News Around School
Club Fair
In October, high schoolers perused the booths of over 30 student-led clubs at this year’s Club Fair, getting the chance to learn about spaces to talk about their hobbies and interests, or to explore new ones. Between Math Olympiad, Students Fighting Homelessness, Model UN, the Bread Baking Club and more, there was a club fit for every student.
Read more about this year’s newest clubs at The Grace Gazette.
National Hispanic Heritage Month Chapel
On October 13, high schoolers led the community in a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, acknowledging the history and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans throughout history. The chapel service included poetry readings, a speech from HOLA (the High School Latinx, Afro-Latinx or Hispanic affinity group) and two musical performances by senior Brigitt M. and the GraceNotes.
Spirit Day
On October 22, Grace came together to let our Griffin spirit soar for Spirit Day. Festivities included a morning visit from the Griffin, fun dance parties and an energized pep rally to celebrate all Grace athletes. Huge thanks to co-chairs Rebecca Christou and Chrissy Murphy for organizing the festivities.
Halloween
The spookiest day of the year was filled with chills and thrills! The morning got started with the annual Halloween parade, a petrifying promenade where JK-8 students showed off their costumes from the Orange Door all the way around to Huntington Close, where lower schoolers put on a festive concert featuring a selection of Halloween songs. And at lunch, Middle School advisories competed to see who could decorate the coolest pumpkin.
Family Community Service Day
Grace families gathered in Huntington Close for this year’s Family Community Service Day. Throughout the morning, volunteers prepared, packaged and delivered sandwiches to The Red Door Place, a hunger relief and economic empowerment program started at The Church of the Village. Thanks to co-chairs Kyung Bordes and Marlaine Olinick for organizing the day.
Book Swap
On November 4, JK-8 students, families and teachers gathered for the Book Swap in Huntington Close, browsing through a selection of previously-loved books in the hopes of finding their next favorite read! Thanks to co-chairs Deidra McNish-Brown, Alex Campbell and Alejandra Del Pino for organizing the day of literary fun.
High School Voting Drive
In the days leading up to the New York City Mayoral Election, high schoolers ages 16 and up had the chance to ensure their participation in the electoral process at a voter registration drive organized by senior Audrey P.
Diversity & Belonging at Grace: The Student Perspective
Grace’s Alumni Association presented an online panel discussion, Diversity & Belonging at Grace: The Student Perspective, on November 3 for alumni, students and families. Dr. Kahdeidra Monét Martin ‘95, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University, moderated, and the panel of current seniors and recent grads provided insight for the broader community with their frank and thoughtful accounts of their experience of belonging at Grace.
Dr. Kahdeidra Monét Martin ’95
Holiday Shopping
Grace was flowing with the spirit of giving during Holiday Shopping this year. Throughout the day, JK-8 students visited a decked out Tuttle Hall to shop for holiday gifts for their friends and family. Early Childhood students got first pick and were escorted by their Middle School book buddies, who helped them select the perfect presents. Thanks to co-chairs Olga Armer and Tiffany Koo, and to all of the parent volunteers for organizing the day.
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March Madness Expert Evening
On November 30, more than 20 Grace alums spent an evening at 46 Cooper Square to provide expertise and inspiration to tenth graders refining their year-long March Madness project ideas. The students’ interests ranged from sustainable fashion design to artificial intelligence, medical research to the history of redlining, and alumni experts delighted in the chance to use their experience to guide the sophomore’s projects. For the first time at this annual event, two members from the class of 2016 (our first high school class), joined the roster of experts.
Advancement & Special Projects Associate Terell Stevens ’16 and Alex Toy ’07 speak to sophomores during Alumni Expert Night
Holiday Fun in JK-1
There was no shortage of holiday cheer in Early Childhood this year! After weeks of practice, Kindergarten and Grade 1 families gathered in Tuttle Hall to enjoy this year’s Kindergarten-Grade 1 Holiday Sing, where some of Grace’s youngest musicians performed a variety of festive favorites. Junior kindergarteners kept the fun going throughout the rest of the holiday season, sharing a merry and bright holiday postcard and caroling through the halls before winter break.
Grace Great Grads
Most Wednesdays, the Middle School Great Grace Grads (G3) club invites an alum into room 504 for a chat about their path from middle school to adulthood. Fifth grade teacher Margaret Meyer leads the visitors (who are often her former students) in conversations about everything from how they chose their colleges and their careers to unexpected obstacles they’ve overcome, and help they might have received along the way. Alumni guests this fall hailed from classes ranging from 1990 to 2016, and included entrepreneurs, data scientists, writers, teachers and musicians.
Class of 2020 Celebration
On November 23, the Class of 2020 reunited for an official celebration of their hard work and accomplishments. The festive evening in Chelsea was filled with food, dancing, and happy reunions among classmates and teachers. Speeches from Student Leader Jemima Alabi, Class of 2020 Dean MiChelle Carpenter, science teacher Khaled Zia and George Davison and Robbie Pennoyer rounded out the evening.
First Graders Summit Mount Everest
As a part of their study of Asia, first graders reached new heights during a climb of Mount Everest. Despite obstacles ranging from avalanches to a run-in with a yeti, students were able to safely place flags at the mountain’s summit. The activity provides a uniquely immersive way for students to apply their classwork, using what they’ve learned about the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level in class to lead them to the mountain’s peak.
MLK Peace March & Symposium
On Wednesday, January 12, Grace commenced its MLK Peace March and Symposium, an annual commemoration of the Civil Rights Movement and the influential figures that continue to propel it forward.
The theme of this year’s observance is “Visible and Invisible Selves,” acknowledging and understanding how the many aspects of our identities make us who we are. And in the classroom, students, faculty and staff highlighted the work of Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), civil rights lawyer, intersectional activist, poet, author and Episcopal priest.
Nike Game Growers
In January, seventh graders Auden F. and Pia E. were chosen to be a part of Nike Game Growers, a program that aims to increase girls’ participation in sports across the country. Pia and Auden submitted their application in December, focusing on a desire to build a girl-to-girl mentorship program between elementary and middle school-aged athletes.
Pia and Auden pose with NY Liberty Guard Didi Richards
Grade 2 Math Morning
On January 21, second graders led family and friends through math games and activities at this year’s Math Morning. Fun was had by all as adults and students explored the breadth of the Bridges Math Program together.
Middle School Robotics
The middle school Robotics Club has been hard at work this winter, learning the ins and outs of robotic engineering. In January, the aspiring roboticists participated in the qualifying round of the Robot Games, ultimately leaving with a trophy for their invitation project.
Athens/Sparta Debate
Fourth graders donned their sharpest suits to participate at the Athens/Sparta debate, vying to prove which city-state was the best for citizens of Ancient Greece. After difficult discussions and robust rebuttals, the debate’s judge (Mr. Pennoyer) named team Athens the winners.
Lunar New Year
After learning about the many ways that Lunar New Year is celebrated, first graders rung in the Year of the Tiger with a parade through the Tuttle Hall classrooms.
High School Model UN
The High School Model UN team has been to a variety of in-person and digital conferences this year, including the Ivy League Model UN Conference (in which nine students won individual distinctions) and the Columbia Model UN Conference (where Sade N. ’24, Theo T. ’23 and Rania C. ’22 won individual distinctions)
Valentine’s Day
Students could heart-ly wait to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year! The day was packed with festivities, including exchanging handmade valentines with their classmates and decorating heart-shaped cookies. Faculty and Staff also got to join in on the celebrations thanks to a delicious breakfast courtesy of the PA.
Head for the Day
On February 15, Grace welcomed its newest administrator: Head for the Day, Jack B. ’32! Throughout the day, Jack got a chance to inspect the school’s facilities with Mr. Ollivierre, met with key members of the faculty and staff and gave the opening speech at that morning’s Lower School Chapel.
The finale of the ever-busy day? A paper airplane contest for JK-8 students!
Black History Month Chapel
On February 16, Amazing Grace (the High School African American affinity group) presented this year’s Black History Month Chapel. With a step routine, several musical performances, spoken word and touching testimonies, this year’s BHM chapel was a celebration of Black resilience, joy and history.
The service also honored Dr. Ali and Ms. Cooper, who have been instrumental in Grace’s diversity and inclusion efforts over the years.
The Middle School Geography Bee
The competition was tough at this year’s Middle School Geography Bee. All of the students who participated did an excellent job of showing the breadth of their geographic knowledge. In the end, Jago O. ’27 was named this year’s champ!
A Reception for New(-ish) Parents
On February 16, parents of students who joined Grace in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years gathered for a welcome Reception for New(-ish) Parents! The evening was filled with good cheer as guests mixed and mingled with PA leaders and administrators. At the end of the event, Mr. Davison led a toast, ushering all of the attending new-ish families out of the “New Parents Club” and into the “Current Parents Club.”