Upper School

Soderberg_2041.JPGDecember 2011

Dear Upper School families,

Perhaps it's the rapidly approaching holidays, but I have been thinking a great deal about some of the prayers we read together in Chapel. The message of the Serenity Prayer seems especially apropos to our seniors as they wait — with varying amounts of serenity over things they cannot change — to hear about college admissions.

At the same time, and keeping with the same theme, we are courageously working to change and improve the things we can.

The efforts of our new social justice committee are an excellent example. The "Bare Necessities" drive coordinated by students resulted in the collection of more than 10,000 toiletry items for people in need, and there are many more projects being planned for the second semester.

Our dean of studies, Kim Peeples, has formed a task force to address issues of homework and assessments. This group includes both faculty and students, and it is charged with addressing the pressures both students and teachers feel about curriculum coverage, homework, tests and quizzes.  They will discuss problems and solutions and bring their ideas and recommendations to the Upper School faculty-at-large in the early spring.

We have also organized a few events just for fun that we hope has added a bit of calm to our typically frenetic pace. The head class advisors and dean of students have hosted a coffee house with hot cocoa, an open mic and absolutely no business allowed. Two weeks ago in assembly, we presented Breck Factor, where groups of students presented dances and skits with faculty and received ratings from judges (with the secret judge Tom Hegg magically arriving to cast his vote). Finally, our second House Lunch, a sit-down meal at long tables, each seating 66 students, was a great success. It is wonderful to see the entire Upper School sitting down and sharing a meal together with their housemates.

On a more serious note — and one which is also linked to the Serenity Prayer — we are devoting a great deal of time in the first week of January to an "Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week" for the Upper School and eighth grade.  Several events are open to parents, and we hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to learn more from Dr. Ryan Travia, founding director of Harvard University's Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services, as he is at Breck throughout the day on Wednesday, January 4. The next day, Thursday, Aaron Cooksey, a professional speaker, will share his personal story as a D III athlete who has had a life-changing experience with alcohol. Parents will have the opportunity to hear each speaker during a lunch hour each day.

Check the information in this week's Parent Bulletin Board email and the Breck parents website for details — and remember the password is "mustang."

In closing, I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and the happiest of new years.  I hope we all find some time for rest and reflection. 

Melissa Boocock Soderberg
Upper School Director