Winter2014newsletter

The Stanwich Heart The Quarterly Newsletter of The Stanwich School

Winter 2014

Inside This Issue PH Students Celebrate the Joy of the Season Pg. 4

Civil War Wax Museum Brings History to Life Pg. 5

Upper School Students Dance the Night Away Pg. 7

+ PLUS so much more!

www.stanwichschool.org

Students Set Their Minds in Motion In partnership with the Connecticut Association for the Gifted, Stanwich hosted a stellar gifted program for local students Pg. 12

Winter 2014 1

From the Head of School Leading Purposeful Lives

H

appy New Year! I hope your respite afforded you quality time with family that was filled with joy and love. It is great having the children back at school in their daily lessons. 2014 is a momentous year for us; The Stanwich School has established itself as an outstanding Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school with a distinctive valuesbased mission, grounded in Judeo-Christian principles and traditions.

With a proven educational program, committed faculty, staff and families, ownership of a permanent home on 40 acres in Greenwich, and approved plans to construct new buildings on our land, we are prepared to embark on the next phase of our growth.

Plans and preparations to bring all grades to one campus, as you know, are well underway. If you have not done so already, I encourage you to visit the model classroom spaces located beside our admissions office for more detailed information. Classrooms, science labs, library/ media center spaces, and new offices are all part of the work commencing in June.

Suffice it to say, campus activity this summer will be robust! Our dynamic PreK and K programs will be housed on the ground level of St. Agnes Church and will officially be called Wildwood Cottage (in honor of the historic estate’s original name - Wildwood Farm). We will continue our strong academic program for our young ones while adding a Natural Sciences Discovery Studio in partnership with Animal Embassy.

Later this month we will publicly launch our strategic priorities and goals for the upcoming five years. Our strategic plan will focus on specific, measurable action steps to enhance the student experience, to elevate the professional community, and to advance the Stanwich story, as we continue to develop our campus. Specifically, we will dedicate our energies to curricular coherence and excellence across grade levels and across disciplines. We also will analyze deeply 2 Winter 2014

how to best balance the athletic, artistic, and social arenas of the Stanwich experience. We will refine and expand our distinctive values curriculum to inspire our scholars to be morally grounded leaders within a global context. We will take a critical look at how we assess our applicants, our students, our faculty, and ourselves resonant with the school mission. Further, we will devote time and resources on further strengthening exemplary teaching practices to enhance the learning experience and intellectual development of Stanwich students. Our plan presses us to continue growing as a preeminent educational institution that prepares students to lead purposeful lives.

And of course, 2014 marks the inaugural graduation year of Stanwich. A committee has been mindfully working to establish a number of lasting and meaningful traditions, one of which will be announced and introduced at our Charter Day ceremony the morning of January 24th. Our scheduled keynote graduation speaker is former Stanwich parent and current U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and we are elated to welcome our distinguished guest back to campus.

In only 16 years, amidst extraordinary commitment and effort from so many selfless Stanwich souls, our school is

Our plan presses us to continue growing as preeminent

a

educational

institution that prepares students to lead purposeful lives. rooted and ready to reach a new level of excellence. This truly is an extraordinary and historic period in the life of the school. In closing, I think it is noteworthy that America’s oldest institution of higher education, Harvard University, was officially established with an acre of land, 400 pounds sterling and 400 books along with a single building only 16 years after the landing in Plymouth. Harvard’s first graduating class had nine students.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Here’s to the remarkable progress and promise of Stanwich. I am thrilled that you and your children are part of this extraordinary chapter in its history.

The Stanwich Heart

Profiles in Teaching Stanwich’s faculty is second-to-none. Find out about their hobbies, greatest accomplishments, and more.

Michael DiMinno Grade 4 Teacher M.Ed. Manhattanville College B.S. Fredonia State College Where did you grow up?

I was born in the Bronx, and grew up in Goldens Bridge, NY, in Westchester County.

Hobbies/Pets/I’d rather be ...

Traveling with my wife, or riding my motorcycle.

What would be your second choice for a career?

Aside from teaching, I never wanted to be anything other than a soldier, to serve and protect my country and family. If my country called for me to serve tomorrow, I would go.

What excites you the most about being a teacher?

Knowing that when I come into school each day, it will be different and more exciting than the last day.

What is your greatest accomplishment in the classroom?

Making children laugh and smile … that’s what students remember the most.

What unique strengths do you bring to the classroom?

Pride in my work, a love of history, humor, and a sweet duck collection What book do you currently have on your night stand?

I have many, and 90% of them are WWI and WWII reference books. The novel I’m currently reading is The Last Oracle by James Rollins.

Mike Soprano IH & US Band

If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

Travel, or volunteer to work at the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset, U.K.

Where did you grow up?

Northern New Jersey

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

I’m actually quite sensitive.

Jennifer Weyant Upper School Science and Spanish

What excites you the most about being a teacher?

Knowing that what the students are learning in my class may inspire some of them to become doctors or veterinarians in the future.

B.A. Pennsylvania State University M.A.T. Manhattanville College

What unique strengths do you bring to the classroom?

Knowing who my students are as learners and tailoring the curriculum to meet their interests

Where did you grow up?

Howells, NY Hobbies/Pets/I’d rather be ...

Hiking, traveling, and scuba diving/At the dog park with my dog Charlie What would be your second choice for a career?

Zoologist Is teaching your second career?

I worked as a publicist for Orange County Choppers, the company featured on TLC’s reality show American Chopper.

Community organizations you’re involved with: Several animal rescue groups, including Pets Alive in Orange County, NY and Pet Rescue in Larchmont, NY. www.stanwichschool.org

If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

Volunteer at a rescue organization, such as Chimp Haven, a sanctuary committed to providing care for chimpanzees that have been retired from use in medical research.

M.A. Lehman College B.A. New Jersey City University

Hobbies/Pets/I’d rather be ...

I love both watching and participating in sports. I also love playing music … big surprise!

What would be your second choice for a career?

Helicopter pilot. I took one lesson and it was amazing!

Is teaching your second career?

Before teaching at Stanwich, I toured the world with my band, Streetlight Manifesto, for six years.

What excites you the most about being a teacher?

I love having a job that allows me to teach and pass along one of my greatest passions.

What unique strengths do you bring to the classroom?

I am able to play every instrument that I teach.

This helps the students to play along with a model during their lessons and helps the education process tenfold.

What book do you currently have on your night stand?

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

I would build the most amazing new home for my family!

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

I have two tattoos.

Winter 2014 3

Life at the Lower School

Meaghan Mallin

Head of Lower School

T

he spirit of the season was alive and well throughout The Lower School in December. The energy around the campus was palpable, as our children prepared for the close of the semester and their impending holiday breaks. Beyond the important and busy academic work happening inside the classrooms, students

took part in many exciting and enjoyable activities in celebration of the holidays.

Throughout the weeks leading up to break, students participated in meaningful community service events surrounding our study of the value of compassion, enjoyed class holiday parties, and of course, they revelled in the beloved Stanwich tradition of sledding down the hill on snowy days!

Nothing is quite as joyful as seeing the sheer elation on a child’s face as he or she speeds down the hill on a sled during their recess period.

In the midst of all of this activity, students at all grade levels were preparing for their big holiday performances, and we couldn’t be more proud of the results! PreK delivered a truly delightful holiday show, featuring such highlights as The Reindeer Pokey, Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah, and a live rendition of the class Going on a Bear Hunt.

Primary House students told the stories of Hanukkah and Christmas beautifully during their performance. Delivered with confident stage presence, the angelic voices of the PH were brought together in song.

Intermediate House students filled the gym with the sounds of our band, orchestra, voice class, and chorus during their concert.

All in attendance left the evening with joy in their hearts and music in their soul, as our IH delivered everything from toe-tapping rock to beautiful, traditional holiday songs.

Though each division’s performance was unique from the others, they all shared the common qualities of commitment to excellence, joyfulness of the season, and at their core, The Stanwich Heart. We could not be more proud of all of our students and are so grateful to you for sharing them with us each and every day!

THE JOY OF THE SEASON To tell the Hanukkah and Christmas stories, PH students dressed as Judeans, angels, sheep, and cattle and sang in English, French, Hebrew, and Latin.

Included in the program were renditions of O Hanukkah, Henei Mah Tov, Angels We Have Heard on High and Joy to the World.

4 Winter 2014

The Stanwich Heart

HOLIDAY CONCERT To celebrate the holiday season, IH Band, Orchestra, and Choir groups performed in the gym/multipurpose space.

CIVIL WAR WAX MUSEUM Students in Grade 4 learn about the Civil War in their history lessons, write a five-paragraph essay about the strengths of the North, and read historical fiction novels. Then each student researches a Civil War character and writes a speech telling the person’s life story. Dressed in costume, students come to life when a parent or other visitor drops a chip in their cup to hear their speech.

THE MILKY WAY Studying methods of transfer in science class, Grade 5 students hypothesized how heat from the sun affects chocolate.

Students put tasty treats in solar ovens they built out of pizza boxes, tin foil and plastic wrap, and set them in a sunny location.

MEDIEVAL BOOK OF HOURS In history, sixth-graders learned about life during the Middle Ages and the practice of making books by hand.

Students assumed the role of the stationer and sewed together their own book and then “illuminated” or decorated their pages, as was commonly done by artists in the Middle Ages.

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 5

Life at the Upper School

Jerome Murphy

Head of Upper School

A

s the Upper School begins the second semester, I reflect on how quickly time flies and how busy our community has been since the start of school in September.

The palpable energy and excitement emanating from the students and staff makes coming to school each day such a pleasure.

This excitement can be attributed, in large part, to the growth of our program and all of the offerings—both in and out of the classroom---that come with it. Connecting our students to their passions and interests is essential to their

development as solid Stanwich citizens.

In looking back at the first half of the year, when one considers the number of opportunities and experiences our students have been introduced to and engaged in — Semester exams, Service Learning commitments, Athletics, Student Government elections, Performing Arts, Curricular based field trips, College Admissions process, and an array of social opportunities — it becomes clear how committed we are to facilitating the growth and development of each student’s mind, body, and spirit. Our diverse and well balanced program allows our students to learn about themselves and to develop and find joy in developing and pursuing their passions.

Notwithstanding the host of these opportunities and the importance they play in each student’s development, we remain committed to providing a rigorous

curriculum that appropriately challenges all of our students. Within this framework, we continue to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and care in each classroom, an environment that is fostered by a faculty who are invested in each student’s success.

Whether it is the study skills program in the Junior House, the availability of our teachers to provide extra help or take time out of their personal lives to support a social event, the hands on guidance of our college admissions support, the extra time devoted by advisors, coaches, or performing arts instructors, all of the students in the Upper School know we are there to support their development and success.

Following a busy first half of the year filled with many opportunities for enrichment, we look forward to continuing to engage the Upper School students to help all be the best they can be.

ART SHOW In concert with the holiday performance, students displayed original works of art they had been working on the past semester.

6 Winter 2014

The Stanwich Heart

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE In front of an enthusiastic audience, the Upper School Band, Orchestra, Bell Choir, Encore Choir, and Choir groups gave a wonderful concert. Music included: Fantasy on Greensleeves, Let There Be Peace, Bidi Bom, and Joyful, Joyful.

WINTER WONDERLAND The annual Upper School semi-formal winter dance featured music and dancing, and an awesome photo booth.

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 7

Lower School Physical Education

W

hile the weather outside is frightful, the first winter in our new gymnasium is so delightful!

After a very successful fall semester in physical education, students in grades PreK - 6 enjoyed wrapping up 2013 with a variety of indoor gym games in their brand new gymnasium. While they were all sad to leave their fall units behind, they eagerly await the new, exciting, indoor units ahead.

PreK through Grade 1 finished off their year working on their locomotor movements, strength building exercises, and their throwing and catching skills. Their favorite game was “the three little pigs”, where students worked on their throwing and catching technique as well as their cooperation skills as they built and defended their “homes.” In addition, the students worked on their strength, agility and cardiovascular capacity in order to earn “bricks” to rebuild their homes. Throughout the activity, students kept a close eye on the three big bad wolves, Mr. H, Mr. C and Mrs. A! Chantal Angelis Grade 2 students closed out their fall semester with a four week soccer unit. Students’ favorite Director of Athletics game was “four goal soccer,” in which they incorporated the skills of dribbling, passing and shooting that they learned over the course of the unit. In addition, the students honed their teamwork skills as they realized the importance of working together to quickly change fields to occupy an opposing goal.

The boys in grades 3 through 6 wrapped up their fall season with a football unit where they worked on their throwing techniques, stationary catching, catching on the move and passing routes, to name a few. Congratulations to the Grade 5 Super Bowl champs, the Giants, and to the Grade 6 Super Bowl champs, the Jets, for their great tournament runs.

The girls in grades 3 through 6 wrapped up their fall semester with a jump rope unit where they learned a plethora of individual tricks as well as partner and small group skills.

The unit culminated with small group routines and a double dutch jumping competition.

8 Winter 2014

The Stanwich Heart

Upper School Athletics Season Outlook Fielding a total of nine teams this winter, Stanwich’s student-athletes have high hopes and aspirations for each of their perspective teams in the season to come.

Season Preview The Senior House boys’ basketball team has high hopes for its season this year. Four starters return for the Cougars as well as four seniors.

Having so many returning players has helped Coach Katona focus on the execution of the plays in the preseason rather than re-teaching the concepts and systems. The team has consistency, as well as leadership, throughout the lineup and has a history of relying on multiple players to lead the offense. This close knit group looks to leave a lasting impression on the program.

The Junior House boys represent Stanwich in the Middle School Fairchester Athletic Association on an impressive three teams this winter: Stanwich BLUE, Stanwich WHITE and Stanwich RED. The BLUE team looks to continue its winning ways this season, building momentum from its successful 7-1 campaign last season. The team is one of the tallest teams assembled during Mr. Higle’s coaching tenure at Stanwich. Stanwich looks to use its height advantage to control the paint on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. In addition, their outside shooters look to provide a balanced offensive attack.

On the girl’s side, two teams represent Stanwich on the hardwood this winter. Both the BLUE and the WHITE teams look to capitalize on their scrappy defensive play in order to create opportunities for themselves on the offensive end. The key to success for both teams this season will be to capitalize on close buckets in the paint. Doing so will enable Stanwich to put points on the board early and fuel their offensive attack.

After a long pre-season, filled with lots of early morning practices, the Stanwich hockey team looks forward to getting its season underway this week. The team is composed of a great mix of talented, young players and older, returning players. The team has been working hard in the mornings at Chelsea Piers to come together as a team. Throughout the pres-eason, the Cougars have looked strong on the defense end and look forward to strong play in between the pipes at the goalie position. Stanwich’s returning players have shown great potential to generate the offense attack and put points up for the team this season. The team is excited to host Greenwich Country Day, Brunswick and Fairfield Country Day on their home ice at Chelsea Piers.

With a squash program that is filled to capacity, Stanwich’s instructional feeder program housed at Chelsea Piers is developing the next generation of competitive squash players for Stanwich.

Stanwich’s squash program, which includes a competitive team and an instructional team, benefits from three coaches, two of them being squash pros at Chelsea Piers. Both of Stanwich’s teams are learning ball control, footwork patterns and good swings in preparation for competitive matches both internally and interscholastically.

Stanwich’s competitive team looks to take advantage of all corners and angles of the court while players compete against other members of the MSFAA this winter.

Upper School Teams Basketball Boys BLUE - Coach Higle Boys WHITE - Coach Milostan Boys RED - Coach Colombo Girls BLUE - Coach Angelis Girls WHITE - Coaches Whidden & Nacher Boys SH - Coach Katona Hockey - Coaches Cardarelli & Bettincourt Squash - Coach Stephens Fitness - Coach Dunn

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 9

Parent Association Dear Stanwich Community,

T

he beginning of January is often a time for reflection about the previous year, and anticipation for the future. There are many exciting “firsts” we can anticipate for the future at Stanwich in 2014. We are all contributing to this future and it is a privilege and a rare opportunity to be part of its history.

Starting in early January, we hosted our first competitive basketball games in the new gym, and we will have the first Stanwich Charter day Hoedown on the 24th, which is guaranteed to blow away inhibitions and bring out the cowboy/ cowgirls in all of us as we swing around the hay bales.

May is the month for music where we introduce the very first Spring festival which includes all the musical performances as well as an evening of professional level entertainment by our very own Music faculty (look out for more details to come).

At the end of the school year, we bring the school together at the first senior class graduation, and finally, still in 2014, we start the following school year as the first co-ed PreK to 12 independent school in Greenwich.

As you can see, it is a very special year for Stanwich, and I look forward to seeing it grow from strength to strength, while our children develop within this unique environment.

Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead.

­—Ingrid Winn, Parent Association President, 2013-2014

Announcements from the PA

*

The Parent Association needs you - If you have any available time please consider volunteering. You can email ingridwinn@yahoo.com or Naomi.azrak@gmail.com to find out how you can contribute. We always need and appreciate assistance at the various event committees or on smaller tasks that don’t require an extensive time commitment. We can look to align to your availability. Helping out at school is a wonderful way to meet others and to feel connected to the school community.

Save the Date!

April 25th Annual Benefit

?’s - Janine Kennedy • janinekennedyusa@gmail.com 10 Winter 2014

The Stanwich Heart

Stanwich Book Fair

The Gift of Reading Book Fair Was A Big Success!

Thanks to You! On Sunday, December 8th the Stanwich gym was filled with happy book shoppers and the sounds of music. The Book Fair Committee created a sparkling winter wonderland and Miz Liz and her team were there to help everyone find the perfect book. It was a jingle bell jam with entertainment provided by talented Stanwich students accompanied by Caroline Worra and Kreg Gotschall. The Cougar CafÊ provided delicious hot chocolate and treats to keep the shoppers energized. A highlight of the day’s event was a drawing for an iPad Air, an iPad and beautiful holiday wreath! Thank you to the Frascella, Lapine, Richard and Taylor families for these donated items. The fun continued into Monday with class visits and more wonderful books were selected. Proceeds from the book fair benefited the Stanwich Parent Association and many library and classroom book donations were made.

The Book Fair Committee would like to thank all the amazing Stanwich staff who helped to make this event possible, especially Miz Liz, Anna Waters, Caroline Worra, Kreg Gotschall, Adam Pacchiana, Peter Babivskiy, Reggie Parron, Laura Dianis and Barrie Richmond.

The event chairs would like to thank all the Book Fair Committee members and countless volunteers who helped out, especially Maureen Vintanza, Naomi Azrak, Karen Colella, Ania Edward, Julie Newcomer, Jennifer Servedio and Kristin Taylor who all gave so much of their time during this busy season!

We thank everyone in the Stanwich community for their generosity and support of this lively and fun event.

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 11

Academic Enrichment

Students Set Their Minds In Motion In partnership with the Connecticut Association for the Gifted, Stanwich hosts a stellar gifted program for local students

I

magine these offerings: marine science, computer programming, Mandarin Chinese language and culture, living in a 2-dimensional universe. All of these workshops and others were offered at Minds in Motion, a popular Saturday program of academic enrichment co-sponsored by The Stanwich School and Connecticut Association for the Gifted.

This dynamic 1-day program hosted at Stanwich on Saturday, November 16 featured more than two dozen hands-on, energizing workshops for 225 gifted and high-ability children in Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade from all over Fairfield and Westchester counties. Stanwich was the first school in 10 years to host a Minds in Motion workshop in Greenwich.

“I loved watching their eyes light up as the children conducted a science experiment in which they dropped Mentos mints in diet soda to make a volcanic eruption,” said Lindsay Wohl, Stanwich Grade 3

Minds in Motion

By The Numbers 226 students 26 workshops 28 teachers 36 parent volunteers 13 staff members 12 Winter 2014

teacher talking about the Chemistry Myth Busters workshop she and fellow Stanwich Grade 3 teacher Danny Combatti offered.

“The kids were in awe of seeing the spray blast up over eight feet in the air.”

Echoing her enthusiasm for science, Stanwich science teacher Amy Kerekes reflected, “Minds in Motion was a wonderful way to share my love of the sciences with interested children. The kids walked away from my marine science workshop with a working knowledge of the six habitats of Long Island Sound, and how we all affect the watershed of the habitat we share.”

Attending the Art of Ancient Math Puzzles workshop taught by Stanwich Grade 5 math teacher Libby Kappler, fifth-grader Mark Levitov exclaimed, “I liked making a big mathematical art piece of Fibonacci’s puzzle and learning about the Fibonacci sequence. I also really liked the Scratch Computer Programming class and trying something that I’d never done before.”

“The Connecticut Association for the Gifted is so pleased to have partnered with The Stanwich School to offer our popular hands-on, fast-paced, high interest workshops to students and parents. We are thrilled with the enthusiastic response of children, parents and Stanwich faculty,” said Beverly Katz, Executive Director, Connecticut Association for the Gifted.

To round out the experience, parents attended a keynote panel discussion on “Discovering and Developing Your Child’s Gifts.” The keynote was moderated by Stanwich Librarian Liz Oestreich, and

offered observations and advice from Dr. Jerry Brodlie, pediatric psychologist and Head of Psychology at Greenwich Hospital, Meaghan Mallin, Head of Stanwich’s Lower School, and Adam Pacchiana, Director of Technology at Stanwich.

Following the keynote, parents attended one of four insightful, thought-provoking workshops on the topics of intellectual development, health and well-being, led by outside experts on each topic. Sessions included: “Simple Steps to Avoid Environmental Toxins” by Dr. Sarah Evans from Children’s Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai Hospital; “Healthy Nutrition for the Whole Family” offered

by Jeff and Cai Pandolfino of Green & Tonic Juice Bars; “Modern Manners and Social Media Savvy for Kids” by Faye de Muyshondt of Socialsklz; and “The Spiritual Lives of Children: An Interfaith Discussion” led by Brock Morgan, Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at Trinity Church and Rabbi Vicki Axe of Congregation Shir Ami. Talking about the “It’s Alive! Life in a Vernal Pond” workshop Stanwich fourthgrader Nicole Winn attended, she said, “We looked at cool stuff like dirt and mud, and I picked up a white root that I looked at under a microscope. We also followed a field guide, and I drew a picture of a spider that I saw.” Nicole may have summed up the enrichment experience best when she said, “If they ran a Minds in Motion every year, that would be really cool!”

Continued › The Stanwich Heart

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 13

Academic Enrichment

Students Set Their Minds In Motion

Greenwich

To all those marvelous Stanwich hearts who endeavored to make these fine, extraordinary memories, thank you! To every parent volunteer who helped plan and prepare for the day, to every teacher and administrator who dedicated themselves to showcase Stanwich, and to everyone who helped inspire and elevate our spirits and fully engage our mind, body, and spirit. The Stanwich School wishes to give great thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success. In particular, an extra special thanks goes to Event Chair Melinda Lorenz for her Herculean efforts in making this Minds in Motion such a great success for Stanwich and, according to the Connecticut Association for the Gifted, the finest event they had encountered in many years.

91%

of attendees rated Stanwich’s Minds in Motion event “excellent” or “very good”

Thank You To Our Volunteers!

Event Chair Melinda Lorenz Committee Chairs Stanwich Parents Naomi Azrak Elli Bai Kristen Beckman Rachel DaPuzzo Kristine Gigliotti Patricia McLaren Karen Richard Caroline Weiser

Volunteers Stanwich Parents Amy Andrews Tiffany Benincasa Jamie Benincasa Anastasia Brien Carol Nickerson Jessie Drennen Greg Drennen Ania Edward Kara Gerardi Cindy Hatstadt Hope Mihailovich Amy Leahy Hermione Leonard

PRESENTED BY

The Stanwich School 14 Winter 2014

Steve Lorenz Joan Mirabile Russ Mirabile Julie Newcomer Stephani Nedzamar Melanie Paddon Jim Raezer Saskia Reilly Mercy Roldan Lara Sanders Mia Simonsen Lynn Schwartz Ingrid Winn Jon Yenor

Special Thanks School Staff Paul Geise Laura Dianis Liz Oestreich Meaghan Mallin Lori Murphy Jessie Drennen Ann O’Leary Patty Foster Ilana Grady Barrie Richmond Adam Pacchiana Jeff Magliola Reggie Parron

SPONSORED BY A generous anonymous donor

The Stanwich Heart

Minds in Motion: Feedback “This is the second Minds in Motion my son has attended and he hands-down enjoyed this one at Stanwich the most. I too had a wonderful and warm experience with everyone I came into contact with. I am seriously giving thought to Stanwich as an option for my son. I think that he would do all around tremendously well there. I cannot say that I have ever walked into an institution or establishment where we felt so welcomed!” —Visiting family

“I thought the event was FANTASTIC!” —Stanwich family

“I knew today would be a big event, but I didn’t know it was going to be so grand and well-run. It had the air of a very organized conference, yet with a family atmosphere: age-appropriate critical thinking and serious fun. As a presenter to little ones, I was very impressed with how they were taken care of.

Thanks for making it easy on this end.”

—Stanwich teacher

“At MIM we ran into a former colleague of ours from many years past and he is going to look at the school having been introduced to Stanwich this weekend. I am certain there are many similar stories.” —Stanwich family www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 15

Stanwich First

HOOP

Dreams Stanwich Cougars celebrate win at first ever home basketball game

S

tanwich hosted its first-ever home basketball game on Wednesday, January 8.

The 7th and 8th grade Boys Basketball team’s inaugural home opener brought us a 27-20 win over Greenwich Country Day School. The team really came together and built a lead early in the game that they would never relinquish. Sam Walker and Alex Quirk led the way by scoring several baskets and grabbing many rebounds for the team. Chris Dunn demonstrated some fine athletic moves on offense and contributed a few points as well. James Winn and Mason Lapine played great defense earning a few key steals that helped us to hold onto the lead in the second half.

When the buzzer ended, the home crowd went crazy!

“I was overly impressed with how this group came together and truly worked as a team.

I knew during our practices that they had what it takes to win, but the boys really displayed a superior level of sportsmanship and camaraderie when they hit the home court.”

Home Team Advantage

Parents, students and friends are invited to come and join us for another home basketball game on Wednesday, January 29 at 3:30pm. The Primary House afters program “The Cougar Den” will be on hand to cheer on the crowd. We are creating a supportive home game environment with 21 kids in face paint, special T-shirts, megaphones, and endless Cougar spirit.

Thanks to the support of the Stanwich community — especially our fabulous coaches — our Stanwich athletic teams are thriving.

Your continued support makes a difference to our athletes. See you there!

16 Winter 2014

The Stanwich Heart

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 17

One Mind • Body • Spirit • School

Coming Home The bricks and mortar at 257 Stanwich Road hold 60,000 square feet of educational space.

What happens within that place, however, is what matters most.

Stanwich School is special. It is the vision of its founder, Patricia Young, to be a premier independent school. It is students who cannot wait for the school day to begin. It is a curriculum designed to challenge each learner. It is teachers who cherish each child. It is parents who wish to invest not only in their child’s academic success, but also in their character development. It is a dynamic, collaborative learning environment in which all students can thrive.

Stanwich School is remarkable. In only sixteen years, thanks to the extraordinary leadership and generosity of current and past parents, Stanwich has evolved from a tiny start-up school to a sophisticated educational institution, from 72 students to 350 students, from lessee to landowner. In that brief time, Stanwich has earned a well-deserved reputation for outstanding academics and a mission-driven “character culture.”

Stanwich School is ready. Armed with a unique mission, an established curriculum, devoted faculty, committed families, 40 acres of land in central Greenwich, and approved construction plans, Stanwich is set to embark on the next phase of its growth.

Stanwich School is one. Now the owner of a 60,000 sq ft facility, the school is excited to house all of its students — grades PreK through 12 — on Stanwich Road in Greenwich. For many years, Stanwich’s student body has been housed in different campuses. With the recent acquisition of land and facilities, the school looks forward to welcoming its Upper School (grades 7 through 12) back to 257 Stanwich Road in September of 2014.

With the entire Stanwich community coming together — faculty, students and parents — the opportunities for Stanwich are limitless and we look forward to creating the next outstanding chapter in the Stanwich story. The African proverb, often quoted by Paul Geise, Head of School, aptly sums up the Stanwich spirit: “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.”

As a longtime Stanwich family (9 years), we are completely thrilled to see our son entering Grade 9 next year and spending his high school years at 257 Stanwich Road. This is a landmark time in the history of the school with our first graduating class in May and the success of achieving its mission of having grades PreK - 12 in Greenwich. There is now a clear path for a very bright future for Stanwich to continue providing excellent academics and fabulous faculty in a warm and nurturing community. Bravo Stanwich!

Lisa Bailey Cassidy, Stanwich Parent and Trustee • Grade 8

18 Winter 2014

The Stanwich Heart

Upper School Classrooms The second floor of Stanwich’s main building will be home to two types of classrooms: one being a traditional lecture-style set-up, and the other being a seminar room fitted with a “Harkness” table to facilitate group discussion.

Also on the second floor will be a state-of-the-art science lab.

www.stanwichschool.org

Winter 2014 19

The Back Page ts, Dear Lower School Paren ts to an ite both PH & IH paren inv to ed as ple is ich nw Sta 8:00am Friday, January 31 at informational coffee on nity to u will have the opportu (Main Campus) when yo mational per School. At this infor Up the at life t ou ab ar he ram, and tails about the US prog coffee, you will hear de periences present to share their ex US teachers will also be ns. and to take your questio unity for Stanwich as our comm This is an exciting time eK eam of being the first Pr will finally realize the dr school ucational, independent through Grade 12 coed in Greenwich. perience out how the Stanwich ex Please join us and find e7 as they move into Grad grows with your children and beyond.

Best regards, Jerome Murphy Head of Upper School

ANNOUNCING

Wildwood Cottage Stanwich School’s PreK & K Learning Center Stanwich School’s 40-acre property is the original home to historic Wildwood Farm

To introduce our future PreK and K location, we are hosting an Open House Play Date at the future Wildwood Cottage [247 Stanwich Road] for interested area preschool families on Friday, January 31 at 12:30pm.

Please help us spread the word!

20 Winter 2014

The Stanwich School • 257 Stanwich Road • Greenwich, CT 06830 • www.stanwichschool.org

The Stanwich Heart