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

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,...

They clapped, jumped, swayed and intentionally held a pose ...  Our third graders' recent series of workshops through Saint David's new collaboration with the National Dance Institute was a smashing success. Over the course of three days last week, the boys learned correct timing, how to match rhythm to movement, and some secrets to balancing on one leg (hold arms out to the side). The choreography for the dances they performed before an audience on the final day in our Otto-Bernstein Theatre was inspired by the boys themselves and guided by the poetry of Dr. Maya Angelou.  In one poem, "I Love the Look of Words," Angelou uses popcorn as a metaphor for the powerful impact of the written word:  "Popcorn leaps, popping from the floor of a hot black skillet and into my mouth. Black words leap, snapping from the white page. " You can imagine the boys' joy in simulating the "popping" of popcorn through movement. As one third grader said, "I rea...

One day. Two "Adams." Four sessions.  Recently, boys in all grades got the inside scoop on writing and illustrating books when they were visited by notable published authors Adam Auerbach and Adam Gidwitz. Mr. Auerbach, author and illustrator of The Three Vikings, Legendary Creatures: Mythical Beasts and Spirits From Around the World , Monkey Brother, and the Ezra Jack Keats Honor book Edda: A Little Valkyrie’s First Day of School met with the Lower School boys. While reading aloud The Three Vikings to boys in Grades K through One, he transported them through a "mythical tale that celebrates teamwork, acceptance, the power of music, and the art of storytelling."  He also led the boys in drawing an original character, an amalgam of diverse animals generated by the boys' imaginations, and shared the long journey a book takes through writing, editing, illustrating, and production. One third grader noted he was particularly "impressed to learn about the mult...

Visual and performing arts, two facets of our Arts pillar, have been shining with particular intensity. The recent Saint David's Winter Concert (see highlights reel, below) filled our theatre with rich and varied compositions performed by the Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble (who were joined by Spence School's Middle Orchestra), our Percussion Ensemble, and Chamber Singers. The musical performances were captivating and all of the young musicians, at once suspended and immersed in the moment. It reminded me of a Chamber Singer's comment earlier this year following an on-site workshop with Yale's a cappella group: "This was the best day of my life!" declared the fourth grader, who clearly loves to sing and thrives when sharing his joy with an audience.  (click image to view video) We know that the arts are transformative. They offer a space where many boys discover talents and outlets for exploration and self-expression. They also enhance learning and und...

Saint David's Parents Association Benefits are many things: evenings of dining, dancing, auction bidding.  Above all, they are a celebration of our community.  And what a community we are! This year's event, held Friday evening, broke all records for attendance: more than 620 parents, faculty and staff gathered for Harmony - Joyful Balance to enjoy each other's company and to honor our school. It was an evening that will live long in our collective memories and hearts.  The benefit theme riffed off our theme for this school year. In joyful balance we celebrate the joy that comes from our boys finding the good within the balance of our four pillars: Academics, Arts, Athletics, Spirituality. Our boys' endeavors, whether in science labs, the art and music studios, gymnasiums, or Chapel, lead to their discovery and exploration of interests, passions, and beliefs. Along the way, they learn to listen to and respect others’ thoughts and opinions--the value of civil discours...

"It's more than a bookbag. It's an opportunity to encourage a child to strive for excellence on their educational journey and for you to do good in your space," said Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee, founder of the Gbowee Peace Foundation, during last week's kick-off assembly for our sixth graders' greater good service initiative in support of GPF's 2023 Bookbag Drive. Our mission calls for our boys to aspire "be good men." I often remind the boys that good doesn't equal perfect. It means committing to becoming a better person today than we were the previous day, and for our boys to "do good in their space." Through their work this year for GPF, the boys will manage and run fundraisers to finance backpacks, supplies, and raise uniform money for high achieving first through sixth graders in Liberia. The Drive awards excellence in a country where many children are strong, committed students but have financial hardships that ma...

Life and education are more about the questions rather than the answers.  Boys seek their truth; who they are, what inspires them, where they find that "spark." Under the classical ideal of balance, Saint David's program is driven by questions that guide and prompt our boys to look closer, dig deeper, and explore those spaces. This approach is evident in two signature experiences that recently culminated: the second-grade winter art unit done in collaboration with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the eighth-grade Nightingale-Bamford Lectures on Art.  "What do you see?" "What are you wondering about?" asked three second grade "docents" this morning as they stood in front of Alex Katz's Blue Umbrella during a culminating event for parents and faculty at the Guggenheim Museum, which also included an exhibit of the boys' original artworks in the Museum's Rotunda. The boys this morning, confident and well prepared, were asking us ...