On January 25, 2025, the Bronxville School Foundation hosted a Winter Fête, welcoming members of the Bronxville School community, past and present, for a wonderful evening of festivity.  Almost ten years since the Foundation’s last large community celebration, over 250 friends of the Foundation came together to enjoy a beautiful evening.  Superintendent Rachel Kelly and many members of the school administration, Board of Education, and PTA attended, as well as current and former Foundation Board members, including Mayor Mary Marvin and Village Trustees Mary Behrens and Helen Knapp. 

The Foundation’s Chairperson, Wendy Fahy, welcomed guests at Siwanoy Country Club and thanked them for attending the event celebrating the Foundation’s work.  Fahy also expressed gratitude to the Fête Planning Co-Chairs, Deirdre Doheny and Amy Krause, and Susan Frehse, who sits on the Foundation Board as the PTA President- Elect, for their collective efforts putting together such a beautiful evening.  “The collaboration and strong partnership the Foundation enjoys with the administration, the Board of Education, and the PTA is extraordinary,” said Fahy.  “We are incredibly lucky to be part of this special school community that is so invested in our students.”

In the months leading up to the Winter Fête, the Foundation’s Development Chair, Anthony Civale, and a small committee have been working with the school administration to establish a Technology Innovation Fund (the “Tech Fund”) to help the school navigate the rapidly evolving world of technology and artificial intelligence, and the Foundation officially launched the Tech Fund the evening of the Winter Fête.  The Tech Fund was generously seeded by twenty families in the community, many of whom were in attendance at the Winter Fête.  Other community members enthusiastically donated to the fund the evening of the event. The Tech Fund has already raised approximately $900,000. 

“We all know in our own lives how rapidly technology has been advancing,” said Civale. “At the same time, we as parents are navigating a complex time – technology is a powerful tool, but also a potential blocker of human connection and creates risks for our kids on social media and technology-related mental health issues. Getting it right has never been more important for the readiness, competitiveness, and safety of our kids. As we look forward, the pace of change is increasing, the complexity is rising, and the investment needs are growing.”

By investing in such things as curriculum redesign, advanced technological tools, teacher training, and facilities enhancements, the Tech Fund will help foster a cutting-edge and forward-thinking educational environment where Bronxville students are empowered to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Please visit the Foundation’s website at https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/donate/ to make a donation or email bsfoundation@bronxvilleschool.org if you would like to learn about the Tech Fund in more detail. 

Special thanks to our very generous Winter Fête sponsors including: 

Diamond Sponsor:

• NY Presbyterian – Westchester 

Platinum Sponsor:

• DC Ranieri Insurance
• Iona University
• MK O’Shaughnessy from Houlihan Lawrence
• Pepe Auto Group

Gold Sponsor:

• Bundles of Joy
• Prep Academy
• Wild Vine

Silver Sponsor: 

• Mrs. Morgan’s Flower Shop
• The Picture House

Several of the sponsors attended the Winter Fête including Adrienne Harper of Bundles of Joy, the Ranieris from DC Ranieri Insurance, and Vanessa O’Friel and Sarah Loader from Prep Academy.  Winter Fête cocktails were graciously provided by sponsor and guest MK O’Shaughnessy from Houlihan Lawrence.  The venue was also decorated with exquisite flowers by Bob Krause of Mrs. Morgan’s Flower Shop and a video highlighting the Foundation’s work was produced by Spencer Sapienza of The Picture House.  “Our school community has such strong relationships with our local business owners,” said the Foundation’s Finance Administrator, Lisa Rao. “We are so grateful for their support and many generous contributions that made the Winter Fête so spectacular.” 

“Thank you to the community for making the Winter Fête so special and for supporting the launch of the Tech Fund,” said Fahy. “The energy was amazing and everyone had a wonderful time!”

Please enjoy David Fenner’s beautiful photo gallery of the Winter Fête and Spencer Sapienza’s  “Bronxville School Foundation: The Key to the Promise” video HERE. 

Photographed above: Members of the 2024-2025 Bronxville School Foundation Board, courtesy of David Fenner.

First graders at Bronxville Elementary School have been using creativity, collaboration and technology to address common recess challenges. Through a partnership with The Picture House, they’ve been learning simple camera and video techniques to create their own engaging “How-To” videos, showcasing their problem-solving and storytelling skills. 

The project tied directly into the first grade curriculum as students have been exploring solutions to recess challenges in social studies and honing their writing skills by crafting how-to stories in writing. The lessons served as the foundation for the students’ videos on topics such as how to use the Peace Path and Buddy Bench, how to stay safe on the playground and safely use the swings, and how to Be3 (Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe). 

“After researching solutions to common recess problems, the students collaborated with the Picture House to bring their ideas to life,” first grade teacher Kathryn Westerheim said. “They planned, scripted and filmed their how-to videos.”

The project will culminate in a special screening at The Picture House, where all first graders will view their videos. In addition, the videos will serve as resources during the school’s Be3 assemblies. The experience allowed the students to see the impact of their work beyond the classroom. 

“The students created something that will go out into the world and educate others,” Westerheim said. “It is a way for them to see themselves as engaged citizens even at a young age.”

The enriching experience was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Bronxville School Foundation. 

Bronxville High School orchestra students have stepped back in time to the Baroque era by performing music with Baroque bows. Under the guidance of their teacher Matthew Dell, the students are exploring Baroque performance style in a deeper and more meaningful way than they could with conventional bows. 

Traditionally, students practice Baroque music using modern bows and instruments, which differ significantly from those of the Baroque period. However, thanks to a generous grant from the Bronxville School Foundation, the students can deepen their understanding of the music and its context by learning how Baroque bows impact sound and technique.

“A number of small differences between conventional and Baroque bows add up to a different sound and feeling when playing,” Dell said. “Of all the differences, the single most impactful is the bow; Baroque bows are shorter and have different tension than modern bows. Playing with a Baroque bow changes the way a musician performs this music, leading to a deeper understanding of and connection with the composition and the composer.”

Over the next few months, the students – violinists, violists, cellists and bassists – will refine their techniques using exercises written during the Baroque era. They will rehearse “Hallelujah Chorus” from “Messiah” by George Frideric Handel, culminating in a performance with the high school chorus at the winter concert on Dec. 18. Additionally, a Baroque piece will be the focus piece of the spring orchestra concert on April 30. 

“Getting a set of Baroque bows for my students has been a dream of mine,” Dell said. “There is nothing like them, and I could see the students noticed the difference immediately. I hope the students will find a new enjoyment in performing Baroque music. Though it is old, it should not be stuffy, and the Baroque bows can help bring out the fun and excitement of Baroque music.”

By Mike Dimitri, Board Member Bronxville School Foundation  

The Bronxville School Foundation will accept nominations through February 3, 2025 to fill open positions on its Board of Directors for the upcoming year.  Candidates are village residents who would work with current board members to raise funds and support grants that will enhance educational programs in the Bronxville School district. Parents of current students and graduates, alumni, and community members without children are encouraged to express interest. The directors reflect a broad and diverse cross-section of the community.  

The Foundation was established as a nonprofit in 1991 by the Trustees of the  Bronxville School Board of Education, citizens in the community, and  supporters of the school who understood that raising private funds from school families and village residents to supplement the district’s budget was important to maintaining excellence at the Bronxville School. The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of thirty people, including one member of the Board of  Education, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Vice President of the PTA.  

The primary role of the Foundation’s Nominating Committee is to identify  motivated, hard-working leaders for possible nomination to the Bronxville School Foundation. The Committee considers recommendations from within the board itself as well as from individuals who express interest through the Foundation office. To express your interest, propose candidates, or learn more about the Foundation, please contact Executive Director Helena McSherry at 914-395-0515 or via email at hmcsherry@bronxvilleschool.org. Written correspondence should be forwarded to Helena’s attention at The Bronxville School Foundation, 177 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, New York, 10708 and  include specific information about involvement in the community and the school. Other details regarding background or relevant experience should also be included.  

Additional information about the Bronxville School Foundation can be found at  www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org.

Photo: Bronxville School Foundation Board (September 2024), courtesy of Lisa Rao.