Summer Storage

(Click here to view this file as a printable PDF.)

To Returning Boarding Students:

We have hired five trailer trucks to store your furniture and boxes this summer. These trucks will be the only place that you will be able to store your belongings. Storage rooms in CPT, USBD, and Mac House will not be available. Also, using classrooms or offices to store your computers or other valuables is not allowed. The only place you may store your belongings over the summer is in these trailers. The other storerooms will be cleaned out and anything in them will be thrown away.

Storing in trailers will require some organization on your part. But you are smart guys; you can handle it. You will not be able to throw loose pillows, desk lamps, or books in the trailer. Small items must be put in boxes, which may be purchased in the school store. All boxes must be clearly marked with your name. We will keep track of everything you store using tags that will beprovided by the men and women who will help you load the trucks.

As we are trying to limit as best we can the amount of stuff stored; we will not allow "junk" to be put into the trailers. Ripped chairs with taped up repair jobs, chairs with the stuffing falling out, broken furniture, chairs without legs—or without sturdy legs—gross rugs with dirt from 1948, and anything else that looks like it belongs in the trash cannot be stored. Someone will be out there during the loading process to OK everything that goes in the trailers. There are no appeals. Close calls will get the thumbs down vote. Every September there is about a half a trailer full of stuff left outside that nobody wants. It is expensive to store it. For your convenience, there will be a large Dumpster out there into which you will be asked to throw your battered heirlooms. All users of the trailers must split up the cost of hiring the trailers and the loading of the trailers, so excessive junk costs everyone money. We have a flat charge for all your items. This makes it easier for you. But it is not fair to put one name on items for two people so as to save a few bucks. As we split up the cost among the users, you are really stealing from someone else when you do not pay your fair share.

I remind you that the fire marshal will not be permit large sofas in the dorms so they will not be allowed the trailers. Love seats—that is a two seater, for those of you not familiar with furniture terms—are the largest thing the fire marshal will permit.

In order to provide you with safe storage, the unloading of the trailers will be scheduled carefully. Because students return to Taft at so many different times in the fall, it will be essential for you to put your stuff in a trailer that will be opened up at about the time you arrive back in September. We cannot open a trailer and just let some of the people who are using it take their stuff out. The whole trailer must be unloaded at once. We cannot unload a trailer until everyone using it is here. Therefore it might be necessary for you to wait a day or even more after you arrive beforeyou can pick up your belongings. Please plan accordingly as you pack. If you cannot get your stuff right when you arrive, you should bring with you those essentials you will need for a few days such as bedding, towels, etc. Look at the schedule below to find out what trailer you should use. You will be able to tell from this schedule if you will have to wait a day to get your stuff.

The trailers will be loaded down by Mr. Cobb’s house near the varsity baseball field. We will set up a tent in late May and again in September to facilitate loading and unloading in case of rain. When you go down to check your stuff into the trailers, do not just leave it in the tent and expect the loaders to look at your name and figure out in which trailer they should store your goods. You must check your stuff in with the loaders. After the trailers are loaded everything in the tent will be thrown away.

Trailer Return date Unloading Date Unloading Time

Trailer Number 1
Varsity Football
Boys’ & Girls' Varsity Soccer
Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey
Varsity Volleyball

Friday, September 2 September 2 1 P.M.—5 P.M.
Trailer Number 2
Boys' & Girls' Cross-Country 		Saturday, September 3 September 3 1 P.M.—5 P.M.
Trailer Number 3
School Monitors
Dormitory Monitors		 Sunday, September 4 September 4 1 P.M.—5 P.M.
Trailer Number 4
Student Sponsors (old boys and old girls)		 Tuesday, September 6 September 6 1 P.M.—5 P.M.
Trailer Number 5
All other returning students		 Wednesday, September 7 September 7 1 P.M.—5 P.M.

If your trailer, fills up, you should put your stuff on the next highest number trailer. Numbers 2, 3 & 4 have the smallest number of users, so they are the least likely to fill. If you don’t get your stuff out there early and your trailer is full, you will have to wait a day or two after you getback to get your stuff.

It should be clear to you from the above list what day you will be returning. The only question that you might have is whether you will be a student sponsor, that is, an Old Boy or Old Girl. All seniors will be asked to serve as sponsors. Upper Middlers who will be sponsors will be selected from those students who are back early.

Trailers will be loaded according to the following schedule.

  • Wednesday June 2 10:30 A.M.—1:30 P.M.
  • Thursday June 3 10:30 A.M.—1:30 P.M.
  • Friday June 4 10:30 A.M.—3:30 P.M.

After 1:30 P.M. on Friday, the trucks will be locked. Bring your stuff over and check in with the loaders. If you do not load in before 3:30 P.M. Friday, you will have to take all your stuff with you. Last year some people believed rumors that more trucks would be coming late Friday or even Saturday. These rumors were untrue and caused a few students to have to store their stuff in unsecured areas. Friday at 1:30 is your last chance.

The cost of using the trailers will depend on how many people use them, but last year the cost was $80, and there is no reason to expect it to be much different this year. Taft is not making any money on this venture. We are just trying to cover the costs.

To summarize...

  1. Find out when you will be returning in September by looking at this sheet.
  2. Look at this sheet to find out which trailer you will be using.
  3. Note from the same list how soon after your arrival you will be able to pick up yourstuff. If you have to wait a few days, plan accordingly when you pack.
  4. Pack your loose stuff in boxes or barrels.
  5. If you have dilapidated, torn, or taped up furniture, bring it out to the dumpster for disposal. Arrange for the disposal or sale to the outside world of large couches.
  6. Bring all your stuff—clearly marked, or course—to the trailers near Mr. Cobb’s houseby the varsity baseball field according to the schedule on this sheet. Check in your stuff with the loaders on duty. Throw nasty looking stuff in the dumpster.
  7. Have a great summer.

If you have any questions, please see me.

—Rusty Davis

THE TAFT SCHOOL  | 110 Woodbury Road | Watertown, Connecticut 06795 | 860-945-7777 | Info@TaftSchool.org