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Country School Donates 500 Masks to Yale New Haven Hospital

International student Rongjiang (Stoney) Xu spent his 8th Grade year at The Country School, graduating last June, and his ties remain strong. During this time of Covid, Stoney and his mother were especially concerned for the well being of his Country School friends, teachers, and host family. In a gesture of kindness, Stoney and his mother sent hundreds of disposable masks to The Country School to be shared with his host family and the community as his peers saw fit. The Elmore Leadership Team, a group of 11 8th Graders, assembled virtually and came up with a plan for the masks: some for Stoney’s host family, many to remain at school, and 500 to be donated to Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Ian Schwartz P’ 20, ‘22, ‘27 delivered Stoney’s donation to Yale’s Emergency Department. “We really appreciate the support we have gotten from the community,” he said. “It means a lot to know our hard work is appreciated and that we are helping other people get better.”

Last spring Stoney wrote, “It was a hard decision to come to America and attend The Country School, but I believe that my experience has been worth letting go of everything I had in China to start a new life here... I still recall the education I received in China; yes, they did teach us how to take in facts, how to answer questions, and how to get all the points on a test. Yet what we didn’t learn was how to question, how to think outside the box, how to use the knowledge we have to face practical, everyday problems. I may have been well prepared academically in China, but there is still more to learn here. The fascinating fact about The Country School is that freedom within limits inspires us more. At Country, my creativity and curiosity are benefitted the most. I seek answers, but not just only know how to write out answers or get them ‘right.’ I make them, I prove them, I present them. I believe these research and DO-IT-MYSELF skills will benefit me for the rest of my life.”

"It is heartwarming to see that Stoney's ties to The Country School and the lessons he learned here continue and that he lives our school Mission to ‘serve the common good,’” said John Fixx, Head of School.

Founded in 1955, The Country School serves students in PreSchool-Grade 8 on (and currently off) its 23-acre campus in Madison. The Country School is committed to active, hands-on learning and a vigorous curriculum that engages the whole child. Signature programs such as Elmore Leadership, Public Speaking, STEAM, and Outdoor Education help prepare students for success in high school and beyond. Learn more at www.thecountryschool.org.