BSF Updates

Foundation Announces Six New Board Members and Launches Fall Fundraising Campaign

Article written by Nancy Marshall, Board Member, Bronxville School Foundation

The Bronxville School Foundation marks its 30^th year with the launch of its fall fundraising campaign and the addition of six new board members as well as a new slate of officers. Over the years, the nonprofit organization has given more than 11.5 million dollars in grants to the Bronxville School to enhance the quality of education by funding new curriculum, technology, faculty training, facilities projects, and special materials and equipment. Last year the Foundation played a very significant role in creating a safe environment for in-school learning, as well as technology to provide remote learning scenarios. The Foundation actively engages with the District to identify high priority needs that are beyond what the school’s budget is able to cover. Each year, it relies on the fall campaign to help fund these critical grants. The generous support received from school families and community members through the fall fundraising campaign enables the Foundation to fund grants that fill the gap between what the school budget provides and what transformative education demands. Please consider a gift to the Foundation this year.

Join us in welcoming our newest Board members:

Amy Atkeson

Amy Atkeson received BS and MD degrees from Yale University and completed her training at NY Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. She practiced as a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine specialist at Columbia, co-directed a medical student course on pulmonary physiology, and directed the Sleep Center and the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, retiring in 2019. Amy serves on the boards of The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe; Mainsprings/The Janada Batchelor Foundation for Children, which seeks to eradicate extreme poverty in rural Tanzania; and the Yale Alumni Fund. She and her husband, Jon, have been Bronxville residents since 2007 and have four children, including three current students at the Bronxville School and one recent graduate.

Anthony Civale

Anthony received a BA from Middlebury College in Political Science and History. He has been employed by Apollo Global Management for 22 years and serves as Co-Chief Operating Officer of the firm with prior roles as a Senior Partner in its Private Equity business and Lead Partner and one of the founders of its Credit businesses. Anthony has been on the board of several companies including Goodman Global, Berry Plastics, Caesar's Entertainment and Prestige Cruises. Anthony has also been involved in philanthropic activities including as a current Board Member of Focus for a Future and the Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine Advisory Board at Mt. Sinai as well as prior service on the Board of Trustees of Middlebury College and a Board member of Youth INC. Since moving to Bronxville in 2016, Anthony has been active coaching youth sports in the community and at the Reformed Church of Bronxville. Anthony and his wife, Amy, have children in the Elementary School.

Susan Conniff (ex-officio member, School Board representative)

Susan received her BS in Accounting from the University of Virginia, followed by an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and an MA in Journalism from Columbia University. Professionally, Susan started her career as a CPA, investment banker for JP Morgan and later as VP for Finance at Loyola School in Manhattan. Following Loyola, she served as a Board member and Finance Committee chair for Xavier High School in Manhattan while consulting for other private schools and presenting at a conference on secondary school governance at the University of San Francisco. She is currently VP for Finance and Operations for an organization focused on improving college access for first-generation, Pell-eligible students. Susan, her husband Chris, and their two daughters moved to Bronxville in 2013. Susan has a daughter in the High School and another daughter who is a 2021 graduate.

Anabella Davis

Anabella received a BS in Business Administration from the University of Richmond and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University. She worked as a financial consultant in bankruptcy and litigation at Navigant Consulting, Inc. Then switched careers to education, working at pre-schools and elementary schools in New York City. She has volunteered as Board Chair of Reformed Church Nursery School and various roles at the Bronxville School PTA, including Chair of the Elementary School Council. She is a member of Reformed Church where she taught Sunday School. In addition, she is Board Member of FEIH, the Foundation for Education in Honduras, a non-profit based in New York City, dedicated to improving the lives of the neediest children in Honduras through education. Anabella and her husband, Jesse, have three children attending the Bronxville School.

Mike Heraty

Mike Heraty graduated from Boston College and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. He is currently a Managing Director and Head of the Institutional Solutions team at Credit Suisse. Mike serves on the board of the Bronxville Historical Conservancy. Mike, his wife Cece, and their four children moved to Bronxville in 2011 and are all active across the community. The Heratys have three children presently attending Bronxville School and a recent 2021 graduate.

Amy Krause (ex-officio member, PTA, President Elect)

Amy received a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin. She worked in process consulting in the Financial Services and Utilities industries and subsequently was a manager of operations for a large accounting firm. Before moving to Bronxville in 2014, Amy and her family lived in New York City for many years where she served on several boards and was active in the New York Junior League. She served on the PTA in a number of positions at her children’s schools in New York City and more recently at The Bronxville School. She also recently served as a board member and Evaluations co-chair for The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe. Amy and her husband, Steve, have three children; two presently attend The Bronxville School and one is a recent 2021 graduate.

“Please join us in welcoming our newest members. This group brings a strong set of diverse skills and perspectives which will serve the Board well, particularly as we continue to navigate the Covid landscape and work with the School to determine needs and weigh best practices in an evolving learning environment,” remarked newly appointed Chairperson, Rob Crystal. This year is Rob’s fourth year as a Board member. During his tenure, Rob has been an active member on several committees. Last year, Rob served as Chair of the Development Committee. Rob replaces outgoing Chairperson, Lori Beecher, who helped usher the Board through an exceptional year, one which highlighted the important role the Foundation plays in the success of the school and its students. Lori remains on the Board and serves on the Development Committee and Public Relations Committee.

The other directors and officers for 2021-22 are Mike Dimitri, VP Development; Wendy Fahy, VP Grants; Chris Krieg, VP Alumni Affairs; Deirdre Doheny, VP Public Relations; Nancy Marshall, VP Nominating; Mary Gay, VP Finance; Ian Putnam, VP Legal; Vincent McBride, Secretary. Helena McSherry serves as Executive Director of the Foundation and Kathleen Matthews is the Finance Administrator.

Returning board members are: Brian Bodell, Gio Cutaia, Won Giuriceo, Chris Horvers, John Kelty, Erin Krestinski, Jennifer Lescott, Lansing Martinelli, Julie Meade, Heather Miner, Sam Patterson and Katie Shah. Roy R. Montesano, Superintendent of the Bronxville School, serves as an ex-officio member of the Board.

Photo Credit: Patrick Savage

October 27, 2021

The Continued Success of the Bronx River Research Initiative

Equipped with various tools and measurement instruments, Bronxville seventh graders took on the role of scientists and collected data along the Bronx River at Scout Field during a recent outdoor lesson. As part of their study, they tested the phosphate levels of the soil and the water’s temperature, turbidity and pH levels. In addition, they observed the flow rate of the water and took notes on various particles they noticed in the river.

“The Bronx River experience is a unique opportunity for students to take classroom content and apply it to the rigor and rewards of real scientific research,” said science teacher Daniel Tocci, who along with fellow teachers Jennifer Zopp and Karen Green, incorporate the Bronx River as a teaching environment in their science classes.

Over the course of their studies, the students will be challenged to develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. They will learn how changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations and predict patterns of interactions among organisms in a variety of ecosystems. They will also evaluate solutions for maintaining biodiversity and protecting ecosystem stability.

Tocci said the outdoor classroom experience allows the students to make real-life connections between what they’re learning in the classroom and how it applies to the work they are doing by the river.

“The accessibility of the Bronx River offers students the ability to assess the health of the river and surrounding area and develop an action plan to help preserve this important part of their community,” he said.

The students will continue their studies of the Bronx River throughout the year as they collect and analyze data. They will develop an action plan to address an issue affecting the health of the Bronx River and present their findings before a panel of students and community members.

The Foundation has provided support to the incredibly successful Bronx River Research Project since its inception. In what began as a research project in the summer of 2015, the Foundation provided funding to High School Science teacher Justine McClellan and two of her students to collect and analyze water samples to examine the water quality of the Bronx River. Before the summer research program was piloted, Ms. McClellan and her students expressed their hope that the results of their summer work would be incorporated in some way into the school curriculum and analyzed by the larger student body. The Bronx River Research Project has grown to something much larger than any of them ever initially dreamed. The initiative has allowed the students to become active participants in their own learning, further develop their critical thinking skills, and engage with the community around them, all of which are closely aligned with the Bronxville Promise

October 20, 2021

Eighth Graders Sketch Objects in Newly Renovated Classroom

As eighth graders sat at their desks in art teacher Jackie D’Arco’s newly renovated classroom, they diligently worked to create realistic drawings of a meaningful object of their choice. They used the value scale, as well as a variety of drawing pencils and shading techniques to complete their compositions.

The students began their projects by analyzing realistic graphite drawings by Armin Mersmann. They also discussed how to make an ordinary object look extraordinary by changing the camera angles, zooming in to the object and creating a successful composition using the rule of thirds. They also photographed their objects and made their photographs monochromatic to further analyze their work.

“The students choose their most successful compositions to practice on thumbnail sketches – quick, abbreviated, small drawings to test out their different compositions,” D’Arco said. “From these sketches, they chose their most successful composition to create for their final drafts.”

D’Arco said the students have enjoyed being creative in the newly renovated art room, thanks to the Bronxville School Foundation’s generous support. The renovated room features new tables with storage shelves underneath, as well as new chairs, a trough sink and plenty of storage space for art supplies.

“I am extremely grateful for the Bronxville School Foundation’s continued support for the arts to allow us to provide a modern learning environment for our students,” D’Arco said. “I am excited to experiment with new art materials in our new art classroom.”

October 1, 2021

Bronxville High School Puts on Extraordinary Outdoor Musical

Bronxville High School presented “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as its spring musical, and the show was held outdoors on June 4-5. Under the direction of choral director Pamela Simpson, the show featured a talented cast and crew of students.

The musical tells the story of six prepubescents who compete in a regional spelling bee and are tested with words that ranged from the familiar, “crayon,” to the esoteric, “syzygy” to the frankly nonexistent, “catterjunes.” But correct spelling is not the only pressure facing the contestants. They must also navigate the expectations and quirks of parents, families and spelling bee administrators.

Given pandemic-related restrictions, the performances were held on the front lawn of the Bronxville School. Moving the production outdoors required extraordinary planning and sound amplification for the actors and musicians. The outdoor sound assistance was provided through a Foundation grant. The students were overjoyed to be able to carry on the wonderful tradition of the high school musical this year.

Donna Olshan, the parent of a Bronxville School graduate who was actively involved in the performing arts program, noted that it has been about 18 long pandemic months since she had seen live theater and the musical was the most wonderful treat. "What Pam Simpson pulled off was very inventive, extremely creative staging, really a model" said Olshan. "The sound system financed by the Bronxville Foundation was excellent. Every note and lyric were clear. The quality of the production was extremely high with Pam staging the musical at the entrance of the school theater as well as using several floors of the high school with actors chiming in at windows lined with posters and banners. As usual, Bronxville has talent in its ranks but pulling it all together, and staging an outdoor musical is quite a trick. It's a very hard thing to do well, but Pam did it!"

June 11, 2021

Bronxville School Foundation Awards $567,000 in Grants

By Lansing Martinelli, VP, Public Relations, The Bronxville School Foundation

June 4th, 2021: The Bronxville School Foundation announced its 2021 grant awards, giving $567,000 in resources to benefit the Bronxville School’s K-12 student body.

The grant requests came from teachers, administrators, coaches, parents, and students. This year’s grants supported meaningful projects designed to enrich the educational experience for all grades and facilitate a more flexible learning environment amidst Covid limitations. The grants included professional development, health and wellness initiatives, new equipment, and enhancements to facilities and classrooms, as well as new programs and curriculum updates.

Won Giuriceo, the Foundation’s Vice President of Grants, said, “The Foundation Board was humbled by the faithful generosity of the community especially during this pandemic year. We thank the school administration who worked tirelessly creating multiple plans for the opening of the school last fall. The school administrators, teachers, and students developed thoughtful and innovative grant requests for resources needed to adapt to the changing learning needs throughout the year: academically, athletically, and artistically. The Foundation assessed and approved the funding of these critical off-cycle and end-of-year grant requests. These grants allowed for the technological outfitting of all classrooms K through 12 and the continued innovation of academic and extra-curricular programming in a year where it was a great feat for many other districts to simply survive. The year posed significant challenges, however, the positive offshoot is that the pandemic forced innovation and change at a pace that was not previously thought possible. We are pleased to approve grants that seek to capitalize on the learnings of this past year and that advance these learnings to the next level. Thank you to the community for enabling the Foundation to be a valuable resource to the Bronxville School.”

Foundation Chair, Lori Beecher, added, “The Foundation is beyond grateful to our donors for the continued support especially in a time like this past year where there was so much uncertainty. Thank you to every teacher, administrator, parent, and student who brought their ideas to the Foundation. They have helped to continue the Bronxville School’s mission of delivering the best possible curriculum and instruction in the most effective and safest learning environment possible. We are so fortunate to have such a strong community that works together to help our exceptional school.”

Following is a complete list of the approved grants for the 2020-2021 school year:

Program & Curriculum Development:

Delivering a Dynamic & Compelling Talk

Elementary School Math Curriculum Enhancements with Greg Tang

Winning Mindset Training for Athletes

Printmaking for Visual Arts

World Languages Symposium

Open Your Mind to Language Events

Food Scrap Recycling Program

Heimlich Heroes Program

Lincoln Center Chamber Music Program

Professional Development:

Leading Adult Learners – Support for Teacher Leaders

“Design Thinking” Innovative Strategy Projects for High School – Phase 2

Health & Wellness:

“Design Thinking” Debrief Sessions – What We Learned from Covid

Staff Appreciation – Bronxville Adult Education Classes

Equipment & Materials:

Bronx River Research II Equipment

Middle School Science Microscopes

Portable Podcast Studio

Audio Systems for Elementary School

Cable Channel for Bronxville UFSD

High School Musical – Outdoor Production Assistance

Video Camera for Bronco TV

Chambers Field Sound System Updates

Expansion of First Grade Book Libraries

Keiser Trainers for Fitness Center

Football GoRout Technology

Facilities:

PUREZONE Application by GUARDXPRO

Zoom Classrooms & Teacher Home Use Equipment

Innovative Designs in Education – Budgets for Classroom Redesign & Technology

Interactive Thermoplastic Surface for Elementary School Playground

The Bronxville School Foundation depends upon contributions from school families and the community. If you would like to learn more about the Foundation, please contact the Foundation’s Executive Director, Helena McSherry, at 914-395-0515 or visit the Foundation’s website at www.BronxvilleSchoolFoundation.org

Pictured here: Middle school students and teacher using a portable recording studio in orchestra, courtesy of a Foundation grant. L to R: Sophia Ikiri, Wyeth Tvenge and Kiran Madhavan. Photo courtesy of The Bronxville School Foundation

June 11, 2021

Foundation Grants Continue to Reap Benefits for National History Day Work – Social Studies Teachers Recognized for Outstanding Instruction

Bronxville High School teachers Kris Hart, Dana Landesman and Christina Reidel have been awarded Certificates of Excellence by National History Day, a non-profit education organization. They were recognized for their outstanding instruction in historical inquiry, persistence during an unprecedented school year and dedication to their students exploring this year’s topic.

Hart, Landesman and Reidel have been leading ninth and 10th graders in conducting extensive, original research on historical topics of interest, focused on this year’s theme of “Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.” Through the program, students display their work in one of five ways — paper, website, documentary, performance or exhibit — and compete against students from across the country.

“We love this program and seeing what it has done for our students,” Landesman said. “This work connects to much that we value – strong research skills, authentic student voice and an opportunity to advance diversity and equity in education through student choice. Independent thinking develops in spaces where students’ ideas are listened to, respected and given structure.”

While the pandemic has provided challenges and opportunities, the teachers and students have remained committed to their historical research. Throughout the school year, students met virtually for meetings outside of the classroom, relied on digitized collections for research and conducted virtual interviews with experts on their topics.

“History is present in all that we do and all that we are,” Reidel said. “Understanding history allows us to make more sense of the world we are living in. Given the challenges of the past year, this seems more crucial than ever.”

In addition, the teachers have been committed to their own professional development by taking related graduate courses, presenting at professional conferences and working with other teachers from across the state.

“An on-going and critical self-reflection of our classroom practice and continued professional development has allowed us to foster an environment that reflects the principles in the Bronxville Promise,” Hart said.

Principal Ann Meyer said she is thrilled that Hart, Landesman and Reidel were recognized for their outstanding work with students.

“They have been dedicated to fostering historical thinking skills and engaging students in topics they are passionate about and committed to exploring,” Meyer said. “Teaching in a pandemic has been challenging to say the least and to see the outstanding accomplishments of our students is a testament to the unwavering support these teachers have given in the midst of difficult circumstances.”

Now in its sixth year, the National History Day program was introduced to Bronxville by Landesman and Reidel after they attended the National Council for Social Studies Conference. Since then, an increasing number of students have won awards in the regional, state and national competitions. Special thanks to the Bronxville School Foundation for funding the teachers’ attendance and continuing to support students by providing them with the opportunity to work with performance coaching experts to enhance their presentation skills.

May 22, 2021

Teachers and Students of World Language Fellows Cohort Present at Regional Foreign Language Conference

Bronxville High School teachers Denise Flood and Toby Gillen and a group of students presented their work on foreign language curriculum during the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, held virtually on April 27.

During the conference, Flood and Gillen discussed how the foreign language department designed a thematic unit across the 6-12 continuum, which allows students to analyze evidence of the complex nature of the concept of “home,” including geographic, economic, religious, power and gender influences. Flood said she hoped attendees gained skills to construct and implement a reimagined, vertically aligned unit of study.

“In transforming a common thread, such as the home, we hope that other educators find their own means to engage all language learners through authentic cultural experiences and texts, as well as through receiving feedback from authentic audiences,” she said. “The unit was vertically aligned, 6-12, so the hope is that this could serve as a model for other disciplines to connect their units across the grade levels, create a portfolio, and, as a culminating experience, to share their growth in knowledge, understanding and complexity of the concept over time.”

As a capstone project, students design a reflective portfolio demonstrating their growth in language over time and their deepening understanding of the concept of home. This scaffolded, thematic approach embraces technology and encourages reflection, metacognition and critical thinking. Bronxville High School juniors Elizabeth Burnell, Lucy Clark, Rory Denning, Teresa Markola, Shay Sipple and Alice Vranka also presented during the conference. Sipple said the conference provided the students with a platform to share their projects and an opportunity to share their interest in foreign languages.

“It was great to be able to see how the theme of ‘home’ was utilized not only throughout my years in French, but also in Latin and Spanish classes in different ways,” Burnell said. “This experience also gave me a greater appreciation for the preparation and creativity that goes into creating an effective language curriculum.”

The six students are part of the World Language Fellows cohort, which was created thanks to a generous grant from the Bronxville School Foundation. The two-year-long, advanced, interdisciplinary program was designed for students to engage more deeply in solving real-world global challenges and connect with the larger community of global scholars.

Over the past few years, Flood and Gillen have presented on foreign language curriculum and technology topics at national, regional and local conferences, including the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Annual Conference, the AP National Annual Conference, the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers conference, the New York State Education Department conference, the Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES Tech Expo and The New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education conference. The annual Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages was designed to provide world language educators with professional development and the chance to interact with colleagues.

May 22, 2021

The Bronxville School Foundation Announces 2021 Grant Cycle; Deadline of March 1

By Katie Shah, Board Member Bronxville School Foundation

Jan. 28, 2021: The Bronxville School Foundation is pleased to announce the start of its 2021 grant cycle. Faculty, administrators, staff, students, parents, and community members are invited to submit grant applications.

The Foundation is eager to support grant requests that enable students to lead, to innovate, to engage the world, and to think critically, particularly during these uniquely challenging times. The deadline for grant applications is March 1, 2021.

The Foundation’s mission is to raise community funds in order to provide resources beyond the district’s budget across Bronxville’s Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has awarded more than $11.2 million in grants that focus on piloting new programs, pursuing creative ideas, and providing equipment and facilities in the areas of science, arts, athletics, technology, and curriculum development.

“This year has presented significant challenges but those challenges have forced rapid advancements in many areas of technology and the re-examination or re-creation of ‘how things are done,’” said Won Giuriceo, who heads up the grants committee this year. “The Foundation is so impressed by and grateful for the efforts of the administration, faculty, and staff at the school. This year’s challenges have also emphasized the importance of connectivity at our schools and within our community. We at the Foundation are looking forward to partnering with the school to fund grant applications that will advance the school in these and other priority areas.”

The grant application, information about the application process, and summaries of recently approved grants are available on the Foundation’s website, www.BronxvilleSchoolFoundation.org.

For further information or inquiries, please contact vice president of grants, Won Giuriceo, at wgiuriceo@gmail.com, or the Foundation’s executive director, Helena McSherry, at hmcsherry@bronxvilleschool.org.

Pictured here: Greg DiStefano and his Middle School Technology Class students using robotics kits, courtesy of a Foundation grant.

Photo courtesy of Helena McSherry.

February 4, 2021

Bronxville School Foundation Accepting Nominations For Board of Directors Until February 8, 2021

By Nancy Marshall, Board Member Bronxville School Foundation

Jan. 27, 2021: The Bronxville School Foundation will accept nominations through February 8, 2021, 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.

Senior citizens, 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 by H. McSherry.

January 29, 2021

Bronxville Students to Connect With Award-Winning Author

As a critical piece of the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion work, K-5 students and members of the International Club will connect with award-wining author and illustrator Grace Lin during a virtual visit on Feb. 8-11.

During her visit, which was generously sponsored by the Bronxville School Foundation, Lin will provide the elementary school students with insight into her writing process and the inspirations for her books. She will also read stories from her novels and engage the students in interactive activities, including teaching them how to draw a dog and a Chinese dragon. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. In addition, Lin will share her story with faculty members during a virtual districtwide assembly and will connect with high school students to discuss her experiences of growing up Asian in upstate New York.

According to the author, her experiences have influenced her books, including her Newbery Honor, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon”; her Geisel Honor, “Ling & Ting”; her National Book Award finalist, “When the Sea Turned to Silver” and her Caldecott Honor, “A Big Mooncake for Little Star.” Lin is also a radio commentator and podcast host and recently gave her TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf.” Lin has been recognized by former President Obama’s office as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling, and in 2016, her art was displayed at the White House.