August 29th, 2016

Dear All,

I wanted to share the letter below (which was sent to all BCD families back in early August) here on the BCD website as my first official blog post.

Tomorrow, we welcome back the BCD teachers for our annual, pre-school orientation days. I am so excited to have them all back here as we intentionally prepare for the year ahead, offering your children an incredible education among our vibrant community. With their impending arrival and the arrival of you and your children next week, there has literally been a shift in the energy here on campus. The excitement is palpable!

Some important dates to note: (details on all events will be forthcoming)

  • September 6th, First Day of School!
  • September 14th, Middle School and Upper School Back to School Night
  • September 16th, High Spirits: Welcome Back to School evening (adults only)
  • September 21st, PreSchool and Lower School Back to School Night

See you all very soon! Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead. Delighted to be here and to be a part of all things BCD!

~ Leigh

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August 5th, 2016

Dear Berkshire Country Day Families,

Here I am! After months of waiting for this day, I have finally landed in my new role as Associate Head of School here at Berkshire Country Day School. I have been spending my summer learning, asking questions, reading documents and curriculum overviews, meeting with teachers and generally getting acclimated to all parts of the school.   My brain is lit up with enthusiasm regarding all that is ahead as I slowly but surely become part of all that is BCD!

It is so great to be here, steeped in the pieces and parts that make up BCD; however, a school is nothing but a skeleton without the flesh and blood (literally) that make it what it is, and is the reason why we are all here.

I am so looking forward to the return of the teachers, parents and…mostly, the students!

Currently, as usual, there are the various camps in session here on the campus. I have loved hearing the children’s voices on the playground and have had the pleasure to overhear some wonderful conversations from 5-year olds sitting beneath my window, unaware of my vantage point for innocent eavesdropping. I arrive each morning to hear music pouring out from inside our campus buildings as the BUTI young adults practice their instruments with passion and commitment. This is all fabulous, and welcoming and heart-warming but…I don’t know these students, which only enhances my longing for the start of the new school year and to welcoming all of the Berkshire Country Day students, Pre-Kindergarten through 9th grade, back to the campus to make it come alive. The people are the heart and soul of any institution and like a fated fairytale, I am longing to meet the main characters.

I also look forward to forging relationships with you, the parents and families of the BCD students, as we partner to ensure that your child(ren) is seen and heard as him/herself and as we continue to be a powerful recipe in supporting each unique student into continuing to grow to be his/her best self.

As some of you may know, I have the Berkshires in my roots. As a child, I lived with my family in Sheffield, first as a second home owner, and then swept up in the magic of life here in the Berkshires, we became full-time residents for my high school years. Coming back to the area is familiar and wonderful, and also a new beginning, full of lots to learn, to explore, and to become accustomed to after many years as a city girl. I am delighted to wear the hypothetical BCD-badge as I make new local connections and navigate my new beginning here in the Berkshires.

I welcome you to contact me to set up a time to meet and to begin our connection. Or, if you prefer to enjoy the rest of your summer, and to settle into the new school year and then meet with me in due time, my invitation has no “sell by” date; it is an ongoing and sincere one that will remain open to you throughout the year ahead.

I am delighted to be here.  Absolutely delighted.

~ Leigh