March 1, 2022
Dear Members of the Brooks Community,
As we move further into this week, we wanted to share some updated and amended plans for Friday and Saturday prior to Spring Break. The reason for these changes is to accommodate the community’s interest in attending the celebration of Preston Settles’ life on Friday. Before continuing, I want to thank all of you for the support and care you have directed to the Settles family and one another through this challenging time. All forms of support have meant, and continue to mean, a great deal.
In terms of services on Friday, all members of the Brooks School community are welcome to attend. There will be a viewing at Trinity Church, located at 206 Clarendon Street in Boston, that will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will involve an open casket and an opportunity for anyone attending to choose to participate and pay their respects. As the viewing ends, a celebration of Preston’s life is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. The expectation is that this service will run for 90 minutes to two hours. For those not able to attend in person, you will be able to access the livestream HERE.
Our plan for Friday involves the following:
- First-period class will run as scheduled. Second-period class will be abbreviated and end at 9:35 a.m. There will be no classes after 9:35 a.m. on Friday, nor on Saturday, March 5. Students may choose to attend the celebration of Preston’s life, remain on campus throughout the day on Friday, or leave school for Spring Break. All dormitories and facilities on campus will remain open as planned through Saturday afternoon on March 5. No student will be required to leave prior to that time.
- Students choosing to attend the celebration of Preston’s life will be able to attend via school-sponsored transportation or with their own parent or guardian. Students should use REACH and select “Service for Preston” to share their plan to attend the service.
- Advisors will be collecting information from students regarding change in departure plans for Spring Break. Advisor meetings will be held at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, March 2.
- Academic work due after second period on Friday will receive an extension until after Spring Break, though students may opt in to earlier submission. Midterm grades and comments will be entered as planned; they remain unofficial snapshots for a progress report only.
Our hope is that these changes on Friday and Saturday will provide some flexibility for the whole school community, in general, and those attending the celebration of Preston’s life, in particular. There are likely to be questions and some shifting with plans over the next couple of days. Please be in touch if and when we can be helpful in any way.
Sincerely,
John R. Packard
Head of School
