Berkshire Country Day School Announces September 8 Socially Distanced In-Person Opening

LENOX, MA (07/21/2020) (readMedia)-- For Immediate Release

Berkshire Country Day School Announces

September 8 Socially Distanced In-Person Opening

and

New Dean of Academics and Director of Advancement

Contact and Images: Sally Michael Keyes 413.717-9219 skeyes@berkshirecountryday.org

(Berkshires, Mass.) July 21, 2020 – Berkshire Country Day School announces school opening, with state recommended Covid-19 safety protocols in place, Tuesday, September 8. School administrators are reviewing the "Initial Fall Reopening Guidelines" issued by Jeffrey C. Riley, the MA State Education Commissioner and updates as they are announced. BCD continues to converse with local public schools, review CDC guidelines and follow directives from the Department of Health and The National Association of Independent Schools. Referring closely to state and local resources for safety and social distancing guidelines, the 27 acre wooded campus and large, modern classrooms provide safe environments for students and faculty. BCD classrooms, with the recommended limited class sizes, will be assigned to maximize physical distance between age groups. Health procedures focus on 1) how to prevent COVID infections through clearly defined protocols and other daily routines, 2) teaching thoughtful and purposeful care of self and care of others, 3) demonstrating what it means to be a "citizen" of the BCD Community, ie embracing shared expectations, language, and social sensitivity.

BCD announces new Dean of Academics Kate Skivington and Director of Advancement Kelly Baxter Spitz. Kate Skivington is proficient in Educational Technology, Tutoring, Classroom Management, Curriculum Development, and Elementary Education. Skivington says, "I am excited to work with the faculty at BCD hopefully adding to its already strong track record of academic excellence." With a Bachelor's Degree focused in Elementary Education and Teaching from Susquehanna University, and years of experience teaching at independent schools, Skivington will focus on supporting the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum. Skivington has conducted technology-teacher workshops on how to integrate technology into classrooms, as well as introducing new software, apps, 3D printers, robots, and online resources for both student and teacher use.

Kelly Baxter Spitz joins Berkshire Country Day School as Director of Advancement overseeing fundraising efforts and developing relationships with the school's familial communities. Baxter Spitz began her fundraising career over 30 years ago, working with nonprofits in Boston, Albany, and the Berkshires at well-established institutions including Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Albany Medical Center. She also successfully led fundraising teams at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and Indian Mountain School, significantly increasing the amount of philanthropic support for these community organizations. Baxter Spitz comments, "I believe that philanthropy is about building and maintaining relationships, and I apply that belief to all aspects of my work and personal life." A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Baxter Spitz is a Berkshire County resident.

Berkshire Country Day School (BCD) - is an independent school for preschool through eighth grade students. BCD opened new facilities in 2017 including the Kevin Hirt Library and Learning Commons, and the Kim and James Taylor Music / Performance Room, dramatically impacting the historic Stockbridge campus. The natural 27-acre campus also includes art studios, science building, full-sized gym, and learning commons. The school's pedagogical program blends proven methods, emerging best practices and follows the Reggio Emilio approach for preschool program launched in 2017. Established in 1946, the school serves families in Berkshire and Columbia Counties and is located at 55 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, MA. In 2019 it was voted the "Best Private School in the Berkshires" by readers of The Berkshire Eagle for the third year in a row. Www.berkshirecountryday.org

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Posted Tuesday July 21, 2020 at 10:45 am by Berkshire Country Day School
Last Updated Tuesday August 25, 2020 at 12:07 pm