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April 25, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

7 Ed Notes

TCS 90th anniversary celebration

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The Country School, a cornerstone of independent education on the Eastern Shore since 1934, is thrilled to celebrate its 90th anniversary with a special weekend of festivities on April 26 and 27, 2025. Alumni, current and former families, faculty, and the greater community are invited to join in commemorating this important milestone.

For 90 years, The Country School has prepared students for academic success while emphasizing character, service, and community. This year’s anniversary theme, “Tradition Meets Tomorrow,” reflects the school’s commitment to honoring its legacy while preparing students for the future.

The celebration kicks off with a couple free events on Saturday, April 26—an Alumni Cocktail Reception from 5–6 p.m., followed by a Community Celebration from 6–10 p.m. featuring live music, food, drinks, and tributes to the school’s past and present. 

On Sunday, April 27, the celebration continues with the 4th Annual Black & Gold 5K Run & Fun Fest. The day includes a 5K run/walk through downtown Easton, kids’ fun runs, and a family-friendly festival with a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, games, dunk tank, food trucks, and more.

Reflecting on his first year as Head of School, Jay Parker shared, “I’m continually inspired by the remarkable individuals who have called this school home—students, parents, alumni, and teachers alike. I can’t wait to celebrate this 90-year legacy with such a warm and generous community.'”

As part of this milestone celebration, The Country School especially hopes to connect with alumni. If you are a Country School alum or know someone who is, please help spread the word and join us for this memorable weekend.

Visit www.countryschool.org or Facebook/CountrySchoolMD for more information or to register for the weekend events. You may also register by calling 410-822-1935. 

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The Country School kicks off its 90th anniversary and installs new Head of School, Jay Parker

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The Country School is proud to be celebrating its 90th school year. This milestone year also marks the beginning of a new chapter with the appointment of Jay Parker as the 7th Head of School.

Jay Parker brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership and a deep commitment to fostering a nurturing and innovative learning environment. His appointment signifies the school’s continued dedication to preserving its core values while embracing new opportunities to enrich the student experience. Parker succeeds a long line of esteemed leaders who have shaped The Country School’s legacy.

“I am honored to join The Country School community at such a pivotal moment in its history,” said Parker. “Our 90th year is not only a time to reflect on the past but also to envision the future. Together, we will continue to uphold the traditions that make this school so special, while ensuring our students are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

The Country School officially kicked off its 90th anniversary celebration on Friday, October 4 with the official installation of Mr. Parker and two surprise guests at morning handshakes. It has been a long-standing tradition at The Country School that each student starts the day shaking hands with the Head of School under the bell tower. Last Friday, students shook three hands on their way into school–Mr. Parker was joined by 30-year Head of School Neil Mufson, along with 2021-2024 Interim Head of School Jean Brune. In an all-school assembly, alumni, friends, and students joined the three Heads of School to share cherished memories and excitement for the future in keeping with the school’s 90th Anniversary theme, Tradition Meets Tomorrow.

The school community looks forward to celebrating the past while charting an exciting path forward under Parker’s leadership. 

About The Country School

Founded in 1934, The Country School is an independent, coeducational school in Easton, MD, dedicated to fostering academic excellence and character development in children from Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is renowned for its commitment to creating a supportive and challenging environment where students are encouraged to develop their fullest potential. Applications are open for the 2025-2026 school year. Visit countryschoo.org for more information.

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The Country School Presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda Jr. March 1-3

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Easton’s streets will be filled by the smell of rebellion when The Country School presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. Based on the beloved book “Matilda” by Dahl and adapted from the award-winning full-length musical, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

“One of my favorite moments early on in the show is when Matilda sings, ‘Even if you are little you can do a lot’. It’s such a powerful reminder for each of us, tall and small, to take ownership in how we can create our reality,” says director, Laura Spies. “Through the process of putting on this musical, these students are doing just that: they are joining together and working hard to create this extraordinary event for their community. We think they deserve a standing ovation for all their work,” she adds.

The Country School will present Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. on March 1s & 2nd at 7pm and on March 3rd at 2pm in the school’s auditorium. Tickets are $10.  For more information, visit countryschool.org.

Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers, lives with cruel parents who find her to be a nuisance, a lousy little worm, and a bore. When Matilda enters her first term at school, she captures the attention of Miss Honey, a kind teacher, and the two form a wonderful friendship. Unfortunately, the school is ruled by a tempestuous and mean headmistress named Miss Trunchbull, who hates children and delivers cruel and unjust punishments to all her charges. Matilda is determined to change her story, but will her cleverness and courage be enough to withstand the reign of Miss Trunchbull?

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019, 212-541-4684, mtishows.com.

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Renowned Scholar Celeste-Marie Bernier visits The Country School to Illuminate Frederick Douglass’s Legacy

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This week, The Country School was honored to welcome a distinguished visitor to its campus, Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier, Chair of United States and Atlantic Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Professor Bernier, an esteemed authority on African American literature and culture, shared her groundbreaking research on the life of Frederick Douglass and his family. This two-day event provided a unique opportunity for all students, from Pre-K through 8th grade, and staff to engage with Professor Bernier’s wealth of knowledge on this pivotal figure in American history. Students of all ages were given the opportunity to ask questions of Professor Bernier during a Q&A session, providing an interactive platform to delve deeper into the complexities of Douglass’s life and legacy.

Frederick Douglass, a towering abolitionist, writer, and orator, played a transformative role in the fight against slavery in the United States during the 19th century. Professor Bernier’s research delves into Douglass’s life, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his personal journey, as well as the experiences of his family members.

“We were thrilled and honored to welcome Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier to The Country School,” said Jean Brune, Interim Head of School. “Her expertise in United States and Atlantic Studies, combined with her in-depth research on Frederick Douglass and his family, aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering a deep understanding of historical and cultural narratives among our students. This occasion not only enriches the academic environment at The Country School but also serves as an opportunity for students and staff to appreciate the significance of Douglass’s contributions to American history.”

Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier is the author/editor/curator of over 85 books, essays, exhibitions, and educational guides. Her recent books include an eight-book series, Douglass Family Lives: The Anna Murray and Frederick Douglass Family Biography and Collected Works. She is the winner of a British Association for American Studies Book Prize and co-winner of a European Association for American Studies Book Prize and International African American History and Genealogical Society Maryland Book Award. Professor Bernier has held visiting appointments and fellowships at Memphis, Harvard, Yale, Oxford, King’s College London, University of California, Santa Barbara, National Center for the Humanities and Obama Institute. 

 

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Naomi Shihab Nye to Visit The Country School

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Naomi Shihab Nye

On Thursday, November 17, 2022, The Country School will welcome Naomi Shihab Nye as a visiting poet/author.

The daughter of a Palestinian refugee, Nye spent her adolescence in both Jerusalem and San Antonio, Texas.
Nye is the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poet Laureate and recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Ivan Sandrof Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Book Critics Circle, the Lavan Award, the Paterson Poetry Prize, the Carity Randall Prize, and many more. She has received fellowships from the Lannan Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and she was a Witter Bynner Fellow. From 2010 to 2015 she served as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. In 2018, she was awarded the Lon Tinkle Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Texas Institute of Letters.

Nye’s multi-cultural experience has greatly influenced her work. Known for poetry that gives voice to ordinary events, people, and objects, Nye has been quoted as saying, “the primary source of poetry has always been local life, random characters met on the streets, our own ancestry sifting down to us through small essential daily tasks…Poetry calls us to pause. There is so much we overlook, while the abundance around us continues to shimmer, on its own.”

A group of Country School students read Nye’s book The Turtle of Oman this past summer and 5th and 6th grade students read her narrative prose poem Gate A-4 this fall. Next Thursday, she will be working with 4th-6th grade students, who are all working on their personal narrative writing.

Country School Interim Head Jean Waller Brune has known Nye for many years and looks forward to her sharing her many gifts with our students and staff. “Naomi speaks to our shared humanity through metaphor and everyday experiences that are familiar and resonate within,” says Brune. “She draws us in through her vivid imagery, love of life, and joyful spirit.”

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Secondary School Event at The Country School

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The Country School hosted a Secondary School Night on October 5, 2021 in its Field House. The event drew admission representatives from 19 independent day and boarding schools along the east coast, as well as Easton’s very own Saints Peter & Paul High School and Easton High School.

Tom Rossini, Director of Enrollment and Outreach, shares some “key” attributes of the Key School with Country School 8th grader Calder Lopez.

Representatives met students and their families to get to know each other and determine how their priorities, interests, and values could align and make for a great high school experience. The lineup included:

Blair Academy

Boys’ Latin School of Baltimore

Christchurch School

Easton High School

Episcopal High School

Ethel Walker School

Garrison Forest School

George School

Gunston School

Hill School

Key School

McDonogh School

Mercersburg Academy

The Peddie School

St. Andrew’s School

St. James School

St. Timothy’s School

Saints Peter and Paul

Westminster School

Woodberry Forest School

Wye River Upper School

Secondary school counseling has been a consistent part of the Upper School experience at TCS so that students and their parents are aware of the many options available to them for high school. The school also recently hired a dedicated high school counselor, long-time Country School teacher Katie Hertelendy, to assist families with this important decision.

“We very much enjoyed welcoming and hosting these school representatives on the Country School campus,” said Jean Brune, Interim Head of School. “Our students are well positioned to take advantage of the strong academics, enrichment, and overall experiences offered by these top schools.”

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Country School Students Inducted into National Honor Society

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Back row from left: Nicholas Kellogg ‘16, Colin Ward ‘17, Lily Berntsen ‘17, Lydia Periconi ‘17, Glynis Gardner ‘17, Sydney Nittle ‘17; front row from left: Adie Parish ‘17 and Olivia Hershey ‘17. Not pictured: Lilli Ward ‘17.

On October 29, 2019, nine Country School alumni were inducted into the National Honor Society at The Gunston School.

The Gunston School honored several students, including nine Country School graduates. Inductees have demonstrated achievement in the following four pillars:

– Scholarship: A cumulative GPA of 85, B, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent standard of excellence.
– Service: Voluntary contributions to the school or community, done without compensation.
– Leadership: Resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
– Character: The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

These pillars directly align with The Country Schools 9 core values, woven into our curriculum and daily conversations throughout our students’ careers here. It is our mission to graduate students who will continue on to high school as focused, thoughtful, driven individuals with a commitment to service, leadership, and character, and we congratulate these nine students who continue to do their best always.

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Country School Students Wins VFW Essay Contest

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Country School eighth graders entered a local writing contest sponsored by the VFW, with this year’s theme being: “Why I honor the American flag.” Of the 80 essays submitted in our district, Damian René was the winner.

It was Damian’s thoughtful and articulate writing that captured the attention of contest judges and won him $100 and the honor of being recognized and appreciated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

L-R: VFW member Michael Johnson, Country School English teacher Chris Nittle, Country School 8th grader Damian René, and VFW member Kenley Timms.

Damian writes: “The American flag should be honored because it stands for courage, vigilance, and perseverance. It honors the men and women who died in the line of the duty, veterans, and the ones currently serving the country and overseas … [It] also stands for positive ideas and values [such as] justice, perseverance, and valor … [and] as Mark Twain said, ‘Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.’ Presidents will come and go, but the ideas and values of the flag and the country will not cease to exist. We show respect to the flag not to concentrate on our disagreements, but on what unites us as citizens of The United States of America.”

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Construction Starts at The Country School

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Willow Construction, one of the largest and most trusted commercial construction firms on Delmarva, has begun work on The Country School, a private school in Easton, Maryland. Work began on Monday, April 23rd, and is expected to take 16 months to complete the project and be ready for the 2019-2020 school year. The project consists of three phases. Phase one includes construction of a new parking lot and drop off/pick up lanes and associated site work. Phase two consists of construction of a new, two story, 20,000 square foot brick building to house the upper school. The last phase of the project will include renovations of the existing Lower School. “Our team is beyond thrilled about this opportunity to not only enhance this prestigious institution but also to update the gateway to Downtown Easton. Additionally, we are proud that The Country School has put their trust in a locally owned and operated company, such as ours, to meet their construction needs” says Mike Hiner, President of Willow Construction. “We love these kinds of projects because we understand what it is going to mean to the people that will be benefiting from the upgraded facilities and supporting the communities we serve.”

Willow Construction has a long history of building educational facilities on the Delmarva Peninsula, including Chesapeake College’s Learning Resource Center, Mace’s Lane Middle School in Cambridge, and The Wye River Upper School in Centreville, Maryland.

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15 Students Receive Fall Athletics Awards at The Country School

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The entire Country School community came together this morning to celebrate wins, acknowledge losses, and recognize the contributions of 15 basketball players to their respective teams.

Front row from left: Brielle Tyler, McKenna Duncan, Caroline Nagel, Billy Hunter, Paget Kellogg, Mekonnen Sahle-Salassi, Alex Urqhart, Jack Dukehart; Back row from left: Isabella Tylor, Sydney Johnson, Joanna Riley, Chillian Cuthbert-Emon, Tierney Smith, Ahmed Ezzaki, Nick Oxnam

Boys Gold Team
Most valuable player: Jack Dukehart
Most improved player: Alex Urqhart
Cougar Award for sportsmanship: Chillian Cuthbert-Emon

Boys Black Team
Most valuable player: Mekonnen Sahle-Salassi
Most improved player: Paget Kellogg
Cougar Award for sportsmanship: Billy Hunter

Boys A Team
Most valuable player: Ahmed Ezzaki
Most improved player: Tierney Smith
Cougar Award for sportsmanship: Nick Oxnam

Girls A Team
Most valuable player: McKenna Duncan
Most improved player: Caroline Nagel
Cougar Award for sportsmanship: Brielle Tyler

Girls B Team
Most valuable player: Joanna Riley
Most improved player: Isabella Taylor
Cougar Award for sportsmanship: Sydney Johnson

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