‘Topping Off’ Ceremony Marks Progress on New Dining Hall & Commons
Faculty, staff and students gathered on Friday, Nov. 10 as the last beam was laid into place during a “topping off” ceremony for the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons. During the previous few days, students, faculty and staff had signed their names and written some inspirational messages on the beam. As is tradition in this ceremony, a school flag, an American flag and a small evergreen tree – symbolizing new growth – were attached to the final beam before it was raised.
“It’s so exciting to watch, and especially watching the students’ reactions. The building is really beginning to take shape,” said Director of Facilities Ed Kirk. The footings and foundations have been poured, the steel structure is complete and the wood framing will begin in December.
An official ground-breaking ceremony was held last spring and the project has been progressing smoothly. The contractor is on schedule for completion by mid-July, in plenty of time for the kitchen staff to move in and get situated and to open for the 2018-2019 school year.
During this construction year, the Schlesinger Library has been transformed to serve as the temporary cafeteria.
“Probably the best news is that construction has had minimal impact on our everyday life at school,” said Mr. Kirk, “Parking and both pedestrian and vehicular traffic have been going very smoothly, and the temporary cafeteria is working even better than we expected!”
For more information about the new Dining Hall & Commons as well as future building project plans, visit 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.
