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

Saint David's Co-Directors of Inclusion, Diversity and Inclusion, with Dr. Derrick Gay  As a school that deeply values "true community," we want our children to embrace civility and respect difference, to always demonstrate a commitment to stand up for what is right. In so doing, our boys can live more meaningfully and can experience the joyful penned in our mission; a joy that isn't defined as happiness per se, but rather the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing and accepting oneself, and then, by extension accepting and respecting the humanity in others, regardless of difference.  In this light, we continue our partnership, now in its seventh year, with Dr. Derrick Gay , whose sessions focus on building an ever more inclusive and respectful community where all of our boys, their families, and our teachers and staff feel a sense of deepening connection and belonging. Last week, Dr. Gay met with boys in all grades for sessions that promoted efforts among the boy...

I would like to share the following feature article, which appears in the current issue of Saint David's Magazine. Written by our Lower School Head Hope Lippens and Assistant Lower School Head Nick Imbelli '98, it addresses how Saint David's School attends to our younger boys' social and emotional well-being. Over the past two-and-a-half years, we have collectively, as a society and school community, faced challenges never before experienced. Each day, we are barraged by talks of a global pandemic, political discord, social injustices, and violence. Many adults have had a difficult time finding answers for themselves, so it is no surprise that children are struggling to cope with the stressors they are faced with each day. Even prior to the pandemic, research conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration found that between 2016 and 2020, there was a 29 percent rise in anxiety and 27 percent rise in depression in children ages 3-17.  In 2020, the Ann ...

Saint David's 72nd year is off to a joy-filled start! Our classrooms and hallways reflect the energy and excitement of boys slipping back into familiar routines, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and connecting with their incredible teachers. It's an exciting time for all. Below, I share some thoughts from my Opening Letter, which celebrates our theme this year "Joyful Balance":  "And all at once, summer collapsed into fall."  * After sending all the other knights to slay the dragon and failing, the king, left with no other options, sends his own daughter to protect the kingdom. Tearful, she confronts the monster just as George arrives on his white horse and sporting shining armor to save her and the kingdom. Today, George could just as easily be a Georgina or the princess herself. Regardless of the anachronistic nature of parts of this story, “chivalry” redefined for the 21st century has a place.  In origin, c hivalry was formed in the Old Fre...