Hamden Hall Country Day School - Perennial Pine Yearbook (New Haven, CT)

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if I?-Ji V . V 17. A ,xv j i -b XM ,fi ma ffl, at , , I N HAMDEN HALL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL is located on the College Highway about a half mile north of the boundary between I-Iamden and New Haven. The school, which stands on a hill overlooking Lake Whitney, is surrounded by athletic and recreation fields covering several acres. There is also a small woodland, a favorite retreat. The building is a large, rambling structure which creates a friendly, home atmosphere for the many well-lighted classrooms. It contains an auditorium for morning chapel, indoor sports, and other school activities, and a stage with complete lighting facilities, which is often in demand for class and musical projects. The large, comfortable living room with its cheery fireplace is enjoyed by students and faculty. HAMDEN HALL, one of the earliest country day schools, was founded in 1912 by Dr. .john P. Cushing. It enjoyed a long and successful career as a boys' school. In 1926 Dr. H. Harold Vreeland, Jr., became director of the school and continued in this capacity until Headmaster E. Stanley Taylor took charge in 1953, It is now coeducational and is owned and controlled by the parents, who are incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. All income is used for the maintenance and development of the school. HAMDEN HALL comprises four units. The PRE-SCHOOL includes the Kindergarten and Connecting Class. The PRIMARY DEPARTMENT consists of Grades One through Four. The MIDDLE SCHOOL includes Grades Five and Six. The UPPER SCHOOL, which comprises Form I through Form VI, is organized to meet the requirements of the Secondary Education Board and of the College Entrance Examination Board. SINCE THE MAIN CONCERN of the school has always been to give attention to the character development and the physical, mental, and social well-being of each pupil, the enrollment is limited. All school activities are planned and carefully coordinated with this purpose in view, Instruction is given in small groups. The school program is developed on the principle of a well-rounded day, classroom instruction is balanced with a noon luncheon and rest, and afternoon periods of social activities, sports, and supervised study. Every effort is made to help all members of the school find satisfaction in work well done, and in a simple, friendly, Christian way of life. eighl

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ART and creative work are closely integrated with the social science studies, and special instruction is given in the techniques needed. The study of French begins in the early school years with songs and games and is carried on through simple reading and com- position to formal instruction. The fundamental aim of the music department is to bring out and guide the appreciation and feeling for music which is inherent in every child. All groups in the school have scheduled periods each week for music, in addition to the voluntary glee club. In chapel services the Bible is carefully studied in an orderly sequence of stories and readings. Once a week the younger students present tableaux portraying Biblical stories. During the spring term the seniors are in charge of assemblies. An effort is made to show the relationship of these programs to the solving of everyday problems. Presentations of student essays, talks, and travel lectures are enjoyed by the upper and middle schools. HAMDEN HALL realizes that recreational, social, and aesthetic training is equal in importance to the conventional subject matter and should be made an essential part of educational systems. Occasion is given for learning the rudiments of popular sports and many informal games. There is a well-developed schedule of intramural contests. Boy and girl varsities play against teams from other schools. Clubs-such as Glee Club, Debating Club, Music Appreciation Club, a Girl Scout troop, and a Cub Pack-give outlets for various interests. The students in the College Preparatory Department publish a yearbook, THE PERENNIAL PINE, which contains contributions from pupils of every grade level. They also sponsor the junior and senior proms, the most signihcant social affairs. A student government with its student council functions as an aid in creating a better under- standing of democratic principles and ideals. A program of rhythms is offered to pupils of the nursery school through the fourth grade. Classes above the fourth may take lessons in social dancing under excellent leadership. Dramatics is a major school activityg last year Hamden Hall produced As You Like lt g this year The Tempest was presented. Every student has the opportunity of participat- ing in these extra-curricular activities, which develop self-confidence and impart experience of value in later life. r X- ,.. - -. s .. . ., fx MM 111712