Winter 2021 Newsletter

RCDS Winter 2021 Newsletter

Looking Back, Looking Ahead A new year is an opportunity to look

#RCDStogether

ahead while also looking back. 2020 was a year of historic challenges. Though the changes to daily life have not been easy, and the worries and struggles of this period continue to be very real, the Rye Country Day community has risen to the task of moving forward with resilience and strength of character. As I write this note, I find myself—as I have frequently over the last 11 months—overwhelmed by all that we have been through but also impressed by how we are getting through it … together, as one strong and dedicated community.

This brief newsletter will give you a look back at some community highlights from the fall, and I hope it will provide an energizing archive of what we can accomplish together.

The spirit of our students and teachers and their collective good work inside and outside the classroom are harbingers of brighter days to come.

Looking ahead to 2021, each and every one of us at the School is ready and eager to continue to build on the momentum of the fall, working

tirelessly to deliver the support and continuity of learning that are crucial in helping our students grow, thrive, and find their purpose and passion.

As we continue to examine this year’s theme of character, I want to begin the new year with a reminder that ours is a community where strength of character is not a concept alone, it is a day-to-day practice. I am proud that each and every member of the RCDS community embodies our mission-level commitment to character and service through critical empathic thinking, self-awareness, authenticity, an open mind, compassion, and kindness.

I am grateful for your example and humbled, as always, to serve as your Head of School. I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe new year.

Sincerely,

Scott A. Nelson Head of School

Inside: Fall Highlights | RCDS Poster

Fa H ll 2 igh 02 lig 0 hts

2020-21 ALL-SCHOOL THEME: CHARACTER

Helping students understand and cultivate strength of character includes supporting social and emotional development and awareness, developing ethical analytical frameworks and decision-making skills, and fostering a sense of purpose based on an awareness of others and the ways we are all connected. Read more at ryecountryday.org/character

WILDCAT WEEK

Spirit, spirit, and more spirit!

BOOK CHARACTER DAY IN THE LOWER SCHOOL

Celebrating their love of reading, our littlest readers spent a day as their favorite literary characters.

RALLYING AROUND HEALTH AND SAFETY RCDS employees, students, and families are working in partnership to support the health and well-being of the school community. In addition to extensive health and safety protocols and risk mitigation policies outlined in the School’s Reopening Plan, such as daily health screenings, mask wearing, social distancing, and vigilant hand and respiratory hygiene, RCDS instituted weekly pool testing at the start of the 2020-21 school year. Pool testing means combining saliva samples collected from up to 24 people and conducting one laboratory test on the combined pool of samples to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Implementing pool testing is an all-handsCOVID-19. Pooling allows laboratories on-deck community effort. Employees to test more samples with fewer testing volunteer to distribute testing kits and assist with saliva specimen drop-offs, materials. In regions with low incidence alongside nurses and lab affiliates. Upper of COVID-19 infections, pool testing School student-athletes volunteer to is a resource-effective, evidenced-based assemble the testing kits, which includes placing specimen vials, straws, and way to rapidly assess samples, and it alcohol wipes in a small bag. serves as an adjunct to the School’s other risk mitigation strategies. The intent of weekly testing is to identify asymptomatic or early carriers and isolate cases before a potential outbreak occurs, enabling the School to remain open as long as possible.

“Rye Country Day’s pool testing program is an important and inspiring community effort. It provides regular surveillance of our 1,200 students and employees, enabling the School to identify potential asymptomatic cases, prevent extensive exposure, and ultimately avoid school closures. The program has also shown how committed every member of the RCDS community is to collective safety and well-being. This has been a real partnership and a meaningful demonstration of our motto, Not for Self, but for Service.”

—Scott A. Nelson, Head of School

Although the full RCDS community could not gather in-person for our traditional Wildcat Weekend, spirit was all around for Wildcat Week.

Following a fun prompt each day, students and faculty showed their Wildcat pride.  Jersey Day

MIDDLE SCHOOL VIRTUAL GLOBAL DIALOGUE Ten eighth grade students participated in “Our Shared Pandemic Experience,” a virtual dialogue with over 150 students from around the globe. Global Education Benchmark Group coordinated the program during International Education Week (November 16-20, 2020), which is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education celebrating the benefits of international exchange. Participating students hailed from India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and their discussions covered a range of questions including: • How has the global pandemic impacted you and your school?

What about your larger community or city?

• What are some of the economic, environmental, and ethical issues related to this topic?

• What can we learn about citizenship and leadership through these experiences and conversations?

• What is the role you think science plays in your community, culture, or nation? How might this impact any efforts around COVID-19 vaccination?

Through sharing perspectives and learning from peers from around the world, students honed their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and global awareness, as well as the ability to participate in productive, respectful dialogue across differences.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS Eleven seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship program.

Across the nation, only one percent of students who take the PSAT qualify for this honor.

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

From top left: Alik Shehadeh, Andrew Felton, David Thurston, Deepta Gupta, Jason Russo, Josep Pujadas, Liam Bieber, Matthew Harkness, Matthew Mandell, Max Hines, and Nicolas Briano.

HALLOWEEN AT RCDS! Spooky, silly, and simply adorable

SCRIMMAGE DAY

Student-athletes (who have been participating in team play, conditioning, skill development, and team building exercises) were excited to compete in the first-ever intra-squad Fall Scrimmage Day. “The Wildcats have proven themselves to be outstanding athletes, admirably dedicated to their teammates and sports, even during this challenging time. They have persevered, and they gave it their all at Scrimmage Day. It was an emotional moment for the seniors, and everyone was pumped up to make it special for them. It was a thrill to see all of the athletes in action. We are so proud of their athleticism, resilience, and strength of character. Go, Wildcats!”

—Wendy Jo Haft, Director of Athletics

CIVIL DISCOURSE AND COMMUNITY IN THE UPPER SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEETINGS (formerly Morning Meetings) now focus on student voices and provide a space for sharing meaningful stories, perspectives, art, questions, ideas, and more. At the second meeting of the year, Student Government President Liam Bieber ’21 said, “This year, we face uncharted adversities; this should not be a deterrent but instead an encouragement. It presents us a unique opportunity to continue to implement change from a limitless well of opportunity, to correct past actions and institutional structures, to construct our better future, and to come together as one RCDS community.”

ELECTION 2020 was a topic of discussion in Community Meetings featuring student and faculty speakers, as well as Head of School Scott Nelson and Assistant Head of School Dr. Meredith deChabert. They shared personal stories of voting through the years and their perspectives on the 2020 election. The senior leaders of the Political Forum also gave a presentation on the electoral map, changes to mail-in voting policies across states, and key senate races.

Mr. Nelson reminded Upper Schoolers that we as lifelong learners are enriched by exposure to different ideas and perspectives. He stressed the importance of civil, respectful discourse, and he shared his hope that our students would become regular voters who recognize the meaning of the right and privilege of voting and the importance of working to serve one’s community in productive ways.

COALITION OF DIFFERENCES, the student-led initiative that promotes diversity of thought and civil discourse within the RCDS community, facilitated division-wide discussions about the election for Upper School students. The discussions gave students an opportunity to practice the skills of listening and engaging in a respectful and thoughtful exchange of ideas when it comes to topics characterized by debate and disagreement.

Coalition Founder Eesha Narain ’21 said, “Listening and hearing one another’s opinions are essential communication skills. We must create an atmosphere that supports a free exchange of ideas and an acceptance of differences, and I am truly excited to see the process evolve.”

MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS RAMP (Resilience in Alumni Mentor Partnerships) Launches

The Office of Alumni Relations launched RAMP (Resilience in Alumni Mentor Partnerships), a new program connecting RCDS Upper School students of color with RCDS alumni of color. The program is designed to build meaningful connections and help current students build networks, share perspectives and experiences, celebrate successes, raise issues, and inspire change as they learn and grow at RCDS. The first virtual mentor/mentee meeting was held in November, with 24 alumni mentors and 24 student mentees.

Read more and meet some of our featured mentors at ryecountryday.org/ramp Featured mentors, from top left: Suzette Meade ’02, Nicole Granston ’96, Brian Rowe ’03, Ashley Richardson George ’04, Nicole Fanjul ’02, and Deelan Ayhan’10.

THANK YOU! Our gratitude goes to the members of our community who have supported the 2020-21 Rally for RCDS Annual Giving Campaign. If you have not yet made your gift, please visit ryecountryday.org/give

TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR

from the Director of Health & Wellness

• CENTER YOURSELF around a core value or simple mantra. Mine is: be still.

• DETACH FROM DEVICES. Removing certain apps from your phone can replace the urge to scroll with the motivation to connect with a friend or family member.

• LINGER IN EXPERIENCES. Be intentional about placing attention on what is good or even relatively neutral. Taking just 15 seconds to recognize the good and absorb the present moment can have lasting effects on your mood and neurobiology.

• BREATHE. Science tells us that when we take a deep belly breath, we activate the vagus nerve, quiet our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight), and activate our parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). The simple act of breathing deeply can biologically change your response to stress.

Be well! —

From the PA

Priya Singhvi

THANK YOU to all parents and guardians who participated in the Parents Association’s virtual fall programming, including Coffee and Conversations, the Book Fair and Gift Boutique, Book Club, RCC events, and more. The PA looks forward to continuing our mission of building community and connections in the second half of the school year!

HIGH MARKS FOR RCDS!

Niche, a leading resource for researching U.S. colleges, schools, neighborhoods, and companies, named Rye Country Day School among its 2021 Best Schools.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY • #1 Best Private K-12 School • #1 Best Private High School • #1 Best High School for STEM • #1 Best College Prep Private High School REGIONAL/NATIONAL • #6 Best Private K-12 School in New York State and the New York City area • #10 Best Private K-12 School in America

As the Class of 2021 prepares for their final months at Rye Country Day, we salute their resilience and strength of character as they continue to navigate the unprecedented challenges of this time. It has been a senior year like no other with many expected traditions altered, yet the Class of 2021 has led with positivity and perseverance.

We are so proud of them!

 Seniors gathered on the south field for a socially distanced class photo in the formation of the number 21, representing their graduation year.

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