Reunion 2021

The 2021 Reunion Weekend was one of the most challenging— but exciting—reunions CSW has hosted. Reaching five countries (Ecuador, Ethiopia, Italy, Scotland, and the U.S.), 26 states, and six time zones, Zoom became our way of connecting in a new and more equitable way. And while the digital world can never replace in-person gatherings, this year has shown us that doing things virtually can actually bring more of us together, and we hope to maintain a virtual component to reunions in the future.

You showed up in a variety of ways by reaching out to classmates and friends, hosting breakout rooms, donating to the annual fund, and finding ways to connect across generations. Thank you for helping to make Reunion 2021 a wonderful and memorable success!

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from holding an in-person graduation for the Class of 2020, we knew we wanted to provide an opportunity for our graduates to return, one year later, to connect in person and enjoy time together on campus. Though no event can make amends for the losses this class endured, we had a wonderful time catching up with our young alumni/ae this June. For many, it was the first time on campus in over a year. Alums, their parents, and faculty/staff enjoyed food from food trucks — The Bacon Truck and Cookie Monstah — as well as visits to the Class of 2020 Resilience Garden (the 2020 Class Gift) on the quad.

A RENDEZVOUS WITH THE CLASS OF ’46

Head of School Lise Charlier hosted afternoon tea with two alums from the class of 1946, Paul Sapir and Larry Nathanson. Paul and Larry enjoyed sharing memories of their time at The Cambridge School of Weston and looking at old yearbooks with Lise. The event took place during Reunion weekend.

CELEBRATING 135 YEARS OF PHILANTHROPY

As we close this historic school year and embark upon the next, we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate how philanthropy has grown and what that growth has made possible for CSW — the people, places, and programs that make CSW so special.

Patience Lauriat Society & Planned Giving

Members of our Patience Lauriat Society (donors who have made provisions for CSW in their estate or trust planning) continue to play an important and deeply honored role in CSW’s fundraising. Started in 1990 by Patience Lauriat ’46, when the endowment was just $135,000, the society is now 115 members strong and growing! Over the decades, planned gifts have fueled the school’s operations and ability to respond to emerging and immediate needs, most recently to the scholarship endowment fund, the new recording studio (p.16), and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programming and initiatives (p.10).

Endowment

In just the past ten years, CSW’s endowment — made up of both permanently and temporarily restricted gifts — has grown from $5 million to $14 million, with recent contributions supporting the Changing Lives campaign, the Health and Fitness Campaign, the Alorie Parkhill Travel Fund for Teachers, the Jane Moulding Fund for Progressive Education, and the Kargman Family Financial Aid Fund. Alumni/ae, parents, and parents of alumni/ae have also established or donated to endowment funds in support of the arts, science, foreign language, program development, community service, faculty and staff salaries, and financial aid. These funds, often given in honor or memory of a transformative teacher, ensure that future generations of CSW students benefit from the unique progressive education.

The CSW Fund

Gifts to The CSW Fund immediately support the people, programs, and spaces that make CSW the vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking school we all know and love. In its humble beginnings the Annual Fund sought a yearly target of $100,000. Today, the school sustains roughly $900,000 in gifts each year.

Each member of the CSW community is a part of this culture of philanthropy. Your gifts of time, talent, and treasure all come together year after year to weave a strong tapestry of support for our beloved school.

Thank you for helping CSW in reaching its 135-year milestone. We are excited to continue coming together to shape and support the future of CSW.