Ernie the Hornet Giving Day
May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025
Join us for
Ernie the Hornet Giving Day
Ernie the Hornet Giving Day
We are excited to announce our fourth
Hamden Hall-exclusive Giving Day!
Our annual Ernie the Hornet Giving Day will take place this year on May 2. This special 24-hour day of giving is exclusive to our school community and is an opportunity for our families, alumni, faculty, and friends to support our mission to educate young people while providing an outstanding daily campus experience.
Now in its fourth year, Ernie the Hornet Giving Day is steeped in history in that it celebrates our beloved former faculty member and longtime Hamden Hall community member, Ernie Russ, for whom our mascot is named.
As Mr. Russ was a science teacher (his science lab used to be on the first floor of the Head of School administrative building on campus), it seems only fitting that we dedicate this year’s Ernie the Hornet Giving Day to our Science, Innovation, and Design Program. All gifts given during this 24-hour period will support our various STEM initiatives.
We love that we are able to provide hands-on activities and programming in our classrooms on a daily basis. Students in all three of our divisions create, explore, design, and tinker in our MakerSpace Design Lab; we have competitive Robotics teams in Middle and Upper School as well as an opportunity for our sixth graders to participate; and our Signature Science, Innovation, & Design Program for Middle and Upper Schoolers allows inquisitive, independent learners to pursue and study research topics of their own choosing. And that’s just a few of our STEM offerings!
Our faculty members always have wish lists for their respective initiatives – and we want to fulfill them. Please help us continue the culture of innovation and exploration that is inherent in our Hamden Hall classrooms by making a gift on this special day of giving.
Our goal this year is 105 donors in honor of Ernie Russ’s 105th birthday. This day is all about PARTICIPATION, gifts all any size help us reach out goal!
As a heartfelt thank-you for supporting the growth of our Science, Innovation & Design program here under the pines, donors who give $250 or more will receive a special gift: a personal packet of daisy seeds to plant in a meaningful place of your choosing.
Why daisies? These cheerful blooms hold a special place in our school's history. Once flourishing in abundance across campus, daisies were woven into school dances, commencement ceremonies, and other events. Now, we invite you to carry a piece of that legacy forward—wherever you are.
Your gift's impact
We all play a role in the success and growth of our school and its educational mission - including on this fourth Ernie the Hornet Giving Day, which is steeped in our school’s storied legacy.
Every gift counts.
Every gift is meaningful.
Thank You to Our Donors!
Honor Our History and Shape Our Future
Who was Ernie Russ?
May 3, 1920 - Nov. 27, 2016
Ernie Russ began his career with Hamden Hall in 1947 as a science teacher. In his six decade-plus tenure at Hamden Hall, he also served as a coach, advisor, team statistician, equipment manager, and Building and Grounds advisor. Sadly, Ernie passed in 2016 but his legacy lives on. According to Head of School Bob Izzo in a tribute to Ernie upon his passing, "Ernie lived a long, rewarding, and honorable life that included service in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII."
In 2007, more than 200 admirers attended a dinner that marked the establishment of the Ernie Russ Endowment & Scholarship Fund. When Ernie turned 95 in 2015, the Hamden Hall community rededicated a pine tree that had been planted in his honor in 2007. A month later at Commencement 2015, our community paid homage to Ernie with the presentation of the Hamden Hall Medal of Distinction for his exemplary service to our school.
In 2007, more than 200 admirers attended a dinner that marked the establishment of the Ernie Russ Endowment & Scholarship Fund. When Ernie turned 95 in 2015, the Hamden Hall community rededicated a pine tree that had been planted in his honor in 2007. A month later at Commencement 2015, our community paid homage to Ernie with the presentation of the Hamden Hall Medal of Distinction for his exemplary service to our school.
History of Ernie the Hornet
On May 3, 2010, Ernie's 90th birthday, we named our school mascot
in honor of Ernie during an all-school celebration.
Thus the birth of Ernie the Hornet!
This year on May 3, our entire campus will celebrate with a day of school spirit and giving! We will enjoy birthday cupcakes during lunch for all students! In our classrooms, students will have fun with Hamden Hall and Ernie Russ trivia and participate in activities throughout the day that encompass all things Ernie Russ such as science and physical education. Students and faculty will wear green and white and anything Hamden Hall to show their support!
Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
