Our inaugural gathering in the Kevin Hirt Library and Learning Commons

Yesterday, Preschool, Lower School, and Middle School students ceremoniously and literally began the move into the new Kevin Hirt Library and Learning Commons.  Forming human trains, every student helped and carried our collection of picture books to an awaiting Janet Tone, BCD’s librarian, who placed them onto the shelves in the curved reading area.

This morning, the entire school – students, teachers, staff members, and administrators – gathered in the new Learning Commons for the first time for an all-school “read-in.”  After brief opening remarks, everyone settled in for an extended period of silent reading.

While some final construction work will be completed during the next few days, and more bookshelves (and books!) and the circulation desk will arrive soon after, this “soft opening” permitted us to acknowledge:

• Kevin Hirt’s inspired and inspiring “dream” for a new library at Berkshire Country Day School.
• The “intentional” plan that so many students, teachers, parents, friends, and trustees created for the future development and care of our bucolic campus in 2011.
• The “design” for Furey Hall that was the result of a collaborative process that engaged a core group of teachers, Upper School students, trustees, and Flansburgh Architects in 2015.
• The “promises” that are being fulfilled: to Kevin, to every learner, to our current community, to hundreds of generous donors, and to the future transformation of teaching and learning at BCD.

We expect to begin holding classes in the new Learning Commons, and in the new Kim and James Taylor Music/Performance Room, next week!  Studio arts classes will resume in the renovated and en“lightened” painting/drawing studio and sculpture/mixed-media studio after the March vacation.

With gratitude to Associate Head of School Leigh Doherty for leading the way, coordinating the first move, and arranging our special read-in, and to every member of our current and extended community for contributing in innumerable ways to our successes and the fulfillment of these dreams for the future of our school.