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School of the Holy Child

Published on August 20, 2012

The mission of School of the Holy Child is to develop “women of conscience and action.” An all-girls, Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for grades 5-12, the school is guided by the educational philosophy of Cornelia Connelly, the founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and her dedication to “joy in teaching and joy in learning.” Accomplished and dedicated faculty members foster the spiritual development, individual talents, and interests of each student. This is realized through rigorous and comprehensive academic, arts, athletics, service, and global programs. Holy Child graduates are prepared for the innovative and critical thought necessary in a diverse, interconnected society.

New Administrators and Faculty

Allyson Cerino

Ms. Cerino will serve as a learning specialist in both the Middle and Upper schools, a role she held previously at the Fieldston School in Riverdale. She is a graduate of Queens College, where she majored in women’s studies. She earned a master’s degree in special education from C.W. Post at Long Island University.

Erin Doolan

In addition to teaching physical education, Ms. Doolan will also coach soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. She is a 2009 graduate of Springfield College from which she also received a master’s degree in physical education. She has served as a student teacher at Byram Hills, as well as in Longmeadow, Mass.

Monique Gordon ’06 will serve as Alumna Intern, working in the Admissions Office, with History faculty and the Diversity Program. She has spent the last two years teaching English in Huazhong, China. She majored in history and minored in Asian studies at Fairfield University.

Peter Haley comes from a distinguished 27-year career as an Associate Professor of Physical Education at Springfield College. As the men’s soccer coach, he earned a college record of over 200 victories. He received both his bachelor’s degree in physical education and athletic training and a master’s degree in athletic administration. Coach Haley will serve as Holy Child’s Varsity Soccer Coach as well as Head of Physical Education and Associate Director of Athletics.

Rebecca Krier will become a faculty member in the Religious Studies Department and Coordinator of Upper School Campus Ministry. She comes to Holy Child after a year of teaching Latin, theology, and history at Montrose School, an independent Catholic girls school in Massachusetts. Ms. Krier is a summa cum laude graduate of Holy Cross, where she was both a Fenwick Scholar and a Charles A. Dana Scholar. She received a master’s degree in religion from Yale University in 2011.

Rebecca Light, Holy Child’s new Athletic Trainer, taught at both Carver High School and Stonehill College in Massachusetts. She earned an undergraduate degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in graphic media and a master’s degree in athletic training at Bridgewater State.

Michael Montalbano will be joining the Mathematics Department, teaching in both the Middle and Upper schools. Most recently, he was a Visiting Math professor at the University of Bridgeport, where he taught a range of levels from Intermediate Algebra through Calculus II. He received an undergraduate degree in mathematics at Carnegie Mellon, and a master’s degree in mathematics education from Teachers College Columbia University.

Nina Newman, the new Director of Admission and Financial Aid, comes to Holy Child after serving at Tabor Academy, Berkshire School, and, most recently, Glenelg Country School in Maryland. A graduate of the Holderness School and Colby College (French), she is re-locating with her husband David Newman, the newly appointed Head of Upper School at Wooster School in Danbury.

Colleen Pettus is the new Head of Middle School. She served most recently as the Principal at Saints John and Paul School in Larchmont. A summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, Ms. Pettus received her master’s degree in the Teaching of English from Teachers College of Columbia University where she also supervised student teachers. Her husband, Steven Pettus, is the Dean of Students at Fordham Prep.

Allison Schwartz will become a faculty member in the History Department. She comes to Holy Child from Brooks School in North Andover, Mass., where she taught Upper School Global History as well as AP Government. She received both her master’s and undergraduate degrees from Lehigh University, where she was also the No. 1 player on the women’s varsity tennis team.

Holy Child Students, Faculty Take Part in Service & Immersion Trips

Nearly 40 students and faculty members participated in the school’s Global Program trips this summer, enabling them to volunteer their time and service to a variety of people and programs across the world. From China to Rwanda, to Italy, Stratford and Lourdes, students immersed themselves in various cultures engaging in meaningful and contemplative travel.

“As part of Holy Child’s Global Program our students are continually being asked to make connections to the world around them,” said Kate Taylor, the program’s director. “It is our hope that these experiences lay the groundwork for further exploration and connection to our global communities — both near and far.”

After taking in the sights and sounds abroad, students rolled up their sleeves and got to work. In China, students planted trees in the Engebei region, volunteered at a primary school and experienced day-to-day life living in a Mongolian camp in the Xilamuren grasslands. Those visiting Rwanda taught English and technology skills to peers, while students visiting Lourdes assisted pilgrims in their spiritual journey to the sacred waters. In Stratford, students took in the arts, attending various theatre, music and dance productions. Students who traveled to Italy honed their language and arts skills in daily academic courses.

In addition to abroad experiences, Holy Child students and faculty members participated in Camp Cornelia — a week-long summer camp hosted by Holy Child Network Schools for fifth-graders attending The Cornelia Connelly Center in New York City. There, campers participated in academic, art, dance, and athletic activities.

Holy Child Wins Sportsmanship Award

School of the Holy Child is pleased to announce that it has received the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Allen D. Hall Sportsmanship Award for the 2011-2012 athletics season. The award is given annually to the FAA Member School receiving the highest cumulative score on evaluations by FAA coaches at the end of each season for the entire school year. The evaluations are based on the sportsmanship exhibited by the players, coaches, and fans in each FAA sport the school competes in.

Interim Athletics Director Amy Pare, who accepted the award on the school’s behalf, noted, “This is an exceptional honor for our student-athletes, the athletics program, and our fan community. Our athletes and coaches have worked hard this year, earning great honors and exhibiting integrity on and off the field.”

This is the third time the Gryphons have won the award since 2006.