Head of School's Letter - August 29 - Behind the Scenes, Preparing for a New School Year

Dear Families,

One of the truths of education is that behind every moment of discovery a child experiences, there are hours of unseen preparation. This week at Brookwood, our teachers and staff have been engaged in just that— professional development, safety drills, and careful planning—all so your children can arrive next week to spaces that are both joyful and secure. Of course, we’ve balanced the hard work with play, through our Employee Guilds, which continue to remind us that community and laughter are as essential to learning as lesson plans and protocols.

The work of the adults is not separate from the life of the school; it is what makes it possible. Teachers discussing pedagogy, emergency drills, or even competing in our annual employee Guild Games are all laying foundations. They are preparing conditions in which students will not only learn but thrive—and it is the kind of preparation that, when done well, is largely invisible to those who benefit from it most.

When your children arrive next week, they will step into spaces that have been quietly transformed over the summer. The reimagined library, refreshed classrooms, and renewed gathering spaces didn’t simply appear—they are the result of countless thoughtful choices made by faculty and staff. My hope is that as students discover these changes, they feel not only the excitement of something new, but also the care and intention woven into every detail. These spaces are designed to spark curiosity, collaboration, and joy—the visible fruits of invisible effort.

And just as our teachers prepare for students, we are preparing to welcome you. On the first morning of school, please join Division Heads Jane O’Connor and Jay Tebbens, Assistant Head of School Lindsay Murphy, and me for coffee on the courtyard following drop off. It is one of my favorite moments of the year: to stand together as parents and educators, remembering that the work of raising and teaching children is, at its best, a shared endeavor. And on Friday, September 5, I hope your whole family will join us for the Start of School BBQ—a visible celebration of the community we have been quietly preparing all summer long.

Here’s to the unseen work that makes discovery possible, and to the joy we will share as a new school year unfolds.

Warmly,

Jon

A Note in Light of Events in Minneapolis

As we prepared with anticipation for the start of a new school year, we also learned of the devastating school shooting in Minneapolis. For those of us who devote our lives to caring for children, and for you who entrust us with your most precious ones, this news was felt deeply. To be immersed in the excitement of new beginnings while another community faced such unimaginable loss was a poignant and painful contrast.

Our hearts are with the students, families, and educators in Minneapolis. We hold them in our thoughts and send our love as fellow parents and educators. Their tragedy strengthens our resolve to ensure that Brookwood remains a place of safety, joy, and belonging for every child.

As part of that commitment, we regularly practice a full range of safety drills—fire, evacuation, and hold-in-place—so that, should the need ever arise, our community is ready to respond calmly and effectively. These protocols are part of the unseen preparation that undergirds all the joyful and visible moments of learning at Brookwood.

If you have any questions about our safety practices or protocols, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Letitia Howland at [email protected].