Cincinnati Country Day School
April Alumni Journal
Message from Joel Brant '87
President, Board of Trustees
Dear Alumni and Country Day community,

I am writing to you as we near the fourth week of remote learning at Country Day. I hope that each of you and your families are safe, healthy and handling this unprecedented time with courage and resilience. 

My family is well. Everyone is healthy and we are adjusting to a new routine. Nora is a junior at Country Day enjoying remote learning, missing time with her friends, and trying to figure out how she is going to visit colleges before applications are due in the fall. Samantha is going through the spring term of her first year of college, and we are thrilled to have her home. From the hours Samantha spends at her computer, it seems that she is currently receiving all of the academic challenge of college with very little of the fun. Debbie continues to spend time fulfilling her extensive roles with nonprofits in Cincinnati and tackling new challenges every day, and I continue to work from home where Zoom has replaced in-person meetings. We are thankful the disruption to our lives has been mild and recognize that so many in our country are struggling with the loss of loved ones and livelihoods. 

As I reflect on the challenges that COVID-19 poses for Country Day and our local communities, as well as for our country and our global community, I am reminded how much leadership matters, especially in a time of crisis. Leadership matters as our governors and mayors make decisions every day that affect all of us, and leadership matters among the people serving on the front lines, such as healthcare workers and grocery store employees. 

When leadership matters most, being part of the Country Day community is more valuable than ever before. Country Day’s integration of technology into education, beginning with the leadership of David Laird and Joe Hofmeister, gives us a huge advantage as schools transition to remote learning. Tony Jaccaci, his cabinet, and our dedicated faculty and staff demonstrated leadership by giving up much of their spring break so that they could prepare to provide the best remote learning environment possible for our students, and by continuously evaluating and working to improve the remote learning experience for our families.

Leadership is the first quality that comes to mind when I think about the value of my Country Day education. Sure, there are other hallmarks of my time at Country Day such as academic rigor and nurturing relationships with my teachers and coaches. However, what stands out most to me now are the opportunities I had to develop and foster the skills necessary to be a leader. Country Day continues to provide these opportunities to our students and continues to graduate students who have the skills necessary to be leaders in whatever fields they pursue, whatever communities they join, and whatever crises they may face in the future. In our rapidly changing world, I think the best thing I can do for my children is give them access to a Country Day education, which prepares them to lead and to adapt to whatever challenges they may face.
             
Your leadership and support make a difference as well. Your messages have been heartwarming and directly impact faculty and student morale. Your financial support provides critical resources for faculty and families in need. 

During this chaotic time, I hope you will continue to lead and support Country Day and I hope you will maintain and strengthen your connections to the Country Day community throughout the world. Stay safe! 
Joel Brant '87
President, Board of Trustees
Virtue in Action
"We stand together, strong in our devotion." These words carry an even greater significance during unexpected and uneasy times. Country Day alumni across the globe have gone above and beyond in their communities, embracing our motto, "Virtue in Action”, to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Dr. Michael Halperin '97 (pictured right) sent an email to his skiing friends requesting over 300 pairs of goggles for his emergency rooms. His request started a movement in the skiing community and was featured in The New York Times . Equipment companies and Olympic skiers have donated thousands to hospitals across the country.
We have many medical professionals among our alumni community, who have been on the front line working exhausting hours, sacrificing family time, so their patients may one day have that time with theirs. Also among our alumni, we have business owners who have converted their assembly lines into mask production facilities, while another has converted their business into a daycare care center for first responders. Yet another started a fundraiser supporting a hospital at which another alumnus serves and continues urging other classmates to get involved and provide help however possible.
Zachary Paul '92 a part time DJ raised over $2,200 on an Instagram live feed to support Dr. Rodney Cheng '94 (pictured above) and his staff at a Los Angeles Hospital.
Michael Leonard '83 provides child care at the Powel Crosley YMCA, supporting first responders and medical field workers.
We would love to tell your story and celebrate our alumni as they embrace and serve their communities. These stories will be featured in our social media communications, on our website and in the summer Connections magazine. If you or any alumni friends would like to share your experiences, please click here a nd make sure to attach a photo.  
The welfare of our Country Day community—both on campus and around the world—is our primary concern in this global health crisis. We hope you and your family are safe and well. “We stand together, strong in our devotion.” 
The Country Day Fund delivers crucial resources to support our committed faculty, who are working harder than ever, and to provide tuition assistance to families in need. This year, the fund is also helping cover unexpected costs borne by the school in response to the pandemic.

Country Day is a community that pulls together in times of need. Your continued support is critical and always deeply appreciated.
Remote Learning
By: Shannon Reilly, Advancement

Remote learning is similar to any new skill we develop: it takes practice! We are emboldened by the successes and learn from the challenges! Our students have now been learning remotely for three weeks, in a program called Country Day ConnectEd. It has had many wonderful moments and several frustrating ones, but with every new experience there is one common theme: the enduring support for our students from faculty, staff, parents and alumni. 
Our upper school students are accustomed to working on their tablets and have adapted quickly to the remote learning environment. The students are following a daily schedule, combining synchronous and asynchronous classes, and attendance is taken just as if they were on campus. There is a strong focus on emotional and social well-being, with advisors and support service personnel helping students adapt to the challenges of a remote learning environment. "It has been wonderful to see our faculty reaching out to students and holding advisory lunches and “hang-out” sessions," said Jennifer Weinheimer, Head of Upper School. "Social distancing is difficult for all of us but especially for teenagers. Acknowledging this by simply providing space and time to connect is what community and Country Day are all about."
In middle school, division head Theresa Hirschauer sends out weekly fun videos for her students. They’ve seen her fishing and riding a four-wheeler at her home, while reminding students that we are all in this together and to make the most of what we have. She encourages their compassion, to be the “driver” of their own education, and to always communicate concerns or questions. Maintaining an atmosphere with which the students are familiar is a priority for Hirsch and her teachers. That includes faculty members holding individual learning time for any student who feels that they need it. 
Lower School has been a collaborative effort, not only with the students and faculty, but also with the parents. Division head, Jennifer Jensen, noted in a video to the lower school community that each family will have a different routine and needs to discover what works best for their family. Communication between lower school parents and faculty has been the key to success for the students, helping faculty to understand what is working and what is not, and allowing them to adjust the learning program accordingly. 
Thank you to the entire community for adjusting your schedules, rolling up your sleeves, and working with us to make remote learning flourish!

For more details about Country Day ConnectEd and to share in some of the extraordinary learning that is taking place, click here or follow on social media, using the hashtag #CountryDayConnectEd
CCDX Week Promotes Experiential Learning
CCDX Week is a signature program at Cincinnati Country Day School, and is considered the most rewarding and appealing by many students and faculty.

A single week, entirely dedicated to experiential learning! Lessons cultivated in the classroom are brought to life in new and exciting ways. Students at every age, across all divisions, had an opportunity to learn "hands on" and apply their skills in an array of experiences. Courses included: boat building, roller coaster design and creation, podcasting, debating, life skills, baking, structural design, history of games and many more.
"I had the privilege of partnering with Head of School Tony Jaccaci as he guided sixteen Upper School students in a deep dive into public debate," said Tom Langlois '77. "We spent the week learning the skills of formal public debate, and in the best tradition of a Country Day education, put them into practice. The students engaged in spirited debates on topics ranging from the legalization of marijuana to universal healthcare."
"CCDX week is an amazing experience for all involved," said Julia Joyce '99, Middle School Learning Specialist. "The students get an in depth opportunity to experience expanded topics. For teachers, it's a moment to see students in a different light and help them uncover gifts and passions they might not have known they possessed. Brittany Woods '04 and I helped students engage in service and video production, including visits to t he Brighton Center in Newport, KY, The Homeless Coalition in Over the Rhine, and the Oyler School in Lower Price Hill. It was a powerful experience cherished by all involved!" 
Due to social distancing restrictions arising from the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, CCDS was tasked with the difficult decision to restrict attendance at X-Fest, the exhibition day of CCDX Week. X-Fest is when parents, faculty and staff are invited to see completed projects. Instead, CCDS posted pictures of the experiences online for the entire Country Day community to view.

A sincere thank you to our talented faculty, who worked countless hours and surpassed all of our expectations to provide students with such a varied and exciting program!
Last Chance for Class Notes
Deadline May 1st

Class Notes is a great way for alumni to share personal and professional news, reflections, commentary, and photographs through our Connections magazine. You can update information and submit class notes on the Country Day website. 
 Click here  to get started!

Please submit class notes by May 1, 2020 for the summer Connections Magazine

PICTURE March
CCDS cum laude students were recognized during a ceremony and dinner.
CCDS girls basketball team makes it to District Finals, their farthest tournament run in school history.
Peter Fossett '80 assists progress of the auction at CountryDate.
CountryDate Raffle Student Seller Winners were drawn by Tony Jaccaci, Head of School.
TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science) team was at the University of Cincinnati to compete against other Cincinnati area high schools.
Middle school students were treated to a long standing tradition of authentic African drumming and dancing by Oginga and his family.  

Country Day fourth-grade Invention Convention. Each student chose and researched an inventor, presenting the information to parents and other CCDS students.
Upper school students attended a performance at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.