November 2023

Hello Alumni, Alumni Parents,

Grandparents and Friends

The 2023-2024 school year is well underway and we want to make sure you feel a part of it!  

This fall has been one of joyful introductions and re-connections between new students/families starting at Touchstone and those returning. The lively discussions between students and their peers and students and teachers demonstrate that collaboration remains a pillar of the progressive education at Touchstone. It is through the continual navigation of relationships both in the classroom and on our newly expanding “adventure playground” that our students develop into true leaders, allies, and contributors. 

Speaking of our “adventure playground,” big things are happening! Students arrived on campus this September to some exciting changes in progress on the back field and on the hill down to the lower field. Thanks in large part to some generous donations and offers of in-kind work, the renovation of our outdoor space has begun in an effort to make our campus more accessible and reflective of our mission. This project is happening in stages, and will greatly expand and enhance the ways our campus helps facilitate active learning, with a strong focus on the natural environment. Please consider donating to our annual fund to help keep this project going!

The Older Student Program (OSP) went on their annual hike and overnight trip on Mt. Washington at the end of September. The students hiked Black Cap and Tuckerman Ravine trails and stayed at the Prospectors Ski Club Lodge. This trip has become an important part of community building in the OSP and helps each student feel challenged, supported, and known.  

The end of October brings the annual TCS Halloween parade – it was wonderful to see the tradition of having at least one homemade element to costumes continuing on. There is no shortage of creativity at Touchstone!  We hope you enjoy some highlights. 

We are excited to introduce Olivia Brochu as our alumni coordinator. Olivia graduated from Touchstone in 2011. After graduating from Hampshire College in 2019, she worked on political campaigns across the country. She currently works on the policy team at the Scholars Strategy Network and lives in Washington DC. Olivia joined the board in Spring of 2023 and has been working on engaging alumni through the new TCS Alumni Instagram and is excited to support all alumni engagement moving forward. 

Please stay in touch! Our alumni and extended families are vital threads in the weave of our community. Know someone who might want to receive these communications but is not on our list? Please forward this to them and encourage them to sign up for our mailing list on the News and Events page of the website.

In town for the holidays? Please come visit! Our students would love to show you around and share what they are up to!

Wishing you and yours all the best!

Linda Pape (alumni parent ‘86, ‘96)

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees 

Email: lindapape@gmail.com

Alumni Instagram