14 • THE GRYPHON Summer/Spring 2021
KLUCHMAN RENOVATION
CSW Raises $600,000+ in Support of Kluchman Renovation Project When The Cambridge School of Weston (formerly known as The Cambridge-Haskell School) first opened its doors at its current location in Weston, MA, students attended many of their classes in the building now known as the Kluchman Administration Building. Today, the building houses the College Counseling Offices, the Head’s Office, math classrooms, and the school library. With entrances on the quad and along Georgian Road, the building has for many years served as the main lobby for the school, where guests are able to check in and orient themselves in preparation for their visit. But for a school that prides itself on promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion, this important space has been lacking in a critical area: accessibility. With steps at both entrances, a hidden reception desk tucked away to the side, and no bathroom on the main floor, the space was no longer fulfilling its purpose to welcome guests and set the tone for their visits. Meanwhile, with increased interest in the school in recent years, CSW’s Admissions Office was finding it difficult to accommodate prospective students and their families in the adjacent admissions building. Recognizing these needs, Head of School Lise Charlier, in
partnership with the Board of Trustees, worked on a proposal to renovate the first floor of the Kluchman, making it more accessible, welcoming, and emblematic of CSW’s core values, while also providing additional reception space for prospective students and families.
Grandparents’ Day, or plays, and other events in buildings not modified for all abilities,” David shared. “It is important to me that the school’s campus and spaces be welcoming and accessible to all members of our community, be that students, faculty/staff, alumni/ae, parents, grandparents, or visitors.”
This preliminary project will be the cornerstone of a larger, multi-year, multi-phase plan to make CSW’s campus more accessible, examining existing spaces and structures and revitalizing them in ways more in step with the culture and goals of the school of today. With a focus on repurposing and reimagining existing spaces, this plan will adhere to four pillar objectives: living sustainably, practicing green habits, increasing accessibility, and honoring CSW’s past.
Former heads of school Al Adams, George Cohan, and Jane Moulding also supported the project, along with current head of school, Lise Charlier, with great gratitude to David for getting us started.
Leading the Way Alumnus and past trustee David Mugar ’59 started this important project off with a generous lead challenge gift of $250,000 if the school could secure an additional $250,000, by June 30, 2021. “I have noticed how my mobility changes and challenges over time have limited my access to important spaces and events — including visiting my grandchildren’s schools at
Closing the Gap Inspired by David’s generosity and moved by the prospect of making CSW more accessible, former board chair and longtime supporter of CSW, Diane Garthwaite, parent of Darcy Brennan ’99, announced in June that she would be matching David’s gift, contributing an additional $250,000 to the Kluchman project. “I have had a number of conversations recently with Head of School Lise Charlier and others about the exciting (and overdue) plans to make the Kluchman Building accessible, with a new welcoming lobby, and finally a bathroom on the first floor,” says Diane. “In choosing ‘access’ as a key theme to build on, I think Lise is taking CSW in a crucial
