Schoolhouse Knox! - Beta Theta Pi

SCHOOLHOUSE KNOX

Online classes and social distancing in light of the coronavirus leaving you in desperate need of a mental break?

For the thousands of Betas doing their part to flatten the curve by staying indoors, the Fraternity wants to take you back to a simpler time – the days of homeroom, food fights and reading, writing and arithmetic. Welcome to Schoolhouse Knox!

Stay tuned here and to Beta's Instagram, Facebook and Twitter each week for fun new "lessons" designed to keep brothers stimulated, engaged and connected to their Beta roots. Together, we can continue to celebrate our brotherhood while doing our part to protect those who are most vulnerable.

Well, what are you waiting for? Watch a short welcome video from Super Troopers star and Colgate Beta Erik Stolhanske '91, then check out the growing list of lesson plans below. School is now in session!

Orientation
School Spirit 1st Period
History 2nd Period
Physical education 3rd Period
Home Economics Fundraiser
COVID-19 Relief 4th Period
Health Field Trip
Oxford, Ohio 5th Period
Music Graduation
Class of 2020

Orientation
School Spirit

ORIENTATION
SCHOOL SPIRIT

Welcome to Schoolhouse Knox! There's lots to learn and plenty of fun to be had along the way, but for now, let's just amp up the school spirit a bit, shall we?

Since we're all spending an increased amount of time on our phones, tablets and computers in the name of social distancing, visit the links below for a gallery of 30+ wallpapers that will have your devices looking their very Beta best.

MOBILE
Abstract Collection
Heraldry Collection

DESKTOP
Abstract Collection
Heraldry Collection

TABLET
Abstract Collection
Heraldry Collection

1st Period
History

FIRST PERIOD
HISTORY

The first period bell just rang.

YAAAWN

But no worries, this isn’t your typical history class.

Sharpen your pencil (or pull up to your keyboard), grab a free digital copy of Beta’s 175^th anniversary coffee table book, Beta Brotherhood, and dominate today’s Schoolhouse Knox lessons: “Crossword Kai,” “Wooglin’s Word Search” and “Pink & Blue Sudoku.”

Enjoy the historical stroll, and best of luck acing these tests of Beta's "milestones backward run."

"CROSSWORD ___KAI___"
Interactive PDF
Printer Friendly
Answer Key

"PINK & BLUE SUDOKU"
"WOOGLIN'S WORD SEARCH"
Interactive PDF
Printer Friendly
Answer Key

2nd Period
Physical education

SECOND PERIOD
PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Was that the sound of the second period bell? You know what that means ... P.E.!

And who better to lead it than one of our own – Reebok CrossFit Games’ second fittest man on earth, Noah Ohlsen, Miami (Fla.) ’13?!

With two weeks of home confinement behind us and no end in sight, Brother Ohlsen has put together eight easy exercises to do in the comfort of our own homes. So, grab your gear, think positively and let’s get Betas everywhere moving again!

For more fitness resources, including full workout routines, follow Noah on Instagram.

BURPEE
Video Time Mark: 0:50
Muscles Worked: Full Body

AIR SQUAT
Video Time Mark: 1:58
Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes

LUNGE
Video Time Mark: 2:34
Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, Glutes

PUSH UP
Video Time Mark: 3:06
Muscles Worked: Pectorals, Deltoids, Triceps

DIP
Video Time Mark: 4:03
Muscles Worked: Triceps, Deltoids

BUTTERFLY SIT UP
Video Time Mark: 4:30
Muscles Worked: Core

HOLLOW BODY POSITION
Video Time Mark: 5:02
Muscles Worked: Core

RUSSIAN TWIST
Video Time Mark: 5:48
Muscles Worked: Core

3rd Period
Home Economics

THIRD PERIOD
HOME ECONOMICS

Ding, ding, ding. Third Period.

That’s right, it’s one of the favorite classes of the day: Home Ec. And today’s lesson? “Dragon Sliders,” chocolate chip cookies and iced coffees!

Whether you take pointers from Purdue Beta House Chef Zac Wallace, or coaching from Kentucky’s House Mom “Mimi” and Chef Dawn, the point is this ...

During this time of home confinement, Betas of all ages should get in the kitchen and bring to life a favorite dish or two to say thanks to family members for their years of love and support.

RECIPE
"DRAGON SLIDERS"
Color
Black & White

RECIPE
"MIMI'S CHOCOLATE
CHIP COOKIES"
Color
Black & White

RECIPE
"EARN YOUR BADGE
ICED COFFEE"
Color
Black & White

Fundraiser
COVID-19 Relief

FUNDRAISER
COVID-19 RELIEF

Remember when school fundraisers meant selling gift wrap, candles and chocolate bars door to door? Those were the days. Well, Beta’s Schoolhouse Knox is proud to partner with licensed vendor Merch House for a class fundraiser of its very own benefiting the Frontline Responders Fund.

All proceeds from these $20 limited-edition “COVID-19 Relief Fundraiser” Comfort Colors T-shirts will help provide critical supplies to frontline responders combating COVID-19. Visit archive.beta.org/covidrelief to place your order.

A special shout out to Betas at Cornell who are among several North American fraternity and sorority chapters also partnering with Merch House on this endeavor.

4th Period
Health

FOURTH PERIOD
HEALTH

Fourth period, you say? That means Health Class. And boy, do we have a goody lined up this week for ALL Betas around the globe ...

As if the mental health crisis – particularly among men – wasn’t already a growing concern as featured in the recent winter Beta magazine, social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has only compounded the issue of depression and feelings of isolation.

In this interactive webinar, noted speaker Archie Messersmith-Bunting will walk through what mental health best practices look like in a time of high anxiety and uncertainty, including what research says about the science of happiness and what is needed to create it in one’s own life.

Because good health is both physical AND mental.

ARCHIVED RECORDING
This live webinar took place on April 16, 2020. An archived recording has been saved and is available for viewing at any time.

Field Trip
Oxford, Ohio

FIELD TRIP
OXFORD, OHIO

Fieeeld Trip!

That’s right … No education is complete without an out-of-class adventure, and what better location for Betas to travel (virtually) than to the birthplace of our Great and Good Fraternity – Oxford, Ohio!

As serious as they come when it relates to Beta’s rich history and storied tradition – with an appropriate blend of lightheartedness and predictable, tour guide humor – General Fraternity Archivist and Historian Zac Haines, Miami ’05, provides one of the best experiences imaginable.

So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!

_
TIME STAMPS
BRENNAN HALL
0:45

BETA GREATS
1:17

MUSEUM
3:09

KNOX LIBRARY
9:55

BETA WALKWAY
11:00

BETA CAMPANILE
11:40

HARRISON HALL
13:48

MOTHER OF FRATERNITIES
14:42

ALPHA CHAPTER
15:10

5th Period
Music

FIFTH PERIOD
MUSIC

We’re well into the fifth full week of social distancing, so it’s time to exercise the right side of that brain: Music Class!

And no Fraternity does that better than Beta Theta Pi.

While he lays it on pretty thick, General Fraternity Chorister Brock Johnson, Oklahoma State ’09, tees up a pretty cool lesson: a historical review of some great Beta performances – even dating back to the Centennial in 1939!

So, enjoy the show, brothers ... and don’t forget to check out Beta’s beefed-up website that includes – for FREE – 44 downloadable Beta favorites in four-part harmony, sheet music, a pocket tunes songbook and more.

_
TIME STAMPS
"THE SONS OF THE DRAGON"
(1939)
1:02

"I TOOK MY GIRL OUT WALKING"
(1989)
1:25

"THERE'S A SCENE"
(2016, 2017, 2018)
1:47

"MARCHING ALONG"
(1989, 2014, 2016, 2017)
3:05

"GEMMA NOSTRA"
(1939)
4:38

"PARTING SONG"
(2016)
4:48

Graduation
Class of 2020

GRADUATION
CLASS OF 2020

Let’s face it, brothers. For those of you in the class of 2020, graduation will feel different this year. Time spent with chapter brothers on campus was cut short, and caps and gowns will remain on hangers. While the Fraternity can’t take away the disappointments of this reality, we’re coming together to celebrate your hard work and achievements – digitally.

For our seniors who are closing one chapter of their lives and beginning yet another, we honor you for the work you've done to pave a path for the Betas to follow and for the legacy you leave behind. Please enjoy the heartfelt sentiments above from some of your biggest supporters – your Beta brothers, parents and chapter advisors.

Want to check out the "attaboys" in full? See all submitted videos in their entirety here.

GRADUATION COMMEMORATIVE
T-SHIRTS

No matter where life takes you, may Beta brothers always keep in mind the familiar phrase, “Once a Beta, Always a Beta, Everywhere a Beta.” This limited edition shirt commemorates the class of 2020 and is only available to order here until May 13 in white, pink or blue.

Note: Shirts will begin shipping mid-May after the ordering period closes. (An alternate version without “Class of 2020” on the front pocket is available to order here for Betas everywhere.)