Dear Bright School Community,

As we begin the 6 ^th week in the throes of the pandemic, I want to again extend my thanks to everyone for your intrepid spirit during these tough times. As many of the recent parent surveys made clear, life at home is not easy for many of you. You have your own jobs and families to care for while also taking on the onerous task of guiding your child’s education at home. I want you to know that I feel your frustration, which makes my admiration for your courage that much greater. I thought it would be helpful to start laying out the school’s plans for the weeks and months ahead.

First of all, we’re turning our attention to our fifth graders, who have, sadly, seen their important final year’s graduation in May, as well as all of the traditions surrounding it, vanish before their eyes. We tentatively have scheduled their graduation in July, depending as always on the state of the pandemic, but in the next few weeks we will also be showering on them as much attention and joyfulness as we can muster. They are a beautiful and accomplished group of young women and men, and they deserve our praise and congratulations.

Also, we will soon be sharing with you our plans for the end of the regular school year, opportunities for summer enrichment, and various scenarios for the fall. In case fate dictates that we have to continue with distance learning, which is the last resort for us, we will be considering new procedures and digital platforms in order to enhance the educational experience while taking some of the burden off of the parents. Again, like most other schools and businesses, the challenge is finding the right balance between fulfilling our mission while also keeping everyone safe and healthy. We are in consultation with many other independent schools about how best to plan for the future, adeptly.

Finally, in the next few weeks the school will be considering ways to adjust the financial requirements on families during these difficult times. Of course, we must continue to pay our wonderful teachers and staff, especially during a time where much has been required of them as well, and there are other fixed costs that will need continued funding. But there are other areas where we may be able to find relief, which we will certainly pass along to our families. Most importantly, and I mean this sincerely, we want to work with any family who is facing difficult financial pressures but who very much want to keep their child or children at Bright School. Believe me, we want your children to be here as well.

So, let’s work together, plan together, care for one another, and continue the wonderful spirit that makes the Bright School community so special.  

Sincerely,

Here are important dates for the rest of the year:

Friday, May 8

Bright Fest Friday, 11 a.m.

Bright Fit Friday, 11:35 a.m.

Saturday, May 9

Third Grade Colonial Pick up

Friday, May 15

Bright Fest Friday, 11 a.m.

Bright Fit Friday, 11:35 a.m.

May 18-21

Fifth Grade Spirit Week

No Special Area Rotation

Thursday, May 21

Last Day of Distance Learning

Teachers Pack Up Rooms

Friday, May 22

Student Pick Up Items from School

Return Library Books

(There will be staggered times for each grade, TBD)

Bright  Days camps for all of June are canceled. We will make a decision about July camps by June 1. 

 

The business office will process refunds for June camp fees, and you should receive your refunds by May 15. If you are on a payment schedule or have pending future payments for June camp, those will be automatically canceled. 

 

If you would like to cancel your child’s registration for July and receive a full refund, please email us at  [email protected]. 

#GivingTuesdayNow "is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place tomorrow as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. It is an opportunity for the world to come together to thank, to give, to help, and to heal."

At Bright School, we're asking you to take time to thank teachers, doctors, nurses, first responders and front-line workers. We so appreciate the many parents who are taking care of patients and working every day to serve the community.

We have created a wall of gratitude on our website to share messages of thanks to our teachers, staff, families and friends. If you would like to contribute, please email a note, drawing or picture to Elizabeth Davis at [email protected].

Visit our Be Grateful. Be Bright! page.

Thanks to everyone who submitted pictures of their gardens in all shapes and sizes. Later this summer, we'll check in and ask you to send pictures of how your garden looks and if you have harvested anything yet. Enjoy the video.

Join us this Friday for another Bright Fest Friday via Zoom at 11 a.m. Wear any Bright shirt shirt to show your Bright School spirit. Send a photo to Ms. Davis at [email protected].

Here is the Zoom log-in information:

Meeting ID: 908-767-660

Password: bright

After BFF, coaches McDaniel and Linehart will lead Bright Fit Friday for students and parents who want to do exercises together. Just stay on the Zoom meeting after BFF for Bright Fit Friday to begin. The coaches will let you know if you need any supplies like a jump rope or a weight for that day's exercises. You'll have five minutes to get ready, and then the workout will begin. Who are we? Bright Fit!

If you missed last week's Bright Fest Friday, check out the video below.

More information is available on our COVID-19 Closure website.

Not on social media? Follow what's happening on our news webpage. Click here .