Celebrating New Learning Spaces

On Thursday, October 29, the Fay community came together to cut the ribbons on two exciting new spaces on campus.

Although students have been enjoying the new Primary School expansion since September, yesterday morning marked its official opening. Students, faculty, school leadership, and special guests gathered for a formal ribbon-cutting and celebration. The impressive new space features two Kindergarten classrooms, an art studio, a music room, and "the studio," a flexible community gathering space equipped with sprung floors, mirrored walls, and ballet barres that will host Fay’s dance program. Students were thrilled to join the celebration, having watched the project unfold step by step over the past year, from the pouring of the foundation and the rising frame to the finished building they enjoy today. In her remarks prior to the ribbon-cutting, Head of School Susanna Waters noted, “One of the greatest joys of partnering with Fay families is the opportunity to walk alongside them from these earliest years, ages three, four, and five, all the way through early adolescence. This expansion ensures that our youngest learners start their journey in a place that is as warm, inspiring, and capable as they are.”

Following the Primary ribbon cutting, attendees took a special moment to recognize Fay’s Director of Finance, Diane Byrne, who will be retiring in June after 28 years of dedicated service. Having overseen both the Primary Expansion and the Greenhouse projects, Diane’s legacy was honored with the announcement of the "Byrne Bench"—a beautiful new seating area in the Expansion crafted from reclaimed maple trees preserved from the construction site.

The excitement continued into the afternoon, with a celebration of the grand reopening of a fully rebuilt and upgraded greenhouse. Thanks to the generosity of the Grandparents’ and Special Friends Association, led by co-chairs Gary and Diane Glick, and the Families Association, represented by FA President Christie Benson, the space was rebuilt into a state-of-the-art, year-round greenhouse. Outfitted with modern heating and watering systems, soil, seeds, and specialized tools, it provides everything needed for a thriving learning environment. Reclaiming Fay’s greenhouse was a priority of Fay’s expanded commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Student leaders from the Sustainability Club shared how the greenhouse advances their mission to make sustainability tangible, visible, and accessible to everyone at Fay. Science and sustainability faculty also outlined plans for the space, which include growing microgreens for the Dining Room and hosting an upcoming ninth grade experiment on how plant hormones affect photosynthetic activity.

 The celebration gave the community a chance to celebrate the expanded learning opportunities the greenhouse will provide and to thank everyone whose generous support and efforts made the renovation possible. “Philanthropy, much like education and much like gardening, is at its heart about planting seeds,” said Susanna Waters in her remarks. “You nurture them, care for them, and trust that with time, love, and community support, they will grow into something vibrant, strong, and enduring. Today, our grandparents and parents have given our students the literal and figurative tools to do just that. Whether our students are conducting biology experiments, learning about sustainable food systems, or simply getting their hands dirty in the soil, this greenhouse will cultivate curiosity for years to come.”