While we initially marveled at the way that Google Meets brought us together, it became clear that being together could not be replicated in two dimensions.
The greatest daily challenge of this pandemic, I believe, is modifying the behaviors that are hard-wired within us to connect with one another. Indeed, they are the same behaviors that put us at risk for the virus.
Imagine… if one year ago today someone told you that handshakes, hugs, and birthday parties would be strongly discouraged. That wearing a mask would become a daily expectation. That getting within six feet of another person was risky. You would think that we had all lost our minds!
However, last spring taught us how much we value connection. While we persevered through shelter-in-place orders and continuous learning, we all longed for the elements of basic human connection that were taken away from us. While we initially marveled at the way that Google Meets brought us together, it became clear that being together could not be replicated in two dimensions.
This summer, we were passionate about opening school with all students on campus with the awareness that the heart of the Brookwood Family involves being together.
For this reason, the theme of the 2020-21 school year is “Connect.” We sought a theme that would serve as a guidepost for this core need.
Throughout the fall, we have sought to create these experiences of connection. At times, they have happened by design. At others, they occurred by happenstance.
While life today may look different than it did this time last year, I hope you and your family are settling into our new normal and seeking new and different ways to connect. Whether it be more intentional time spent with family, or a new hobby connecting you safely with others, we all continue to seek the human connection. It is my wish that you and our students also find this connection alive and well within the Brookwood Family.
Check out the photos for a few of the many special moments of connection so far this year.
Blue White game. While the annual Blue/White Varsity Football scrimmage is usually a relatively small event before the season starts, it was a magnificent return to the field.
Lunch under the umbrellas. The brainstorm came from Mr. Matt Young, who works in facilities. He noticed that it was uncomfortably hot, at times, early in the school year. He suggested that we order umbrellas for each designated spot. Voila! It made the lunch experience downright comfortable and sociable.
Buddy Reveal. We knew this year that we would have to do a lot of things differently. The hope, however, was that we could replicate the experience as much as possible. The Senior Buddy program is one of the key relational aspects of Brookwood. We found that the atmosphere helped to create strong immediate bonds between the students.
Senior Breakfast. Mrs. Watts and I look forward to hosting this event every year. It took some imagination and a much bigger tent than in past years, but, otherwise, was very similar to years past.
Parent Council and teacher support. This is a challenging year for teachers everywhere. Teaching in a mask, at times, to a classroom and virtually simultaneously, is hard. However, the connection that they have with our parents is often through the students. The efforts that our Parent Council made to help the teachers feel appreciated also helped to strengthen that bond.
Recreation at Middle School lunch. Maybe we will always prefer to have lunch outside whenever possible! Here are some eighth graders enjoying some leisure time.
Blue White game. While the annual Blue/White Varsity Football scrimmage is usually a relatively small event before the season starts, it was a magnificent return to the field.
Lunch under the umbrellas. The brainstorm came from Mr. Matt Young, who works in facilities. He noticed that it was uncomfortably hot, at times, early in the school year. He suggested that we order umbrellas for each designated spot. Voila! It made the lunch experience downright comfortable and sociable.
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.