Skip to main content

Ethiopia: Year Two Launched

Jack and I Launching Year 2 in the Chapel Friday Morning
Saint David's boys, in recognition of the school's 60th anniversary, resolved to emulate the actions of our founders in supporting the efforts necessary to get Saint David's School off the ground sixty years ago. This past Friday morning in Chapel, Jack M., Student Council President, and I kicked off the second year of this major initiative.

We spoke about the importance of contributing to the greater good and of delayed gratification--of the fact that most good things in the world do not come easily--doing good takes hard work and commitment over time, which is what Saint David's boys have resolved to do. It's not only in keeping with our mission; it's our mission epitomized.
Jack Presenting Ms. O'Hagan and Mr. Donato a Check for the Foundation

Last year, the first of what will probably be several, the boys managed to raise a quarter of the funds necessary to build the school in Ethiopia.  Friday morning after the Chapel ceremony, those monies were presented to Steve Donato from Save the Children and Mimi O'Hagan of Mimi's Building Blocks by the Student Council President on behalf of Colin Johnson, his immediate predecessor, the class of 2011 and all the boys of Saint David's.  Mr. Donato, after thanking the boys assembled in the Hume Library, told them that the money would immediately be sent to Ethiopia where Save the Children and the village elders are ready to literally lay the foundations of the school.

Mrs. O'Hagan speaking with the Boys in Hume
Saint David's has partnered with Save the Children and Mimi's Building Blocks to build a school in Mamet Village in the northern Ethiopian Provence of Tigray.  John Dearie and Tom Ryan also spoke with the boys regarding the school's commitment and its connections to this important initiative.  More information can be found by visiting these prior posts:

Headmaster's Blog: Saint David's: Mission, Milestone and Ethiopia

Headmaster's Blog: A Reflection at the Conclusion of our 60th

Headmaster's Blog: Dollars for Ethiopia Scholars

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NE Patriot Tom Brady at Saint David’s

Last night, Saint David’s was honored to have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, four time Superbowl champion and three-time MVP winner Tom Brady, as the guest speaker for our Alumni Parents Council Lecture Series. Tom, who is the father of one of our Saint David's boys, addressed a standing-room-only audience in Hyman Hall comprised of our eighth graders, alumni, alumni parents and faculty. Friendly, introspective, witty, and wise, he directed his talk to the delighted eighth graders in the front of the room, and focused on the topic of leadership. “You are the young men and leaders of Saint David’s,” he noted. Tom debunked the perception that leaders are born not made, and credited his leadership abilities to “standing up to and facing fears” and to “cultivating a mental strength,” which he cited as “more important than being physically strong.” He also stressed the importance of working hard, honoring teamwork, believing in oneself and being a good lis

Digital Universe Unit With AMNH-Hayden Planetarium Kicks Off

The second year of our unique partnership with the American Museum of Natural History-Hayden Planetarium kicked off on Friday when the sixth grade had their first session of the Digital Universe unit. The session included a private viewing at the planetarium in which boys were able to explore the entire universe. They and their teachers were invited to view the show from the vantage point of the floor in the center of the round theater, staring up into the apex of the dome. What an amazing perspective! Museum educator and astro-visualization expert Nathan Belomy took the boys on a tour of the observable universe, allowing them to get a feel for the scale of distance and size in the universe. In a fun activity related to scale, the boys set down  a volleyball (representing the sun) at 79th Street, and walked for blocks down Columbus avenue with the planets in our solar system represented by a variety of smaller objects – a cupcake sprinkle, a marble – predicting and then measu

"Lord of the Flies" Survival Game

Seventh graders are immersed in an "island survival" adventure related to their study of William Golding's 1954 classic Lord of the Flies . The novel tells the story of a group of school-age boys marooned on an uninhabited island, where they struggle to survive without a government or rules. In this creative, unique activity that spans 10 class sessions, our boys are assigned to belong to one of two "tribes." Using knowledge gained from history classes in the fall, they first determine what type of government system to adopt. During the simulations, they strategize methods to overcome obstacles and acquire resources such as wood, food, shelter, and water. The simulation requires the boys to negotiate, debate, and reflect critically on their decisions as they face challenges to their survival. In journals, they regularly write about their thinking, their decisions and consequences. Writing skills are further developed and honed. In addition to analy