This is a crucial step in setting your child up for success as we begin the year. A Zoom link has been sent to the students' Brooks email accounts. (In the event your child cannot attend, the session will be taped and available on the Parent Resources page of the website).
|
|
Class Schedules Are Available Now
Students and parents can browse through classes, teachers and schedule blocks in OnBrooks.
-
To view as a student: Sign in and look under "Progress" and on your "My Day" landing page.
-
To view as a parent: Sign in and click on the name of your student. Next, click the "Progress" button.
|
Special Schedule for Start of School
|
Missed Last Night's Webinar?
|
Has Your Student Completed the Afternoon Program Form?
Earlier in the week, the Athletics Department sent an Afternoon Program Sign-Up Form to your student's Brooks email account. Please help us gather this information by encouraging your child to complete this form by tomorrow.
Of note, since the form has been sent, there are now two new two-day programs available: Leadership Lab and Election Squad (both on-campus only) and cross-country has been made available to online students as a choice. This update has also been emailed to students. Click for descriptions of all program offerings. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Athletics Bobbie Crump-Burbank at the athletics email address: athletics@brooksschool.org.
|
Helpful Parent Resources (Dress Code, Packing List, Etc.)
|
Course Change Period
The course change period for student classes extends through the first two weeks of school, and will close on Sept. 14. The request for a course change will be submitted via an online form. The process will be communicated to students in their email accounts.
|
Could You Spare Some Gear?
The addition of Outdoor Club as an afternoon activity has us looking for some outdoor gear to help students enjoy our beautiful campus this fall. We would love it if you have items you could pass along! Specifically, we are looking for the items listed below. If you are able to donate any of these items, please contact Ryan Dobbins. It would be much appreciated!
- Bikes (mountain or otherwise)
- Helmets
- Adult-size PFDs (life jackets)
- Fishing rods
- Rock climbing shoes
|
Important Information for Boarding Students
● TESTING SIGN-UPS: If you have not already signed up for the required COVID-19 testing at Brooks, please do so as soon as possible. The form was sent in the August 20 communication from Associate Head for Student Affairs Andrea Heinze, to whom you should direct any questions.
● THE YEAR OF THE LAYER! We will expect windows in dorms and in classrooms to remain open well into the fall to help with ventilation. Remember to pack extra layers to account for that, but there is no need to bring all of your winter clothes with you this fall: save those for the second semester. You can find the full packing list below.
● LAUNDRY UPDATE: As mentioned in last night’s webinar, we are going to create a method for families to drop off items, such as laundry, in a contactless way. If you are a boarding student and would like to change your laundry status, please contact the Business Office: busoffice@brooksschool.org. Exact details regarding the drop off/retrieval process will be communicated soon.
● HOUSING SURVEY: Boarding students have received a housing survey from Dean of Students Willie Waters. Please remind them to complete this as soon as possible.
|
Book Ordering
Please have textbooks ordered to your residence and not to campus, so that your student may have them in the opening weeks of online classes. Furthermore, as long as you get the correct ISBN and edition from the Follett site, you may order the texts from any vendor. If it says a text is backordered, please consider purchasing the online e-text version, so that your student can gain immediate access and be prepared for the start of classes. All information about backordering status comes from Follett; Brooks does not receive this information. If you have any questions, please email dean of academic affairs Susanna Waters.
|
Supplies for Art Classes
Students enrolled in arts classes requiring supplies (AP Studio, Arts Exploratory, Ceramics, Drawing, Stagecraft Carpentry, 2D and 3D Art) will be provided individual kits that include tools, smocks, safety goggles, art supplies and small equipment once we return to on-campus learning in September. Students will be engaged in artistic lessons using minimal or digital supplies for the first two weeks of classes. We suggest having a sketchbook or unlined paper, pencils, pens, ruler, scissors, and tape for creative work from home. For students who will remain in a virtual mode throughout the remainder of the semester, the Arts Department will ship or arrange pick up of the kits, and will also provide a course-specific list for ordering supplies to international students. Any questions please email Arts Department Chair Babs Wheelden.
|
Updates to Smart Tuition
Recent changes for students between boarding-day-online should be reflected in Smart Tuition accounts in time for the Sept. 15 billing cycle. Once the credits and/or additional charges are applied to the accounts, the full billed amount to that date is due and payable. If you have any questions regarding your tuition billings, please reach out to the business office.
|
|
As you prepare to begin the school year, please know that Director of Psychological Counseling Judith Werner (above on left) and Director of Student Wellness Steph Holmes (above on right) are here to support your child’s social-emotional health. Both Judy and Steph offer confidential counseling support to students and parents and are also available to help families find outside counselors to fit their needs.
While you may have noted your child’s mental health history on your Magnus health form, you can always speak to us directly during this lead-in to school or at any time during the school year to raise any concerns or to learn more about the support we offer. This year, in particular, while we are all making our way through the difficult circumstances presented to us due to COVID-19, mental health concerns are ever more present in our children and families. As always, Brooks is prepared to provide necessary support and be a resource during these challenging times.
Resources
|
Stay in touch: Follow Brooks on social media for news, photos and more!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
