Berkshire Country Day School community aids Puerto Rico

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Note from Puerto Rico

LENOX, MA (12/28/2017) (readMedia)-- Dozens of letters, drawings, and photos of thanks and gratitude have been pouring into Berkshire Country Day School (BCD) from the 78 families in Puerto Rico who received aid from the School's community-wide drive on Make a Difference Day, the largest single day of service nationwide held annually.

The October 28, 2017 drive included support from the Student Council, Parents' Association, and the wider BCD community of alumni and community members who passionately agreed that aiding families devastated by Hurricane Maria would be the focus of the BCD's day of service. BCD students and families donated necessities including food items, batteries, flashlights, and sanitizer. On Make a Difference Day, 50 members of the BCD community including students, parents, faculty, alumni, and community members participated in the sorting, boxing, and shipping of 78 packages. Neighboring businesses Gould Farms, Taft Farms, and Big Y all provided food donations.

Inside each box, students included cards, letters, drawings, and even tissue paper flowers made by the students of BCD. "It was love in a box," said Associate Head of School Leigh Doherty, "It was a very proud moment for me to be part of the BCD community and to see a small idea become a very impactful one." This day of service is in coordination with BCD's ongoing Service Learning curriculum, which is learning through active and meaningful community service.

Each box also included a self-addressed, stamped envelope with paper inside and a letter inviting the recipients to send mail back. And mail back they did! Dozens of drawings, poems, photos, letters, videos, and even a handmade doll from grateful friends in Puerto Rico who continue to struggle to live life as they knew it before the hurricane hit. The gratitude, appreciation, and human-to-human connection were made palpable from each piece of mail written by children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. "Our own students have been moved and delighted to read the mail, see the drawings and photos, and feel the full circle of love from the action our community took," said Ms. Doherty, adding, "Thank you to the BCD community for coming together to show we care."

Mayra Rodriguez, a BCD parent from Puerto Rico who maintains close ties to the Island, said, "I was truly in awe of the commitment and love expressed by all of our school community members. The love and support from the kids and adults asking 'how can we help?' speaks volumes about this place and this school." A former educator, Ms. Rodriguez saw the larger goal for the drive as a chance for students to learn the impact a single person can have. "You don't have to be a part of a huge movement to make a difference, hundreds of people continue to feel the ripple effect of each of us pitching in," she said.

One hundred days after the hurricane, the majority of Puerto Rico remains without power and in dire need. To support aid going directly to Puerto Ricans who are struggling, contact Ms. Rodriguez at rodriguez.mayra77@yahoo.com.

Now in its 72nd year, Berkshire Country Day School is a Preschool through Grade 9 independent school voted Best Private School in the Berkshires in 2017 by readers of The Berkshire Eagle. BCD opened new facilities in 2017: the Kevin Hirt Library and Learning Commons and the Kim and James Taylor Music / Performance Room, dramatically impacting the historic 27-acre Stockbridge campus. In 2017-18, BCD welcomed 41 new students and launched a full 2-year-olds program which follows the Reggio Emilio approach practiced in the Preschool classrooms. Berkshire Country Day School, 55 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, MA. For more details, please contact Jessica Provenz at 413-637-0755 x144 or jprovenz@berkshirecountryday.org.

About Berkshire Country Day School: Intentional. Independent. Inspired.

Berkshire Country Day School, an independent school for students in preschool through ninth grade, exists to inspire the individual promise of every student so that each may become an exemplary citizen of the world. More information about BCD can be found at berkshirecountryday.org.