The Country School is an independent, coeducational, Pre-K through 8 school founded in 1934.
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Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Mr. Mufson discusses this year's theme at school: gratitude.
Thornton Wilder once wrote, “We are most alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” This year at The Country School we will focus on developing within our children the capacity for gratitude. Why? Because according to the research of Robert A. Emmons, professor at University of California at Davis and author of the book Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, “grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness, and optimism, and… the practice of gratitude as a discipline protects a person from the destructive impulses of envy, resentment, greed, and bitterness.” Furthermore, Dr. Emmons states, “a person who experiences gratitude is able to cope more effectively with everyday stress, may show increased resiliency…, may recover more quickly from illness, benefit from greater physical health, [and may have] increased feelings of connectedness, improved relationships, and even altruism.” He sums it up by saying, “Gratitude, we have found, maximizes the enjoyment of the good.”
Like our past focus on empathy and kindness, our teachers will emphasize the concept of gratitude through group discussions, class readings, reflections, and writing assignments. All faculty and staff this summer read Emmons’s book for background. A simple way we will inculcate “an attitude of gratitude” is that every student and faculty member will be keeping an age-appropriate gratitude journal throughout the year. Psychologists have found that this is one of the most effective ways of instilling this element of a positive outlook.
Emmons cites the writer, psychologist, and priest Henri Nouwen who wrote, “Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are steep and hurtful and resentful. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint.” I invite you to consider complementing the school’s efforts by also sharpening your family’s focus on gratitude.
As one element of our efforts, I invite you to join me for a discussion of Emmons’s book on Wednesday, October 16, from 8:15 - 9:00 in Hanrahan Hall. Kristin Diem, in my office, has several copies available for parents who would like to borrow one. I look forward to a lively exchange.
In the meantime, know how grateful I am for your decision to invest in your child’s education at The Country School. We are off to a great start of the 2019-20 school year, and my goal is for this to be the very best year in the school’s 85-year history!
Recent News
List of 5 news stories.
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Kindergarten Students Serving Others!
Kindergarteners have been participating in a 3 part HOHO (Helping Others; Helping Ourselves) project lead by Ferris and Laura Butler. Students packed boxes to be shipped to veterans and their families. The boxeswere filled with child friendly, donated items. Also in the boxes were handwritten letters from the students along with a handmade American flag craft. The Butlers carefully orchestrated this project, and we are very grateful for their time and efforts. -
Spring Athletic Award Winners
Congratulations to all our spring athletics award winners and to all our Cougar athletes who participated in sports and clubs! This spring, TCS offered Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse, Pickleball Club, Running Club, and Volleyball Club. Providing so many athletic opportunities took a village—thank you to our amazing coaches, volunteers, and parent drivers for making it all possible! And thank you to our students for setting an example of dedication and sportsmanship!Read More -
Summer Trips for Upper School Students in 2025
It is with great excitement that The Country School announces the addition of 2025 summer trips for our Upper School students!Read More -
The Country School Celebrates 90 Years and Installs Jay Parker
Read MoreThe 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. -
Conversation & Homecoming - Saturday, February 24, 2024
Read MoreThe Country School, Talbot County Free Library, and the Avalon Foundation, sponsors, join with fourteen other community organizations to present Conversation & Homecoming with Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, a program free and open to all.
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