A Wonderful Start to the Year
Over the past few weeks, our students have begun to settle into the new year. They are making new friends, getting to know their teachers, and launching into their studies. Our trip to Camp Northwoods on the beautiful shores of Lake Winnipesaukee was a success as students built relationships through community building activities and got to know each other across grade levels.
Our goal is that, through their time in our Middle School, students will develop skills as thinkers, writers, readers, and innovators and be prepared to succeed in the Upper School and beyond. One of the best parts of being Brimmer’s Middle School Head is the opportunity to witness the excellent teaching and learning that happens here daily. In the first weeks of school, I visited several 6th grade classes, where students were becoming acclimated to Canvas, and I witnessed them reviewing the DECA model to add and subtract decimals in math. In 7th grade Science, I watched as students reviewed the Claim Evidence Reasoning model that is used for lab reports across all grade levels after performing an experiment to see how different liquids affect the speed that seltzer Alka-Seltzer dissolves. Finally, in 8th grade History, students were beginning their study of the fragility of democracy, the Weimar Republic, and the rise of the Nazi party by examining the end of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. These classroom visits always inspire me, and I look forward to sharing more of these observations throughout the school year.
In addition to guiding our students’ growth as learners, the Middle School faculty and I hope to help instill Brimmer’s Core Values of Kindness, Honesty, Respect, Equity, and Responsibility. Our Middle School Commendations, which are presented every week at our Friday morning meetings, recognize students who exemplify these values. We have already given out a record number of commendations this year!
We are also excited to announce that the Middle School will be partnering with The Social Institute (TSI), a national leader in curriculum designed to equip students to navigate the complex intersection of well-being, social media, and technology. At a time when students spend so much of their time on digital devices, TSI equips them to make positive, healthy, and high-character choices that fuel their health, happiness, and future success.
Finally, in an effort to support this year’s theme of “Finding Balance, Finding Joy,” the entire Middle School watched a TED Talk entitled Try Something New for 30 Days. Afterward, every member of our community, faculty and students, recorded their goal on Post-It notes, which were then used to spell the word Joy on a bulletin board in the Almy Wing. The 30-Day Challenge will take place in the month of October, and volunteers will be selected to share their progress at our Middle School meetings on Friday mornings. Inspired by the book Wonder, by R. J. Palacio, every volunteer will receive a standing ovation for their efforts in the 30-Day Challenge. We are hopeful that this community building exercise will bring some balance and lots of joy to our members.
As you can see, we are having a wonderful start to the year. It is truly an honor to lead Brimmer’s Middle School, its exceptional students, and its outstanding faculty. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.
In addition to guiding our students’ growth as learners, the Middle School faculty and I hope to help instill Brimmer’s Core Values of Kindness, Honesty, Respect, Equity, and Responsibility. Our Middle School Commendations, which are presented every week at our Friday morning meetings, recognize students who exemplify these values. We have already given out a record number of commendations this year!
We are also excited to announce that the Middle School will be partnering with The Social Institute (TSI), a national leader in curriculum designed to equip students to navigate the complex intersection of well-being, social media, and technology. At a time when students spend so much of their time on digital devices, TSI equips them to make positive, healthy, and high-character choices that fuel their health, happiness, and future success.
Finally, in an effort to support this year’s theme of “Finding Balance, Finding Joy,” the entire Middle School watched a TED Talk entitled Try Something New for 30 Days. Afterward, every member of our community, faculty and students, recorded their goal on Post-It notes, which were then used to spell the word Joy on a bulletin board in the Almy Wing. The 30-Day Challenge will take place in the month of October, and volunteers will be selected to share their progress at our Middle School meetings on Friday mornings. Inspired by the book Wonder, by R. J. Palacio, every volunteer will receive a standing ovation for their efforts in the 30-Day Challenge. We are hopeful that this community building exercise will bring some balance and lots of joy to our members.
As you can see, we are having a wonderful start to the year. It is truly an honor to lead Brimmer’s Middle School, its exceptional students, and its outstanding faculty. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.