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

More than a decade ago, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Saint David’s committed to supporting the building of schools in Ethiopian villages. On two separate occasions, we were invited to the country to open the two schools we are supporting —Al’asa (Muslim) and Kalina (Orthodox Christian), which are located outside of Mekelle in the northern province of Tigray. On both occasions—June of 2014 and February 2020—I was joined by student council presidents (who were then in high school) and their families, along with faculty members, to officiate at the schools' openings. I am excited to share progress from Save the Children on our work to restore the schools and the health posts damaged by the country's recent civil war.  Save the Children recently provided an update on all nine schools and activities in their Ethiopia schools program. There’s been good news for our schools, Al’asa and Kalina, in particular.  Highlights: Rapid progress has been made following the end...

  "The hive is like a body," the visiting beekeeper tells his rapt audience, holding up a honeycomb for all to see. "The queen is the heart." During sessions with our kindergartners and second graders, the beekeeper introduces the boys to the important roles that bees play as pollinators.  The boys are surprised to learn that a bee sting can have medicinal properties.  They then practice separating wax from the honey of the honeycomb, make candles with the beeswax, and taste the fresh honey. Meanwhile, seventh graders are at the East 90th Street Pier Oyster Restoration site. Monitoring oyster cages can be messy work. Mud, water, and wind converge as the boys move the cages, mount and measure the oysters, survey biodiversity, and test the East River water from which the oysters are drawn.  But the boys couldn't be more focused or engaged. They are at that exciting intersection of science learning, real life experience, and purpose. After working to restore endang...