2020-21 School Theme: Embrace Challenge
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Life is full of joys and challenges, and there is no doubt all of us have had our share of both this past year. At school, our blessings of joy come from our daily contact with our students; it is what keeps us eager and willing to deal with the challenges!
These past months have dealt us the greatest challenge we have encountered in a long time – the task of keeping our school open and safe. Everything that needs to be done each day to keep our students in classes with their teachers and their peers is quite a mountain to climb. It has truly “tested our mettle and built our character.” And, it has been well worth the effort!
Our students are learning, and they do so with the same expectations we have always put in front of them. Our scholars are covering every area of our academic curriculum successfully, and each day they are reminded of the worthy lessons represented by our Five Stars. Our students are interacting socially with one another and with their teachers. Throughout our country, the pandemic has taken this opportunity away from many students. All of us at Brookfield Academy can be thankful we have been able to keep our students on a steady schedule of learning, while at the same time giving them time to grow as people and friends.
Yes, it does look and feel different from past years, but we are providing what all children need – a school where they can continue to learn from teachers and from classmates. Thank you to everyone for helping us provide this gift to our students.
Sharon Koenings
Head of School
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COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID-19 Dashboard
Our BA dashboard summary is available to view each Wednesday for you to follow our weekly case numbers. Updates can be viewed in the MyBA Portal under the COVID-19 Updates Resource board.
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NO SCHOOL
REMINDERS:
Winter Break:
February 5-February 8
No School:
January 22 & February 26
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WEDNESDAY
January 13
College Night
for Parents of Juniors
7 pm
FRIDAY
January 15
Moving Up to the Middle
Parent Virtual Event
9 am
(via Zoom)
Spelling Bee
Levels 4-8
2:15 pm
MONDAY
January 18
Volunteer Kickoff Meeting for Dinner Auction
9 am via Zoom
WEDNESDAY
January 20
All-Parent Presentation
"How Tuition, Philanthropy, and Volunteers Contribute to Educational Excellence"
8:30 am via Zoom
All-Parent Book Discussion
2 pm via Zoom
THURSDAY
January 21
Primary School Zoom Level 2 to Level 3
FRIDAY
January 22
No School, Offices Closed
MONDAY
January 25
Classes resume
Senior Yearbook Ads Deadline
Follett Online Book Fair Begins
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Parents: If you, a friend, or family member has a student (not currently enrolled at BA) who plans to attend next year, please fill out an application. Classes fill up quickly. We will have room for all currently enrolled students. Contact Mary Ricci with questions.
Traffic Reminder: Please remember when exiting the South Parking Lot of Freedom Hall to refrain from turning left during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Not following these directions will cause issues both on Brookfield Road and in our parking lot. In addition, when leaving the main drive at Founders Hall during busy times, please refrain from turning left. With piles of snow and slippery roads, this will help keep cars moving safely and more efficiently.
All-School Parent Presentations 2021: Join us for one or more of our upcoming presentations via Zoom:
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"How Tuition, Philanthropy, and Volunteers Contribute to Educational Excellence," Wednesday, January 20, 8:30 am;
- All-Parent Book Discussion on our nation's documents, Wednesday, January 20, 2 pm;
- The Classical Heritage Series presentations, beginning Thursday, January 28, 8:30 am; and
- "Coping in the Age of Coronavirus: How Families can Foster Resilience," presented by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michael Mazius, on Tuesday, February 2, 6:30 pm.
For more information or to RSVP -- visit us online.
Summer Days 2021 New Class Contest Winners!
Congratulations to the following students: Benjamin Sampang (Magic Class); Isabella Sampang (Recycled Art); Claire Spaeth (Spooky Summer); Harper Spaeth (Spa Day); Teagan Tomchek (Mermaid Magic); Brooke VanCronkhite (Color Chaos); and Drew VanCronkhite (Medieval Days). Their ideas inspired new Summer Days classes and have earned them the class at no charge. Look for these students' names in the catalog (available in February) to learn more about these classes and more!
Livestream Athletic Events ~ When available, links to view athletic events are available here and in the MyBA Portal.
Student Directory Updates: For the most up-to-date information, please use our online directory in the MyBA Portal.
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Junior Parent College Night is today, Wednesday, January 13, at 7 pm.
Senior Yearbook Ads Deadline: Parents wishing to place an ad in the yearbook for their senior student, must do so by Monday, January 25. More information is available here and in the MyBA Portal.
Upper School Sporting Events: Due to limited attendance protocols, some BA sporting events will be accessible to view on the Brookfield Academy YouTube channel. When links are available, they can be accessed here and in the MyBA Portal.
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Spelling Bee: Students in Levels 4-8 will compete in the BA Spelling Bee on Friday, January 15, at 2:15 pm. Winners will be announced the following week.
Presentation Day: Middle School
Honor Roll Assembly and Presentation Day are virtual this year. Parents and students will be sent a video email on January 22.
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Time to schedule conferences! All conferences will be virtual.
Conferences for Levels LK-2 are Wednesday, January 27. For Primary School conferences, please email Briana Spaeth for a Zoom appointment.
Conferences for Levels 3-5 are Thursday, January 28. For Lower School conferences, please email Anne-Marie Roth for a Zoom appointment.
Health Room Update: Please note the Health Rooms are unable to lend out clothing including snow gear (hats, gloves, boots) due to COVID-19 concerns. During this time, we are asking that Primary School students have an extra set of clothes to keep at school; Primary School and Lower School students are required to attend recess, so please include an extra pair of gloves in students' backpacks; and finally, please include an extra (clean) mask in backpacks.
Spelling Bee: Students in Levels 4-8 will compete in the BA Spelling Bee on Friday, January 15, at 2:15 pm. Winners will be announced the following week.
Primary School and Lower School Parents: Please join us for Parent Zoom Sessions 2021! Find out what is happening in your child's next level:
- January 21: Level 2 to Level 3, 9 am
- January 26: Little Knights to Level A, 9 am
- January 26 Level A to Level B, 10 am
- January 28: Level B to Level 1, 9 am
- January 28: Level 1 to Level 2, 10 am
Parents will receive an email with a link.
Level 5 Parents: Join us Friday, January 15, at 9 am, for the Moving UP to the Middle Zoom session hosted by Mrs. Joan Doble, Head of Middle School. This is an opportunity to learn about life in the Middle School for your future Level 6 student! The Zoom meeting will feature a presentation and classroom experiences to help parents get to know Freedom Hall Middle School. Questions? Contact Jennifer Wareham.
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ADVANCEMENT & VOLUNTEER NEWS |
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Annual Fund - Honor Roll
As we begin 2021, students, parents, and teachers are preparing to embrace the challenge of a new semester. In recognition of their hard work and dedication, BA has created the “Honor Roll Fund.” Families have the opportunity to give to the Annual Fund “In Honor of” their student, teacher, family, or someone special who is making an impact. Many families have already taken advantage of this opportunity; please visit the BA Website to see those who are being honored. If you missed out when you made your donation, you are still welcome to honor someone. Send your honoree information to Peter Grossman. Thank you to all who have given to the Annual Fund. There is still time to give and recognize that special person. Give online, mail in your donation, or drop it off in the Advancement Office. Please contact the Advancement Office with any questions.
Follett Book Fair ~
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The online Follett book fair will open to families of scholars in Levels A-8 on Monday, January 25, and extend through Friday, February 5. Support your child’s classroom book selection by taking a peek at your teacher’s wishlist. Support the value of building vocabulary and critical thinking by expanding your in-home library! All eFair information is available on the BA website. Questions? Contact Stacey Jansen and/or Amara Koenings.
Heritage Cookbook
Primary School and Lower School parents - Let’s create a very special, unique Heritage Cookbook together. Submit your favorite recipe showcasing your family traditions! This will be a great book you and your children will enjoy, while cooking new and tasty recipes together.
Patriots Heritage Fund ~
Online Giving Day & Exclusive Fitness Center Walk-Through Event is Saturday, February 27
Parents of the junior and senior classes and alumni parents of Classes 2010-2020 - this event is exclusively for you! Our annual Wine and Beer Tasting Event will not take place this winter; however, we have spiced up the event! This year we are offering a special, guided walk-through of the new Fitness Center with the purchase of a wine and hors d’oeuvre basket. This is a one-day event and online fundraising day for the Patriots Heritage Endowed Fund.
Join the Patriots Heritage Society by donating $1,000 to the Fund, which benefits Patriots Hall. Once you are a member of the Patriots Heritage Society, your name will be added to the special plaque in the Upper School. Proceeds for 2021 will be earmarked exclusively for the Fitness Center. Please watch your emails for the details of this exciting event. Thank you to our committee members - John and Roxanne Suson, David and Mona Zignego, Timothy and Virginia Wallace, Ken Dortzbach and Jennie Kent, and Alex and Sue Simic for all their patience and help leading this event.
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Dinner Auction: Volunteer Kick-off Meeting via Zoom is January 18 |
Great Scott, parents! The BA Dinner Auction is on! We are so excited to bring 80’s Night to you in 2021, and we need your help for the April 24 event! Please join Sarah Slaughter and the Advancement Office for the Volunteer Kickoff Meeting on Monday, January 18, 9-10 am, via Zoom.
Learn about our plans and format changes for this year’s special circumstances and all the different ways you can help. Even if you only have a few hours to spare, we can use them! Have more time? Please consider a leadership position to help bring the 80’s Night theme to life. Volunteer opportunities include: Designing and decorating the Patriots Hall gym; creative writing and marketing; identifying and soliciting silent and live auction items; helping with database entry; organizing the Five Star raffle; and, of course, participating in the always-popular and VERY critical setup and takedown of the event. Just like the big dance in Footloose – but without the barn and no Kevin Bacon!
Every bit of your precious time will help us get closer to our $250,000 financial goal to celebrate and support the Mission of Brookfield Academy, furnish equipment for the new Fitness Center, and help defray school costs associated with COVID-19.
Email Sarah directly, or sign up on Volunteer Hub (all volunteering opportunities are posted). Once you have signed up, you will receive a Zoom link before the meeting. Questions? Contact Sarah Slaughter or Lori Kaari in the Advancement Office.
Box Tops
Keep scanning those grocery receipts to earn money for Brookfield Academy! It is an easy way to continue your support to the school. Have you been online shopping? Watch this video to learn how to earn money with e-receipts and online purchases. Questions? Contact Lori Kaari in the Advancement Office.
Special Events 2021
January 25 - February 5: Follett Online Book Fair
February 27: Patriots Heritage Fund Online Giving Day & Event
March: Teacher Appreciation Week will be observed as we celebrate our dedicated faculty and staff. Please check the weekly newsletter for announcements.
April 24: The Dinner Auction is ON -- rain or shine! Mark your calendars and be ready to have lots of fun with fundraising and celebrating BA. If you would like to assist Sarah Slaughter with BA’s largest fundraiser, please sign up on Volunteer Hub, and she will reach out to you. Questions? Contact Sarah Slaughter or Lori Kaari in the Advancement Office.
Returning for School Year 2021-22:
- Mothers Night Out
- Father Daughter Dance
- Heritage Fair
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