A Christmas Gathering in Honor of Alumnus Bruce Lee '79

Yesterday evening, the Saint David's alumni community came together in the Lapeyre Family Performing Arts Commons to celebrate one of our dearest traditions, A Christmas Gathering.

This year's occasion featured a special tribute to Saint David's Alumnus of the Year, Bruce H. Lee '79. At the age of 19, Bruce's son Andrew was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer know as HLRCC, which has no known cure.

"Andrew was motivated to help others," his father explained. "Following his diagnosis, when he came home from school for Christmas, Andrew said, 'Dad, I have an idea - I'm going to start a non-profit.'"

Andrew established Driven to Cure to help others and raise awareness for rare kidney cancers. When Andrew passed away on Easter Sunday, the nonprofit received donations from 160 countries within five days.

"To be honored here at Saint David's and to see everyone (classmates, friends, faculty) tonight, is very special to me and my family," said Bruce. "Andrew's legacy will continue and we will find a cure."

We were inspired by Andrew's motivation to serve for the greater good while battling cancer and by Bruce's determination to continue his son's work.

This is the true spirit of Christmas.

For more information on Driven to Cure go to driventocure.org

Resilience in the Teaching of Languages

Above: The Nerf microphone ball enables boys learning remotely to hear their classmates well. The pandemic has challenged educators to reinvent and reimagine units of study to keep learning engaging, regardless of how it is delivered. The following article, written for Saint David’s Magazine by our Modern Languages Chair Dr. Victoria Gilbert and Lower School Spanish teacher Flor Berman, addresses how this was done in the Spanish immersion language program at Saint David's. Ms. Berman and Dr. Gilbert, recipient of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers' Ruth E. Wasley Distinguished Teacher Award, presented on the topic at NYSAIS’s Flexible Classroom Conference last summer. How Spanish Classes Have Bounced Back Resiliency implies an ability to bounce back, but as teachers working with the youngest learners in the school, we would reframe resiliency as the opportunity to reimagine. Whether boys are learning through a face-to-face experience or through the med

The Role of Faith in Social-Emotional Learning and Psychological Well-Being

The following article by our School Psychologist, Dr. Michael Schwartzman, appears in the current issue of Saint David's Magazine : During one of my first observations in a Saint David’s classroom 15 years ago, I witnessed two first grade boys in a verbal altercation. Although it was contained just between the two boys, their observant teacher had them talk it through and then shake hands on being in a better place for having done so. I was very impressed, and still am, with this approach that the school takes many times throughout the day. It helps establish a firm idea of how to behave, especially in social situations where emotions can be stirred and run high. Through this experience repeated consistently day in and day out, better, more productive ways of engaging become increasingly integrated by the boys as they develop socially and emotionally in interaction with each other. As the School Psychologist, I spend a lot of time thinking about the touch points for student and t

Storytelling Demonstrates Understanding

Their time had arrived. As the lights dimmed in our Otto-Bernstein Theatre, the astrophysicists, a mix of jitters and excitement, awaited their opportunity to share insights and stories about the workings of the universe. Which planets might support life? Is there water on Mars? What are Dwarf Planets? "Let's take a look at our closest neighbor, Venus," invited one presenter, before revealing that the planet - while ideal in proximity - has surface temperatures of 900 degrees F: "Imagine - standing on the surface would be like being burned alive!" Later that same day, in our Graham lunchroom, early 20th century immigrants of all ages from Italy, China, Ireland, Russia, among other countries, waited, with hope and determination, their turn to be interviewed for admittance to America. It wasn't going to be easy. They would be asked pointed, potentially life-altering questions by various processors. "What's that cough? It doesn't sound good,&qu

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

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