Bringing Lake Forest Country Day School into Full Bloom

Random acts of kindness are unusually common occurrences in our community. Sometimes the degree of generosity in these acts seems great, such as the many philanthropic events and donations that occur routinely across Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. Other times, the acts are simple, as is witnessed in the everyday exchanges between residents greeting each other in town. Often, it is the small gestures that make the largest impact.

At Lake Forest Country Day School, one parent’s contribution some forty years ago left a lasting mark on the school. This parent’s name was Calvine Bowen, and her gift was something that can be seen on a daily basis on the school grounds at LFCDS.

Recalling Mrs. Bowen’s display of affection for the school, Assistant Head of School Bob Bullard—who is preparing to retire from LFCDS this summer after spending a combined 77 years at the school with his wife, Sally Bullard, as teachers, parents, and administrators—mentioned her action remains one of the most heartfelt that he has witnessed at the school.

Forty-one years ago, Calvine Bowen, parent of ninth-grade student Lucia, who graduated in 1974, spent one entire week planting peonies around the perimeter of the LFCDS courtyard because she felt it would add something special to the school. “For three decades, the LFCDS family enjoyed these beautiful flowers in late spring and this vibrant wall of vegetation became the signature backdrop for the outdoor graduation ceremony every year,” said Mr. Bullard.

However, during the construction of the new Lower School wing ten years ago, builders had to remove the peonies along the east wall of the courtyard. Mr. Bullard recalls that the school lost a part of its history that day and was sad to see the disappearance of these meaningful flowers.

After the 125th Anniversary Celebration last June, Calvine Bowen visited Mr. Bullard at the school and also noticed the absence of the peonies when chatting with him in the courtyard. Still displaying the same benevolent concern that she has always had for LFCDS, Mrs. Bowen decided to replant the flowers.

This past May, Mrs. Bowen arranged for Mariani Landscaping to plant new peonies, once again bringing the courtyard perimeter into full bloom. Her repeat act of kindness came just in time for the 2015 Graduation Ceremony at LFCDS. As eighth-grade students walked up the aisle and took their seats in front of the east wall, at their backs stood fresh peonies. While most in attendance did not know why or how those flowers were planted, it is that anonymity that makes Mrs. Bowen’s gift that much more exceptional.

“On behalf of Lake Forest Country Day School, we thank you, Calvine Bowen, for your continued loyalty and support of the school, and for enriching all of our lives with your beautiful flowers,” said Mrs. Bullard.

Lake Forest Country Day School serves students from more than 30 communities throughout the North Shore and beyond. A regional center of excellence for early childhood, elementary, and middle school education for children ages 2 to Grade 8, LFCDS is committed to inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to individual needs, and responsible citizenship as well as the dedication to producing students of strong character with a passion for learning. For more information on LFCDS, please visit www.lfcds.org or call (847) 234-2350.