Horizons at Saint David's Turns Five

It's hard to believe it, but this is the fifth year of Horizons at Saint David's, a summer academic, sports, and enrichment program for boys from predominantly low-income families in our neighboring communities, who are at risk of summer slide.

In the summer of 2012, 17 rising first graders comprised the program's first cohort.

This summer, 80 boys are enrolled spanning Grades 1 through 5. Due to the construction work underway at Saint David's, for this summer and the next the program is being held at Nightingale-Bamford School; we are appreciative to have this support from our friends at NBS.

The six-week Horizons program includes interactive, project-based activities that help the boys develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They participate in academic, art, music, and hands-on STEAM classes; take swimming lessons; and enjoy sports. It's a fun-filled educational day for the boys and teachers alike.

Several Saint David's alumni who are now in high school volunteer for Horizons, assisting the teachers throughout the day. The executive director is Meg Sheridan, parent of three Saint David's alumni, and the program co-directors are former Saint David's faculty members Courtney Sanchez and Meghan Patterson. Several of our faculty teach for the program.

Horizons at Saint David's is an affiliate of Horizons National. It was established by Saint David's School in conjunction with our sixtieth anniversary, as I sought a means for our school to contribute to the greater good in our neighboring communities. Trustee Julie Sykes served as its founding executive director.

More information on the program can be found at http://www.saintdavids.org/horizons.

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OLIVER!

This morning our fifth graders continued a great year-end tradition at Saint David's, The Fifth Grade Musical. The boys performed Oliver! and they were fantastic, providing impressive performances and demonstrating great vocal ability. They have been mastering the dialogue and musical numbers for weeks, and clearly gave it their all. Congratulations to the cast on a job well done, and to their Producers/Teachers James Hubbard and Jamie MacNeille, Director Phyllis Clark, Musical Conductor Jeff Moore, and the Parent Committee of Cynthia Chapman, Susan Kissane, Tara Neumann, Joyce Restituto, and Ann Roberts. Musical theater is alive and well at Saint David's!

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