COURTYARD-2015

THE THORNE FAMILY NEVER BLOWSITS OWN HORN. BUT THERE ALWAYS SEEMSdiscreetly writing a check duringthe lean years, or saying “yes”when asked to volunteer, as whencurrent parent, Eliza Thorne ’91,steps up to the plate again andagain. Eliza served as PA presidenttwo years ago, and currentlyco-chairs the 60th gala auctioncommittee. She can often be seenpitching in at school events, just amom lending a hand.What is special about theThornes, like the Bontecous, isthe notable longevity of theircommitment. Families come andgo. Their children grow up andgraduate and commitments andallegiances shift. The Thornes havebeen a steady force for fifty-fouryears, whether there was a Thorneenrolled at the time or not.Currently enrolled in the schoolare Jonathan’s son Jet, currentlyin preschool, class of ’24, andEliza’s two daughters, Estella,in 3rd grade, class of ’20, andMatilda, 2nd grade, class of ’21.As alums and current parents,Jonathan and Eliza both just feelgrateful. Jonathan says, “When Iwas a kid, we always were talkingabout the school and I knew mydad was heavily involved and haddone a lot to get it going, but itwasn’t till I got older that I reallystarted to appreciate what thatmeant. When I had my ownchildren, and Jet started this year,I realized what an amazing place itis. The school does a fantastic job.”Eliza remembers collectingsamples in the pond, adoptingtrees to learn about, and takingwalks in the woods. She knowsher daughters will get to experiencemany of those same definingmoments, and it makes her smile.“The way the school builds andfosters community is unique andwonderful. Older and youngerstudents connect in meaningfulways, never to be forgotten.”Those generations of students,interwoven and connected, leadus right back to the generations ofThornes and Bontecous whosestrong, stable presence within theschool community creates a kindof warp and woof that runsuniquely and reliably througheverything that goes on. Otherfamilies do the same, as do the‘‘TO BE A THORNE PITCHING IN.’’Mrs. Johanna Rosse and her kindergartenclass of 1982. Juliana Bontecou and ElizaThorne can be spotted in the middle andfirst rows.teachers who dedicate their careersto Dutchess, and administratorswho help the school navigate inchanging waters.There are eleven childrenof DDS alums enrolled at theschool now, on the cusp of our60th anniversary. Longevity comeswith loyalty, which is earned.When families return, generationafter generation, you know somethingis right. Dutchess Day Schoolis clearly here to stay. And so,it is clear, are the Bontecous andthe Thornes.1999Three new regulationplaying fields donatedby the Perkins family.2002Bontecou Gymnasiumconstructed on siteof old playing fields,including meeting room,locker rooms, work-outroom, storage, andAD office.2007A preschool programwas reintroduced in2005, and two yearslater, the Lillian GoldmanPreschool officiallyopened in September.2012New playgroundbuilt on K-Hill2014Newly renovatedNancy Hathawayscience wing opened.the court yarD . www.DutchessDay.org 9