Announcing the Retirement of Three Country Day Legends

At the close of this school year, we will bid farewell to three Country Day legends: Merle Black, Beth Langenbahn, and Ashley Ward. After a collective 83 years of service, these incredible educators are retiring.

Merle, Beth, and Ashley have transformed the lives of countless Country Day graduates, colleagues, and families, and their daily presence on campus will be deeply missed. The accolades and titles listed below simply scratch the surface of the unparalleled contributions these three have made to the Country Day community; we will expound on their enduring impact and legacy in the spring edition of Connections. 

Merle Black joined Country Day as a history teacher in 1988. For 35 years, his passion for learning, his commitment to academic rigor, and his love of students has set the standard for great teaching at CCDS. In addition to teaching history, he has coached track and cross country (and been a consistent presence at student athletic events), served as history department chair and a member of Academic Council, helped design the Bob Patterson Memorial Fund, been selected as a recognized teacher for Ohio Magazine’s 2010 Excellence in Education-Private High Schools, and received the school’s Pattison Award for teaching excellence in 1994. 

Beth Langenbahn began her career at Country Day in 1992 as administrative assistant to the former Head of Middle School Dick Schwab ‘67. In 1995 she joined the 6^th grade teaching team and now teaches 5^th grade social studies and math. Beth is credited with – among many things – creating the 6^th grade social studies program that is taught today. Beth also served on multiple ISACS accreditation committees and received the school’s Pattison Award for teaching excellence in 2002. 

Ashley Ward began her Country Day career as assistant to the head of school in 2006 and has been the unseen catalyst for most of the work on campus ever since. By turns a planner, advisor, scheduler, nurse, editor, therapist, and friendly aunt, Ashley has been indispensable to three heads of school and numerous community members. She has also co-chaired the Covid Rapid Response Team, chaired campus beautification events, and served on a myriad of committees, including the long-range plan committees in 2007 and 2014, ISACS accreditation committees, the Blue & White Triumphant Capital Campaign committee, and the head of school transition committee.



To celebrate these three legends, please join us for drinks and appetizers on Tuesday, May 30 from 5-7 p.m. EST in the Carey Family Amphitheater on the CCDS campus. Click here or visit www.countryday.net/go/retirement-reception to RSVP, or, if you are unable to attend but would like to pass along a farewell message, please click on the link above to complete the form. If you would prefer to send a personal letter or card, please mark for the attention of Peter Fossett, associate director of alumni and legacy giving, who will be collating messages for our retirees.

Cincinnati Country Day School

6905 Given Road

Cincinnati, OH 45243

We hope to see you on May 30 for this special occasion as we toast our 2023 retirees. 

As we celebrate another extraordinary school year, please consider taking the opportunity to reflect on all that Country Day gave you and give back. We need your support to reach our Country Day Fund goal of $1,000,000 for the year!

#GivingOnGiven

#WeAreCountryDay

Mark your calendars and please join us!

Craig & Gordon's Excellent Adventure - A Surprise Country Day Reunion at Sea

Motoko Deane, Gordon Deane '67, Craig Maier '67, and Anne Maier reconnected while on a cruise to Antarctica in February 2023.

Craig Maier '67 and Gordon Deane '67 first met when they entered kindergarten at Cincinnati Country Day School in 1954. Both were lifers and remained at school together throughout their CCDS careers. After their graduation in 1967, the two lost touch. That is, until this past winter, when Craig and his wife Anne and Gordon and his wife Motoko happened to sail on the same cruise to Antarctica. Craig spotted Gordon in the observation lounge on the first night, and the rest is history! The two reconnected on the trip, over 8,000 miles away from home, 69 years since they first met, and 56 years since they last saw each other. The Country Day connection is forever!

Have you recently reconnected with an old classmate or taken an adventurous trip? Do you have exciting career or life updates to share? We want to hear it all! We absolutely love when our alumni reach out with their news, so please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Electronics Recycling & Document Shredding Event

The CCDS Environmental Council is hosting an electronics recycling and document shredding event on Earth Day - Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. This will be a drive-through style, drop-off event that will take place near the maintenance building in the student parking lot. Open to the public and FREE, with the exception of a $10 charge for TV recycling.

We are grateful for our partnerships with Cohen Recycling and Royal Document Destruction for making this event possible!

Notice of Nominations of Alumni to Serve on Alumni Council and Board of Trustees

The Nominations Committee of the Alumni Council has recommended that the following alumni be approved to join the Alumni Council for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023:

• Nathanial H. Adams '12
• Sally D. Hernandez ’05
• Lauren P. Legette ’07
• Dale R. Mitchell, Jr. ’97
• Mary E. Mitchell ’92
• Anne L. Pohlman ’04
• Robert M. Shively ’06

The Nominations Committee of the Alumni Council has also recommended that the following alumni be approved to join the Board of Trustees for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023:

• Tricia M. Brown ’98
• Sarah F. Habib ’07



If you would be interested in being considered for a future role on council, please click here.

The Model UN team attended Ohio State University’s Model UN conference and definitely got a lesson in how the United Nations operates and the challenges it faces! The students met with their individual committees to work through scenarios that included resolving the Kurukshetra War, rebuilding Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union, finding an heir to Queen Elizabeth I’s throne, and resolving the Cold War.

As part of their social studies unit on cities, first graders enjoyed their field trip to Jurgensen Companies. Students had the chance to question, wonder, and learn with a hands-on experience that makes learning that much more memorable...and fun!

Middle Schoolers demonstrated courage and teamwork while completing the ropes course on the annual sixth grade trip to Camp Joy.

Kindergarteners got their turn to select a House! Compassion? Courage? Integrity? Respect? Responsibility? All Houses were excited to welcome their newest members.

Mr. Scott's history classes completed escape room challenges based on Vietnam War trivia and Civil War and Reconstruction trivia. Thankfully, they all ESCAPED unscathed!

It was a beautiful evening for Curriculum Night! With the theme of “Literacy on the Lawn!” Lower School teachers shared their passion for literacy by developing and hosting creative book-focused activities to share with the community. Storytime with Head of School Rob Zimmerman '98 capped off the festivities!

Upper School students traveled to Spain to complete our one-to-one exchange program with Colegio El Pinar in Malaga. They were immersed in the Spanish language and learned first-hand about the culture of Spain while living with their host families and attending school. Students also had the opportunity to visit historical sites in Malaga and Madrid.