HCDS Trustee Tidbits - Spring 2022

HARBOR COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

SPRING 2022

Trustee Tidbits News, views and announcements from Tulip Knoll

In This Issue

Current Trustee Listing A Letter from the Board Chair 21/22 Enrollment Update 21/22 Harbor Fund Update The Campaign for Harbor Country Day School Capital Campaign Update

A Message from the Head of School

Harbor is forever indebted to the founders of this wonderful school who, 64 years ago, and to its trustees, since then, who have kept the vision of our 18 founding families alive. Harbor continues to write its story, rich with challenges, successes, and, most of all, children at the center of everything it does.

The state of the school is as strong as it has ever been with a balanced budget, a growing endowment, expanding enrollment, and dreams about its future that will soon be realized - right before our eyes.

Harbor's board of trustees have always taken their responsibilities as fiduciaries of the school and strategic planners very seriously. You will see within the pages of this issue of Trustee Tidbits the ambitious goals we have that will position Harbor as a beacon of excellence for children, PK2eighth grade, in our region.

These are historic goals that, I believe, will build on Harbor's strong past and place it in a remarkably positive position for years to come.

Building Project Update & Plans

I thank each one of you for guiding and stewarding Harbor during your time on the board because only through your dedication and commitment to this school are we able to take these bold steps into our future. Thank you!

COVID Updates

John Cissel

Spring Event Calendar A Letter from the Head of School Elect

Save the Date - April 30, 2022

Former Trustee Listing

Harbor Country Day School

17 Three Sisters Road Saint James, New York 11780 631.584.5555 www.HCDSNY.org

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2021-2022 Harbor Country Day School Board of Trustees

Alex Doboli, Ph.D., P'17, P'20 (Board Chair) Neal Mellert, Esq., Current Parent (Vice Chair) Therese DeAngelis, C.P.A., P'08, P'11 (Treasurer) Nancy Langdon Hickerson, Ph.D., P'12, P'15 (Secretary) Cynthia Wong Lippe, Ph.D., P'21, Current Parent (Member at Large) Robert Antonacci, M.D., P'17, P'17 Garrett Bergen, Current Parent Seema Bhansali (Venkatesh), Esq., P'19, '21 Monica Bugallo, Ph.D., Current Parent John Cissel, Head of School, ex officio Mike Lauri, C.P.A., P'21

Robert McCarroll, ‘78 Adrienne Owen, P'20, Trustee Emerita Marina Polonskaia, Ph.D., Friend of Harbor Jennifer Tona, Current Parent HP Wei, Current Parent

A Letter from the Board Chair

Harbor Country Day School has entered the last six months of Mr. John Cissel’s tenure as Head School, before Mr. Andrew Sperling, our next Head of School, will start his tenure on July 1st, 2022.

Therefore, it is fair to say that the transition process (which the Board put in place) is slowly gaining speed.

But before we focus on the transition process, let’s meditate a little bit longer together on the following question: What stands out about Harbor?

While you think about your own responses, it is my great pleasure to share with you some of the answers that our Board members offered during our recent Board retreat. I wish that there was no space limit in this publication, so that I could have reproduced all answers, because each of us had a unique and wonderful experience with the school. But, given those limitations here are a few of the answers: “The school takes its mission seriously and delivers on it; produces children who are kind, thoughtful, and confident; treats people with respect and make each student an individual.

Intangibles-magic difficult to put into words; the interaction between faculty and students, and between students and students; the building design creates a sense of community.

Hard to convey what Harbor does; comes down to the faculty and staff; the faculty is a special breed; the adults in the building are there to guide and provide security for them.

It is a collaborative effort to raise a child and the teachers are there to partner with parents to do this important work; parents have support from other parents; students learn to express themselves and that builds confidence to do something different.”

These are all beautiful answers, isn’t it so?

Let’s thank one more time, Mr. John Cissel, for his inspirational leadership as Harbor’s Head of School, as well as to the entire faculty and staff for their wonderful work.

Alex Doboli 2021-2022 Enrollment Update

Total Enrollment 155 Students Early Childhool: PK2 - PK4 39 Students

2021-2022 Harbor Fund Update

As of March 3, 2022

2021-2022 Goal: $215,000 Funds Raised: $250,326 Percentage to Goal: 116.43%

Lower School: K- 5th Grade 82 Students Upper School: 6th - 8th Grades 33 Students

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The Campaign For Harbor Country Day School

Looking to the future, Harbor Country Day School's objective is to ensure that future generations of students have continued opportunities to learn, to express themselves, and to grow as thoughtful and inspired young people. Toward that end, Harbor Country Day School's board of trustees and school leadership have established the Vision for Harbor Country Day School, a roadmap of the strides we plan to take throughout the next several years. That roadmap is composed of five specific goals: strengthen our financial foundation, support and empower the faculty and staff, foster an innovative academic program, modernize our campus and physical plan, and enhance internal and external communications.

To secure the resources necessary to accomplish this ambition vision, the school has launched a $10 million comprehensive Campaign for Harbor Country Day School. The campaign has been divided four elements (Building & Grounds, General Endowment, Faculty Endowment, Tuition Assistance Endowment) which will provide financial support for the specific goals outlined above.

With this campaign, which is unlike anything the school has seen in its 64-year history, Harbor Country Day School is poised to become the premier independent elementary school on Long Island.

Capital Campaign Update

As of March 3, 2022

Campaign Snapshot

Campaign Goal $10,000,000 Total Funds Pledged/Received $6,119,055 Funds In Hand $5,482,055 Funds Remaining to be Raised $3,880,944 03

Funds Breakdown

Building Modernization Shovels in Ground: $3,500,000 Funds Raised: $2,613,400 Remaining: $886,600 General Endowment Goal: $2,000,000 Funds Raised: $1,170,119 Remaining: $829,881 Faculty Endowment Goal: $2,500,000 Funds Raised: $1,280,713 Remaining: $1,219,287 Tuition Assistance Endowment Goal: $2,000,000 Funds Raised: $1,054,823 Remaining: $945,177

SPRING 2022

Building Project Update

At the time of this writing, Mr. Cissel and the members of the Building & Grounds Committee have been working with the Town of Smithtown and the Village of Head of the Harbor to sign off on site plans, which include plans for the school parking lot. Once the approval of both of those entities are in place, Harbor can then go to the state for further approvals.

Once all approvals have been attained, Harbor will then submit plans to various builders to bid on the project. With construction costs still elevated as the result of the COVID pandemic, our hope is by the time we are ready to bid out the project, and begin construction, building costs will have to come down.

Building Project Plans

Lower Level Architectural Plans

First Floor Architectural Plans

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Drawings of Future Spaces

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COVID-19 at Harbor Country Day School

With rapidly evolving circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Harbor continues to follow its mantra of having a solid response plan, remaining vigilant and making adjustments as needed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the students and faculty.

Thanks to weekly surveillance testing (funded by a generous, anonymous donor) along with a myriad of precautions including continued mask wearing, separated cohorts during lunch times, sneeze guards on desks for all snack and meal times, smaller groups in the gym for recess and PE, and others, Harbor has had virtually no sign of community spread. In fact, the lab that conducts Harbor's weekly testing states that Harbor continues to have the lowest positivity rate of all the groups tested at that facility.

Not only is this a testament of the success of Harbor's planning and vigilance, but it is also indicative of our larger community making smart choices for the benefit of all. We thank the Harbor community for their patience, flexibility and support during this challenging time.

Harbor Country Day School - Spring 2022 Event Calendar

March 11 @ 7pm - Virtual Spring Benefit www.hcds2022.com April 30 @ 10am - Past & Current Trustee Brunch in Honor of Mr. Cissel June 10 - Commencement & Moving Up June 11 - Community BBQ in Honor of Mr. Cissel (Rain date: June 12) 06

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A Letter from Harbor's Head of School Elect - Andy Sperling

Dear HCDS Community, It is a distinct honor to be named the twelfth Head of School at Harbor Country Day School. From the moment I stepped through the majestic front door at Tulip Knoll, I sensed that indescribable vibe that can only be felt when you have experienced it firsthand. It's far more than just the charm—it's the way in which the children carried themselves and how they exuded confidence that drew me in. HCDS epitomizes what it means to embrace and live its mission. It is apparent that the faculty are rooted in pride and have played an integral role in the development of such a caring environment. I was mesmerized by the deep connections that students clearly have with their teachers, with the dynamic rapport that they revealed, and with the commitment to whole-child education that was on display during my two-day visit. The learning energy was most definitely palpable.

Great independent schools exist when the strength of partnership is apparent. I could not have been more impressed with the spirit and tone that was consistently portrayed by the Harbor community. With each conversation that I had, I was able to experience repeated examples and themes related to why students, faculty, staff, and parents love their school.

As a storyteller, it would be a privilege for me to spread the word as I share my admiration for HCDS with others.

I want to sincerely thank the Board of Trustees, the Search Committee (led by Adrienne Owen and Cynthia Lippe), the Advisory Committee (led by Laura Huang Ernst and Erik Johnson), and the leadership team for creating such an authentic process. The respect and warm welcome that Hilary and I felt during our time on Long Island was so affirming.

I would also like to specifically recognize and thank Lynette Mutschler for her impeccable attention to every detail during my visit.

Just as Harbor Country Day School cherishes childhood, I pledge to cherish John Cissel's legacy. It is abundantly clear from an outsider's perspective that the strong culture and close-knit family feeling that exists today is a testament to John's leadership. I sincerely enjoyed my time learning about HCDS from him, and am grateful for his support and mentorship moving forward.

Harbor Country Day School is poised to continue on its successful path. With the addition of the recent capital campaign, there is much to celebrate and anticipate. The future is beyond bright. As I stated in my cover letter, HCDS is a gem, and it will be a privilege to lead the faculty and staff on their continued journey of excellence.

With warmest regards, Andy

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Former Harbor Country Day School Trustees

William Adkins Oakes Ames Rose Antilus Donald Baker II John Bardsley Mindy Berger Jennifer Berlingieri Michele Berti Mitchell Birzon Arlene Boscarino Matthew Bradley William Brennan Paul Broder George Bubaris Heidi Cacciabaudo Katharine Clancy Richard Clarke Frank Clemente Michael Commins Glenna Craw Martin Crowley Vincent Della Pietra Michael DiSabello Robert DiStefano Paul Edelson David Essex Richard A. Evans Agnes Ferro Michele Filosa David Fischler '62 Eileen Gaeta Robert Gaffney '76

Susanna Gamaldi Leyi Gao Tagi Garbizu William Garthe Debby Graber Doreen Greenblatt Corinne Hammons Tehmina Haque David Hicks Leith Hill John Hurtado, Jr. Ekambaram Ilamathi Michael Irvin Theodore Jospe Roy Kahane Vicki Katz Lois Kuhlke Robert Lazar Harvey Lerner John Libaire Christine Little-Meyer Mary Longabardi Thomas McMillen David Merzin Bruce Meyer Charles D. Miller, Jr. Evelyn W. Miller Lawrence Mincer Steven Moll Michael Morrell Robert Morris Lynne Nowick

Peter Nowick, Jr. Michelle Nuti Emma Hicks Pearce '88 Nathaniel Peirce George Penza Gary Porcano Edward Porter Judy Proctor Gary Rubio Eric Russo Sue Ryan Mary Sanders Herman Schecter Priscilla S. Schecter Sanford Scheman Richard Scheyer Elizabeth Schwartz S. Lytton Scott Malcolm E. Smith, Jr. Maria Sorrentino Alan Spielberg Jack Squire Marisella Staller Jack A. Swain David Swift John Toomey, Jr. James Verdi Kevin Vesey Thomas Vulpis David Waechter Frank Wieland Carrie Zuckerman

Thank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of all of our students.

Please contact Jennifer Taggart at jtaggart@hcdsny.org if...

- you have changed your mailing or email address.

-you know of other board members who may be missing from this list.

-you have updated contact information for a trustee who is not receiving our communications.

Harbor will update our records accordingly.

Thank you!

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