RCDS Annual Philanthropy Report 2019-20

STRONGER THAN EVER

BECAUSE OF

YOU

2019-20

ANNUAL PHILANTHROPY REPORT

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Contents

4. LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT 5. FINANCE AND OPERATIONS 6. CLASS OF 2020 COMMENCEMENT

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10. LEADERSHIP BENEFACTORS TO ANNUAL GIVING 11. ACADEMICS AND CO-CURRICULARS 12. PARENT GIVING

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone at RCDS for your support and cooperation this year, as well as for welcoming me and my family to our school. We collectively have a great deal for which to be grateful, and, with your steadfast support and commitment, our school is as strong as it’s ever been.”

— Carson T. Smith, Head of School

13. STEAM 14. PAST PARENT GIVING 15. CURRENT AND PAST TRUSTEES 16. ALUMNI GIVING 17. THE ARTS 19. ATHLETICS 20. GRANDPARENT GIVING 21. SERVICE LEARNING 22. CURRENT AND FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF GIVING 23. TRADITIONS 24. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 25. HEALTH AND WELLNESS 26. VITAE DISCE 28. ALUMNI STORIES 30. LETTER FROM THE PARENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT 31. CASINO NIGHT SUPPORTERS 32. A CONVERSATION WITH CARSON T. SMITH 33. RCDS COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19 CRISIS 34. IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF 35. ENDOWMENT 36. LEGACY SOCIETY 37. HOW TO GIVE

Mission The Rumson Country Day School, founded in 1926 as an independent educational institution, seeks to: • Provide students from all communities with a dynamic, challenging academic experience in a safe and supportive environment; • Nourish academic excellence, individual and social responsibility, civic awareness, and leadership skills; • Inspire our graduates to become lifelong learners able to thrive, contribute, and excel in a demanding secondary school environment and in today’s global society.

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RCDS STRONGER THAN EVER

BECAUSE OF YOU Robust Virtual Learning There’s virtual learning and there’s RCDS Virtual Learning.

As the world transitioned in-person experiences to virtual platforms, RCDS students maintained consistent routines and remained engaged in all core subjects, specials, and advisory meetings. The virtual program provided robust real-time interactions with teachers and classmates including captivating instruction, discussion, and small and whole group learning.

“Extraordinary care and expertise has been infused into RCDS’s remote learning program. It is clear that both the ongoing curriculum, and most importantly, the quality of the time and attention that the students are receiving from their teachers, are second to none.” — Laura Twomey, RCDS Parent

PROACTIVE PLANNING

BRINGING STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS FALL 2020

In partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), RCDS leaders spent the spring and summer developing a proactive plan to bring students back to campus in fall 2020.

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NEW BRAND IDENTITY After an extensive research and marketing audit, RCDS launched a refreshed brand identity in conjunction with an updated strategic marketing plan that has given RCDS a stronger and clearer presence in its market and turned admissions around faster and more impactfully.

This year, the School’s four pillars served as a reminder for each and every member of the RCDS community that, above all, strength of character will lead us to prevail in the face of adversity. While life as we knew it went on pause, the School’s commitment to providing academic excellence, building character, and fostering the growth of our students and community never wavered.

THE FOUR PILLARS

KIND

HONEST

RESPONSIBLE

RESPECTFUL

LEADERSHIP

SAYING GOODBYE TO A BELOVED HEAD OF SCHOOL AND WELCOMING A NEW ONE Carson T. Smith, RCDS’s ninth Head of School, moved into the Head of School residence on campus with his wife, Amy, and their three children. Mr. Smith brings impressive experience as a teacher, administrator, and educational leader to RCDS. He succeeded Head of School Jayne Geiger, who had made countless contributions and exceptionally served RCDS from 2017-2020. With a grateful heart and Gator spirit, the community said goodbye to Ms. Geiger in a threepart video series that can be viewed at www.rcds.org/geiger.

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LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT

478 100% 100% DONORS

Head of School Jayne M. Geiger

2019-2020 Board of Trustees John H. Devlin, Jr. ’83 President Carl Reiss ’83 Vice-President Jennifer Crowell ’88 Secretary Greg Melconian Treasurer

FACULTY PARTICIPATION

BOARD OF TRUSTEES PARTICIPATION

79%

PARENT PARTICIPATION

ANNUAL SOURCES OF REVENUE

Todd Whitenack Assistant Treasurer

Dear RCDS Community, As I reflect on how we ended the school year last June, I am extremely proud of the resilience shown by our community.

The staff and faculty worked tirelessly to prepare and execute a highly successful remote learning program for the entire spring term. Our Board of Trustees, administration, and maintenance team developed a comprehensive strategy that allowed our students to return to campus, safely, for in-person learning at the start of the school year. On top of all the unexpected obstacles, RCDS also transitioned from Jayne Geiger’s experienced leadership and welcomed Carson Smith as the ninth Head of School for the 2020-2021 school year.

Trustees

I have had a connection to RCDS for 41 years — as a student, Trustee, Board President, and as the proud parent of three RCDS graduates along with my current seventh grader. With over four decades of perspective, I can attest that an RCDS education is an investment that provides lifelong benefits.

Stephen Padovano

This philanthropic report is meant to express our gratitude to the benefactors from 2019-2020 who made an investment in our school and programs. Your support provides the foundation for RCDS to focus on academic excellence, critical life skills, character development, community, and the offer of a premier independent school education. We could not deliver our robust educational experience without your generosity. In closing, thank you to our faculty, staff, parents, past parents, alumni, trustees, and former trustees for supporting The Rumson Country Day School.

Siran Sahakian

Sincerely, John H. Devlin, Jr. ’83 P ’15, ’17, ’19, ’22 President, Board of Trustees 2019-20 4

Nikki Alpert Jeff Cruz

$647,776 INVESTMENT INCOME & AUXILIARY SERVICES

Donna Gibson

$833,667 ANNUAL GIVING*

Kristen Masserio

$10,046,665 TUITION

Debbie Menkowitz Greg Mitsch Jennifer H. Mullins ’85

*Collected during fiscal year ’19-’20

EXPENDITURES

Corey Popham Suzy Post Adrianne Raphalian Jesse Spector ’95 Terry Stankovits Michael Walker

52% SALARIES AND BENEFITS 29% GENERAL ADMINISTRATION & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 8% TUITION ASSISTANCE 4% PHYSICAL PLANT 7% DEPRECIATION

Dear RCDS Community, The last quarter of the 2020 fiscal year brought many unprecedented challenges. As we prepared to open school for September, we navigated our “new normal” for all of the fiscal and operational challenges we would need to undertake.

The Rumson Country Day School operates within a sound financial structure. The Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee are judicious in their budget governance, continuing to ensure the School’s fiscal health and long-term prosperity. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and trustees, thank you for your partnership.

Michael J. Mannino Director of Finance and Operations

GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS

BY CONSTITUENCY ANNUAL GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS

BY CONSTITUENCY 5% 4% 4% 20% 2% 4% 1%

ALUMNI MATCHING GIFTS GRANDPARENTS TRUSTEES PAST PARENTS PAST TRUSTEES CURRENT AND PAST RCDS EMPLOYEES 60% PARENTS

$679,683 TOTAL RAISED FOR ANNUAL GIVING

ENDOWMENT Valued at $14,267,481 as of June 30, 2020, the Rumson Country Day School’s endowment is an investment in the future that is intended to ensure the School can continue to pursue its mission in perpetuity with palpable momentum and a remarkable trajectory forward.

THE IMPACT OF ANNUAL GIVING & “THE GAP”

Because RCDS is a relatively small community, we have fewer supporters to ask to contribute. This makes every gift we receive from our alumni families, grandparents, parents, staff, and faculty that much more meaningful and impactful to the School.

Your gift to Annual Giving — the School’s most important fundraising priority — is necessary because each year there is a “gap” between the cost of tuition and the true cost of an RCDS education. In FY 2019-20, the “gap” amount we needed to raise per student was $4,145.

Your contribution to Annual Giving supports every aspect of our students’ lives — from early childhood education thorough graduation day, to future endeavors.

They include: Experiential Learning and Trips

Athletics

Extracurricular Activities

Special Occasions including Alumni Reunions, Grandparents Day, The Arts Festival, and Holiday Concerts

Professional Development Strategic Integration of Technology The Arts

TEACHING & LEARNING

Service Learning

Tuition Assistance

CARING FOR OUR HISTORIC CAMPUS ATHLETICS, ARTS, TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNITY SERVICE, & MORE TUITION ASSISTANCE

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COMMENCEMENT 2020 RCDS has an outstanding record of secondary school placement and the Class of 2020 is no exception. We are so proud of our graduates and wish them well at the following secondary schools:

Blair Academy Christian Brothers Academy (4) Communications High School Marine Academy of Science and Technology Mater Dei Prep Peddie School Ranney School Red Bank Catholic High School Red Bank Regional High School — Finance Program Red Bank Regional High School — IT Program Rumson-Fair Haven High School (13) The Hill School (2) The Hun School (2) Trinity Hall (3) Westminster School

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COMMENCEMENT 2020

CELEBRATING THE

RESILIENT

CLASS OF 2020

After overcoming the challenges of completing their final year at RCDS during a global pandemic, a rainy evening certainly did not prevent the Class of 2020 from being honored with a moving outdoor graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 8.

The Class of 2020 embraced an extraordinary situation that made their path to graduation more challenging than ever, emphasizing their already impressive

accomplishments, and earning them praise when they finally got the chance to experience the sendoff they deserved.

The support of RCDS’s tight-knit community and steadfast focus on the School’s four pillars — Kind, Honest, Responsible, Respectful — gave this year’s graduates, our next generation of leaders, the opportunity to demonstrate their strength and embodiment of these qualities. These characteristics are

the reason RCDS graduates stand out in the community, thrive at some of the most selective high schools and colleges in the country, and can be attributed to how they successfully overcame an event that will be written about in history books. The Class of 2020 has left a legacy at RCDS that will forever impact the School community and has certainly inspired a hopeful and bright future.

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COMMENCEMENT 2020

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“Today, we are here as a celebration of our time together. 2020 was a whirlwind — it brought many obstacles we could have never predicted. But today, we stand here having overcome it all. We are strong and together we leave our brownstone church on the corner, more united than we have ever been before.”

— Lydia Olivieri ’20

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Lydia Olivieri was the 2019-2020 Student Body President and was selected by the RCDS faculty to deliver the 2020 commencement speech. She received regular accolades as a member of the Model U.N. and Debate teams during her time at RCDS. She is now attending Communications High School in Wall. See below for excerpts from Lydia’s commencement speech.

The Community When I first stepped into my Beginners classroom to hang my backpack in my cubby, I really had no idea how much my new community would shape me as a person...I have walked down Main Street every single school day of my entire childhood.

The result of this is nothing short of a big family.

The Academics This School has honestly prepared me for just about any academic challenge a 14-year-old could possibly face. From dropping an egg off of a balcony to planning and documenting an entire trip to LA, we have had quite the variety of assignments during our time here. We’ve been taught public speech in our plays since we were old enough to read, and we learned Latin before most kids even start pre-algebra.

The Four Pillars RCDS has certainly provided yet another concept that I will keep close to my heart as I make the transition into high school — the core values system...First, kindness. Kindness in this building does not stop at a simple please and thank you. From the buddy system to rice and beans and even a full Kindness Week, we learn how one act of kindness can spread into something that may change someone’s life. Next, honesty. At RCDS, we are always taught that honesty is the best policy — and this is demonstrated through traditions so simple as having no locks on our lockers. It has also had recent relevance during quarantine with our months of online assessments and school, and it is the foundation of our trust in one another. Third, responsibility. This value is the core difference between childhood and adulthood, and we start to make this transition early with our planner system, Student Led Conferences, and the simple task of cleaning the gym after snack. Last but not least, respect. We learn that in order to gain respect, we must give it first, and it starts with shaking Ms. Geiger’s hand in the morning, along with saying grace before lunch and even raising the flag in the morning as a fourth grader. These four values are the foundation of many traditions that RCDS treasures.

The Resilience 2020 was a whirlwind — it brought many obstacles we could have never predicted. But today, we stand here having overcome it all. We are strong and together we leave our brownstone church on the corner, more united than we have ever been before.

To read the transcript of Lydia’s speech in its entirety please visit www.rcds.org/speech2020

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7.1.19–6.30.20

LEADERSHIP BENEFACTORS TO ANNUAL GIVING Brownstone Benefactors (Gifts of $20,000+)

Lee and Tricia Frankenfield

Mrs. Nancy Devlin

Mr. and Mrs. Hayden Jones

Mr. and Mrs. William Dockery

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Chin

Mr. and Mrs. William Keenan

Mr. John H. Devlin, Jr. ’83 and Mrs. Elizabeth Devlin

Mr. and Mrs. David Druckman

Mr. Kenny King and Mrs. Nora Rahner King ’94

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Finnegan

Jason and Heather Bilanin

Mr. Nicholas Gulden ’89 and Mrs. Emily Gulden

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cerussi

Mr. and Mrs. Justin Gmelich J.L. Reiss Foundation Mr. Carl Reiss ’83 and Mrs. Anne Reiss

Founders’ Circle (Gifts of $10,000 - $19,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Lacey Mr. Robert C. Lawrence IV ’81 and Mrs. Gerri Gussin Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. John Leibee Mr. and Mrs. Drew Loughlin Mr. and Mrs. Mark Maroney

Tom and Kim Jarck Jean and Scott Bridge Foundation Eva and J. Ryan Kelly Mr. and Mrs. David Kreizer

1926 Club ($1,926 - $2,499) Dr. and Mrs. Alan Bilanin Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bovo Mr. Javier Cook and Ms. Mediatrix Rabo Dr. and Mrs. Jason Cohen Mr. and Mrs. William Dinger Charles and Lauren Dohrenwend

Bundy Family Foundation

Pamela and Mark Martens

Mr. Robert Cutting Lawrence III ’52 and Mrs. Mary Stout Lawrence ’55

Mr. Colin Day and Ms. Heather Burke

Peter and Meghann Marturano

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Leahy

Mr. and Mrs. James Masserio

Mr. John Ketterer III

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Melconian

Mr. Dennis P. Lynch Jr. ’86 and Mrs. Marshall Lynch

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Mitsch

Dr. and Mrs. Marc Menkowitz

The Lynch Family

Mr. Thomas F. Mullins IV and Jennifer Hurtt Mullins ’85

Dr. and Mrs. Ty Olson

Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Mercer, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Page

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Monte

Mr. and Mrs. Corey Popham

Mrs. Nancy Mulheren

Mr. and Mrs. James Reid

The Navesink Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. David Reni

Mr. and Mrs. David O’Brien

The Riker Family

Mrs. Stacy O’Neil

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rodrigues

Mr. Gary Oakley

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Vlady Ostrow

Anonymous (1)

Toros and Siran Sahakian

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Pauley

Mr. William Van Winkle ’49 and Mrs. Beverly Van Winkle

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Silk

Green and White Society (Gifts of $5,000 - $9,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Paulus

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walker

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stepanski

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Penske

Diane and Gerald Wendel

Catherine and Michael Sullivan

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Pepe

Anonymous (3)

Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Woodham

Mr. and Mrs. R. Willis Post

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Orr Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Rubin The Sahakian Family Mr. Jesse W. Spector ’95 and Mrs. Maryam Spector Mr. and Mrs. Michael Trudel The Whitenack Family

Tanya and Levin Baghdassarian Mr. and Mrs. Colin Bradley Mr. and Mrs. Craig Buchner

Anonymous (1)

Todd and Michelle Prager Brian and Adrianne Raphalian

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Clarke

Gator Pride (Gifts $2,500 - $4,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Criscola

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alpert

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Simon

Mr. Nicholas Crowell and Mrs. Jennifer Steiner Crowell ’88

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Baret

Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Stankovits

Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett Bruhn

Mr. Dennis Scannell Devine ’90 and Mrs. Sarah Devlin Devine ’89

Mr. Christopher Carton ’85 and Mrs. Sladjana Carton

Mr. Cliff Stieglitz and Ms. Ahn Pham

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Downie

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Chavez

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Eby

John and Colleen Cook

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cady

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Eckert

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Mr. and Mrs. Scott Elsas Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Fallon

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Isabelle Haskell de Tomaso ’44 Mr. David P. Devlin ’85 and Mrs. Karin Devlin

Shawn and Christine Reynolds

Ms. Jayne Geiger and Mr. Jim Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gibson Mrs. Gertrude M. Goff ’42 Mr. and Mrs. Sean Hickey The Klein Family Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kohl Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laub Mr. and Mrs. Regis Lippert Mr. and Mrs. David Long Marta Young and Kevin O’Conner Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Travalja Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Weiss

Corporate Matching Gifts Bank of America BlackRock The Credit Suisse Charitable Gift Fund Deutsche Bank Americas Foundations IBM

Mr. and Mrs. Darren Stumberger

Pfizer Foundation

Mr. Christopher Torcivia ’99 and Mrs. Brianna Torcivia

Sun Trust

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Traina

UBS

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Twomey

U.S. Bank

Anonymous (2)

VMWare

Synchrony Financial

“Our decision to send our boys to RCDS was based on the School’s mission to develop kind, honest, responsible, and respectful students with a focus on building confidence and independence while bolstering their individual strengths. Prior to making our decision, every parent we encountered from RCDS would consistently sing the School’s praises. Our experience has been no different. When we support Annual Giving, we know our dollars are helping to support the School’s mission to provide the students the tools and strategies to meet the challenges of today and for what will come tomorrow.”

— Kelli and David O’Brien, RCDS Parents of Students in Class of ’24

Your Gifts at Work

Learning is Truly Great at RCDS Academics and Co-Curriculars Truly great N-8 education sets high academic standards while teaching children how to reach them. RCDS educators use a blend of traditional and modern approaches to help students progress intellectually, socially, and emotionally throughout their time at RCDS and prepare them for success at secondary school and beyond. Rigorous academics are supplemented by co-curricular activities that provide some of the best opportunities to hone life skills, foster talents, cement friendships, and create memories.

Students Awarded with Outstanding Delegate, Best Delegate, and Best Position Paper at CBA Model U.N. Conference

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Debate Team Shines and Secures Golden Gavel at Jersey Shore Debate Tournament

“My favorite part of the job is the ‘ah-ha!’ moment. When a student makes a real-life connection with what we are doing in school, they look at you and say ‘I get it.’ It’s that moment that I live for.”

— Tom Scott, Upper School History Teacher

Classroom Coffee House Offers Perfect Setting for Poetry Reading

Students Solve Mysteries Using Math Principles 11

7.1.19–6.30.20

PARENT GIVING Ms. Sarah Ahmadi and Mr. Steve Aronne

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Eby

Mr. and Mrs. Brett Marcus

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Silk

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alpert

Deborah and Jon Eckert

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Maroney

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Simon

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Elsas

Pamela and Mark Martens

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Factor

Peter and Meghann Marturano Mr. and Mrs. James Mason

Mr. Jesse W. Spector ’95 and Mrs. Maryam Spector

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Atanacio

Ms. Missy Falkenberg and Mr. Geoffrey Ray

Tanya and Levon Baghdassarian

Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Fallon

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Baret

Mr. Edgar R. Farrington, Jr. ’81 and Mrs. Catherine Farrington

Mr. and Mrs. Marino Mazzei

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Andreski Dr. and Mrs. Russell Ashinoff

Mr. and Mrs. James Barry Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Bazant Mr. and Mrs. David Bedoya The Bertz Family Jason and Heather Bilanin Mr. and Mrs. P. Douglas Bird Mr. and Mrs. Santiago Borja Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bovo Mr. and Mrs. Colin Bradley Ms. Kelly Brier Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett Bruhn Mr. and Mrs. Craig Buchner Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cady Mr. Christopher Carton ’85 and Mrs. Sladjana Carton Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cerussi Mr. and Mrs. Martin Chavez Mr. and Mrs. Brian Chin Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Clarke Mr. and Mrs. Eric Cohen Dr. and Mrs. Jason Cohen

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Finnegan Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Fischer Lee And Tricia Frankenfield Valerie Brett and Rodney Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gillespie Mr. and Mrs. Mark Glazman Mr. and Mrs. Justin Gmelich

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Sean Hickey Dr. Nancy Holodak Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Horner Tom and Kim Jarck Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Jones Mr. and Mrs. Hayden Jones Mr. and Mrs. Loukas Kasekas

Mr. Kenny King and Mrs. Nora Rahner King ’94 The Klein Family Mr. and Mrs. James Kostulias Mr. and Mrs. David Kreizer Mr. and Mrs. Ted Lacey Mr. and Mrs. William L. Lamb Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laub Mr. Robert C. Lawrence IV ’81 and Mrs. Gerri Gussin Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Leahy

Mr. and Mrs. William Dinger

Mr. and Mrs. John Leibee

Mr. and Mrs. Domenic DiPiero

Mr. and Mrs. David Long

Mr. and Mrs. William Dockery

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Loughlin

Charles and Lauren Dohrenwend

Drs. Federigo and Suzanne Magherini

Mr. and Mrs. David Druckman

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Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicolosi

Mrs. Stacy O’Neil

Mr. John Ketterer III

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Downie

Mr. Thomas F. Mullins IV and Jennifer Hurtt Mullins ’85

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Hackett

Mr. Eugene F. Croddick II ’93 and Mrs. Nicole Croddick

Mr. and Mrs. James Dorment

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Monte

Marta Young and Kevin O’Conner

Eva and J. Ryan Kelly

Mr. John H. Devlin, Jr. ’83 and Mrs. Elizabeth Devlin

Dr. and Mrs. Marc Menkowitz

Mr. Nicholas Gulden ’89 and Mrs. Emily Gulden

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Criscola

Mr. David P. Devlin ’85 and Mrs. Karin Devlin

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Melconian

Kelli and Dave O’Brien

Mr. and Mrs. William Keenan

Mr. Dennis Scannell Devine ’90 and Mrs. Sarah Devlin Devine ’89

Mr. and Mrs. Rich McHugh

Mr. and Mrs. Marius Gudelis

John and Colleen Cook

Mr. Colin Day and Ms. Heather Burke

Ms. Casey McChesney

Mr. Richard Nimoh and Ms. Belinda Nti

Ms. Kathleen Kamatani

Mr. and Mrs. Jared Daniels

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mccarren

Mr. and Mrs. David Goldsmith

Mr. Javier Cook and Ms. Mediatrix Rabo

Mr. Nicholas Crowell and Mrs. Jennifer Steiner Crowell ’88

Mr. and Mrs. James Masserio

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Malia Mr. and Mrs. Robert Malone

Mr. Richard Peter O’Day Mr. and Mrs. Gary Olivieri Dr. and Mrs. Ty Olson Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Orr Mr. and Mrs. Vlady Ostrow Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Padovano

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Spiro Steinhauser Family Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stepanski Mr. and Mrs. Marc Stern Mr. Cliff Stieglitz and Ms. Ahn Pham Mr. and Mrs. Darren Stumberger Catherine and Michael Sullivan Mr. Al Tenuto Mr. and Mrs. Louis Tilmont Mr. Christopher Toolan ’89 and Mrs. Elizabeth Toolan Mr. Christopher Torcivia ’99 and Mrs. Brianna Torcivia Ms. Lisa Tortolani Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Traina Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Travalja Ms. Judith Trepanier Mr. and Mrs. Michael Trudel Mr. David Turkaly and Mrs. Megan Gula Mr. and Ms. Christopher Twomey

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Page

Mr. Eric Wachtel and Dr. Heather McMullen

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Paulus

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walker

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Pepe

Greg and Beth Weiss

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Petersen

Mr. and Mrs. John Weiss

Mr. and Mrs. Corey Popham

Tracey and Andrew Wetmore

Todd and Michelle Prager

Mr. and Mrs. Michael White

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Puma

The Whitenack Family

Brian and Adrianne Raphalian

Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Woodham

Mr. and Mrs. James Reid

Mr. Mark Wrigley

Mr. Carl Reiss ’83 and Mrs. Anne Reiss

Anonymous (10)

Mr. and Mrs. David Reni Mr. and Ms. Armando Reyes Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rodrigues Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Rubin Matt and Susie Rummler Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ryan Mr. and Mrs. James Sabo Mr. and Mrs. John Santulli Mr. Scott Schwadron and Ms. Sara Hylan Dr. and Mrs. Donald Seiler Dr. and Mrs. Carl Senft Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Sheftel

Your Gifts at Work

Empowering Students to be Curious Learners STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) is integrated across all subjects in each grade level through appropriate project-based learning. By infusing the engineering design process into the classroom, students are given the opportunity to apply content in real-life contexts while practicing creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and resourcefulness.

Students Transform Wood from Fallen Tulip Tree on Campus into Woodshop Project

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“ I hope to whet their curiosity to go out there in the world and keep discovering.”

Deconstructing Chattering Toy Teeth Brings Smiles to Young Engineers

— Jennifer Grolemund, Lower School Science Teacher

Pumpkin Drop a Smashing Success 13

7.1.19–6.30.20

PAST PARENT GIVING Mr. Clifford Anderson

Dr. Donald Arthur Macdonald, Jr.

Anne H. Angers

Mr. and Mrs. John Magee

Mrs. Ruth Barker

Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Mercer, Jr.

Mr. William Joel Barrett, Jr. ’79 and Mrs. Joanne Barrett

Lorraine McEvoy

Mr. Robert L. Boyle Mr. and Mrs. Francis S. Branin, Jr. Jayne S. and Frank T. Carmody Mr. and Mrs. Jayt Clark Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cruz Mr. and Mrs. Alan Davis Mr.* and Mrs. J. Hugh Devlin

Minnetian Family Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Mitsch Jim and Betsy O’Connor Mr. James Paul O’Mealia ’73 and Mrs. Mindy O’Mealia Dr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Pearson Mrs. and Mr. Kathryn Penske

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Devine

Ms. Anna-Maria Pittella and Mr. Gary Carpenter

Dr. and Mrs. Melvin Feiler

Mr. and Mrs. R. Willis Post

Feldman Family

Mrs. Karen Rauch

Mr. Alfred L. Ferguson III ’50 and Mrs. Ann Ferguson

Shawn and Christine Reynolds

Mr. Larsen Hamilton Flinn ’79 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Francis Mr. Gregory Greene and Mrs. Danielle Devine Greene ’79 Mr. and Mrs. Ian Grusd Joyce and Paul Gulden Mr. Daniel Leroy Hertz, Jr.* and Mrs. Isabel Waud Hertz ’49 Mr. Eric G. Hoffman

The Riker Family Mr. William Robertson IV and Mrs. Alicia Sorensen Robertson ’57 Mr. and Mrs. Armins Rusis Toros and Siran Sahakian Mr. George H. Schildge ’52 and Mrs. Janie Schildge Ms. Anne Schultz Mr. Thomas F. Scott

Mrs. Donna Hoffman

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Scurletis

Mrs. Hans Huber

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Silbert

Mrs. Tabitha Huber

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Spector

Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Stankovits

Arnie and Catherine Joseph

The Sweely Family

Mrs. Michael Severance Joy Hauser ’58

Mr. and Mrs. Frederic W. Thomas, Sr.

Mr. Robert M. Kaye

Mrs. Carol Toolan

Mrs. and Mr. Virginia Kolb

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Torcivia

Mr. Nicholas Kourides

Rev. Tom and Mrs. Ronnie Warren

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Largey, Sr.

The Weiant Family

Mr. Robert Cutting Lawrence III ’52 and Mrs. Mary Stout Lawrence ’55

Barry and Rhonda Weiss

Phyllis Lefrak Mr. Eric Levin and Mrs. Nancy Conn-Levin Mr. and Mrs. Regis Lippert

Mr. and Mrs. William Westerfield Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Whalen Mr. and Mrs. R. V. Whisnand Dr. Eric Wolman

The Lynch Family

Anonymous (2)

Mr. William Luby and Mrs. Eileen O’Hern Luby

* Deceased

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7.1.19–6.30.20

CURRENT AND PAST TRUSTEES Mrs. Nikki Alpert

Mr. Daniel Leroy Hertz, Jr. *

Mr. James T. O’Connor

Mr. Charles Ryan

Mr. Robert L. Boyle

Mrs. Tabitha Huber

Mr. James Paul O’Mealia ’73

Mrs. Siran Sahakian

Mr. and Mrs. Francis S. Branin, Jr.

Mrs. Michael Severance Joy Hauser ’58

Mrs. Jane Orr

Mr. Jesse W. Spector ’95

Mrs. Jennifer Steiner Crowell ’88

Mr. John Ketterer III

Mr. Stephen Padovano

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Spector

Mr. Jeffrey Cruz

Mr. John Leibee

Thomas S. Pearson Ph.D.

Mrs. Terry Stankovits

Mrs. Denise B. Devine

Mrs. Eileen O’Hern Luby

Mrs. Kathryn Penske

Mr. Gordon G. Sweely

Mr. J. Hugh Devlin*

Mr. Dennis P. Lynch, Jr.

Ms. Anna-Maria Pittella

Mrs. Denise Thomas

Mr. John H. Devlin, Jr. ’83

Dr. Donald Arthur Macdonald, Jr.

Mr. Corey Popham

Mr. Joseph Torcivia

Mr. Alfred L. Ferguson III ’50

Mrs. Susan Magee

Mrs. Suzanne Rekate Post

Mr. Michael Walker

Mr. Peter Francis

Mrs. Kristen Masserio

Mrs. Adrianne Raphalian

Mr. R. V. Whisnand

Ms. Jayne Geiger

Mr. Gregory Melconian

Mrs. Karen Rauch

Mr. Todd Whitenack

Mrs. Donna Gibson

Mrs. Debbie Menkowitz

Mr. James Reid

Dr. Eric Wolman

Mrs. Victoria Gmelich

Mr. Henry D. Mercer, Jr.

Mr. Carl Reiss ’83

Mrs. Danielle Devine Greene ’79

Mr. Gregory Mitsch

Mr. Shawn Reynolds

Mr. Paul Immo Gulden, Jr. ’56

Mrs. Jennifer Hurtt Mullins ’85

Mr. William Robertson IV

* Deceased

Board members enjoying the RCDS experience on Trustees Day

15

7.1.19–6.30.20

ALUMNI GIVING Class of 1939

Class of 1952

Class of 1959

Class of 1968

Barbara Potts

Jonathan Dewey Blake

Frederick W. Brickenkamp

Bob Latta

Robert Cutting Lawrence III

Alfred Pearce Ilch, Jr.

Maury Bowers Mangan

John Pitts

Niels Mercer Johnsen

George Schildge

Cynthia Russell Shultz

Class of 1969

Class of 1953

Class of 1960

Sarah Suzanne Somerville

David Blake

Susan Boyd Blanchard

Class of 1942 Gertrude Mertens Goff Paul C. Lambert

Class of 1944 Sarah Gamwell Cochrane Isabelle Haskell de Tomaso

Class of 1947 Marshall Van Winkle

Class of 1948 Arthur Gibb, Jr. Hans Anthony Huber*

Class of 1949 David Dickson Shelley Dwight Emery Isabel Waud Hertz William Van Winkle

Class of 1950 Alfred Ferguson III John P. Harkrader, Jr.

Class of 1951 Beverley Waud Sutherland

Stephen Clarke

Class of 1970

Fredericka Buff Pitts*

Class of 1961

Sarah Winmill Shebesta

Charles Dudley Daly II

Leigh Beattie Siebert

Class of 1954

Ronald Schildge

G. Peter McCurrach Suzanne Moorhead Spencer

Class of 1962

Class of 1955

Kingsley C. Norris II

Mary Stout Lawrence

John Burnett Russell III

Florence Timolat Short

Janice Clarke

Class of 1972 Joanne S. Barker

Class of 1973 Leveritt Gridley James O’Mealia

Class of 1963

Mark Winmill

Class of 1956

George L. Carey

Anonymous (1)

Penelope Pearse Buzby

Darrell Harvey

Paul Immo Gulden, Jr.

George W. C. McCarter

A. Sheffield Tulp

Katherine Lobdell Norris

Class of 1957

Class of 1965

Alicia Sorensen Robertson

Ellen Mary Boyd

Class of 1958

Class of 1966

Richard Nelson Boyd

Stephanie Severance McCarter

Frederick Knight Burt

Robert McCarter

Stephanie Pearse Hurtt Michael Severance Joy Hauser

16

Mitchell Smith

Class of 1974 Dexter Lyon Strong Thomas Winmill

Class of 1975 James Webb Carpenter, Jr.

Class of 1977 Daniel Eric Kremens M.D. Jennifer Slingluff Robinson * Deceased

Your Gifts at Work

Creating a More Colorful World The Arts The RCDS Arts Program provides both visual and performing outlets for students to express themselves creatively and develop and practice the non-cognitive skills and qualities that are strong predictors of success in life.

The Show Must Go On(line): Virtual Arts Festival Showcases Student Talents

“

“At RCDS, we take a hands-on approach to learning music.

Students begin exploring music in Early Childhood and continue through their Upper School years. Students are doing more than just talking about music; they are immersed in creating it.

This experiential process is what makes the arts at RCDS so special.”

— Amanda Weiss, Music Teacher

Productions like “The Great Invention Convention” and “The Greatest Showman” Encourage Students to Dream Big

Nature Inspires Student Artists

17

7.1.19–6.30.20

ALUMNI GIVING Class of 1978

Jennifer Hurtt Mullins

Jay Penske

Janetje Chayes Peterson

Sarah Ellwood Opler

John Thomas Rudy

Penelope Wood Wiener

Class of 1986

Class of 1995

Kerin O’Malley Hanson

Kathryn Penske Hall

Class of 1979

Eric Hsia

Jesse Spector

Class of 2011

William Joel Barrett, Jr.

Meg Lieberman

Larsen Hamilton Flinn

Dennis P. Lynch, Jr.

Class of 1996

Vincent LaBarbara

Danielle Devine Greene

Robert Andrew Moll

Donald Arthur Macdonald III

John Ronan Luby

Class of 1998

Class of 2012

Alyssa Spector

Jordyn Carson Grusd

John Christopher Reynolds

James Robert Henderson

Class of 1980 Gregory Bilow Di Russo M.D.

Class of 1981 Edgar R. Farrington, Jr. Robert C. Lawrence IV Heidi Marie Reiss

Class of 1982 Garrett N. Crichton

Class of 1983 Derek S. DeBree John H. Devlin, Jr. James Paul Largey Kendra Lawrence M.D. James Lieberman M.D. Richard Willis Post, Jr. Carl Reiss Daniel Nelson Schildge Willard Campbell Somers, Jr. Cynthia Holzer Sparr M.D.

Class of 1984 Donald Devine Anonymous (1)

Class of 1985 Christopher Carton Bradley Todd Davis David P. Devlin Sean Timothy Lawson

18

Class of 1987 Jane Schluter Sarah Stewart Lucien Gex Webb Anonymous (1)

Class of 1988 Jared Brian Ash Jennifer Steiner Crowell Jana Laine Davis

Class of 1989 Erin Kira Brennan Sarah Devlin Devine Nicholas Gulden Christopher Toolan

Class of 1990 Dennis Scannell Devine Peter-Scott Izzo

Class of 1991 Laura Kathryn Phillips

Class of 1992 Mark Penske

Class of 1993 Eugene F. Croddick II Brian Eric Weiss M.D.

Class of 1994 Nora Rahner King

Class of 1999 Stacylyn Dewey Doore

Erin O’Hern Luby

Class of 2010 Zoe Rebecca Rosen Scurletis

Sydney Kent Grusd

Caitlin Pope Luby Eleni Rose Scurletis

James Paul O’Mealia II

Class of 2013

Christopher Torcivia

Coulston Everest Feldman

Class of 2002 Joseph Arthur Torcivia, Jr. Christina Whalen

Class of 2003

Drew Hampton Feldman Georgia Broderick Greene

Class of 2014 Alexander Karlis Rusis

Katherine O’Mealia

Class of 2015

Phyllis Mary Thangaraj

Brendan Patrick Greene

Class of 2004 Christine Marie O’Mealia Catherine Anne Torcivia Sydney Whalen

Class of 2006

Caitlin Elizabeth Hickey Andrew Robert Rusis Thomas Robertson Tsimbinos

Class of 2017 Abigail Ryan

Patrick O’Mealia

Class of 2018

Emily Lynne Torcivia

Lila Grace Greene

Class of 2007 Francis William Luby

Class of 2008 William T.S. Brooks

Class of 2009 Brennan Hanley Feldman Hunter Matthew Grusd

MaryClaire Elizabeth Hickey Jack McCarren Christopher Robertson Tsimbinos

Class of 2019 Megan Grace Alpert Lilia Caroline Rusis

Your Gifts at Work

Measuring Success Beyond the Score Athletics The RCDS no-cut after-school sports program creates an inclusive environment for studentathletes to develop life skills that help them become more successful in all their endeavors on and off the field.

RCDS Football Team Goes Undefeated

Boys and Girls Basketball Teams Both Crowned Shore Athletic League Champions

“

“I’m so proud of our athletes, some of whom were new to their sport. They committed to their team, juggled busy schedules, overcame injuries, and stepped up when they needed to. This year was particularly special to have two of our teams win their championship games – an accomplishment that has happened concurrently only twice in my 21 years of coaching at RCDS.” — Paul “Coach Campy” Campanella, RCDS Athletic Director

19

7.1.19–6.30.20

GRANDPARENT GIVING Mr.* and Mrs. Stephen Alpert

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dornbusch

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Karczynski

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Reardon

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Anderson

Mr. and Mrs. David Druckman

Mr. Robert M. Kaye

William and Jean Robertson

Ms. Nicola Baker

Ms. Betsy Druckman

The Klein Family

Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Ross

Mr. Kenneth Bennett

Dr. and Mrs. John Evans

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kohl

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Roth

Dr. and Mrs. Alan Bilanin

Mr. Herbert S. Falkenberg

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kristol

Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Schnier

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bird

Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Fallon Mrs. Estelle Fauci

Mr. Robert Cutting Lawrence III ’52 and Mrs. Mary Stout Lawrence ’55

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Silk

Mr. Craig Bonett Ralph and Patti Boniello

Dr. and Mrs. Melvin Feiler

Mr. and Mrs. Micheal Lord

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Spector

Mrs. Gloria Boorujy

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Finnegan

Steven and Jane Brainard

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Fischer

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Broberg

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Garach

Mrs. Medora Brookfield

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gillespie

Ms. Mara H. Browndorf

Mr.* and Mrs. Charles Guariglia

Ms. Cindy Cady

Joyce and Paul Gulden

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Caputo

Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hansen

Mrs. Fred Carroll

Ms. Elizabeth Herman

Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Chavez

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hlatky

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Cohen

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Hoffman

Mr. and Mrs. Cyril DeMeulemeester

Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Devine

Mr. Anthony Iannacone

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Page

Mr. and Mrs. Myron Dickstein

Mr. Barry Jacobson and Ms. Vicki Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Pauley Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Prager

Bob and Patty Dohrenwend

Jean and Scott Bridge Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. James Ray

Mr.* and Mrs. J. Hugh Devlin

20

Ms. Margaret Hylan

Ms. Virginia Loughlin Ms. Jean Matzinger Dr. and Mrs. Elliot Menkowitz Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mergenthaler Mr. and Mrs. Richard Moore Mr. and Mrs. John Morrongiello Mrs. Nancy Mulheren Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mullins Mr. and Mrs. Jim Newton Ms. Joan O’Connor Mr. Gary Oakley Mrs. Dorothy Olivieri

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sorokolit Mr. and Mrs. Jason Spiro Ms. Phylis Spitz Mrs. Carol Toolan Mr. and Mrs. Camille Trepanier Dr. and Mrs. Robert Trudel John and Helene Tsimbinos Mr. and Mrs. John Van Syckel Mr. and Mrs. Neil Veenis Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wachtel Mr. and Mrs. George Weiss Mr. and Mrs. Jack Weiss Diane and Gerald Wendel Mr. Steven Woodham Mr. Hans Zweerink and Ms. Betsy Wattley * Deceased

Your Gifts at Work

Fostering Social Awareness and Compassion Service Learning At RCDS, service opportunities are more than items on the well-rounded child’s checklist. Service is infused in the school culture. Students regularly participate in meaningful, hands-on activities that support others and local community programs.

Students Sing Carols and Distribute Gift Bows to Shoppers at The Grove

Eighth-grader Spearheads Halloween Candy Drive to Benefit Holiday Express

Bake Sale Raises over $5K to Benefit The Joy Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

“

“Our students have shared their kindness in every grain of rice, their sense of responsibility with every bean, and they did all of this with respect for the people in our community.” — Amy Clark, RCDS Teacher and Service Learning Coordinator

RCDS Community Collects Over Two Tons of Rice and Beans for Crop Walk

21

7.1.19–6.30.20

CURRENT AND FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF GIVING Sarah Ahmadi

Sara Diaz

Nikki Johnson

Melissa Petersen

Mark T Aymar

Natalie Diehl

Liz Kelleher

Cheryl Podmajersky

Patrick Angeloni

Susan Drucker

Robert Kelly

Suzanne Retake Post

Michael Bair

Missy Falkenberg

Anne Kerr

Aline Ronzier

Wilfredo Barahona

Lisa Fallon

Alana Kirman

Joy Santangelo

Lucy Bogdon

Mark Fallone

Virginia S. Kolb

Lauren Bowler

Linda Feeny

William L. Lamb

Thomas F. Scott

Erin Kira Brennan ’89

Dana Feldman

Michael LeCardi

Jeff Brown

Lou Ferraro

Susan Leslie

Louis Calvarese

Stephen Gaetano Ph.D.

Virginie Ligot

Alexandra Campanella

Jayne Geiger

Jennifer Littman

Erin Campanella

Anthony Greco

Kevin Lovgren

Lynn Campanella

Jennifer Grolemund

Donald Arthur Macdonald III ’96

Paul Campanella

Jessica Goski

Tara Malia

Jayne S. Carmody

Valerie Guerrero

Robert Malone

Manuel Castro

Lori Hohenleitner

Michael Mannino

Shanyn Champeau

Nancy Holodak Ph.D.

Casey McChesney

Erin Chiaravalloti

Brandon R. Horner

Lorraine McEvoy

Patricia Weiss

Carolyn Child

Cara Horner

Shayne McKinsey Ph.D.

Dylan Wellner

Amy Clark

Sarah Houde

Linda Messa

Tracey Wetmore

Bennett Coleman

Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

Carolyn Mulholland

Michael White

Carly Conley

Anthony Iannacone

Ann Murdock

Dakota Woodham

Jennifer Cosgrove

Nancy Johnson

Karen Norton

Tristan Young

22

Linda Schottland Michelle Silbert Leeanne Staveley Brian Stolowski Diana Stumberger Susan Stypa Amy Tilmont Mauricio Toledo Jeffrey Utz Amanda Weiss

Your Gifts at Work

Keeping Our Community Connected Traditions such as family-style dining, the buddy program, 8th grade carnival, and class day strengthen our core values, create lasting memories, and make an impact on our students, faculty, and families long after they leave RCDS.

Trustees Join Students for Family-Style Dining

“

4th Graders Support Buddies at the Nursery Rhyme Olympic Games

“Traditions are an important part of any community.

At RCDS, they provide continuity over time. What this means is we have shared experiences for our children even if they’re not in school at the same time. One good example is the blessing we say before lunch, which we have said for decades and we take with us on our trips. Generations of students know it by heart, creating a unique connection that our community particularly cherishes.”

— Bill Lamb, Head of Upper School

8th Graders Bring Community Together and Raise Funds for a Class Gift at Annual Carnival 23

Your Gifts at Work

Professional Development Educators at RCDS aren’t so quick to leave the classroom after school hours. Your support provides opportunities throughout the school year for our educators to collaborate, investigate, and discuss modern educational and child development practices that encourage innovative thinking and promote growth within the RCDS community.

“

“You have to have a willingness to experiment.

And of course, accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes. We learn from them. [Spring 2020] has been a period of incredible professional growth for a lot of us, myself included.”

— Jeff Utz, Technology Coordinator

24

Your Gifts at Work

Health and Wellness: Taking Care of Ourselves and Others Health and Wellness RCDS strives to create a safe learning environment that meets the needs of the whole child with an emphasis on socialemotional learning, health, and wellness. Our faculty, school nurse, and school psychologist collaborate with the school administration and partner with our community, families, students, and other members of the health care community to advocate for student health and wellbeing.

“

“ When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘We’ even ‘Illness’ becomes ‘Wellness.’”

— Nurse Kerr

Nurse Anne Kerr and School Psychologist Dr. McKinsey Launch Virtual Wellness Offices

RCDS alumna and Best-Selling Author Dr. Carol Penn ’72 Leads Mindfulness Exercise at Upper School Assembly 25

7.1.19–6.30.20

VITAE DISCE The Rumson Country Day School would like to thank all the members of the Vitae Disce Society who have supported Annual Giving for five or more consecutive years.

25 YEARS OR MORE Mr. Clifford Anderson Ms. Joanne S. Barker ’72 Mr. Jonathan Dewey Blake ’52 and Mrs. Elizabeth Blake Mr. David Haven Blake ’53 Mr. Richard Nelson Boyd ’58

Mr. William Luby and Mrs. Eileen O’Hern Luby

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Elsas

Mr. Nicholas Crowell and Mrs. Jennifer Steiner Crowell ’88

Mr. G. Peter M. McCurrach ’54 and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth McCurrach

Mr. and Mrs. David Feldman Mr. Coulston Feldman ’13

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cruz

Mr. Drew Feldman ’13

Mr. Charles D. Daly II ’61

Mr. Brennan Feldman ’09

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Eckert

Mr. Larsen Hamilton Flinn ’79

Mr. Alfred L. Ferguson III ’50 and Mrs. Ann Ferguson

Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Mercer, Jr. Mr. Thomas F. Mullins IV and Jennifer Hurtt Mullins ’85 Kingsley C. ’62 and Katherine L. ’63 Norris

Mr. Arthur Gibb, Jr. ’48 Mr. and Mrs. Justin Gmelich

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gibson

Mr. James Paul O’Mealia ’73 and Mrs. Mindy O’Mealia

Ms. Kathleen Kamatani

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Hackett

Mr. John Ketterer III

Mrs. Michael Severance Joy Hauser ’58

Mr. Frederick W. Brickenkamp ’59

Mr. Edmond Opler and Mrs. Sarah Ellwood Opler ’85

Mr. James Paul Largey ’83

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jarck

Vivian and Fred Burt

Mr. and Mrs. R. Willis Post

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carmody

Dr. Daniel Erik Kremens M.D. ’77 and Ms. Stephanie Thier

Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Reynolds

Dr. Kendra Stout Lawrence ’83 and Dr. P. Davis Smith

Mr. James Webb Carpenter, Jr. ’75 and Mrs. Kristine L. Juster

Dr. Edward Lieberman

Mr. and Mrs. John Leibee

Mr. William Robertson IV and Mrs. Alicia Sorensen Robertson ’57

Ann Marie and Dennis Lynch

Mr. and Mrs. David Long

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Mitsch

Mr. Francis William Luby ’07

Mr. George H. Schildge ’52 and Mrs. Janie Schildge

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Orr

Miss Erin O’Hern Luby ’09

John D. Pitts ’52

Ms. Ellen Mary Boyd ’65 Mr. Robert L. Boyle, Jr. ’75 and Mrs. Tracy Boyle Mr. and Mrs. Francis S. Branin, Jr.

Mr. Bradley Todd Davis ’85 Miss Jana Laine Davis ’88

Cynthia Russell Shultz ’59

Mrs. Ann Ellis Powel ’35

Drs. Federigo and Suzanne Magherini

Mr.* and Mrs. J. Hugh Devlin

Will Somers ’83

Mr. and Mrs. James Reid

Mr. and Mrs. James Masserio

Mr. David P. Devlin ’85 and Mrs. Karin Devlin

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Spector

Mrs. Cornelia Reiss ’56 and Mr. Theodore J. Reiss

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McCarren

Mr. Carl Reiss ’83 and Mrs. Anne Reiss

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Monte

Mr. Dennis Scannell Devine ’90 and Mrs. Sarah Devlin Devine ’89

Mr. Gregory Greene and Mrs. Danielle Devine Greene ’79 Mr. John P. Harkrader Jr. ’50 and Mrs. Carla Harkrader Mr. Darrell Harvey ’63 and Mrs. Robin Harvey Mr. James Robert Henderson ’79 and Mrs. Carol Henderson

Mrs. Suzanne Spencer ’54 and Mr. H. Allen Spencer Mrs. Beverley Waud Sutherland ’51 Mr. A. Sheffield Tulp ’56 and Mrs. Debra Tulp Mr. Marshall Van Winkle III ’47 and Mrs. Brenda Van Winkle*

Toros and Siran Sahakian Mr. Daniel Nelson Schildge ’83 and Ms. Jennifer Schildge Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Scurletis

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Melconian Mr. and Mrs. Steve Page Dr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Pearson Mr. and Mrs. Brian Petersen Mr. Robert Peterson and Mrs. Janetje Chayes Peterson ’78

Mr. Lucien Gex Webb ’87 and Mrs. Christina Gulden Webb

Mr. Rodney W. Jester and Ms. Sarah Suzanne Somerville ’69

The Weiant Family

Mr. Jesse W. Spector ’95 and Mrs. Maryam Spector

Mr. Richard Willis Post, Jr. ’83 and Mrs. Jennifer Post

Mrs. Penelope P. Wood-Wiener ’78 and Mr. Philippe Wiener

Ms. Barbara H. B. Potts ’39

Mr. William Harold Hyatt, Jr. and Mrs. Karen Detweiler Hyatt ’56

Mr. Mark Campbell Winmill ’73 and Mr. Thomas Bassett Winmill ’70 and Mrs. Mary Christine Winmill via The Thanksgiving Foundation

Dr. Eric Wolman

The Riker Family

Mrs. Joan Iler

Ms. Sarah Starr Winmill ’74

10-14 YEARS

Mr. Daniel Leroy Hertz, Jr.* and Mrs. Isabel Waud Hertz ’49 Mr. Hans Anthony Huber ’48* Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

Mr. and Mrs. R. V. Whisnand

Mr. Niels Mercer Johnsen ’59 and Mrs. Marlene Johnsen

15-24 YEARS

Mr. Charles H. Jones, Jr. and Mrs. Hope Haskell Jones ’48

Mr. Jared Brian Ash ’88 and Mrs. Amy Ash

Mr. Robert M. Kaye

Mrs. Ruth Barker

Mr. Paul C. Lambert ’42 and Mrs. Mary Lambert

Mr. Robert L. Boyle

Mr. Robert Cutting Lawrence III ’52 and Mrs. Mary Stout Lawrence ’55 Mr. Robert C. Lawrence IV ’81 and Mrs. Gerri Gussin Lawrence Dr. James Andrew Lieberman ’83 and Mrs. Elizabeth Lieberman Mr. and Mrs. Regis Lippert

26

Mr. Eugene F. Croddick II ’93 and Mrs. Nicole Croddick Mrs. Isabelle Haskell de Tomaso ’44 Deutsche Bank Americas Foundations Mr. John H. Devlin, Jr. ’83 and Mrs. Elizabeth Devlin

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alpert Mr.* and Mrs. Stephen Alpert

Mr. and Mrs. Corey Popham

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Raphalian Mr. and Mrs. William Robertson Mr. and Mrs. Armins Rusis Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ryan

Mr. Steve Aronne and Ms. Sarah Ahmadi

Dr. and Mrs. Carl Senft

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Baret

Mr. and Mrs. Frederic W. Thomas, Sr.

Jason and Heather Bilanin

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Sheftel

Mrs. Susan Blanchard ’60 and Mr. Arthur Blanchard

John and Helene Tsimbinos

Mr. William T. S. Brooks ’08 Mrs. Fred Carroll

Mr. David Turkaly and Mrs. Megan Gula

Mr. Christopher Carton ’85 and Mrs. Sladjana Carton

Mr. Eric Wachtel and Dr. Heather McMullen

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Chavez

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walker

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Tsimbinos

“

Your Gifts at Work

“The unwavering annual commitment the Vitae Disce families have made to RCDS over decades is truly remarkable. To me, their continued support signifies and pays tribute to the important role RCDS played in their earliest educational foundations.”

— Missy Falkenberg, Director of Development and Alumni Relations

5-9 YEARS

Mrs. Lisa Fallon

Dr. and Mrs. Russell Ashinoff

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Fallone

Mr. Donald Arthur Macdonald III ’96 and Ms. Kathleen Connelly

Mr. and Mrs. Levon Baghdassarian

Mr. and Mrs. John Feeny

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Malia

Mr. Richard Short and Mrs. Florence Timolat Short ’55

Mr. and Mrs. David Bedoya

Ms. Dana Feldman

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mannino

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Silbert

Mr. and Mrs. P. Douglas Bird

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Finnegan

Mr. and Mrs. Brett Marcus

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Simon

Mr. and Mrs. William Bogdon

Mrs. Gertrude M. Goff ’42

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Maroney

Cynthia Holzer Sparr ’83

Mr. and Mrs. Colin Bradley

Miss Georgia Broderick Greene ’13

Dr. and Mrs. Mark Martens

Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Stankovits

Steven and Jane Brainard

Mr. Brendan Patrick Greene ’15

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Marturano

Mr. Hunter Matthew Grusd ’09

Ms. Casey McChesney

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stepanski

Ms. Erin Kira Brennan ’89 Valerie Brett and Rodney Gardner

Miss Jordyn Carson Grusd ’12

Mrs. Lorraine McEvoy

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Brown

Miss Sydney Kent Grusd ’11

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cady

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harmon

Dr. Shayne McKinsey and Mr. Dan Champeau

Mr. Louis Calvarese

Mr. and Mrs. Sean Hickey

Dr. and Mrs. Marc Menkowitz

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Campanella

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hlatky

Dr. and Mrs. Elliot Menkowitz

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Campanella

Mr. and Mrs. Jon P. Hoffman

Robert Moll ’86

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Campanella

Ms. Lori Hohenleitner

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Murdock

Mr. George L. Carey ’63

Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Horner

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cerussi

Mr. Eric Hsia ’86

Mr. Richard Nimoh and Ms. Belinda Nti

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Child Mr. and Mrs. Vito Chiaravalloti Mr. and Mrs. Jay Clark Lolly Clarke ’62 Dr. and Mrs. Jason Cohen Mr. Javier Cook and Ms. Mediatrix Rabo Mr. and Mrs. Michael Criscola Mr. Colin Day and Ms. Heather Burke Dr. Gregory Bilow Di Russo ’80 and Dr. Roseann Di Russo

Dr. and Mrs. Donald Seiler

Mr. Brian P. Stolowski Mr. and Mrs. Darren Stumberger Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sullivan Ms. Phyllis Mary Thangaraj ’03 Mr. and Mrs. Louis Tilmont Mr. and Mrs. Mauricio Toledo Mr. and Mrs. Michael Trudel Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Utz

Mr. Anthony Iannacone

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Norton

Mr. William Van Winkle ’49 and Mrs. Beverly Van Winkle

Mr. Peter-Scott Izzo ’90 and Ms. Marian Lapide

Mr. Gary Oakley

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Olivieri

Greg and Beth Weiss

Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson

Mrs. Dorothy Olivieri

Ms. Amanda Weiss

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Padovano

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Whitenack

Mr. and Mrs. William Keenan

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Paulus

Mr. and Mrs. Roderick Kerr

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Prager

Mr. Hans Zweerink and Ms. Betsy Wattley

Mr. Kenny King and Mrs. Nora Rahner King ’94

Todd and Michelle Prager

Anonymous (8)

Mr. and Mrs. James Kirman Mr. and Mrs. Gene Kolb

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Puma Heidi M. Reiss ’81

Ms. Sara Diaz

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Lacey

Mr. Patrick Robinson and Mrs. Jennifer Slinghuff Robinson ’77

Mr. David M. Dickson ’49 and Mrs. Nancy Dickson

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Lamb

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rodrigues

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Largey

Ms. Aline Ronzier

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Diehl

Bob Latta ’68

Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Rubin

Mr. and Mrs. William Dinger

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Leahy

Mr. Alexander Karlis Rusis ’14

Mr. and Mrs. Domenic DiPiero

Phyllis Lefrak

Ms. Joy Santangelo

Mr. and Mrs. William Dockery

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leslie

Ms. Anne Schultz

Mr. and Mrs. James Drucker

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Littman

Mr. Thomas F. Scott

Shelley Dwight Emery ’49

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Loughlin

Miss Eleni Rose Scurletis ’12

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Factor

Mr. John Ronan Luby ’11

Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Fallon

Miss Caitlin Pope Luby ’12

Miss Zoe Rebecca Rosen Scurletis ’10

Mr. and Mrs. James Kostulias

* Deceased

27

Your Gifts at Work

Alumni, Stronger Than Ever A WORD FROM OUR GATOR GRADS “My teachers were top caliber all the way through my academic career starting with RCDS. RCDS provided me with the academic framework I needed to be successful. These tools gave me a leg up as I continued my studies at Groton, Dartmouth, and the University of Montana.”

— Tom Bansak ’87 Tom Bansak ’87 is now the Associate Director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station specializing in river ecology. Over the last two decades, Tom has led scientific and recreational expeditions across Montana, Idaho, Southeast Alaska, and British Columbia as both a guide and researcher.

“I received a strong educational foundation from RCDS. It fueled my love of science. I felt extremely well prepared in all my subjects. I felt challenged in a good way and was able to take 12 AP classes in high school.”

— Phyllis Mary Thangaraj ’03 Phyllis Mary Thangaraj ’03 recently completed an eight-year MD, Ph.D program during which she developed a method using machine learning to incorporate electronic health record data into genetic studies of stroke.

Graduate of: The Ranney School (Salutatorian), Yale University, Columbia University’s Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies

Graduate of: Groton School, Dartmouth College, University of Montana

BEGIN HERE. GO ANYWHERE.

Where in the world are RCDS alumni now?

For over 90 years, RCDS graduates have matriculated at some of the finest colleges in the country.

Here is a selection of college matriculations for the Class of 2015 and Class of 2016: Boston College Brown University Bucknell University Clemson University Colgate University

Nazareth College

Tufts University

Georgetown University

New York University

Tulane University

Northeastern University

The University of Chicago

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Cornell University

Indiana University Bloomington

Dartmouth College

Ithaca College

Denison University

Lafayette College

Dickinson College

Loyola University Maryland

Drexel University

28

Franklin and Marshall College

Duke University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Emory University

Middlebury College

Fordham University

Monmouth University

Penn State University Princeton University Purdue University Rutgers University – New Brunswick

University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Richmond University of Virginia

Salve Regina University

Vanderbilt University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Villanova University

Syracuse University The Citadel The Savannah College of Art and Design

Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University William & Mary

“One of my fondest memories at RCDS was being able to sit down every day to a family-style lunch and talk to a teacher or students I wouldn’t normally interact with. Being able to have those social interactions outside of the classroom taught me things that I’m certain I would not have learned in other school environments. The whole RCDS experience is irreplaceable.”

— Kristen Sikora ’06 Kristen Sikora ’06 recently accepted a Senior Analytical Chemist position at CytoSorbents, a medical device company involved in blood purification therapies.

Graduate of: Middletown South High School, Pittsburgh University, University of Massachusetts

“At RCDS, we were always encouraged to speak up and ask questions. It’s a big deal when you are a young student, to have teachers really listen and treat you with respect. I felt as if my teachers cared, which gave me confidence when speaking my own mind.”

— Teny Sahakian ’09 Teny Sahakian ’09 is the Associate Producer for Fox News Digital, where she has embraced the opportunity to pitch stories, film segments, and write news content that is posted online.

Graduate of: The Peddie School, Villanova University

Submit class news to www.rcds.org/submitnews

“The reason I am where I am today has a lot to do with my teachers at RCDS. They allowed me to be super creative with my assignments and think outside of the box as long as I met the requirements. That sort of encouragement, to be weird and approach a subject from an unexpected angle, stayed with me through college and into my career.”

— Angelina Lippert ’99 Angelina Lippert ’99 is now the Chief Curator at Poster House in NYC, which recently gained recognition from the New York Times for its refreshing museum content alternative.

Graduate of: Miss Porter’s School, Smith College, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London

“Debate has always helped me with my presentations, writing, and research and I had my first experience with it in 6th grade at RCDS. I believe it is so important for people on different sides of an issue to be able to speak about what they believe. Debate allows students to understand the opposing point of view, and during times of such division, it can help bridge the great divide in our nation.”

— Shane Schechter ’17 Shane Schechter ’17 will be attending Cornell University this fall. He was awarded the Physics Outstanding Achievement Award and Chief Petty Officer for outstanding leadership at his high school.

Shane is also Founder and President of The M.A.S.T. Debate Club, a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society.

Senior at: Marine Academy of Science and Technology

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FROM THE PARENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT “This school year brought a unique set of circumstances, but it also delivered an opportunity for the Rumson Country Day School to shine. Our community’s commitment to safety, while maintaining our curriculum and traditions, was on display each and every day.

Through a tremendous amount of collaboration and sheer grit, our little school accomplished some big things.

The Parent Council certainly had to approach this year differently, foregoing our traditional in-person events like Gator Ball and Whale of a Sale. Instead, we concentrated on sociallydistanced events like virtual cooking classes and yoga sessions, outdoor play events, food and coat drives, and faculty and staff appreciation days. The scope and set-up of these events may have been different than in years past, but the outcome was still the same. Our community continued to come together — learning, laughing, and building relationships.

Our entire school community deserves recognition for the obstacles that they overcame this year. The foresight of the Board, the determination of the faculty and staff, the commitment of our parents, and the resiliency of our students have made this year a success.

All of these groups working together reminds me of what a truly special place this School is and how I am so grateful to be a part of it.”

Meghann Marturano, Parent Council President 2019-2021

Parent Council Executive Committee 19-20 President Meghann Marturano Vice President Pam Lacey Treasurer Shannon Trudel Assistant Treasurer Melanie Besculides Secretary Eileen Leahy Upper School Liaison Pamela Martens Lower School Liaison Ginny Moore Primary School Liaison Barbara Keenan

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7.1.19–6.30.20

CASINO NIGHT SUPPORTERS Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alpert

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Maroney

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson

Ms. Missy Falkenberg and Mr. Geoffrey Ray

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Atanacio

Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Fallon

Mr. and Mrs. Levon Baghdassarian

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Faustini

Peter and Meghann Marturano

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Baret

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Finnegan

Mr. and Mrs. David Bedoya

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Fischer

Mrs. Allison Beggans

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fleming

The Bertz Family

Lee and TriciaFrankenfield

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bovo

French Market

Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett Bruhn

Ms. Jayne Geiger and Mr. Jim Rogers

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Buchner Bungalow Road Buy and Sell with Mario Canyon Pass Provisions Carton Brewing Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Carton IV Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cerussi Mr. and Mrs. Brian Chin Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Clarke Clementine Studios, LCC Mr. and Mrs. Eric Cohen Dr. and Mrs. Jason Cohen Ms. Bennett Coleman

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gibson Mr. and Mrs. David Goldsmith Mr. Nicholas Gulden ’89 and Mrs. Emily Gulden Mr. and Mrs. Sean Hickey Dr. Nancy Holodak Mr. and Mrs. R. Chris Jones Mr. and Mrs. Michael Karczynski Mr. and Mrs. William Keenan

Pamela and Mark Martens Mr. and Mrs. James Masserio Mr. and Mrs. Tim McCooey Mr. and Mrs. Rich McHugh Dr. and Mrs. Marc Menkowitz Merchant Advocate Mr. and Mrs. Donald Morse MRC Inc. Mr. Thomas F. Mullins IV and Jennifer Hurtt Mullins ’85 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicolosi Mr. Edwin Oels One River School Mrs. Stacy O’Neil Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Orr Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Paulus Perspirology

Eva and J. Ryan Kelly

Mr. and Mrs. Corey Popham

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Khatri

Brian and Adrianne Raphalian

Mr. Kenny King and Mrs. Nora Rahner King ’94

Raven and The Peach

Mr. and Mrs. James Kirman

Mr. Carl Reiss ’83 and Mrs. Anne Reiss

Kreizer Law

Mr. and Mrs. David Reni

Mr. and Mrs. David Kreizer

River Road Books

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Lacey

Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Rubin

Mr. David P. Devlin ’85 and Mrs. Karin Devlin

Mr. and Mrs. John Leibee

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leslie

Salt Design Company

Mr. and Mrs. William Dockery

Ms. Virginie Ligot

Ms. Joy Santangelo

Mr. and Mrs. David Druckman

Mr. and Mrs. David Long

Seastreak America Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Eby

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Loughlin

Dr. and Mrs. Carl Senft

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Eckert

Mrs. and Mr. Stacy Lyle

Siciliano Landscape Company

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Elsas

Mr. and Mrs. Brett Marcus

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Silk

Mr. Nicholas Crowell and Mrs. Jennifer Steiner Crowell ’88 Mr. and Mrs. Jared Daniels Mr. Dennis Scannell Devine ’90 and Mrs. Sarah Devlin Devine ’89

Mr. John Peter Skirkanich II ’97 and Mrs. Alyssa Skirkanich Mr. Jesse W. Spector ’95 and Mrs. Maryam Spector Mr. and Mrs. Jason Spiro Steinhauser Family Catherine and Michael Sullivan Mr. Christopher Toolan ’89 and Mrs. Elizabeth Toolan Ms. Lisa Tortolani Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Travalja Mr. and Mrs. Michael Trudel Tumbling Dice Ursino Interiors Greg and Beth Weiss Welcome Home Tracey and Andrew Wetmore Mr. and Mrs. Todd Whitenack Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Woodham Anonymous (4)

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A Conversation with Carson T. Smith

This summer, Carson Smith, his wife, Amy, and their three children said goodbye to life in New England and moved into their new home on the campus of The Rumson Country Day School.

Carson, who brings impressive experience as a teacher, administrator, and educational leader to RCDS, accepted the position as the ninth Head of School last fall. The decision came following a comprehensive eight-month search process and a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. Carson officially took his post on July 1 and his children, Kathryn, Huntting, and Margaret, began the seventh, fifth, and first grades at RCDS in September.

Carson, before coming to RCDS, you led the Middle Division at Thayer Academy for a decade. What is your approach to leadership?

I’m somebody who likes to get to know every student in the School, and not just by name. I enjoy what I do obviously, and truly believe I have the best job in the world, because I have the privilege to come to school with enthusiastic students every day. No matter what I do as Head of School, I’m still going to want to interact with the students. When I was a division head, I always coached. I taught history. That will have to change a little bit as I take on this role for the first time. But I’m somebody who is going to be present every single day. I’ll be in classrooms. I’ll be at games. I’ll be at plays and concerts. It sounds a little bit corny, but this is more than a job. It’s a way of life, and living on campus and engaging with the community is really 32

how my family and I have chosen to live.

As far as faculty and parents, I think I’m transparent. I am always willing to tell people what I think. Sometimes I don’t have the answer, and I’m perfectly capable of admitting that.

I try to be humble, and honest and open with people.

“ I have the best job in the world because I have the privilege to come to school with enthusiastic students every day.”

When did you know you wanted to become an educator?

It was after I graduated from college.

I had planned on working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the FBI. I’d actually interviewed to become a U.S. Marshal. But I had a friend who taught at a little school in New Hampshire.

We’d just graduated college and I visited.

It was an idyllic New England fall day and we were walking around. Students were playing basketball around a hoop nailed to a barn, and I started to remember my own boarding school days. I fell in love with the idea of being a teacher and applied for every job under the sun until I got a chance to teach at Waterville Valley Academy.

That was the start for me.

When you interviewed for this position, what did you see at RCDS that you found unique or especially appealing?

One thing I like about RCDS is its appreciation and adherence to tradition.

Earlier in my career I taught at Cardigan Mountain School, which was an unapologetically traditional place.

I think the two schools share some similarities in that this boarding school had an honor code that reminds me of The Four Pillars at RCDS. Having a clear set of values that adults and students understand, appreciate and practice, is very appealing to me. Schools that embrace who they are — and don’t try to be all things to all people — that appeals to me as well.

The N-8 model is also an aspect of RCDS that I’m very excited about. I’ve never worked at an N-8 school before.

My background is in middle school.

When I worked at a 5-12 independent school, the middle school students were always trying to get to the upper school; they couldn’t wait to get across the street to the upper school. It’s healthy, I think, for eighth graders here at RCDS and other N-8 schools, to become leaders. To not be too anxious to get somewhere else, but to enjoy the time they have here and enjoy the opportunities they worked toward in terms of traditions, trips, and leadership.

Any little known facts about yourself that you’d like to share?

I’m a big skateboarder. People don’t guess that. I putt around, don’t do tricks anymore. I had a skateboarding club at Thayer. We used our collaborative design lab to make skateboards that the students would paint, decorate, and all that good stuff. I’m excited about the wood shop here.

Your Gifts at Work

Stronger Together RCDS Community Spreads Cheer During COVID-19 Crisis As the coronavirus pandemic forced a number of restrictions on our daily lives, there was no limit to how The Rumson Country Day School community spread positivity and supported others in this time of need.

“

RCDS Science Labs and Woodshop Donate Protective Eye Gear to Monmouth Medical Center

“Along with our can-do spirit, RCDS’s devotion to tight-knit relationships and commitment to our four pillars – Kind, Honest, Responsible, Respectful – will continue to guide us through this challenging time.”

Students’ Genius Hour Assignment Evolves Into COVID-19 Relief Effort

RCDS Honors the Resilient Class of 2020

— Head of School Jayne Geiger

Pre-K Students Write Thank You Notes to Healthcare Workers at Jersey Shore Medical Center

RCDS Families Sew Masks, Spearhead Donation Collections, and Drive-by Parades to Help Those in Need

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Board of Trustees Delivers Peonies to Graduates as a Symbol of Honor and Good Fortune

“Each spring as your peonies blossom, recall that rain has made them grow strong and thrive as you did in the spring of 2020. May your peonies always inspire you and symbolize our bountiful wishes for prosperity, honor, good fortune, beauty, and happiness that lasts for 100 years.”

— Head of School Jayne Geiger 33

7.1.19–6.30.20

GIFTS IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF In honor of Jayne Geiger for the Endowment’s Jayne Geiger Tuition Assistance Fund Mr. and Mrs. Scott Baret Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Crowell Mr.* and Mrs. Charles Guariglia Ms. Joan Geiger Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58 Mr. and Mrs. Gene Kolb Mr. and Mrs. John Leibee Mr. and Mrs. Rich McHugh Mr. and Mrs. Steve Page Mrs. Cheryl Podmajersky Mr. Geoffrey Ray and Ms. Missy Falkenberg Mr. Carl Reiss ’83 and Mrs. Anne Reiss Mr. Jim Rogers Mr. Scott Schwadron and Ms. Sara Hylan Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stypul Mr. and Mrs. John Van Syckel Mr. Christopher Toolan ’89 and Mrs. Elizabeth Toolan Mr. Jordan Wyatt

In honor of Jayne Geiger for her 3 years of terrific service Mr. John H. Devlin Jr. ’83 and Mrs. Elizabeth Devlin

In Honor of Jayne Geiger and the entire RCDS faculty and staff Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Melconian

In honor of Head of School Jayne Geiger Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Andreski Mr. and Mrs. James Kirman Tracey and Andrew Wetmore The Whitenack Family

In honor of Grandparent Nicola Baker Ms. Judith Trepanier

In honor of staff member Manny Castro Ms. Lori Hohenleitner

In honor of grandparents Angelo and Carmen Chavez Mr. and Mrs. Martin Chavez

In honor of grandparents Ron and Geri Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Eric Cohen

In honor of staff member Lori Hohenleitner

In memory of past parent Linda Stanger

Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

In memory of alumna Fredericka Buff Pitts ’53

In memory of past trustee and past parent Mary Lou Strong

Mr. John Pitts ’52

In memory of RCDS alumna Ruth M. Reiss ’75

Rhode Island Foundation

J.L. Reiss Foundation

In memory of former Head of School Donald Sykes

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Goski

Dr. Donald Arthur Macdonald, Jr.

Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

In honor of the RCDS maintenance team

In memory of RCDS student Theodore K. Reiss

Ms. Missy Falkenberg

In honor of grandparents Bill and Jeanne Mergenthaler Mr. and Mrs. Brian Chin

J.L. Reiss Foundation Dr. Donald Arthur Macdonald, Jr.

* Deceased

Class of 1955

In honor of RCDS graduate Alastair Orr ’20 Tim and Jane Orr (Bundy Family Foundation)

In honor of grandparents Denise and Camille Trepanier Ms. Judith Trepanier

In memory of former trustee, grandparent, and parent J. Hugh Devlin Mr. John H. Devlin Jr. ’83 and Mrs. Elizabeth Devlin Mr. and Mrs. R. Willis Post

In memory of Liz, Dick, Deborah ’75, and Alex ’83 Ellwood Mr. Edmond Opler and Mrs. Sarah Ellwood Opler ’85

In memory of alumnus Tucker A. Francis ’11 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Francis

In memory of past parent Maureen Henderson Mrs. Stephanie Pearse Hurtt ’58

In memory of faculty and past parent Isabella Chernow Anonymous

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In memory of alumna Avery Poor Maher ’58

Beloved husband, father, son, and grandfather Arthur “King” Holmes Sorensen ‘55 died on August 26, 2020.

King went to Middlesex School in Concord, Mass. and was valedictorian of his class of 1959. He graduated from Williams College and NYU Law School and worked as an attorney in Atlantic Highlands.

In his younger years, King attended The Rumson Country Day School, which was founded by his cousin, Harriet Clarke, and her husband, Harold.

Mr. Clarke led RCDS from 1926 -1946 and built the School’s foundation on scholastics and the inclusion of Latin. Mrs. Clarke wrote the school song and the blessing that is still recited before family-style lunch to this day.

King, who was awarded the Trustees Prize in 1955, was a man who exemplified The Four Pillars of RCDS – Kind, Honest, Responsible, Respectful. Friends describe him as “a man of great integrity and kindness.” He will be missed beyond words.

7.1.19–6.30.20

GIFTS TO THE ENDOWMENT The Rumson Country Day School’s Endowment Funds can be compared to an individual’s savings account and investments. A strong endowment endeavors to provide a permanent source of annual revenue providing support for teachers, students, and programs. Continuing to grow our endowment affords RCDS the opportunity to both plan and fulfill strategic, long-term decisions on a solid financial foundation. Above all, perhaps, endowment means long-term security, protecting the School’s quality if enrollments temporarily decline or the economy hits a rough spot.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alpert

Mr. and Mrs. James B. Masserio

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Raphalian

Bundy Family Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Marc Menkowitz

Toros and Siran Sahakian

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Cruz

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Padovano

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Gibson

Mr. and Mrs. Corey Popham

Mr. Jesse W. Spector ’95 and Mrs. Maryam Spector

Hirair & Anna Hovnanian Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. R. Willis Post

Tim and Jane Orr Andrew and Tracey Wetmore

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Whitenack

Blake Endowment Fund Mr. Jonathan Dewey Blake ’52 and Mrs. Elizabeth Blake David Haven Blake ’53

To give to the endowment or for more information please contact Missy Falkenberg, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, mfalkenberg@rcds.org or 732-842-0527, ext. 1142.

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“James and I have watched our girls truly blossom throughout their years at RCDS, and we feel fortunate to have found a school built on a mission and pillars that are in line with our family’s values. Since the School’s inception, almost a century ago, philanthropy and volunteerism have supported the growth of the School to the place it is today. Past families have made an investment in our children. Our family alike feels it is our responsibility to “pay it forward” to future generations of children so that they too can spend their school years in a place that not only sparks intellectual creativity and critical thinking, but teaches them the importance of hard work, personal responsibility, kindness, and respect.”

— Kristen Masserio, RCDS Parent of Students from classes ’21, ’24 and ’27

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7.1.19–6.30.20

LEGACY SOCIETY The Legacy Society honors those supporters who have designated a portion of their assets in their will or through their estate planning to benefit The Rumson Country Day School. Individuals who include the School in their estate plans become members of The Rumson Country Day School Legacy Society. All names are recognized in our annual Philanthropy Report.

You can have a lasting impact on the people and organization that means so much to you!

One of the easiest gifts you can make is to name The Rumson Country Day School as a beneficiary of one of your assets, such as your retirement plan or life insurance policy.

Below is an example of the language you may use in your will.

I give, devise, and bequeath to The Rumson Country Day School, a not-for-profit organization located in Rumson, NJ, $________ or _______ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of The Rumson Country Day School to help the school continue its long-standing tradition of educational programming designed to nurture the entire child.

Please contact Missy Falkenberg, Director of Development, at 732-842-0527 ext 1142 or mfalkenberg@rcds.org for further information.

“

“At a certain point, you say it’s time to give back. Whatever your unique RCDS experience was, there is an easy way for you to now show your appreciation and to support today’s Gators. Every gift of every size makes a difference, and your participation will encourage others to do the same. Please join me today!”

SHOP RCDS SPIRIT WEAR! Visit our online School Store at www.rcds.org/gatorgear for Under Armour, Nike, and Champion t-shirts, sweatpants, fleece jackets, polos, and more.

Get 10% off with code: RCDSAR10

— Bill Van Winkle ’49

CONNECT WITH US! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay engaged with school happenings in real time.

facebook.com/rumsoncountryday

@rcdsgators

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@rumsoncds

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“RCDS has given my son the confidence to excel, and he has become a better, prepared student who advocates for himself. As a parent, what more could you ask for?

These developments in my son wouldn’t be possible without the exceptional educational experience at RCDS. Our family supports Annual Giving each year to ensure that the high caliber of programming continues to benefit all of its students.”

— Peggy Nicolosi, RCDS Parent of Student in Class of ’23

HOW TO GIVE There are numerous ways that you can make a gift in support of excellence at The Rumson Country Day School. Every donation makes a difference and is greatly appreciated!

CREDIT CARD VISA/MC/DISCOVER:

GIFTS OF SECURITIES: Gifts of common stock

Online: www.rcds.org/donate

By Phone: 732-842-0527 ext. 1142

or other securities may have added benefits to donors, such as an income tax charitable deduction and/or a capital gains tax savings. Contact the Director of Development, Missy Falkenberg, at mfalkenberg@rcds.org or 732-842-0527 ext. 1142 to receive complete transfer instructions.

CHECK/CASH BY MAIL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: The Rumson Country Day School Development Office 35 Bellevue Avenue Rumson, NJ 07760

MATCHING GIFTS: Ask your employer if it will match your personal gift — doubling or tripling your impact!

GIFTS VIA WIRE TRANSFER: Contact the Director of Development, Missy Falkenberg, at mfalkenberg@rcds.org or 732-842-0527 ext. 1142 to receive complete wire transfer instructions.