2020-21 School Theme: Embrace Challenge
|
|
At a recent Lower School assembly, I spoke to students about their remaining eight weeks of the 2020-21 school year. Easing back into the routine after a wonderful two-week Spring Break and long Easter weekend takes time to readjust to our school day. Facing a year of challenges -- our students, parents, and staff have certainly made the best of these unpredictable conditions we have encountered since the pandemic altered our world.
Looking ahead, we are already planning for next fall. Students in the Primary and Lower Schools are thinking about who their teacher or classmates might be as they move to the next grade level. Middle School and Upper School students are planning their fall schedules, deciding on what electives they wish to take. This year's senior class is making the final decision on which college campus will be their new home in August. Administrators are currently planning for staff and program needs for the 2021-22 school year, feeling optimistic and excited about the prospect of a return to normalcy when the doors open for the first day on Tuesday, August 24. While the future of Brookfield Academy continues to remain bright, these final weeks mean that our students will still need to give their very best effort until their last school day. The academic year is much like a marathon. We finally see the finish line approaching in May; but before crossing it, we must find the energy to complete what we started in August. Within the next two months, we have so much to look forward to, including Primary School and Lower School Presentation Day, Middle School and Upper School awards and recognition assemblies, and of course, the graduation of our 2021 senior class. We are proud of our seniors as they complete the Brookfield Academy experience and look forward to new challenges and ongoing learning.
As I often say to our students and teachers - Finish Strong!
~ Doug Ricci, Assistant Head of School
|
|
COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 Dashboard
Our BA dashboard is updated each Wednesday for you to follow our weekly case numbers. The updates can be viewed in the MyBA Portal under the COVID-19 Updates Resource page.
|
|
WEDNESDAY
April 7
Level 8 Parents: Transition to High School
8:30 am
(Via Zoom)
Level A Parent Teacher Conferences
(Via Zoom)
Comment Sheets
go home for Levels B-5
FRIDAY
April 9
Middle School Honor Roll Announcements
(Virtual)
TUESDAY
April 13
Classical Heritage Series Presentation
8:30 am
(Via Zoom)
Level 7 Parents: Transitioning to Middle School: What to Expect in Level 8
9 am
(Via Zoom)
WEDNESDAY
April 14
Teacher
Appreciation Day
THANK YOU TEACHERS!
THURSDAY
April 15
Level 6 Parents: Transitioning to Middle School: What to Expect in Level 7
9 am
(Via Zoom)
~
|
|
Welcome! Mason Dorn (Level 7), and parents, Mr. Douglas and Ms. Wendy Dorn.
BA's Spring Open House is Sunday, April 25! Individual tours begin at 11:30 am, and registration is required. Online options are available too. Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors. We would love to meet them and tell them about BA! Help spread the word by placing a yard sign at your home. Signs are available for pick up in each Division or please contact the Admissions Office.
Parents: New Student Admissions Alert ~ If you are
considering enrolling a new student for the 2021-22 school year and have not submitted an application, please contact the Admissions Office for an application or complete the form online before Sunday, April 25. Many classes are at or near capacity.
Parents: Early Payment Discount! BA offers a discount when the 2021-22 tuition is paid in full by May 1. See your invoice for the amount to pay or contact the Business Office with questions.
Half-Day Shadow Visits – Tell a friend about our half-day shadow visits for students entering grade 3 and above. More information here.
|
Fitness Center Update:
A workout with a view! The equipment has begun to arrive, and students will soon be able to enjoy all aspects of our new Fitness Center.
Year-End Events Schedule: Brookfield Academy year-end events are scheduled; however, some of them will be a bit changed from our usual traditions. Please review our tentative list of dates HERE. As we approach each event, families will receive more specific details from each of the Division Heads.
Classical Heritage Series Presentation: Brookfield Academy's Judeo-Christian Tradition: What Does It Mean For You?, presented by Linda Pryor, Executive Director of Mission & Academics, will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 8:30 am, via Zoom. For more information, visit us online or RSVP to Linda Pryor. Did you miss a past presentation? View them here.
All Parents - Busing Schedule: The All-School May bus schedule is available here.
Summer Days 2021: Check out our 2021 catalog of classes here. NEW THIS YEAR: Do you know a non-BA student looking for academic booster classes this summer? Special academic classes are being offered in a variety of subjects. Summer Days will run from June 1 - July 30 (closed July 5-9). Questions? Contact Julie D'Arruda.
Student Directory Updates: For the most up-to-date information, please use our online directory in the MyBA Portal.
|
Spring Sports Registration: Upper School spring athletic registration is now open. Students may register here.
Spring College Visits: Representatives from national and international colleges will have virtual visits throughout the spring. The BA College Visit schedule is listed here.
Sophomore College Class Presentation: Brookfield Academy welcomes Jim Nondorf, Dean of College Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Chicago, on Monday, April 19. Dean Nondorf will provide insights and guidance to our sophomore class about how to best approach the college search. This annual tradition of the College Office brings a leading figure in college and university admissions to campus to help prepare the sophomore class for their upcoming work in the College Placement program.
Credit Classes for Summer Days 2021: Credit classes are available for all 2021-22 Upper School students. Advanced Graphic Design, Graphic Design, and Geometry will be offered in June and/or July. Please contact Julie D'Arruda with questions.
|
Middle School Honor Roll announcements will be virtual. Parents and students will be sent a video email on Friday, April 9.
Level 8 students will receive Upper School Course Request forms for the 2021-22 school year soon. Students will go to Patriots Hall after school with Mrs. Doble on Wednesday, April 14, 3:15-4 pm, to meet with their new Upper School advisors and make initial course selections. Course selection forms can also be returned directly to the Middle School or Upper School offices. Parents will receive course recommendations in early April from Level 8 teachers and have an opportunity to approve course requests before schedules are completed. Please feel free to contact Dr. Dan Davis with questions related to Upper School scheduling.
Level 6 and Level 7 students will make course selections for the 2021-22 school year by Monday, April 26, after meeting with teachers in advisory sessions for an overview of the selection process and the languages and electives offered. A course selection form will be mailed home for parent/student discussion and signature.
Middle School Level Transitions: The following Zoom sessions will be offered for parents as students prepare to move to their next Levels:
-
Level 7 Parents: "Transitioning to Middle School: What to Expect in Level 8," on Tuesday, April 13, 9 am;
-
Level 6 Parents: "Transitioning to Middle School: What to Expect in Level 7," on Thursday, April 15, 9 am;
-
Level 5 Parents: "Transitioning to Middle School: What to Expect in Level 6," on Tuesday, April 20, 9 am.
An email was sent last week with RSVP details. Parents with questions please contact Mrs. Doble.
|
Level A Parent-Teacher Conferences: These conferences will be held today, April 7, via Zoom. Please email Briana Spaeth to schedule your conference.
Comment Sheets for Levels B-5 will go home today.
Level 5 Parents: The following Zoom session will be offered for Level 5 parents as students prepare to move to Middle School: "Transitioning to Middle School: What to Expect in Level 6," Tuesday, April 20, 9 am. An email was sent with RSVP details. Parents with questions please contact Mrs. Doble.
End of the Year Half-Days Update: Students in Primary School and Lower School will have half-days during Term 3 exams on the following dates: May 24, May 25, and May 26. (Not previously noted on the printed calendar.)
|
|
ADVANCEMENT & VOLUNTEER NEWS |
|
Dinner Auction: Let's Get BAck to our Future...80's Night
Saturday, April 24
Brookfield Academy or Virtual@Home
Registration is OPEN to attend the Dinner Auction in person or virtually at home!
RSVP NOW! In-person tickets are VERY limited. Guarantee yours today by registering online.
GNARLY NOTES!
Order here for delivery on Friday, April 9. TODAY is the LAST DAY to order yours! We have raised over $2300 - thank you! Your generosity benefits all scholars.
LEVEL BASKETS - Competition ends FRIDAY!!
Last call for basket contributions! Thank you to all of our participants thus far. You have until this Friday, April 9, to add to your favorite level's basket. Help your student win a dress-down day. Level 12 is in the lead with $835; followed by Level 11, Little Knights, and Level A. Let's see more activity from Levels 10, 9, and 2 -- every bit helps! Contribute to your child’s level by purchasing a gift-in-kind item from the BA Amazon Registry OR with a cash donation in any amount HERE, or by sending a check, payable to Brookfield Academy, and returned to the Advancement Office. Don't forget -- if you order from Amazon, be sure to select shipping to BA to save yourself the trip. Participate HERE. Also, shop with Amazon Smile to give back even more to BA.
RAFFLE TICKET WEEK - Curbside!
Do you have ticket stubs and payment to drop off? Need more tickets to sell? Want to take care of your ticket purchase in person? Curbside Raffle Week is HERE! Find the BA Volunteers during drop-off and pick-up at Patriots, Liberty, and Freedom Halls, and purchase or drop off your tickets from the comfort of your car. Look for the people dressed in BA Spirit Wear with the signs. You can also order tickets online, or through the mail with the form included with the invitation. Prizes include a $5,000 grand prize, a $1,500 2nd prize, and a $500 3rd prize. BA will gladly accept credit cards and checks payable to Brookfield Academy. The drawing is on Saturday, April 24, 8 pm, at Brookfield Academy’s Patriots Hall. You do not need to be present to win. Purchase a single ticket for $20 or a pack of six for $100.Thank you to our sponsor, Finding Hemingway, by Ken Dortzbach.
|
|
Event Volunteers Needed:
Have some fun and reconnect with other parents and friends of BA as we set up, support, and take down the Dinner Auction. Many hands will make light work! Listen to 80's musical hits while you help take us back in time to the saturated colors, amazing slang phrases, and all that was good about the decade. Sign up on Volunteer Hub or email Lori Kaari.
Thank you to some of our Auction Sponsors:
- BMO Harris Bank
- Imperial Lithograph
- Saumil and Aparna Shah
- Creative Juices Design Co.
- Mike and Jamy Malatesta
- Steve Werner and Jane Law ‘64 Ashley
- William ‘71 and Michelle Waldron ‘73 Law
-
Thomas Hofbauer and Greeta Cherayil
- Merrill and Mary York
- Kanavas Landscape
Teacher Appreciation Day
Wednesday, April 14
Parents - information is being sent home this week about the special day the volunteer co-chairs have planned for Teacher Appreciation Day. Primary School, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School are taking donations of individually wrapped snacks and beverages. To donate, please sign up on Volunteer Hub. Primary School and Lower School are looking for parent volunteers for car duty and recess duties on Wednesday, April 14. Please sign up on Volunteer Hub if you are able to assist. Thank you to the Primary School co-chairs Tracy Luttkus and Lindsay Priebe; Lower School co-chairs Andrea Emling and Aline Jones; Middle School co-chairs Jennifer Setzer and Erin Wurtzbacher, and Upper School co-chairs Stephanie Rushing and Shireesha Vijayapal for organizing the special day set aside to show your gratitude to the faculty and staff of Brookfield Academy.
Thank you so much for supporting Brookfield Academy and our Mission! Volunteers like you genuinely change the world, and we are forever grateful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
