David O'Halloran, Headmaster - Saint David's School, New York City

Boys are challenged throughout our program to stretch beyond their comfort zones as they collaboratively solve problems. Working together with their classmates on a specific challenge requires analysis and repeated attempts before a successful solution is found. This is one way that essential critical thinking skills and a spirit of persistence are developed and honed in boys. As an example, second graders are kicking off the year with an active engineering challenge in our new Innovation Lab that strengthens collaboration skills and promotes persistent and creative problem solving. The project requires our boys to work through the Engineering Design Cycle to build a cardboard structure of their choice: a tower as tall as their (very tall!) teachers, a vehicle mobile enough to transport an object across the room (on wheels along the ground, or airborne, along a zip line), a ball run timer consistent enough that the ball takes exactly 5 seconds to roll from top to bottom, or a card

One major way that we address the development of moral character and healthy social-emotional states in our boys is through our school-wide Sophrosyne program. In the current issue of Saint David's Magazine , Assistant Head of Lower School Kathryn Hunter describes how this program works with our younger boys. Excerpts follow:  The definition of Sophrosyne , as we have come to understand together over the course of the year, is what it means to be a good man, in word and deed.  In the Lower School, Sophrosyne guides every aspect of the school day.  Each Lower School Sophrosyne class is grounded in a Word of the Week , a core virtue deeply valued at Saint David’s. These virtues also align with one of five cognitive and behavioral competencies identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning: Self-Awareness – I can identify my own emotions and thoughts and how they impact my behavior. Words of the Week:  The power of yet, growth mindset  Sel

Saint David's Alumnus Tom Robertshaw '10 was recently profiled in this video by the Theatre Department of Williams College, where he was a member of the Class of 2019. In it, Tom expresses his love for theatre and his experiences acting, writing, and directing for the college theatre program. Flash back 10 years ago to Tom in the seventh grade at Saint David's, starring as King Creon in Mr. Kilkeary's production of the Greek Tragedy, Antigone. That play is one of several productions our boys mount throughout their years here. It was clear then that Tom had a passion and talent for acting; his performance was riveting. All of us here at his alma mater wish him much success! For more information about Saint David's School, visit  www.saintdavids.org To see the full archive of blog posts, please go to:  pdavidohalloran@blogspot.com

Friday was the first day of our 69th year. Classrooms and hallways are alive with the sights and sounds of our boys actively engaged in learning. Throughout the year, our boys will be challenged to dig deeper, fulfill potential, and grow in mind, body, and spirit. Our school-wide theme this year, drawn from our mission's second paragraph, is respect . In a time of seemingly endless discord, disrespect, and disregard in our broader popular culture, respect for each other and “the other,” regardless of belief, heritage, preference, or gender, lies in the hearts of all good men. Respect begins by learning to have a healthy sense of self...This school year, we will critically reflect on a few key questions:  How best do we teach boys to respect themselves? How do we ensure boys cultivate a healthy sense of themselve s ?  At its essence, education is a journey of self-discovery that asks:  Who am I? What is my purpose? In order for boys to begin to answer these questions,