Headmaster's Blog

Yesterday, Dr. Derrick Gay ( www.derrickgay.com ), internationally recognized consultant on issues of global citizenship, diversity, and inclusion, returned to Saint David's to lead our seventh and eighth graders in an hour-long workshop on global citizenship. After introducing himself and framing the workshop for the boys during morning Chapel, Dr. Gay examined ways in which our perceptions of the world and its citizens have been shaped. He spoke to the boys about identity--the many different ways we define that for ourselves.  In an interactive exercise, Dr. Gay asked the boys to develop a list of traits, roles, and interests that define who they are. Working in pairs, boys selectively shared characteristics of their identity with each other in response to the repeated question, “Who are you?”  Dr. Gay then prompted them to reflect on why they opted not to mention some attributes, highlighting the sensitivity that we all share surrounding our differences and how we are...

The 13th Annual Alumni Parents Council Lecture Series took our eighth graders and alumni parent community to Christie's Auction House for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour and study The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller prior to this week's widely anticipated sale. After we arrived at Christie's in Rockefeller Center, John Hays, P'10, Deputy Chairman of American Furniture and Decorative Arts, welcomed us and introduced our speaker, Jonathan Rendell, Deputy Chairman of Christie’s Americas and overall curator of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection. Mr. Rendell screened a video about the Rockefeller family, which featured their important role in New York City history, extraordinary commitment to philanthropy, and passion for art. He then presented a slide show of highlights from the collection, which includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Manet, and other masters. Everything in the collection comes from David and Peggy R...

Third graders have begun designing their Geometry "Geo" Cities. Working in small groups, our young architects are using their knowledge of polygons, angles and lines to create their cities, which must have a theme as well as specific features such as a body of water, recreation, transportation, and restaurants. Among the variety of themes the boys have selected are "sports," "water," and "food." Like all good architects, the boys began with preliminary blueprints for their cities, which they are now transferring to scale for their final creations. The boys love this project and cite it among their favorites for the year; it harnesses their imaginations and creativity while challenging them to solve math problems through collaboration.  

Eliot Schrefer , the author of several highly acclaimed novels including Rescued , Endangered and Threatened , the first three novels in the Ape Quartet, visited with Saint David's sixth and seventh graders last week. In preparation for Mr. Schrefer's visit, each boy received a copy of Rescued . Mr. Schrefer shared with the boys his writing and research processes, in particular his experiences traveling to the Republic of Congo to study primates, people, and the settings in which they encounter each other.  The boys learned about Lola ya Bonobo, a sanctuary for the endangered Bonobo great ape species. They discovered that humans share 98.7 percent of their DNA with the apes, and that apes show affection by grooming each other (the balder the ape, the more popular!) The boys enjoyed a fascinating discussion with this published author, courtesy of our Parents Association Author Series.

Lower School boys were treated to a morning concert yesterday by Saint David's First Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and Philharmonic Ensemble. Directed by Mrs. Francis, our young musicians of the First Orchestra played "I Saw Three Ships" and an arrangement of Vivaldi's "Spring" Concerto.  The Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Francis, followed with "Spanish Dance No. 5" by Enrique Granados; the Philharmonic Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Hough, closed with "The Pink Panther" by Henry Mancini and "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg.  The musicians also spoke to the audience about the works they were playing, and taught the boys in the audience a bit about each group and its instruments. Music is integral to Saint David's program and our embrace of the classical ideal of balance in all things. Our boys are fortunate to be able to participate in a strong music program, and wi...

Last week, our sixth graders were in Washington, D.C., the culminating experience in their year-long study of American history. The three-day trip included a tour of the Capitol; a Supreme Court docent lecture; viewing the Gallery of the House Chamber; visits to Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of American History, and Mount Vernon; and an evening tour of the national monuments. This signature sixth grade experience provides our boys the opportunity to observe institutions of our democracy in action, and deepens understanding of topics they have studied in both history and science. 

Eighth graders began their study of DNA last week through our partnership with the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center, the world's first science center devoted to genetics education. DNA educators work with our teachers to lead this unit, which builds on the boys' introduction to DNA in the fifth grade. This spring they are carrying out original research using DNA barcoding and gel electrophoresis, following the lab protocol that molecular biologists employ to extract and analyze DNA. They also learn how to use the actual equipment that DNA researchers use. This inquiry-based unit builds on our boys' curiosity about genetics and is part of a year-long study of the science of the human body. Our school's partnership with DNALC, now in its fifth year, provides them the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of the DNALC as well as their exceptional science teachers.