Remarks of Mrs. Maureen Newman Devlin
Honored guests, friends, faculty and families of The Caedmon School, from across the country and across the past four decades, good evening and thank you most sincerely for being here. We have with us this evening an alum from San Francisco, a former teacher from Seattle, and a former Head of School from Miami, all of whom traveled many miles to be with us tonight and to celebrate their Caedmon memories. We have with us parents and alums who took part in the thrill and uncertainty of bringing Caedmon to life forty years ago. We have children, parents, and teachers who, as we speak, are creating the Caedmon of today. And we have many others, from near and far, in time and miles, who have shared in the glories, crises, and day-to-day dedication of all the Caedmon years in between.
Forty years is not very old, as schools go. In many ways, we have barely gotten our feet wet. I believe the significance of this anniversary year is that it marks our school’s entrance into maturity. Caedmon is like a young adult - old enough to stand on its own, but young enough still to bask in the wisdom of its parents.
Caedmon is new enough that many of our founding families are still with us, to testify to the idealism and courage of our heritage. At the same time, we have been around just long enough that our oldest alums have children of their own and can perceive Caedmon from the perspective of parenthood as well as through their own memories. It is a fragile and fleeting moment in our history when past and present are able to co-exist, reinforcing each other with the poignant exchange of inspiration and memory. We are here tonight to celebrate this precious and passing transition.
Remarks of Mrs. Marilou Doyle, Caedmon Founding Parent
40th Anniversary Celebration
It is a special delight to be introduced by my son on this great occasion, spanning forty years. I am proud and amazed to participate, to be standing here as a founder and former member of the Board of Trustees of The Caedmon School some forty years after attending that first inspirational talk on the Montessoi method by Nancy Rambusch.
My husband Bill and I had read Maria Montessori’s book, as well as the news reports about The Whitby School and about start-up schools all across the country. We certainly agreed with Montessori’s philosophy, but at the time there was no Montessori school in New York City. Nothing quite like it had ever been done before in the city. There was an abundance of pre-schools. Indeed, my son Chip had already attended two by age 4. My feeling was that they were fine for socialization and for working through all the early childhood diseases.
Several couples, largely from Stuyvesant Town, signed up after that first meeting and were energized to put a plan into action. Betty Connelly and I were especially under pressure, since our sons Chris and Chip were “aging” even as we organized. (They had already “graduated” from an astronomy course at the American Museum of Natural History.) The daily living room meetings were never just “coffee klatches”. We never stopped to think: “Will it fly.” It never occurred to us that such a worthwhile project would not flourish. To see all of you gathered here tonight, it seems we were right.
This was a no-nonsense effort to cover all the bases. As secretary of the Board, I finally had to move all of the records out of our bedroom and into an office on 14th Street, so that students could be properly interviewed by the Headmistress. Growing pains largely centered around staffing the school and filling all the state requirements. Students were referred by word-of-mouth and always filled the available spaces. One early decision was to adopt the nifty gray flannel uniforms you’ve seen in pictures. This seemed sensible, since three-year-olds can be easy to lose. As an occasional teacher’s aide, I discovered that diapers would fit under gray flannel shorts.
My son has vivid memories of the first day of school – this great experiment – but to us it was an extension of months of progress to establish a one-room Montessori school on 87th Street for the first class of 15 students. I do remember glancing through the glass dividers a half-hour after the very beginning to see all 15 gathered raptly around Mary Flynn and a huge map of Africa. They were authorities on Africa ever after.
I am especially pleased to see Eileen Sosa here tonight as a golden thread throughout the forty years, from her first days as a class parent to school administrator – indeed, a remarkable achievement!
My daughter Kate returned to Caedmon as an intern under Nancy Rambusch during her senior year at The Masters School. We had moved to Westchester County where their education continued to build upon their firm foundation at from Caedmon.
To see the stability of the Head of School position, the continued diversity of the student population, and the superb facilities is a real thrill. When I think of the hundreds of children who have passed through those doors in their most formative years I am filled with pride for the founding families of Caedmon and for those who took up the responsibility in succeeding years. I am very grateful that the early experiment of Caedmon evolved into an established institution. Thank you.
Remarks of Mr. William “Chip” Doyle
Caedmon Alum: 1962-1964
Caedmon is a vivid and beautiful memory to me, always dancing around not too far back in my mind. At the time, it felt like we students were part of some kind of experiment that was very exciting and special to the parents and teachers. That enthusiasm rubbed off on us, even if we were only micro-shavers.
I remember thoroughly enjoying the attention that was lavished on us as the first group, and having great fun while learning in such a self-directed way. It seemed really natural, and really fun. We were a group of kids, sort of like a team, but I think we simultaneously learned how to think and act for ourselves independently, at our own speeds, with great confidence that we wouldn't be penalized for trying and failing, or trying several different ways to get to a solution or discovery. That's quite a gift to give a child, and Caedmon gave it to us.
Caedmon was the first doorway in my childhood that opened up the gates of learning, and I think it was very influential in the course that my life took. It was the place where I fell madly in love with reading and writing, and I stayed in love for the next forty years - - it became my profession.
The patterns of learning and working I first picked up at Caedmon have stayed with me ever since, and it was not until I thought about this and wrote these words tonight that I realized how happy that makes me.
Remarks of Mrs. Norma Nathanson
Caedmon Teacher 1975 - Present
There are only a few areas of my life on which I can speak with passion and commitment and about which I have no reservations. One of them is Caedmon, a place whose door I had the extraordinary good fortune to fall into about 27 years ago, just as I was deciding to become a Montessori teacher. In the years since then, I have been very lucky.
Each new class has brought with it the surprise and pleasure of getting to know young personalities from the ground up, so to speak, before they’ve had a chance to develop a cover story. It has been hilarious and humbling. They hear everything you say and have no problems sharing it at circle time. I think I can speak for a lot of us when I say it is a gift to be a part of their history, to have added whatever insight and instruction we could impart.
Someone said “it takes a village.” Caedmon continues to challenge its family of teachers, parents, and students to be first rate, to be caring, to be joyful. We should celebrate!
And something should be said about leadership. This excellent ship might have easily gone astray without the moral compass which guides and anchors all our hard work and efforts. Thank you, Carol. Thank you, Eileen. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something beautiful and lasting. We have much to celebrate.
Remarks of Ms. Diane Hulse, Guest Speaker and Former Trustee
Mrs. Doyle, Mr. Connelly, Mrs. Devlin, Mrs. Devine, Mrs. Sosa, Mrs. Nathanson, Mrs. Doyle, Mr. Doyle, Current and former Board members, current and former faculty and staff, current and former parents, alumni, students, the other Mr. Connelly, and Friends, it is a great honor and pleasure to be here with you tonight to celebrate The Caedmon School’s 40th Anniversary.
Caedmon and independent Schools have been on my mind a lot lately, ever since Carol Devine asked me to speak to you. What an enormous impact independent Schools have had on children and adults in this city. The past, the present, and the future of New York City itself have been, currently are, and will continue to be influenced by our schools.
What an extraordinary moment in the life of a school this 40th anniversary is. Caedmon’s past and present sit here together in this room. What a wonderful connection of one to the other. In most schools, like my current school, which was founded in 1884, and my last school, which was founded in 1628, the founding families are ultimately unknowable. The same is not true for Caedmon.
The Caedmon School differs from all other independent schools in New York in another way. Caedmon is one of the youngest independent schools in the city, yet its Head, Carol Devine, is one of the longest serving heads. Carol and the Caedmon School are very well known and deeply admired throughout New York. Because it starts at the top, Caedmon’s reputation is in many ways a reflection of Carol’s personality and values. Caedmon is held in the highest esteem by the other independent schools in New York – largely because Carol is held in high esteem. I want to read to you what our colleagues have to say about her and Caedmon School. I secretly wrote to them, Carol, and asked for their comments. They wrote back the following:
“Caedmon is a caring, nurturing, creative educational environment that builds real learners….Carol is a very special educator and human being...When I think of Carol words that come to mind are: competent, unflappable, thoughtful, caring, consistent, compassionate, a consummate educator…She is a legend…Our school thrives because we followed her advice as an evaluator. She is an inspirational woman, mother, and school head…I count her as one of the best resources we have in independent schools in NYC…What a wise, sensitive, smart lady. I admire her ability to lead Caedmon with such skill and grace, handle twins applying to college, and juggle the finances of the Guild all at the same time…The very definition of a class act. Articulate, focused, driven by a passion for excellence, concerned about the whole child. She is a role model for us all…And my personal favorite --If reincarnated, when I go back to school, I want to go to Carol’s school.”
As I was preparing for this talk, I wanted to refresh my memory about what happened in 1962, the year that Caedmon was founded. Although certainly the founding of the school was the most important event of the year, I thought you might be interested in some of the other things that happened. The top songs of 1962 included: Twist and Shout, Duke of Earl, Roses are Red, My Love, and The Monster Mash. Popular movies included “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Lawrence of Arabia.” 1962 was the year of the Cuban missile crisis. A postage stamp cost 4 cents. Johnny Carson took over the Tonight Show, and James Watson and Francis Crick were given a Nobel Prize for determining the structure of DNA.
From its founding in 1962 until now, The Caedmon School has had an enormous impact on many people. Its impact has been far greater than its size would predict. Caedmon, after all, is a small school, even by independent school standards.
I am sure that you know that mathematicians and physicists have developed a theory that accounts for the impact of small things on major systems. It is called the Theory of Chaos and is more and more being used to explain human behavior as well as scientific phenomena. Chaos theory explains, for example, how the “small thing” of the chauffeur who accidentally took a wrong turn while driving Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie ultimately caused World War I. Chaos Theory also postulates that the beating of a butterfly’s wing in Canada through a series of chain reactions can set off a tornado in Texas. And Chaos Theory easily explains how the recent Maryland sniper, who was identified by his DNA, was an outcome of the work of Watson and Crick.
Chaos Theory explains the metaphor in Robert Frost’s poem – which begins “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both…” By taking the path that the poet did – a small thing – It “made all the difference”. I cannot help but think how powerfully all of the people in this room have been impacted by another small thing - the Caedmon School.
Caedmon is a little school. But, I wonder: How has it changed my life? If I had not helped evaluate Caedmon and served on its board, would I be a head of school today?
What about you? How has Caedmon School changed your life? Would you have met your spouse? Would you have the job you now hold? Would you have majored in the subject you chose? Did the seemingly small thing of becoming part of Caedmon School make all the difference? Schools do change lives, and in its 40 years, the Caedmon School has become an expert in changing both children and adults.
Forty years after its founding in 1962 - The school’s past and present of Caedmon School sit in this room. So does Caedmon’s future. I maintain that it is the responsibility of everyone here to make sure that the school’s future is bright, and that through many small things, Caedmon will continue to influence thousands of other lives and celebrate many more birthdays.
This is my birthday wish for the school: I wish that the Caedmon School community of 2002 will become legendary as a group of people who precipitated very much more than a tornado for Caedmon. My wish is that the beating of OUR wings will create a veritable monsoon, a windfall of prosperity and good fortune for the school.
This is no small thing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAEDMON SCHOOL, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO US ALL. Thank you.
Remarks by the Head of School, Mrs. Carol Gose DeVine
On behalf of The Caedmon School, I am very proud to welcome all of you, Founders, honored guests, past and present Board members, past and present faculty and staff, children, parents, alums, alum parents and friends to the celebration of forty years of a very special educational experience.
In pondering the theme for this event, we borrowed from Robert Fulghrum’s, “Everything I ever really needed to know…” It seemed to particularly suit us, because over the past year as we have gotten in touch with literally dozens of alums, it became apparent to us that for many of them this was the most memorable educational experience in their life. Consequently, we asked them to share these thoughts with us, some of which you will find hanging over in the school
When I was asked what was the most important thing I learned at Caedmon, I had to think about it for a bit, for there are so many things I have learned here throughout these thirty-two years. However, over time the two things continued to surface were things I thought I already knew. As you shall see, the two of them are connected in a very intimate way.
Montessori began her work with children around the turn of the century. So, nearly one hundred years ago it was pointed out to anyone who would listen, that early childhood and the early elementary years were the most important times in a child’s education. Montessori held to this premise, but it was not until forty or fifty years later that people generally accepted this as a sound educational principle. Over the past fifty years, it drew the attention it deserved and people now regard it as a matter of fact.
I, of course, also “knew” this to be true and have operated on that premise all these years. However, as we began hearing from alums, I realized that I had never fully appreciated the impact that a school for young children could have on them. It wasn’t just that they had their first educational experience here, it was truly that, what happened to them here, directly affected what they did and who they thought they were much later in their lives. The thoughts shared by these young adults today are simple and direct. To be told by a young, well known designer that Caedmon made her feel that she could do anything she really wanted to do, or that for another young man, a multi-lingual journalist and broadcaster in the Middle East, that it was the only school that really cared about who he was as an individual, or to find out from an established author that Caedmon was the place where he fell in love with reading and writing, all of these thoughts and more came crashing in on me one day and I understood that, indeed, the impact of these early years is greater than even I thought it could be.
What is it about this experience that makes this influence so profound? How is it that these young men and women remember it so well? There is but a single answer to that… and that is the teachers. There is no question that far and above every other aspect of the school what it all comes down to essentially is the teachers who work so tirelessly with our children day after day. It is their influence that is felt over the years, and at Caedmon that influence has been remarkable.
I have spent thirty-two years in the association of people who care so deeply for children that they will spend literally hours trying to figure out how they can reach an individual child. They will come and weep in my office about a family situation over which they have no control that is hurting one of their children. They will try to find out no matter how long it takes what is the best thing for a child and they will then choose what they think is right no matter what is required of them. The teachers at this school have been characterized by these qualities since ever I can remember, and they continue to exert their influence in ways they may never know.
This too I thought I had always known, but it was not until I heard it from these young alums that I truly understood what it meant to them. To be in the company of caring, compassionate people, who love children and teaching is a profound gift. The children who have come here for forty years have benefited from this, as have I. I would like you to join me now in thanking all of these teachers, past and present for all they have done for our children.
As we reflected on our history over the past year and re-connected with many alumni and alum parents, we did so with an eye on a very exciting future. Caedmon is now poised to embark on its next forty years with the vigor, as well as the vision, our founders brought to their initial endeavor to “put on a school”. In formulating these plans for the future, we have emulated their courage to forge new paths, their sensitivity to what is truly best for children, as well as their commitment to making all of their dreams realities.
The founders of this school had a very bold idea, an idea that has been carried forth through generations of children and teachers, The mission, so essential to the life of this school, has been faithfully followed by dozens of teachers who have made real for the children the ideals so well articulated by our founders. We celebrate today both the expression of this mission and its realization over forty years. We now stand ready for an equally exciting time over the next forty. I thank you all for giving me the privilege of being a part of this for so long.
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