First graders love to learn all about community, exploring everything from familial relationships to their local community. Their school is an important part of their community, and this week, they were able to learn about this special place where they spend so much time. Eric Brunt ’02, Director of Enrollment Management, was happy to serve as tour guide to our wiggly first graders, taking them all around campus to learn about their School.
Brunt picked up his charges in Beasley and, with the help of their teachers and Bill Senti, Associate Director of Admissions – Lower School, shepherded them to inside Olson Hall, a focal point of our campus. There, students viewed the MICDS seal in the foyer, learning that legend says if you step on the seal, you have to kiss it. They visited the bookstore where we sell MICDS merch, of course, but also Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day vintage wear. Brunt explained how we used to be two schools and are now one, which is how we have our school colors of red and green. He also shared that the people who worked on the merger even considered merging the two school mascots: an MI alligator and a CDS ram, making a Ramagator! He asked the students to imagine what that looked like. Is it an alligator head on a ram body? What about an alligator with ram horns? Or a ram head on an alligator body? Imaginations ran wild with the possibilities!
The tour continued outside of Olson Hall toward May Hall, which is an original building from the CDS campus when Country Day moved from Brown Road (which is now under a runway at the airport) to Ladue. Students were treated to an expansive view of many of our athletic fields, and the new tennis center currently under construction. They reviewed a map and counted the number of buildings on our campus. Curious how many? Ask a first grader! Brunt also pointed out Polk Pond, and shared traditions such as Boat Races and the Senior Pond Toss. From there, the group saw the Alumni Dining Hall which serves Upper School students, faculty, and staff, and learned that there’s a frozen yogurt machine! They saw another seal outside, and took great pains to avoid stepping on it.
Up next: Brauer Hall, where they saw the student commons, the Hearth Room (claimed by seniors each year), and Brauer Auditorium, where the entire Upper School gathers for assemblies each week. Thanks to the glass walls of our STEM building classrooms, they were able to peek into math and science classes. A highlight was getting friendly waves from cool Upper School students! Brunt also shared that underneath the Brauer courtyard, a giant tank is buried that collects rainwater run-off, part of the building’s Platinum LEED Certification.
The group trooped through May Hall, stepping around yet another seal (this time the original Country Day School emblem), and passing by the Upper School offices and World Languages classrooms. They toured through the Bryant Arts Center, home to studio arts, Orthwein Theatre, and music rooms.
Their last stop was the front lawn of Olson Hall, where Brunt explained that buried in the ground by the flagpole is a time capsule. It was buried in 2010 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the school and is big enough to hold boxes from each grade level and several departments. The students learned that in 10 years, when they are sophomores, they will be there when the time capsule is unearthed in honor of the School’s 175th anniversary. He challenged the students to think about what they would put in a time capsule today. « A Barbie! » offered one student. « An iPad, » said another. Brunt shared that when the time capsule was buried, there were no iPads. The students were shocked!
Everyone gathered on the front steps of Olson for a group photo, and the tour was over. Students returned to their classrooms understanding more about their School community, and seeing what lies ahead.
Many thanks to Eric Brunt for conducting a fun, informative tour for our first graders! Your passion for MICDS is evident!