11 minute read
FIELD DAY
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
MILESTONE YEARS
25 YEARS
Gemma Keremedijev
10 YEARS
Scott Freeman 25 YEARS
Ron Sansone
10 YEARS
Christina Sopko 20 YEARS
Brian Junger
10 YEARS
Ed Thompson 20 YEARS
Maedean Kramer
10 YEARS
Rachel Yu
25 YEARS
Amy Burns
Amy’s book, Using Technology with Elementary Music Approaches, was published by Oxford University Press. The book was a finalist in the 2021 American Book Fest Best Book Awards in the Education/Academic Category. Scan the QR code to see it.
The book was also a finalist for a BETT Award in the Class Aid or Educator Support Category. A BETT Award is a celebration of excellence in creativity and innovation in the world’s leading showcase of education technology solutions. Scan the QR code to see it.
Additionally, Amy had a new article titled “Keeping Arts Alive in the Ever-Changing Teaching Environment” published in NAIS Independent Teacher's Fall online issue. Scan the QR code to read it.
In February, Amy was one of the featured presenters for elementary music at the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) state music education conference. She presented three sessions and served on a panel for music technology in the classroom.
On February 24, 2022, our Head of School, Georgia S. Zaiser, and Director of Engagement and Philanthropy, Linda Corcoran, presented in a session at the 2022 CASE Independent Schools Online Conference: Welcome to the Family: Helping New Families Acclimate in a K-8 Environment. In the session, they discussed how, in K-8 schools, new families are very often also new to the world of independent schools in general, so the notion of fundraising beyond the cost of tuition can be unfamiliar and intimidating. They discussed how advancement professionals need to approach these families with great care, educating them about the role of philanthropy and its importance in maintaining a robust and thriving educational experience for their children, all by “making an ask.” They shared their experience and successes to help advancement professionals welcome new families and get them involved.
Georgia S. Zaiser Linda Corcoran
CASE-NAIS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL CONFERENCE PRESENTER
Far Hills Country Day School Head of School Georgia S. Zaiser presented “The Power of a Positive Message” alongside Melissa DePino, Principal at the Leapfrog Group, at the CASE-NAIS Independent School Conference in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, April 3. A case study written by Far Hills and the Leapfrog Group was selected from a multitude of submissions to lead a session during the conference weekend that benefits many professionals in education. This session provided a framework and tactics for creating messaging that will revolutionize how private schools think about and approach work as a marketer or fundraiser and why being “message positive” is not only good for your institution but empowering for you and the entire school community.
Georgia S. Zaiser (left), Far Hills Country Day School Head of School, with her co-presenter Melissa DePino (right), Leapfrog Group Principal. The pair presented “The Power of a Positive Message” at the CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference 2022 on Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Denver, Colorado.
WELCOME BABY FERNICOLA!
Sharing the happy news that Gina Fernicola, our Associate Director of Engagement and Philanthropy, and her husband Joe welcomed a healthy baby boy, Joseph John Fernicola, on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Big brother Nicholas ˇ33 is excited to have his little brother join the family.
PASSING THE TORCH
At the year-end Board of Trustees dinner, Georgia S. Zaiser and Ron Sansone shared that the athletic field used for soccer and lacrosse, as well as many other activities, will be named in honor of Chris Merton: The Merton Field.
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE FROM CHRIS MERTON, OUTGOING BOARD CHAIR
Dear Far Hills Community,
Having completed nine years as a Trustee, including four as Board Chair, I want to take this moment to thank our teachers, staff, and administrators. Their tireless efforts, contributions, and sacrifices make up the engine that drives our Mission, providing our students with “brilliant beginnings.”
As I reflect on the challenges and successes of the last three years, I am struck by the resilience and fortitude of this unique community. We have been pushed to our limits trying to navigate the unknown, yet here we stand, together, supporting each other and providing the best possible opportunities for our students. Through these uncertain times, I have witnessed thoughtful, collaborative work among all employees. Administrators continued to work tirelessly and think outside the box to take on all aspects of the pandemic. Teachers responded similarly and continued to stay focused on delivering curricular goals across numerous platforms. And, of course, none of this could have been made possible without the unyielding support of our staff.
I also feel an immense level of gratitude toward our school’s volunteers; Class Parents, Parents Committee Chairs, Far Hills Fund Chairs, Event Chairs, and of course, our Trustees. Their commitment and dedication continue to provide opportunities for our school to prosper on many levels. Financially, we have achieved new heights and have created a plan that will guide us well into the future. Over the last few years, we A s I look ahead to the fall, I feel a very strong sense of excitement across our community for what I know we believe will finally mark the end of three years of disruption.
I also see our Board of Trustees, our School Leadership Team, our teachers, our Parents Committee, and so many others all working this summer toward more than simply returning to “normal” this September. They are all moving Far Hills Country Day School forward to that “something else”—something truly exciting that is reflected in the ongoing transformation of our main entrance into a modern, open, and illuminated beacon welcoming everyone not just to the Learning Commons but to the classrooms, facilities, joy, laughter, and support that lie beyond. My greatest hope for the 2022-2023 year is that I see each and every one of you coming through those doors and heading back to the PAC, the gym, the Cafe, the hallways, the classrooms, the fields, the Ropes Course... everywhere our community thrives. It’s time to finish what we started at the end of last year and reintroduce ourselves to one another—in person.
have seen significant upgrades to our campus, including state-of-theart science labs and renovated Upper School classrooms. Additional improvements will continue to enhance the overall experience for our students, faculty, and all community members.
Finally, I would like to thank you, the parent body. Thank you for choosing Far Hills and for being supportive members of this community. It is a vastly different landscape when a school has parents that embrace the Mission and trust that it will be carried out.
As many of you know, Far Hills has been an enormous part of my life, and I am eternally grateful for all that I have received from this community. I have been blessed to get to know many of you personally, and I thank you for your friendship. Looking ahead, I could not feel any better about the direction of the school and the current leadership. With Georgia and her team at the helm and Joe taking over as Board Chair, I know this school will continue to achieve new heights and inspire young minds for generations.
With gratitude,
Chris Merton ˇ82, Pˇ19, ˇ22 Georgia S. Zaiser, our Senior Leadership Team, our faculty, and our Board of Trustees. They have all put in an incredible amount of work these past few years keeping our children safe, happy, and educated in what can seem like an ever more chaotic and confusing world to our children (and their parents). I will do everything I can to support the people and ideas that have gotten us to the great place we are in and continue to move us into an even brighter future. This includes reenergizing our Board committees, continuing our multi-year forecasting and processes to monitor the fiscal health of the school, discussing strategic initiatives, and welcoming our two newest members of the Board of Trustees: Liz Morrison, Head of School at Morristown Beard School, and Dr. Diane Calello Pˇ21, Pˇ24, Pˇ30.
See you in September and GO FALCONS!!!
Joe Ferraro Pˇ27,ˇ29
LOOKING AHEAD WITH ENTHUSIASM AND GRATITUDE BY JOE FERRARO, BOARD CHAIR
Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else. — Fred Rogers
Left to right: Joe Ferraro, Georgia S. Zaiser, and Chris Merton.
To help shake off that pandemic malaise and reinvigorate our Falcon spirit, we have been working on assembling an exciting schedule of events for next year. You will see many Far Hills traditions revived. You will also see new traditions created. While we will have a lot more to say about these events come September, know that each semester students, parents, and extended family will have multiple opportunities—both on and off campus—to support our school, celebrate our accomplishments, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
All you need to do is participate! The best way to rediscover how privileged we are to share in this truly wonderful place we call Far Hills Country Day School is to GET INVOLVED! We are already blessed to have many wonderful volunteers sharing their time and talent on numerous committees and as class parents. But there is always more we can do, and it is never too early to volunteer to help further enrich your children’s Far Hills experience…not to mention your own.
Finally, I look ahead with enthusiasm and gratitude for the continued opportunity to work with our Head of School,
FOREVER FALCONS
Andrew Brucker ˇ90 and son Colin ˇ22, Elizabeth Glynn Valentine ˇ81 and son Winston ˇ22, Stuart Valentine ˇ79 and daughter Chloe ˇ22 and son Harrison ˇ14, Christopher Merton ˇ82, Jazz Merton ˇ92 and son Edward “Wilder” Merton ˇ22 at the Green and White Dinner, June 8, 2022. Daylen Joyce ˇ18, Paul Ramseur ˇ18, FH faculty member Dan Kramer, Dominic Pizzo ˇ18, and Jack Reale ˇ18 at a graduation party held in June.
CLASS OF 2018 COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS
Congratulations to the Class of 2018 as they embark on their next journey—college! This year, we are excited to share the list of colleges they will attend in the fall. We are so proud of how our Forever Falcons continue to soar! Amherst College Boston College Boston University Bucknell University Clemson University Colby College College of the Holy Cross Cornell University Elon University Emmanuel College Fairfield University Georgetown University Harvard University High Point University The Hill Academy Lehigh University Providence College Santa Clara University Temple University University of Colorado - Boulder University of Miami University of Notre Dame University of Virginia Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University
IN MEMORIAM
Mari B. “Mai” Watts '52 | October 20, 2019
Susan Schenk Wittig '56 | April 6, 2021
Nolan Russo | July 18, 2021
Father to Trustee Emeritus, Brett Russo '93, and Nolan Russo '93
Edward Merton | February 10, 2022
Father to Trustee Emeritus, Chris Merton '82, and Grandfather to Willa '19 and Wilder '22 Merton
John H. “Jack” Smith | March 17, 2022
Father to Far Hills Country Day School Chief Financial Officer, Lori Fitzgibbon
Eric Sumner | April 14, 2022
Grandfather to Emily Pardilla '19, and Ava Pardilla '23
Gina Montrone McCarthy '97 | April 17, 2022 Daughter to Trustee Emerita, Vinnie Montrone
Dr. Charles A. Westfield, III | April 21, 2022 Father to Charles '13, Meredith '15, and Greer
Debra Ashrafi | April 24, 2022
Mother to Marni Ashrafi '21
Gina Montrone McCarthy '97
Many of Gina’s teachers at Far Hills Country Day School contributed to this remembrance of Gina Marie Montrone McCarthy ˇ97. Think of the sun, think of a rose in bloom, think of the stars, and think of Gina. Then envision that little girl with ribbons and bows in her hair, ready to give a hug to a friend. Think of that young athlete with long brown hair flowing in the breeze as she chased a hockey puck. Remember that focused teenager who loved to act, sing, dance, and help with Kentucky Care. Picture that girl who was friends with everyone—classmates and teachers—laughing in the FHCDS hallways and advisee group. Imagine that scholar’s exuberance when she was accepted at Boston College. That was Gina. The Gina we loved. Gina was born with charisma and a strong will and had her own leadership style. Like her mom and dad, she was generous with compassion and thoughtfulness, and her humor and fun were contagious. She worked diligently for high grades and honor rolls. She was loyal, trustworthy, and strong. She had her own special personality; she was a force. A good force. The world was Gina’s stage; she loved life and its wonders. She knew what love was; she had so much from her parents Vinnie and Gino, her husband Keith, her partner of 22 years, her family, her teachers, friends, and everyone who knew her. She said Far Hills was family. She had so much to give. She shed light like the sun, beauty like a rose, and reached for the stars. Her stay was all too short.
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