The Southport School: A Reflection of a School's Journey

WE CHANGE LIVES. A Reflection of a School's Journey

The Southport School story is a convergence of students, history, and community.

1854 OUR CAMPUS HISTORY STARTS HERE. The Southport School campus is on 2.5 picturesque acres in the historic Southport Village, steps from the harbor. The Southport School's Academic Building is on the same site where Southport’s former Pequot School building was built in 1854. The original woodframed school building for elementary-aged students was outgrown in the early 20th century. The Town School Board voted to demolish the old building and replace it with a larger, more modern school.

Photo Archive: Fairfield Museum and History Center History Archive: Buildings of New England Magazine

1865 "ONE OF SOUTHPORT'S MOST IMPORTANT SURVIVING BUILDINGS." As deemed in the 1966 Historic American Buildings Survey. The Southport Savings Bank's Board members purchased property to build a new bank building adjacent to the recently-completed Pequot School.

The bank was completed in 1865 at the cost of $11,625 and is thought to be the oldest continuously-operated bank in America until People's Bank closed the branch in 2016. The school's decision to purchase this 150+-year-old historic landmark in 2017 was an unprecedented opportunity to expand our campus footprint and programs.

THE ACADEMIC BUILDING WE KNOW TODAY.

1918

The wooden Pequot School building was replaced in 1918 by the classic brick building, which TSS occupies today.

Architect William H. McLean designed it. "The school is a unique design in the classical revival realm, but capped with a cupola and stunning green tile roof." The school closed in 1972, and the historic Pequot School building was acquired by the Southport Conservancy, an organization dedicated to preserving and restoring unique and historic buildings and property of the Southport community that might be otherwise lost forever as historic landmarks. The year was 1984 when the building saw its rebirth as a school after founding Head of School Leonard Tavormina directed the school's Pilot Program and, with its success, then opened the school officially in Fall 1985.

Founding Head of School Len Tavormina Leads School for 28 Year Tenure.

1984

NEW BEGINNINGS, FINDING COMMUNITY, EMBRACING LEADERSHIP.

With the guidance and perseverance of Mr. Tavormina, Eagle Hill-Southport established its entity. It became autonomous from Eagle Hill Greenwich (CT) and Eagle Hill School (Hardwick, MA). It established its own identity, curriculum, governing structure, individualized programs, and foundation in the Southport community that to this day remains resolute. EH-S officially opened its doors to 21 students. In 2003, the school signed a 99-year lease to use what is today known as our Academic Building.

The late Frank Wendt, a Director Emeritus on the boards of both organizations at the time, emphasized the importance of this step to the students. "This lease assures the future of Eagle Hill in Southport and enables the Board and Faculty to focus on their mission of helping children to succeed. Eagle Hill is now a permanent 'treasure' in our community." We are most grateful for this past initiative as we celebrate our largest enrollment with 121 students today.

LOCAL LEADERSHIP INSTILLS CONFIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD.

1985

Since the school's inception, support from the Southport community has never wavered.

Upon entering the Academic Building, the recognition plaque salutes these leaders who believed and guided us through opportunities and challenges. "We are most grateful for such leadership, generosity, and wise counsel." Many of our Founders' headline specially-named endowment funds and project interests, including the Stephen D. Colhoun Scholarship Fund, Walter S. Robbins Fund for Service Learning, the Grant V.A. Roberts Fund for Art and Music Education, and John D. Upton Scholarship Fund.

There are currently 18 endowment funds that honor school leaders, students, or initiatives, including the Beckerer Family Scholarship Fund, the Casey Coleman Scholarship Fund, the Fernandes Family Scholarship Fund, the Andrew Kostin Technology Fund, the Madison Hui Kwong Fund, the Carolyn Lavender and Kelly Wieman Fund, the Daniel E. Offutt III Scholarship Fund, the Quinsee Family Fund, the Southport Congregational Scholarship Fund, and the Tavormina Endowment Fund.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM VALIDATED.

1992

EH-S is granted full membership and accreditation by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).

The CAIS report commended the "unusual dedication, patience, and professionalism of the faculty and administration" in creating a "warm, nurturing, highlystructured family-like community." We are currently in the process of reapplying for accreditation now through spring 2022. It's a 10-year reoccurrence: 1992, 2012, 2022.

TRADITIONS ESTABLISHED AND ENDURE TODAY.

1988

Our traditions contribute to the sense of comfort and belonging essential to our student community. It brings our families together and allows them to connect too. TSS celebrates many traditions that create memories for us all. Pictured here is one of our first Year-End Recognition Nights with students Adam Renz (left) and Kells Hetherington, who accept their Academic Certificates from Mr. Tavormina and the late Carolyn Lavender, former Director of Admissions. Other TSS all-school favorite events include: the Fall Potluck Supper, October's Halloween Spooktacular, December's Holiday Ice Skating & Ben's Bells Celebration, the annual Spring Benefit, and the end-of-school-year, all-school Beach Day! Some of these traditions have changed or been placed 'on pause' during pandemic times, but we are hopeful for a new normal to return soon.

JUNE OLD-FASHION IN TRADITION, FUN FOR EVERY AGE! Southport Village's annual Blessing of the Fleet and Street Parade remains an event of great pride for all residents. Every June, marching bands like "Sons of the Whiskey Rebellion" and the "Fairfield Gaelic Club Band" entertain onlookers while passing beneath a billowing American flag suspended aloft by the local Fire Department's ladder trucks. We continue to open our campus to the community with a preParade breakfast (except for a one-year pandemic pause).

Please add this annual event to your calendar in June and check in with the school for the date.

1994. 1998. 2001.

As always, come one, come all! The Blessing of the Fleet and Street Parade is a wonderful local tradition and often turns into a TSS reunion for families, alumni, and friends.

RENOVATIONS. TSS IS GROWING. We're renovating again, and again, and again! In October 1994, J.P. Franzen Associates Architects created five new airy classrooms for a more spacious learning space for the increasing student population. TSS was growing, and space constraints continued to challenge the program.

Renovations on the first floor were a must, and by 1998 a three-phase renovation plan was put also implemented. The heating and air conditioning systems were replaced, modern acoustic barriers were installed to help sound and distractions, also included was another expansion of classrooms, a redefined faculty room, and a heralded kitchen restoration.

In 2001, we again recreated new classrooms and office space to make for an efficient and practical educational setting that reflected the warmth and beauty of the school's historical roots. It was about this time that the 90gallon freshwater aquarium was gifted to the school and remains in the same spot today.

CHANGE IS GOOD: WE'RE A TRANSTIONAL SCHOOL. So tell me, what's it like?" Whether leaving a school or joining a school, the transition is always about change. Founded on the principle that the school provides a transformative educational experience with lifelong impact, we also know that attending TSS or transitioning out means stepping away from the familiar routines, friends, and facing new challenges. We're prepared the day your child steps onto campus for their first day as equally as when they transition to their next academic chapter. As described by alumni Nick Bartlett when starting a new school, "It was hard the first couple of days to make friends, but then you meet people in your classes and finding one friend will lead to three more friends. We're all nervous, and you realize that everyone's feeling the same way."

2005

Tavormina Retires and Second Head of School Named.

Dr. Ben Powers Embraces TSS's Next 10 Years.

A 28-YEAR FOUNDATION IS A SPRINGBOARD FOR WHAT'S NEXT.

2012

TSS Board of Directors appoints the school's second Head of School, Dr. Benjamin N. Powers. In a collaborative effort with Dr. Powers, the Board of Directors, faculty and staff, and various community members endeavored to ask challenging but important questions about the school's strengths, opportunities for growth, its vision, and mission. The process fostered deep conversation and helped TSS identify its purpose in the LD community, its connections to professionals in the field, and most importantly, defined what success looks like for the school's students and their families. Under Dr. Power's leadership, TSS has aligned its program with the huge shifts happening in the learning difference community, thanks to burgeoning brain-based research.

2015-2020 Expertise.

Creativity.

Empowerment.

Engagement.

Cerebrodiversity.

CORE PILLARS

INITIATIVES

FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN.

Curriculum.

Faculty.

Community.

Sustainability.

While each family has a unique story that brought them to our doorstep, the common connection is a shared belief about approaching students - and learning - differently. By leveraging research, science, and best practices in education and using a student-centered, humanistic approach, we help our students develop pathways toward fulfilling their potential. Within this approach and representing our values, the school focused for the next five years specifically on these five initiatives with core pillar support within each. The value of these initiatives is embedded in our program today.

TEACHER EXPERTISE IS OUR PRIORITY. Investment in professional development is the heart of our Academic Program. We train all Southport School teachers in the same foundational, evidence- and research-based approaches that we use across the curriculum, including the Orton-Gillingham Approach, Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing Method®, and our own

TSS VISION TRANSLATES TO THE LAUNCH OF THE SOUTHPORT COLAB.

developed Executive Function program. It is through the development and refined expertise of The Southport CoLAB that TSS is proud to be an accredited school by the Orton-Gillingham Academy.

2018

The reach of The Southport CoLAB extends beyond our physical walls as we seek opportunities to impact local and national communities by helping train teachers, educate families, and inform the public about language-based learning differences and attention issues.

We offer specialized training programs: Structured Literacy™: Orton-Gillingham, Executive Functioning, and Assistive Technology. We also provide free Community Lecture Series and Reading Screenings for parents with young children. Some of our outreach is more limited during pandemic times.

TSS EXPANDS ITS CAMPUS WHILE INVESTING IN HISTORY.

2017 GROUNDBREAKING!

In April 2017, the Board of Directors announced the purchase of the 150+-year-old Southport Savings Bank Building. After a year-long renovation with the expertise of Peterman Architects from Concord, Massachusetts, the building was converted to classrooms and an administration suite and opened in 2018 as the Arts, Music, and Movement Building.

A capital fundraising campaign called "Share the Vision: The Campaign for The Southport School" was launched in the spring of 2017 and concluded in winter 2019, raising $3.5 million from over 70 donors, including past and present members of the Board, past and present parents, grandparents, faculty and staff members, alums, Southport community neighbors, and friends of the school.

One of the biggest challenges for the contractors was the removal of the bank's vault, a construct of blocks of granite, each weighing between 1,000 and 3,400 pounds. It was successfully dismantled with engineering expertise and craftsmanship, and the granite blocks were repurposed and sliced into the floor tiles in the entrance hallway and the bathrooms. The vault door was initially installed in 1890 and built by Herring & Co. in New York and weighs over seven tons. It was carefully moved to its present location in the Music & Movement Room to serve as a reminder of the building’s former purpose for so many years.

FALL 2017 CONFIDENT IN WHO WE ARE. In the same year, when the Southport Savings Bank building was purchased, the Board of Directors and the Head of School Dr. Powers unveiled a new school name, The Southport School, with a new logo and school colors.

Today's branding and design include the letter 'S' designed to reflect the path in one's journey that our students experience while they are here. The different hues of blue come together like water and land, representing the tide's ebb and flow similar to our campus, which resides close to the shoreline and where we embrace flexibility and movement.

2018 GRAND OPENING!

The School's Strong Foundation and Community Ties Allow Flexibility in Pandemic Times

GOOD GOVERNANCE, BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUE AS PILLARS OF TSS. The support by generous leaders in the community who feel an affinity for TSS allows for leadership, innovation, and confidence in the program.

Their expertise as parents, educators, attorneys, fundraising experts, financial leaders, community connectors, and the like lend themselves to our mission and vision, staying ahead of trends, business decisions, and opportunities.

Through Board members and their connections, we have secured incredible gifts and grants that include: a gift from Paul Newman's Newman's Own in 1997 for renovations in the Academic Building, a grant from the Hearst Foundation to support the costs of our Community Lecture Series over three years, and most recently from the Estate of Daniel E. Offutt III, which gave to the creation of the Creative Arts Classroom in the same name in the newly renovated Arts, Music, and Movement Building, among many other generous givers.

THE VILLAGE IS OUR CAMPUS. Often memories and feelings are associated with school experiences and link to the buildings in which classes, programs, and events take place. Our two historic buildings within our campus offer such space.

However, we also find and feel that our campus extends further into Southport Village. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to utilize the quality facilities available nearby with student field trips to Pequot Library, local art galleries such as HollisTaggert, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Perry's Green, and Sammy's Pizza, to name a few.

Our school campus map illustration is by artist John Burgoyne of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

FLEXIBILITY, SAFETY, OPTIMISM: OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE. On Thursday, March 12, 2020, we dismissed all faculty and staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic as a safety precaution. However, the government closed down schools and required citizens to quarantine, initiating virtual instruction that remained in place through the end of the academic year. Recently summarized by Dr. Powers, "Twenty-twenty was one of our most important years in operation, perhaps only second to when Len Tavormina and a brave group of colleagues opened our doors for the first time in 1984."

In April 2020, while everyone was adapting to new circumstances in response to the coronavirus pandemic, our team began an unprecedented process to reconsider every aspect of our program, expecting a very different start to the 2020-2021 academic year. We looked to leading experts to help shape our understanding and knowledge about practice and implementation. With extensive experience and global leadership in developing safe, dynamic, and fluid learning environments, Stephen Forneris, a Principal Architect at Perkins Eastman, was just the expert for the job of making our campus safe.

In just four months, we invested close to $1M and countless hours to change, update, adapt, and improve nearly every aspect of our program. This effort was accomplished while continuing our normal, day-to-day operations, including implementing regular programming and preparing for the upcoming school year. We were open every day during the 2020-2021 academic year, teaching in-person on campus, including our Summer Programs. We continue to operate present day at total capacity on campus, in person with augmented CDC COVID-19 mandates.

Annual Fund Major Gifts Campaign Donate Today.

Give Online at SouthportSchool.org/Giving or Contact the Advancement Office at 203.254.2044.

OUR VISION

is a world where people with language-based learning differences and ADHD are embraced for their strengths and potential, and where all teachers have access to training in best educational practices and current research.

OUR MISSION

is to provide transformative educational experiences that have lifelong impact on our students as well as thought leadership that engages the learning differences community.

214 Main Street. Southport, CT 06890 203.254.2044 SouthportSchool.org | Info@SouthportSchool.org