Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Life is Delicious When You Foster Goodwill
Despite a new recipient shelter, the Middle School’s Life is Delicious program actually fostered a stronger interaction level between students and those clients who received meals, according to Middle School Director Brian Christman.
“It was really special this time because there was not enough room for all 10 of our students to stand and serve in a line. Instead, we brought the meals directly to the clients at their beds,” said Mr. Christman. “As a result, there was a lot of interaction between our students and the shelter's occupants. Our kids really enjoyed the exchanges, and it made them so happy to have an up-close view of how grateful and appreciative the clients were.”
The day began with 27 Middle Schoolers cooking and preparing a lasagna meal in the Lender Refectory to be served as the evening meal at a local homeless shelter. The communal process engaged students as they worked in groups chopping vegetables and fruit for salads, mixing and baking cupcakes, and layering meat, sauce, and pasta for lasagna.
From there, the food was delivered and served at the shelter.
“With the new shelter, we have a real opportunity to destigmatize the homeless because the kids see that they are not to be feared. We hope they see the benefit of community service and that their experience will get them ‘hooked’ for life. The personal and intimate nature of the shelter this year may actually help us to achieve a key goal even more effectively than in the past,” explained Mr. Christman.
There will be three additional cooking and serving sessions over the next couple of months in order that all Middle School students have the chance to participate. Sessions are determined via advisor groups and beyond Middle School faculty are “staffed” by Parents’ Association Co-Presidents Christine Fontana and Laurie-Ann Letizia as well as Hamden Hall’s Food Service Dept. Also on hand supervising the baking of the cupcakes (130 of them!) was Pine Orchard head pastry chef Greg Googins.
Hamden Hall’s Life is Delicious program is now in its fifth year.
“It was really special this time because there was not enough room for all 10 of our students to stand and serve in a line. Instead, we brought the meals directly to the clients at their beds,” said Mr. Christman. “As a result, there was a lot of interaction between our students and the shelter's occupants. Our kids really enjoyed the exchanges, and it made them so happy to have an up-close view of how grateful and appreciative the clients were.”
The day began with 27 Middle Schoolers cooking and preparing a lasagna meal in the Lender Refectory to be served as the evening meal at a local homeless shelter. The communal process engaged students as they worked in groups chopping vegetables and fruit for salads, mixing and baking cupcakes, and layering meat, sauce, and pasta for lasagna.
From there, the food was delivered and served at the shelter.
“With the new shelter, we have a real opportunity to destigmatize the homeless because the kids see that they are not to be feared. We hope they see the benefit of community service and that their experience will get them ‘hooked’ for life. The personal and intimate nature of the shelter this year may actually help us to achieve a key goal even more effectively than in the past,” explained Mr. Christman.
There will be three additional cooking and serving sessions over the next couple of months in order that all Middle School students have the chance to participate. Sessions are determined via advisor groups and beyond Middle School faculty are “staffed” by Parents’ Association Co-Presidents Christine Fontana and Laurie-Ann Letizia as well as Hamden Hall’s Food Service Dept. Also on hand supervising the baking of the cupcakes (130 of them!) was Pine Orchard head pastry chef Greg Googins.
Hamden Hall’s Life is Delicious program is now in its fifth year.
Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
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.
