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.