Mountain Day

Mountain Day is a beloved tradition here at Brearley. For more than forty years, Middle and Upper School students and teachers have headed north to spend the day with each other in a beautiful outdoor setting. 

The tradition started in 1983 by then Head of School Evelyn Halpert as part of the School’s centennial celebration. Ms. Halpert modeled it on Smith College’s annual Mountain Day, in honor of Jean Fair Mitchell, Ms. Halpert’s predecessor. Miss Mitchell often mentioned Mountain Day as a great Smith College tradition, always held in the autumn when the foliage is at its most brilliant. 

This year was no different. The skies were cloudless and intensely blue, the air was crisp and the leaves surrounding the fields of Rockland Lake State Park had turned brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. Students played kickball, volleyball and cornhole along with a variety of games and activities, including dancing and singing to Taylor Swift songs. Head of School Ms. Fried led students on a three mile hike around the lake. 

Not to be left behind, the Lower School has recently embarked on a Mountain Day tradition of its own. This year, each grade had their own special excursion. Class IV took a bus out to YMCA Camp Bernie in New Jersey and enjoyed the outdoors as much as their Middle and Upper School counterparts. Class III trekked to the Bronx Zoo, while Class II visited Central Park and Class I went to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn. 

Finally, the Ks climbed Mount Brearley, walking up all 12 flights (14 if you count A and B decks below ground) and getting to see the “big kid’s” school up close for the first time. They explored the library, the gym, the art floor and even spent some time in Ms. Fried's office.