Headmaster's Letter
July 20, 2007
Dear Students, Parents, & Friends:
OK, I'll admit that I love summer as much as the next person, and I trust that everyone in the Brookstone Family, new and returning, has enjoyed a wonderful summer. But, with just three weeks left before the start of the 2007-08 school year, my adrenaline is pumping in anticipation of August 13, because the coming year promises to be an awesome one at Brookstone!
Enclosed, please find our schedule for the start of the school year. I also wanted to pass along some bittersweet news related to our faculty and staff.
First, I want to inform you that Ms. Pam Coffield has decided to take a break from teaching after thirty-seven uninterrupted years in the classroom, the past twenty-five of which were at Brookstone. It goes without saying that Ms. Coffield has long been recognized as an iconic and magical teacher. She has served Brookstone as Mathematics Department Chair for the majority of her tenure, and legions of students credit her for their successes in Mathematics and related fields. More importantly, Pam Coffield helped her students grow as human beings. She held her students to the highest standards in their work and decorum, and her students obliged because they knew that, deep down, she loved them. Professionally, Pam has earned a national reputation among her peers in Mathematics teaching circles, and she has held numerous memberships and leadership positions in regional and national organizations. Brookstone will miss Ms. Coffield and Pup more than we can articulate in this space.
I do want to pass along that Mary Lou Jarrell has accepted our invitation to replace Ms. Coffield in the Upper School. We are excited that someone of Mary Lou's exceptional talent, credentials, and dedication will assume Pam's role. We are blessed, too, to have several exciting candidates for Mary Lou's Middle School position, and we look forward to making that announcement soon.
Second, we learned this summer that Coach Steve Sparks will be leaving Brookstone to accept a teaching and coaching position at Northside High School. As most of you know, Steve served as our baseball coach for twenty years through the spring of 2006, and his teams earned more than 300 wins and eight Region championships during that time. Beyond baseball, Steve held many other important coaching roles at Brookstone during his tenure including that of Varsity Football Head Coach. More important than wins and championships (of which there were many), Steve and his teams always represented Brookstone with class. We will miss Steve in many ways, but mostly for his quiet but exceptional character. We wish him the very best in his new endeavor.
Headmaster's Letter
Page 2
July, 2007
In two weeks, as we prepare to open our doors to our students, I will write to introduce our new faculty and staff members. We have a dynamic group of new teachers joining our faculty, and their arrival provides real cause for excitement.
So we will enter the 2007-08 school year beginning not just a new year, but, in some respects, a new era. We will truly enjoy the new Turner Center addition and the renovated Woodruff Arts Building. As you will note, construction is well underway on the New Jordan Gym and Intermediate School as well. Much more importantly, our school will be led by a dynamic faculty and a Senior Class of whom much is rightly expected.
A few days ago I encountered a rising junior. She exclaimed "I am so fired up about school!" I am too.
Go Cougars!
Scott A. Wilson
2007-08 Opening of School Schedule
(Students, Parents, Faculty & Staff)
Monday, August 6
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Upper School New Student Orientation
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. New Faculty & Staff Orientation, Founders Room, Kirven Center
2:00-3:00 p.m. New to the Upper School Parents
Orientation, Lecture Room, Upper School
Tuesday, August 7
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon New Faculty & Staff Orientation cont'd
12:30 p.m. New Faculty & Staff Luncheon, Green Island
Country Club
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon Freshman Day, details TBA
7:00-9:00 p.m. Welcome Back Faculty Dinner Party hosted
by Ms. Laura Porter, 2393 Sixteenth Street
Wednesday, August 8
8:30-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast for Faculty & Staff,
Turner Center Lobby
9:00-11:30 a.m. Full Faculty & Staff Meeting, Turner Center
12:00 Noon Faculty & Staff Luncheon, Cafeteria
1:00-4:00 p.m. Faculty Meetings by Division & Intranet
Training, locations TBA
Thursday, August 9
8:30-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast for Faculty & Staff, Turner Center Lobby
9:00-11:30 a.m. Full Faculty & Staff Meeting, Turner Center
12:00 Noon Faculty & Staff Luncheon, Cafeteria
Afternoon Teachers work in classrooms
Friday, August 10
9:30-10:15 a.m. Lower School New Student Orientation,
Turner Center
10:30-11:15 a.m. Middle School New Student Orientation
1:00-3:00 p.m. Lower School Classroom Visitation
Middle School Students Prepare Lockers
1:15 p.m. Athletic Department Meeting,
Upper School, Lecture Room
Saturday, August 11
8:30-10:30 a.m. Parent to Parent Fall Rally
Sunday, August 12
4:00-5:00 p.m. Annual Ice Cream Social for New Families
and Host Families
Monday, August 13 SCHOOL BEGINS!!!!
Note: We will observe a half-day schedule
(Extended Day will be open until 6:00 p.m.)
Saturday, August 18
6:00-8:00 p.m. New Parent Reception hosted by Scott & Susan
Wilson, 11 Pinecreek Drive
