Condemning Hate
March 19, 2021We are heartsick and devastated by the recent killings in Atlanta which targeted Asian American women and left 8 people dead in all. We want to express our solidarity with the members of the Asian community that are here with us at HMS, in Ulster county, and around the world. For all those who are … Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Dahlia Rosen
March 17, 2021We were thrilled to hear that one of our recent graduates has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2021 at Rondout Valley High School! The announcement from the RVHS website reads: Our Valedictorian is Dahlia Rosen, ranking first in her class with a GPA of 101.33. She is the daughter of Ari and Randi … Read More
Our Community of Writers
February 12, 2021In the High Meadow classroom, writing is approached as a means of strengthening our connection with the world around us and with ourselves. Students lean into the excitement of creating unseen worlds and characters, finding the right words to express their opinions and observations, and communicate with those they know best and those they wish to know. Through … Read More
A Threat to Democracy is a Threat to Us All
January 16, 2021At the core of High Meadow is our commitment to empowering each child to be an independent thinker by providing opportunities to authentically and compassionately participate as a member of a diverse, democratic school community. The insurrection we saw last Wednesday at our nation’s Capitol was a direct threat to Democracy; a travesty and a … Read More
The Light in the Darkness
December 27, 2020The importance of taking time to honor the elements and the gifts of the natural world has always been central to the High Meadow way. Celebrating the return of the light feels particularly poignant right now, as we move into the coming year and prepare to find more light in our world. We were so fortunate … Read More
Our Community of Musicians
December 18, 2020Last month, we celebrated the visual artists in our community, and hopefully brought everyone a taste of what it will feel like when we can all get to know each other when we are able to mingle on campus once again. As promised, we are continuing to dedicate a few Feature pieces to different parts of the HMS community, so … Read More
We Are Greatful
November 25, 2020As we head off to celebrate A Day of Gratitude, we want to recognize that we have so much to be thankful for in this community! Gratitude for Generosity Robert Kodsi (dad to Jacob in Nursery 2s, David in PreK, and Julia in 1st Grade) has generously donated 300 KN-95 Masks for our staff. We thank Robert as … Read More
Our Community of Visual Artists
November 20, 2020HMS has always had a strong and unified community, and we recognize that due to COVID we have found ourselves a bit at sea. By necessity, we are fragmented into smaller circles, and disconnected from the larger community at a time when that sense of belonging and knowing one another would be a balm for our … Read More
Get Out the Vote – HMS Style!
November 2, 2020Tomorrow is Election Day nationally as well as here on campus. Even the youngest of our kiddos are so excited about using their voice to make an impact right here at school – and the best part is that Spirit Day will be a hoot no matter which theme ends up winning! Elsewhere on campus, in … Read More
We Love HMS Teachers!
October 14, 2020Monday, October 5th, was World Teachers Day! We are immensely grateful to all the students and families who so thoughtfully shared their love and appreciation for our incredible teaching staff. Teachers Are Learners, Too Over the past two weeks, our teachers have engaged in three separate professional development days. Here is a snapshot of their purpose … Read More
New Circumstance, New Faces, New Traditions
September 5, 2020Over the course of High Meadow’s 36-year history, numerous back-to-school traditions have evolved – some brought by past teachers, staff, and parents, some born out of specific groups of students and their interactions with the campus. We take pride in upholding these traditions and honoring our roots. While this year may look different, and some of … Read More
Our Teaching Staff for the 2020/21 School Year
August 11, 2020This summer has required more planning and idea-juggling and outside-the-box thinking than any other school year preparation of my 40-year career. The fact that I am doing that work here at High Meadow, in the service of bringing this community back together, imbues the complex and sometimes painful work with immense value. Knowing the work … Read More
What Are We Celebrating Right Now? Campus Improvements!
July 24, 2020We have some truly amazing people doing some truly amazing work on campus right now. Leading our illustrious team of Campus Improvement Rockstars is Ann Ganter (mom of Tallulah in 5th grade and August in 6th grade). We caught up with her to find out what projects are in the works; here is her report: … Read More
Sticking Together Through the Uncertainty
July 15, 2020As we continue to monitor all the information available to us around COVID-19 and School Reopenings, we want to be as transparent and clear as possible. We understand how challenging this is for everyone – school leadership, teachers, parents, and kids alike. Answers to your questions, and any “decisions” that we make could be changed … Read More
A Message from The Board of Trustees
July 13, 2020This year has been an uncertain and challenging time for the country and our school, and despite that, we hope you have had some moments of respite and peace. Dr. Susan Paynter and the administrative staff have had to rapidly envision a new educational strategy, and we have all had to adapt to the new … Read More
A Year to Remember
July 1, 2020In January, I smiled at the idea that this was the year 2020, a year of 2020 vision and clarity. Then in early March, we zoomed in…. We zoomed into one another’s homes. We saw one another’s dogs, cats, gardens, and couches. We saw our own images staring back at us from the screen and … Read More
Responding to Racism and Police Violence
June 2, 2020I know this message reaches you amidst news of ongoing state violence against Black Americans. And as thousands have taken to the streets in protest, some have been met with further violence at the hand of police. Members of our community are responding in many ways, by attending protests, reading and learning, taking up difficult … Read More
Timeline of High Meadow School’s Response to COVID-19
May 6, 2020Updated April 27, 2020 “I am grateful in this confusing and complicated moment to be a member of such an extraordinary community, and I am confident that we will do all we can to support one another.” —Dr. Susan Paynter, Head of School, via email to all High Meadow families on March 13, 2020 And so … Read More
Campus Sustainability at High Meadow
February 28, 2020You might be surprised by how far HMS has moved toward sustainability in the past few years! Guided by the work of Buildings and Grounds Manager, Ann Ganter, the largest reduction in our carbon footprint has been in energy consumption for the Main Building, where last year, two boilers consumed 2586 gallons of fuel oil. … Read More
High Meadow Students Represent at YESS!
February 27, 2020Six of our 7th- and 8th-grade students recently participated in the first annual Youth Environmental Sustainability Summit (YESS!) at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge. YESS! is a global climate solution and leadership summit for young people who are ready to change their lives and their communities by working towards climate resilience. The three-day event was … Read More
High Meadow Alums: The Data Is In!
January 31, 2020An Update from Head of School, Dr. Susan Paynter Our HMS high school alumni are thriving and are leading the way in academics, school governance, and the arts. This year, in the Roundout Valley School District (where half of our students are registered), an HMS alum is the 9th-grade class president, and two of our alumni … Read More