Even though you know your child is in good hands at Brewster, it’s still hard for you to let go. You wonder how your child is doing, what he or she is learning, and when you can visit next!

We understand and that's why we offer several ways for you to maintain contact with your child, connect with other parents, and get involved in the Brewster community.

In this section, we have tried to include information on many of the most common topics of interest to parents. If we’ve missed something, please contact Beth Hayes '81, Director of Alumni and Parent Programming (603-569-7133), and let her know.

To help you stay connected to life on campus and your favorite student, we provide an update (and photos) every other Friday during the academic year.

Mark '09 hams it up during his solo in HOWL's "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

Members of the Environmental Club worked hard to involve the entire community in Earth Week celebrations.

On April 25, Brewster students participated in the national Day of Silence.

Wan-Gi is all smiles after winning his tennis match on Wednesday.

Everyone came out to help with last Saturday's O'Day Qualifier regatta, including Maria Found, Brenda Fuller, Jim Carey, Byron Martin (that is a burger in the air), and Gail Deitzer.

Dear Parent,

May 1 , 2008 -- As April turned into May this week, the number of campus activities blossomed with seminars, fairs, dinners, and a special day for our Bobcat grandparents. Students have Saturday classes tomorrow followed by sports and afternoon enrichment activities. Tomorrow evening's Coffeehouse has a full line-up of Brewster talent ready to entertain.

First some kudos … Congratulations to Pattiya Hassavayukul ’10 of Pathumthan, Thailand, who won an award for her drawing “Mess” that was submitted to the United States Congressional Juried High School Art Show.

Tuesday night leadership guru Mike Weber returned to campus to present a seminar to seniors and postgraduates on making a successful and rewarding transition from high school to college. Using humor and anecdotes, Weber introduced the students to five changes that could help define a great freshman year for them. Read More.

On Wednesday, we welcomed nearly 40 Brewster grandparents to our annual Grandparents’ Day. This day offers grandparents a time to experience Brewster with their grandchildren, including attending class, spending time with Mike Cooper, and cheering on their favorite players in sports competitions. Read More and Photos.

Looking toward college has been a focus for juniors this week, as 90 get ready to take the SAT exams tomorrow and 40 attended a College Fair at Colby Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, on Thursday. The fair offered students the chance to meet representatives from nearly 150 colleges and universities across the country, ask questions, and obtain information.

Mundiamo, Brewster’s newest club with a focus on cultural awareness and the rich diversity within the Brewster community, hosted last night’s community dinner. Students and faculty were treated to delicious Korean fare, including Kimbap and Bulgogi. Before the dinner, Sae Joon Park ’10 and Su Min Kim ’10 spoke briefly about their country, which was highlighted in a presentation shown on video screens around the dining hall and put together by Song Ji Choi ‘08.

Brewster’s many talented community members got a chance to “strut their stuff” this morning onstage at Anderson Hall. The audience rewarded the performers with appreciative cheers and applause throughout. In a surprise presentation, three drama students who had roles in “West Side Story” presented framed photos of the cast, complete with signatures, to Andy Campbell, Phil Atkins, and Mike Cooper as mementos. The hilarious finale featured HOWL singing “Why Can’t We Be Friends” with various soloists stepping up to the microphone to sing individual verses with exaggerated attitudes and emphasis that went over well with the audience. Read More.

Freshmen students traveled off campus on an environmental science adventure today. One class toured the Pine Tree Power plant in Tamworth, which complements their studies on energy consumption while a second class toured the Rochester Landfill for a first-hand experience on consumer waste studies. Two other classes toured the Franklin Wastewater Treatment Center to gather information to complement their studies on water usage and waste. The three trips are a supplement to a large-scale jigsaw, where each class will share its information with the other Environmental Science classes. A jigsaw is a cooperative learning technique where teams of students become expert in a topic or area. The students then share their knowledge or expertise with other teams of students while they learn new information from other experts. In this way, students all have a role in contributing to the learning of the entire class.

Earth Day was Tuesday April 22, and Brewster students spent the week hosting events to raise awareness about issues that impact our environment and how each of us can be a part of big changes by the little actions we take every day. Read More.

The Week Ahead

AP Exams begin on Monday and will be administered through Friday, May 16.

On Monday the Class of 2008 will be welcomed into the Brewster Academy Alumni Association – New England style – with a hearty lobster dinner hosted by the Alumni Office. This dinner, which has become an annual tradition for the graduating class, was begun by alumnus, Alexis Pappas ’88. Thank you to the Stavis family (Matt ’10) of Northcoast Seafoods for contributing to this year’s dinner.

On Tuesday Mike and Andrea Cooper will celebrate the 39 Class of 2008 members who proudly call themselves Lifers – those students who have spent all four of their high school years at Brewster. The Lifers will join the Coopers at the Boathouse for a special dinner.

May 24 Student Pick-Up

A few notes on the last day of school. Because of the number of families who will be on campus on May 24, the last day of school for all students, we kindly ask that our parents of underclassmen arrive no earlier than 3 p.m. to help move students out of their dorms.

Although we expect most students to leave campus on May 24, we understand that some students, especially those flying, may not be able to leave campus on Saturday. Airport transportation for these students will be available at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, but all students must be out of their dorms and off campus by noon on Sunday. If your student needs to stay on campus Saturday night, please make sure you contact your student's community life parent so that he or she knows the student needs to stay and Peter Mann (peter_mann@brewsteracademy.org or 603.569.7128) to arrange for Sunday morning transportation. A letter with this information is being mailed to parents of underclassmen today.

Our transportation coordinator reminds parents that if your student is flying home alone, please check with the airline regarding any new regulations. For example, as of May 5 some domestic carriers will be charging $25 for a second piece of luggage.

Senior Prom

The senior prom is on Thursday, May 22, at the Bald Peak Colony Club in nearby Melvin Village. Students will begin gathering at the Pinckney Boathouse about 4:45 p.m. for the promenade and formal photos. This is an opportunity for parents to see their children dressed up and take photographs. At 6:30 p.m. students will depart for Bald Peak. Students are not allowed to drive themselves to Bald Peak. They must take Brewster busses or chauffeured limousines.

Questions on Commencement?

Don’t forget to check out our Commencement page with information on the big day.