Letter from the Head of School
Dear Breck Alumni,
It is humbling to write to you during what can be described as parallel pandemics. On March 13, we closed our campus and moved swiftly to recreate the Breck experience online due to COVID-19. Many in our community continue to face the illness or passing of loved ones, or have been working tirelessly on the front lines. Then, tragically on May 25, at the hand of four police officers, George Floyd was murdered here in Minneapolis, bringing to the forefront, yet again, the horrors of institutional racism.
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Alexis Kent, Religion Department Head and Middle School Chaplain, opened the Middle School Closing Program with her thoughts on the murder of George Floyd, and offers a chance for us to pray together for Mr. Floyd and our community.
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The Class of 2020 selected Upper School History teacher Paul Slack as their Commencement Faculty Speaker. Slack spoke to our students about George Floyd’s death, the rebellion that’s happening, and how they should never stop fighting for justice.
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Breck's Response to the Tragedy in Minneapolis
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Breck faculty had the challenging task of helping students to process their emotions in the days following the killing of George Floyd. From preschool through 12th grade, the staff did not shy away from the moment. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the efforts of our staff to help students process the violence they saw play out in their home community.
Upper School
Breck's Upper School Director Tom Taylor called a town hall meeting for all US students; the Student Diversity Inclusion Council held a space for reflection for students; our Director of Community Engagement Frederique Schmidt continues to compile a list of events for US students.
Middle School
Middle School's Dare 2B Real group hosted open reflection sessions by grade level; MS Chaplain Alexis Kent has been asked to serve on a panel for the National Association of Episcopal School (NAES) addressing chaplains from across the country about racial justice.
Lower School
Lower School faculty used their workshop day to address systemic racism; LS Director Peg Bailey sent a letter to Lower School parents reflecting on the killing of George Floyd and provided links to resources to help initiate conversations with our students.
Faculty & Staff
Our faculty & staff gathered for reflection and processing around the trauma model Acknowledge/Affirm/Act; faculty/staff have received two letters from the Head of School; Lower, Middle, and Upper School ceremonies have all included a recognition of Mr. George Floyd; our faculty have worked with students (as groups and individually) to help them process their emotions.
If you'd like to learn more about what Breck is doing to help students at the end of the school year and during the summer months, please contact
Kyle Parsons
, Director of Alumni Affairs and Giving.
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Breck Upper School Students Attend Peaceful Protest
A group of Breck Upper School students joined a crowd of approximately 3,000 at the "Sit to Breathe" protest in St. Paul on June 2nd. This peaceful protest was organized by students, but included people of all ages.
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Ending the School Year While Distance Learning:
Stories from Our Alumni
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Jason Lewis '94 with his children
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Alums Talk About Distance Learning
Earlier this spring, we caught up with two alums and asked about their experiences with distance learning.
Jason Lewis '94 talks about his job as Head of Upper School at Fessenden School and his new day-to-day. And
Ayana Platt '18 shared her thoughts about distance learning in college and gives some advice to the Class of 2020.
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Alumna Annalisa Tester '10 and Breck Community Engagement Director Frederique Schmidt organized the Gowns 4 Good grad gown drive held, at Breck on May 8. Gowns 4 Good is an organization that collects unneeded graduation gowns for use as personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers. With an amazing turnout, in just four hours we collected 560+ grad gowns — all of which were donated for local use. Learn more about Gowns4Good
here.
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Upper School Assistant Director Chris Ohm hosted "Mustang Minute Live" several days a week while the US students were distance learning. Ohm welcomed several alums to be interviewed LIVE during his broadcasts. His guests included Eric Stolhanske '87, Dr. Alicen Burns Spaulding '95, Jaime Erdahl '07, and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman '16. Jaime Erdahl's interview is posted
here.
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Faculty & Staff Awards
On June 3rd, we honored our faculty & staff who are historically recognized on Staff Appreciation Day in early May. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we held a live-streamed awards ceremony, including award recipients who were surprised at their homes by the three division directors. In addition to awards, we honored those who have worked at Breck for 10, 20, and 30 years, and those who are retiring. We also closed the celebration by saying goodbye to Upper School Director Tom Taylor, who has accepted a position at Riverdale Country School in NYC. Learn more about all of the awards
here.
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Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Commencement was an amazing ceremony held outdoors in the parking lots and lawn near Breck's McKnight Stadium.
Valedictorian Sam Detor presented a recorded valedictory speech. Alums Brittney (Faber) Oberrender '09 and Will Oberrender '09
welco
med the class as the newest members of the Breck Alumni Association in a recorded message, too. The Class of 2020 Alumni Representatives Byron Jia and Abigail Schaus, who rang the Wilder Bell to begin Commencement.
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Class of 2020 Alumni Reps
Abigail Schaus and Byron Jia
ring the Wilder Bell
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Photos from Commencement 2020
are posted on Breck's gallery site:
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Class of 2020: What's Next?
Check out our Instagram page for the Class of 2020 where we've listed their future plans.
Click here.
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Message from the Alumni Director
Dear Breck friends:
When I applied to work at Breck, I never dreamed my first eight months would look like this! While it has been a challenging year, I am still so excited to be at Breck and to serve all of you as your Alumni Director. I have really appreciated hearing from so many of you over the past few months while we were distance learning, and again in response to the recent tragedy in Minneapolis.
I would love to offer more opportunities to connect with Breck. Here are two chances for you to engage with the school:
- In response to your concern about how Breck participates in public conversations of justice and equity we are planning to host a conversation for interested alumni so that we may learn how you think the school should engage around these issues. The conversation will be facilitated and supported by school chaplains, Upper School Dean Rob Johnson ‘90, Melrose Center Director Heidi Kim, Community Engagement Director Frederique Schmidt, and the alumni office.
Kyle Parsons
Director of Alumni Affairs and Giving
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