(Pictured: CCDS students unveil the new mascot, the Nighthawks!) |
|
Cincinnati Country Day School
February Alumni Journal
|
|
CCDS Celebrates Black History Month |
|
By: Angela Barber-Joiner
Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Lead Teacher, Montessori
Dear CCDS Alumni and Community:
|
|
This month, our students in all grade levels are celebrating Black culture in medicine, business, space, fashion, chess, sports, politics, and throughout American life. Our students have already begun engaging in discussions and activities that give them an age-appropriate understanding of important topics, historical moments, and leaders – Martin Luther King, Jr, Harriet Tubman, non-violent resistance, the civil rights movement, Brown vs. Board of Education, and the thousands of Black Americans whose positive impact has made a lasting difference.
Middle school students, inspired by the book “One Crazy Summer” by American author Rita Williams-Garcia, are creating reflections in the form of placemats for their nursing home service project. These creations will also be featured in our civil rights museum, Bent Toward Justice.
This month, some students will research influential Black Americans and create short biographical books about their person of choice. Due to pandemic restrictions, we are exploring safe and creative ways for our student-authors to share their books with lower school students.
|
|
On February 1, we began our all-school project entitled “Bent Toward Justice” – a phrase popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students in all grade levels will spend the coming weeks deepening their understanding of our country’s path toward becoming a more perfect union, starting with the roots of West African slavery to the present-day state of racial relations. The project culminates later this school year in a school-wide, in-person, and virtual civil rights museum, “Bent Toward Justice.” More on this to come. |
|
These are just a few examples of the many ways our students, faculty, and staff engage in diversity of thought and perspective while celebrating Black history this month. I am proud of the important work our faculty is undertaking this month as well as their efforts throughout the year to promote a community where our students feel welcomed, valued, acknowledged, and connected.
None of this would be possible without the unbelievable partnership we have with our students’ families. We must remain committed to working together to guide our students as they make connections with the past. By supporting one another we can continue to foster an environment of learning and belonging in which our students can thrive.
Sincerely,
|
|
Angela Barber-Joiner
Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
|
|
Dr. Marcus "Chris" Griffith '81 specializes in psychiatry and obesity medicine. He is Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Dr. Griffith is employed by the Southeastern Permanente Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia and is a clinical assistant professor at both Morehouse and Emory University Schools of Medicine. |
|
Chris credits Mr. Walsh for his original interest in a health profession, "Awhile back I sent him an email thanking him for a pop quiz on the circulatory system," said Griffith. "I remember acing the quiz and him asking me to answer a question about it in front of the class. I was really shy in those days, but I nailed it! At that point I knew I had a passion for healthcare and that single quiz would mold the start of my career ambitions."
Chris credits Cincinnati Country Day School for instilling self-discipline in both academics and athletics. "When I started college, I knew I had skills to succeed because I was doing so well in the classroom," said Griffith. "During medical school at Wright State University School of Medicine, I was organized, prepared, and confident in my abilities to succeed."
In addition to his success in the classroom, Chris was a standout basketball player and field and track star. "I broke the high jump record and was the first person at Country Day to be all city in basketball. I might of even been the first 10th grade player at CCDS to dunk a basketball in a game! It was against Covington Latin School and I still remember it like it was yesterday!"
Chris remains passionate about Country Day and continues to give back to the community. "I feel it is important to give flowers to the living," said Griffith. "I think about how I got to where I am today, the exceptional faculty like Mr. Klingler, who was so passionate and always took extra time to sit down with me and work on my math skills, because he wouldn't let me fall behind. I remember how dedicated he was not only to the school, but our personal success. There is nothing greater than knowing you can pass on the gift of education to those who may not be as fortunate as others."
In addition to giving back to CCDS, Chris is engaging with local high schools in Atlanta through his non-profit, Purpose. "Purpose is a program designed to engage minority students in health professions by giving them mentors and internship opportunities in healthcare, opening doors to careers in the field they may have never known existed."
Chris is excited about his 40th reunion this year and hopes to see numerous members of the Class of 1981 on campus!
|
|
CountryDate 2021 Diner en Bleu is only 3 weeks away!
Don't worry if you live far from Cincinnati, if you don't have a sitter, or if you are more of a homebody! All are welcome to this VIRTUAL gala.
|
|
CountryDate is our largest fundraising event of the year. All proceeds from CountryDate supplement funds raised through The Country Day Fund and support the faculty, programs, and enriching opportunities that make a Country Day education so special. |
|
Play the online games, including the Triple Prize Raffle, Golden Paddle, and Wine Pull. You could win BIG!
Bid on hundreds of exciting items in the online silent auction or tune in on Saturday, March 6 to participate in the live auction.
Buy a ticket to the March 6 event and receive a link to the live broadcast and a gala box with CCDS stemless wine flutes, sparkling wine, and program book delivered directly to your home, then sit back and enjoy the event!
|
|
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend October 1 - 3, 2021 |
|
We plan to celebrate all reunion year classes ending in ’1 and ’6 on campus. In addition, we welcome classes who were unable to celebrate their reunions last year to join. Stay tuned throughout the year for more details. If you would like to plan your reunion, please contact Giles DeCourcy at 513-979-0283. (Pictured: Class of 1991 celebrated their reunion in 2011)
|
|
NIGHTHAWK GEAR NOW AVAILABLE – Limited Time Offer |
|
Coinciding with the announcement of the new Country Day mascot, every currently enrolled student, faculty, and staff member was given this new CCDS Nighthawk shirt. A limited number are available for sale in the Country Cottage through the end of February or until supplies last.
The mascot logo and standards are currently being designed. More nighthawk gear to follow upon their release!
|
|
CCDS Celebrates National Signing Day |
|
Nine student-athletes at Cincinnati Country Day School confirmed their intent to play at least one sport at the collegiate level next school year. |
|
"National Signing Day symbolizes the culmination of years of dedication, determination, and resilience put forth by not only these seniors but also their families and coaches," said Dennis Coyle, athletic director. "We are all incredibly proud of these students and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for them."
"At Country Day, we strive every day to help our students discover their own strengths and to be the best versions of themselves while supporting their peers to do the same. This mindset definitely holds true in our athletics program," continued Coyle. "I have no doubt that these student-athletes will carry this mentality with them and continue to be exemplary leaders in their school communities, both on and off campus."
Additional student-athletes have not yet signed letters of intent although they have been provided with offers to participate in their prospective sports at the collegiate level.
|
|
Upper School Theater Production |
|
A ton of slapstick and wild comic confusion happens when two sets of twins, separated at birth, wind up in the same town on the same day. Friends mistake friends, wives mistake husbands, merchants mistake customers, and the seaside city of Ephesus will never be the same again.
Broken down into episodes, Cincinnati Country Day Upper School Theater brings Shakespeare’s shortest, funniest and sitcomiest comedy to the small screen with an homage to those sitcoms we have loved over the years.
|
|
STUDENTS EXCEL IN SCHOLASTIC COMPETITION |
|
Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation's longest-running, most prestigious educational initiative supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts. The program has an impressive legacy of being the first to acknowledge creative talent and is today's largest source of scholarships for creative teens. |
|
(Pictured award winning pieces: left, Lila Joffe '21, Gold Key, right, Krithika Dama '22, Gold Key)
The following students
earned Scholastic Art Awards:
Gold Key Portfolio
Lila Joffe '21
Gold Key Award
Annabel Blum '22
Krithika Dama '22 (Pictured)
Lila Joffe '21, (2) (Pictured)
Evey Kallmeyer '21
Silver Key Award
Isabella Timmerding '22
Irene Wang '22
Jack Weston '21
Michelle Riemann '21, (2)
Natalie Kaminski '22, (2)
Catherine Kreidler '21
Dereck Gray '21
Krithika Dama '22
Hayden Bortz '22
|
|
Honorable Mention
Drew Bagnoli '22, (2)
Hayden Bortz '22
Sydney Bortz '23
Krithika Dama '22
Dereck Gray '21
Lila Joffe '21
Rose Joffe '21, (2)
Evey Kallmeyer '21
Natalie Kaminski '22
Catherine Kreidler '21, (2)
Christopher Langenbahn '22, (2)
Sam Lazarus '22
Michele Riemann '21
Irene Wang '22
Isabella Timmerding '22
Qiqi Zhu '24
The following students earned
Scholastic Writing Awards:
Gold Key Award
Ella Beyreis '21
Honorable Mention
Ella Beyreis '21, (3)
Pooja Kantemneni '22
|
|
|
Matt Dahl has been a full-time Upper School Science teacher at Cincinnati Country Day school since 1996 and was named K12 Science Department Chair in 2020. |
|
"A lot has changed since I first began at Country Day," said Dahl. "I still remember submitting our plans and input for the labs that were built when the new Upper School building was constructed!" The science labs are a key piece of a CCDS education and have been a challenge during Covid
During his 25 years at CCDS, he has taught honors freshman science, honors biology, AP biology, chemistry, physics, geophysical science, and algebra. In addition, Matt is a faculty co-advisor for the Conservation Research Program at CCDS.
"It's great when we can keep students in the classroom and allow them to get hands on while they learn," said Dahl. "Most colleges assume you have been in labs and understand how to work the equipment. There is some simulation software available, but the physical act of using a microscope is hard to replicate without touching it, which is why we are so fortunate to be in the classroom this year."
Before Matt began teaching at Country Day, he was a neurobiology researcher at Duke University. "I taught during my graduate program at Wake Forest and really enjoyed it," said Dahl. "I decided I wanted to pursue teaching again while at Duke. I took a job with CCDS after that and have met so many talented students that have a passion for learning."
|
|
Support from the Country Day community for Coach Greg Ross and his family has been nothing short of amazing as he recovers from a kidney procedure. The Ross Family thank all of you for your prayers and messages during this time. |
|
Kindergarteners celebrated their 100th day of school with a parade around campus! |
|
Nine Country Day swimmers qualified for districts! Pictured above Griffin McAndrew '21. |
|
Michael Hill '89 joins Major League Baseball's operation department overseeing umpires and on-field discipline. He spent the past 19 seasons with the Florida Marlins and the last six as president of baseball operations. |
|
The 2020-21 school year continues to present challenges as our community battles the Covid pandemic. Please consider supporting our faculty and students in these difficult times. Every gift makes a difference!
|
|
STATE OF THE SCHOOL: PART II |
We are pleased to share our second installment of the "State of the School" address. While our first installment in November featured scenes "behind closed doors," this video takes a deeper dive into student growth and development in this most unusual year. You will hear voices from all three divisions and meet our 2021-22 Interim Head of School Rob Zimmerman '98. Our school has faced unprecedented challenges but, as you will see in the video, the school's true character shines through. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
