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We arrived early to set up commencement at the Botanical Gardens Tuesday. It was warm and hazy, but the forecast said 25% chance of rain. The garden looked beautiful with rows of white chairs, a pergola adorned with flowers, the Garden School seal on the podium, and a stack of hard-earned diplomas waiting for their eager recipients. Seniors and families began arriving and we were ready to open the zoom room when we heard a rumble. “Is that a plane landing at LaGuardia” asked someone.
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June 10, 2021
Dear Garden Community,

We arrived early to set up commencement at the Botanical Gardens Tuesday. It was warm and hazy, but the forecast said 25% chance of rain. The garden looked beautiful with rows of white chairs, a pergola adorned with flowers, the Garden School seal on the podium, and a stack of hard-earned diplomas waiting for their eager recipients. Seniors and families began arriving and we were ready to open the zoom room when we heard a rumble. “Is that a plane landing at LaGuardia” asked someone.

Looking up, we saw a foreboding dark cloud approaching. We quickly flipped our plans and after a great bustle, we were set up under the canopy outside of the QBG’s visitor center. Then the rain began to come down hard as we reset chairs, speakers, and diplomas. The wind blew the rain sideways from the east and we reset the chairs again. Then the wind changed direction and we reset the chairs yet again.

Of course this is how we would close out 2021 – with another test of our flexibility in the face of shifting winds. COVID did not stop us from pursuing our mission this year and a rain storm certainly would not prevent us from celebrating the incomparable class of ’21. Though it was unique for Garden to hold commencement off campus, we were glad 90 families, staff, and trustees were in attendance with another 75 streaming from home.

This year was filled with endless lessons on the importance of community, knowing one’s mission, the value of a high-quality education, the freedom that comes with independence, and the significance of hope and optimism in the face of adversity. This year, Garden staff, families, and students proved we could do what few others were able to.

As we reflect on a year of complexity, we take key lessons with us. Success is nurtured in diligent pursuit of a valuable goal. It is found while being nimble when obstacles emerge. It is fostered by an ethos of positivity especially when it is hardest. Finally, it is more easily attained when you are surrounded by a community that shares core beliefs and cares for one another.

On the drive home from commencement, the skies clearing, the most remarkable rainbow appeared over Queens as if to show us that despite all the students, staff, and families of the Garden community endured this year, a bright and beautiful future awaits. Congratulations to the class of 2021 and to everyone in the Garden community for a successful and safe school year.

Best,
Chris

Congratulations to the Class of 2027 and 2021
Moving Up ceremonies were held virtually this year to celebrate students in Kindergarten and Sixth grade to mark these major milestones. Congratulations to our rising first graders and to the class of ‘27 who will be the 100th graduating class of Garden School!
Garden Senior Prom 2021
 
Prom 2021 was held in the elegant Garden Ballroom at Terrace on the Park. Despite group size restrictions and other special plans that needed to be made by the Prom Committee, the event was an incredible success and our seniors wrapped up their high school careers in style.
Sending Off the Beloved Nancy Massand
 
Garden Staff gathered to honor a seminal figure in our school. Nancy Massand’s retirement is bittersweet as we wish a fond farewell to such a beloved faculty member. Nancy has impacted the lives of hundreds of children. Faculty and staff gathered to share memories and well wishes with Nancy at an end of year send off celebration and true to her ethic of service, she even performed a song for us all. Nancy will remain connected to Garden and we wish her the best of luck as she enters the next chapter in her life.
 
Director of Finance recognized by N.B.O.A.
Mary Maisano was recognized by the National Business Officers Association with the Will Hancock Unsung Hero Award. The N.B.O.A. serves 1500 independent schools across 25 countries. The Will Hancock Award goes to high impact individuals doing important work in non-profit finance. We were proud to see Mary recognized and she will be featured in N.B.O.A.’s upcoming issue of their magazine Net Assets.
Breaking New Ground
Construction began this week on the upper division renovation where nine classrooms are being transformed. When students return, we’ll have new floors, ceilings, sheet rock, paint, trim, a/c units, white boards, and furniture. In addition, the hallways will receive a facelift with new lockers and display space. Demolition is nearly complete and sheet rock is already going up in some rooms. This is the first phase of our multi-year campus revitalization project from the Road to 100 Strategic Plan, which paints a collective vision of collaborative spaces filled with sophisticated tools in a 21st century focused environment.
Celebrating Staff & Faculty
 
Garden spent the afternoon of June 4th appreciating the Faculty and Staff at an end of year celebration. The delicious meal was generously provided by The Ricardo Steakhouse compliments of the Mateus Family. It was one of the few times our staff could all gather in one space this year and it was a warm and enthusiastic end to a challenging year. Working in schools has always been difficult, but this year put a whole new meaning on that. We thank our staff and faculty again for their tireless efforts this year.
Lisa Sohmer Featured at NYS Association of College Counselors
Lisa Sohmer, Garden’s International SEVIS Agent and College Counseling Associate, joined Kristen Harris (NYC DOE’s Senior Director of College and Career Success) and Meylin Andares (Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Regeneron) to present “Wonder Women in Counseling and Admission” at this year’s NYSACAC Annual Conference.
100 Mile Challenge - a Healthy Competition
To promote our growing Health & Wellness programs and to launch next year’s overall theme of Wellness, we are asking the entire Garden community to get active this summer. Join the campaign kickoff by walking, running, or cycling 100 miles this summer with us. All current students, families, friends, and alums are encouraged to participate. Click here for more details.  The community member with the most miles logged by September 18th will be rewarded with some exciting Garden Gear.
Garden Summer Camp 2021
Garden’s pre-season opened this week and that begins 12 weeks of exciting summer programming at Garden School full of sports, swimming, arts and crafts, and many other fun activities. Submit registration forms for our Pre-Season, Regular Season, Post-Season, and Counselor-in-Training Programs. If you have already enrolled your child for a few weeks and are undecided about signing up for the full summer, please reconsider now. Summer camp spaces are filling up rapidly. If you or someone you know would like to become a lifeguard, pass along information on our Lifeguard course to be held here on campus.
Mitchell Slater Fund Update
We are pleased to announce we are within striking distance of meeting our end of year goal to raise the $25,000 required to unlock $50,000 of matching funds! The funds will give us great momentum as we work over the summer and fall to raise the final dollars necessary to begin the overhaul of our Athletics & Fitness facilities and Gym area. The Mitchell Slater Fund was initiated by Eric Diamond, class of ‘79. Eric and his wife were moved to create a legacy fund so that Mitch’s memory could live on in the daily lives of Garden student athletes. For this work to begin during the year of Wellness would be such a gift to the students of Garden School. Please consider making a contribution to The Mitchell Slater Fund.
Limited Supply of Yearbooks Remain
Email Mary Petruso to Order
 
Virtual Garden Gala
Perhaps the best part of our Virtual Gala this past April was the inclusion of our students. If you missed the Gala, watch a clip from the night below featuring messages from our students! And, if you haven't seen Dr. Marotta's Honoree Acceptance Speech, watch it here as well. There's still time to participate and contribute to the Gala if you haven't yet. Click here to make a donation to one of our initiatives: Visual and Performing Arts; Science, Tech, Robotics and Engineering; Global Leadership and Social Impact; Health, Wellness and Athletics; and the Scholarship Program.
 
 
 
 
 
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Garden School
33-16 79th Street
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
United States

"Cultivating Success in Every Child"

Garden School is a Nursery-Grade 12, NYSAIS-accredited independent school in Jackson Heights, Queens.

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