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The Al Perry Scholarship Fund

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Dear NCCS Community,

Al Perry, or as we all know him, “Mr. P” started his career teaching at New Canaan Country School in 1982 and taught in the Upper School for 21 years before retiring in 2003. Over the years, Al taught English, History and Anthropology to seventh and eighth graders. He was also a longtime baseball coach, making his impact on and off the playing fields. Colleagues describe Al as “having been held in the highest regard - for his skill as a teacher, for his pure love of the profession, and for his very human decency and kindness”.

An ever-cheerful Mr. P always knew how to entertain a classroom of kids - making laughter an essential part of any lesson plan. From "T" to “TLCity” to “right up in here!” to “cool cats” Mr. P’s catch phrases caught on for the entire Upper School, not even just for the students lucky enough to have him. And he made sure everyone knew that whether we “snoozed”, or whether we “rooed”, we were all cool cats to Mr. P.

A longtime friend and colleague, Tom Giggi, wrote in his farewell letter “Mr. P has been so much a part of the fabric of NCCS for the past two decades that it seems impossible that he won't be a daily presence on our campus any longer, befriending any student at a moment when a friend is most needed, always being an advocate for what's best for kids, or offering sage advice in faculty meetings at the most important moment.”

Since his retirement, Al has remained close with many in our community - a local standby at school events, having lunch with former colleagues at the Apple Cart, wishing alumni happy birthday on facebook, walking with Mr. Giggi on the Waveny Trails, and, of course, keeping tabs on all things baseball! A friend to so many, we are proud to call him the ultimate “Super Sharpie” … and a true “ballplayer” !

In 2022, Mr. Perry established the Al Perry Scholarship Fund to provide financial aid for deserving students and families who would not otherwise be able to afford an NCCS education. Mr Perry’s dedication to making learning fun is at the heart of the NCCS mission - and thanks to this fund, his impact will continue to be felt by future generations of Country School students. We hope you will consider joining us in supporting this exciting effort in partnership with and in honor of Mr. P!

Best,
The Al Perry Scholarship Fund Committee

The Al Perry Scholarship Fund:

Gifts to the Al Perry Scholarship Fund will provide financial aid for deserving students and families who would not otherwise be able to afford an NCCS education. Mr. Perry’s dedication to making learning fun is at the heart of the NCCS mission - and his impact will continue to be felt by future generations of Country School students. View a list of current donors.

For more information, please contact Holly Donaldson Casella ‘04, Director of Major Gifts & Alumni Affairs at hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687.

Financial Aid at NCCS:

Financial Aid continues to be a priority for NCCS. The 2022-23 Financial Aid program assisted 84 talented and diverse students with more than $2.6 million in need-based grants. These motivated and mission-aligned students span the entire Country School journey and our divisions with 17 in Early Childhood, 31 in Lower School, 16 in Middle School and 20 in Upper School. Over half of these students identify as students of color, including 4 Horizons students, 3 students from Waterside School, and one REACH Prep Scholar.

Support for Financial Aid helps families with a range of financial needs, with grants covering as little as 14% to as much as 99% of the cost to attend. And we are also able to relieve the financial burden of extras outside of tuition like field trips, tutoring, community events, educational technology and sports equipment, which helps to ensure every student at Country School feels a sense of belonging and inclusion. Demand for Financial Aid continues to increase and support for Financial Aid allows us to meet the needs of school families and enables us to attract and enroll new students from diverse backgrounds who add to the fabric of our community in so many wonderful ways.

For more information:

Holly Donaldson Casella '04
Director of Major Gifts & Alumni Affairs
(203) 801-5687
hcasella@countryschool.net

Tributes to Mr. P!

Many a yearbook has been dedicated to Mr. P over the years. We are collecting new tributes, please share yours in writing or video.

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

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.