The Country School is an independent, coeducational, Pre-K through 8 school founded in 1934.
News
Give the Gift of Reading....Every Day
Fifth grade teacher Emily Cranwell shares her family's charming and educational Christmas tradition.
Someday, I’ll get to be the tooth fairy.
It was a happy realization while I was pregnant with my son, Lindan. It reminded me that someday I would be the mother of not just a baby, but a big kid. That was an easy thought to lose sight of when I was still worried about the diapers and crib and clothes that were beginning to fill the nursery.
The real joy in that realization was also that I was going to be in control about how I wanted to celebrate milestones and holidays. My husband and I could make decisions about what traditions we wanted to honor and carry on, and which we could let go of.
For me, it was important to recognize the holiday season in a variety of ways. Our family’s month of December is filled with little traditions that we mark with an Advent calendar. We drive to look at Christmas lights, we visit the train garden at the fire station, we make holiday cookies and give them to our neighbors. Mostly, though, we mark the days with books.
The idea is a simple one, but one that I’m sure Lindan, now a Kindergartener, will remember into adulthood: a giant pile of holiday books (24 in all) wrapped and stacked under the tree. Each night before bed, in addition to our nightly read, he is able to unwrap a story that we share. The stories can then be recycled year to year as appropriate, or new titles added as Lindan grows.
This year, I felt that this tradition also gave us an opportunity to reflect on our most important family values. In recognition of the work that we are doing at school I began a search to find holiday books that reflected our value: empathy. I discovered many titles, and many of them are wrapped and waiting under my tree. (Some I decided would be better when Lindan is a little older.)
I hope that you may look for a few to share with your family, too. Many are available at the local library. My list included these:
Silver Packages, by Cynthia Rylant
The Christmas Truck, by J B Blankenship
Welcome Comfort, by Patricia Polacco
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend, by Julie Stiegemeyer
The Story of Holly and Ivy, by Rumor Godden
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving, by Jan and Mike Berenstain
It isn’t too late to read for the 12 days of Christmas, or perhaps the 8 nights of Hanukkah. Or find a holiday chapter book and read a bit together each night!
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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