Hamden Hall is proud to be a leader in educational excellence. Our Reopening Plan for the 2020-2021 school year has been heralded by our current families, and our priority continues to be providing a myriad of learning experiences and opportunities to our students amid a healthy and safe environment. Together – because of your previous and ongoing support – we have been able to implement and offer the following initiatives and programming this school year:
Devised campus scenarios for our students and teachers to utilize all buildings and learning spaces. The use of Whitney Avenue, Skiff Street, and Davis Street reduces overall density and the number of students in a class. This included significant internal modifications to several buildings and classrooms.
Hired additional faculty to accommodate three campuses and smaller classroom settings.
Met the increased demand for need-based financial aid for students adversely affected by the pandemic.
Continued to grow our academic and extracurricular programs.
Invested significantly in technology upgrades to equip classrooms with webcams and microphones designed to focus on the board and teacher, allowing remote students access to education.
Ensured overall cleanliness of campuses and germ mitigation via three UV machines, implementation of hygienic protocols, and more.
Partnered with FLIK Dining Services to safely deliver high quality food choices for lunch.
Prepared all sections of our campuses to allow for proper social distancing including installation of multiple tents for regular outdoor breaks and learning spaces.
Modified ventilation systems to accommodate all recommended safety guidelines as well as installation of MERV-13 filters in all HVAC systems.
As you can see, your donation to our school community makes a difference. Please consider this year renewing your commitment or increasing your contribution over your previous gift. Together – we can ensure that Hamden Hall remains an exceptional institution with great rewards for all who embrace our academic program.
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations recently dedicated a bench in remembrance of alumna Sarah Alexis Foster, Class of 2010. The bench was placed on our Whitney Avenue campus. Sarah's parents, Laurie Stone and Stuart Foster, wanted to memorialize Sarah and provide students and faculty a place to relax and reflect.
Alumni Offer Insight on Path to Professional Success
Having journeyed through the same halls and classrooms as current Upper School students, a panel of Hamden Hall alumni offered valuable insight into their respective paths to professional success.
The virtual assembly featuring four alums was spearheaded by junior Michael Ferneini, co-founder of the Highschoolers into Business Club (along with fellow juniors Rahul Kapur and Joshua Tenedine). After introducing Duane Beasley 1992, Alexis Highsmith Smith 1997, Matthew Felice 2005, and Ilan Berman, who attended Hamden Hall from 1987 through 1991, Michael turned the assembly over to Upper School Co-Director Kim Porto, who served as moderator of the event.
Everyone loves a game of BINGO – especially when it’s virtual! Thanks to Blake Acquarulo, Class of 2012, our Hamden Hall community was able to come together in May, despite COVID-19, and enjoy an evening of fun and games. Blake came across a company that provided a virtual BINGO experience, Get Your Bingo On, while supporting a local charity event.
“After participating, my mom (Pam Acquarulo) and I immediately thought that this could be a great opportunity to bring together the Hamden Hall community during such difficult times. I enjoyed how simple and easy it was to participate in virtual BINGO and how this activity broke up the monotony of quarantine,” said Blake.
Blake teamed up with the Development Office to provide an event that not only supported the newly created Hamden Hall Scholarship Fund but was also a way for our community to interact and enjoy virtual time together.
“My time as a student at Hamden Hall taught me the value of community, and organizing this event felt like my small way to contribute to the community that has taught and given me so much,” said Blake.
Terry Swain, President Emeritus, Past Parent, Past Grandparent
Over the course of four decades, Terry was a stalwart devotee of Hamden Hall first as a parent in the ’70s and ’80s and later as a grandparent. He served on the Board of Trustees – including as president from 1989 through 1994 – for three decades before “retiring” in June 2011. At that time, he was honored with the title of Trustee Emeritus.
“Terry Swain embodied our core value of ‘participation.’ His impact on our school community cannot be overstated,” said Head of School Bob Izzo. “Through his time, talent, and treasure, Hamden Hall progressed over the years both in terms of our physical plant and our overall sustainability. More than that, Terry was committed to our students and faculty and recognized what a special place Hamden Hall was and continues to be. I am very fortunate to have worked with him for so many years and honored to have called him a close friend.”
Hamden Hall Country Day School is pleased to announce that Maryanne Lincoln Hall, Class of 1954, is sponsoring a partial four-year scholarship for an Upper School student. Maryanne spent her entire career teaching elementary school in Bethany, Conn.
Jim Maggart Remembers Hamden Hall with Estate Planning Gift
Jodi Amatulli
Hamden Hall is pleased to announce that former Headmaster James “Jim” Maggart has remembered our school in his estate planning. Jim served Hamden Hall for 13 years, retiring in 2004. He has now named Hamden Hall as the sole beneficiary of a term life policy. We thank Jim for his generosity and friendship to Hamden Hall, and we extend our best wishes to Jim and his wife, Kaye.
In May 2017, Hamden Hall celebrated the establishment of The Betty Lou Blumberg Endowed Chair of English with an Evening of Literature. Betty Lou is pictured with former students and supporters of the endowment (from left) Susan Stone Levine 1980, Leslie Hazen 1980, Andrew Saxe 1980, Herb Emanuelson 1982, Jeannette Cole 1981, Mario Dittoro Jr. 1980, and Chris Kuselias 1980.
We thank former faculty member Katharine Harris for remembering her dear friend and Hamden Hall colleague, Ursula Lawder, who passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2017. Ursula was 80 and had taught art in our Lower School for many years.
Hamden Hall Country Day School is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.