New Canaan Country School Bulletin Summer 2014

BULLETIN NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL

Class of 2014 | Farewell to the Bazemores

suMMeR 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin suMMeR 2014 Interim Head of School: G. Peter O’Neill Jr. Director of Advancement: Terry Gumz Director of Alumni Affairs: Gina Ely Director of Marketing & Communications: Brooke Springer Editors: Kent Findlay Brooke Springer Contributing Writers: Lisa Bazemore, Tim Bazemore, Diane Briggs, Elizabeth Carroll, Gina Ely, Francie Irvine, Mark Macrides, Moina Noor, Day Rosenberg Photography: Steve Blazo, Diane Briggs, Dan Burns, Gina Ely, Barbara Erdmann, Kent Findlay, Nanette Gantz, Terry Gumz, Jodi Hasbrouck, Betsy Hulme, Kate Lowe, Morgan Nichols, Moina Noor, Fraser Randolph, Shiva Sarram, Brooke Springer, Chi Chi Ubiña, Carin Walden, Torrance York Design: Good Design, LLC Address changes: communications@ countryschool.net On the cover: Lisa and Tim Bazemore enjoy their final Frogtown Fair.

Board of trustees 2013–2014 President: John M. Teitler Vice President: Steven E. Rodgers Vice President: Karen K. Wood Treasurer: Randall M. Salvatore Secretary: Melanie J. Blandon Timothy R. Bazemore, Head of School Alice B. Burnham Gary D. Engle Stephen H. Frank Julie S. Halloran Thomas H. McGlade ’75 Sean J. McManus Lizanne G. Megrue Tina C. Miller James P. Parmelee Mathew M. Pendo Ashraf R. Rizvi Susan S. Schulz Smita Singh

Michael S. Sotirhos Lisa B. Sparks Judson C. Staniar Joseph P. Toce Jr. Kathleen Lyons Wallace Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81 Mollie Kirkland, Faculty Representative David J. Kucher, Faculty Representative

Parents’ Association executive Council 2013–2014 President: Julie S. Halloran President-Elect: Lynne Byrne VP Community Life: Mandi Morgan VP Community Service: Jennifer Barnard Secretary: Mara Neafsey Treasurer: Uchenna Pratt

Alumni Council 2013–2014 President: Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81 Emily Coughlin Basaran ’98 Steve Bloom ’03 Carl Brodnax ’76 Sam Caulfield ’79 Philip Ford ’99 Corey Gammill ’95 Hugh Halsell ’59 Paula Kennedy Harrigan ’81 Kathie Shutkin Mandel ’78 Diane Monson ’51 Amanda Nisenson ’94 Carl Rohde ’66 Kit O’Brien Rohn ’78 Kelsey Hubbard Rollinson ’86 Michael Sachs ’97 Rich See ’75 Mitch Truwit ’84 Ex-Officio Members: Timothy R. Bazemore, Head of School Terry M. Gumz, Director of Advancement Gina S. Ely, Director of Alumni Affairs

contentS

From the President of the Board | 2 Our Shared Vision | 3

focuS Reflections by Tim Bazemore Country School Year in Review Better Together: Class of 2014 Closing Exercises What Can We Learn from the Finns?

Farewell to Tim Bazemore Horizons at New Canaan Country School

| | | | | |

4 8 12 22 26 58

gLimPSeS Stories from Around Campus | 18

tranSitionS Welcome New Faculty & Staff | 38 Farewell to John Ziac | 40 Departing Faculty & Families | 42

ScraPBooKS Culture & Collaboration Day Frogtown Fair Trustees’ Reception for Departing Faculty A Country Dinner in the Field Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day

| | | | |

24 30 48 54 56

aLumni neWS Events & Gatherings | 32 Class Notes | 62 In Memoriam | 74

endPiece Institutional Memory | 80

Our Mission Statement

The mission of New Canaan Country School is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. We value the imagination and curiosity of children and respect childhood as an integral part of life. Our teachers set high academic standards and challenge students to question, to think, to collaborate, and to act with integrity. The school works in partnership with families to teach personal, social, and environmental responsibility and to create a community that honors diversity and our common humanity. New Canaan Country School inspires students to be lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make a positive contribution to the world.

f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B oa r d

Dear Members of the New Canaan Country School Community, The 2013–2014 school year was an important one for New Canaan Country School.

Our Board of Trustees, assisted by members of our of administration, faculty, staff and parent body, performed two national searches to identify an Interim Head of School for the 2014–2015 school year, and a permanent Head of School to serve thereafter. Both searches yielded many outstanding candidates, demonstrating the national reputation that Country School holds as an educational leader and innovator throughout the independent school world.

In January, the Board announced that Peter O’Neill, a veteran and nationally renowned head with nearly 40 years of independent school experience, would serve as Interim Head for the 2014–2015 school year. Throughout the spring, Peter worked closely with departing Head Tim Bazemore and a Transition Committee comprised of trustees, faculty members and administrators to ensure a smooth transition in leadership. Peter arrived on campus in late June and, true to form, eagerly jumped into the role, holding an administrative retreat and meeting with Board leadership in his first week, as well as visiting with faculty and staff on campus.

Peter continued to be actively engaged with the community throughout the summer, preparing for opening day and what is sure to be another extraordinary school year.

In June, the Board announced that Dr. Robert Macrae had been selected as our fifth Head of School. Rob is a warm,

2

energetic and creative educational leader, with 26 years of experience in the independent school world. In addition to his impressive academic credentials, Rob has served as a teacher, coach, administrator and, for the past 10 years, as Head of Cincinnati Country Day School, where he will continue to serve through the 2014–2015 school year. The Search Committee and Parent and Faculty Advisory Committees were unanimous in their support of Rob’s hiring. Rob met with the entire Board and with senior administrators in June. He will return for a visit in the fall, at which time all members of our community will have the opportunity to meet him at public events. I encourage you all to visit www.countryschool.net/Macrae to learn more about Rob and to watch a video introducing him to our community.

There is no more important duty to a school than to ensure the seamless transition in the Head of School position.

I am sure that I speak for every person involved in this process when I say that we are all extraordinarily privileged to have played a part in providing for the successful continuity of leadership for Country School, and that we strongly believe that Peter and Rob will have enormous success as they serve in their respective positions.

Throughout the 2013–2014 school year, the school remained busy, as our wonderful faculty continued with the important work of educating our students, and continually seeking to find innovative ways to enhance the curriculum and our students’ experiences. Our Vision Task Force met throughout the year to carry forward the important work identified in our community-wide forums in the previous school year and will continue this work into next year. Many additional

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

important initiatives were carried out, reflecting an incredible amount of hard work by the faculty, administrators and staff, the Parents Association and the Board, among others.

As we approach the 2016 Centennial Celebration of the founding of our cherished institution, I am pleased to report that our school remains incredibly strong by every measure, and that we are well poised to continue the trajectory of innovative teaching, development of character and leadership in our students, and academic excellence that has been the hallmark of our nearly 100-year history, and that our predecessors entrusted to us to continue.

On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I would like to thank each and every one of you that played a role in performing the work at hand in this busy year to ensure our continued success into the bright future of our institution.

Sincerely,

John M. Teitler President, Board of Trustees

In the next issue …

An interview with Dr. Robert Macrae, Country School’s next Head of School

Our Shared Vision A Report from the Vision Task Force

he Vision Task Force is a cross-constituent group consisting of trustees, parents and educators who work in furtherance of the Country School vision for the future. Following the completion of the vision forums in 2013 and the announcement of the key themes of “Our Shared Vision,” the task force has been working to develop an action plan.

It was presented to the Summer Education Group and Interim Head Peter O’Neill. During winter of the 2014–2015 school year, tactical implementation of the identified priorities and timelines will begin.

Our Shared Vision Key Themes: Innovative Teaching and Learning • • • • •

Academics and character Experiential and cross-disciplinary Collaborative teacher practices Flexible space and time Service Learning

www.|

Balancing the Digital and Natural Worlds • • • • • •

Digital tools and rules Multimedia skills Digital ethics and identity Connecting to nature Environmental science Sustainable future

A Connected and Healthy Community • • • • •

Fitness and wellness Cultural competence Parent partners Public purpose Global citizens

For updates please visit the school website: www.countryschool.net/oursharedvision

Join the 2016

Centennial Celebration We will soon be celebrating New Canaan Country School’s Centennial. If you have photos, letters, articles or other Country School memorabilia, or you would like to lend your talents to our Centennial planning, please contact Terry Gumz at tgumz@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5633.

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

3

“… learning is most effective and meaningful when we tap into a child’s natural inclination to be curious, to play, to be social and to understand.”

4

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Reflections

by Tim Bazemore, Head of School, 2000–2014 As New Canaan Country School approaches its Centennial and I conclude 14 years as Head of School, it seems appropriate to reflect on what makes our school so successful and well-respected in our region as well as nationally. In doing so I am following the example of my predecessors, Nick Thacher, George Stevens and Henry Welles, all of whom wrote on “topics which may be of value as foundations for future growth and development.”

By every indicator, New Canaan Country School is a very successful school. We have happy and engaged children, passionate and dedicated teachers, supportive and positive parents, impressive secondary school and college alumni, and a remarkable campus.

Those strengths could lead to institutional complacency. But for decades, what has propelled us forward is a relentless focus on the mission and a culture of continuous improvement.

Nick spoke of the school as a “normative” institution, a school that leads its community and education by defining what is good for children. We do not exist merely to serve utilitarian ends and we do not pursue the educational fads of the day. We value mastery and encourage risk-taking. We challenge social norms and stand for what is healthy for young children.

We sustain traditions and adjust to changing times. We challenge children to reach their potential. We have the courage of our convictions—and children, parents and teachers find strength in that confidence.

What drew me here, and keeps all of us here, is not the leafy campus or our SSAT scores; it is the less tangible elements of our school, the core tenets of our long-standing mission and culture. It’s hard to balance continuity and innovation, but we have been doing it here since 1916. What sustains that balance is a commitment to three distinctive themes: childhood, community and confidence.

Childhood

“What school does not believe in childhood?” you might ask.

But what school says it “value[s] the imagination and curiosity of children and respect[s] childhood as an integral part of life” in its mission? At Country School, our teachers understand childhood.

We recognize that play is a child’s work and that playing with materials, information, ideas and each other is how they learn best. We believe this all the way through Upper School, although play looks different there than in Kindergarten. Children need to know information and facts, and drill and practice are essential.

The genius of generations of Country School teachers, however, is that they understand that learning is most effective and meaningful when we tap into a child’s natural inclination to be curious, to play, to be social and to understand. Our teachers know that the motivation children bring to learning is undermined when we focus on narrow or short-term content outcomes.

Our mission is to develop each child’s intellectual, creative, moral and physical potential, so Country School teachers design curriculum and experiences that seek to integrate those domains. When a lesson requires children to think, create, interact and move, it causes deep and lasting understanding and mastery. That is why we are biased toward experiential learning, or learning by doing. Teaching and learning at Country School may look less traditional than what many of us experienced, but it is actually more intentional and effective than what occurs in content- and teacher-focused classrooms.

For example, math teachers here may present a real-world problem or question, challenge children to brainstorm and experiment with ways to solve it, express the process they use as an algorithm, and test its application with a novel question.

The skills and thinking embedded in that experience are both fundamental and 21st century, cognitive and noncognitive.

This is more complex and meaningful learning than occurs when a teacher introduces an algorithm, makes children practice it and then gives a quiz. Teaching with childhood in mind does not undermine academic rigor; it ensures it.

Respecting childhood also means crafting a social culture that allows children to be children. We believe that ages 3–15 are the years in which a child’s intellectual, moral, aesthetic and social values are formed. Partnering with parents, we ensure that this period in each child’s life is appropriately paced, thoroughly explored and memorably happy. One of the many blessings of being a Beginners–Grade 9 school is sustaining the joy and wonder of young children as they move up through the grades. That is a fundamentally different orientation than having the pressures and anxiety of high school trickle down to shape the younger grades.

Three-year-olds here feel safe and known as they explore a gradually expanding campus world. Our 15-year-olds are role models to younger children and can still be silly and enthusiastic. It’s not about infantilizing or protecting; it’s about happy and productive children becoming balanced, healthy adults.

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

5

Community

At Country School, we value a community culture of kindness, humility and generosity. There is a shared understanding that the school exists for the children, not for the adults. In our school song and in our policies and practices, we define community as a circle, “gathering all of us in.” We think of our community as a series of expanding concentric circles: classroom, division, campus, region, country and the world. A connected web of social relations within and across these communities is essential for educating children. We know that they benefit from feeling safe and valued, and we know that they learn important life lessons from the adults who teach them and care for them. To that end, we do our best to create a healthy community, especially as we become larger and a more diverse regional school.

In 2007, in an effort to explicate the themes of our revised mission statement, I shared a set of norms, a rubric for community. Every fall I share these core tenets with the Middle and Upper School students; periodically I refer to them with parents, faculty and staff. New or veteran family or teacher, we all embrace these norms: • New Canaan Country School is a voluntary community in which we assume responsibility for ourselves and others.

• We commit to a constructive and respectful parent-teacher partnership.

• We believe that all children benefit from learning in a diverse environment.

• We value civility and kindness and forgive mistakes and shortcomings.

• We welcome new children and teachers into our community with open arms.

• We model curiosity and genuine interest in one another.

• We appreciate candor and talk to people instead of about people.

• We choose the hard right over the easy wrong.

6

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

The values implicit in this list characterize this school more than any school I know. There is a proud and fierce commitment at Country School to sustaining what makes a community healthy for children. We strive to be “kinder than necessary”; we lean into the challenging work of honoring diversity; we seek new ways to include everyone; and we do not shy away from self-analysis. Along the way, we recognize that children need to make mistakes and that they learn life lessons from difficult work and experience. We know that a skinned knee heals and that children who are encouraged to take appropriate, guided risks become emotionally balanced and adaptable adults. That shared understanding between parents and teachers sends a powerful and consistent message of love and faith to our children.

Confidence

Character skills such as curiosity, creativity, teamwork and resilience have long been valued as independent school outcomes. Increasingly, research tells us that these skills are not just positive social qualities; they contribute directly to school success and life satisfaction. That is why Country School has become a leader in designing new ways to teach and assess these skills, all of which are in our mission. We believe that these character skills should be given the same weight as traditional academic skills in curriculum design.

Improving these skills leads directly to our most important mission outcome: equipping children with the confidence to change the world. Many factors contribute to personal confidence, including high academic standards and expectations; requiring children to engage in all areas of academics, arts and athletics; opportunities to take safe risks and make mistakes; and values and goals shared by parents and the school. Perhaps the most important factor is that our teachers believe that all children are competent and capable.

Focus

At Country School, small class size means that children are known. Many independent schools can boast of that dynamic. What is distinctive here is that we see this as a powerful opportunity to develop every child’s confidence. We want learning to be social, active and noisy. Every day in every grade a lively Socratic atmosphere prevails. We value the classroom as a marketplace of ideas, a safe environment in which children posit, defend, ask and answer constantly. We believe if we are to achieve our mission and teach children to “think, question and collaborate,” they must dive in.

This starts as early as Beginners, where teachers elicit the children’s voices and opinions: “What do you think? What else might we do? How did that make you feel? Why did you make that choice?” As parents, Lisa and I were gently trained by our son Luke’s first teachers to be less praising of his early efforts at drawing or counting and ask him more leading questions. We didn’t realize that this was essential to developing the confidence he now displays. By asking him to think about what he was doing and to articulate that, his teachers (and we) were causing him to better understand what he was learning. They also were teaching him that learning is a personal and a public activity.

The public dimension of learning includes an expectation that children will literally get up and speak up in every class. In Kindergarten, each child guides his parents or guardians through a portfolio of math, language, science and arts, articulating how much they have learned. In first and second grades, children dance and move in original ways to music in the arts assembly.

In fifth grade, students research and track weather patterns, and then make predictions and present weather forecasts. Seventh graders engage in fierce debate over urgent environmental issues.

And ninth-grade voices are omnipresent at Open Houses and the Special Olympics, and in This I Believe reflections.

It is not just children who need to be confident. Schools need to be confident as well. Educational trends and fads come and go. Some ideas are worth incorporating into what

“It is not just children who need to be confident.

Schools need to be confident as well.” we do; others are not. At times it is tempting to follow what other schools do, to address anxiety, support enrollment, satisfy personal ambitions or refute comparisons. But for almost 100 years, Country School has been successful by fostering our own culture of deliberate continuous improvement. We are a school that thrives on the “leading edge” of education, as Henry Welles wrote. We believe we have the expertise, the will, the good judgment and the resources to be the best school of our kind in the nation.

Country School is a school that believes in childhood, community and confidence. We are a school that leads, whether designing new ways to teach character, rethinking the roles of teachers and students, integrating community service and diversity programs, or connecting children to nature. My hope and belief is that we will continue to examine what we do, why we do it, how we know it works, and how we can do it better across every dimension of our school. That is how Country School will continue to be, as Nick Thacher liked to say, a “good place for children.”

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

7

Countr y School Year in Review September Students from each division joined together to raise the flag marking the opening of school.

November

Country School kicked off its yearlong partnership with the locally based nonprofit organization, AmeriCares. Throughout the year, students learned about the organization’s disaster relief efforts and raised funds to support its work.

D ec em

b er

Lower School students learned to ice skate; a Country School rite of passage.

8

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

focuS

Sixth graders get some hands-on learning during their annual trip to Nantucket.

Lower School students showed off their costumes during the annual Halloween Parade.

October

Country School played host to the Special Olympics’ Unified Soccer Tournament, an annual event which brought nearly 100 middle school students to the campus. Ninth-graders participated in the event by serving as referees, timers, scorekeepers and cheerleaders.

Country School cheered on the Cougars at Homecoming. For more, see page 34.

Fourth graders performed the traditional Mummers play.

Januar y

As part of the seventh-grade arts collaborative, students designed, carved and painted this totem pole trailhead sign which now proudly marks the entrance to the school’s 34-acres of woodsnature trails, boardwalk and ropes course.

The boys’ varsity hockey team won second place at the annual Upland tournament. The Cougars handily beat Rectory, Greenwich Country Day School and Rumsey Hall by a cumulative score of 17–3 en route to the championship. Country School has participated in the tournament for more than 30 years and has taken home the top-prize, The Friendship Cup, six times.

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

9

The boys’ new squash team won first place in Division III at the 2014 Middle School Team Championships at Yale University.

The girls’ team came home with an impressive 4th place finish in Division II. Fifty-eight teams of boys and girls competed in three divisions. For more, see page 21

February

The Cougarbots robotics team received second place overall honors at ROBOnanza, a multi-event competition held annually for middle school students in lower Connecticut.

The scientific experiments of students Whitney Rintoul and Jack Truwit were selected for publication in the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology’s annual magazine, Birdsleuth Investigator. Their teachers, Carol Etzold and Sanj Maliakal, celebrated their success with them.

The sugar shack opened for maple syrup season.

Ma y Beginners students took part in the May Day celebration of spring’s arrival.

Fifth graders dress the part for the Medieval Faire.

10

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

focuS

The “Northern Alliance” (consisting of Welles, Grace House, Thacher, Watson, and the woodshop) won the 4th annual Green Cup Challenge. The prize is awarded to the Country School building cluster that reduces its power consumption by the largest percentage and which generates the most awareness for conservation via announcements, the creation of posters or other special activities.

March

April During Upper School Trips Week, ninth-graders travelled south, visiting landmarks of the Civil Rights movement to better understand the people, places and events.

The varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams beat the faculty/ staff team 41–35. Go Cougars!

Students showed team spirit at Blue & White Day.

June Second graders performed American folktales.

Head of School Tim Bazemore performed his final Closing Exercises duties. Read more on page 12.

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

11

BETTER

together The following are remarks made by Head of School Tim Bazemore during the 2014 Closing Exercises:

“With all due respect to the 13 previous classes I have known, this happy crew, this band of brothers and sisters, has distinguished itself as one of the kindest and most unified classes in recent memory. Low on drama, high on enthusiasm, curious and kind, they have reminded their teachers how much fun it can be to spend every day in the company of 15-year-olds.

12

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Focus

Country School Class of 2014 ninth-grade graduates Paloma Blandon, Cal Stewart, Stella Noels and Thomas Dale

Annette Turner-Mitchell, Daltanette ’16, Alexander and Dalton Mitchell

“Class of 2014,

congratulations!”

Before I continue, I ask you to take a deep breath, wave to the audience and enjoy the view. Right in front here are your parents and family, who love you and have supported you over the years. Parents of the Class of 2014, thank you for all you have done. Raising and educating children from toddlers to teenagers is not easy; you were wise to choose a school where the teachers and your fellow parents share your values and your goals. I know, looking at your sons and daughters, you are struck by how quickly they have grown up, and you realize that their childhood is waning. But you can rest easy, because

you have given them two great gifts: your love and a world-class education. Today we say goodbye to 18 ninth-grade families and 19 eighth-grade families, whose last children move on from Country School and who have been here for more than 300 school years. We also say goodbye to the Stewarts, who have been here for 18 years (or more than 50 if you count Cal’s parents!). Thank you for entrusting your children to us and thank you for our partnership. We will miss you!

There, under the fading copper beech, are your teachers. They will remember you—reading your first words in

summer 2014

Madeleine and Helen Culpepper ’17

Beginners, dancing barefoot and smiling in the Arts Assembly, administering a medical cure in the Medieval Faire, and catching spiny lobsters at Big Pine Key. And you will remember them. I watched you shake their hands and hug them yesterday as you said goodbye and I could see it in your eyes. The time and love they invested in you over the years will shape your ideas, beliefs and relationships. They have not taught you what to think or what to feel, but they have taught you how to think and how to feel.

You are on your way, and their lessons will always guide you.

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

13

Today I’d like to reflect on what we love about this class—the legacy they have created and the impression they have made. I’ll start by telling you about the Klondike Derby.

In 1975 I was a ninth-grader and I belonged to the Boy Scouts. I was a patrol leader, which was kind of like being the captain of your Outdoor Action Trip (OAT) group. Part of being a patrol leader was to recruit kids to join the scouts. I convinced a number of my neighborhood friends to join, mostly by emphasizing the cool camping trips and de-emphasizing the nerdy uniform and the monthly meetings. The Scoutmaster, Mr. King, put these

recruits in my patrol and I picked my best friend Lewis to be assistant patrol leader.

A highlight of belonging to Troop 55 was competing in the annual Klondike Derby in the cold and snow of upstate New York in January. The Derby consisted of 15 scout teams pulling around homemade dogsleds to six stations in the woods. At each station, teams were timed as they performed scout tasks, such as lashing four logs together, building a fire, crossing a creek, and chopping and stacking wood.

I had recruited my patrol members based on who was cool in the neighborhood, not who was the best dogsled

puller or map and compass expert. I knew them pretty well, but mostly from riding bikes and playing capture the flag.

There was the athlete, the wise guy, the worrier, the smart kid, all of the types from any predictable teen movie. The Derby would require us to work together in new ways, to identify who had what skills, whose temperament fit what job, and how to turn loose friendships into tight teamwork.

We spent two months building the sled in my garage, and practiced fire starting and lashing on the front lawn of the church where our troop met. We debated who would do what and we had

“They have not taught you what to think or what to feel, but they have taught you how to think and

how to feel.”

Thayer Stewart ’78, Cal and Ann Conrad Stewart ’78

Joanna, Robert and Bob Williams

Max, Paloma, Diego ’12 and Melanie Blandon

14

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Focus

Rob, Allison and Ian Sanders

our share of stubborn moments and arguments. By Derby time, we each had a station assignment and we had figured out a sled-pulling rotation. On the big day, we woke early in our campsite and when the starting gun fired, we were off. We lost big points at the knot tying station and we dropped our sled in the creek, but we were a fast team and we crushed the wood pile. We didn’t make the podium but we felt triumphant at the finish line.

We learned new skills through the Klondike Derby, and we all got this really cool patch, which I found when cleaning my attic last month. But what we learned most was that you couldn’t compete in the Derby without working well together—and that we each had something important (and in some cases surprising) to contribute.

Your Klondike Derby has been ninth grade. As you moved from eighth grade

Barbara, Christopher and Wim Jessup

Mike, Mimi ’16, Bret, Wyatt ’16 and Devon Pastor

to ninth, you faced your own series of stations: show leadership skills, make good next-school decisions, demonstrate mastery of academics, arts and athletics. It wasn’t a competition, but the whole community was watching, the pressure was on and the clock was ticking. You all knew each other back in September, but maybe not as well as one might expect in a school this size.

You had heard of the challenges you’d face, but you needed to experience them. It is in moments like these that character is revealed.

Charles “Charlie” Moritz, Susan Tracy Moritz ’53, Anne Moritz Slaughter ’81, Megan Slaughter ’11, Phoebe Slaughter ’14, Tim Slaughter ’81, Sandy Slaughter and Tom Slaughter

summer 2014

Your teachers and the school community could not have been more impressed. You demonstrated an incredible talent for collaboration that will be your legacy as the Class of 2014.

Collaboration is not easy—it requires you to listen, offer ideas, compromise and agree based on a common goal.

Collaboration can take longer than working alone, everyone feels pressure to contribute, and it’s hard to hold a group accountable when things go wrong. And collaboration is not easy for everyone— some people prefer to work alone or think best in their head. Yet you found ways to work together with joy and determination—and notable success.

You collaborated effectively when you were expected to: The Frogtown Fair was a hit, you published five compelling issues of The Column, the yearbook theme and execution are brilliant, and you are all very good chair stackers. You were dedicated teammates in practices and in service activities. But you also worked well together without us telling you to.

When the rain threatened on the Outdoor

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

15

Lissy Newman, Peter ’11, Henry and Raphe Elkind

Action Trip, several more experienced hikers pushed ahead and began to set up camp for the group. You posted study guides for classmates and you edited peer work to help others do well. You cheered each other on. You defended each other.

You appreciated what classmates had to offer. You collaborated with purpose.

I’ll share an example of your unique ability to come together in a worthy cause. On two of the Expanded Studies trips, you selected a representative to approach the teacher chaperones on behalf of your classmates. In one case you wanted to petition for additional unsupervised shopping time in New Orleans; in the other you wanted a later curfew in Birmingham. Where else than at Country School (and who else other than this class), would students work together so respectfully to present a logical argument for such age-appropriate fun? The teachers had no chance.

Over the year, as this class has come to my house in small groups for lunch, they have commented on how they have bonded and become genuine and lasting friends. Like my Boy Scout patrol, in mastering new challenges they have come to see each other in new ways and they know they can depend on each other to succeed. The funniest and the friendliest represented the school together as ninth-grade ambassadors; the best fencer and the biggest bookworm

16

Kelly, Finn ’15, Kai and David Walker

Lloyd, William ’16, Nicholas, Ben ’21, Alex ’18 and Lynne Byrne

survived OAT and the Appalachian Trail together; the sassiest and the chillest swam together with sharks in the Florida Keys.

This class sees the value of being unique— and of being together.

As you walk off this stage, you may be wondering, What do I do now? The best answer comes from John Green, a former Peddie School headmaster, who always had a simple piece of advice to seniors upon graduation: Just keep doing what you know how to do. Class of 2014, you know how to work together selflessly, find solutions during conflict, respect each other’s feelings, include others and adapt when necessary. Every school and college and company in the country wants these skills. Show them what you can do and show them what you have learned here. And to recognize this skill and your wonderful class, you not only will have a certificate, you also will have this

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

really cool patch to show that you have completed the ninth-grade derby.

In closing, I’d like to share two final points. First, remember to thank your teachers and parents today. They love you very much and they have done their best to prepare you for a wonderful life.

And second, as is our tradition, we will plant a tree in your honor, a sugar maple, near the Thacher Building. There it will watch over the youngest children on campus every day. Visit it at reunions.

Watch it grow tall. Always remember those teachers who guided you and this school that nurtured you.

“We’ll remember

you.”

Focus

David, Clare and Krista Iba-Armstrong

Bob, Jack ’16, Billy and Susan Schulz

Stella Noels, Phoebe Slaughter, Lily von Stade and Maddie Smith

class of 2014

Todd, Cam ’16, Brett, Chris ’19 and Heather Raker

DeSTINATIONS Clare Armstrong ������������������������������������������� St. Luke’s School David Ball ���������������������������������������������������� St. Luke’s School Paloma Blandon ������������������������������ Phillips Academy Andover Nicholas Byrne ������������������������������������ Greens Farms Academy Campbell Connors ������������������������������������������ Pomfret School Madeleine Culpepper ����������������������� New Canaan High School Thomas Dale Jr. ���������������������������������������� Deerfield Academy Shea Delehaunty ������������������������������ New Canaan High School Julia DellaRusso ����������������������������������������� Canterbury School Henry Elkind �������������������������������������� Greens Farms Academy Jason Gold ��������������������������������������������������������Brooks School Christopher Jessup ������������������������������ Greens Farms Academy Julia Lane........................................ Phillips Academy Andover Luke Leasure �������������������������������������������������� Thacher School Robert Leonard ����������������������������������������������� Pomfret School Margaret McManus �������������������������������������� Millbrook School William McNear �������������������������������������� Darien High School Alexander Mitchell ���������������������������������Stamford High School Estella Noels ������������������������������������������������ Middlesex School

Scott, Jack, Scott ’12 and Terry Williams

Alison Norton ��������������������������������������������������������������� King Brett Raker ������������������������������������������������������������������� King Bret Pastor ������������������������������������������������ Deerfield Academy Ian Sanders �����������������������������������������������Wilton High School William Schulz ������������������������������������� Choate Rosemary Hall Phoebe Slaughter ������������������������������������� Darien High School Madeleine Smith ������������������������������ New Canaan High School Katherine Somerby ����������������������������������������������� Taft School Lily von Stade ������������������������������������������ Westminster School Calder Stewart ������������������������������������� Choate Rosemary Hall Kai Walker ���������������������������������������������������� Berkshire School Jack Williams. . .....................................Greens Farms Academy Robert Williams ������������������������������ Phillips Academy Andover Grey Zeigler ���������������������������������������������� Brewster Academy

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

17

learning by Doing

By Elizabeth Carroll, Upper School Teacher What do bright green sea slugs, pickles, butterflies, maple trees, a disco ball and shadows have in common? At New Canaan Country School, they are all teaching tools—part of an everevolving cache of resources that teachers use to make learning come alive. Why not use a pickling session in the Upper School kitchen to teach seventh-grade biology students about beneficial bacteria? A butterfly aviary in the Kindergarten classroom— what better way to teach about metamorphosis and patterns in nature? Tap maple trees, collect the sap, and boil it into syrup—a lesson in regional history, environmental awareness and chemistry. Beth O’Brien, Head of Early Childhood, explains how this hands-on approach leads to moments of discovery and lasting knowledge: “Childhood is about curiosity and wonderment. Of course we want to make the learning come alive and we believe that tapping into that natural curiosity—and feeding it—will help to create a lifelong passion for learning.”

Let’s return for a moment to the sea slug. A group of ninth graders are off the coast of Florida’s Big Pine Key, aboard a flat-top boat operated by the Newfound Harbor Marine Institute. They have left the clear, azure waters of the coastline and are now officially out to sea, where the water is colder and murkier. Science teachers Caryn Purcell and Scott Lilley, co-leaders of this marine biology trip (part of the Expanded Studies program), gather the students to investigate as the nets are hauled in, teeming with a random assortment of organisms. When the bright chartreuse sea

18

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

slug comes into view, the students’ reactions vary. Some reach out to touch the smooth, spotted creature, about the size of a small guinea pig. Some recoil warily. There is giggling, there are shouts of surprise, and there are murmurs of awe, but each student’s curiosity is clearly piqued. What is this thing?!

The students quickly begin to apply their classroom lessons in scientific notation to classify this creature, but with an urgency they rarely exhibit in the classroom itself; this is reallife, in-the-now, need-to-know science.

Moments like this are what experiential education is all about. This learning philosophy has been a hallmark of the Country School experience since its inception. The curriculum has evolved over the years to address the changes in the world at large, and in recent decades the emphasis on hands-on learning has taken on an even greater value as a balance to the digital media in our children’s lives. One perennial of a Country School education, however, is the sheer depth and breadth of resources our teachers use to make learning come alive. In every classroom, in every division, teachers guide their students toward deep and meaningful connections within the subject matter. They go beyond the books—and frequently beyond the classroom—and incorporate music, dance, videos, games, toys, sculpture, visiting speakers, special events and field trips to create curious, compassionate lifelong learners.

Lantern Walk: Beginners’ Night of Light In the Early Childhood division, students are encouraged to be curious, to learn by doing and to revel in the wonderment of their discoveries. A perfect example of this is Lantern Walk, an annual event that starts out as a hands-on, multi-disciplinary academic unit and that culminates in a magical nighttime, family-friendly affair.

gLimPSeS

Just after sunset on an evening in March, parents of Beginners students enter the Thacher Building to find it completely transformed by a variety of different light sources: strands of twinkling lights, a spinning disco ball, spotlights, LED displays and more. They take turns in the classroom and motor room performing shadow dances behind a white screen hung across the room. As they move, their outlines are silhouetted by the colored spotlights that shift, blend and create new colors. The fun becomes infectious and soon the parents cannot resist joining in the dance, and the shapes of entire families can be seen behind the screen.

Following the merry energy, the children join their teachers to collect their handmade lanterns as their parents find seats in the piazza space. The dark begins to shift as the children enter the space silently from four directions, each carrying a lantern—glowing balls of light that they have spent hours creating with papier-mâché and small flashlights. The darkness is softly illuminated, shadows dancing on every wall as the children gather in a circle surrounded by their parents.

The silence is broken by the sparkly sounds of the metallophone, a type of glockenspiel, as the children sing a traditional German folk song called “I Walk with My Little Lantern.”

Refreshments are served including a large illuminated bowl of punch as well as star and moon-shaped cookies that the children have helped to bake in the school kitchen.

“Lantern Walk itself has evolved over time,” says teacher Carin Walden. “The idea started with teachers and children talking about shadows. What makes a shadow? Where does the light come from? The children’s natural curiosity was really the impetus for Lantern Walk. We discuss it in the classroom and then embed it into a month’s worth of various projects.

It’s really a process over time,” explains Ms. Walden, “and all the preparation creates a sense of anticipation and ownership culminating in this grand event.”

As with many such projects at Country School, the Lantern Walk preparations are multidisciplinary. During the course of their monthlong preparation, all the curricular elements are incorporated. The children’s science study focuses on electric currents, batteries, and positive and negative charges—all to help scaffold their understanding of the small flashlight that will illuminate their lanterns. They keep a countdown chart of the days remaining until the special evening, a math and numbers reinforcement. Their attention is drawn to the many opposites that arise during their study: dark and light, night and day, black and white. Their literacy is supported with fiction and nonfiction picture books like perennial favorite Shadowville, about the light, the night sky and the sun. Art projects take the form of handmade invitations to Lantern Walk, which the students deliver to

their parents, as well as collaborative sculptures and representations of moons and stars. And in all kinds of weather, the children are taken outdoors and encouraged to hunt for and create shadows of their own.

In the weeks following Lantern Walk, the children reflect upon the experience and discuss their findings. “Noticing light, noticing shadows—it’s become part of who they are and what they do; because they are part of the building process, the meaning for them is so much more powerful,” says Ms. Walden.

At every age and at every stage of the academic journey, students benefit from these meaningful experiences. Our teachers lead children to the point of discovery and allow the students to connect the dots that lead to real learning. David Kucher, Upper School faculty member, says it best: “This isn’t just hands-on, this is eyes-on and minds-on education.”

Sixth Grader Shares His “Global Classroom Experience” at International Summit

Sixth grader William Staniar, accompanied by his fifth-grade teacher Kristen Ball, presented on the Country School “Global Classroom Experience” at the Womensphere Global Summit conference at Columbia University in fall 2013.

William spoke about the Skype partnership that Country School has built with students and teachers at Ilolongulu School in Mbola, Tanzania.

“Students and teachers are getting a much better understanding about the lives, challenges, hopes and dreams of other cultures,” William told the audience. “We learn that we all want to make the world a better, more secure place. It is no longer someone else’s issue but our issue that we must tackle together.”

In addition to gender equality, students in New Canaan and Mbola together learn about the importance of global education and literacy. William said, “We discuss very normal everyday topics. We have so much in common, for example, music and sports.”

William also presented his class’s “Every Voice Matters” video, an original song written and performed by his class that captures their yearlong partnership.

www.|

read more and watch the video at www.countryschool.net/news

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

19

Afterschool Program Offers Extended Opportunities

By Kathy Kravec, Director of Afterschool Programs Since the fall 2013 introduction of Country School’s expanded Afterschool Program, students and families have embraced the enhanced plethora of opportunities offered. More than 250 students have participated in one of the school’s afterschool offerings.

For more than 35 years, Country School has provided an Extended Day option for our younger students, creating a neighborhood-like atmosphere where after a busy day of school children come together to play, create, rest and connect.

Over the past decade, teachers with a unique passion or interest have offered their time to run the occasional afterschool club.

More recently, families have expressed an increasing interest in expanding what Country School does so well: offer top-notch, child-centered programming in a safe space, with adults who know and care deeply for them. Parent surveys indicate that both non- and working families seek additional options that provide enrichment and fun in our familiar, nurturing environment.

During a visit on any given afternoon, you might witness classes in cartooning, chess, dance, drumming, martial arts, sewing, science and technology or yoga. Students may also be engaged in private music lessons through our Music Academy or honing study skills in Homework Central. Afterschool Program instructors include current Country School faculty and staff, as well as parents and other outside professionals.

“I cannot say enough good things about the Afterschool Program,” says Mothers-at-Work co-chair Kaye Nilson. “My daughter loves the structure and focus that Homework Central provides her. She has also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities to explore her interests and spend more time with school friends at Drum Circle, Chorus and Nutmeg Book Club. I love that the program is high-quality, flexible and affordable.”

Afterschool Program highlights include the formation of the New Horizons Chorus, chess students participating in two tournaments and earning second-place trophies, martial arts students being tested and receiving their yellow belts, and the inception of Wednesday workshops in cartooning, yoga and African drumming.

An extension of the Afterschool Program is the wellattended Summer Fun mini-camp. This year, more than 150 students and 20 faculty gathered in the Stevens Building daily for one week in June. Students from Beginners through Grade 8 participated in mixed-grade enrichment classes such as robotics, top chef, digital photo and movie making, drama, drumming, chemistry, ZAP-ology, kids and critters, studio art, camp crafts, writing workshops, woodcraft, tennis and sports smorgasbord.

Looking forward, the school is envisioned as a “Community Hub,” a place where a diverse and inclusive community of students and adults act as partners, experiencing enriching, cultural, healthy and multi-age programs together.

www.|

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

www.countryschool.net/afterschool

Eighth Grader Tweets for Gender Equality

“Eq-wall-ity.” This was the tweet that Country School eighth-grader Alexandra Schwartz created to bring attention to the issue of gender inequality at the Western Wall of Jerusalem. Her clever wordplay was selected as a winner by an Israeli feminist organization called Women of the Wall (WOW), which advocates for women to have equal standing with men at the Western Wall, thereby allowing them to read aloud from their Torahs, wear prayer shawls and pray alongside men.

Alexandra’s journey evolved over the course of a year from the original, thoughtfully worded tweet, to the production of a short personal video and ultimately a trip to Israel to experience firsthand the disparity of gender rights at Judaism’s most sacred site.

Upon her return, she documented her personal experience in an article that was published in the Upper School student newspaper, The Column. She was then asked to participate as a guest speaker at the Connecticut Student Diversity Leadership Conference held in New Haven.

Alexandra’s presentation, titled “Equality: A Student’s Perspective,” detailed her personal quest to better understand the issues of gender equality at the Western Wall of Jerusalem and received a standing ovation from the 450 assembled conference attendees.

www.| 20

for more information, please visit

read more and watch the video at www.countryschool.net/news

gLimPSeS

Students and Faculty Attend National Diversity Conference

clockwise from bottom left: nicole victor, mollie Kirkland, maria Sette, Lynn Sullivan, Paloma Blandon, clare armstrong, Juju Lane, monique mims, asante robinson, freddy gavidia, mimi Liu, Stella noels, nick Byrne and maddy culpepper

The 26th NAIS People of Color Conference and 20th NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference were held in National Harbor, Maryland, in December. Student and faculty participants were energized by the workshops and speakers who focused on the conference theme “Foresight Is 20/20: Capitalizing on Our United State.” Our Country School delegation took part in a meaningful community service project, were enlightened by speakers including Junot Diaz, Staceyann Chin and Michel Martin, and enjoyed taking part in a variety of workshops. Ninthgrade students were profoundly moved as they joined 1,400 other independent school students to “deepen their ‘I’ perspective by engaging in a curriculum centered on cultural identifiers, working in affinity groups, and connecting with participants from their region to create a strong network for their continued leadership in their schools.” All returned to campus renewed in our resolve to support Country School’s commitment to diversity.

Country School Adds Squash

Country School has added squash to its athletic program.

The Upper School squash program consists of a varsity team, with 14 members selected by a tryout process. The team plays an interscholastic schedule with matches against peer schools. The Middle School program emphasizes skill development and intramural matches, and accommodates 28 students over two sessions.

Squash is a popular sport among independent school students; many play the sport outside of school and aim to play for their secondary school teams. “By adding squash, we’re helping to meet the interest and need of our kids,” says Country School Athletics Director Keri Kern. “Students also get the team experience they don’t receive by taking private lessons outside of school.”

Cynthia Badan coaches the students using four courts at the nearby Country Club of New Canaan. So far, the program is oversubscribed. Enrollment is limited by the number of courts available. “The response has been very positive and the kids are loving it,” says Ms. Kern. “We are excited to build the program.”

During the 2013–2014 season, Country School athletes posted a 6–1 record, pulling out close victories (4–3 for both) against St. Luke’s and Greenwich Country Day School. At Middle School Nationals, the girls’ team finished fourth in Division II while the boys’ team won the Division III championship.

Country School athletic offerings also include soccer, field hockey, volleyball, crosscountry, basketball, ice hockey, fitness, paddle, baseball, softball, and lacrosse.

www.|

to stay up to date on country School athletics visit www.countryschool.net/athletics

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

21

What Can We Learn

from the Finns?

By Day Rosenberg, Assistant Head of School

I

n an increasingly globalized and competitive educational landscape, it would be shortsighted not to examine international best practices. Finland is on a short list of academic exemplars, and many in the scholastic community are eager to understand why.

This past April, a Country School cohort had the extraordinary opportunity to do just that. Our delegation included preschool teacher Jeannie Bean, Lower School teacher Abigail Newport, Upper School teacher David Kucher, Science Department chair Caryn Purcell and myself. We were joined by an additional 17 curious educators from American independent schools, rounding our total to 22. On our itinerary: meetings with officials of Finland’s Ministry of Education, discussions with university professors who are training the next generation of Finnish teachers and visits to some of the highestperforming school systems in the world.

Our first stop, however, was to France, where we met with test designers from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global organization that monitors and evaluates the educational systems of 65 countries, and officials from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), another global organization, which oversees the administration of what is called the PISA test in 60 of those countries, including the United States. Data from this standardized test have been collected and evaluated since 2000.

Interestingly, and unfortunately, the most recent PISA results reveal that the United States (public school systems) continues to be entrenched in academic mediocrity. As an independent school, we possibly take for granted the ability to nimbly make programmatic changes or implement

22

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

enhancements to our school. As an independent school, we are not burdened by the same bureaucracy as the public sector; we are able to ensure that the best interest of our students always supersedes systems and red tape.

So why, then, is this important to us here at Country School?

PISA is an indicator of the international world our students will be joining, and in the coming years our level of connectivity will only continue to increase.

What can, and should, we learn from the Finns? PISA test results indicate that the best young readers in the world are from Finland. Finnish students scored No. 1 in mathematics and since 2006 have scored No. 1 (out of 57 countries) in science. I am not saying that there is a magic pill in Finland, or even that I am an advocate, but I am suggesting that we need to ask, “How are they doing this?” and that it is time to begin exploring authentic and relevant approaches from around the world, and to perhaps adjust our horizon past the pages of Independent School Magazine.

I have spent a reasonable amount of time researching the Finnish system, and it is clear that they revere teachers, they honor lifelong education and professional development, and they adhere to a whole-child approach. The Finnish system encourages teacher autonomy and individualized student learning. Perhaps most interestingly, in light of how well they scored on the PISA test, Finland gives its students very few standardized tests. In fact, the only standardized test administered in the entire country (besides the PISA test) is at the end of the senior year in secondary school. Pasi Sahlberg, author of Finnish Lessons and a member of Finland’s Ministry of Education, says, “We prepare children to learn how

to learn, not how to take a test.”

Arjitta Heikinen, a Helsinki principal of 24 years, says, “If you only measure statistics, you miss the entire human aspect.”

Every Finnish school respects autonomy and respects the same national curriculum, resulting in a similar educational path for all of its students, whether urban or rural.

Reflections: “The learning on our trip was endless. It started with the history of the Sorbonne (note: free college education!) and then on to fact-gathering about the PISA test from the OECD. Next, we absorbed incredible information from the Chancellor at the National Board of Education in Helsinki.”

-Abigail Newport

“In Finland, teachers and children are in a constant state of collaboration and respect for one another’s views. There’s time in their day to nurture relationships both with each other and with material being learned. I felt honored to be in the company of a society that respects the needs of their children, families and teachers.”

-Jeannie Bean

The OECD reports that the gap between the strongest students and the weakest students is the smallest in the world in Finland.

Some might dismiss these results from a tiny country in the Arctic Circle, but it is important to note that Finland’s next-door neighbor is Norway and that they share many demographic similarities. Perhaps the only major difference is that Norway uses an American-style educational platform and, like the United States, has mediocre PISA test results.

Our delegation looked at the educational methodology of Finland, a high-achieving nation, and we asked ourselves, “What are the similarities to Country School?” It is enlightening, but not surprising, that there are many similar methods, concepts and goals. In a world where fewer boundaries

exist each day, Country School values cultural competence and works to cultivate global citizens. We both believe in educating the whole child through a progressive and experiential education, delivered by a professional and passionate community of teachers. Our school is agile and flexible, with teachers who are committed to collaboration and growth through professional development.

And like Finnish students, Country School students learn in an academically vigorous curriculum, where character matters and student choice and differentiation are hallmarks.

We took comfort in these parallels. We also made notes, both individually and as a group, of things we would like to incorporate into our program, our methodology, perhaps even our school culture. Our goal was to ask questions, seek understanding; to observe and reflect. This we accomplished.

We found the experience to be remarkable in many ways and deeply appreciate the opportunity to grow as educators.

“In two conversations with pedagogical specialists, the union of special education teachers and homeroom or curriculum teachers has been cited as one of the contributing factors to the Finnish elevated PISA test scores. While other myths about Finland were challenged, debated or flat-out busted, it is clear that Finland’s schools have created the collaborative world to which we aspire.”

-David Kucher

“There are no school buses in Finland. If children don’t live close enough to walk to school, they take public transportation. Among the differences between the U.S. and Finland, a striking one is the independence afforded young children here in Finland. This morning there were children bundled up against the April chill with their backpacks on, walking to the trolley stop. I saw a young girl, maybe 9 or 10 years old, by herself on her way to school in Helsinki.”

-Caryn Purcell

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

23

s c r a pb o o k

| Culture & collaboration day

1

Country School and Horizons celebrate the first Culture and Collaboration Day. The event, attended by 300 parents and children, marked last year’s 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Horizons Student Enrichment Program at New Canaan Country School and the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

The day began with opening remarks from Congressman Jim Himes and two-time March on Washington participant Dolores Burgess, who spoke about the struggle for equal rights. The New Horizons Chorus performed and ninth graders spoke about their experiences at the National Student Diversity Leadership Conference, which they attended in early December in Maryland.

After the presentation, attendees made crafts that reflected specific themes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

They made hope lanterns, freedom bells and friendship bracelets. They wrote their dreams onto “dream boards.” Student-made ceramic bowls were on sale as part of the Empty Bowls Project—a fund-raiser for Inspirica, a nonprofit organization that provides services to the homeless in lower Fairfield County. The event concluded with an elaborate potluck lunch with food from all over the world.

1. The newly created New Horizons Chorus performs Hugh Masekela’s anthem “Mandela (Bring Him Back Home).”

2. A Lower School student carefully shares her “dream” on a cloud at the I Have a Dream booth.

3. Two-time March on Washington participant Dolores Burgess shares her perspective of what it was like to march 50 years ago and again in 2013.

4. Lower School Librarian Jean Stevens demonstrates how to cut a footprint outline for the We Cannot Walk Alone booth.

5. Upper School volunteer, Clare Armstrong helps manage donations from the “Empty Bowls Project.”

6. Director of Community Development Lynn Sullivan and Executive Director of Horizons Leah Kimmet share a moment to honor humanitarian and activist Nelson Mandela.

24

7. Students and parents work together to create Rakhi bracelets from the Indian culture to represent the Join Hands booth.

8. Isadora Machado makes room for new additions to a Horizons-Country School collage.

9. A Lower School student crafts his dream on a cloud to display on the lattice.

10. Congressman Jim Himes opens the day’s festivities encouraging the audience to see beyond the exterior and to approach diversity with openness and possibility.

11. Students cut out their clouds to prepare to write down their dreams and add to the I Have a Dream lattice.

12. The Romare Bearden-inspired mosaic was a popular attraction for Horizons and Country School students.

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

2

4 5

3

s c r a pb o o k

6

7

9

10

8

11

12

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

25

Farewell to Tim Bazemore

In addition to the usual fun-filled activities of the annual Frogtown Fair, this year’s event had a special bittersweet meaning as we came together to wish farewell to Lisa and Tim Bazemore. Farewell events included a daytime tribute and an evening reception. Board of Trustees President John Teitler thanked Tim for his 14 years of service to Country School and presented him with an oil portrait that will have pride of place on campus. Former Board of Trustees President Jane Stoddard Williams ’72 also spoke, warmly recounting her

2000

memories as a member of the search committee that hired Tim.

(See pictures from the Farewell event throughout this reflection.)

by Francie Irvine, Former Assistant Head of School

Tim Bazemore arrived at

2014 “A school head seeks to find the balance between respect for tradition, a clear-eyed view of the present, and a thoughtful, and occasionally controversial, assessment of the needs and developments that lie ahead.

Tim always tried for that balance.”

26

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

New Canaan Country School in the summer of 2000 as the fourth Head of School. Settling into his office in Grace House, he spent hours with faculty eager to meet and talk with the new “young” head. Board members advised him on priorities to address in his first years, and he and I spent lots of time talking.

We discussed the merits and pitfalls of progressive education; we talked about where grades and scores fit into a student’s life; we talked about imperatives of diversity and inclusion; we told stories about life in schools, punctuated by a lot of laughter and a growing mutual trust.

Tim also spent a lot of time poring over the files and folders of his predecessors, gleaning insights into the mission and traditions of the school. He reached back to Henry Welles to better understand the core of excellence and humanity that defines the school. He read and admired George Stevens, with whom he was able

to spend time (sometimes in a golf cart) to better grasp the school’s long-standing commitment to diversity embodied in the Horizons program—as well as the importance of self-deprecating humor in a head of school. He read Nick Thacher’s Annual Meeting speeches to appreciate the cyclical nature of the issues Nick faced as Head, which Tim would surely face as well. In the 14 years of his administration, Tim periodically shared with the faculty what he learned from his “forebears,” while at the same time shaping the inevitable changes the new century brought to the school—educationally, socially and politically.

Tim brought with him to Country School a number of interests and passions.

He is a reader and a thinker, a lifelong learner. Sometimes when he would start one of our regular meetings with “I have an idea,” I’d groan inwardly (or not so inwardly), as I knew that the idea would be good but would require work and time to implement. Schools, despite their mission to prepare young people to face and manage what the future brings, do not as a rule embrace change. A school head seeks to find the balance between respect for tradition, a clear-eyed view of the present, and a thoughtful, and occasionally controversial, assessment of the needs and developments that lie ahead.

Tim always tried for that balance: His early research into former heads grounded him in tradition, but his intellect, keen sense of morality and social justice, and appreciation of the challenges students would face, informed the initiatives he led and the decisions he made.

He had about a year to adjust to the demands and the pace of the community, as he, Lisa, Tyler and Luke settled into the Gate House. School opened in 2001 just a few days before Sept. 11.

That dreadful day tested and proved the community’s mettle and Tim’s leadership. Tim’s tenure at the school coincided

with other times of national stress, which required all of his attention to navigate.

In far-away lands, the country was at war after 2001. The economic downturn of 2008 demanded a nimble approach to enrollment, financial aid and financial sustainability. The tragedy of Newtown called for a renewed look at security in schools, while protecting the cherished open doors and paths full of cavorting children of a “country school.”

Through the upheavals early in the decade, we realized that the traditional, somewhat self-perpetuating independent school curriculum needed to expand to include a wider world view, so that Country School graduates would better understand, appreciate and function in the world they would enter. The motto of the 2004 strategic plan resonated with this goal: “Excellence in Every Classroom; Enhance the Upper Grades; Equip Students for the 21st Century.”

Tim and the faculty championed and implemented important educational initiatives: World Cultures, World History, Mandarin, Spanish in Lower School—and now in Kindergarten. He encouraged a diversity of speakers to come to campus, to talk with teachers and parents about gender and sexual identity, multiculturalism, and the differences and similarities among the world’s religions. More recently, older students have attended the NAIS People of Color Conference. He was instrumental in making the Country School community a more inclusive and open place for students and their families, as he looked together with faculty and parents at how some traditions feel to those not “on the inside” of the school community.

He and Lisa supported and worked for the Horizons Program at New Canaan Country School wholeheartedly, as the school’s most visible and enduring commitment to equity. His work for Horizons was recognized in April 2014

summer 2014

Brian Williams and Jane stoddard Williams ’72

“At New Canaan Country School ... there has always been something of a countercultural force to our leaders. Rather than mirroring who we are, they are there to lead and push us. For Tim the pushing has been about inclusivity and diversity, about environmental sustainability and the never-ending quest for great teaching and learning. Tim, thank you for having the courage of your convictions ... for doing the things you believed were right for the school.

As an alum, a past parent and past Board Chair, I salute you for your leadership, Tim. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such good care of this school we love. We’ll miss you.”

—Jane Stoddard Williams ’72

John Teitler

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

27

Amy Chan Downer ’72

“It was their leadership and their thoughtful stewardship of the Horizons program that made the New Canaan program the shining example, inspiring an increasing number of independent schools and now universities and colleges to open new Horizons programs to address the ever-widening opportunity gap.

The real beneficiaries of Tim and Lisa’s passionate commitment to Horizons are the many at-risk students served by Horizons. I was one of those students.

I am so excited for the establishment of the Bazemore Fund because it tells me that the same kindhearted and generous community that launched me years ago is still here.”

—Amy Chan Downer ’72

Lisa Sparks, melanie Blandon, Joe Toce & Susan Schulz

28

when he became a “Horizons Hero,” the first school head to be so named.

Tim became an effective and eloquent spokesman for the school, within and outside its stone walls. He collaborated with board leadership to effect the major facilities accomplishment of his tenure, the Stevens Building renovation. The “Brick” underwent a radical transformation on his watch, its gloominess replaced by bright, inviting classrooms, new art studios and science labs, comfortable commons spaces and LEED certification.

Though that project was the most visible, all the classroom buildings were improved on his watch, gaining in light and transparency in the process. Tim’s interest in the environment came through in these projects, as it did with his support for integrating the woodland acreage known as the Synnestvedt Outdoor Classroom, into students’ classroom experiences.

At the same time, he was engaged with organizations outside the campus, which kept him up to date with trends and issues in education, while permitting him to share the many successful and innovative programs at Country School with other schools. He was president of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) board; he was a founding member and remains a board member of the Independent School Data Exchange (INDEX) group, which exchanges data among independent schools of similar sizes. Among that group, he has pushed for better assessments to measure the non-cognitive skills—empathy, resilience, perseverance, “grit”—that will stand Country School students in as good stead as purely academic ones. The Mission Skills Assessment (MSA) emerged from years of work with the INDEX group, in collaboration with Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is a pilot test of these qualitative skills. Starting in sixth grade, Country School students take this

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

test annually; the information gained complements what the more traditional ERB and SSAT tests reveal. Tim encouraged and NCCS students value what they call a “risk-taking, mistake-making community,” and scores from the MSA reveal the Country School students’ resilience is off the charts!

But most important, during his years at Country School, Tim demonstrated that he remained a teacher at heart. We all remember certain magical teachers from our childhoods, and he wanted to populate classrooms with those kinds of people.

Every teacher at Country School during Tim’s years as Head had opportunities for growth that suited his or her personal and professional stage—advanced degrees, workshops, travel and conferences—to say nothing of his and the Board’s commitment to ensuring salaries were at or near the top of the Fairchester schools. Teachers have taught students, but they have taught each other as well, and Tim fostered this atmosphere of adult teaching and learning as teachers considered various topics: early literacy and numeracy for younger students, the use of appropriate technology in all classrooms, and research into learning differences and the brain that teachers could use to engage all students.

Early in his time at the school, when he was doing that research on the school’s history, he came across the school motto “Fortune Favors the Bold.”

He latched on to the saying, as it fits his personality; he also saw it, however, as a way to inspire students to take academic risks, dig deep on the playing field, bounce back from emotional upsets and aspire to follow their dreams. In September 2002, Tim decided to start the year with an all-school assembly at the flagpole in the Main Circle. What began as a commemoration of a dark and difficult day has evolved to become a joyful community celebration of the possibilities that accompany the beginning of

the school year. Tim chose a theme, to which he would return over the course of the year in conversations with students; last year, he urged students “to be kinder than necessary.” So, while boldness and kindness may seem antithetical at the outset, in his outlook and in his person Tim has modeled the two in his years at Country School.

Outside of the office, Tim enjoys a competitive challenge. He has deep love and respect for the natural world. He is a hiker of the Grand Canyon, a climber of the New Hampshire Presidential Range with Luke, and an ankle-breaking snowboarder. He has coached lacrosse at Country School, and he runs up and down Ponus Ridge to Wahackme Road and back. But he is also a devoted family man, who loves his weekends at their home in Sharon, Connecticut with Lisa and Tyler, and Luke when he’s home from Choate. He reads, gardens, gets poison ivy, plays a little golf and walks

the woods of northwestern Connecticut.

Last year, in preparation for the second hundred years of the school, he led the faculty, parents, alumni and older students in a vision exercise. They identified the qualities and attributes of the school that will endure and inform the way the school adapts to what lies ahead. Though he will not be in New Canaan to lead the community toward the future, his legacy will remind us that fortune does favor the bold, while it also smiles on kindliness, humor, humility and thoughtfulness. In his years at NCCS, Tim has practiced those qualities, which will continue to aid him in his work at Catlin-Gabel. We will hope for occasional “sightings” when the family returns to visit. We send the Bazemores off with our affectionate thanks for their contributions to the Country School community, and our best wishes for what we know will be a grand new professional and family adventure in a new city and school.

Ann Cohen, Tom Quinn, Pat Stoddard & Lynn Quinn

Twee Haffner, Nancy Ziac & Kristen Ball

Below is an oil painting by Grace Devito that was presented at the farewell reception.

The Bazemore Fund

The Bazemore Fund has been created to honor departing Head of School Tim Bazemore and Lisa Bazemore, associate executive director of Horizons Student Enrichment Program at New Canaan Country School, for their 14 years of dedicated service to our community. It also recognizes the Bazemores’ dedication to guiding all students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral and physical potential. The income from this fund will provide tuition assistance for Horizons students to attend New Canaan Country School.

The Bazemore Society

The Bazemore Society is named for Tim and Lisa Bazemore and has been created to recognize and honor those members of the Country School community who donate, over any period of time, a cumulative total of $2,500 or more to the Bazemore Fund. There will be an annual event for Society members to recognize students or alumni who have benefitted from the fund.

To Donate

If you would like to make a donation or pledge to the Bazemore Fund, you may do so online at www.countryschool.net/giving, or by contacting Terry Gumz, Director of Advancement, at (203) 801-5633 or tgumz@countryschool.net.

summer 2014

Above is a special handmade flag presented to tim and lisa by the NCCS and horizons communities.

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

29

ScraPBooK

| frogtown FAIr

2

1

3

4

7

30

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

5

6

ScraPBooK

9

8

10

11

12

14 13

15

On May 17, the annual Frogtown Fair brought students, alumni, faculty, families and friends to campus. As is tradition, members of the ninth-grade class created and hosted games of skill and chance. There were also fire engine rides, pony rides, a picnic lunch and live music. Proceeds support the Country School financial aid program. This year’s Frogtown Fair honored Tim and Lisa Bazemore.

1. tim Bazemore takes his final turn in the dunking booth. // 2. the fire engine ride is a perennial favorite. // 3. neil nair ’04, harry green ’04 and Patrick Barragan ’04 // 4. upper School head tim delehaunty pays tribute to tim Bazemore. // 5. Bryce Bridtter ’23 // 6. caroline irwin ’25 and chris irwin // 7. friends and members of the class of 1989 enjoy the frogtown fair // 8. cynthia Johnston alexander ’64, virginia de Lima ’64, Steve melville ’64 and trina mansfield Bayles ’64 // 9. the wooden carousel took center stage // 10. Ben Byrne ’21 arm wrestles with nccS cougar // 11. Logan mackey ’24 // 12. members of the class of 2004 enjoying the beautiful day on campus // 13. Jacqueline, Sloane ’21 and Kaleigh griffiths ’19 // 14. it was a beautiful day for children of all ages to explore the campus. // 15. mimi Sisson Bean ’89 with her sons grahame and oliver and husband nate

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

31

alumni

| Events & Gatherings

1964

1963 1

2

Reunion

3

Reunion 2014 will be remembered as one of the most successful—and busiest—reunion weekends ever. The Country School campus was bustling with activity on May 17 with more than 100 alumni returning to campus for the Frogtown Fair, farewell tributes to Tim and Lisa Bazemore, and, of course, their Reunion Class dinners!

Our fantastic Reunion chairs rallied their classmates, and we thank you all for your time, effort and encouragement. n 1963 (51st Reunion)

John Beattie, Jim Goodwin and Jane McCall Politi n 1964 (50th Reunion)

Trina Mansfield Bayles n 1989 (25th Reunion)

Mimi Sisson Bean, Carolyn Broadhead, Catherine Broadhead, Heather Weed Goldberg, Abigail Manny Newport and Cortney Johnson Stanley

Attention Classes ending in 5 & 0 Be sure to save the date for Saturday, May 16, 2015, as it will be your year to celebrate! To learn about opportunities to volunteer, please contact the Alumni Office at (203) 801–5687.

32

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

n 2004 (10th Reunion)

Nikki Bongaerts and Holly Donaldson 4

The Class of 1989 Remembers John Schlesinger

When it came time for the members of the Class of 1989 to determine how to proceed in celebrating their 25th Reunion, they proved to be a unique class in more ways than one.

With six Reunion Chairs leading the charge—Mimi (Sisson) Bean, Carolyn Broadhead, Catherine Broadhead, Heather Weed Goldberg, Abigail Manny Newport and Cortney Johnson Stanley—their focus was clear and never wavered. They wanted to raise funds for the John-Christophe Schlesinger Library, named in memory of John Schlesinger, a classmate and friend who died tragically in an automobile accident in 1997.

Not wanting to overwhelm their classmates with weeks of correspondence, the Reunion Chairs designated one week in which they would rally their classmates through daily emails and Facebook posts that included both memories and photos of their years here at Country School. What followed was nothing short of miraculous. Donations starting coming in; giving challenges and gift matches were made (and met). At the end of this one pledge week, with an amazing 68 percent participation, the Class of 1989 raised $40,950, all of which will go toward the future renovation of the John-Christophe Schlesinger Library.

And when May 17 and their Reunion Dinner came around, the Class of 1989 descended upon the Country School campus in full force, with close to 25 members in attendance! Suffice it to say, the Class of 1989 has set the bar high for future reunion classes.

All of us here at Country School want to thank the Class of 1989 for their groundbreaking vision and tremendous support. To do something special in memory of one of your classmates is certainly indicative of your fondness and affection for John, for the school and for each other.

1989

1. The Class of 1963 51st Reunion, first row, left to right: Louise Pugh Smith, Jane McCall Politi, Lucy Adams Billings and Robin Wilkerson; back row, left to right: Phil Olivetti, Jonathan Lanman, Jim Goodwin and John Beattie. n 2. The Class of 1964 50th Reunion, first row, left to right: Walter Earle, Trina Mansfield Bayles, Meredith Davis, Cynthia Johnston Alexander, Virginia de Lima and Jane von der Heyde Lindley; back row, left to right: Jim Ackerly and Steve Melville. n 3. Reunion attendees Virginia de Lima ’64, Steve Melville ’64, Jane von der Heyde Lindley ’64 and Jim Ackerly ’64 stop to peruse the archives exhibited

by Country School Archivist Mark Macrides. n 4. Members of the Class of 2004 gather at the flagpole, front row, left to right: Patrick Barragan, Kiley Norton, Holly Donaldson and Drew Fink; back row, left to right, Neil Nair, Harry Green, Edin Fako, Demetrius Caminis, Andrew Williams, Nikki Bongaerts, Channing Tookes and Caitlin Maguire. n 5. The Class of 1989 25th Reunion, first row, left to right: Catherine Broadhead, Jennifer Dowd, Laddovore Athitang Rocha, Abigail Manny Newport, Phoebe deLima Knowles and Amanda Fricke Bomann; second row, left to right: Patrick vanden Broek, Carolyn Broadhead, Cortney Johnson Stanley, Amanda Smith, Mimi Sisson Bean; third row, left to right; Matt Saxe, Cooper Mallozzi, Jessie Davis McNamara, Devon Chivvis and Heather Weed Goldberg; fourth row, left to right: Cici Jackson Seth, Shana Halsey Beladino and Dan Pike. n 6. The Class of 2004 10th Reunion, first row, left to right: Caitlin Maguire, Holly Donaldson, Nikki Bongaerts, Lee Ziesing, Laura Bostwick, Ryann Tookes, Kate Connolly and Xandy Peters; second row, left to right: Channing Tookes, Edin Fako, Andrew Williams, Neil Nair, Harry Green and Demetrius Caminis; third row, left to right: Patrick Barragan, Drew Fink and Kiley Norton.

2004 5

6

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

33

Homecoming

1

2

3 4

Save the Date for this year’s Homecoming, Sat., Oct. 18, 2014! www.|

Cougar pride was on display as Country School hosted its third annual Homecoming in October for all members of the school community.

In addition to varsity games played by the soccer, field hockey and football teams, the Country School Cougar and coach Will McDonough led children of all ages in a campus “Fun Run.”

1. The Class of 2014 and the NCCS Cougar; Paloma Blandon, Julia DellaRusso, Shea Delehaunty, Jack Williams, Kai Walker, Clare Armstrong, Abigail Conway, the Country School Cougar, Campbell Connors and Ian Sanders. n 2. Camryn Schlim ’14, Holly Santero ’14, Jason Gold ’14, David Ball ’14 and Bret Pastor ’14 n 3. Annika Sotirhos P ’15, ’17, ’20, ’21 and Jenny Cohen Zonis ’82, P ’12, ’15 n 4. Thomas Dale ’14, Hannah Casey ’13, Brooke Lowe ’13, Elie Aliapoulios ’13 and Charlie Grow ’14

For further information, visit www.countryschool.net/alumni

Alumni Reception 2nd annual nyc

for the 35-and-under crowd

It was a great night at O’Casey’s in New York City on Dec. 4, 2013, as our Alumni Affairs office hosted the second annual Young Alumni Reception. Check your email inbox this fall as we’re set to host yet another young alumni event in NYC in November.

1. The Class of 2003 was well represented—Connor Burleigh ’03, Peter Farnsworth ’03, Steve Bloom ’03, Haley Priebe ’03, Carolyn Beinfield ’03, Mike Karp ’03 and Lindsay Grant ’03. n 2. Nikki Bongaerts ’04, Hank Wyman ’04, Maggie Buchanan ’06, Bea Whitton ’06 and Connor Burleigh ’03. n 3. Director of Annual Giving Lauren Fielding with Connor Burleigh ’03 and Haley Priebe ’03. n 4. A great night was had by all young alumni!

34

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

1

2

3

4

Alumni Award Winner Kathy Ward ’79 Advises Students to ‘Live Real’

The New Canaan Country School Alumni Award is presented each year to honor an alumna or alumnus who best embodies the school’s mission. This year, the honor goes to Katherine Ward ’79.

“Kathy’s work as a war crimes lawyer and internationalconflict policymaker certainly personifies the expectation that Country School students will be inspired to become lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make a positive contribution to the world,” said Head of School Tim Bazemore in his introductory remarks at the Alumni Award reception held earlier this year.

Kathy has an impressive professional history that has taken her around the world working on major internationalconflict policy issues. While working as deputy director for International Crisis Group, her areas of focus included conflicts in Asia, Africa, Iraq and the Balkans, as well as AIDS crises.

In 2000, Kathy was selected as one of 15 members of the 36th class of White House Fellows by the bipartisan Commission on White House Fellowships and was assigned to the United States Mission to the United Nations.

Prior to that, Kathy was a senior fellow and counsel with the Coalition of International Justice in Washington, D.C., where she served as liaison to the war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and helped to initiate the Kosovo War Crimes Documentation Project. She also worked with the Rwandan government, resulting in groundbreaking intervention to ensure the trial of an alleged hate-radio leader.

In her early career, Kathy was an associate at White & Case, where she worked in New York and then in Uzbekistan as its liaison for an advisory project to the Uzbek government. She has also conducted human rights investigations in Cambodian refugee camps in Thailand.

Kathy holds a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; a J.D. from University of Chicago Law School; a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies and Soviet Studies from Yale University, and has also studied internationally at the University of Cambridge, St. John’s College, Leningrad State University and the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute.

Antonia Prescott ’79, Fred Nangle ’79, Kathy Ward ’79 and Kile Keever ’79 were on campus as Kathy Ward received the 2014 Alumni Award.

She titled her acceptance remarks to fellow alumni, Middle and Upper School faculty and students “Live real.” She advised students, “No matter how big or how small you feel on any given day, you can do something to live it. There’s value in the effort and in the journey. Be aware. Be open … and do something.”

She also encouraged those gathered to think about the idea that we are all members of communities—frequently several, of varying sizes—and to consider how a single person’s actions affect the rest. She explained the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, which, roughly translated, means “we are all connected.”

“I’ve spent a good amount of my time focusing on bad things, really bad things,” she said, “which really makes me think about how we treat one another. … Remember to think for yourself. Genocides start small. Think about where mistreating just one person can lead.”

Finally, she advised everyone that the first, and possibly most important, step in any journey is knowledge. “Do your own research, don’t accept only what you are being told. Find the truth. Ask questions. Seek multiple sources of information. Distill it for yourself,” she said.

Currently Kathy is a freelance editor of publications related to the field of human rights, war crimes law and international crisis response for organizations including InterAction and the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. She also writes briefing points, rapid response memos and position papers for similar organizations. She lives in Stuttgart, Germany, with her husband, a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, and their two children.

www.|

To find out more about the Alumni Award and past recipients visit www.countryschool.net/alumni

Send Us Your Nominations!

We welcome your suggestions for Alumni Award candidates.

Please send nominations to Director of Alumni Affairs Gina Ely at alumni@countryschool.net. Please include name and a short explanation of the reason for the nomination.

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

35

1

2

3

Class of 2013 Reunion The Class of 2013 returned to campus for a pre-holiday gathering in November, their first official reunion as Country School alumni. They truly enjoyed reconnecting with faculty and each other, and we look forward to welcoming them to many alumni events in the future!

1. Members of the Class of 2013 at their first reunion n 2. George Willis, Cameron Gould, Sam Evarts, Ian Connelly and Ben Strait n 3. Olivia McCaughey, Alice Hudson, Lucy Lefferts and Grace O’Halloran n 4. Robbie Marcus, Jack Gartland, Henry Seth, Lula Gallipoli and Erin Murphy n 5. Cameron Gould, Sam Evarts and Head of Upper School Tim Delehaunty n 6. Addi MacKenzie, Meghan Halloran and Claire Hall-Tipping n 7. John Fox, Rory Tait and Gabriel Simon n 8. Cecilia Arntzen, Emma Zachary, Head of School Tim Bazemore and Alyssa Thomas n 9. Brooke Lowe and Virginia Mahoney

4

5

6

7

36

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

8

9

Al u m n i

NYC Reception Country School Comes to NYC! Alumni of all ages gathered in New York City on April 2 for a festive reunion and to hear about all the school happenings from Head of School Tim Bazemore.

1

2

1. Head of School Tim Bazemore with Jay Gunther ’56 n 2. Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81 and Dick Colligan ’01 n 3. Josh Ziac ’86, Taylor Gould ’06 and Nancy Ziac n 4. NCCS Director of Technology Dave Stoller and Christian Nagler ’85 n 5. Amy Benusis ’84 and her sister, Alison Benusis Channer ’87 n 6. Debby Janney O’Keefe ’53, Cathy Crane ’54, Head of School Tim Bazemore and Dick Colligan ’01 n 7. Head of School Tim Bazemore with Taylor Gould ’06 and Mara Upson ’06 n 8. Derrick Queen ’81, Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81, Josh Ziac ’86, Mara Upson ’06 and Joel Post ’81

3

4

5 6

7

8

Women Returning to Work The Alumni Council changed gears on the career networking front presented and joined forces with MaWs (Mothers at Work) to present “Women Returning to Work” on March 4 in the Alumni Commons.

Moderated by Alumni Council President Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81, this career panel featured Kathryn Sollmann, Huffington Post contributor and author of the award-winning 9 Lives for Women blog, and also included alumnae panelists Meg Dana Krause ’72 (education), Keiley Gaston Fuller ’84 (real estate) and current parent Sarah Wappler Balsley (education/writing).

This highly successful career event was attended by alumnae and both current and past parents, and was followed by a networking and cocktail reception.

summer 2014

by the Alumni Council

Kathryn Sollmann, Meg Dana Krause ’72, Keiley Gaston Fuller ’84 and Sarah Wappler Balsley

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

37

transitions

| Welcome new faculty & staff

Country School Welcomes Interim Head of School Peter O’Neill G. Peter O’Neill Jr. will serve as Interim Head of School for the 2014–2015 school year. Peter brings an extraordinary wealth of experience, expertise and enthusiasm to the position, having spent nearly 40 years working in independent schools as an educator, leader, mentor and coach.

Peter most recently served as Head of Garrison Forest School, a preschool–12 girls’ school in Owings Mills, Maryland, a position from which he retired after 20 years this June. He previously served as Head of Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut, and has served as an Interim Head at Whitby School in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Rutgers Preparatory School in Somerset, New Jersey. He has also held positions at The Marvelwood School in Cornwall, Connecticut, and St. Peter’s School in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Under his nearly 20 years of leadership at Garrison Forest, the school completed a major campus transformation and expansion funded by three highly successful capital campaigns. During this period, Peter spearheaded new innovative academic initiatives, including a collaboration with Johns Hopkins University through Garrison Forest’s

WISE (Women In Science and Engineering) Program, as well as a professional development peer teaching program.

Peter has made numerous contributions to the independent school professional community, including having served as president of the Association of Independent Maryland Schools, and on the boards of the National Coalition of Girls Schools and the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools. Peter also has worked with Living Classrooms Foundation and the Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Professional Studies. The Klingenstein Center at Columbia University recognized him as one of the country’s most outstanding school heads in 2006.

Peter graduated from St. Michael’s College in Vermont with a B.A. in American Studies and earned his master’s degree, also in American Studies, from Trinity College in Connecticut.

Also joining us or taking on new responsibilities this fall are the following: • Chantal Angelis, Lower School PE Coordinator, Middle & Upper School Coach • Emily Anglund-Nellen, Grade 2 Teacher • Cynthia Badan, Middle & Upper School Coach and Activities Coordinator • Ellen Baer, Creative Arts Teacher • Hayley Bloom, Grade 3 Teacher • Stefan Borowski, Assistant Athletic Director, PE Teacher and Coach • Ryan Buckley, Assistant Director of Secondary School Counseling and Associate Director of Teacher and Apprentice Training • Liz Carroll, Upper School English and History Teacher • Kent Findlay ’80, Marketing Associate • Lindsay Frey, Middle School Science Teacher 38

• Brenda Friedman, Assistant to the Secondary School Counseling Office; Assistant to the Head of Middle School • Diane Glover, Afterschool Program Assistant • Keri Kern, Director of Athletics • Natalie Lin, Upper School Mandarin and Life Skills Teacher • Christiane (Christie) Lundquist, Upper School French and Spanish Teacher • Catherine Mendoza, Kindergarten Spanish, Extended Day and Kindergarten Assistant and Afterschool Program Support • Nancy Montgomery, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management • Daley O’Herron ’05, Beginners Assistant Teacher • Meegan Rourke, Lower School PE Teacher and Coach

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

• Lisa Schultz, Director of Secondary School Counseling • Leslie Spalding, Middle & Upper School Spanish Teacher and Coach • Kathleen Steinman, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management • Amy Stevens, Interim Development Director of Horizons Student Enrichment Program • Kerry Stevens, Interim Executive Director of Horizons Student Enrichment Program • Gretchen Tapscott, Director of Teacher and Apprentice Training • Dana Thomas, Assistant Director of Community Development • Erin Visconti, Lower School Science Assistant Teacher

transitions

Director of Leadership Giving

Diane Briggs

Diane Briggs joined the Advancement office in June 2013 in the role of Director of Leadership Giving and, in coordination with the Alumni and Annual Fund teams, focuses on building and enhancing relationships with all constituents for the purpose of increasing financial support to Country School. Diane’s 20-year career in nonprofit development began at Cornell University, followed by positions with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, Stamford Museum & Nature Center and Brunswick School.

Diane has a B.S. in Communications from Cornell University.

Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer Campbell Jennifer Campbell was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the school in August 2013. Jennifer served as corporate controller at Trinity Wall Street, a nonprofit organization with over $2 billion in assets and an annual operating budget of $210 million. In her role there, Jennifer was responsible for coordinating and overseeing a wide range of operational units, including real estate, investments, a preschool, an affordable housing program and a publishing company. Jennifer has a B.S. from Fairfield University.

Director of Alumni Affairs

Gina Ely

Gina Ely joined us as the Director of Alumni Affairs in October 2013.

Gina comes to us from the Stamford Symphony, where she had been Director of Marketing and Communications for the last three years. Prior to the Symphony, Gina was director of United Church Nursery School in Rowayton from 2005 to 2009.

Gina has been a member of the board of trustees at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, a board member of the Parents’ Association at Greens Farms Academy, and co-founder and president of the Senator’s Success Fund, a fund-raiser at her children’s school in Norwalk. Gina is a graduate of University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in English and Art History.

Director of Annual Giving

Lauren Fielding

Lauren Fielding assumed the new role of Director of Annual Giving in November 2013. Lauren has a strong background in fund-raising and alumni relations. Her most recent experience was at United World College (an international secondary school), where she worked on major gifts and the annual fund. Prior to that, she was Assistant

summer 2014

Director of Alumni Affairs and Development at Cornell University, College of Engineering, and the Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programs at Yale Law School. Lauren has a B.A. from Yale University.

Director of Community Development

Lynn Sullivan

Lynn Sullivan joined the school in August 2013 as Director of Community Development.

Prior to her arrival, Lynn had served as the Director of Public Purpose at Rye Country Day School, Dean of Community Affairs at King, and the Director of Admission and Diversity at the Mead School. She has a M.A. Sci. Ed. from the University of Bridgeport and a B.A. from Rutgers University. She is finishing a second graduate degree in organizational leadership at Columbia University, Teacher’s College. Lynn began her career as a classroom teacher, and over the past 15 years she has designed and implemented a wide range of diversity programs, created schoolwide service learning programs, and fostered regional educational and nonprofit networks and relationships. She has presented workshops on diversity and service learning at various regional and national conferences (and at Country School), and served on several educational boards.

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

39

transitions

Farewell to John Ziac

By Nick Thacher, Former Head of School (An abbreviated version of remarks originally made on Nov. 10, 2013.)

You know, it’s not easy being alphabetically challenged … laboring under a surname like “Ziac”—always the last in line, the last to receive your diploma, last on the attendance list and the seating chart, last to be called on, as John and Nancy and Josh and Emily and Jona and Heather and Christopher and Catherine and Maya and Marlow can attest. But this evening, the last shall be first.

Over the many years I worked with John Ziac, he taught me a lot, but the most important lesson I learned from him is the dichotomy between “the perfect and the possible.” It turns out, no matter how hard we try, we really cannot attain perfection … and we really do have to accept the possible. At home. In school.

In life. Accepting the fundamental imperfection of the human condition is something John has always understood. For more than four decades he has consistently preached it; and as a seventh-grade science teacher; a business manager; an advisor to parents and retired faculty, and finance committees, trustees and students and heads of school; as world traveler and husband and father and grandfather and friend he has modeled it on a daily basis. He has been a one-man force dedicated to the resolution of the tension between the perfect and the possible, and his contributions to the atmosphere of our homes and our school have been incalculable.

In June of 1979, shortly before I formally succeeded George Stevens as head of the Country School, I sat down with George in his office to review the then-current roster of NCCS employees. While I took notes, George spoke for almost four hours, the conversation pleasantly suffused with a discreet scent of pipe tobacco. Meticulous as ever, George provided a comprehensive summary of strengths and weaknesses of each member of the faculty and staff, and because, as might be expected, we proceeded alphabetically through the list, it was a long time before we arrived, at last, at “Ziac.” At that time in his career, George’s pipe served as an ornament for conversation rather than an object he actually smoked, but when we reached “Ziac,” I remember he paused, leaned back reflectively, tapped the bowl of his pipe on the desktop, then leaned forward and, fixing me with his most penetrating gaze, exclaimed, “John Ziac is a saint!”

40

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

An incurable optimist who affects the quality of the day— and, as far as I can determine, a man with absolutely no ego.

Or, if he has one (as surely he must, Dr. Spotts), I have never seen evidence of it. Margaret Monkman, a longtime Upper School teacher, used to describe herself as “a pack mule for trailblazers,” and, in the very best sense of the phrase, that captures John’s essence. Let others take the credit—for a balanced budget, for thoughtfully designed financial aid grants, for improvements in facilities or programs or benefits. For 42 years John has consistently and comfortably eschewed the limelight, happy just to make the life of the Country School community flow as smoothly as possible—not perfectly, but possibly!

Of course there have been plaudits he has been unable to avoid: selection as an honoree by the National Association of Business Officers for “long and meritorious service to the independent school world”; recognition from the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools for his decades of volunteer service as treasurer of the association; a mini-sabbatical trip around the world (airfare provided by a grateful Board president for both John and his wife, Nancy, herself a legendary music teacher and director of Extended Day, on the occasion of his completing 25 years as business manager). But frankly there is no adequate way to honor his contributions fully and appropriately—though the newly revealed Ziac Fund is a hell of a meaningful gesture!

John has given his life (and, happily, his extended family) to this school, and he has made every day of the past 42 years brighter for those around him.

Alphabetically challenged, realist, pragmatist, idealist, “saint,” you’ve known that all along. We’re all just passing through, and after 42 years you’ve earned whatever you decide the next chapter should be. I hope it will include a generic tea bag or two. I’m no Stephen Spender, one of the 20th century’s greatest poets, but I’ve read his verses and remember his description of “those who were truly great”—“the truly great,” he wrote, “left the vivid air signed with their honour.”

John, that’s what you’ve done at the little elementary school everyone gathered here this evening so deeply treasures: “Left the vivid air signed with (your) honour.” Thank you, my friend.

transitions

1

2 3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

A farewell reception for Nancy and John Ziac 1. Kerry Stevens, Linda Whitton, Peter Rathbone, Torrance York • 2. Christopher, Maya, Nancy, Marlow, John and Catherine Ziac • 3. Jackie Greiner, Ann Martin DiLeone, John Burns, George and Linda Martin McLaughlin ’72 • 4. Peter Garfield ’77, Tom McGlade ’75, Amy Cholnoky • 5. Nancy and John Ziac • 6. Lynette Prescott, Lisa and Matt Pendo, Beth O’Brien, Louise York • 7. Nick Thacher, Jill Stevens, Tim Bazemore • 8. Josh Ziac ’86 , Anne Carlson, Peggy and Joe Toce, Riz Rizvi, Linda Marshall • 9. Annie Burleigh, Joe Merrill, Tracy Merrill, Amy Downer ’72, Tony Downer, Nancy Simpkins • 10. Max and Melanie Blandon, John Teitler

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

41

tranSitionS

| DePArtING faculty & families

Carol Etzold

By Kirsten rosolen, head of middle School

For 23 years, Carol Etzold has shared her passion for science with Middle and Lower School students at Country School. Her classroom has always been one of observation, experimentation and exploration. Whether it’s creating “igneous” fudge with her Lower School students or investigating the question, “Does light go on forever?” with Middle Schoolers, learning by doing has been at the core of Carol’s delivery and lessons.

Lasting images of Carol include seeing her hauling buckets across campus filled with sap en route to becoming maple syrup; arriving with arms full of long-stemmed flowers for dissecting in Earth Science lessons; sitting in the hallway evaluating human bodies made of paper, with their red and blue yarn circulatory systems; and emerging from the inside of an inflatable blue whale plastic garbage bag at our marine mammals museum event.

The Middle School’s resident weather expert, Carol could always be counted on to give us the latest updates on potential storms. She was, in fact, integral in getting the school’s

weather station, WeatherBug Achieve, in place.

While teaching science was her primary focus, Carol was vital in other aspects of our program as well: She adopted sports teams, frequently driving the vans for them; she designed and delivered lessons about human development, raised our awareness about environmental issues and sustainability, and planned field trips. Her most beloved trip was the Grade 6 overnight to Nantucket, which she chaperoned 19 times!

Carol found ways to integrate her outside interests into school life. She sang in the faculty chorus, started a knitting club, baked treats for her students and colleagues, and helped to lead yoga workouts. Much like the time she arranged for a hot air balloon to come to campus and give students tethered rides, Carol has “given flight” to so many students over the years.

We wish Carol all the best as she returns to the place that inspired her to become a teacher in the first place, the Cape.

Gus mcFadden

By mark macrides, Project and events manager, creative arts teacher, archivist

Gus McFadden arrived more than 40 years ago, and few can remember Country School without him. In his role as a member of the facilities staff, responsible for locking up in the evenings, Gus came into contact with practically all members of the school. His presence, making the rounds of all the buildings, was a great comfort, particularly to those of us working into the evening hours. A true “people person,” Gus would always take time along his route to stop and chat, sharing some stories, sports scores and any other noteworthy information. His friendly and easygoing manner has always been a perfect fit for the school community.

Gus took pride in the fact that he knew all of the employees, most of the students and many of the parents.

42

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

He would always make it a point to acknowledge what was special and unique about each person he would meet or see.

A big sports fan, Gus often followed the careers of Country School athletes past graduation, attending their high school games to cheer them on and show his support. In my role as school historian, I counted on Gus’s excellent long-term memory and called upon him frequently to share the many stories and recollections of his time here. He will remain one of our most important witnesses to more than four decades of school history.

Gus leaves us for the relaxation of retirement, to pursue his many interests and spend more time with family. We are fortunate in that regard to be counted as part of Gus’s family and take comfort in knowing that he will be back often to visit.

It is impossible to count Gus’s footsteps around this campus for more than 40 years; however, we can count in each one of those footsteps the amount of love and dedication he has given this school. Gus, we will miss you!

transitions

Marsha Whitman

By Bruce Lemoine, Director of Academic Records, and Kathy Kravec, Creative Arts Department Chair

Marsha Whitman has worked with so many students during her time at Country School that the numbers easily reach into the thousands. As our school’s pre-eminent music instructor for 22 years, Marsha has directed dozens and dozens of our school’s musical performances, concerts commemorating the holidays or the spring, special events such as Grandparents’ Day, presentations such as Solos and Ensembles, off-campus performances for the elderly at Waveny Care Center and, of course, the musical accompaniment to our annual rite of passage, Closing Exercises.

Always looking to expand students’ horizons, Marsha regularly organized opportunities for the students to perform outside of school. She frequently entered groups in festivals and competitions such as “Music in the Parks,” Western Connecticut Regional Competitions and “Fairfield County Strings.” She even organized a group of students to sing the national anthem at a Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey game! In promoting musical appreciation, she led field trips to places like the New Haven Symphony, the New York Philharmonic and Broadway shows.

Instructive and entertaining for students, Marsha frequently called upon world-famous composers and artists to perform for the students or lead a master class. Musicians including Arthur Lipner, Dave Samuels, Debora Booth, Ruth Falcon and Harry Connick Jr. have all graced our campus. She also commissioned three choral compositions from major composers that Country School students then mastered and performed.

Maureen Sanders

By Elizabeth Carroll, Upper School English and History Teacher

Maureen Sanders is well-known on campus for her graciousness, refined elegance and sense of adventure. As the lead French and Spanish teacher, she has inspired students to think about the world around them and experience all that foreign cultures have to offer.

A world traveler herself, Maureen studied in Paris, Spain and Latin America before arriving at Country School in 1997.

She has since sought to bring her French and Spanish lessons to life by introducing students to the food, people and customs

Marsha has a habit of cultivating talent wherever she finds it and is therefore responsible for the creation of various school groups like the Faculty Chorus, Recorder Ensembles and student singing groups such as Nothing But Treble, No Treble At All and Middle School Select Ensembles.

A multitalented artist herself, Marsha was often heard leading the Halloween parade on her trombone, playing string bass in the school jazz band and orchestra, as the piano accompanist for musical productions, choreographing dances for concerts and Upper School electives, teaching drama classes, sharing her love of writing and poetry, and delighting us all with her tasty homemade fudge and sugar cookies. Clearly, Marsha gave her whole self to every facet of school life. She even shared her family with us; her husband, Frank, recorded every concert, and her Bichons, Truffles and Agnus, were a welcoming presence in her classroom.

It is with great thanks that we acknowledge Marsha’s kindness, her unceasing work ethic and her expert level of musicianship. Whether working with her one on one or in large group performances, both performers and audiences have always appreciated her expertise and her compassion for the music. In wishing Marsha a fond farewell, all of us at Country School recognize how lucky we have been to have worked with such a consummate professional.

of the French- and Spanish-speaking worlds. A peek into her classroom on any given day might reveal students dressed in sombreros and serapes, ordering refreshments at a mock Parisian café or even cooking international specialties in the Upper School kitchen.

Outside of the classroom, Maureen has been very involved in school life. She has led students on Expanded Studies trips to Quebec and New Orleans, and has also contributed countless hours as the faculty adviser on the yearbook, overseeing all of the details required to produce the student-run publication.

Predictably, Maureen’s next adventure includes travel. She looks forward to spending time with her daughter, Jenny, who lives in Abu Dhabi, and her son, Matt. On behalf of everyone who had the joy of working with, or studying for, her during these past 17 years, gracias, merci bien and bon voyage!

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

43

Topsy Post ’66

By Tom Giggi, English Department Chair

It is rare indeed when a person can profoundly touch the life of a school over several decades, first as a student and then as a valued teacher, colleague and friend. A graduate of Country School’s 1966 class and a member of the Upper School faculty since 1992, Topsy Post is such a person, and generations of classmates, students and teachers have been the beneficiaries.

Ninth-grade adviser and English and history teacher, designer of our eighth-grade World Cultures course, adviser to The Column, civil rights Expanded Studies trip leader, and chair of the history department, Topsy has been an important educational influence for every student who has passed through the Stevens Building.

As a teacher, she seamlessly interwove innovation and creativity, exacting academic standards, and a desire to see each student achieve intellectual growth and personal success. She accomplished this with her trademark sense of humor, friendly and caring demeanor, and sincere belief in each student. Above all, she sought from her students high levels of curiosity and inspired in her students excitement for learning.

As a colleague, she was always eager to share her creative ideas and work as a supportive member of whatever gradelevel team she was on. Her thoughtful participation and honesty in faculty meetings advanced the conversation in

meaningful and important ways. In addition, she has been a loyal member of the Country School faculty chorus for years and a tireless sponsor of many of our school’s outreach initiatives, most notably the annual holiday “Dove Box” project. She and her husband, Roy, were gracious and generous hosts for more than one auctionpurchased “Odyssey” party and countless end-of-year Upper School faculty farewell soirees. Although someone will take up each of her duties next year and beyond, she will be impossible to replace, as she is leaving behind a most impressive and unforgettable legacy.

Thank you, Topsy, for everything you have done for all of us and for caring so deeply for our school. We know that your own intellectual curiosity and energy will lead you to many adventures in your retirement. We are sure that you will now have more time to devote to a variety of passions: your photography, your garden, your summer retreat in Maine, hiking and the Greenwich Choral Society. We all will miss you most seriously and offer you our sincere good wishes for all the good times we know are ahead.

Ryan Kimmet

By Nancy Hayes, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid

It was evident that Ryan Kimmet had talent when he arrived, guitar case in hand, in the summer of 2000 to join the Apprentice Program. What his colleagues couldn’t yet know but would come to appreciate and value over the next 14 years was the depth and breadth of Ryan’s gifts: his generosity of spirit, his endless devotion to his students and his countless contributions to the school community.

Following his time as an apprentice, Ryan slid easily into the role of a head teacher in Grade 5. He not only understood Country School’s mission with uncommon clarity but brought it to life for his students, year after year. Ryan appreciated the unique qualities in each of his students and believed that every child mattered and that his job was to reach each one in ways

44

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

that met their needs, building a strong community along the way. And that is just what he did for the next 14 years.

As a caring and active member of the Middle School team, he designed and implemented the Grade 5 overnight trip, developed a civil rights unit, mentored a series of apprentice teachers, served as the faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, designed and organized a schoolwide English department “self-study” as the Middle School English coordinator, sat on the Academic Council, served as Acting Head of Middle School, coached baseball and hockey, was a member of the faculty chorus, ran Middle School Shares and started a middle school rock band club. A talented singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player (simultaneously no less!) and drummer, Ryan closed out each Middle School year-end celebration with a song dedicated to the students, always with a special message.

tranSitionS

Betsy Hulme

Betsy Hulme arrived on campus with a passion for physical education and a talent for teaching and coaching. Betsy effortlessly joined the Country School faculty in 1991, spending the next 23 years expounding upon the virtues of physical fitness and introducing students to critical life skills such as resiliency and teamwork.

In the early days, Betsy taught PE and coached Middle and Upper School girls’ athletic teams—she would go on to coach every single sport the school had to offer. In 1998, Betsy became the director of the Middle School Athletic Program, and in 2002 the role expanded to include Upper School athletics as well. She managed this effortlessly, overseeing such logistics as scheduling games, hiring referees, organizing transportation and ensuring safety protocols were in place, all the while continuing to perform her responsibilities as a PE instructor. In 2007, her focus shifted away from the operational side and she returned full time to her true love—coaching and instructing.

Anyone who has ever had Betsy as a teacher or seen her teach knows how much she cares for her students and how important she feels it is to break down fundamental skills in an age-appropriate and fun manner. Some of her other legacies to the school include the conception of the annual FAA Physical Education Teachers’ Workshop, now in its sixth year of success; the introduction of the Lower and Middle School Community Days;

the creation of Lower School Field Day; and the establishment of the penultimate school spirit event, Blue & White Day. Betsy can also be credited for the addition of platform tennis (“paddle”) to the school’s winter athletic offerings, she herself being a huge fan and participant of the sport.

When not actively teaching or coaching, Betsy frequently can be found around campus taking photos—many of which have appeared in school publications. She also has overseen the collection, refurbishing and donation of bicycles on the school’s annual Community Service Day, which neatly combines her passion for cycling and for improving the lives of those in need.

While I’m sure she will miss the fast-paced days and the endless energy of Lower School students, she has her sights set on spending more time on her numerous hobbies and activities.

She is an experienced golfer, bicyclist and tennis player. She is looking forward to more overseas travel and spending time on the water (she is what is known as a “frost-bite” sailor), and even building her own toy boats that she races on ponds. Handy with tools, she designs and builds birdhouses as part of a charitable event and enjoys spending time working in her garden.

While we will miss Betsy and all she has given to our school and community, we hope that her next adventure will lend itself to much happiness!

Ryan was lured away from his classroom to join the administrative ranks at Country School, taking on the joint roles of associate director of Enrollment Management and director of the Apprentice Teacher Training Program. Ever the teacher at heart, he also found ways to continue to work directly with students, mentoring ninth-grade students in their “This I Believe” essays and presentations, and creating podcasts so that the entire community could share in this remarkable Country School rite of passage.

In the Enrollment Office, Ryan’s passion for Country School was on full display as he welcomed prospective parents and students, shared stories that made our classrooms come to life, listened closely to understand the families he was meeting and made that important connection with each of them. Directing the Apprentice Program, he has recruited and mentored more than 20 apprentices each year, carefully matching them with lead teachers and crafting workshops that complement and strengthen their experiences in the classroom.

This summer, Ryan, Leah and their son, Trainor, begin an exciting new adventure in Philadelphia. Ryan has been appointed Head of Lower and Middle School at Greene Street Friends School. That guitar case will most certainly be traveling with him, but the many “melodies” that Ryan has played for us all throughout his time at Country School will ever remain and inspire his students and colleagues.

By gretchen tapscott, Learning resources department chair

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

45

Yinning Yao

By Elizabeth Carroll, Upper School English and History Teacher

Yinning Yao arrived on campus in 2007 and built the Mandarin language program from the ground up. In addition to helping her students attain complete fluency, Yinning established a broad and challenging curriculum providing students with valuable cultural insight and a global perspective. Upper School classroom discussions have included, for example, economic and political issues such as China’s one-child policy and its implications for the generation now coming of age.

Jill Mays

By Beth O’Brien, Head of Early Childhood Education

At Country School we talk often about the important work of educating the “whole child.” Over the past eight years, in her thoughtful and inspiring way, Jill Mays has helped us deepen our understanding of what that work truly means. As an occupational therapist on our specialist team, Jill has worked alongside the educators in Early Childhood sharing her motor development expertise and introducing us to a whole new vocabulary, enticing materials and engaging activities.

With the motor room as her backdrop, Jill masterfully and skillfully helped us understand sensory motor work by having us participate in the activities firsthand. Wednesday afternoon workshops with Jill were experiential in nature as we moved across the motor room on scooters, felt firsthand the relaxing effects of a “peanut roll” and quickly recognized if our vestibular systems were aroused or calmed by spinning across the piazza in the barrel.

These experiences provided the platform for thoughtful conversations artfully led by Jill about how children experience their day from a sensorial perspective. Jill helped us expand our understanding of child development through a sensory motor lens, and encouraged us to rethink our physical environments and consider the flow and pacing of our day to allow for sensory breaks.

Under Jill’s guidance and mentorship, we created a motor program specifically designed to support the sensory motor development of children at this formative early childhood stage.

Visit a motor class and you will see Jill’s legacy as children crab

46

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Yinning approached teaching with a high level of energy and creativity, frequently employing the use of dramatic skits, games and technology to help students in their mastery of fundamental skills such as Chinese characters and pronunciation. This hands-on style also resonated with the Lower and Middle School students who participated in the popular Afterschool Program. The ceremonial tea parties were a big hit with students of all ages, bringing a sense of Chinese culture to campus as well as an opportunity for students to use newly acquired language skills.

We will miss Yinning’s intelligent and thoughtful presence on campus, and wish her much continued success.

Her legacy to the Country School community will always be the wonderful Mandarin language program she leaves behind. On behalf of students, colleagues and friends, we say, “Xièxiè!”

walk across the piazza, bounce on a sensory ball and carry bean bags up and over an obstacle course. Jill reminds us consistently that motor work is children’s work, rooted in play and essential to a child’s development. As our mission states, we guide the students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral and physical potential. Thank you, Jill, for ensuring we are doing just that in a meaningful, intentional and, most importantly, playful way in Early Childhood.

Jill will be leaving Country School for the Cape Cod landscape, where she and her husband will welcome their children, alums of New Canaan Country School, Christopher ’99, Ben ’03 and Kate ’03, for a seaside respite throughout all four seasons.

Thank you, Jill, for inspiring us, collaborating with us and helping each of us become a better educator because of your influence. You have left an indelible mark on our Early Childhood program. The future children of the Thacher Building will be the true beneficiaries of your talents as they travel into the motor room each week to “play,” all the while building strength and coordination, increasing their attention and improving their organizational systems. We wish you well in your exciting next chapter—partnering with the Sustainable CAPE and the children’s community garden, and sharing the beneficial link between gardening and a child’s sensory motor development. We will greatly miss you, Jill. With gratitude, we thank you.

tranSitionS

Margot Henderson

By melissa heus, grade 2 teacher

After spending several years teaching in San Francisco and New York City, Margot Henderson decided it was time to hit the suburbs, and, fortunately for us, she chose Country School.

She began in September 2003 just when the Lower School was expanding, adding a third section to second grade. Margot filled that position and immediately faced a daunting task: create a brand-new classroom out of the old music room. As can be expected, she was all set and ready to welcome students

by September. Her “jump in and get it done” attitude would become a theme during her 10 years at Country School.

Right from the get-go, Margot proved to be an outstanding teacher and an admired colleague. Her professionalism, coupled with her wonderful rapport with children, made her a much sought-after teacher. Not only did she manage a calm, structured classroom, she also created an environment where the children felt safe, respected and supported. She encouraged the children to take risks and, if they made a mistake, to understand that this was the core of real learning.

Her students worked hard but also had tons of fun. Margot is a witty person with a wonderful sense of humor, and she always knew just how to lighten the mood. So much laughter emanated from her classroom! Another one of Margot’s many strengths was her ability to help children navigate through tricky social dilemmas. Margot taught them how to communicate their feelings and how to react to hurtful situations. I came to Margot many times seeking advice when confrontations arose amongst students.

Halfway into Margot’s tenure, now herself the Grade 2 lead, she was faced with a different type of situation; two teachers

who had never taught second grade— me and another novice. Margot became our mentor, never complaining, always willing to share materials and guide us through the curriculum.

Margot is an animal lover and encouraged those around her to live peacefully among animals. The calming presence of Ollie, the mischievous bunny, or Ben, her loving golden retriever, will be remembered by all who spent time in her classroom. It warmed my heart every time I saw the children lying all over Ben during silent reading.

Beyond the classroom, Margot took on many responsibilities. She used her expertise to work with other faculty members to create an afterschool leadership group to help children deal with playground issues. She served as the Lower School math coordinator, and she was pivotal in the development of integrating and teaching executive functioning skills in the classroom.

She also started an afterschool Boot Camp exercise class for her colleagues, which is still going strong.

Margot will be remembered for her easygoing collegiality, her warm and caring attitude, and her lively sense of humor.

We are very happy for her as she begins this new chapter in her life. It will include marriage, instant motherhood to her fiancé’s daughter, a new home in Simsbury and a new career as a certified executive functioning coach.

I speak for everyone when I say we will miss an amazing teacher and a remarkable colleague, but most important, we will miss our very good friend.

Asante Robinson

counted on her athletic prowess in annual Faculty versus Ninth Grade sporting contests.

Interestingly, a few years ago Asante was part of a major sustainability initiative to go paperless. She was instrumental in helping the school become greener and was a great advocate for the cause.

We will miss her on campus, but wish her and her growing family much happiness.

By tim delehaunty, head of upper School

Asante Robinson joined our community in 2007, at first supporting the office of Secondary School Counseling and then also providing support to the office of Head of Middle School.

Additionally, Asante contributed to school life as a dedicated and popular head coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team.

Genuinely interested in children’s lives (and known as kind and energetic), Asante developed a great rapport with the students, many of whom would seek her out on campus or congregate in her office to discuss the day’s events or recent game results. Colleagues appreciated her willingness to lend a hand and

—continued on page 50

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

47

s c r a pb o o k

| trustees’ reception for departing Faculty

Francie Irvine, Topsy Post ’66 and Sue Friborg

On May 30, members of the Board of Trustees hosted an end-of-the-year reception honoring Country School faculty and staff. Board President John Teitler spoke about those departing members of the community, thanking them individually for their significant contributions to the school and wishing them well. Always a fun event, many former faculty and staff returned to share in the revelry.

Kerry Stevens, Ryan Kimmet, Tracy Spain and Beth O’Brien

Anthony Griffiths and Maureen Sanders

48

Gus McFadden with Kirsten Rosolen

Trustees Karen Wood and Steve Rodgers

Frank and Marsha Whitman, Jo Ann Devlin and Jacquie Jeffress

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

s c r a pb o o k

Trustees Steve Frank, Tom McGlade ’75 and Jim Parmelee

Annabelle Alt, Leah Kimmet and Terry Gumz

Melissa Heus, Chris Bogart and Kit O’Brien Rohn ’78

David Kucher, Lizanne Megrue, Eric and Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81

Charlie Bogus, Gus McFadden and Bill Williams

Mary Ann Lansdale, Carol Etzold and Betsy Hulme

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

49

—continued from page 47

Genaro Gonzalez

By mark macrides, Project and events manager, creative arts teacher, archivist

As a chef manager for Flik Independent Schools, Genaro Gonzalez arrived at Country School seven years ago.

Notwithstanding the challenges of cooking lunch every day for over 600 people, Genaro was also responsible for managing all of the school’s catering needs, menu planning and managing the kitchen staff.

Genaro’s calm and friendly manner immediately puts everyone around him at ease. He has a way of making everything look easy even though most of it is incredibly difficult. His ability to transition from cafeteria-style lunch for 600 into cocktails and formal sit-down dinner for 200 without a hitch always amazed anyone fortunate enough to work with him.

His use of local ingredients and best-in-class culinary techniques resulted in innovative, diverse menus. From expansive, colorful salad bars to homemade soups, he ensured that our students, faculty and staff always enjoyed a nutritious and delicious selection of lunchtime offerings. Many of us who are familiar with the intricacies of large-scale meal preparation were in constant awe of his ability to generate creative menus.

In the cafeteria, Genaro was all about the children.

He enjoyed serving on the line so that he would have the

Nicole Victor

By tim delehaunty, head of upper School

Nicole Victor arrived at Country School in June 2007.

Her broad knowledge of secondary schools, coupled with her deep understanding of our students, has made her a valuable director of Secondary School Counseling and effective Life Skills coach.

Nicole’s success in steering students and families to the next “right fit” school is, in part, attributable to her keen understanding of the students themselves. A true fixture of upper School life, she had an “open door office” located next to the student lounge, and routinely attended student sporting events and field trips.

She will always be remembered for one such off-campus excursion, her very first ninth-grade Outdoor Action Trip,

50

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

opportunity to meet and interact with them. He knew their food likes and dislikes, their favorite teams and, most important, their names.

Homemade food, in as many ways as possible, was the goal for Genaro, and we all became spoiled by his pizzas, chicken wings and fajitas. The care and enthusiasm he put into his annual Super Bowl menu was rewarded time and again by all. Those in attendance at catered events were always treated to a spectacular meal topped off by a specially prepared desert.

We have been very grateful for his talent, his grace, his humility and his genuine care for our children. Genaro has accepted another assignment within the Flik organization, and we wish him well in his new position. We will greatly miss his presence both in and out of the kitchen.

when she hiked several miles longer than the rest of the group as a result of inadvertently being given wrong directions. She eventually limped into camp, to the relief and good humor of all, and the story was affectionately retold for years.

Nicole was instrumental in pioneering the Expanded Studies trip to New Orleans, having become familiar with the area when she brought a group of Country School students to participate in the post-Katrina rebuilding process. In subsequent trips, she ensured that students developed an understanding and appreciation for the culture and historical legacy of the area and its people.

Nicole has also been a strong advocate for maintaining a diverse and inclusive school community. Since 2010, she has chaperoned a group of students to the national Student Diversity Leadership Conference and has done much to contribute to the school’s environment of tolerance and acceptance.

Nicole will be relocating with her family to Atlanta. We wish her the best of luck in her position at The Children’s School and offer a heartfelt thank you for the seven years she spent with us.

transitions

Justin LaRoche

By Mark Macrides, Project and Events Manager, Creative Arts Teacher, Archivist

In his six years as a member of the facilities crew and coach of boys’ varsity hockey, Justin LaRoche left a lasting imprint on Country School. Always pleasant, friendly and unassuming, Justin was easy to get along with and always eager to help and support in any possible way.

His keen interest in trees, plants, grass and landscaping in general has been invaluable to the preservation of our 75-acre campus. He was tireless in developing or improving upon programs that would better maintain the grounds, particularly the playing fields. The improved condition of the sports fields these past six years is primarily due to Justin’s efforts and expertise. Partly because of his vast knowledge and partly because of his ongoing education in horticulture, plants and grounds, Justin has been an excellent resource to our community. He was, for example, instrumental in redesigning the stone terrace at Paul’s

Leah Kimmet

By Lisa Bazemore, Associate Executive

Director, Horizons Student Enrichment Program

Despite her diminutive stature (she easily can be mistaken for a sixth-grader), Leah Kimmet left big shoes to fill when she and her husband, Ryan, moved to Philadelphia this past summer. A teacher at heart and a tireless cheerleader for every student fortunate enough to cross her path, Leah made an indelible impact on Horizons.

During her seven-year tenure as executive director, Horizons grew in size and scope but remained a remarkably close community. Leah oversaw the development of two strategic plans, three successful galas, the design and implementation of effective outcome measurement systems, and the complete integration of the high school program into the fabric of Horizons. This she accomplished with characteristic enthusiasm and energy.

Leah is passionate about the Horizons program and the role it plays in helping students break the cycle of poverty. At donor meetings, she would frequently light up when describing students’ successes and tear up when describing their challenges.

Place and in assisting the Early Childhood faculty several years ago with the design and execution of the McKenna Labyrinth. He also collaborated with Lower School science classes in planting the community garden and the Schlesinger Reading Garden.

As a boys’ varsity hockey coach, “Coach LaRoche” was a well-known name in the Upper School halls. His skill on the rink and rapport with the students directly contributed toward many successful years for that program, including several Upland tournament championships.

Justin leaves Country School to accept a position as head of facilities at a ranch in Wyoming that serves as a refuge to animals rescued from laboratory research. We know he will bring the same skill, expertise and care to that facility that we came to know here.

We thank him for his dedication and wish him well!

Well, actually, she teared up in both situations. It was this intense passion and emotion that made her such an effective leader and spokesperson for Horizons.

An eternal optimist, she was famous for closing each email and letter with the signature phrase “Onwards and upwards.”

While this succinctly sums up Leah’s outlook on life, it also describes the expectations she had for every single person associated with Horizons—from students to teachers, staff members to parents. Obstacles were meant to be overcome, and the sky was the limit.

As a young leader of a mature organization, Leah embraced Horizons’ history but was not shy about establishing her own traditions. She will, for example, be remembered for her Friday afternoon summer dance parties, when she carried a boom box on her shoulder as students departed from campus—quite a sight especially when she was nine months pregnant. And every week Leah would draw names of Horizons faculty and staff members from a hat, with the winners receiving “Apples”—gift cards donated by Horizons supporters. Each “Apples” drawing was accompanied by an original song so unique and hilarious that it is unknown if it can—or should—be attempted by Leah’s successors.

Under Leah’s stewardship, Horizons has flourished. We thank her not only for her leadership but also for her friendship. We wish her well and have no doubt that she will take Philadelphia by storm. Onwards and upwards, Leah!

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

51

Lisa Bazemore

By Leah Kimmet, Executive Director, Horizons Student Enrichment Program

It has been an absolute joy to work alongside my best friend and colleague, Lisa Bazemore, for the past eight years. I am deeply grateful for her talents, her laughter and her leadership. When Lisa arrived on campus in the fall of 2000 with her husband, Tim, and their sons, Tyler and Luke ’13, I’m sure she had no idea how significantly she would impact the Horizons Student Enrichment Program at New Canaan Country School.

An employment lawyer with more than 13 years of corporate and large-firm experience, Lisa was quickly recruited to join the a Horizons Board of Directors in 2002. She was an instant success! Lisa chaired the public relations committee, wrote inspiring annual appeal letters, helped organize a successful Fun Run and served on the search committee for a new executive director. It surprised no one associated with the program when Lisa was asked to join the staff in 2004.

As part of the development team, Lisa worked with the

Board to define a strategic development plan. A talented writer, Lisa’s grant requests have been described by recipients as the “clearest and best they have ever read.” During her tenure, the program’s annual revenue increased from $1.3 million to $1.6 million. With funds secure, we were able to focus more intensely on programmatic improvements. When the position of associate executive director became available due to a retirement, Lisa stepped in, and luckily for me, we then spent the next seven years together creating and implementing a number of program improvements.

To address specific needs, the K–8 Summer Program class size was reduced from 24 students per class to two classes of 12.

Gender-specific programming in Grades 6–8 allowed Middle School students to focus on their academics. Facilities were improved, the cafeteria became air-conditioned, and the pool received a heater. The tutoring program grew from 35 students

Departing Families This is a bittersweet time for us at Country School. Below is a list of departing families who have been with Country School for five or more years and other families who have graduating ninth graders or have Upper School students who are moving on. We will miss the families who have given so much to our school and wish the students well as they embark on the next step in their academic careers.

Eighteen Years

• Ann Conrad Stewart ’78 & Thayer Stewart ’78 Nolan ’06, Avery ’08, Cal ’14 Seventeen Years

• Bambi & Guy Riegel Hadley ’06, Ellie ’08, Mollie ’11, Hannah ’15 Fourteen Years

• Melanie & Max Blandon Diego ’12, Paloma ’14 • Diane & Victor Consoli Olivia ’12, Grace ’15

52

• Julie & Rowan Taylor Callie ’10, Mary Lena ’13, Felicity ’15

• Bebe & Craig Somerby ’77 Michael ’09, Eloise ’11, Katherine ’14

Thirteen Years

Twelve Years

• Autier & Jerry Craft Jaylen ’13, Aren ’15 • Melissa Newman & Raphe Elkind Peter ’11, Henry ’14, • Jackie Elliman Leonard ’78 & Bob Leonard Caroline ’09, Annie ’11, Bobby ’14 • Anne Moritz Slaughter ’81 Tim Slaughter ’81 Megan ’11, Phoebe ’14

• Lucy & David Ball Kaitlin ’11, David ’14 • Suya & Karim Basta Michelle ’11, Maggie ’13, Jeffrey ’15 • Alisha & Joe Fournier Elli ’08, Marina ’15 • Patty & Dirk Leasure John ’12, Luke ’14 • Jill & Jason Swirbul Justin ’12, Tyler ’16, Emma ’18

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Eleven Years

• Michele & Bill Gartland Jack ’13, Teddy ’15 • Jessica Noels Christophe Noels Charlotte ’11, Stella ’14 • Cathy & Bill Wappler Matt ’08, Kevin ’11, Kelly ’15 Ten Years

• Joanna & Bob Williams Robert ’14

tranSitionS

to more than 60, an instrumental Music Academy was launched, and year-long tennis lessons were introduced. Lisa also worked tirelessly to make sure the Horizons K–8 School Year Program offerings better met the needs of our students and their families.

Perhaps most impressive, the High School Program, which is still being defined, created a supportive pipeline that succeeded in motivating Horizons students not only to graduate from high school but to continue their education in college.

Together with the high school co-directors, Lisa helped build a 9th–12th Grade academic coaching program that now offers weekly one-on-one support to all 140 students. As a direct result of Lisa’s ability to raise funds and build successful relationships, the program was able to add SAT classes, college tours and college counseling. A stunning consequence of her leadership is that each and every Horizons high school student graduated from high school and 96 percent have gone to college, almost all the first in their families to do so.

In our office, Lisa has been known as a patient problem solver, a calm presence, a skilled team leader and a

communicator extraordinaire. We like to joke that Lisa is the Horizons family therapist, and that she makes her difficult work look easy. It is not hyperbole to say that Lisa’s endeavors have transformed the lives of hundreds of low-income children and their families. She is leaving quite a legacy to our community! We will miss her witty one-liners, her wonderful listening skills and her quick smile. We—and all Horizons families—are deeply grateful to Lisa for her many years of service. And I can say on behalf of everyone in the office that we will all miss our dear friend!

Wendy Baker, Lisa Bazemore and Kristen Ball

nine years

Six years

• Tori Bonebrake Scott Fuller Haley ’15 • Catherine Graham-Kohler & John Graham Dylan ’09, Sophie ’15 • Meredith & Bill Landis Will ’12, Chase ’15, Timothy ’16 • Lizanne & John Megrue Jack ’15

• Elizabeth & Gary Cramer Jessica ’17 • Rachel & Brian Raabe Morgan ’18, Maxwell ’20, Graydon ’22, Harry ’26 • Ashley & Wags Wagstaff David ’18, Susie ’20 • Terry & Scott Williams Scott ’12, Jack ’14

Seven years

• Claudia Veihl & Bernd Pfrommer Samuel ’14, Daniel ’15 • Abbie Rawlings-Green Kitty ’19 • Jill Deng & Lingfeng Song Victoria ’15

five years

• Vicki & Geoffrey Gold Jason ’14 • Allison & Rob Sanders Ian ’14 four years

• Krista Iba-Armstrong & David Armstrong Clare ’14 • Erin & Ted Conway Abby ’14

• Lindsay & John Purcell Hallie ’15, Graham ’18 • Nancy & John Sommi Blake ’15

• Catherine & John McNear Will ’14 • Christy & Dee Trussell Audrey ’16

three years

two years

• Penny & Charlie Carroll ’76 Liam ’16 • Mary & Rick DellaRusso Julia ’14 • Barbara & Wim Jessup Christopher ’14 • Sandee & Dave Kirchhoff Lila ’15

• Laurie & Rich Joyce Jack ’15 one year

• Rosanne & John Olsen Charlie ’15

Departing Faculty & Staff We thank the following members of our community for their dedication and contributions.

• Hannah James (3 years), Lower School Science Assistant • Stephanie Royal (2 years), Grade 2 Teacher • Eva Verduzco (2 years), Kindergarten Spanish Teacher • Mimi Liu (1 year), Grade 2 Teacher

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

53

s c r a pb o o k

in the field

|

On May 3, the Country School community gathered together for the annual spring fundraising event, A Country Dinner in the Field. Festivities included a live auction, an online silent auction, live music and a farmto-table meal. Original photographs taken by Country School parents Lynne Byrne, Barbara Erdmann, Kimby Johnson and Torrance York were sold as well. Funds raised will benefit school programs including tuition assistance.

Kudos to event chairs Lisa Alpaugh, Melanie McGlade and Sanny Burnham Warner ’88!

1

4

3

2

7

6

5 1. Jeff and Jaime Overman, Jennifer Kline, Tracy Kelley, Arman Gokgol-Kline 2. The Band, Last Fair Deal, gets the crowd going during the cocktail reception.

3. Auction co-chairs Melanie McGlade, Lisa Alpaugh and Sanny Burnham Warner ’88 4. Lisa and Tim Bazemore 5. Guests arrive in their “Country chic” attire.

6. Jason Ferraro, Tracy and Sean McManus 7. Kimby Johnson and Torrance York 8. Milan Galik, Luke Walsh, Steve Rodgers and John Sisk 9. James Frey, Jill Connick and Jim Parmelee 10. Megin and Adam Wolfman, Kirsten Rosolen 11. Cece Conrad Teitler ’80 and John Teitler, Maria Phillips and Stephanie Coleman Brodnax 12. Kerry Stevens, Wendy Baker and Jed Stevens ’78 13. Eric Gribin, Country School parent and drummer for the band, Dog House, performs during dinner.

14. Andrew Burr, Ashley Burr and John Hastings enjoy the excitement of the live auction 15. Sue Mackey, Mark Hamlin and Brennen Strine

54

New Canaan Country School Bulletin Ss u m m e r 2 0 1 4

ScraPBooK

8

9

10 11

12 13

14

15

May 3, 2014

Summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

55

s c r a pb o o k

| grandparents’ & special friends’ day

1 2

4 3

5

6

7

56

New Canaan Country School Bulletin s u m m e r 2 0 1 4

s c r a pb o o k

8

9

10 11

12

13

Grandparents and special friends received a warm welcome on campus May 7. This annual event, always a favorite, provided students the opportunity to share a typical school day with their loved ones.

1. Sue and Jed Isaacs with Teddy Schoenholtz 2. Peter Crisp, Charlie von Stade and John von Stade 3. Oliver Sellschop and Sara Knight 4. Will Mackey and Manuel Cunanan 5. Mariolene and Menna Delva 6. Laura Remsen and Whitney Brooks 7. Fifi Clark and Carter George 8. Barry Levinson and Lila-ViVi Fagel 9. Mary Beth and Jane Walsh 10. Gail and Riley Anderson 11. Grandparents enjoyed the Lower School assembly.

12. Avery York, Barbara Whitton and John Whitton 13. Paige Davis and Erin Conway 14. Elizabeth Georgantas

14

www.|

summer 2014

See more images at www.countryschool.net/news

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

57

58

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Horizons is a year-round program that services low-

Did you know?

income families in the school districts surrounding New Canaan Country School. A student enrichment program at its core, it provides a variety of education-based programs to meet the unique needs of a broad range of learners.

The original program was conceived in 1964 by members of the Country School community, and since then has steadily grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of its participants. Once a simple summer program for 20 children, Horizons at New Canaan Country School now services 420 children with an array of programs all year long.

• The Summer Program, weekly Music Academy practices, group tennis lessons and the Winter Saturday Program are all held on campus.

Some highlights of the current Horizons programs: • The 6-week Summer Program offers daily project-based academics with a special emphasis on reading, daily instructional and recreational swimming, as well as classes in art, music, woodworking and technology. It also offers an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and to extend the classroom via field trips.

• 11 Country School faculty members and 16 alumni worked at Horizons’ 2013 Summer Program.

• 26 Country School eighth graders participate in Friends Corps, a peer-mentoring program that pairs them with young Horizons students.

• 10 Horizons students are currently enrolled at Country School.

• Horizons National is the organization that helps schools around the country replicate the model created here at Country School. It is a separate, independent organization based out of Norwalk, Connecticut.

• The K-8 School Year Program offers weekly one-on-one tutoring, an instrumental Music Academy, group tennis lessons, the Friends Corps peer-mentoring program, dance instruction, swim team and horseback riding scholarships.

• The High School Program offers weekly one-on-one academic coaching, SAT prep classes, college tours, college counseling and financial aid workshops during the academic year.

• The Parent Program offers swim lessons, computer and ESL classes, volunteer opportunities and parenting workshops designed by the Horizons Parent Council.

The results speak for themselves One hundred percent of Horizons students graduate from high school on time, compared with 66 percent of Connecticut’s low-income students. Ninety-six percent of Horizons graduates enroll in college, compared with 33 percent of the national low-income population; most are first-generation college students A lot has changed in the 50 years since Horizons’ inception, but one thing has not: Horizons student enrichment programs—whether on our campus or elsewhere around the country—are a proven model of how public-private partnerships can work to help children break the cycle of poverty.

Visit our website to learn more!

Country School and Horizons Students Join Together in Song This year New Canaan Country School and Horizons embarked on an exciting new musical endeavor. The New Horizons Chorus, an afterschool choral ensemble, is the first joint artistic venture between the two programs.

Every Monday evening, Country School and Horizons students come together in song under the direction of Lower School Choral Director Jake Alrich. The group hones their vocal technique and musical skills while singing repertoire ranging from traditional rounds to spirituals and folk songs from around the world.

www.horizonskids.org summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

59

Creating a Family Tradition of

Giving Back

By Diane Briggs, Director of Leadership Giving

At Country School, giving back is elementary.

The trajectory of philanthropy over nearly 100 years has been upward and ongoing, inspired by loyal and generous families and by the school’s commitment to teaching personal and social responsibility in every division.

Supporting high-quality education is a top priority for many families at Country School, and while that principle is often evident across generations, lessons on giving learned early can affect lifelong behavior—which is good news for educational communities and organizations in the future.

“My grandfather, Jonathan O’Herron Sr., believed that education is the most important pursuit in life, that everyone deserves educational opportunities and that everyone has a duty to give back in their own way,” said Emmy Burleigh ’03. “His three children—my mom, Annie Burleigh, my aunt, Sarah Casey ’80, and my uncle, Jonathan O’Herron—and all the grandchildren were deeply influenced by his beliefs and lifelong example.”

New research on charitable giving by the Lilly Family School on Philanthropy* notes that parents talking to children about charitable giving significantly increases the likelihood that those children will give to charity, regardless of family demographics.

When parents and grandparents talk, children and grandchildren listen. “My grandfather always asked the grandchildren—all 11 of us Country School students—how school was going,” Ms. Burleigh said. “He encouraged each of us to find our own way and make our own mark.”

At home and at school, the Burleigh children were encouraged to choose their own paths. Annie Burleigh, mother of Emmy and four other graduates, explains, “Giving back and trying to help other people was always a given for our children. When the kids were very young at dinner every night we

60

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

asked each child, ‘What did you do nice for someone today?’

Choosing how and where to volunteer was up to them but in general they have focused on their school communities.”

At a recent Young Alumni gathering, Emmy Burleigh shared her fond memories of visiting a food bank in third grade, volunteering with Horizons, and baking and selling pies—hundreds of them—for a Thanksgiving fund-raiser.

In her role as a class agent for her college alma mater, Middlebury, she’s learned that tuition doesn’t cover all expenses; therefore, she’s committed to volunteering and doing her part as much as she can.

Her siblings and cousins share her commitment to volunteerism. Emmy’s sister Sarah ’02, a class agent for St. Paul’s, and brother Tucker ’08 have both worked at Horizons over the years. Her brother Connor ’03 volunteers teaching rugby at Darien High School. Sister Cornelia ’06 is a class agent for Williams College. Cousin Daley O’Herron ’05 is an assistant teacher in Beginners, while Charlotte O’Herron ’07 and Meghan O’Herron ’09 are both class agents for Westminster School and on the Prefect Board at Middlebury.

Her younger cousins, the Caseys, proudly uphold the family tradition. Hannah ’13, now at Greenwich Academy, and Phoebe ’15 and Elizabeth ’15 all volunteered in the Horizons Friends Corps mentoring program as eighth graders, and Hannah worked at Horizons this summer.

All also make it a priority to support the school’s Annual Fund each and every year. “NCCS is like the old-fashioned neighborhood school. It is a community. In order to create strong communities everyone needs to pitch in. I believe that you need to support your community through volunteer hours as well as through financial support,” added Annie

“He [our grandfather] encouraged each of us to find our own way and make our own mark.”

Burleigh, currently a Form Director for her class at St. Paul’s and former Horizons Board President.

“NCCS is a caring, nurturing educational community that strives to maintain the best of the school’s traditions, including good manners and civility, and blend them with the reality of the global world in which we live. It is my belief that today’s families have an obligation to ensure this type of educational opportunity is available to future generations,” she continued.

Her sister Sarah added that she never forgets it was due to the generosity, foresight and vision of prior generations that Country School has endured and will soon celebrate its Centennial. “We must continue to do anything we can, to give back at any level to show our gratitude for all that was done for us and our children.”

Country School’s trajectory over the next century will continue its ascent as long as parents continue to partner with the school by instilling in their children the importance of giving to others and protecting the future for those who follow in their footsteps.

The Shirley and Jonathan O Herron Faculty Award Established in November 2013 through a bequest from the estate of Jonathan O’Herron and at the direction of the children of Shirley and Jonathan O’Herron: Anne Burleigh, Sarah O’Herron Casey ’80 and Jonathan O’Herron Jr. This new award will honor a faculty or staff member who has shown extraordinary dedication to the school and to the students, and has taught or worked at Country School for at least 10 years. It will be presented at the Sept. 17 Annual Meeting & Dinner.

* www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/files/research/women_give_2013-final9-12-2013.pdf

summer 2014

New Canaan Country School Bulletin

61

Institutional Memor y

By Mark Macrides, Archivist

hile attending the reception the school hosted earlier this year to honor retiring Business Manager John Ziac for his 42 years of service, I was reminded of the importance of institutional memory. The Thacher Piazza was filled with generations of students, parents, faculty and staff. The breadth and depth of the Country School experience and the value it places on human connection was so apparent among this extended school family as we gathered together to honor, upon his transition, a man who, in his very special relationship to the school, embodied the very concepts of memory and history.

Transitions, while knitted into the fabric of independent schools, also require us to pause and contemplate what change might mean to us personally, as well as to the heartbeat of the institution. This year, as we experience transition in many different forms with Tim Bazemore’s exciting new chapter and the announcement of a new head of school; the retirement of trusted friend and colleague John Ziac; and the loss of former colleagues Meryl Aronin, Bill Carter, John Huwiler, Pat Young, Marilyn Starr, Robert Riedeman, Jared Synnestvedt, Jumelle Jones and Margaret Monkman, I’m encouraged by their histories, which live within the memory of the institution.

During times of significant transition, institutional memory rises to the surface to comfort us and remind us that while people move into and through and then out of the daily Country School experience, the spirit of their contribution remains firmly rooted

80

New Canaan Country School Bulletin S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

in the school’s history. In countless ways we recall their work in the classroom, the meeting room, the Parents’ Association fundraiser, on the fields, in the kitchen and behind the snowplow.

Memory and history provide us with a continuity that connects the decades, honors the contribution of the individual, and promotes the values and experiences that we pass along to each new generation of the Country School family.

As I was preparing the annual start of school “Then and Now” exhibit of school photos (which hangs in the Grace House lobby), I was thinking about the concept of continuity and how apparent it is in the photographs of places, programs and, most importantly, people. People, who for almost 100 years, have been sharing the Country School mission and vision, guided by the memory and history left in the care of the institution.

All of us, at some point in time, rely on memory to make connections and provide comfort and stability in times of change.

Institutions, as well, rely on memory to capture history and use it productively to craft vision and shape future. At Country School, we value our institutional memory and history as a means of honoring the members of our school family, then and now, individually and collectively, throughout the life of the institution.

As we gather periodically this year to acknowledge transition and contribution, we can do it with confidence and trust that the memory and history of all of us are embedded in the institution, a powerful resource for generations to come.

The Welles Society is a group of committed supporters who inform Country School of their intention to name the school as a beneficiary in their will or trust, or those who have already made a planned gift to the school.

As Country School begins to plan for its Centennial, many alumni, parents, parents of alumni, and current and former faculty are joining the Welles Society. Members will be honored guests at upcoming school events and will receive periodic information, as a courtesy, about charitable planning or tax and estate law changes. Country School honors all donor requests for anonymity.

HeNrY H. WelleS Named for Country School’s first Headmaster, Henry H. Welles, the Board of Trustees established The Welles Society in 1996 to recognize those who choose to support Country School through planned gifts.

You can join the Welles Society or ask a question about estate planning by contacting Terry Gumz, Director of Advancement, at tgumz@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5633.

memBer Anonymous ’46 Anonymous P ’83, ’76 Robert R. Barker* P’58, ’60, ’62, ’66 Pauletta and Ralph Beaty GP ’16, ’14 C. Daniel Bergfeld ’58 Karen Brody P ’99 Loocie Brown ’74 Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Margaret Childs P ’85, ’83, ’76, ’75, ’73, ’73, ’72 Judith Bricken Flanagan ’63 Timothy Gilbert* ’56 Jack D. Gunther Jr. ’56 Heather Winters and Cary Holcomb P ’10 Robert Hubby ’54 Lorna Layton Kellogg ’83 Sarah Storm Lockee ’55 Charles T. Lusk ’56 S. Brinton Luther ’76 Mrs. Walter Mansfield* P ’64, ’63, ’59, ’58, GP ’97 Robert McKay ’81 Sandy Carr Motland ’58 Katie and Kenneth F. Mountcastle P ’78, ’75, ’71, ’69 Jonathan O’Herron* P ’80, GP ’15, ’15, ’13, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06, ’05, ’03, ’03, ’02 Peggy and Peter O’Neil

Joanna Pennypacker* ’45 Jane Pollock* P ’63 Joel S. Post ’81 Linda* and George Post P ’81, ’68, ’66, ’65, ’63, GP ’00, ’95 Heidi and Douglas Riggs P ’02 Patsy Rogers ’52 Kathy and Peter Sachs ’54 P ’03, ’99, ’97 Christopher Smith* ’57 John W. Stokes* P ’87, ’82, ’81 Steven Tower ’65 Dart Winship ’42 Sarah Mleczko Woolworth ’73 CurreNt FACultY & StAFF Elizabeth Hulme Holly and Bruce Lemoine P ’08, ’06, ’05 FOrmer FACultY & StAFF Albert “Ben” V. Bensen* P ’72, ’67, ’66, ’63 Jean Caldwell* David Crandall ’77 P ’09, ’08 Ann Martin DiLeone P ’78, ’74, ’72 Anneliese and Berni Gastrich Sue and Guthrie* Speers P ’77, ’75, ’73, ’72 Marilyn Starr* Pat and Hudson Stoddard P ’75, ’72, ’71, GP ’06, ’03 Sarah and Nicholas Thacher P ’88, ’85

*–deceased // P’–parent class of // GP’–grandparent of alumni class of // ’–alumni class of

We made it!

Your gift helped us cross the finish line!

Thank you for your generosity & commitment to New Canaan Country School in 2013–2014.

www.countryschool.net/giving

nonProfit org u.S. PoStage

635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, CT 06840

PAID Stamford, ct Permit no. 4049

Address Service Requested

addreSS changeS Please help us reduce our mailing costs and our carbon footprint by sending address changes to communications@countryschool.net.

Calendar of Upcoming Events Homecoming ..................................................................................Saturday, Oct. 18 Young Alumni New York City Reception ................................Wednesday, Nov. 5 Culture & Collaboration Day.........................................................Saturday, Jan. 24 Alumni Reception/Fairfield & Westchester Counties ...........Wednesday, April 8 Kyle A. Markes Day of Service .................................................... Saturday, April 11 Deal Days Fundraiser.......................................................................Saturday, May 3 Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day...................................Wednesday, May 6 Frogtown Fair and Alumni Picnic................................................Saturday, May 16 Reunion Dinners: Classes ending in 4’s and 9’s ..........................Saturday, May 16

www.|

We are pleased to announce a neW dedicated Alumni Website! www.countryschool.net/alumni • Submit your class notes online • Look up old friends and classmates in the Directory • Review a calendar of upcoming Alumni Events • Peruse our Media Gallery