School News - St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's School

“Compassionate Leaders” Honor Patron Saints with Schoolwide Day of Service

Singing at a nursing home; baking for local firefighters; and making cards, decorations, and treats for a neighborhood soup kitchen were just some of the ways that students observed St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s Day, an annual schoolwide day of service that honors the school’s patron saints, Hilda of Whitby and Hugh of Lincoln.

Parents Hear from School Leadership on “Your Most Important Investment”

Members of St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s Board of Trustees and administration offered parents an in-depth examination of the school’s finances and how investments in independent school tuition and philanthropic giving directly impact students and faculty.

Head of School Highlights Values-Based Education, Multi-faceted Diversity, and Faculty Tenure at Admission Open House

“We are an Episcopal school founded to bring together children and families of all racial, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds,” she said. “One of the crucial aspects of our program is helping children to become people of conscience and compassion. This is not a new endeavor for us—it has been part of our mission since our founding 70 years ago.”

“The Path of Peace”: Response to the Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue

“This is a dark moment that reminds us of the importance of choosing a path of peace. As a community, St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s chooses the path of peace and life.”

Fifth Graders Make a Colonial Connection in Mystic, Connecticut

When fifth graders talk about one of their favorite experiences at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s, what tops the list is an immersive field trip 125 miles north, where they participate in The Mystic Seaport Ship to Shore Overnight Program.

Chapel Renovation Completes Master Building Plan

St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's 2018 Convocation opened more than a new school year. On the first day of school, a renovation of the school's Gordon Chapel was unveiled. The last space in the school to be updated, Gordon Chapel’s transformation completed the modernization of the 51-year-old building.

Class of 2018 Urged to “Think Like the Scientists You Are” at Historic Riverside Church Graduation

The Riverside Church in the City of New York was the site of the graduation of St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's class of 2018. Thirty-three students earned diplomas this year and were exhorted by commencement speaker Kari Nesbit, Lower School Science Teacher, to "think like the scientists you are," to make the world a better place.

Alumna Actor Greets the Class of 2018: “Be Confident Enough to Be Kind”

The class of 2018 was welcomed into the alumni family by a 2007 graduate, Coral Peña. Peña, an actor who appeared this year in Steven Spielberg’s The Post with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, spoke at a dinner for St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s eighth graders and their parents. While she talked about her Hollywood mentors, Peña reserved her highest praise for her St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s classmates and teachers—many of whom are still on the faculty.

Brass Band Helps Launch Scottish #ChangeTheTune Music Education Movement

Brass Band Director Sandy Coffin recently enlisted her students to kick off a social media campaign aimed at preserving and promoting free instrumental music tuition for all school children in Scotland. “Musical and cultural exchanges have always been important in promoting better understanding,” Coffin says.

Alumna Author Offers Lesson in “Living History”

An accomplished alumna returned to St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s to share the fruits of her scholarship with students, faculty, parents, and alumni. Anne C. Bailey ‘82, a professor of history and African American studies at SUNY Binghamton, offered excerpts from The Weeping Time, which chronicles one of the largest slave auctions in American history.

Parents’ Association Presents: Parenting in the Age of Isms, Featuring Dr. Sandra Chapman

Parents and faculty from St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's attended an April presentation and discussion facilitated by Dr. Sandra “Chap” Chapman (Director of Equity and Community at Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School) on “Parenting in the Age of ‘Isms.’”

National Library Month: Showcasing the C.V. Starr Library and Learning Center

The C.V. Starr Library and Learning Center is one of St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's treasures, offering students, families, and faculty rich resources and ample space for reading, research, and exploration. In honor of National Library Month, this month we will showcase the library’s many resources: this week, two online encyclopedias, World Book (WorldBookOnline.com) and Scholastic Go! (go.scholastic.com).

Symphony Space Shares the Music and Movement of African Dance

Two educators from Symphony Space brought the sounds, rhythms, and movements of African dance to school on Feb. 22, spending a morning with our early childhood and lower school students.

Basketball Hawks Win NYCAL Championships!

“Hard work truly paid off this year,” said Coach Sean Parker, congratulating the boys and girls 7-8 basketball Hawks for winning the NYCAL Championships this year.

Aspiring Authors Learn Firsthand About the Writing Process

Aspiring fourth and fifth grade authors assessed passages and learned about the writing process from Karina Yan Glaser, author of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, in the C.V. Starr Library and Learning Center at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s.

Caregivers’ Dedication, Professionalism Recognized by Head of School

Head of School Virginia Connor recognized the contributions of the community’s caregivers at the annual Caregivers Breakfast on Feb. 6. More than 50 caregivers were presented with certificates to acknowledge their dedicated service to the children and families of St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s.

February Food Challenge: 100 Items for 100 Days of School

February, students at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s embraced a challenge to support their neighbors at Broadway Community Food Pantry and Ford Hall: to collect 100 food items and kitchen supplies per grade by the 100th day of school. On the final day of the challenge, junior kindergarten and fifth grade students delivered bags and boxes of food and supplies and spent time in the Broadway Community pantry, learning about how their donations will be shared in the community.

"Harlem Hellfighters" Honored at 2018 Gospel Celebration

Student musicians from grades 1-8, including the Brass Band, Chorus, and Instrumental Ensemble honored the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance at St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s annual Gospel Celebration.

Renowned Scottish Brass Musician to Speak in Chapel Feb. 5

Renowned Scottish trumpeter, composer, and educator John Wallace CBE will visit St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s on Monday, Feb. 5. Parents are welcome to join us in Chapel at 10 a.m., when Mr. Wallace will speak with lower and upper division students. Parents, faculty, and students are also invited to attend a concert at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m., at which Brass Band Director Sandy Coffin will be presenting a program of Mr. Wallace’s compositions.

Keep Calm and Parent On: PA Hosts Expert on Managing Anxiety

The Parents’ Association welcomed Dr. Michael Sweeney, Director of the Metropolitan Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, who spoke with parents about managing anxiety, offering practical methods for self as well as for children.