News & Views

Students Present Parting Gift to Dr. Macrae at Memorial Day Assembly

Students, faculty and staff gathered for the annual All-School Memorial Day Assembly on May 25 to honor those who have served our country. It was also an opportunity for students to offer thanks and a fond farewell to Head of School Robert Macrae.
Students, faculty and staff gathered for the annual All-School Memorial Day Assembly on May 25 to honor those who have served our country. It was also an opportunity for students to offer thanks and a fond farewell to Head of School Robert Macrae.
 
Ninth grader Dillon Mims opened the all-school assembly with the traditional playing of Taps. Ninth grade announcers Daly Baker, Jack Johnson, Tyler Galante and Brian Villalta joined Dillon in emceeing the event, which included songs, speeches and even a science demonstration.
 
Kindergarteners sang “This Land Is Your Land,” second graders sang “Fifty Nifty United States,” sixth grader Campbell Essex shared a speech about service dogs and third graders Mabel Cullen, Marcus Ortiz and Jack Beauclair to shared their biography projects. Sixth graders Kate Edwards, Sloane Griffiths, Alice Nash and Wilder Judelson demonstrated the power of electricity and the entire school community sang the school song, “Audentes Fortuna Juvat,” (which is the Latin translation of the school’s motto “Fortune Favors the Bold”) written by Country School teacher and New Canaan resident Andrew Tyson.
 
A student from each division, Kindergartener Evren Gokgol-Kline, fourth grader Simeran Samra, sixth grader Jack Rosenberg and ninth grader Lauren Walsh, presented Dr. Macrae with a set of special stones, each representing the four quadrants of the Mood Meter. The Mood Meter is an important part of the school’s social-emotional curriculum which was developed during Dr. Macrae’s tenure.
 
Dr. Macrae, we want to take this moment as a full school community to thank you for sharing with us your interest and commitment to wellness. We are especially connected to the Mood Meter and find it to be a very helpful tool,” said Daly.
 
One by one the students presented Dr. Macrae with four stones.
 
“The red stone is an Australian Jasper and encourages the desire for new experiences. … The blue stone is Soladite. It is a great calmer and useful for students of all ages. … The yellow stone is Citrine, a joyful stone with bright energy. … And the green stone is Malachite and represents balance, wisdom and comfort,” explained the students.
 
Dr. Macrae offered his thanks to the Country School community and encouraged all of the students to continue to take ownership of their education and be proud of their leadership.
 
The Upper School Band closed the assembly with “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
 
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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.