What an exciting new year at Berkshire Country Day School! The 2017/2018 year is off to a terrific start, and we’re especially thrilled to welcome 41 new students. Every grade, from our new Beginner 2s through 7th Grade welcomed at least one new student, many grades with multiple additions. It’s our 2nd week of the year, and already it’s impossible to distinguish the new kids from students who have been here for years. New students have seamlessly integrated into classrooms, onto sports teams, in lunchrooms—all across campus!

What are some of the things our new students and their families are saying?

“My teacher is not just ‘Okay’—she’s awesome!”
“It’s the best first week of school ever for our family.”
“Our children have been at several other schools, and this is hands down the best we’ve experienced.”
“She loves school! She talks about all of her new friends, the kindness of the staff, her classes—and even loves soccer.”

We proudly boast that our students hail from all across Berkshire and Columbia Counties. Students come from Sheffield to Otis and from Pittsfield to Dalton (and practically every town in between). And, about 25% of our students live in 11 towns in Columbia County, including as far away as Hudson, NY.

In addition to this year’s increased enrollment, there’s more good news to share:

  • Over the summer, we were notified that BCD was voted “Best Private School in the Berkshires.” This is a great honor and testament to the high degree of satisfaction our students, parents, and alumni have for their BCD experience.
  • Talented new teachers joined our community:
    • Mary Daire (6th Grade Co-Advisor, French)
    • Carli Imreh-Allegretta (Assistant Teacher, Beginner 2s)
    • Ashley Junod (Assistant Teacher, Preschool)
    • Julia Kreilkamp (Lead Teacher, Beginner 2s)
    • Lia Russell-Self (Theater and Development Associate)
    • Wes Elliot (Afterschool program)
  • The new Beginner 2s preschool class is a resounding success and is already nearly full. Like our Beginner 3s and PK class, the “B2s” is inspired by the Reggio Emilia model.
  • The new Kevin Hirt Library and Learning Commons and the new Kim and James Taylor Music/Performance Room, which officially opened last April, are being used in full swing. These state-of-the-art facilities are incredible resources for our whole community, supporting our vision for our comprehensive programs and the future.

  • Field trips are underway, and the first—the 8th Grade trip on the sloop Clearwater—literally set sail this week from the dock in Hudson, NY. This is the 2nd annual trip funded by the James C. Kapteyn Endowment for Environmental Studies, established to honor BCD alumnus Jamie Kapteyn ’76. Next week, the 4th Grade will visit Art OMI in Ghent, NY. In October, the 5th Grade will spend 4 days at Nature’s Classroom in Rhode Island, and the 6th Grade will spend 4 days at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Vermont. Both of these experiential programs are designed to strengthen class bonds, provide relevant learning opportunities, and build leadership skills.

Last night, we welcomed Middle and Upper School families for a “Back to School Night.” Families were welcomed with an overview of our program and introductions of all the teachers these students learn from during the week, from homeroom advisors to English, History, Math, Science, Spanish, French, PE, Art, and Music. With over 80% turnout by parents, the mood was incredibly positive about what our students have already done since the start of school and what they will be doing over the course of the year. Kindergarten and the Lower School will have their “Back to School Night” later in September.

With all this great news and upcoming activities, I invite you to share this post with your friends and family.
It’s already an awesome year!