The Bueckman Family of Stamford
Meet Blake Bueckman, a mom of two, Stamford JCC Board President and Associate Director of Admission at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan. Read more about Blake, her family and what her go-to spots are in Stamford.
Do you work and/or volunteer? If yes, please tell us where and what you do.
I am an Associate Director of Admission at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, CT. This is my 14th year working at the school, and I genuinely love it because of the warmth of the community! I have worn many different hats at SLS over the years, including the Middle School Counselor and a member of the Middle School Administration. I have been in my current role for the past five years.
I also spend a lot of time at The Stamford JCC where I am currently the President of the Board of Directors. I started actively participating in the Parents’ Association when my kids attended The JCC Sara Walker Nursery School, and my volunteer work grew from there. Being connected to my local community is an integral part of my identity – it makes me part of something bigger than myself, and what I get back in terms of personal fulfillment is so much more than what I give. My professional and volunteer lives are often interconnected as The JCC and SLS share many of the same core values, especially kindness, inclusivity, and finding purpose through service.
How many kids do you have, and what are their ages?
I have two boys – Dylan (8) and Jacob (11).
Where do your children go to school, and how did you pick their school?
Blake and Jacob this year on the first day of school at St. Luke’s.
Dylan is in second grade at Roxbury Elementary School in Stamford. Jacob also attended Roxbury from Kindergarten through fourth grade and joined the St. Luke’s School Class of 2031 as a fifth grader this year. Like many others, we had some trepidation about the Stamford Public Schools. But, we have had a wonderfully positive experience at Roxbury because of the stellar school administration and great teachers.
We always planned to move the kids to SLS as soon as possible. One of the things that has filled my heart with joy and kept me at SLS all these years was the anticipation of having the wonderful opportunity to bring my children into the incredible community. The sheer delight of seeing Jacob on campus daily this year has been an absolute gift! It is truly heartwarming that I have been part of the SLS family since before my kids were born, and now, here we are, with my first child old enough to attend. The journey has been nothing short of magical.
What about your school makes it right for your family?
The same mission and core values that drew me professionally to St. Luke’s School over a decade ago make it an ideal fit for my family. Now that one of my children is a student at SLS, I am delighted to share that my expectations have been exceeded in every way. The school not only meets but surpasses the standards I initially envisioned for an educational environment for my family – it’s everything I imagined and more.
In my role, I have the privilege of interacting with various families who are trying to figure out the right environment for their kids to thrive. I often find that what they seek, especially post-COVID, is connectivity and community, which are abundantly present at SLS. The school has, and always will, emphasized the importance of staying connected and maintaining a sense of community while prioritizing the individual student experience and growth.
One of the key aspects that makes SLS right for my family is the exceptional team of teachers who are dedicated to providing this high-quality experience. The strong bond between students and teachers fosters a supportive and nurturing learning environment — they get to know every student, guiding them to reach their full potential. Perhaps even more critical, it’s a close-knit community where students form lasting friendships and families connect deeply to one another. The support and care that permeate the school create a warm and inclusive atmosphere, making it feel like an extended family. It certainly takes a village to raise kids, and I am so thankful that the SLS team is part of mine!
When did you move to Stamford, and what led you to settle there?
In 2010, my husband Daniel and I relocated to the area from NYC when I began working at St. Luke’s School. We rented a condo by the train station in Cos Cob, thinking we’d be there for a year before buying a home. It took us much longer than anticipated as we explored properties from Westchester to Westport, initially overlooking Stamford. We struggled to find a community where we wanted to settle. Our perspective shifted, however, after a conversation with a close colleague who had chosen Stamford as her family’s home more than a decade earlier. She shared the vibrant community, diversity, and the unique blend of a country feel with convenient access to the city. We quickly discovered that Stamford offered precisely what we sought – a welcoming community with the right mix of urban and suburban elements. One aspect that resonated with us was the ability to experience the charm of rural life while still being within a 10-minute drive to essential amenities. As a native New Yorker, this balance was crucial to me. We decided to move into our Stamford home in June 2013, and since then, we have become deeply ingrained in the community. Stamford has proven to be more than just a place to live; it’s a dynamic and diverse environment that truly feels like home.
What are your favorite family activities in the area?
Most of our family time is spent shuttling our boys between activities and watching them play sports from hockey to baseball to soccer. We love to go ice skating outdoors and skiing in the winter. In warmer months, we spend a lot of time at the beach. We especially enjoy hanging out with our family friends on weekend evenings and making s’mores around the fire pit.
Name one thing people would be surprised to know about you.
I’m a secret introvert and homebody. I am outgoing, social, and extroverted by nature; however, I crave alone time and cherish quiet moments when I can decompress and recharge by doing nothing.
When you need “me time,” what are your favorite ways to escape?
I like to take walks in nice weather and ride my Peloton daily. I also love catching up with a girlfriend one-on-one over drinks or dinner.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom/dad?
The best advice I ever received from another parent was from our pediatrician, Dr. Andrew Hart of Stamford Pediatrics, when I was a new mom. As I was fretting over everything and confident that I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, he shared this gem: Parenting is like walking a tightrope between risk and reward. It’s like this ongoing game of weighing the pros and cons before making decisions for your kid.
Kids don’t come with manuals and even if they did, there is definitely no universal playbook. It’s all about figuring out what works for your unique child. This advice has become my compass in this crazy adventure called parenting. It’s a reminder to think before I act, considering what could go right and what might go a bit sideways. This insight permeates various aspects of parenting – from educational choices to health decisions and setting boundaries – and acknowledges that we’re all winging it. We’re bound to make mistakes, but that’s part of the journey. It underscores the importance of being present, engaged, and proactive in shaping their journey, all while recognizing the inherent uncertainties. It’s about finding that sweet spot between keeping them safe and letting them spread their wings.
What is your favorite place in town to:
Have dinner: Table 104 and Fed Truck
Go out for a special occasion: Farmhouse at the Crossroads and Prime
Spend time together as a family outdoors: Mianus River Park, any of the Stamford Little League fields in the spring, but mostly our backyard
Grab coffee: Starbucks in the High Ridge Shopping Center
Shop for the perfect gift: Just A Peace Giftshop – I shop there because of their mission to offer young adults on the autism spectrum a place to practice daily life and social skills alongside their peers and mentors.