This Week at TCS (10/31/25)
- TCS Admin
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 9 minutes ago
Upcoming Dates — Click to Expand
Friday, 11/7: Native American History Assembly
Tuesday, 11/11: Veterans Day (No School)
Thursday, 11/13: Make-Up Picture Day
Friday, 11/14 (9:00am): Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Saturday, 11/15 (10:00am): Admissions Open House
Monday, 11/17: DEADLINE - 1st Grade Candy Drive Donations
11/24 - 11:28: Fall Break
Monday, 12/1: First Day Back at School after Fall Break
Wednesday, 12/3: PRESCHOOL CONFERENCES (No School - Preschool only)
Thursday, 12/9: Tile Testing • Earth Quake Drill (10:00am)
Weekly Community Events
Parent Pickup Basketball Game - Fridays @ 3:30pm
Monday Morning Mindfulness - 8:30am in art room.
Keep Up with Us On Instagram!
So many great things happened in our classrooms this week! You can check it all out in our teachers' grade-level newsletters, linked below!
Genius Hour: Learning from Music Producer and TCS Parent Eric Dawkins - click to read more
The Country School Middle School launched its new Genius Hour initiative this month, part of our ongoing Middle School Strategic Plan to nurture curiosity, choice, and real-world learning. Once a month, students suggest topics they want to explore and then meet a guest expert who brings that interest to life.
For our first session, students were eager to learn about making beats, and we were fortunate to welcome Eric Dawkins, an acclaimed songwriter, producer, musician and proud TCS parent.
Eric Dawkins first rose to prominence as part of the gospel duo Dawkins & Dawkins and later became a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer for artists including Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, Usher, and Tyrese. His career spans gospel, R&B, and pop, and his work has appeared on numerous chart-topping albums.
During his visit, Eric shared stories from his music career and demonstrated how to create a beat from scratch, layering rhythm, melody, and harmony using professional production tools. Students asked questions, offered creative input, and even collaborated to build their own short track.
The session was filled with energy, laughter, and inspiration. Students left with a deeper understanding of the creative process, and a new appreciation for how technology and artistry intersect in music.
We are deeply grateful to Eric for sharing his expertise and enthusiasm, and to our middle school faculty for supporting this meaningful new tradition. Genius Hour will continue throughout the year, with students shaping the topics and guest speakers that inspire their learning.
8th Grader Augustin keeps the stellar performances coming with a fantastic drum over of "Pretender" by Foo Fighters.
Keep it up, rock star!
Thank you to Melissa Ocasio for her beautiful performance, combining contemporary and traditional Puerto Rican sounds.
GIVE NOW:
Annual Fund 2025-2026 Officially Launches Today
In the coming days, you’ll receive a special mailer with important details about why the Annual Fund matters, where the funds go, and how you can give. We hope you’ll take a moment to read through it and see the incredible impact your generosity makes across our campus.
Every year, The Country School Annual Fund fuels what makes our community so extraordinary — from the programs that inspire curiosity to the teachers who bring learning to life. Together, our generosity ensures that every student can thrive in an environment filled with possibility, creativity, and joy.
Your Annual Fund Dollars at Work
Be One of Nine Families to Join The Circle And Experience the Magic! - Learn More Here
As part of the launch of Holly’s Head of School Circle, we’re delighted to announce an exclusive opportunity for our earliest leadership supporters.
The first nine families to make a gift of $5,000 or more will receive one ticket to a private, TCS-only evening at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. Families contributing $7,500 or more will receive two tickets at the couple’s rate.
This intimate gathering will include a private séance experience created especially for The Country School community, followed by an evening to explore the Magic Castle and enjoy its legendary performances. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of champagne or Martinelli’s, and treated to a three-course chef’s dinner by renowned Executive Chef Ben LaFleche. (Additional beverages will be available for purchase.)
Date to be announced soon, space is limited to just nine families!
Join us for an unforgettable night of wonder, connection, and celebration as we honor the generosity that makes The Country School so extraordinary.
More on the Magic Castle Seance
Step into the Magic Castle’s most celebrated quarters, the Houdini Séance Room, for an unforgettable journey into the supernatural. Here, inside an opulently eerie chamber straight out of the Victorian era, an elite medium guides you and your guests during an intimate gathering through the mesmerizing chapters of Houdini’s life, and afterlife. As the candlelight flickers you may sense the subtle presence of friendly spirits—a whisper of air, a phantom touch, a voice from beyond, stirring an immersive thrill that lingers long after the hour ends. For one spellbinding hour, reality slips its corset. But don’t worry; our spirits are strictly professionals, here to enchant, entertain, and disappear right on cue. The ghosts may be part of the show, but the shivers are entirely authentic.
Boys Flag Football Tuesdays, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm — Thursdays 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Girls Basketball Mondays/Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 pm
Click Here for More Info!
Ready to uncork your creativity? Join us for a relaxed and inspiring night of figure drawing with a live nude model from Concept Design Academy! This class will be taught by industry professional and TCS parent Jerad S. Marantz, paired with wine tasting by sommelier and TCS parent Aaron Biderman, at M Chow's incredible studio, amongst his massive abstract art pieces.
Whether you're a seasoned artist or have never held a charcoal stick before, this is the perfect opportunity to learn, create, and socialize. This isn't just a class—it's a creative gathering where you can unwind, hang with fellow art lovers in our TCS community, and leave with a masterpiece (or at least a very good memory!). Art supplies, wine, and light bites included.
Jerad S Marantz (TCS dad, 1st grade and Yellow Room) has been working in the Film, Game and Television industries for over 20 years. Marantz started his career at an early age, interning for Special FX houses. He is skilled in sculpture, painting, illustration, Zbrush, and Photoshop.
Marantz’s many Film credits include: Avengers Infinity War, Endgame, Spiderman Far from Home, No Way Home, Shang Chi, Amazing Spiderman, Shazam, Dune, Batman vs. Superman, Justice League, Dr. Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy vol 1,2,3, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Deadpool 2, American Horror Story, Grimm, Picard, Discovery, Westworld …etc. He taught character design for over 12 years at Gnomon and at Concept Design Academy.
Aaron Biderman (TCS dad, 1st Grade and Yellow Room) was born and raised in Toronto and moved to California in 2001. He became a certified sommelier in 2012. For the last ten years he has been working at Wally's Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. When he's not pouring, he's playing hockey.
Michael "M" Chow (TCS dad, K and Yellow Room) was born in Shanghai and studied art and architecture in London. He is the creator of Mr. Chow restaurants in London, New York, Beverly Hills, and elsewhere. Having returned to painting, he creates heavily textured, monumental abstract canvases at his 57,000 square foot studio.
What Are TCS Party Books?
What could be classified as a Party Book is wide-ranging. These are events/gatherings - shows, parties, outings, eating, drinking, shopping, playing, workouts, and more. Big or small - they are funded through Parent and Community philanthropy and designed to raise money for TCS’ institutional needs.
Primary Purpose - Fundraising – All proceeds raised go back to TCS and support school-wide initiatives. The goal of the PA is to direct funds raised toward a large, end-of-year donation to the school.
Secondary Purpose - Community Building & Inclusive Fun – These parties are great ways to come together as a community and to connect outside of school.
Volunteer-Hosted & Funded – TCS parents/guardians sponsor and host the parties, covering the costs through their generosity so that every ticket purchased goes directly back to TCS.
Volunteer for Hot Lunch HERE
Sign Your Child up for Hot Lunch HERE
PARENT PORTAL AVAILABLE NOW!
Passcode: eaglefams2025!