BSF Updates

Helena McSherry Appointed as New Executive Director of Bronxville School Foundation

The Bronxville School Foundation has appointed Helena McSherry as its new executive director. McSherry is excited about her new role “With my two children away at college next year, I am really looking forward to being able to contribute my time to fostering the Foundation’s mission, which will allow me to maintain a special connection with the School and many of the faculty and parent volunteers in town, whom I have come to know and respect over the years.”

McSherry comes to the role with an impressive record both professionally and through her work at the Bronxville School. She attended Boston College and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Finance from the Carroll School of Management in 1992. McSherry attended Fordham Law School and after graduating in 1995, worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Charles L. Brieant, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Before moving to Bronxville in 2001, she worked as a litigation associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel and as a staff attorney with the Enforcement Division of the United States Securities and Exchange commission.

McSherry and her husband, John, have two children, one a recent graduate and one attending the Bronxville School. Helena has volunteered in numerous capacities at the school. She served a six-year term on the Bronxville School Foundation board working on numerous committees including Public Relations, Grants, and Nominating. In addition, McSherry has worked in various roles on the PTA Council including the Hospitality, Character Counts and Apparel Committees.

McSherry succeeds Peggy Benziger Williams who is retiring after 16 years of dedicated service to the Foundation. Eddie Sulimirski, 2019-2020 Board Chairman said, “We knew it would not be easy to replace Peggy, but were incredibly impressed by the broad and very accomplished slate of candidates who applied for the role. We were particularly impressed with Helena who brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, professional experience and relationships with both the school and the community. We are thrilled to have someone with her drive, vision and dedication to lead the Foundation into the next decade.”

The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance quality education and sustain excellence in academics, arts, and athletics at the Bronxville School. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $10 million to support facility design and renovation, faculty training and professional development, state of the art technology and equipment, and pilot programs and new curricula. The impact of these grants is felt by each student across the school, every year through the years.

February 26, 2020

Foundation Announces Search for New Executive Director is Underway

Peggy Williams to Retire after 16 Years of Service — Bronxville School Foundation begins search for Executive Director

By Romy Coquillette, Vice Chair, the Bronxville School Foundation

December 11th, 2019: Peggy Benziger Williams has announced her plans to retire as the Executive Director of the Bronxville School Foundation (Foundation) after 16 years of dedicated service.

Peggy comments, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Foundation. The school is a vital component of the Bronxville community and the opportunity to help lead an organization that provides resources to enhance our students’ education has been amazing. It has been a privilege to work towards a common goal with many talented and dedicated Foundation board members and school faculty. The Foundation has been involved with almost every major educational initiative of the school and I am extremely proud of our accomplishments together.”

Eddie Sulimirski, the Foundation Board Chair, adds, “Peggy has been a jewel to the Foundation and the Bronxville School for the past 16 years. As a BHS alum, parent of three alums and the Foundation Executive Director, Peggy has accumulated a wealth of Bronxville School history which is invaluable to our organization. In her tenure, Peggy has overseen the approval of 452 grants totalling $7.4 million, while maintaining excellent relationships with school faculty, board members and our generous donors. She has been an ardent champion of the Bronxville School and has left an indelible mark on our community.”

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance quality education and sustain excellence in academics, arts and athletics at the Bronxville School. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $10 million to support facility design and renovation, faculty training and professional development, state of the art technology and equipment, and pilot programs and new curricula. The impact of these grants is felt by each student across the school, every year and through the years.

The search for a new Executive Director is being initiated. The Executive Director is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the Foundation in order to successfully achieve the organization’s mission. To be considered for the position, candidates should be able to demonstrate strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational and financial skills. Experience with not-for-profits and knowledge of the Bronxville School and our surrounding community is helpful.

A more detailed description outlining desired qualifications and job responsibilities for the position is posted here: BSF Executive Director Job Description.
Interested candidates should forward their resume and cover letter to Romy Coquillette, chair of the Foundation board’s search committee at romy.coquillette@me.com by January 21, 2020.

December 11, 2019

Annual Katie Welling Run Draws over 300

The Saturday after Thanksgiving featured a blue bird sky and brisk weather. Not daunted by the cold over 300 racers came out to participate in the Annual Katie Welling Run/Walk. The 2.5-mile race route starts at the front of the Bronxville School on Pondfield and winds its way thru several neighborhoods surrounding the Bronxville School. At the 30 corners along the route Safety Volunteers cheer participants along their way, many have staffed “their” position for several years. The corner of Vine and Tanglewylde featured Lisa Sorenson and her mother, Dee Sorenson, perhaps our most senior volunteer wrapped in a stadium blanket in her chair sporting her safety vest. In addition, we would like to recognize the BHS Boys Varsity Basketball team who stepped out and participated as a team in the run.

The Bronxville School Foundation and the race coordinators wish to thank those of you whose support made the Annual Katie Welling Run/Walk a huge success. This event, organized by Katie’s classmates and friends 13 years ago has become an important community Thanksgiving weekend tradition. The Class of 2002 at BHS was a very close-knit group and they remember Katie as a special person who had a gift of bringing people together. Katie’s Run is a recurring manifestation of this community spirit of caring.

Thank you to Chief Satriale and teh members of the Bornxville Police Depaartment for their invaluable assistance: the Running Company Store (which again made its store available for registration on Friday) as well as several local businesses. J & G Deli, Langes Deli and Park Place Bagels contributed a post race feast. Mrs. Morgan's and Tryforos & Pernice contributed and Neal Gelfand took many wonderful pictures.

Congratulations to all our finishers.

Thank you to all who participated, whether you ran, walked, volunteered or just cheered from the sidelines. Your presence honoring Katie truly makes a difference to our Bronxville School family and community.

2019 Katie's Run Results and Photos

December 10, 2019

$361,000 in Grants for the School

The Bronxville School Foundation announced its 2019 grant awards, giving $361,000 in resources to benefit children in kindergarten through 12th grade at The Bronxville School.

The Foundation grant requests came from teachers, administrators, parents, and students. This year's grants continue to reflect the school's work toward creating a sustainable model of excellence, aligned with the district's goals of delivering the best possible curriculum and instruction, integrating new technologies, and providing improvements to school facilities and equipment that best support the current and future learning needs of students. After careful consideration from the grants committee and the board of directors, grants were awarded to all areas of the school.

"Thank you to the students, parents, teachers and administrators who submitted grants this year. The grants awarded will continue to enhance the Bronxville School Community by providing additional resources throughout the school,” said Eileen Marshall, the Foundation’s vice president of grants.

Foundation chair Romy Coquillette added, “The Foundation is so grateful for our generous donors for their continued support. We value the collaboration of the community whose ideas, talent, and energy bring exciting new programs, curriculum, technology, facilities, and other resources to our children. Together, we all make The Bronxville School a better place for our children.”

The following is a complete list of the approved grants for the 2018-19 school year:

Program, Curriculum Development

TV Studio Technical Training
Fifth Grade Video Creation:Navigating Social Media
Middle School Video Creation: Healthy Eating Initiative
High School Mandarin Courses
International Thespian Society for High School
National Orchestra Festival for High School Music Students
"Winning Mindset" Training for Athletes
Technological Education Conference
Puppet Building Workshop for High School Musical

Facilities

Innovative Designs in Education: Classroom Redesign Phase II
Auditorium Audio, Spotlights and Moveable Lighting
Inflatable Batting Cages and Hitting Turtle for Baseball Team
Additional Classroom Seating and Portable Desk Cushions
Acoustic Technology for World Language Classrooms

Equipment and Materials

Headsets for Second Grade Literature Program
iPads for the Elementary Music Program
Elementary School Archeology Pit
iPads for K-12 Visual Arts Program
Materials for High School Robotics
Skeletons for High School Science Classes
New Computers for App Design in the High School
Football Helmet Program

Professional Development

Middle School National Social Studies Conference
Design Thinking on High School Experience
Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning

The Bronxville School Foundation has supported our school for 28 years. The Foundation's fundraising had strong results this year: our community understands the important role the Foundation plays in enriching the school's programs and providing a first-rate education for our children. Thanks to the generosity of our community, all of your donations go directly to our grant program. The Bronxville School Foundation depends upon contributions from school families and the community. If you would like to learn more about the Foundation, please contact the Foundation's executive director, Peggy Williams, at 914-395-0515.

June 5, 2019

Bronxville School Foundation Grants- IDE in the Classroom

June 5, 2019

Bronxville Bards: A Sneak Peak at the Process

Originally supported through a grant from the Bronxville School Foundation, the Bronxville Bards: Playwrights in Performance was founded in the fall of 2016 to give interested students a chance to develop, construct and eventually perform their own one-act plays. The Bards was offered as a full playwriting class starting in the 2017-18 school year.

A group of 11 talented Bronxville High School student-playwrights presented their original 10-minute plays during a special evening of Playwrights in Performance event. Under the direction of English teacher Franco D’Alessandro, the students worked for months developing, crafting and producing each of their stories, which were performed by fellow playwrights and actors from the school’s drama department. The plays that were developed vary in subject matter and demonstrate creativity in the treatment of their characters and plot.

The talented playwrights include: seniors Andrew Babyak (“The Power Of The Tides”), Rachel Billings (“Red Light, Green Light”), Jeb Burnell (“Baby Stuff”) Ashley Kaye (“Dinner For Three”) and Viena Pentakainen (“Title”); juniors Sophie Geer (“Walking Through The Storm”), Lock McKelvy (“Oxy-Moron”), Katherine Moynihan (“Road Trips”) and Seamus Watters (“Deep Cuts”) and sophomores Molly Denning (“Beating The Cycle”) and Molly Palma (“First Name Basis”).

June 11, 2018

$646,000 in Grant Awards for the School

The Bronxville School Foundation announced its 2018 grant awards, giving $646,000 in resources to benefit children in kindergarten through 12th grade at The Bronxville School.

The Foundation grant requests came from teachers, administrators, parents, and students. This year's grants continue to reflect the school's work toward creating a sustainable model of excellence, aligned with the district's goals of delivering the best possible curriculum and instruction, integrating new technologies, and providing improvements to school facilities and equipment that best support the current and future learning needs of students. After careful consideration from the grants committee and the board of directors, grants were awarded to all areas of the school.

"This year's grants will enhance The Bronxville School by providing exciting new resources, training and technology to students, faculty, and administrators," said Romy Coquillette, the Foundation’s vice president of grants.

Foundation Chair Jennifer Thomas added, “The Foundation is grateful to our donors for their generous and continued support. We also appreciate the teachers and administrators whose ideas, talent and energy bring important new programs, curriculum initiatives, technology, facilities and other resources to our children. Together, we all make the Bronxville School a better place for our children.”

The following is a complete list of the approved grants for the 2018-19 school year:

Program, Curriculum Development

Duo Jalal Musicians for HS
HS Guidance Survey of Graduates
HS Model UN Club Delegate Training
ES Book-of-the-Month Club
Mandarin Class for HS
Dance Workshops for MS/HS Musical Students
NY Historical Society Educator for MS
“How to Unmake a Bully” PSA Videos for ES
ES Mindfulness Program
Performance Coach for HS Social Studies
HS Student Help Desk Presentation at NYS Curriculum for Advanced Tech Ed Conference*
HS Global Student Leadership Institute

Facilities

TV Studio
Indoor Climbing Wall for ES
MS/HS Band Room Renovation
Innovative Designs in Education: Classroom Redesign (K-12)
Adaptive Seating for Third Grade
Up Stage Traveler Curtain for the Auditorium
MS/HS Resource Room Renovations & Refurnishing

Materials

Math Craft iPads for MS*
TI-Nspire Calculators for MS*
Guided Reading Sets for 1st and 2nd Grades
Science Microscopes ES*
Science Vernier, Arduino and Conductivity Probes for HS*
VR Headsets for HS*
Materials for HS "Intro to Physical Computing"*
Drones for Programming Club for HS*
Digital Library for MS/HS Special Education

Professional Development

College Admission Counseling Conference for HS Guidance
ES Scratch Conference at MIT*
Conferences to support K-12 Technology Initiatives*
HS National Social Studies Conference
Student Wellness Curriculum for MS/HS
South By Southwest Education Conference (K-12)*
Design Thinking Workshop focused on Grading policies (6-12)
INFOSYS Pathfinders Summer Institute*
“Big Nerd Ranch" Conference for HS AP Application Design Class*
“Next Practices" for Policy Board (K-12)

*Grant is STEM/STEAM-related

The Bronxville School Foundation has supported our school for 27 years. The Foundation's fundraising had strong results this year: our community understands the important role the Foundation plays in enriching the school's programs and providing a first-rate education for our children. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised over $469,000 all of these proceeds have been used to fund grants.

The Bronxville School Foundation depends upon contributions from school families and the community.

June 6, 2018

Innovation Expo Showcases BSF Grants

On April 16, 2018, Bronxville School’s third annual Innovation Expo showcased a number of projects and activities that were direct results of Foundation grants. These highlights of the evening are examples of how your support is having an impact throughout our school.

June 6, 2018

See Highlights – Rachel Simmons Provides Tips on Empowering Girls

With their feet firmly planted on the floor, eyes closed and hands on their hearts, high school students silently reflected on one thing they were too hard on themselves about. Listening to the voice of Rachel Simmons, a best-selling author and self-proclaimed “recovering overachiever,” they learned strategies for navigating the pressures and demands of an overachieving society.

During her visit on Feb. 28, Simmons discussed with the students how to avoid overthinking and putting too much pressure on themselves to be great at everything they do. She urged them to push back against the demands of society and shared ways they can practice mindfulness and self-compassion.

“Do the things that you love, not just the things that you have to do,” Simmons said. “When you know why you are enough, you can push back. [You are enough] because of the person you are and [the reasons] why people love you. That to me is the ultimate success – when you know you are enough.”

Simmons – co-founder of Girls Leadership, a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to developing leadership skills in girls – also spoke with Bronxville School faculty, as well as parents and community members during separate sessions at the auditorium. Her visit was generously sponsored by the Bronxville School Foundation and PTA b*Well Committee and coincided with her new book release, “Enough As She Is.”

“Rachel’s message was that we can and should want to achieve, and there are helpful strategies for coping with inevitable setbacks and associated pressures in ways that don’t compromise our integrity, our relationships and our mental health,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Mara Koetke said. “The ability to name these feelings and having our students know that they are not alone is key. I have talked with faculty, students and parents who learned practical strategies from her sessions and enjoyed her style and candor, which came through with each constituency group.”

In addition, Simmons’ visit aligned with the Bronxville School’s work with Challenge Success, the Bronxville Promise and middle school advisory.

March 6, 2018