Around Campus

Author, Illustrator Jerry Craft Wins Newberry Gold Medal for New Kid

Author, illustrator and former Country School parent Jerry Craft (Aren ’15, Jaylen ’13) returned to campus to speak with Middle School students and faculty about his graphic novel New Kid.Created specifically for children in the middle grades, the story follows seventh-grader Jordan Banks’ struggle to adjust to a school with little diversity and, as a light-skinned African-American, within his home community.

Widely praised for its honest portrayal of what it means to be “other,”New Kid was recently awarded the 2020 Newberry Medal, the first graphic novel to receive the prize for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

“His messages echoed those that Country School shares with children — to stick with things that may seem hard, find and explore your interests and passions, and to remain open to new connections,” said Head of Middle School Kirsten Rosolen.

(Above) Front row: Matt Silver, Capone Andrade, Consuelo Bowman, Marcus Ortiz and Ben Cali; back row: Sydni Francis, the author, Jerry Craft, and Kayla Mouzon.

Faculty v. Ninth Graders: A Tradition of Friendly Competition

A long-standing school tradition, this good-natured rivalry sees the ninth grade class challenge the faculty-staff in various contests throughout the year, most notably in soccer, basketball and softball, followed typically by a springtime cookout. Regardless of the outcome, a strong sense of camaraderie between students and adults prevails.

Some of the faculty and staff who participated in this year’s soccer game included Assistant Athletic Director Stefan Borowski, Maintenance Assistant Michael McGovern, Physical Education Coordinator, Teacher and Coach Chantal Angelis, Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04, Upper School Teacher Matthew McDonald, Technical Systems Analyst Freddy Gavidia, Maintenance Assistant Jimmy Torres, Physical Education Teacher and Coach Meegan Horn, Physical Education Apprentice Abigail Cerone, Middle School Apprentice Ian Coupe, Physical Education Teacher and Coach Steve Willson, Upper School Teacher Charles Khuen, Head of School Aaron Cooper, Facilities Supervisor John Neill, World Language Teacher Sean Robb, Maintenance Assistant Marc Keneally, Upper School Teacher Scott Lilley and Head of Middle School Kirsten Rosolen.

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Spotlight on Visual & Performing Arts

Middle School Produces Original Play, ‘Café Catastrophe’

There were no scripted lines or stage directions when Middle School drama students began preparing production for their Winter Musical. Over the course of 10 weeks, 25 students worked intensely to write and stage their very own play, “Café Catastrophe.” Filled with elaborate dance numbers and handmade sets, the play entertained the school community during evening and daytime performances on Feb. 12 and 13.

In the play, two high school girls, Hannah and Phoebe, deal with popularity and jealousy. It’s a story about the challenges of friendship and the role of social media in young people’s lives. While the main plot takes place on stage, a subplot took place on the floor. Students practiced their improvisational skills during flashbacks and school newspaper club scenes.

In addition to writers and actors, students were the stage runners, costume designers and lighting crew. For cast member sixth grader Celia Baliotti, the play was an incredible bonding experience: “Everybody had an important role in the success of the play. Everyone chipped in. We were a drama family.”

Upper School Musical: ‘The Little Mermaid’

The Upper School musical made a big splash in February with its production of “The Little Mermaid.” Under the direction of Music Teachers Andy Tyson and Lindy Toczko, a tight cast of 13 students pulled together a spectacular short run of the beloved musical.

The fantastic costumes by Ms. Toczko included rainbowhued mer-sisters (Alanna Gribin, Daisy Fichthorn, Fiona Burton, Katey Charnin, Maddie Hasbrouck and Meg Lewis), a regal King Triton (Riya Punjabi), a gorgeously wicked Ursula, the sea witch (Alanna Gribin), the hilariously crabby crustacean Sebastian (Maren Frey), and of course, the star couple Ariel (Elsa Franks) and Prince Eric (Oliver Jellinek).

Throughout the production, the song and dance numbers were capably choreographed by students, especially eighth graders Tess Boosin and Elsa Franks. Perhaps the greatest moment of hilarity came with the song “Les Poissons,” in which Katey Charnin proved that there is no such thing as a small part. The eighth grader all but stole the show as a terrifyingly funny French chef with an overly active cleaver.

Ninth grader Sasha Coughlin and eighth graders Izzy Goldberg and Tess Boosin also played character roles with great aplomb. The silliness was well balanced by eighth grader Elsa Franks’ heartfelt and soaring vocals as Ariel on such numbers as “Part of Your World.”

Thanks to the considerable talents of Visual Arts Teachers Karen Wappler and Chris Lawler, the auditorium was transformed into a multi-level seascape, complete with colorful corals and luminous jellyfish. Librarian Mary Ann Lansdale and Upper School Teacher Liz Carroll added back-stage and costume support, while Director of Plus Program Kathy Kravec joined returning guest musicians for spirited live accompaniment. Additional crew kudos go to eighth grader Julia Cooper for managing the lighting board. It was truly an all-hands-on-deck effort that went off...swimmingly!

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4. The Middle School play was filled with elaborate dance numbers and handmade sets. “Café Catastrophe” cast and crew included sixth graders Lillian Back, Celia Baliotti, Consuelo Bowman, Ella Charron, Caroline Coniglio, Julia Coniglio, Emily Fonner, Harry Jellinek, Daley Keogh, Salman Memon, Simeran Samra, Kayla Sanon and Addy McNear, and fifth graders Molly Barr, Jack Beauclair, Jack Busby, Ceci Calia, Sydni Francis, Aubry Grant, Jack Harrington, Lillian Kanter, Annsley Leclerc, Marcus Ortiz, Opal Thompson and Lucy Ward. Rainbow-hued mer-sisters Alanna Gribin, Daisy Fichthorn, Fiona Burton, Katey Charnin, Maddie Hasbrouck and Meg Lewis Sebastian (Maren Frey), Ariel (Elsa Franks) and Scuttle (Tess Boosin)

Fourth Graders Celebrate American Indian Culture & History

Fourth graders spent the first half of their year immersed in the rich culture of the many local American Indian tribes. Working in partnership with the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington, CT, teachers developed a new social studies curriculum last year that relies heavily on primary sources.

“Last year we shifted our focus to exploring the culture and history of Native Americans who once lived in Connecticut through a social justice lens,” explained fourth grade teacher Maria Sette ’92, who also serves as the Lower School’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Liaison. “We want to instill in the fourth graders an appreciation of cultures, and specifically those who have been misrepresented in the media or books.”

In order to gain the most accurate representation of the history and culture of the Native Americans who once lived in the very place where they now live, the students visited the Institute of American Indian Studies on a field trip in October, where they met Darlene Kascak, Educational Outreach Facilitator, who became their guide throughout their study this fall and winter. Students had the opportunity to compare the lives of Native Americans years ago to life in the Northeast today. They learned about family life, homes, tool innovations, as well as indigenous peoples’ interactions with the woodland environment and their progression through time.

She helped students write a land acknowledgment, which they shared at an assembly, along with reenactments of myths and stories, in the oral tradition.

“These stories are passed on by repeated tellings,” explained fourth grader Ella Agulay. “To be allowed to tell these stories to others is a great honor.”

(Above) Fourth graders were honored to share stories from Indigenous people with younger students in Lower School during an Assembly. They also wrote and presented a land acknowledgment.

Student Photos Exhibited at Bartlett Arboretum

An exhibit of photographs from the fall trimester eighth and ninth grade Digital Photography Class was held at the Bartlett Arboretum on March 8. The work is a sample of a 10-week elective course. The focus of the class was to improve students’ skills with the camera as well as with digital editing techniques. Assignments around topics such as abstraction, shadow, reflection and water encouraged students to be more aware of the camera as a tool to capture what the eye sees and interprets. Editing lessons created opportunities to improve an image or abstract it further depending upon the assignment. At the end of the trimester, students completed a final project on a topic of their choice. Photo credit: Alanna Gribin