Buckley's Centennial Celebration and a Reunion Weekend to Remember!
Over the weekend of May 19, 20, and 21, 2023, hundreds of Buckley community
members from throughout the school’s past and present gathered on campus and at
The Garden City Hotel to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Buckley Country Day
School.
Buckley Country Day School was originally founded as Great Neck Preparatory
School in Great Neck, NY in 1923 by Morgan H. Grace and Ruth Eden Grace. The
school’s name was changed in 1938 to recognize the many contributions of B.
Lord Buckley, a renowned educator of the time and headmaster of the Buckley
School in New York City. Its campus was moved to its current location in North
Hills, NY in 1956. Today, Buckley serves 350 students in grades Pre-Nursery
through 8th. The school’s mission has remained grounded in the belief expressed
by B. Lord Buckley that opening the eyes and awakening the mind is the essence
of education.
On Friday, May 19, the school welcomed back alumni and their families ranging in
graduation years from 1954 to 2019.
The group toured the building, visited classrooms, viewed the Centennial Archive
Installation, met their 5th grade pen pals, and shared stories of their Buckley years.
Students, faculty and guests gathered in The Muran Theatre for a Centennial Assembly,
where students in grades Pre-K through 8 presented music and dance performances,
letters from their alumni pen pals, research projects on historic figures and events, and
a time capsule to give students of the future a taste of what life was like in 2023.
Saturday night, May 20, saw the school’s long-awaited return to The Garden City Hotel
for the Centennial Gala! Over 400 guests packed the ballroom thanks to the efforts of
Gala Chairs Lindsay and Joey ’02 Camerata, and BCDS Grandparent & Past Parent
Committee chairs, Susan and Fred Camerata, and Jamie and Joseph Pistilli.
On Sunday morning, May 21, the day began with a quiet moment in the Memorial
Garden, where guests reflected and remembered those in the Buckley community who
have passed away. The group then moved just down the hill to the site of the future
Centennial Garden to view the proposed designs.
Guests also had time on Sunday to visit the Centennial Archive Installation, and spoke
with Centennial Project Manager Holly O'Brien about the history of the school and her
work in curating the exhibit.
Later that morning, the Buckley community enjoyed breakfast together, and then
headed out to the Roby Young Field for a soccer game, tug of war, and basketball
games. The Red vs. Blue competition was in full swing.
"I am deeply grateful to all those who contributed to making Buckley’s centennial the
once-in-a-century celebration it turned out to be. How lucky are we to have been part of
such a historic milestone! The powerful vision that was born in the minds of the school’s
founders has proven to be enduring and has prepared Buckley for lasting success. Our
second century…that’s what we’re focusing on now,” stated Head of School Jean-Marc
Juhel.
Buckley Country Day School
2 I.U. WILLETS ROAD ROSLYN NY 11576
P: 516 627 1910
P: 516 627 1910
Buckley Country Day School admits students of any race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally available to students at the School. Buckley Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry , religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law in respect of, without limitation, its educational policies, admission, financial aid, hiring and employment practices, use of school facilities, athletics programs, and other school-administered programs. This policy governs the conduct of all Buckley Country Day School employees including faculty, staff, and summer programs employees.