COURTYARD-2015

other.” Enrollment was not alwaysconstant, however. He remembersthe somewhat “desperate years”from 1959 to 1973 when theschool took boarders.Jesse has been a member ofthe Dutchess Day School boardcontinuously since he convened itsfirst meeting as board president in1955, serving as an honorarymember since retiring from “activeduty.” School opened on September15, 1955, in three rented roomsat the Red Pheasant Inn, acrossfrom Bennett Junior College. Threeteachers taught a student body ofnineteen children from kindergartenthrough grade four.Jesse and the other early foundersdid a lot more than try to pay billsand keep the school going. Oncethe Tower House (where theschool has been since 1957) waspurchased, trustees, parents, grandparents– everyone who wantedthe school to succeed – helped.Jesse remembers plowing the snow,mowing the grass, painting, movingfurniture, building shelving units,and just about anything else.The school was quite small for anumber of years. As Tim Bontecouputs it: “It was great for the studentteacher ratio, but boy we couldn’tget away with much!”Dubbed by many the “fatherof Dutchess Day School,” Jesse saysthat playing so many roles in thehistory of the school “has been oneof the most satisfying experiencesof my existence. It took a lot oftime and effort, but it has met allIT HAS MET ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS.YOU CAN’T SAY THAT ABOUT EVERYTHING‘‘YOU DO IN LIFE.’’Second graders with their teacher,Edie Machado, circa 1984. Look forJuliana Bontecou (middle row, second from left)and Eliza Thorne (middle row, far right).our expectations. You can’t say thatabout everything you do in life.”the thorNesFormer Dutchess Dayheadmaster Andrew McLarenreports a conversation he hadwith Mr. Oakleigh Thorne shortlyafter beginning his tenure as headof school. It was about 1974.Oakleigh told Andrew: “It’s abouttime this school had a gymnasium.The students deserve it.”Mr. McLaren was all in favor ofthe idea, but admitted to being1968 1970With enrollment near 75, crowdingwas a problem. The “Master BuildingPlan Phase 1” and a capital fund drive resultedin an L-shaped addition to the school that included“the tunnel” and what are now the lower schoolclassrooms, and the school’s first real stageand dining hall (what is now our library).Also – more athletic fields were donated.Ewing additionconstructed to “elicita feeling of freedomand space conduciveto creative expression” –this addition becamethe science and art wing.1973Enrollment was at115 and busing fromother districts wasincreasingly common.Boarding ended.1975First gymnasiumbuilt at the top ofthe property.the court yarD . www.DutchessDay.org 7