Grandparents' Day is traditionally celebrated on the Friday before Columbus Day weekend. All grandparents are invited to attend this special day at BCD — a highlight of the year. The morning is filled with activities planned by the students and teachers and includes grandparents visiting classes. Surrogate grandparents are welcome as well.

A large number of parent volunteers are needed to plan this event as well as to serve as hosts and hostesses, guides, servers, and clean-up crew.

Each fall BCD supports UNICEF's efforts to help children in need. In October UNICEF boxes are distributed to all students. They turn their boxes in by mid-November, and the amount collected is announced during the Thanksgiving Soup celebration.

Every Thursday evening a team of students from Brook Farm heads to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield to serve the homeless a hot meal. Veteran teacher Marcia Jones has coordinated this life-changing experience for BCD students for the past ten-plus years.

The largest gathering of the year for the school community is Thanksgiving Soup—a meal shared by the entire school. Preparation of the Thanksgiving Soup itself begins on Monday when some Early Childhood and Lower School grades chop the vegetables that have been brought in by all grades. On Tuesday, the BCD community gathers to share the meal and give thanks together. The high point of the celebration is the welcoming back of BCD alumni/ae and the presentation of the check to be sent to UNICEF, representing all the money the students collected. Parents are invited to help set up and serve the meal.

During holiday seasons BCD students participate in programs that help instill a sense of community involvement and sharing. In December, each division or pairs of divisions adopts a family. Students voluntarily select gifts that they purchase and wrap for the adopted family.

In addition to adopting families, divisions or classes may elect to participate in other activities. In the past, BCD has collected canned goods for area organizations such as the Christian Center in Pittsfield, made decorations for the community or for nursing homes, and collected winter clothing for needy groups. The Chorus has sung for various community groups. These programs are a source of pride for students at BCD and help bring the school into the community. Parent volunteers are needed to help organize these activities. The Parents' Association sponsors the holiday collection effort.

During the school year the Music Department designs special and entertaining musical programs involving the vast majority of BCD students. Each music class is showcased in these performances. The three BCD choruses (Lower for grades 1-3, Middle for grades 4-6, and Upper for grades 7-9) perform at school several times throughout the school year. At the spring concert in May, the Choruses join with the music classes for a music celebration. All parents are encouraged to attend to see their children perform, and to hear firsthand the wonders of the BCD music program. Please consult your BCD calendar (and watch the ABCs) for dates and times of these presentations.

The BCD community celebrates Arts Month each year in the springtime with a display of student art, pottery and woodworking projects in Fitzpatrick Hall. Each grade and art class visits the exhibition. Parents are invited to stroll through the exhibit at any time during the week.

Other major components of this month-long celebration include presentations by visiting artists who come to BCD to share their talents and gifts with our students, a choral concert and a Middle or Upper School theatre production.

Once a year, the Brook Farm community celebrates wintertime in the Berkshires as well as the culture and customs of Alaska. Alaska Day was started by a former student, Kevin Hirt, and is continued in his memory by his teachers and friends.

The Parents' Association sponsors two traditional events during the school year – Bingo Night, and a Family Movie Night. Please consult the annual school calendar for the date of each and the ABCs for the particular details.

In the last weeks of school, a day of outdoor activities is scheduled for each division. The Early Childhood and Lower School Field, Fair and Fun Day includes a variety of activities, with no winners or losers and no ribbons. Middle and Upper School Field, Fair and Fun Day events range from short-, middle-, and long-distance running, to jumping, hurdling, and putting the shot. Students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 learn the fundamentals of track and field events during their in-school PE classes. Grades 7, 8, and 9 have several days of practice after the lacrosse season ends and prior to field day so they are prepared for their events. The day is complete with the presentation of Field Day ribbons and the traditional ice cream bar. The Parents' Association sponsors a BBQ lunch and a number of special fun activities for students during the day.

On the last day of the school year, the student body gathers in Fitzpatrick Hall to bring closure to the year by saying a multitude of "thank yous" to class parents and special friends who have helped make the year so grand. It is also a time to say goodbye to faculty and students who are leaving BCD as well as a last opportunity to recognize the tremendous leadership of the graduating class.

Immediately following the assembly, the BCD community — teachers, parents and students — gathers for an informal picnic celebration in the courtyard. Parents should arrive a little early to set up their little piece of BCD turf (ŕ la Tanglewood). The children look for their parents at the conclusion of the assembly. (Early Childhood students meet their family in their classroom.)

The 9th grade closing ceremony is the culmination of the BCD experience, for some students a span of 12 years from their preschool years through grade 9. Members of the 9th grade class receive certificates and individual recognition from the Head of School and faculty. Academic and Citizenship Awards are presented to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. Members of the entire BCD community are invited to the ceremony, which is held in Fitzpatrick Hall.