School Community Gathers for 2023 Annual Meeting & Dinner
The Country School community gathered Sept. 21 for the Annual Meeting and Dinner, and reflections on the state of the school and our strategic mission: “Redefining Childhood Education for the Future.” In addition, the night was dedicated to honoring faculty and staff, celebrating recent accomplishments and looking toward the school’s future. Circles, a long-held metaphor for the school’s culture and community, were featured throughout the evening in both message points and decor.
“I’m pleased to share that Country School is strong and well-positioned to continue its tradition of excellence,“ said Board President Tucker Golden ’90 who shared that Head of School Aaron Cooper had agreed to lead for the next eight years, ensuring both continuity and focus on strategic goals. He also thanked parent volunteers for their dedication to the school and the entire community for its robust participation in the Annual Fund and capital campaign.
“The financial outlook of the school is sound and well-stewarded for the future,” said Mr. Golden, a member of the Class of 1990. “My children and their children will receive as positive an educational experience as I did.”
Parents’ Association President Jennifer Kline encouraged all to continue the tradition of community-building and volunteerism, noting that there is a range of opportunities available to suit all interests and schedules.
In his remarks, Head of School Aaron Cooper highlighted the critical importance of 1) community, 2) time and pace, 3) preparation, 4) experiential education and 5) building citizens.
“In a world of immediate gratification, there is no better and more important place to buck that trend and play the long game than in the development and education of our children. That is truly an investment in our future. Within that construct, then, it is incumbent upon us to understand how to ensure that those flowers bloom as fully and beautifully as they can.”
“We do it so that they can thrive no matter what the world looks like in one or two decades. We do it so that they can lead lives of impact and purpose, contributing to society. And we do it so that, in the words of former Headmaster Nick Thacher, they may grow to become happy, healthy 30-year-olds.”
“In this critical moment, more than 100 years after our founding, it is again a time to act forward. Investing in our program and in our community will best put our students on the path to, in the words of our mission, “lead lives of impact and purpose.” That is our definition of leadership. No matter the chair our students sit in around the proverbial table, with an education here, they can impact the work of that group and do so with purpose.”
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
