Renovated Middle School Brings Community Together
The Middle School reopened after an extensive renovation this summer with an official ribbon-cutting on the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Greeted by Head of Middle School Kirsten Rosolen, students were wowed by the new commons area, flexible breakout spaces, solar lights, athletic locker rooms and numerous other enhancements throughout the building. The entire division, comprised of fifth and sixth grade, gathered together as a community for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 7 for a Middle School assembly. The new commons area was a central element of the renovation project because, previously, the space did not accommodate the entire division.
During an opening week reception for parents, faculty and staff, Head of School Dr. Robert P. Macrae remarked, “The Middle School is a very special stop in the Country School journey. It offers a unique sense of belonging and community that is so vital at this age. We have wonderful teachers and an interesting and challenging academic program, and now the space matches the caliber of the teaching.”
Environmental sustainability was a top consideration in the design and construction of the building—from LED lights and more energy-efficient heating and cooling, to the repurposing of lockers from the main floor to the lower level locker rooms. Surplus Middle School furniture totaling 18,234 pounds was shipped directly to Bujumbura, Burundi for international relief efforts through The Reuse Network, a non-profit organization that promotes environmentally-friendly construction practices.
“What we couldn’t reuse, we donated,” said Director of Facilities Ed Kirk.
This Middle School renovation project, spearheaded by Trustees Randy Salvatore and Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ‘81, was the first of many outlined in the school’s long-term campus master plan. The next project will be a new Dining Hall, which was made possible in part by a $2M gift from alumna Sue Haigh Carver ’51 and her husband, John Carver. More information can be found at www.countryschool.net/futurecampus.
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
