The Beagle School Alumni Newsletter Spring & Summer 2022 (First Edition)

SPRING & SUMMER 2022

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER FIRST EDITION / JUNE 2022

celebrating 50 Years in September!

Welcome back

to our little red schoolhouse

JUNE 2022 / FIRST EDITION

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

page 25

page 14

page 16

BEAGLE FUN - PAGES 4-8

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - PAGES 20-22

WELCOME BACK, ALUMNI PAGE 9

TEACHER MEMORIES PAGES 23-24

BEAGLE ROCK GARDEN PAGE 11

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT PAGES 25-30

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PAGES 12-15

LITTLE BEAGLE FUN - PAGES 31-32

DIRECTOR'S CORNER PAGES 16-19

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY PAGES 33-37 KEEP IN TOUCH - PAGE 43

PHOTO CREDITS / MARY CARLIN: COVER , PAGES 2, 4-9,16, 19-22, 25-33, 38-43 BEAGLE: 10-11, 14-15, 17-18, 35-36, 43; JENNIFER TAYLOR: 12-14, 37; TERRI COMER: 12, 23-24.

EXPLORE

PLAY

CREATE

DISCOVER

IMAGINE

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Welcome Back, Alumni!

ONCE IN THE BEAGLE SCHOOL FAMILY, ALWAYS IN THE BEAGLE SCHOOL FAMILY The Beagle School is a vibrant, caring and welcoming community. It's where many have formed lifetime friendships and first embraced the love of learning through play and discovery. This small school and community have been paramount to my daughter's creativity, imagination, kindness and empathy. I suspect the same is true for many of you! We hope this newsletter helps bring you back into this wonderful schoolhouse through photos and stories twice a year. We would love to hear from you and hope you stay in touch!

A huge thank you to our Director, Jessica Todtenhagen, our Board President, Jennifer Taylor, and Board Member Allison Oliver Miller for each of their incredible help and encouragement in creating this first digital alumni newsletter!

All The Best, Mary Carlin

beagle day of play!

The Beagle School Alumni Committee

be agle str o n g

the beagle rock garden: spreading hope and cheer

In the spring of 2020, we were finishing up an unprecedented school year. During that time, we stayed "Beagle Strong" and made the best of our situation. To commemorate our year, we started a Beagle Rock Garden as a symbol of hope and a way to spread cheer. It puts smiles on our faces each time we see it. It is a reminder that together, we make Beagle strong and we make Beagle the wonderful place it is.

We continued adding to this rock garden in 2021 and we would love to keep adding to it in 2022. It has become a symbol of how incredible this school community is and how strong we are when we work together. If any alumni would like to add a painted rock to our garden, please feel free to do so! You can find a rock about 3 to 5 inches, paint it, and we will add it to the rainbow! There is a bin to place them in outside our door once you have completed them. I seal the rocks before we leave them outside.

SINCERELY, JESSICA TODTENHAGEN, BEAGLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR

alumni, add your rocks!

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SO MUCH TO

Celebrate

BY JENNIFER TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The years my daughters spent at The Beagle School were magical. beagle school portrait FUNDRAISER

OUTSIDE THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE *TOP PHOTO BY: TERRI COMER / TC PHOTOGRAPHY

Part of this truth lies in the fact that preschoolers possess immeasurable creativity, energy and enthusiasm - all highly infectious qualities. The wonders of life are found in the smallest of things, and learning is best done through playing. Stories read, crafts glued, forts constructed, and laps run on the playground make up the MAGIC. The Beagle School has been home to so many marvelous moments that we all cherish.

At “the little red school house” we met kindred spirits and made amazing friendships. It is the “friendships” that are the core inspiration for this new alumni newsletter, as we aim to remain connected with each other and our shared experiences.

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SO MUCH TO

Celebrate Celebrate

The timing of this new venture could not be more apropos. The coming school year will mark The Beagle School’s 50th Anniversary.

WITH Ms. Linette, Ms. Jessica & M.s Sarah

playground time!

We hope you will stay tuned in, as special events are in the works for the 2022-23 academic year. Alumni, friends and family are of paramount importance as we celebrate this golden milestone.

The Beagle School’s place in the community - its impact and its growth - is a testament to the wonderful staff that have dedicated so much of their time and talents, as well as the amazing support of families and friends.

Celebrate

beagle 1975

beagle 2021

When sorting through the school’s archives I was struck by the images of the children in the 70’s and 80’s - when I, myself, was a youngster. While fashion may have its place in time - with the exception of OshKosh overalls - the activity and the smiles captured in those images are timeless. A photo of Alison O’Daniel from 1975 is one that personally touched me, as I have seen my daughters in a similar pose at an easel.

beagle 1980's

beagle 2022

In looking back through its 50 years, we are excited to share news of what alumni have been up to - to share images and events that make Beagle, Beagle - and to share plans for continuing the traditions, while building the preschool for future generations.

A very special thank you to Board alumnus, Mary Carlin. Mary spearheaded this effort and brilliantly put the pieces together to make it all possible.

Until next time…

Most sincerely -

Jennifer Taylor

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR'S CORNER

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR'S CORNER

JESSICA TODTENHAGEN DIRECTOR OF THE BEAGLE SCHOOL. FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT AND PARENT OF THREE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI

Alumni newsletter. I loved this idea from the moment it was mentioned. A way for generations of Beagle students, families, teachers, and board members to reconnect and get reacquainted with the place where their education began. When I reference ‘The Beagle School’ at the bank, the playground, the grocery store, or pretty much anywhere around Saratoga, I am bound to meet someone who either went to this school or knew someone who did.

Not being from this area, I had no idea where to look for a preschool for my son when he turned three years old. I had him registered at a different school, but a few weeks later, I talked with a friend who showed me her daughter’s Beagle Memory Book. I was hooked.

Please show me this place that does these beautiful books, learns through play, and puts the children’s needs first! I met with Ms. Roberta the next week and knew that this would be the perfect start to his schooling - and in turn, my next two sons as well. In the last 12 years, the profound effect that Beagle has had on my family’s life is hard to describe. Lifelong friendships, educational foundations, and what it means to be part of a community, to name just a few.

Each student, family, teacher, and board member that walks through the doors of this school is what makes Beagle the truly special place that it is. Each person’s smile, laugh, song, friendship, time, and dedication has built this school. It has made it a wonderful place where people come to learn, grow, and play. The history that lives within the 50 years of The Beagle School is deep.

Sincerely, Jessica Todtenhagen

"EACH PERSON’S SMILE, LAUGH, SONG, FRIENDSHIP, TIME, AND DEDICATION HAS BUILT THIS SCHOOL."

THE BEAGLE

SCHOOL

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Charlotte Carlin

first d ay at beagle , 2015

4TH GRADER, SPEED SKATER, VOLUNTEER & EXPLORER

"IT KIND OF MADE ME THINK OF THE BRIGHT SIDE WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND FEEL POSITIVE AND ENERGIZED AND HAPPY!"

Charlotte Carlin loves exploring and she absolutely loves The Beagle School. Exploring is something she enjoyed doing there. She saw the world through a pair of colorful binoculars and made friends for life inside the little red schoolhouse.

beagle graduation, 2017 with her teachers

While at Beagle, Charlotte particularly adored her teachers. "The teachers were nice and loving and they were so nice and positive. They got your spirits up," she said.

After completing The Beagle School in June 2017, the school was never far from her mind. In 2019, she asked if she could go back to read to a class at The Beagle School. "It was joyful and fun," Charlotte said.

walking and riding for research

lobbying for the american cancer society

Charlotte enjoys spending time giving back. She has helped raise nearly $20,000 for pediatric brain cancer research since 2017 as "Team Charlotte" through The Pan-Mass Challenge and Geared Up for Kids/PBTF. Charlotte is also proud to have lobbied at the New York State Capitol twice as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

beagle school day of play

The 9-year-old also loves spending time outdoors. She enjoys taking photographs of flowers and of her dog, Betsy.

In the winter, she ice skates and speed skates. She recently joined The Saratoga Winter Club. "I want to be a speed skater when I grow up. It feels like I am flying in the air and it feels so free. " Another thing she has her mind set on? She also hopes to go back to The Beagle School again very soon to read to a class!

with dad, ben, at the day of play

with mom, mary, at the beagle school

u.s. speedskating FUTURE OF SPEED camp!

Teachers

ARE THE HEART OF BEAGLE

FAVORITE MEMORIES MS. LINETTE / VOYAGERS, DISCOVERERS, BEYOND BEAGLE

"I REALLY ENJOY BEING WITH THE FAMILIES AND DOING THE FALL FEST, SANTA EVENT, MOM'S DAY AND DAD'S DAY. WE ARE TRULY A COMMUNITY. I FEEL PROUD AND PRIVILEGED TO BE A PART OF THE CHILDREN'S LEARNING TIME. AS A PARENT OF TEENAGERS, I GET TO ENJOY THE SMALL WONDERS OF WHAT IS TO COME IN THIS WORLD." MS. LAURA / DISCOVERERS & BEYOND BEAGLE

"ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES THIS YEAR IS HAVING 3 SETS OF IDENTICAL TWIN BOYS. I REALLY ENJOYED EXPERIENCING THE RELATIONSHIPS THE SIBLINGS HAVE AND LEARNING THEIR DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES. ANOTHER GREAT MEMORY WAS THE PLAYGROUND EXPANSION. IT IS SUCH AN EXCITING TIME FOR OUR SCHOOL AND THE CHILDREN LOVE UTILIZING THE NEW SPACE!" MS. SARAH / VOYAGERS & DISCOVERERS

"I FILLED IN FOR LAURA IN HER AFTERNOON CLASS AND I TOLD THE KIDS THAT MS. LAURA WOULD BE BACK AND I HOPE I DID AN OKAY JOB AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I DID GREAT! THEY CAN ALWAYS MAKE YOU SMILE."

Teachers

ARE THE HEART OF BEAGLE

FAVORITE MEMORIES

MS. LINDA / VOYAGERS

"ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE BEAGLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES TO CHOOSE FROM. THE ONE THAT STANDS OUT AND HAS MEANT THE MOST TO ME WAS THE 'CRAFTS AND COCOA WITH SANTA' EVENT. THE OVERWHELMING SPIRIT OF THE DAY TOUCHED MY HEART." MS. ANNA / LITTLE EXPLORERS

"ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES IS WHEN MAXON TOOK MY POINTER AND LAID DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND USED THE POINTER TO BENCH PRESS. THEN HE FLIPPED OVER AND BEGAN DOING PUSH-UPS. THAT WAS A FIRST IN ALL MY YEARS OF TEACHING!"

MS. BARB / LITTLE EXPLORERS

"LANDON (WHO IS NORMALLY QUIET/SHY) CAME UP TO ME AND GAVE ME A HUGE HUG. HE SAID 'I LOVE YOU MS. BARB.' IT MELTED MY ."

♡

TEACHERS' PHOTOS ABOVE TAKEN BY : TERRI COMER / TC PHOTOGRAPHY

Teachers

ARE THE HEART OF BEAGLE

TEACHER APPRECIATION

Ms. Anna 12 YEARS AT LITTLE BEAGLE "THESE KIDS FILL MY HEART EVERY DAY. YES, I DO HAVE THE BEST JOB!" Anna Querrard, or Ms. Anna, as she is lovingly known at Little Beagle adores her little students. One of her favorite parts of the day is greeting them. "I get lots of hugs!"

Their precious faces are often pressed against the main glass doors, eagerly awaiting the start of class. One by one, they run in with huge smiles, giving Ms. Anna and Ms. Barb gigantic hugs.

DEDICATED TEACHER, MOTHER TO THREE BEAGLE ALUMNI AND FORMER BOARD MEMBER

TEACHER APPRECIATION

Ms. Anna "I love spending each day with the

At just two years old, her little students

children in my classroom and

spend time painting their own

embracing their unique individuality. I

masterpieces, discovering together,

enjoy watching the students' growth

exploring topics in science (they grew

and progress, such as emerging

potatoes in the classroom!), learning

language social/emotional

about the weather, dancing together

development and readiness skills, to

during movement time,

name a few," said Ms. Anna.

Ms. Anna brings music, art, stories and science to life in the classroom.

Each day begins with a morning meeting, which is likely the most magical meeting you could imagine singing a hello song, a days of the week song and a shape song. The rest of the two hours is filled with active learning and play.

and playing outside.

"I feel like I can’t put into words how wonderful Ms. Anna is."

-Allison Oliver Miller Parent and Beagle School Board Member

Allison Oliver Miller's daughter, Campbell, is currently in one of Ms. Anna's classes. "She instantly puts the kids at ease and makes them all feel so special. Both of my kids, Bo (next page) and Campbell (right), benefited from having her as a teacher and introducing them to a school setting.

Ms. Anna provides a warm and loving classroom for them to begin their school years and makes it so easy for them to be comfortable in a situation that could be challenging or scary."

Ms. Anna has taught at Beagle for more than a decade - 12 years to be precise. Her favorite part of being a teacher at Beagle is the children. She also loves the Beagle Family. "It is a warm, cozy, loving and inviting second home. From the wonderful staff, families, and committed board members who serve and make sure our school remains one of the finest programs available in our community."

"Ms. Anna has set up each child with a love and enthusiasm for learning. They are genuinely excited to attend school and I credit Ms. Anna with a lot of that."

- Allison Oliver Miller

TEACHER APPRECIATION

Ms. Anna

"Jessica, our Director, is the glue to our

school (she is truly a superwoman) and Ms. Barb, my assistant, is the backbone to Little Beagle. I have met so many wonderful families throughout the years who entrusted me with their precious children and I feel so fortunate to have had the privilege to be a part of their lives."

Ms. Anna also has a special thank you for many wonderful people she has worked with over the years - Fran Rauchwerger (former director), Carolyn Hoffman (former director), Briana Kuruzovich (former assistant), Anne Marie Hartz-Boyea (former assistant), and Carol Gilbert (former assistant).

Thank YOU, Ms. Anna, for inspiring children and families at Little Beagle for more than a decade to love learning and to feel truly loved!

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY MARY CARLIN

LITTLE BEAGLE

LITTLE BEAGLE

BEAGLE HISTORY

Celebrating

Years in September

BEAGLE ALUMNI, YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US! Golden Birthday "Open House" September 28th 4-7 p.m.

WITH CAKE, ICE CREAM & MEMORABILIA

&

LOGO BY: MEGAN CORBARI

Family Carnival!

October 1st *MORE DETAILS TO COME

115 REGENT STREET LOGO BY: ELYSIA SHANNON

BEAGLE HISTORY Celebrating

50 Years in September

The history of The Beagle School is a rich one and its community roots go deep. Chartered by the NY State Board of Regents back in the early 1970’s, it began with 8 families and 13 students between the ages of 4 and 10.

THE HMS BEAGLE The school is dedicated to the exploration, discovery and wonder that belonged to Charles Darwin and his ship, the HMS Beagle.

MRS. MERRIAM WITT Elementary school teacher Mrs. Merriam Witt first directed the school. It was located at 7 Marion Place. Beagle’s first “house” was hailed as a flexible, open classroom - something unique for the time.

OUR LITTLE SCHOOLHOUSE Our little red schoolhouse at 115 Regent Street has not always been red - it's also been yellow and blue!

BEAGLE HISTORY

Celebrating

50 Years in September

With real x-rays in the window, scrap electric circuits for building and learning, and a dark room for printing - creativity, selfdirection, and camaraderie - filled the school walls. School often took the kids outdoors to take in the beauty of nature.

IMAGINATION FOREMOST

HANDS-ON FUN & LEARNING CURIOSITY & COMMUNITY

BEAGLE HISTORY Celebrating

50 Years in September

Donald Ford Robert M. Greenbaum John J. Carusone, Jr. Maurice J. O’Connell Caroline R. Serotta Barbara E. Smith Stuart K. Witt

As you may have heard - we are having a birthday -

a golden one!

Signed and sealed on September 28, 1972, The Beagle School’s charter lists seven founding members, or trustees - who along with associates and successors - founded the school.

ARTICLE BY: JENNIFER TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

thank you for reading our first digital alumni newsletter!

we hope it REMINDS you to....

build

explore

create

and celebrate!

KEEP IN TOUCH!

nominate a beagle friend, family member or community member to be featured in our newsletter!

NEXT ISSUE: FALL & WINTER 2022 50 YEARS OF BEAGLE THROUGH THE DECADES

beaglealumni@gmail.com

www.beagleschool.com

Facebook: The Beagle School / Instagram: @thebeagleschool