The Country School - Country Connections 2023

COUNTRY CONNECTIONS

Our MissiOn

The Country School honors our students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity. Our integrated curriculum aligns rigorous academics with a commitment to character and leadership development.

We nurture every student’s unique role in the community, empowering each to serve the common good.

Graduates of The Country School face the future with confidence and an education that lasts a lifetime.

Editor, Graphic dEsiGn

Director of Communications

Teresa Sullivan, P’ 15, ‘18, ‘18

contributors

Joe Arruda

Peter Burdge

Karen Cunningham

John D. Fixx

Melissa Hill

Liz Lightfoot

Madeleine McGrath

Aleagia Mercer

photoGraphy

Teresa Sullivan and members of The Country School community

alumni corrEspondancE

Send change of contact information, class notes, and information about births, marriages and deaths to alumni@thecountryschool.org

contact info

203.421.3113 thecountryschool.org

341 Opening Hill Road Madison, CT 06443

Congratulations to The Country School’s Class of 2023. The 29 graduates will be attending the following secondary schools this fall: Avon Old Farms, Avon; Buxton School, Williamstown, MA; CJD Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany; Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford; Daniel Hand High School, Madison; Fairfield College Preparatory School, Fairfield; Guilford High School, Guilford; Hamden Hall Country Day School, Hamden; Hopkins School, New Haven; Lyman Hall High School, Wallingford; Mercy High School, Middletown; Notre Dame High School, West Haven; Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden; Trinity School, New York, NY; and The Williams School, New London.

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A MessAge FrOM the heAd OF schOOl

Dear Country School Community,

Collaboration and empathetic listening to each other are essential skills that foster growth in students and are signatures of our Elmore Leadership Program. This past summer, the administration at The Country School exemplified these qualities as they collectively worked toward planning the academic schedule, revising the curriculum, improving the Outdoor Education Program, hiring for vacated positions, updating aspects of the physical campus, and organizing all aspects of the school experience.

I continue to be heartened by the flexibility and “can-do” attitudes of The Country School’s faculty and staff. The remarkable collaborative efforts had us adults living daily on campus the expectations we routinely place on our students. The Responsive Classroom approach we embrace uses the acronym CARES, which stands for cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control, to teach these key social skills children need to learn and practice to help them succeed socially and academically. To prepare for another successful academic year, the administration has tapped all those qualities in ourselves during this unusually busy summer. From creating the academic schedule and managing the budget to updating curriculum and enhancing our Outdoor Education program, this team personifies all that CARES represents. I am really proud of these committed professionals.

Planning the Academic Schedule

The process of planning the academic schedule requires careful consideration of various factors, such as student needs, teacher availability, and curriculum requirements. The administration, alongside teachers and staff, collaborated extensively to create a well-balanced and efficient schedule that maximizes learning opportunities for all our students. By actively involving all stakeholders, the resulting schedule reflects a collective vision and ensures that every voice is heard.

Budgeting for Success

Managing finances effectively is crucial for any educational institution. This summer, the administration undertook the task of managing and planning the budget for the 23-24 year, involving open discussions and brainstorming sessions with faculty and staff. By encouraging transparency and fostering a sense of shared responsibility, they successfully allocated resources to enhance the quality of education and provide necessary support for students and teachers alike.

Curriculum Revision

Education is an ever-evolving field, and revising the curriculum allows for adoption of current educational trends and pedagogical practices. The collaborative effort of the administration, teachers, and curriculum specialists was instrumental in identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes. By embracing diverse perspectives and expertise, the curriculum was refined to meet the needs of a diverse student body and provide a more engaging and inclusive learning experience.

Enhancing Outdoor Education

Recognizing the importance of outdoor education, the administration dedicated significant time and effort to improve this aspect of the school program. Collaborating with local organizations and experts in the field, they developed a comprehensive plan to incorporate more outdoor learning opportunities, field trips, and hands-on experiences. This collaborative effort not only enriches the academic experience but also fosters a deeper connection between students and the natural world, making them leaders in the solutions we will need for creating a more sustainable planet.

Streamlining Class and Advisor Groups

Planning classes and advisor groups involves careful consideration of student needs, interests, and social dynamics. The administration, teachers, and advisors collaborated closely to ensure that each student is placed in an environment that promotes academic growth, personal development, and peer support.

Marketing Our School

This past year we began the important work of marketing our school with the firm Overabove. They researched perceptions and mindsets about The Country School and what drives school choice. From this, they developed and tested messages to reflect what the qualitative research identified as the key benefits and features of an education at Country School. Loudly and clearly the key stakeholders and parents repeated the following themes: Our teachers love to teach, We belong, We are known, and We speak for ourselves. And embedded in all we do as a school are these values that our children are Joyful in discovery and knowledge, Confident and self-possessed, and Open-minded and loving. This summer saw our team strategizing collaboratively about how to articulate these messages within and beyond our campus.

Development/Advancement

Country School relies on the generous financial support of our community to remain a vibrant and thriving institution. The work–started close to 70 years ago–continued this summer as we asked donors to stretch with their time, talent, and treasure. Classrooms were remodeled, the floor in DeFrancis Gymnasium received a “facelift,” and soliciting donors were approached to support The Talent Within Capital Campaign for two new student makerspaces and a maintenance facility.

We adults model for our students the skills that we expect them to possess and use with confidence. This summer The Country School community– volunteers, parents, maintenance, faculty, staff and administration–embodied the cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control needed to forge ahead despite the expected implementation dips change brings. They modeled in the most ultimate ways how to progress in the face of challenges and adversity. I have never been more impressed with our team than I was this summer.

With gratitude,

John D. Fixx Head of School

A MessAge FrOM chAir OF the BOArd OF trustees

Dear Country School Community,

September has always been my favorite month of the year–crisp autumn mornings, the crunching spine of a fresh textbook, dozens of sharpened pencils and, ever so briefly, clean sneakers! Watching The Country School’s campus and community come to life every September is a privilege to celebrate. Thanks to the vision and generosity of those who came before us, The Country School is a world built specifically for children, in which students, parents, and educators learn and grow together.

Academically-speaking, September brings a clean slate, an opportunity to shine, and an opportunity to level up. Fortunately, our campus is a purposeful place where earnestly rising to the newest challenge is enjoyable and rewarding. Every year brings countless, quiet milestones: a new class of PreSchoolers waves goodbye to their parents, 5th Graders attend their last WTCS Lower School Meeting, and 8th Graders take their independence to Moab and then beyond.

In this issue of Country Connections, countless members of our administration, faculty, and staff have worked to articulate all aspects of our special school for which we can be grateful, by recognizing last year’s donors for their generosity and shining a spotlight on the accomplishments of our community.

Please join me in this celebration of The Country School’s magic.

Sincerely,

Melissa Hill, MPH P ‘27, ‘29 Chair, Board of Trustees

2023-24 BOArd OF trustees

ExEcutivE committEE

Melissa Hill, Chair

Tim Smith, Vice Chair

Dr. Felicia Cuomo, Secretary

Deirdre Devanney Scott, Treasurer and Finance Chair

Charles Robertson ‘01, Committee on Trustees Chair

John D. Fixx, Head of School

board mEmbErs

Kevin Alford

Matthew Callahan

Mateusz Cieslak

Richard Colbert

Micaela Darling

Nat Follansbee

Stephanie Johnson

Tom Main, Institutional Advancement Chair

Dr. Karen Modesto

Matthew Murphy ‘98

Helise Owens

Dr. Eileen Reach

Dr. Howard Rogers, Program Chair

Christine Wang

Dr. Wendol Williams, Sr., Buildings and Grounds Chair

Charles Zane ‘12

Dear Country School Families,

Summer greetings from campus. We are excited to again be a part of the Parent Teacher Association Leadership Team and will continue to bring fun community events to campus.

Last year was a transitional year, returning as a community to campus after the last few difficult years. It was very exciting to be able to have the kids and parents alike join us for several events, and hopefully this year will be even better.

Last fall we were able to celebrate the return of Fall Festival that took place right before the full weekend, with mini golf, scavenger hunts, an inflatable obstacle course, crafts and–of course–lots and lots of apple cider donuts. This year’s Fall Festival, scheduled for October 12, is shaping up to be as great. We hope to see you all there.

The holiday season saw the return of Owliday with adorable crafts and holiday gifting in the gym. We try to focus on sustainable items, repurposing and reusing craft items to create new and exciting projects for the kids. It was exciting to see what they were able to create with their imagination, pinecones, acorns, and pipe cleaners. Certainly it was above and beyond anything we had planned! This year will see a return of some of those crafts, as well as some new and interesting ones. It’s always a fun time to be with other Country School families, sip some hot chocolate, and make a few heartfelt holiday gifts for your loved ones.

Spring saw us giving away tons of books at a fun Bingo For Books and celebrating our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. With your help, we were able to host breakfast, lunch, dessert parties all week. And thanks to the generous donations from each class, we were also able to provide homemade cards and drawings for the teachers and host a raffle on the final day with great prizes including plants, a SodaStream, and gift certificates.

With last year behind us and our first steps of transition over, we’re looking forward to even more in the coming year. While we will be representing the PTA in emails and meetings, all of you are already members of the PTA and we welcome any help. Please reach out to us if you’re interested in getting more involved.

Warmly,

Aleagia Mercer-Falkoff P ’30

Madeleine (Maddey) McGrath ‘28, ‘30, ‘34 PTA Co-Chairs

derBy PArty AuctiOn & FundrAiser

Dear Country School Families and Friends,

Thank you goes to the Derby Party and Auction volunteer team headed by Kate Vetrano P ‘26, Shannon Byrne P ‘23, and Tim McNamara P ‘28. This team together with with the many school employees engaged in the effort for an amazing auction venue of Guilford Yacht Club, a wonderful array of items on which to bid to set a new record for live bidding, and Kentucky Derby-inspired food and cocktails. It was an incredibly enjoyable evening.

DJ and Auctioneer John Cadillac Saville not only made many friends at the Yacht Club but also made all the difference that night. The Litchfield Distillery Batchers Bourbon Tasting was a special treat, as were the Derby Guest “Victor” photos to capture the evening in pictures, and the Wine Pull. We extend a special thanks to our Silent and Live Auction sponsors: The Adventure Park, Amarone, Back Stage Dance Center, The Blake Hotel, Card My Yard, Ciao Bella, Cilantro Specialty Foods, Connecticut River Media, Connecticut Science Center, Eli’s Branford, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Foxon Park, Fringe Salon, Gouveia Vineyards, Håndlavet, Hartford Athletic, Hartford Yard Goats, Healing Salt Cave, Hotel Commonwealth, Junk 2 Junque, Laurie Harder Hair Artist, Long Wharf Theater, Maggie’s of Madison, Marco Pizzeria, Mix Design Store, Moon Shots, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, News 8 WTNH, Orange Theory, Page Hardware, Rain Wellness Spa, Raven’s Wing, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Shag, Sirena Med Spa, Swish, Tamara Cypress, Two Roads Brewing Company, Van Wilgen’s Garden Center, and Zane’s Cycles.

The Country School parent and teacher community has been coming together for almost 70 years, initially to found and establish the school and, since then, to support it financially. The the good will at Guilford Yacht Club that night translated into generous financial support for our school.

Your support of the Auction nourishes The Country School’s Annual Fund, which bridges the gap between tuition and the total cost of operating the school. Our community’s generosity sent our guests home with incredible auction items but, at the heart, it allows our faculty and staff to provide a rich curriculum, an outstanding education, and an academic advantage for our students.

Your contributions are invaluable and will be used to enrich the programs that honor our students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity.

With thanks,

The Development Team

country school’s stEllar succEss

The Country School hosted its inaugural Astronomy Night on March 2 with over 200 guests coming to campus to learn about the wonders of the night sky. The event began during the school day as Laurie Averill from the the Astronomical Society of New Haven led students on a scaled walk of the solar system. As night fell, members of the Astronomical Society assembled four high-powered telescopes for visitors to peer at the craters in the moon, Jupiter, and Venus. Country School families and members of the public also came equipped with binoculars and telescopes and shared their views with each other. The event was truly a friendraiser: RJ Julia was on hand selling books about stars and planets for young and experienced readers, Taco Pacifico provided dinner, and student volunteers sold hot cocoa in front of a blazing firepit to keep people warm. For those too cold to remain outdoors, Wesleyan University astronomy students set up a portable planetarium in DeFrancis Gymnasium and provided guests with mini-lessons about the solar system and beyond. The event was a stellar success and we are already planning next year’s Astronomy Night, one that will coincide with a solar eclipse.

madison nativE, titans rookiE Qb Will lEvis GivEs back to community as hE providEs kids With unforGEttablE day, Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant

Jack McGuane lined up to the right of Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis, warming up for a seven-on-seven game he will never forget.

On “go,” the 14-year-old sprinted down the sideline and Levis, the Titans’ second-round draft pick who grew up in Madison and attended Xavier High in Middletown, launched. Seconds after the football shot out of his hand Levis said, “Aw, my bad” –McGuane made a good effort but the ball fell to the Strong Field turf about 10 yards past him.

“I’m not as fast as your receivers!” McGuane shouted from about 45 yards away.

Sure, he isn’t Treylon Burks or Chris Moore, or free agent DeAndre Hopkins, who the Titans are aggressively pursuing. But on Monday, McGuane was on top of the world.

While Levis was at Kentucky, John Fixx, Head of School at The Country School in Madison, where Levis spent 7th and 8th grade, reached out to the quarterback with an idea for the annual spring auction that raises money for the school. The auction item they came up with was the opportunity for up to 20 kids to play a seven-on-seven scrimmage in which Levis would play quarterback for both sides.

McGuane attended The Country School from preschool all through eighth grade and every year his father, Casey, would show him the auction items and ask, “Is there anything here that interests you?”

“That particular year, 2022, he was like, ‘Dad, you’ve got to bid on that. Will Levis, he’s incredible, I think

he’s gonna go to the NFL! Bid on that!” Casey told The Courant.

Refusing to lose in a bidding war, Casey and his wife Amy made their donation to the school and soon found themselves trying to figure out when they could make it happen.

Levis came prepared – he brought an iPad that had plays drawn out from his Titans playbook, teaching the kids some terminology and routes as the scrimmage went along. He shared a few words with the kids before the scrimmage about his journey to the NFL and answered every question from “How is Coach (Mike) Vrabel?” to “Do you really put mayo in your coffee?”(Just for Tik Tok, though Levis said it wasn’t awful).

“The things that he shared about life and never giving up, that’s really meaningful to (my son and his friends). They’re at this pivotal age where just hearing about someone’s journey and how they made it, (Levis) never gave up,” Casey McGuane said. “How many people have actually met an NFL player? They’ll never forget this. This is just an epic day.”

Levis spent Sunday at the Tim Boyle camp at Xavier High, where they both attended – Boyle, a former UConn quarterback, is now Aaron Rodgers’ backup for the New York Jets.

“You don’t see a lot of guys in the league come from where we’re from, but having two guys from the same high school to go play quarterback at the same time

in the league, that was really cool,” Levis said. “We gave back to our community there at Xavier, we ran a really nice camp there the other day. Just making the most of this short amount of time that I have here back in town.”

His dad, Mike, came to the field Monday for a bit as Levis signed footballs, Titans mini helmets, hats, pennants – really whatever was put in front of him. They’ll have a few days together before the gunslinger reports back to Nashville next Monday for training camp.

Pizza arrived at halftime of Monday’s scrimmage, set down on the table right next to yearbooks from Levis’ time at The Country School, where Jack McGuane and most of his friends in attendance were in kindergarten at the school while Levis was in eighth grade.

“Halftime pizza!” Levis said with excitement as he walked off the field – though all he consumed was a few pieces of watermelon and some orange slices, as he has a job to earn.

“This was just a lot of fun,” Levis said. “It’s not often that I get to reconnect with my family at The Country School and to be able to come out here and do this with some alums and their friends was a heck of a lot of fun. I mean, I’m 24, these kids are a little younger than me but I was telling them earlier, this is a kids game that I get to play for a living. This is what I did as a little kid every day at recess.”

why we lOve it here

I spent ten years at The Country School so to pick just one reason I loved it here is rather hard. That being said though I can always think of a few:

First is the Outdoor Education program. Many people are shocked to hear of all my adventures. I always appreciated every single trip, but once I learned how special and rare those adventures were, I appreciated them even more. This program taught me to appreciate the outdoors and gave me a place to succeed when the classroom became too difficult.

The second is the faculty. I struggled a lot in school whether because of my dyslexia or just figuring out who I was in the academic world. The faculty always showed me kindness and patience, something I very much needed. I could list every teacher and how they helped me individually, but that would make this an essay. Whether the Head of School or the Custodians, I knew I could go to them and they would support me or give me a place to sit with my thoughts. Even now these amazing people still help me and I know they will always be in my corner no matter how old I get.

-Emily Ballard, ‘12

Aside from the superior academics at The Country School, I was immediately impressed by the dedication to family and community. There is a unique focus on involving the children in learning from one another. Character and compassion, in combination with critical thinking, are core values of this wonderful community. As a lifelong public school teacher, I am truly grateful that my grandchildren are thriving as a result of these formative years.

-Susan Vitali, Grandparent ‘20, ‘22

The Lower School STEAM program is unique to Country School. Students develop both critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore science, engineering and technology topics of interest in fun and exciting ways. Art and math are seamlessly woven into these collaborative units of study. Teachers work together to form deeply rich, educational experiences for our students. Lessons often happen in outdoor areas around our campus (and beyond) which include working gardens, nature trails, and outdoor

observation areas. These outdoor experiences are integral to learning beyond the classroom. Experts from the community are often invited to present informative lessons on topics students are exploring. All of experiences bring STEAM learning to life for the children in our community.

-Claudia Esposito, Lower School STEAM Teacher

We are sensitive to the needs of our teachers too and each other as well. I think it is pretty extraordinary to never feel alone even when you are the only person who does what you do at this school. It is the collaboration, the trust, the respect at the very foundation of it all.

-Jennifer Hornyak, Lower School Director

TCS isn’t just a school. It can’t be defined as a compilation of books, lessons, sports, classes, teachers, students, homework, and a PTA. It’s a community of people who care about your day, your family, your values, who you are and who you want to be, the singularity of your mind, and your perspective. The magic of daily stepping onto a campus where all of these elements consistently hold true is not to be underestimated-for humans of all ages.

-Delia Adkins, P ’30

The 8th Grade Outdoor Education trip to Moab, Utah, makes The Country School special. While chaperoning this week-long camping trip, I saw students push themselves in ways they thought were impossible and connect with their classmates on new levels. On the last night of the trip, students reflect on the first day of PreK, an athletic triumph, or a lifelong friendship. These stories say a lot about the impact this school has had on them. This moment encapsulates what makes TCS special because students grow up in a community that wants them to succeed. As an alum, I can say that I not only went to school here, but I also grew up here, and my Country School education is a huge part of who I am today. Being a teacher now, I can see that the school still holds true to this mission and our school makes a lifelong impact on students.

-Peter Burdge ‘09, Middle School Humanities Teacher

thE country school’s civil War connEction: a bioGraphical skEtch of charlEs m. mason –fathEr, sharpshootEr, baskEt WEavEr

regiments composed mainly of soldiers of color were formed to fight for the Union. Prior to this, soldiers of color were not permitted in U.S. regiments. Eager to fight for freedom and equal treatment, eligible soldiers quickly filled these regiments.

The Connecticut “29th Colored Regiment” was composed of free Black people, escaped slaves, and Native Americans. They joined the war effort knowing that, if captured, they would be put to death for serving in a racially diverse regiment. After their formation, the regiment trained in Fair Haven (at modern-day Grapevine Point), and were even visited by Frederick Douglass, who spoke to the group in January 1864.

The Country School’s property on Opening Hill Road has a rich history. Through the efforts of student volunteers, we now know more about the individuals who walked these grounds and impacted our community in the decades prior to our school’s founding. One of those people was Charles Mason.

On November 30, 1865, Charles Mason bought this property from Harvey Elliot. Mason had just returned from serving as a sharpshooter in the Civil War with the 29th Connecticut Regiment, seeing action at Petersburg, Richmond, and other battles between 1864-1865. He lived here with his wife Ellen and their children in the 1860s and 1870s.

Charles “Chas” M. Mason was born sometime between 1832 and 1834 in Munson, MA. In 1850, he was an employed laborer on Albert Trumble’s Farms. Records indicate that in 1860, he was employed at a fishing and clamming boarding house for Black people in Madison, CT.

Charles Mason and the 29th Connecticut Regiment

One of Charles Mason’s greatest achievements was his service in the Civil War. A change in philosophy altered the course of history in the midst of the war. In the mid 1860s, the first U.S.

In the spring of 1865, Charles Mason and the brave soldiers of the 29th partook in the crucial Siege of Petersburg and were the first to enter the confederate capital of Richmond, events that led to Confederate surrender. Despite their integral role in the war, members of the 29th received only seven dollars of the promised 16-dollar monthly payments. They were given $310 from their State, but their uniforms, food, and other supplies were subtracted from this sum. The counties and country also failed to pay their $75 and $300 for the soldiers’ enlistment, respectively.

Mason appears to have been illiterate at his time of enlistment, having signed his name with an “x.” Mason volunteered and was assigned to the 29th regiment’s Company H in late 1863. Mason possessed a rare ability: he was a sharpshooter. Before the end of the war, he’d be transferred beyond his primary division for this skill.

Mason’s enlistment records describe him as 5’6” with black hair, eyes, and skin. He claimed he was born in Hartford, but census records indicate Mason and his parents were all born in Massachusetts, so it’s likely that he misrepresented this to ensure his enlistment in place of Harvey Elliott, a resident and landowner of Connecticut.

Following the conclusion of the war, Mason was assigned to the “2nd Brigade, 3rd division, 25th Ambulance Corps,” and served with them as a peacekeeper in Texas during the early days of Reconstruction. The Corps departed in October 1865. Today, Mason’s name can be found both at the 29th Colored Regiment Monument at Grapevine Point in New Haven and on the Wall of Honor veterans’ memorial in Washington, D.C. Other notable locals in the colored regiments formally titled “The African Brigade” are William Henry Wright of Guilford, who enlisted in the Massachusetts 54th, and Jacob Tompson of Guilford, who enlisted in the Connecticut 29th regiment Company H, the same company as Mason. Tompson fathered a daughter named Delphine with Ellen C. Madison. Ellen later married Henry Wright, but they divorced in 1861, and Ellen married Charles M. Mason, with whom she spent the rest of her life.

Life after the War

The Mason family seems to have ties in Monson, MA, where we think Mason was born, and in Springfield, MA, where a man named Primus Mason created “The Springfield Home for Aged Men.” Charles M. Mason would eventually die in what Yale University describes as the Springside Home for “the indigent poor.” Considering the shared surname and Charles Mason’s recorded birthplace on multiple censuses, it’s likely that Primus and Charles were related.

Following the Civil War, lawmakers passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which proclaimed all who are born in the U.S. full citizens and made racial discrimination unlawful. Even so, it would be about a century before the principles were recognized by American society.

C. M. Mason and Ellen C. Madison had eight children together in Madison, not including Delphine Tompson with whom they shared their home. Hattie (the Masons’ firstborn) was born in 1862 and Prudence was born two years later (in 1864). In November 1865, Mason bought a property on what was then 339 Opening Hill Rd, which is now 341 Opening Hill Rd. from Harvey Elliott for one dollar and sold it back for $2.75.

C. M. Mason and his wife had four more children there: Fannie (1866), Charles B. (1868), Florella (1870), and Ulysses G. (1872).

Real estate is taxed differently than other financial transactions, so these transactions may have been a way for Elliott to pay Mason with less lost to tax. Financially, the one dollar would act as a buffer – a way to get the property to Mason so Elliott could pay him “for real estate.” This indicates Mason may have served in the war in place of Elliott, which was not an uncommon practice at the time. Additionally, Elliott might have also been the one to teach Mason his sharpshooting skills. If Elliott wanted to secure Mason’s enlistment, it would make sense he’d teach him some sharpshooting. Not many people of color had access to the necessary resources, so the importance of Mason’s practiced sharpshooting would set him apart.

While living on Opening Hill Road, Charles Mason was affectionately described as “Uncle Josh” by a Mrs. Tompson and Miss Hill years later. He was “fond of children,” weaving intricate baskets “of the brightest hues,” for the local children. The baskets may have been a way of staying connected to his heritage and traditions. After living on this property for several years, the Mason family moved to New Haven, where they appear in the city directory of 1875.

In 1880, Charles M. Mason’s son (Charles B. Mason) was in school. Charles M. Mason and Eleanor were listed in the 1880 census as having two more children: Temperance (5), and Theodore (a newborn). Eleanor died sometime before 1900. Charles M. Mason was hospitalized in 1903 due to a heatwave that hit New Haven

and moved to the city’s Springside Home soon after. He died of a kidney infection (nephritis) on September 11, 1912, when he was 80 years old.

Charles M. Mason lived serving his country and his belief in enacting real change. He fought for the change in philosophy which allowed him to fight. He seems to have made a deal with Elliott and held him to it. He had a big family, and wove what sound like beautiful baskets for the neighborhood children. He lived to the ripe age of 80 years old at a time when life expectancy was in the 60s. Born into a time where the U.S. was on the brink of eliminating slavery, Mason worked, learned, and fought to make this change a reality – to hold the country around him responsible to the ideals upon which it was founded: “liberty and justice for all.”

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to the following students and alumni who worked over the summer to research the story of Charles Mason and early residents of The Country School’s campus. A special thanks to John Reach ‘20, a dogged researcher and the primary author of this report. We also thank Bryna O’Sullivan ‘01, a professional genealogist, for her guidance as we set out to explore Charles Mason’s war record and to Duncan MacLane ‘64 for sharing his memories of growing up in the Farmhouse. Thanks to Country School science teacher Dan Kollmer and his brother Rich for providing their metal detectors and spending two days with us uncovering artifacts on the school’s campus. Finally, we thank Tracy Thomaselli, Guilford historian, for sharing her knowledge of local Civil War soldiers and helping us with our remaining questions, and Nancy Bastian of the Charlotte Evars Archive in Madison for helping with early research on Charles Mason.

Student-and-alumni project leaders include: Nolan Beichner ‘24, Abby Calarco ‘24, Michael DeFlippo ‘23, Alexander Monin ‘23, Cole Nelson ‘23, John Reach ‘20, Evelyn Reach ‘22, and Charlie Sinclair ‘24

pfizEr aWards country school biotEch Grant

The Country School is a proud recipient of

Pfizer Connecticut’s $2,000 Community Grant. For the past 64 years, Pfizer has maintained a strong relationship with the community through grants, mentoring, and diverse volunteering opportunities. Schools in Southeastern Connecticut, the greater New Haven area, and southern Rhode Island were considered, and priority was given to programs that bring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to students from elementary through high school. Additionally, grant opportunities were focused on programs that provide for the underserved or to support local civic and cultural institutions. Being awarded this grant speaks specifically to The Country School’s STEAM Signature Program–one of the first for an elementary and middle school in the United States. This grant comes at a serendipitous time for the school as it is at the beginning of its 70th Anniversary Talent Within multi-million dollar Capital Campaign. Part of the funds of this campaign are earmarked for two new buildings including an Engineering Facility and Maker Spaces.

Country School science teacher and Connecticut Technology Council Women of Innovation

Finalist Dr. Amy Cornell created a Signature STEAM Program that infuses biotechnology into the middle school science curriculum. This authentic model of student-guided science education focused on modern biological tools nurtures a science-literate population and allows students to learn in a way that reflects how scientists come to understand the natural world. Developing scientific literacy early in the middle school years is beneficial to a students’ growth in scientific thinking. It requires more than the ability to memorize information and the traditional dissemination of facts from teacher to learner. Rather, the changing needs of our society demand a new model, one which incorporates the tools of biotechnology and is focused on the ability to make sense of that information and apply it.

Dr. Cornell’s inquiry-based Biotechnology

Signature STEAM Program provides middle school students with the opportunity to learn about biotechnology through instruction, labs, and projects that allow for hands-on, real world

scenarios and to make sense of scientific information and develop problem-solving skills through their own agency, assertion, and investigation. Students are exposed to modern technology platforms that are currently being used to build products and uncover bio-systems and processes in health and disease. The students will collaborate with a local university or corporate faculty member to apply their knowledge to an independent research project. A private school with a public purpose, The Country School students will then share their biotechnology concepts with future STEM leaders in regional middle school communities that lack these resources and opportunities. The sharing of knowledge is a critical component of this grant as biotechnology has become essential to solving some of today’s most urgent issues.

The Country School’s science faculty, who have previously worked as scientists in academic and corporate environments, boast a background in biotechnology approaches and techniques. Thanks to a generous school community and the faculty’s real-world experiences, this Biotechnology Signature STEAM Program will flourish in an already rich environment of inquirybased practices and process-heavy learning approaches, furthering Country School’s goal of “inspiring lifelong learners with a dynamic and rigorous curriculum.”

country school robotics tEam rEcyclEs EnErGy

For years The Country School’s robotics team has competed in the FIRST Lego League competition. An experienced and award-winning team, the senior members of the team, the Archimedes Aces, have been working together since 5th Grade, many helping throughout their Middle School years, mentoring the developmental robotics team and assisting at summer robotics camps. This year the inventive team engineered a bicycle that stores energy for future use.

The Aces began preparing for this year’s regional competition as soon as the academic year began. As with all teams participating in the FLL Competition, the Archimedes Aces were required to find a problem that relates to the FIRST Lego

League’s theme of sustainable energy and devise a solution to the problem. Using the FLL instructions and materials, Country School’s Aces created a bicycle that collects three different types of energy to store into batteries that can be repurposed. Said Coach Stephanie Johnson, “Some really enjoyed tinkering and building out the bike, while others enjoyed the camaraderie of practices.”

After successfully presenting their energycreating bicycle at the FLL Challenge Qualifier in November, they advanced to the State Competition in December where they proudly placed in the top 12 of some 400 teams from Connecticut. Even though the Aces didn’t emerge with a trophy this year, they were still “winners” as they brought Country School’s mission to life: demonstrating their creativity and intellectual curiosity, acting as leaders, and serving the common good.

From First Lego League: From the machines that move us to the food that sustains us to the wireless technologies that connect us, energy plays an essential role in keeping our world running. During our 2022-2023 robotics season, FIRST ENERGIZE presented by Qualcomm, FIRST teams across our programs will reimagine the future of sustainable energy and power their ideas forward. To empower young people to be leaders and innovators, this year’s energy theme addresses global challenges related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7 -- focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

country school studEnts raisE funds for EarthQuakE victims

Community service is embedded in the ethos of The Country School where the number one rule to “Be Kind.” Most recently, this rule was apparent when altruistic 5th and 6th Graders took their science lessons beyond the walls of the classroom. Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria struck as the students were in the midst of science teacher Stephanie Johnson’s STEAM unit about climate science, natural disasters, and architectural adaptation. Moved, the students were motivated to help the young disaster victims across the globe. In partnership with English teacher Kristin Liu, the students decided to raise money for UNICEF, an organization committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children.

The group organized a dress-down day on the Friday before vacation and held a bake sale at the annual faculty-student basketball game. This group of students made announcements at their class and all-school meetings and submitted an article to the school’s weekly newsletter. At the multicultural dinner Taste of the World, they made a presentation about their efforts and goal and asked the guests for donations. Impressed, one family in attendance made an anonymous pledge of $500 in matching funds if the students could raise that amount. And raise it they did!

This group of 5th and 6th Grade students led an incredibly successful fundraiser that raised $1,651 for UNICEF’s Earthquake Relief Fund. Once again, The Country School’s Mission to “nurture every student’s unique role in the community, empowering each to serve the common good” was brought to life through generosity and compassion.

farEWEll, mrs. coynE

After 21 years serving The Country School, Beth Coyne has been offered and accepted the President and Head of School position at Lauralton Hall, in Milford. She began this next step on July 1, 2023. Beth ran characteristically at full speed to serve us through the end of the last school year. Obviously, our loss is Lauralton Hall’s gain and we are proud of how Beth has developed herself professionally to be able to care for an entire school community, bringing the best of The Country School to another institution.

In addition to that important role, Beth has been instrumental in managing our Middle School, strengthening our curriculum, following up with the Decennial recommendations, coaching sports, helping start our Owlets intramural sports program, advising, providing student enrichment and support, and being a strong partner with many of us as we navigated the adaptive world of our Covid response. Coming to us first as a 4th Grade teacher and then transitioning to our Library Media Specialist, Beth then deepened her devotion to The Country School by throwing herself into full-time administration—and our school is better for that.

everyOne BelOngs At cOuntry: A heAd’s Musings

embracing diversity, inclusion, and belonging remains a priority at Country School. From our youngest PreSchoolers reading a storybook about friendship to our administrative team engaged in professional development, as a community we strive to do even more than live fully our number one school rule “Be Kind.”

DEIB Director Keith Smith continues to have a positive impact on campus. His involvement in the school has expanded as he builds meaningful rapport with students, parents, and teachers who now approach him as a thought partner in

growth toward diversity. Thanks to Mr. Smith’s efforts, students have been engaged, and the faculty has been focused within their programs, advisories, and circle time. Mr. Smith brings an increased sensitivity to cultural holidays and religious celebrations, and teachers modify their curriculum to reinforce the messages of inclusion and diversity for students. The overall goal of our Elmore Leadership Program is to raise leaders who understand that group decisions are often stronger the more diverse the perspectives, and that our lives are enriched by community.

While supporting Mr. Smith and our teachers in their evolution, I continue my own professional and personal growth. My mother served as Assistant Dean of Minority Affairs at Oberlin College and so I have learned over the decades of the impact diversity training brings to a school community of young leaders and adults. I have taken advantage of offerings with national and local school associations and committed to workshops and webinars including Fostering Inclusion and Diversity, a Yale Executive Online certificate course. Many of the lessons in Fostering Inclusion and Diversity reinforced the importance of time-tested collaborative leadership and helped me broaden my perspective as I studied topics including the role biases play in our daily actions and decisionmaking and interactions with others; the key components of Group Decision Making; how to become a better active listener; how having strong emotional intelligence will empower us to have the often difficult conversations related to inclusion and diversity; and creating more inclusive decisionmaking processes within teams and organizations. Throughout the year, I worked collaboratively with the teachers and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Empathy, Action) Alliances and to put into practice the lessons I learned.

Our work towards belonging shines most brightly on IDEA Day. When our nation paused to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy last January, The Country School was in session, celebrating its 11th annual IDEA Day. “Through efforts like IDEA Day, Country School shows a continued commitment to our mission and an education that lasts a lifetime,” said Mr. Smith.

In the spirit of Dr. King’s devotion to nonviolence and equal rights, all students, faculty, and staff spent the day participating in workshops emphasizing the importance of belonging. In a letter sent to Country School families prior to IDEA Day, Former Assistant Head of School Beth Coyne wrote, “Research on belonging speaks to both

physiological and social benefits for humans. It can inspire resilience in the face of difficult times. When children feel academic stress, a strong sense of belonging supports safe risk taking, allowing students to stretch and grow.” Belonging matters.

The day began with keynote speaker Jumoke McDuffie-Thurmond, who taught 8th Grade history at The Country School and has been a visiting poet on campus, working with students of all ages. Mr. Jumoke challenged his audience to envision Dr. King’s notion of a “beloved community,” (common + unity) and began his speech with Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem “Paul Robeson.” We are each other’s/harvest:/we are each other’s/business:/we are each other’s/magnitude and bond, lines that underscored the day’s theme of belonging and how our lives and futures are intertwined.

The theme of belonging played out in various ways, with workshops sharing the patchwork metaphor from our all-school read, “Patchwork” by Matt de la Peña. As a tangible reminder of the ways we fit together, students embroidered patchwork squares to be sewn together into a larger quilt and they created self-portraits that represented all the pieces of their identities. The culminating activity was a community art piece with every member of The Country School coloring in a square on a large grid that shows how we are each one of many.

The increasing diversity of The Country School community is to be welcomed and celebrated. Our school is an environment where the free exchange of ideas not only is encouraged but nurtured. My hope is that our students daily–and maybe on IDEA Day with extra emphasis–experience this small world on campus and imagine ways to make the wider world equally welcoming, a wider place of belonging, a world in which people are valued for the content of their character. Belonging matters.

cElEbratinG community and thosE Who camE bEforE More than 125 members of the Country School community came together at the end of the summer for a multi-generational celebration of community and all those who helped shape what many of us have come to call the “Best Little School in the Universe.”

Gathering on the Burt Family Green on a sunny, lateAugust afternoon, attendees paid homage to two beloved former Heads of School, Ed Blatchford and Tom West, who passed away during or just before the height of Covid. Three members of the former faculty band They Might Be Teachers reconvened to play a few of their biggest hits, dedicating the last one, “Countrified: Boom Like That,” to Bob McGee, the math and Outdoor Education legend who retired recently after nearly 40 years at The Country School. (Has anyone ever “boomed” better than Mr. McGee?)

eight decades’ worth of school literary magazines cataloged there — pay tribute to Mr. West’s love of reading and writing (and of teaching reading and writing), providing indisputable evidence of how deeply he impacted his students.

Former English teacher and administrator Beth Lane shared a tribute to her colleague and dear friend, Ed Blatchford, describing him as a metaphorical stone in the water, sending ripples out into the world. Offering a list of Mr. Blatchford’s leadership qualities, such as integrity, humility, wisdom, patience, perceptiveness, and thoughtfulness, Beth said these qualities were “balanced by a childlike nature” which was “joyful, creative, and playful.” A man who was “kind, gentle, and loving,” Ed was “really a remarkable stone,” Beth said. “TCS was blessed to have him as a leader, and The Country School will always have the imprint of his presence. I know his ripples are spreading far and wide in this world.”

Thank you to Bob Borden, Dave Bennett, and John Gage for the lively reunion concert by They Might Be Teachers. Can we make it an annual tradition?

Attendees returned to Madison from near and far, including Bill Pike ’67, a resident of Washington state, who arrived with an armful of fruit pies and shared a heartfelt and entertaining tribute to Tom West, a man he described as his teacher, mentor, and friend. Visitors were invited to visit the Blatchford Learning Center’s Elmore Library, where a bookshelf has been dedicated to Mr. West. The shelf is now filled with books written by alumni and faculty authors, including one by Mr. West himself entitled “These Students Can Write.” Can they ever! The books on the Tom West shelf — and the

Reunion attendees also learned about “ripples” none of us were aware of until recently. Peter Burdge ’09, now entering his third year as a Country School history and English teacher, told those gathered about a summer project conducted by a team of rising 8th Graders and young alumni to research the early residents of the Farmhouse. After learning about someone called “Uncle Josh Mason” who reportedly lived on campus in an account from an old Madison Historical Society book, students used research techniques they’ve honed in history class to learn more about the man they realize was actually Charles M. Mason, a Civil War veteran. Attendees were invited to visit the “museum” set up in Robinson House, where they could watch a student-created documentary film, read a biographical sketch about Charles Mason, and explore a collection of artifacts found on school property.

Scan this QR code to watch a video about this group’s findings.

Three members of the Class of 1977 enjoy catching up (this was the first time all three were together since graduation). Pictured are: Alvin Bess, who drove up from Maryland to help celebrate the school he has called “transformative” in his life; Diana Staley, a professional chef who, with her brother, “Chef Paul” ’79, created mouth-watering delicacies for the occasion; and Liz Lightfoot, who planned the event with the alumni office.

Carol Robinson, Head of School from 1979-1986 speaks with Bill Pike and Head of School John Fixx.

A Few MOre PhOtOs FrOM Our suMMer gAthering.

As yOu cAn see, the riPPles Are OngOing.

cAMPus enhAnceMents

Beyond growing our students and our program, Country School continues to grow our campus and physical plant. All our efforts focus on the safety of our students, faculty, and staff and equipping spaces as needed. This year has seen tremendous expansion across our 23 acres. Enhancements include: Safety Project’s parking lot lighting, major roof replacements in parts of Clark House, a classroom makeover in Clark House, additional HVAC upgrades in Robinson House, landscaping at the Clark House Circle and the Orchard Circle, the Class of 2023’s Legacy Gift of a new pavilion at Clark House Circle, and the DeFrancis Gymnasium floor refurbishing.

The Building and Grounds Committee also continues to pursue new solutions to help relocate the parking and access area to nearby hunting areas for safety and security reasons. It is investigating options to utilize and potentially share or sell its marshland access with local and state government officials in exchange for more state lands contiguous to campus.

As The Talent Within Comprehensive Capital Campaign for the school’s 70th Anniversary continues, donors have already come forward to lead the funding for the campus’ newest buildings, two makerspaces and an engineering center for our facilities’ needs, already having pledged and given over $450,000.

The administration is developing plans for both an enhanced security plan and a master energy plan for the Committee to review and refine this fall. Both will carry our campus needs forward with safety for all and a commitment to the environment and sustainability this community has always espoused.

seen ArOund cAMPus

The CounTry SChool’S MiSSion & STaTeMenT on DiverSiTy

The Country School honors our students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity. Our integrated curriculum aligns rigorous academics with a commitment to character and leadership development. We nurture every student’s unique role in the community, empowering each to serve the common good. Graduates of The Country School face the future with confidence and an education that lasts a lifetime.

Guided by our mission statement, we affirm that inclusion and equity are essential to our caring community and exist as natural components of our educational program. Understanding diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives promotes the kindness, respect, and responsibility that we build in and beyond our classrooms. Developing empathy allows us to embrace our common humanity by respecting all individuals for who they are.

Country School students are leaders and listeners who, through their compassionate actions, can change the world.