Remembering Pat Ellis
We are sad to share the news that Patricia Ann “Pat” Ellis, Director of Nashoba Brooks School from 1972 to 1992, passed away on Tuesday, March 28.
Pat drew on her experience as an independent school graduate, a Wellesley woman, and an educator to inform decisions that continue to have a direct and meaningful impact on the work we do at Nashoba Brooks every day. She oversaw the merger of The Brooks School of Concord and Nashoba Country Day School. She was an early supporter of initiatives, including our partnership with Chewonki, interscholastic athletics, diversity and inclusivity, and competitive employee compensation.
In 1987-1988, the Board established the annual Ellis Lecture in honor of her first 15 years of leadership. The Ellis Lectures, which continue to this day, were intended to “broaden our thinking and stimulate curiosity.” It is fitting that we gathered yesterday for our annual Ellis Lecture. Trustee Charlotte Whitmore and her client Eugene Gilyard captivated current employees, trustees, and friends of the School as they shared Eugene’s story. Represented by Charlotte, Eugene was the first person to be exonerated through the work of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project after serving 15 years of wrongful imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. As we listened and learned together, we all wished that Pat could have been with us. This topic is one that we know would have resonated with her as a champion for civil rights.
Pat will be remembered for her advocacy for teachers and dedication to social justice, as well as her strength, keen intellect, wry sense of humor, and commitment to providing outstanding educational opportunities for girls and women. Joan McCarthy and I had the opportunity to visit with Pat last week. Even as she was nearing the end of her life, Pat was attuned to the rhythms of the academic year and very much interested in the latest happenings at School—teachers, curriculum, athletics, placement, and the daily lives of students were at the forefront of her mind. Her courage and humor were both notably Pat and remarkably inspiring. We are deeply grateful to Pat for the leadership and vision that established the strong foundation on which we continue to build. We will miss her.
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In 1987-1988, the Board established the annual Ellis Lecture in honor of her first 15 years of leadership. The Ellis Lectures, which continue to this day, were intended to “broaden our thinking and stimulate curiosity.” It is fitting that we gathered yesterday for our annual Ellis Lecture. Trustee Charlotte Whitmore and her client Eugene Gilyard captivated current employees, trustees, and friends of the School as they shared Eugene’s story. Represented by Charlotte, Eugene was the first person to be exonerated through the work of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project after serving 15 years of wrongful imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. As we listened and learned together, we all wished that Pat could have been with us. This topic is one that we know would have resonated with her as a champion for civil rights.
Pat will be remembered for her advocacy for teachers and dedication to social justice, as well as her strength, keen intellect, wry sense of humor, and commitment to providing outstanding educational opportunities for girls and women. Joan McCarthy and I had the opportunity to visit with Pat last week. Even as she was nearing the end of her life, Pat was attuned to the rhythms of the academic year and very much interested in the latest happenings at School—teachers, curriculum, athletics, placement, and the daily lives of students were at the forefront of her mind. Her courage and humor were both notably Pat and remarkably inspiring. We are deeply grateful to Pat for the leadership and vision that established the strong foundation on which we continue to build. We will miss her.
More News
List of 20 news stories.
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Invention Convention
As part of interdisciplinary work across science, humanities, writer’s workshop, and transliteracy, Grade 4 students engage with the Invention Convention which provides a hands-on opportunity for students to creatively solve a novel problem. With the timeliness and acknowledgment of National Engineers Week, this STEM, invention, and entrepreneurship program starts with our students exploring their lives, and the lives of others, to identify a problem they are passionate about solving.Read More -
Robotic Club visits Boston Dynamics
Recently, the Nashoba Brooks Robotics Club was welcomed on a special field trip to the Boston Dynamics Lab.Read More -
Explaining the Ballot
Need a hand understanding the different ballot initiatives and races that will be decided next Tuesday? Grade 8 students are here to help!Read More -
Honey Extraction
Read MoreWhat a bee-autiful sight! The Nashoba Brooks beehives have been buzzing all summer and have produced their first batch of honey! With the help of Mel, our apiarist partner, Grade 1 students were able to extract a few jars of honey from one of our hives. Students will further explore this wonder of nature during science class this year as they learn more about the natural world and our local environment. -
C-SPAN Student-Cam Documentary Winners!
Read MoreNashoba Brooks is proud to have once again placed in the annual C-SPAN Student-Cam Documentary contest with Addi. K and Chloe B.’s project, “Securing Tomorrow: An Exploration of AI in Cyber Defense.” -
Grade 3 Native Peoples
Read MoreGrade 3 students participated in a favorite Nashoba Brooks tradition: a Sharing of Understanding. This event hosted family members to listen and learn about what their students have been working on at School, including a recorder recital and in-depth explanations of multiple indigenous peoples. -
2024 Book Ball: Eras Edition
Grade 6 students are in their Reading Era!Read More -
Sizing Down the Playground
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Fall Weekend Fun
Read MoreIt was a packed weekend on the Nashoba Brooks campus for Fall Weekend!Thank you to all the parent volunteers, student ambassadors, faculty members, and all other roles who contributed to making this weekend so memorable for our School. -
Grade 8 CSPAN StudentCam Winners
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Grade 1 Belts It Out!
This afternoon our community watched first graders ‘Belt It Out’!Read More -
Grade 3 Community Hero Projects
After weeks of hard work, Grade 3 students had the opportunity to present their Community Hero projects to their families and their interview subjects!Read More -
Visiting Lawrence Academy Alumni
A recent opportunity to connect with alumni attending Lawrence Academy left all in attendance filled with warm memories.Read More -
Family Fun at Fall Weekend!
Read MoreThe Nashoba Brooks School campus was bursting with excitement Friday, November 4, through Sunday, November 6, as we celebrated our annual Fall Weekend. -
2022 Concord Bookshop Day: A Smashing Success
This year’s Concord Bookshop Day was one for the records!Read More -
Students Consider Many High School Choices
Read MoreAfter almost a year of research, school visits, interviews, self-reflection, and essay writing, the Grade 8 class is enjoying a variety of excellent high schools to choose from. -
Students Recognized by National Latin Exam
Every year, thousands of Latin students across the United States and the world take the National Latin Exam (NLE).Read More -
Award Winning Authors Speak with Students
Alongside the book fair and poetry month, April has been a wonderful time for literature at Nashoba Brooks School. Sharon Draper and Jen Campbell, two celebrated authors, left their mark on the community over the past few weeks.Read More -
Parents Rave in Annual Survey
More than 75 parents responded to this year’s annual School survey and numbers were well balanced across all grade levels. The results of the survey are impressive and the feedback the parents offer to the School is glowing.Read More -
Nashoba Brooks Poets Published
Read MoreAs Black History Month comes to a close, students and faculty alike celebrate diversity, acknowledging that a school is not only classrooms, gymnasiums, and fields, but also the people within these walls. Each year and at every grade level our students contemplate the presence and importance of different backgrounds, experiences and beliefs. And this month provides community members with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Black in America.
Situated on a beautiful 30-acre campus in historic Concord, Massachusetts, Nashoba Brooks School enrolls all genders in Preschool through Grade 3, and students identifying as girls in Grades 4 through 8. Nashoba Brooks is an independent school designed to build community, character, and confidence in its students.
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