Originally posted Jan 8, 2015 12:58:00 PM
A while back we introduced a blog series featuring short stories about The Country School community and how, in the words of the school mission statement, “Encouraging close relationships among students and teachers and cooperation between home and school, we foster a feeling of family.”
This week we add some more vignettes about how we Foster a Feeling of Family at The Country School.
1: A Thank You Note from a Teacher
and an Equally Thankful Note from a Parent
Thank you for teaching. I always say if I weren't already working, I would have home schooled [my son]. The truth is, I feel blessed to have found TCS, where he has indeed been home schooled ... by the best teachers in the world.
When she returned from break, one of Teresa Sullivan’s first actions was to write the parents of her Middle School English students, thanking them for their thoughtfulness and generosity over the holiday, reminding them about the forthcoming, school-wide MacLane Poetry Recitation, the school’s oldest tradition, and sharing one of her favorite poems, “What Teachers Make” by Taylor Mali.
In her letter, Mrs. Sullivan wrote:
Dear Parents,
I thankfully and happily began my December break reading the thoughtful notes and unwrapping the generous gifts from you and your children. I appreciate not only your kindness, but also the time you took to think of me during such a busy season. For all your presents - from the monogrammed mug and yoga classes to the home-baked sweets and (much needed) skin care - I thank you.
Today we seamlessly returned to the swing of Middle School life by scouring through poetry anthologies in preparation for TCS's annual MacLane Poetry Recitation. It is in the spirit of this occasion that I share one of my favorite poems with you.
Honestly, I once had someone tell me, shortly after I had graduated from grad school, "Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” You can imagine I was beside myself! I wish I had been acquainted with Mr. Mali back then.
Happy New Year!
We appreciated both Mrs. Sullivan’s letter and Mr. Mali’s poem, but we appreciated just as much the email Mrs. Sullivan received in response. (Thank you to the parent who allowed us to share her words.)
“I have just arrived home from work, have started making some spaghetti and opened this,” the parent wrote. “You made my night.” She went on to say that Mrs. Sullivan and all of her son’s teachers “are the heart and soul of TCS, the reason that I sometimes choke back my tears … knowing he will soon graduate from the best school in the world, where the teachers care in the most special way, where children are cherished and celebrated, where children know that what they do when no one is looking matters.”
“Thank you for teaching. I always say if I weren't already working, I would have home schooled [my son]. The truth is, I feel blessed to have found TCS, where he has indeed been home schooled ... by the best teachers in the world.”
2: A Teacher is Like: Similes and Metaphors
Thank you to Willa Ridinger for sharing this story from her 8th Grade English class. While working on similes and metaphors, they came up with the following sentences. As she wrote when she shared their list, “Out of the mouths of babes ... though they are the oldest kids here @ TCS.”
- A teacher is like a coach: "because he or she always push you to your limit to make you better and because they care."
- A teacher is like a gardener: "because they plant seeds in kids' heads so the kids can grow and learn and develop in to a beautiful flower.' "
- A teacher is like a tour guide: "because they led us through our learning and all our years at school. Also they want us to learn/know as much as possible."
- A teacher is like a juggler: "because they have to handle many classes and many students."
- A teacher is like an artist: "because they are creative."
3. More Mutual Parent-Teacher Gratitude
What a treat for teachers on the first day back at school after vacation! The wonderful PTA has established a program to provide snacks for teachers once a month, generally at the first faculty meeting of the month.
This week, though, they provided an entire meal! Many thanks to Stephanie Han for delivering a delicious, healthy lunch for teachers – enormous sub sandwiches and fresh fruit. As you can see, Athletic Director Chris Wallack was a happy man!
The comments on Facebook after we posted photos were mutually grateful. “What a great idea! Our teachers are the best!” one mom wrote. “And our parents are the best!!” a teacher responded. “We are all so appreciative! Thank you!!”
4: Friends, We Come Together for a While ...
Over break, a past parent (the mom of three alumnae) sent us an "overheard" recording, reporting that it was recorded while a group of alumni (ranging from the Class of 2005 to the Class of 2014) were driving to a movie. Anyone associated with the school in recent years will, of course, recognize the "Friends Song," performed at every Lower School Meeting since former 4th Grade teacher Bob Borden wrote it many years ago.
Friends, we come together for a while,
To share a word, a song, a smile
And to celebrate a happy time,
The Wonder of a life so fine…
5: A Sweet Story from an Alumnus
We were very happy recently to hear from Ted London ’77, the winner of the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award. Ted, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, is a scholar who focuses on issues relating to the Base of the Pyramid, researching ways to combine business strategies with poverty alleviation. When we heard from him over winter break, we were discussing issues related to the school’s Alumni Association, but he also shared a sweet story.
Four years ago, when he was on campus to receive his award and speak to students, he brought along his young daughter, Meghan. At the time, we gave her a Country School sweatshirt. Recently she misplaced the sweatshirt, and Doug tells me she was thrilled with the brand new one he bought her for Christmas (similar to the ones being worn by current students and Head of School John Fixx, above). She has been wearing it ever since, he said. (For more about the sweatshirt and other items available at the school store, visitwww.tcsroost.com).
6: Honoring Her Gift for Inspiring
Collaboration and Conversation
When students and teachers returned to campus, they may have noticed a new bench in front of the Farmhouse. Installed in honor of former Head of School Laurie Bottiger, the bench recognizes her vision for bringing the community together through collaboration and conversation. The plaque pays tribute to Dr. Bottiger and her years of service and designates the space as the “Conversation Area.”
We look forward to a ribbon-cutting in the new Conversation Area when Dr. Bottiger is back in town. With the frigid temperatures and snow squalls we’re experiencing, it’s unlikely there will be much conversation taking place on the bench for the time being. But it warms us to think of the great moments we'll have on and near the bench come spring, and we're also thinking of Dr. Bottiger at Gifft Hill, her new school in warm and sunny St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands!
In this photo from the Gifft Hill Facebook page, Dr. Bottiger leads a pep talk during the Gifft Hill School Gives Back Day.
7. Older Students Modeling Good Behavior
for Younger Students
After a recent basketball game, a TCS teacher received an email from a parent. The parent told him that he had witnessed a wonderful display of good sportsmanship, and he wanted to share it with the teacher.
According to the parent, when the opposing team was at the basket for a free throw, Emmett, an 8th Grader, was positioned under the boards. He noticed that some younger boys were being a bit too noisy and distracting, and he called over to them gently and asked them to keep it down. The younger students complied.
The parent reported that Emmett made his request in a way that was respectful to the younger students and in an effort to show good sportsmanship to the other team. As the parent reported, it is moments like these that speak well of The Country School experience.
8: Giving Back to TCS:
A Great Way to Start the Birthday Celebration!
By now many members of the community will have heard of the tremendous generosity from a broad spectrum of the community during the last few days of 2014. As Head of School John Fixx wrote recently, “When two devoted families came forward to issue the ambitious ‘triple your donation’ challenge, we had no idea whether the community could successfully answer the call of raising $7,333 in 18 hours, thus earning the $20,000 total that the two families were willing to commit.”
In fact, he continued, “58 people came forward and donated a total of $26,480 in two days.” What is more, that generosity so inspired three trustees that they then donated an additional $10,050 beyond the funds already committed. And so, a total of $56,530 was contributed to The Country School over the last few days of 2014.
The generosity was extraordinary – and so was the breadth of donors who rose to the challenge. Among those who opted to answer the call were some of our most recent graduates, current parents, past parents, teachers, trustees, and alumni from years ago. What a wonderful tribute to The Country School and its mission. And what a great way to celebrate our school’s legacy as we look forward to the 60th anniversary year! Stay tuned for details about our plans to celebrate the founding of our school, which officially opened its doors in September 1955!
9: Auld Lang Syne
Each year at the Holiday Program, students engage in one of the most visible signs of family. At the end of the concert, Reading Buddies come together and stand side-by-side, linking arms to sing "Auld Lang Syne." Should auld acquaintance be forgot...."
