Keeping You Up to Date

Beginners Moving to Full-Day Program Next Fall

BB&N has announced that the Lower School will extend its Beginner program to a full day starting next fall. “We look forward to working with the Beginner team of teachers to plan the curriculum and program over the coming months,” says Lower School Director Sue Scarborough.

“The full-day program will not only improve the pace and sequencing of activities for children during the day,” adds Scarborough, “it will also allow for more creativity in program delivery, more social experiences, and ample physical activity as well as rest. For example, the full-day program will give us more flexibility in scheduling specialist activities for the students and will allow teachers the option to continue or create extensions to a morning project in the afternoon if needed.” Top

MACA Chess Tournament to be Held at BB&N

Knight takes rook, checkmate BB&N! BB&N will be hosting a USCF-rated scholastic chess tournament this month when The Massachusetts State Chess Association comes to town on November, 9. The School will be hosting the second qualifying tournament to select players for the Spiegel Cup State Championship. In addition to the 8&U, 11&U, 14&U, and HS Championship sections, there will be special novice sections for less experienced children, and an unrated section.

Please email wiegand@gmail.com with questions or CLICK HERE for more information and registration. Top

Folk Musician Teaches History Through Song

There’s more than one way to learn about American history—according to folk musician Jeff Davis, all you need is a banjo and a pair of ears. This fall Davis performed two assemblies at the Lower School, taking students on a journey into the history of rural America using humor, warmth, and music.

Students heard songs of the Revolutionary War, Appalachian cloggers and sailors, as well as African-America banjo, Irish fiddle tunes, and cowboy ditties. Using his voice, a banjo, a nose flute, and even a pair of spoons, Davis entertained and taught, allowing kids an interactive window into their heritage. Top

TTI Trick or Treat

Bev Malone, director of the Teacher Training Institute, and her crew of interns celebrate the festive fall season at the Lower School with a slew of impressively carved pumpkins. Top

Soul Cake Tradition Continues at Lower School

The lights went out in the Lower School Gymnasium, a gong sounded, and a single figure bearing a candle walked slowly to the front of the assembled crowd. Amidst hushed whispers of the LS students, and attentive stares of parents and faculty, LS Librarian Heather Lee recounted the spooky story of the early English tradition of Soul Cake. The tradition—which features storytelling, musical performances, and period garb—dates back generations to the Buckingham School. Top

MS Soup Bowl Dinner Nourishes Community Spirit

For 16 years now, Middle School students have been crafting, glazing, and firing ceramic soup bowls under the guidance of Art Chair Libby Maclaren for the Annual Middle School Soup Bowl Evening. Parents purchase each bowl for $15, a fee which entitles them to all of the soup, bread and salad they can eat—not to mention the bowl itself. All proceeds go to the Love & Understanding Program, a charitable organization dedicated to helping poor children in Vietnam, one of the most impoverished countries in the world.

Following the dinner, parents were invited to stay for the Making Sense of Middle School Night event where a panel of teachers and specialists spoke and answered questions about the challenges facing Middle School students and parents. Top

2008-09 Community Directory Updates

Please CLICK HERE to access a password-protected document listing the second round of updates for this year’s BB&N Community Directory. Top

BB&N Rows at 44th Head of Charles Regatta

BB&N’s boathouse dock was packed on a cool Sunday morning as parents, faculty, alumni/ae and friends gathered to cheer on boys’ and girls’ crew teams during the 44th annual Head of the Charles Regatta. (CLICK for photo gallery.)

The boys four, lead by team captain Miles Grimshaw, finished 48th out of 70 crews in an extremely tough event, with a time of 19:15.

“It’s important to keep in mind that our guys do this on their own time, in addition to their other fall commitments, which often include fall sports,” said Boys’ Head Coach Adam Holland, also won the Master’s Single event on Sunday, an event in which he finished second last year.

Grimshaw and Holland won the HOCR Director’s Cup Parent/Child Double event on Saturday afternoon, a fundraising event for the Head of the Charles Regatta.

“The event featured many Charles River rowing community fixtures, and was a great opportunity for sharing the love of rowing and the Head of the Charles across generations,” Holland said.

The girl’s team also placed 48th with a solid time of 22:06. Despite not being able to adequately practice due to ISL rules and regulations (crew is technically a spring sport), Head Coach Allison Kornet says the girl’s team showed improvement and had a good time rowing in such a prestigious race.

“Everyone had fun and there were some proud moments—we even beat the time we had clocked in a few practices,” Kornet said.

Four BB&N rowers went upstream this fall to CRI (Community Rowing, Inc.), where they were allowed to practice daily with Boston-area kids. Paige Madden was in the Youth Eight that won the Head of the Charles outright in their event—a feat Kornet called “Very impressive!” Two other BB&N girls rowed in CRI Youth Fours that beat BB&N crew by over 20 places.

“I was thrilled they were able to have that experience, and so were their teammates who stayed behind,” Kornet added. “We look forward to combining forces again and rowing altogether in the spring soon.” Top

Fifth & Sixth Graders Gain Insight into Internet Safety

Organized by the Lower School PA, Katie LeClerc, former Internet Safety Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office recently spoke to 5th and 6th grade students about Internet Safety. LeClerc has developed Internet Safety presentations that were delivered to over 12,000 students, parents and educators in the Commonwealth, and featured in such media as CNN and Vanity Fair magazine. LeClerc also ran a separate presentation for Lower School parents. Top

Students, Alums, and Faculty Perform at Cabaret Night

Three musical alumni returned to BB&N on Friday evening October 24th to join seven students and a handful of faculty for the second annual Cabaret Night. Brett Lovins ’93, Caroline Tye ’96, and Christina James ’05 sang a range of musical pieces from Sondheim and Gershwin songs to opera arias of Mozart and Bizet.

“There are a number of talented alums who have either studied music/theater or have performed professionally,” said music teacher and event organizer Joseph Horning. “It’s a ball having them come back and sing with the current students and faculty. We’re fortunate that we now have marvelous performance space for intimate evenings such as this.” Last year’s Cabaret Night included, in addition to Brett Lovins, alums Vira Slywotsky ’00, Rob Warner ’06, Alex Marcy ’06, and Rachel Nicholson ’07. Top

Family Science Saturday Visits Broadmoor

Lower School students and their parents attended Family Science Saturday recently to explore Marsh and Pond Life at the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick. The afternoon was an opportunity for kids to combine science, fun, and learning in an exciting activity.

“We were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful fall day at the sanctuary. Broadmoor staff started the afternoon with a live animal presentation where families got to meet and touch turtles and snakes,” said Lower School Science Teacher, Caitlin Drechsler. “Then we all headed outside for a scavenger hunt. We looked at organisms that live around the marsh and in the marsh water. The creatures that we saw included insect larva, fish, and ducks.”

The Family Science Saturday program occurs several times a year, covering different science topics in an engaging manner. For more information or to get the scoop on the next Family Science Saturday, contact Lower School Science Teacher, Caitlin Drechsler. Top

Community Enjoys 2nd Annual Iftar Dinner

The Upper School students celebrated the second annual Iftar dinner last month during an evening of performances, food, and festivities. Sponsored by the Islamic Society and organized by Arabic and Math Teacher Awais Ahsan, the dinner featured traditional Middle Eastern fare such falafel, grape leaves, hummus, and lamb.

Those who attended were also treated to performances of traditional Islamic music, and a “hands-on” demonstration of Henna, a body art which creates temporary designs on the hands and arms.

Iftar, which refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan, is traditionally celebrated as a community right after sunset, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. Top

Upper School Art Wall Welcomes All Artists

The Upper School gallery became a giant, virtual canvas this fall, as students were encouraged to draw, paint, sculpt, and create on the white walls. Next to the exhibit was a poster with instructions, including such rules as:

1. 1) You Can’t Say You Can’t Draw;
2. 2) Trust Yourself;
3. and
4. 3) There Are No Mistakes. Top