AROUND CAMPUS
Saint David ’ s welcomed the following new faculty and staff members for the 2023-2024 school year : Ann Asciutto , Upper School Administrative Assistant ; Joseph Gambino , Upper School Math Teacher ; Leslie Geary , Upper School Homeroom / Humanities Teacher ; Kelly Gruen , Director of Finance and Administration ; Clare Kerins , Lower School Teacher ; Karina Laurenceau , Assistant Registrar ; David Mena , Building Engineer ; Michael Nelson Jr ., Lower and Upper School Teacher ; Peggy Pagan , Spanish Teacher ; William Phifer , Upper School Homeroom Teacher ; Heather Rhatigan , Admissions Associate ; Glenna Wiley , Learning Services Specialist .
J . P . Hormillosa
J . P . Hormillosa assumed the role of Director of Development and Alumni Relations in November after having been an integral member of the Development team at Saint David ’ s for nearly 20 years . A successful fundraiser and respected ambassador of the school , he has progressively advanced during his tenure at Saint David ’ s , serving as campaign manager for two previous highly successful capital campaigns , and most recently as Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations . J . P . holds a bachelor ’ s degree in political science from Fordham University and a master of public administration in policy analysis from Baruch College , City University of New York . Throughout his career , he has established and fostered strong relationships across all constituencies within the Saint David ’ s community .
Kelly Gruen
New Faculty and Staff
New Roles and Responsibilities : Gabrielle Chenel , First Grade Homeroom Teacher ; Robert DeRosa , Admissions Associate and After School Coordinator ; Deb Farley , LS Math Learning Services Specialist ; Melanie Formosa , Alpha Classroom Teacher ; Bridget Gallagher , US New Student Liaison ; Tori Gilbert joins the Teaching Boys Initiative as Research Coordinator ; Jonathan Hadley , Theatre and Music Teacher ; Katie Kilduff adds First Grade Program Coordinator to her responsibilities ; Sarah Meehan , First Grade Homeroom Teacher . Evan Morse assumes an additional responsibility for Standards . Kevin Neylon adds LS New Student Liaison to his responsibilities . Kofi Oronde , Mathematics Teacher ; and Kate Samuels , Pre-Primary Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator .
Kelly Gruen was appointed Director of Finance and Administration . A native of Long Island , NY , Ms . Gruen attended Stony Brook University where she received her BA in Psychology , and has a master ’ s degree from SUNY Old Westbury . With extensive experience at an accounting firm , Ms . Gruen transitioned to the private school world and joined St . Luke ’ s School , and most recently The Town School .
New Collaboration for Inclusion , Diversity , and Community
This year , we have partnered with consultant Jason Craige Harris , who collaborates with our Inclusion , Diversity and Community team and our Sophrosyne faculty in helping us be an ever more inclusive and kind community . In the fall , Mr . Harris met for a session with faculty and led developmentally appropriate workshops with boys in all grades that addressed what it means to be kind , the impact of our actions vs . our intent , and , in particular , the importance of “ having kindness toward yourself .” He focused on using respectful language and what boys can do in situations where their peers are being teased . “ How can you help ?” He asked the boys . Our boys ’ responses , all insightful , varied : “ You can tell the teaser they need to stop ;” “ You can tell a grownup ; “ You can think about how you would feel if this was done to you .” Ultimately , we want our boys and our entire community to approach difficult situations with compassion and kindness , and to embrace and learn from difference in its many manifestations . By concentrating on the relational — the relationships between teachers and boys , boys and boys , and the school and families — we can go far in strengthening a compassionate , caring community where growth and learning thrive .
Winter 2024 • 45