Cincinnati Country Day School

February 2024 Alumni Journal

Multicultural Celebrations Bring School Community Together

In alignment with one of the school’s guiding principles to welcome the diverse experiences and viewpoints of all individuals, students learned about various cultures and traditions throughout Multicultural Week.  



Parent Olivia Choi visited the Early Childhood Center to teach students about traditional Korean clothing (hanbok), a bell that's rung for the Lunar Year, a drum, a map, and showed them pictures of the country. They even colored their own Korean flag!

In second grade, Noor Rishi's parents, Dr. Amnah Hassan and Dr. Muhammad Rishi, stopped by to tell the students about Pakistan and the country's amazing culture, delicious food, and unique geography.

8th grade French and Spanish classes combined their painting activity to recreate famous paintings from French and Spanish artists. Might we have the next Pablo Picasso on our hands? 

During Keeler advisory, Upper School students learned about traditional Indian weddings and ceremonies and how they differ from the standard American wedding. Upper School students were also treated to a mini-fashion show!

The culmination of Multicultural Week was Multicultural Night, a true celebration of the CCDS community. There's nothing quite like coming together to share food, music, and culture. From delicious dishes to heartfelt performances, every moment was a beautiful testament to the richness of our diverse community. Thank you to everyone who participated, attended, volunteered, and made the night unforgettable!

Alumni Needed to Help Students Reconstruct Country Day's Past

Upper School English teacher Gurrie Frisbie and Upper School history teachers Nick Battista and Pouye Khoshkhoosani (“Dr. Sani”) are looking for alumni who will share their memories of Country Day with the students in their CCDX course, Digital Chronicles: Crafting a Historical Narrative of CCDS through Digital Exhibits.


CCDX Week is an experiential learning week that takes place every March. Students in the Digital Chronicles course will research the school’s past primarily through its experiences with major national historical events, including the Vietnam War, and through its experiences with more home-grown events, such as the Upper School’s transition to a co-ed institution and the Upper School’s move from the Carl Strauss-designed “old” building to its current building. They will then use that research to craft digital exhibits capturing that past. The memories of alums will be of great help to the students as they build their understanding of the school’s past and create their digital exhibits.


Ms. Frisbie, Mr. Battista, and Dr. Sani are especially interested in arranging for the participation of alumni who attended the Upper School during the 1960s and the 1970s and alumni who spent their Upper School years in some combination of the old building that was torn down in 1999, the temporary trailers that were in place 1999-2000, and the current building that opened in 2000.


If you would like to help with this project, please contact Ms. Frisbie ([email protected]), Mr. Battista ([email protected]), or Dr. Sani ([email protected]). Student interviews of interested alumni will most likely take place March 13 or March 14 and can be conducted in person or remotely.

Connections Recap

Connections, Country Day's biannual magazine, was delivered to homes in January. Didn't receive your copy? Please update your mailing address for our records and we will make sure you receive it next time!

Click here to update contact information and class notes

As well as exciting updates on life at Country Day, Connections included articles on some of the incredible successes and accomplishments of our alumni. Click on the links below for a small selection of the stories. 

Justice Scott Kafker '77 - Living Life on Country Day Time

Q&A with Environmental Lawyer Lindsay Murl '02

Zach Higginbotham '13 - Being Thankful for the Difference

Support Country Day for a Chance to Win Big!

There are lots of ways to participate ahead of CountryDate and no need to attend to be a winner. Participate in the Three-Prize or Rare Bourbon Raffle for a chance to win a wonderful prize AND support the school at the same time! Raffle tickets start at just $25. Click on the link below to purchase your tickets today!

Click here for more information or to buy raffle tickets

Seven Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent to Pursue Athletics at the Collegiate Level

This February, seven seniors were joined by their families, friends, coaches, and teammates to celebrate Signing Day.


Lucas de Alarcon committed to Kenyon College to play soccer, Andrew Pavlisko will play soccer at Hanover College, Caroline Ramirez will join the swim team at Denison University, Isabel Ramirez will play lacrosse at DePauw University, Melissa Teke committed to Earlham College to play soccer, Elizabeth Zimmerman will join the soccer team at Washington and Lee University, and Megan Zimmerman committed to Washington and Lee University for both soccer and basketball.


“Signing Day holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing the culmination of hard work and dedication of these athletes and their families,” said Dennis Coyle, director of athletics. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you and your families on this significant accomplishment. While the road ahead may present challenges, I have no doubt that each of you is well-prepared and ready to excel as college athletes."

Support Our CCDS InvenTeam!

Our CCDS InvenTeam needs YOUR feedback! This coming Tuesday, the team will host its first public preview and demonstration of their invention prototype, which is geared towards improving road bike safety. 


Click here or the image above to RSVP today. Can't attend? Click on the image or the link to donate to show your support!

SAVE THE DATE!


HOMECOMING & REUNION WEEKEND 2024

Classes ending in 4 and 9 will celebrate their reunions this year. Please contact Peter Fossett '80, associate director of alumni and legacy giving, at [email protected] for more information.

Please don’t miss this incredible opportunity to support Country Day’s students through your Ohio taxes!


If you are a resident of Ohio and anticipate $750 or more Ohio income tax liability for the year, you can make a donation to the OAIS Scholarship Granting Organization before April 15, 2024, to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your 2023 tax return. Designate your gift for the benefit of Cincinnati Country Day School (an easy step in the process) and your entire gift will be directed to support the education of our students. Better yet, with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, you can make this gift at no cost to you! 


Sound too good to be true? Click the button below for more details and links to the relevant legislation. Read for yourself or share with your tax adviser for their guidance.


Thank you for considering this wonderful opportunity to support Country Day!

Click here for more information!

How to Donate


  1. Scan the QR code or visit www.oais.org/sgo.
  2. Follow the link at the bottom of the introduction to make a contribution.
  3. Complete the form, designating Cincinnati Country Day School as your school of choice.
  4. Gifts may be made by credit card, ACH, or mailing a check.
  5. Click "Submit Donation."
  6. Check your inbox for your tax receipt from OAIS SGO.

Please contact Louise Vaughan, director of advancement, with questions at [email protected] or 513-979-0284.

Pictures of the Month

The "Student Visionaries of the Year" campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society kicked off this month and CCDS was well represented with the school's inaugural team leading the way! "Team Country Day Cures" is inspired by its mission and is already making history.

It's everyone's favorite time of year... maple season! In their outdoor education class, 4th graders are learning about the traditions of maple sugaring and how to identify sugar maple trees in the winter. As you can see, they successfully found a nice big sugar maple on our campus to tap.

Kindergarten celebrated 100 days of school with their traditional school-wide procession, shown here parading through the Lower School and Middle School.

Fifth grade conquered the slopes at the annual fifth grade ski trip to Peek'n Peak Resort in Clymer, NY. It was SNOW much fun!

Weather expert, Randi Rico, spent time with our 2nd graders discussing what makes weather happen on this beautiful planet of ours as well as the ins and outs of her job. What better way to learn about the weather than to bring in someone who reports on it every day?

A huge round of applause for our talented 7th and 8th grade writers who showcased their skills at the district Power of the Pen writing competition!

Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus visited the Upper School to talk with students about the importance of civil discourse. "It's not just about being nice and polite; it's about trying to understand one another and respect other points of view."

Our Early Childhood students joined the groove as Miss Lauren turned a chilly winter morning into a dance wonderland. In addition to hosting this fun CCDSaturday gathering, she leads our youngest learners through their creative movement classes throughout the week, turning each move into pure magic.

Country Day's success is due in large part to the generous, ongoing support of our alumni. A gift to the Country Day Fund allows today’s students to benefit as you once did, sustaining the legacy of excellence that defines our school. Please consider joining fellow alumni in making a gift.

Click here to support Country Day
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