2021-22 School Theme: Celebrate Learning Together
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Tis the season to celebrate! This past Thursday and Friday, Band and Choir students from our Middle and Upper Schools participated in their annual Christmas Concerts. Through music, the wonderful messages of the holiday season were emphasized by talented groups of students. I am thankful for and proud of all the work and effort our students gave to their programs. As we wrap up the final week of the 2021 school calendar, I compliment our parents, teachers, and students for working together successfully within the Academy Triangle.
The blessings of Christmas and the New Year holiday give us time to reflect on tradition, hope, and
renewed strength for 2022. The Christmas break brings family and friends together, and these gatherings often center around faith, folklore, and food. Each family’s unique beliefs form the concrete bond reflecting our Star of Heritage. The lasting memories carry on over the years to give a true meaning of the holiday spirit.
With all the headlines and lead stories in the daily news, it is easy to be pessimistic about today’s world. However, learning from the past year can provide us with a revitalized strength for new beginnings. This message of hope is for all of us. We can make this upcoming year even better by remembering to treat all individuals with dignity and proper respect. We set the example for our children in this pursuit.
On behalf of the Brookfield Academy faculty and staff, Merry Christmas and the very best to you and your family in 2022!
~ Doug Ricci, Head of School
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COVID-19 UPDATES
If you have international travel plans over break, please be sure to check the
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Parents, please help us by monitoring students for COVID-19 symptoms and keeping students home if they show any signs of illness.
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Reminder: Please contact your Division's Administrative Assistant if anyone in your family has had direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19. A direct contact is defined as being within six feet of someone without a mask for 15 minutes or more. When making determinations about these situations, we will consider this definition; however, under certain circumstances, we may find it in the best interest of our students to expand upon this definition of direct contact. It is our intention to always do what is most necessary to keep our students, staff, and faculty safe.
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Ongoing Updates: In addition to weekly newsletter updates, wellness protocols and other information are available in the MyBA parent portal under the COVID-19 School Updates.
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REMINDER
NO SCHOOL:
Christmas Break:
December 20-January 2
Classes Resume January 3
Winter Break:
February 4-February 7
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WEDNESDAY
December 15
Upper School
Reading Day
Middle School Exams
THURSDAY
December 16
Upper School and
Middle School Exams
8:00 am
Little Knights Holiday Program
FRIDAY
December 17
Upper School and
Middle School Exams
9:00 am
Primary School Christmas Program
6:00 pm
Lower School
Christmas Program
The next weekly
e-newsletter will be
Wednesday,
January 5, 2022.
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Enhancements are coming to the MyBA portal! Among the benefits of the upgraded system are the ability to make online payments and to access school and student information with one password. In order for you to have the best experience possible and for you to enjoy the convenience of the system, your password for the MyBA portal needs to be up-to-date. If you haven't accessed the system in a while, you may be asked to reset your password. If you need to reset your password, keep in mind that it must be at least 12 characters and include an uppercase letter, special character (such as @, /, etc.), and a number. If you update your credentials between now and December 17, 2021, you'll be entered into a drawing to win BA Spirit Wear!
Updated Bus Schedule for Exam Week: Parents, please remember dismissal time changes due to exams, so students who ride the bus will be arriving home early on Friday, December 17. Please see the schedule here.
Livestream Christmas Concerts: In order for as many individuals as possible to enjoy our Christmas Concerts, they are available to livestream. The service is free, but you need to have a "ticket." Simply use this link, select the concert you'd like to view, complete the form, and an access code will be provided.
Scholarship Update: For students who took the Scholarship Test in November, the first round of awards will be announced before Christmas break. Additional awards will be made on a rolling basis beginning the second semester. Winners will be notified by formal letter.
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Upper School Exams are Thursday, December 16, and Friday, December 17. (Review day is Wednesday, December 15.) Here is a link to the exam schedule, it is also available on the MyBA portal.
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The Christmas Concerts were a great success. Congratulations to all the students in the choir, band, and orchestra who were dedicated to making it a great performance and thank you to the teachers and volunteers for their effort and support.
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Congratulations to Christmas Program participants. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to enjoy the Upper School and Middle School Band & Orchestra and Choir concerts together again. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make these events special!
Patriot's Pen Writing Competition:
In this national writing contest sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars, middle school students across the country submitted essays on this year's topic, How Can I Be a Good American? Three BA students: Neerja Ahuju (1st), Kelly Li (3rd), and Sofia Babovic (5th) placed in the top five of all local entrants. Neerja's essay will be submitted to the next round of competition.
Middle School Exam dates are Wednesday, December 15, Thursday, December 16, and Friday, December 17. Changes have been made to the dismissal schedule for the Middle School during exam week. Please review it to make sure you and your student are aware of the arrangements for each day.
Spelling Bee: Students in Levels 4-8 will compete in the BA Spelling Bee on Friday, January 28, at 2 pm. Additional details will be provided in January.
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Christmas Programs: On Friday, December 17, the Primary School program will be at 9 am, and the Lower School program will be at 6 pm. They will both be held in Freedom Hall followed by cookie receptions. Additional details will be coming from your student's teacher. If you're interested, the concerts also will be available on livestream. There is no charge, but you need to register using this link.
Save the Dates! Primary School/Lower School Parent Sessions 2022~ Find out what is happening in your child's next level! Join us for coffee to learn more about these transitions:
- January 12: Level A to Level B
- January 13: Level B to Level 1
- January 17: Level 1 to Level 2
- January 6: Level 2 to Level 3
- January 18: Level 3 to Level 4
- January 20: Level 4 to level 5
Specific times and details will be shared by your student's teacher.
Level 5 Parents: Moving UP to the Middle is scheduled for January 14. This is an important informational event for students and parents. It will begin with Assembly at 8:15 am in the Middle School gym followed by a presentation for parents. See this flyer for more details and contact Joan Doble if you have questions.
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ADVANCEMENT & VOLUNTEER NEWS |
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Thank you to all who have participated thus far in the Annual Giving Drive. The Giving Competition has officially ended, and the results are in!
Division Competition Winner: PS - 55%
The entire PS has earned a dress down day! Mr. Raney and Ms. Schwartz will decide on a special date! Congratulations!
Level Competition Winners:
Level 1 - 57%
Level 4 - 53%
Level 6 - 56%
Level 10 - 39%
Each of these grade levels have earned a donut day! Stay tuned for more information.
Even though the giving competitions have passed, the students of BA still need your help! Your thoughtful donations this year go to support the arts, library needs, renovations in the Primary School, athletics, and much more. You can follow this link and give anytime. Thank you in advance for your participation. Our students are counting on your support! Questions? Contact Peter Grossman in the Advancement Office.
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Volunteers needed for Spirit Store: Looking for that perfect BA Christmas, holiday, or birthday gift? The Spirit Store will be open for the Primary School and Lower School Christmas programs on December 17. Things will go more smoothly if we could find a few more volunteers to help before and after the concerts. No experience necessary! Visit VolunteerHub or contact Susan Jeide to help December 17 or throughout the school year.
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Thank you to Chair Eve Shalyaev for organizing a wonderful group of volunteers to assist with the receptions for the instrumental and choral concerts last Thursday and Friday night. Cider and cookies were the perfect end to the outstanding performances.
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Upcoming Events: There is always something interesting happening at BA, and we truly appreciate volunteers. Check out the Special Events page of our website and visit VolunteerHub to see all the fun opportunities. Look for more information in early January on the Father/Daughter social, scheduled for Saturday, January 22.
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