Harbor Highlights - Winter 2023 Issue

WINTER 2023

A CHERISHED COMMUNITY 2022-2023

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY

WINTER 2023 ISSUE

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Andy Sperling

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Jennifer Taggart

ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATE

Caitlin Packard

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Angela Kissell

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jim Healy

Caitlin Packard

Cynthia Wong Lippe

Dear Harbor Community,

It has been a whirlwind of experiences for me as Harbor’s Head of School, and I continue to be in awe of the spectacular traditions here. Since the start of the 2022-23 school year, I’ve been able to witness firsthand the camaraderie and spirit that resonates through the halls of Tulip Knoll. On a daily basis, I see what our students experience – the strength of the student-teacher bond, the visible growth in confidence and autonomy, and the way in which each child takes ownership in their own learning.

Each morning I greet students with a friendly handshake – yet another reminder of those traditions that will stand the test of time at HCDS. I always cherish my time outside at all school recess each morning when I get to revel in the mission magic that is kids playing together across grade levels. It is most definitely a beautiful thing to behold!

Recently, I was able to take part in the Gingerbread Extravaganza, and that was yet another delightful treat. Watching kids (spanning all age groups) craft their house and decorate it with pride was so much fun. And it paled in comparison to the smiles generated! For those of you who attended our winter Alumni Game Night, it was such a pleasure to meet you. Yet another reminder of the deep and lasting bonds formed at Harbor.

The future is so bright for Harbor Country Day School. We are optimistic that we will soon receive formal permits to begin building our STEAM Center and new facilities. Kids will be able to treasure the traditions and have access to so many programmatic and curricular resources. The idea is to generate many more opportunities for kids to think critically and develop their ability to use empathy when solving problems.

I look forward to connecting with you at the Spring Benefit and hope to see you there!

With kind regards,

Andy Sperling Head of School

Dear Harbor Community,

Besides the obvious excellence in education that Harbor Country Day School provides to its students, perhaps the next most popular reason that families send their children to Harbor is because of the sense of community that exists for children and parents alike. According to a famous scholar, the sense of a community has four components: membership, influence, integration, and fulfillment of needs and shared emotional collection. Each component is important, but I focused my short write-up on my family’s feelings of belonging and identifying with the Harbor community.

When my children attended Harbor, we always participated – as a family – in all activities organized for families and friends. Why? Simple: because we felt welcomed and always had a great time. Maybe the one activity that I remember most is "Harbor’s Got Talent" show. On a Friday afternoon, students had an opportunity to sing, play instruments, recite poems, and dance in front of their peers, teachers, families, and friends. I remember this particular afternoon because it was the day when I discovered that my younger son really likes to dance. He taught himself how to dance by watching a video game and learned how to perform all kinds of unexpected moves, which maybe were not coherent choreography, but proved to be fun and entertaining for him and the entire audience. Many years after, Harbor’s previous Head of School, John Cissel and I used to chat about my son’s performance.

Since then, he became a much more sophisticated dancer: he has been part of a dance team for many years now and attended many competitions, dancing workshops, and summer schools. In fact, he so loves to dance that he plans to minor in dancing in college and then hopefully dance his entire life. And everything started that Friday afternoon at Harbor’s talent show. The reception he received from the audience, including the loud cheers and encouragements, was, in my opinion, the motivator that convinced him and us, his parents, that he should continue pursuing his passion, even if dancing is not a popular after school activity among boys. But every passion and talent is embraced at Harbor.

This past fall, we have once again seen the power of the Harbor community in the way in which our new head of school, Mr. Andy Sperling, has been received and welcomed. It only takes a few moments at student arrivals each morning, or when Mr. Sperling stops in during classes, to see the joy and excitement the students have when greeting and interacting with him. Not surprisingly, that sense of community extends well beyond the students. Even before Andy and his then soon-to-be wife Hilary moved to Long Island, Harbor parents threw a bridal shower for Hilary. Since the couple arrived at Tulip Knoll, they have also been invited to the homes of Harbor families including an invitation for their first-ever Thanksgiving in St. James. The last few months have provided Harbor families with numerous opportunities to be a part of this wonderful community whether at the Welcome Picnic hosted by the Parents’ Association at the start of the school year, to Trunk-or-Treat, to the inaugural Thanksgiving morning ‘Turkey Bowl’. In the pages ahead, you’ll see a number of pictures that showcase Harbor for the special place that it is. In the months ahead, I look forward to attending the fabulous events that Harbor has in store for us, like the Spring Benefit, for one. We will always continue working together as a community toward fulfilling the school’s values and aspirations captured in our mission statement – "Harbor cherishes childhood, cultivates wonder, and inspires confident learners and leaders."

With appreciation,

Alex Doboli, PhD Chair of the Board

Snapshots from Fall 2022

2023 Spring Benefit

Each year, Harbor Country Day School, along with the Parents’ and Alumni Associations, hosts the Spring Benefit, which is an exciting and elegant evening for parents, alumni, trustees, friends, faculty, and staff. The event traditionally includes live and silent auctions, dancing, dinner, and open bar. Live and silent auction items are donated by the Harbor community and many local merchants who support our mission.

Other highlights of the evening include Harbor’s Own Budding Artists Collection during the Silent Auction and the Fund-A-Grant appeal, which gives attendees an opportunity to donate directly to specific school initiatives at a designated level of support. This year’s Fund-a-Grant appeals will include: Faculty Professional Development, Preschool Classroom Furniture, Indoor Recess Games & Materials, and a STEAM ‘Professional in Residence’.

Proceeds from the event support various aspects of Harbor’s educational program, such as fine and performing arts, a cross-curricular STEAM program, global languages, character education and a school-wide social-emotional learning program.

This year’s event will take place at 7pm at The Harbor Club at Prime, in Huntington, New York. If you’d like to help plan the event, become an event partner, or donate a silent auction item, please contact Harbor’s Director of Advancement, Jennifer Taggart, at jtaggart@hcdsny.org.

Tickets can be purchased at: https:// one.bidpal.net/hcdsbenefit2023.

2023 Spring Benefit Honorees

Alyson Richman ‘87 Author & Former Student of James Swink

Alyson Richman is the USA Today bestselling and #1 international bestselling author of several historical novels, including The Velvet Hours, The Garden of Letters, and The Lost Wife, which is currently in development for a major motion picture. Alyson graduated from Harbor Country Day School and later attended Wellesley College with a degree in art history and Japanese studies. She herself is an accomplished painter, and her novels combine her deep love of art, historical research, and travel. Alyson’s novels have been published in twenty-five languages and have reached the bestseller lists both in the United States and abroad. She lives on Long Island with her husband and two children, where she is currently at work on her next novel.

James C. Swink Former HCDS English Teacher

James C. Swink (1950-1991) was a beloved English teacher at Harbor from 1977 – 1987. A native of Wadesboro, North Carolina, he graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelors in English and a Masters in Teaching. His kindness and dedication to bringing out the best in his students made him a favorite teacher for many. He is credited by many alumni/ae for instilling in them a love of reading and writing that endures to this day. His passing at such a young age is a loss that is still felt by those who knew him.

Fall Field Trip –Frost Valley Collage

Frost Valley Grades 5 & 6

Frost Valley YMCA is a camp, retreat destination, and environmental education center where students and people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can experience enriching outdoor opportunities. Just north of New York City, Frost Valley’s 5,500 acres in the heart of the Catskill Mountains provide year-round access to recreation and education in the outdoors.

Frost Valley has been providing programs designed to bring participants closer to the environment for the past 40 years. The hope is that during a student’s time at the camp, these experiences will have a lasting impact. Whether through team-building courses, ecology hikes, and science-related classes, awareness and appreciation of the diversity and beauty of nature are instilled by program instructors.

Although campers were met with chilly and wet conditions during their October trip, nothing put a damper on the excitement, enthusiasm, and camaraderie felt by our 5th and 6th-grade students and their chaperones!

Camp Bernie

Grades 7 & 8

Before its 248 acres were purchased by the Ridgewood YMCA in 1956, Camp Bernie began as a working farm in 1872. The property was later renamed YMCA Camp Bernie after Bernard Forster due to his endless work for the people of his community and their children.

Today, Camp Bernie provides students of all backgrounds and abilities with opportunities for environmental connections, personal growth, and community building through the facilitation of unique outdoor experiences.

This past October, Harbor’s 7th and 8th grades took part in an overnight field trip which was enjoyed by all!

Fall Field Trip –Camp Bernie Collage

2022/2023 Harbor Fund

Dear Parents,

We need your help. Prior to the Covid shutdown in 2020, Harbor was extremely proud that parent participation in the Harbor Fund landed in the 91-95% range each year. This number is well above the national average of 66% participation from current parents of independent schools nationwide and was a testament to the parent body’s strong support and belief in the school and its programs.

From spring 2020 through 2022, during the height of the pandemic, Harbor’s board and administration made a decision to pull back on the annual Harbor Fund campaign out of consideration for families who had suffered financial setbacks during that period. The unfortunate consequence of that action, however, was breaking the momentum of parent participation that the school had fostered over many years.

Parent support of the Harbor Fund serves two very important purposes:

It helps the school close the financial gap between what tuition covers and the actual cost of running the school on an annual basis.

It shows our larger community (e.g., alumni, former and extended families, funding organizations, and the surrounding business community) that our parents are strongly in support of our school.

Every year, 100% of Harbor’s board, faculty, and staff give to the Harbor Fund but, as you can see from this graph, our current parent participation is just above 40%, a far cry from where it should be. As has always been true in our community, ANY amount of support counts as participation and is greatly appreciated, whether you give $50 or $5,000.

I hope you will consider sending in a contribution to the Harbor Fund right away to help raise our parent participation level and to meet our budget. 100% of your contribution is tax-deductible and supports your child’s education and experience at Harbor this academic year.

If you have any questions, please always feel free to reach out to me or to Jennifer Taggart, Director of Advancement, at 631-584-5555 or jtaggart@hcdsny.org.

With gratitude for our wonderful community,

Cynthia Wong Lippe, Current Parent, P21 Vice Chair, Board of Trustees Chair, Advancement Committee

Scripps National Spelling Bee

Proudly Sponsored by the 2022-2023 Harbor Fund

Since 1925, children across America have participated in classroom, school and regional spelling bees with the hope of making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year, Harbor Country Day School took part in this fun, educational and exciting competition.

To start, students in 3rd - 8th grades took part in classroom spelling bees with two semi-finalists from each class advancing to Harbor’s All-School Spelling Bee on Friday, January 6th. Even our youngest competitors wowed the audience with their confidence and poise, impressing students and faculty alike with their ability to tackle the spelling of words as difficult as xylem and incontrovertible!

After multiple rounds, the field was narrowed down to 4th grader, Aiden Alekseyev, and 7th grader, Dylan Rossein with Dylan eventually landing the title of Harbor’s first-ever spelling bee champ! Both Dylan and Aiden will have the option of participating in the regional finals in late March. We wish them luck and congratulate all of this year’s classroom semi-finalists!

Spelling Bee Participants

Dylan Rossein (r) and Aiden Alekseyev (l), first and second place, respectively

Dear Harbor Community,

As we continue to celebrate the strength of our partnership and our collective commitment to supporting Harbor Country Day School, I wanted to share some additional information with you around the progress we are making related to the building expansion project. Since the end of the 2021-2022 school year, we have met with our project manager and lead architect, Michael Mark, on several occasions to take the necessary next steps which include obtaining construction bids for the new facilities.

I am proud to share that we not only met our initial phase of fundraising goals, we managed to slightly exceed them! And while we are excited to be moving forward with the project in its entirety, we have also run into a few hurdles along the way. With supply chain challenges, as well as inflated costs for materials, our initial bids were considerably higher than expected. Currently, we are exploring prudent options including lining up additional qualified construction bids as well as determining ways in which we can meaningfully reduce costs while maintaining the integrity and scope of this exciting project.

We are confident and optimistic that we’ve made considerable strides, and are now progressing with intentionality. Our hope is certainly to hire a construction firm in the near future so that we can procure permits and forge ahead with shovels in the ground. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do to support Harbor’s bright future. It is in these moments in our history that we are able to reflect upon and cherish the generosity of such an incredibly caring and thoughtful community.

Finally, our campaign efforts continue to deeply impact HCDS. We have grown the endowment substantially with commitments made that are dedicated to honoring our talented faculty, enhancing our robust programs, and supporting our tuition assistance structures. We are 74% of the way to our ten million dollar goal, and your gracious giving has already made a positive difference in the lives of Harbor children.

With the school year in full swing, it is our hope that we will continue to build on the fundraising momentum we’ve gained to date. This vision could not have become a reality at this high level if not for the giving from so many. Thank you again for your continued support and dedication to Harbor Country Day School. We will continue to keep you updated along the way.

With an abundance of gratitude,

Andy Sperling Head of School

A Generous Anonymous Family*

A Gift Made in Memory of Jack & Dorothy Radgowski*

Rose Antilus & Gomer Thomas

The Antonacci Family

Phabha Bala & Swaminathan Bala

The Bhansali-Venkatesh Family

Mitchell Birzon

George & Joan Bubaris

The Bui Family

The Butkevich Family

The Castro-Fernandez Family

Gail Chesler

Therese DeAngelis

Vincent DellaPietra & Barbara Amonson*

Capital Campaign Donor Listing

Tyler & Amy Dunaway

Alex & Simona Doboli

The Doremus Family

Phil & Agnes Ferro

The Filosa Family

Robert Gaffney ‘76

Michael Geraci

The Gribbin Family

James Grillo ‘19

Corinne & Lee Hammons

The Herrnstein Family

The Hickerson Family

Joshua & Ariya Lapan

David & Cynthia Lippe

The Kleine Berkenbusch Family

The Lourie Family

Spring Event Calendar

The Lu Family

MARS (Motors & Armatures, Inc.)

Anna & Robert McCarroll ‘78

Neal Mellert & Christine Ruggiero

The Moll Family

Adrienne & Jeffrey Owen*

Thomas Pai

Marina Polonskaia

The Radgowski Family

Susan & Neal Ryan*

Steve & Elisa Schutz

Jennifer & Thomas Tona

H.P. Wei & Hsin Jung*

Kay Wong

Leo Wong & Loic Rentiers

Keith & Carrie Zuckerman

*Denotes Repeat Campaign Donor

Faculty Spotlight

Jackie

Riegel

Teacher of 3rd Grade

I am so honored to have been asked to represent Harbor’s teachers by sharing my perspective as we celebrate all of the amazing things that Harbor faculty and students have accomplished over the past year. I started my teaching career at Harbor as the world returned to in-person learning during the height of Covid. Having spoken to many of my teacher friends working in other school settings, Harbor was the best place to have been. As a community, we came together to support one another during a very difficult and truly scary time. That being said, it is so nice to finally have parents back in our building and to see our students’ smiling faces out from under their masks. I really enjoy being able to hug my kindergartners from last year every time I see them. I rarely make it down the hallway without one of them spotting me!

Collaborative learning and partner work is also back in full swing, allowing our students to develop the social skills they need to be successful. Sharing supplies and taking turns teaches our students valuable life lessons that will help them become the people you all are hoping they become. One of my favorite quotes about teaching was said by Ivan Weltzer Fitzwater: "The future of the world is in my classroom today." Your child’s teacher can’t predict who your child will become as an adult but we can do everything in our power to teach them how to think critically, problem solve, be kind, and take initiative so they have every opportunity to be amazing!

I’m definitely not alone in thinking that Harbor is the most special school I have ever stepped foot in. Harbor is special because we operate as one big family. Our classrooms quickly become a home away from home for your children and we don’t take that lightly! We all work tirelessly to make our classrooms optimal learning environments for your children to grow and develop. Harbor is a small but strong community with intertwining friendships between students across grade levels that have been fostered over many years. Students have the opportunity as well to attend after-school programs such as clubs and sports that further develop that camaraderie. Harbor does a great job of creating a thriving community for your children.

Harbor’s students are kind-hearted, empathetic individuals who band together to help their peers any chance they can get. When I was co-teaching kindergarten last year, the students wanted to share their informational writing pieces with the preschoolers because they wanted to teach them skills like "How to get dressed" or "How to ride a bike." A few of our students practiced and eventually presented their published pieces to the 3 and 4-yearolds. They were adorable!! It was so sweet to see their compassion shine through. This year, my 3rd graders had a Halloween party and they received Pokemon cards as a favor from the class moms. Many of my students started asking me if they could put some of the cards in their sibling’s backpacks because they KNEW their brother or sister would love these. Harbor students are some of the most generous and kind children I know.

Harbor’s students are also inquisitive and curious about the world around them, constantly making connections between what they are learning and what they already know so much about. They really do ask the best questions! Harbor’s students are confident learners, overcoming their trepidations and nervousness to accomplish much more than they ever imagined possible. Many of my students were nervous to read their writing to administrators and other teachers at our recent publishing party but, after it was done, they all reported that they felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.

I personally feel so blessed to have been able to jump around a bit in different positions the past few years because I’ve gotten to know nearly every current Harbor student. Every time I see their smiling faces and hear their kind, polite hellos echo through the halls, it makes my day! Your child is truly getting a personalized education where they are seen, heard, and loved by their teachers and peers. We know your children so well and do everything we can to make sure they have what they need to be their best. Due to Harbor’s smaller class sizes and the support system that is in place here, Harbor teachers are able to give your children the extra compassion and attention that they often need. We are so grateful that you entrust your precious kiddos to us! I can promise you that your child’s teacher takes this responsibility very seriously!

I couldn’t imagine a better place to begin my teaching career than right here with all of you. I feel so blessed to work with such fun, kind-hearted staff and to be in collaboration with amazing parents who care so deeply for their children.

Alumni Spotlight

Matthew Mittleman,

My Time At Harbor

‘04

My K-8 journey at Harbor started in 1995. Not only did I attend Harbor during the academic year, having parents that worked full-time, but I was also a regular in the aftercare program and enrolled in the camp program every summer. It is not a stretch to say that I am intimate with everything Harbor. I enjoyed much of my time at HCDS, particularly the unique traditions such as morning handshakes with the headmaster, Mr. Strawbridge, and the passing down of the paperclip box. I enjoyed much of the curriculum taught, maybe not geometry (sorry Mrs. McKenna!), especially learning to write in cursive, which is my preferred writing style today.

My Favorite Harbor Memory

Having spent nine years at HCDS, I have many fond memories. One of my favorite memories was during an overnight trip. One of the activities was a suspended rope course. I am not the biggest fan of heights, but I completed the course with non-stop encouragement from my peers and teachers. I recall feeling proud and connected to my classmates who supported me.

The social interactions I had at HCDS (the school and the camp) are very dear to me, and I am happy to say I maintain many of those long-time friendships. I do not think I would have had such an enjoyable experience at HCDS were it not for the programs such as compulsory sports, overnight trips, and excellent faculty. The faculty were caring and worked tirelessly to ensure every student excelled. The level of thoughtfulness and care that faculty provided could only happen with the small class size HCDS offered.

What are you Doing Now?

After graduating from Stony Brook University with my undergraduate degree in Business Management, I joined the NPD Group, a leading marketing research firm, where I spent eight years of my professional career. During the last four years of my tenure with NPD, I was responsible for a portfolio of clients that purchased NPD’s products as an input into predictive models used to make investment decisions in public markets. Also, during that time, I completed my MBA in 2019 at my alma mater.

In the fall of 2021, I relocated from my hometown of St. James to Manhattan, where I reside today. Shortly after relocating, I joined a startup specializing in location data and spatial analytics. I am thankful for the experience of having worked at an established firm and a startup. I recommend to anyone who wants to contribute with meaningful impact and ownership in their work to give startup life a shot!

If you have content you would like to submit for a future newsletter, please contact Harbor’s Director of Advancement, Jennifer Taggart at (631) 584-5555 or by email at: jtaggart@hcdsny.org. Thank you!

Student Council Corner

The goal of Harbor Country Day School’s Student Council is to promote leadership, citizenship, scholarship, and philanthropy. Harbor’s 2022-2023 Student Council is comprised of roughly dozen and a half 6th-8th grade students with a passion for the school. At the start of the academic year interested students were asked to submit an application essay and were, subsequently, selected by members of the faculty and administration.

Member Jacob Klein-Rosner shares that "Student Council is about managing fundraisers, canteen nights, school events, and so much more!" Current Student Council president, Anthony Silva, states, "Student Council helps me to improve my leadership and communication skills, and I get to interact with my friends and work with them to reach a common goal. Student Council gives Harbor more opportunities for students to work with others and has more events for students to look forward to."

This year the Student Council proudly hosted a variety of activities including: the traditional Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Smithtown Pantry, a holiday toy drive to support the USMC Toys for Tots program, and fundraisers to raise money for both Stony Brook’s Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Cancer and the American Heart Association.

Looking ahead, the Student Council is excited to be reopening the school store. Be sure to keep your eyes on future HCDS Tuesday Weekly Updates for more details.

To me, Student Council is about managing fundraisers, canteen nights, school events and so much more! It’s also about getting to know a bit more about the activities. I like that it was an application to get into the council.

– Jacob Klein-Rosner

2022-2023 Student Council Officers

Joshua Beardslee

Clover Dalton

Javier Fleming

Julia Ioannou

2022-2023 Student Council Members

Jacob Klein-Rosner

Astrid Larsen

Asanda Lees

Rosemarie Leggio

Sylas McDonald

Juliana Napodano

Jack Phelan

Anthony Silva President

Juliete Nichols Vice President

Nicholas Finamore Treasurer Michaela Lettiere Secretary

Fall 2022 Athletics

Harbor Athletics enjoyed another season of fall soccer for grades 5-8. Teams came together in early October for daily practices to prepare for a series of games against other Long Island-based independent schools.

The goal of organized sports at Harbor is to build a sense of spirit, camaraderie, leadership skills, and sportsmanship while also instilling healthy habits. Led by Coaches Ralph Pepe and Natalie Badalato, a strong team foundation was built which paved the way for the current basketball season being such a success.

Harbor looks forward to its annual March Madness basketball tournament taking place on Friday, March 3 allowing our athletes to showcase their skills. We look forward to having the Harbor community join us for this beloved tradition.

Fall 2022 Athletics