Year 3 Accomplishments: (2020-2021)
2020-2021 on the Hilltop proved what we already knew…we can accomplish anything, united. Together, we achieved the following in support of our goals:
Redefine a Liberal Arts Education
Integrated the school competencies into faculty evaluation letters and new course proposals.
Established the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies to foster teaching and learning beyond boundaries, elevating the role of interdisciplinary exploration and creating a home for courses such as American Law, Debate, Economics, Food and Power, and Service Leadership for Social Impact.
Hosted numerous industry experts—including Founder and CEO of Mirimus Labs, Dr. Premsrirut—in virtual discussions with our Independent Research in Science students. Independent Research in English and History ran for a second year.
Engaged students in discussion forums on the topic of the 2020 election. Numerous cross-divisional civic understanding and engagement collaborations involved Government & Politics Upper School students. Professor Julian Hayter from the University of Richmond joined Hackley Upper Schoolers for a virtual assembly on voting rights and access.
Promote the Hilltop as a Learning Hub
Reopened the Upper School AP Studio Art Show to the community during Spring 2021.
Unveiled a student and faculty public art installation—The Lower School Mural—which overlooks the Lower School garden and chronicles the history of Hackley School and the local area.
Redesigned the Computer Science Department curriculum using programs such as Code.org to shift from light skills-based training to intensive code programming.
Developed a plan for exploring the theme of “citizenship” in fourth and seventh grade curricula, launching during the 2021-2022 school year.
Engaged students in “Big Experience” and culturally immersive virtual travel experiences:
Launched Global Education spring travel opportunities with virtual visits to Ghana, Peru, and Japan in partnership with Envoys (a longtime leader in experiential education).
Co-sponsored a virtual conference with Envoys, providing leadership opportunities for Hackley students.
Offered a new Upper School elective in the History department—Global Context: Southern Odyssey.
Created a stronger integrated approach for all service coordinators, with a focus on food insecurity leading to the most successful food drives in school history. Middle and Upper School Spanish teacher Emily Washington completed her first year in the inaugural role of Service-Learning Coordinator, broadening service-learning through the new Service Leadership for Social Impact course.
Offered the Hudson Scholars program in-person with four full cohorts during Summer 2021, serving 50 Scholars and supported by 48 mentors and 10 Hackley faculty. Celebrated the first Hudson Scholars graduation and supported the graduates in planning summer experiences.
Partnered with students and alumni—Carlo Esannason ’97 and James Pratt ’97— to identify new uses for our forest and surrounding natural ecosystems, welcomed a honeybee hive into our new apiary, and prepped the soil for an upcoming fruit orchard.
Build for the Future
M. Cyndy Jean began in her new role as the inaugural Assistant Head of School for Community and Inclusivity on July 1, 2021.
Established the Hackley Teaching Fellowship and welcomed our first two fellows to the Hilltop during Summer 2021.
Completed the Climate Assessment focused on community and belonging.
Awarded the second Philip Havens ’49 Endowed Faculty Professional Development Grant. Faculty participated in Global Online Academy courses focused on online instruction.
Lower School teacher Roni Kanter published a book on service-learning in educational settings titled Third Graders Making A Difference.
Held exploratory conversations with Pace University and Manhattanville College to connect their graduate schools of education with Hackley’s Lower School Associate Teacher program.
Redesigned the model for New Employee Orientation and ongoing employee support.
Strengthening our relationship with REACH Prep, we hired a REACH Prep alum as an adjunct teacher, who was subsequently hired as a Lower School Associate Teacher.
Nurture a Culture of Wellness
Expanded Middle and Upper School health curricula on topics of positive psychology and stress management, sexual health, substance abuse/use, and nutrition.
Focused Upper School peer advisory on socio-emotional wellness.
Established the Schedule Review Committee, led by Steve Bileca (Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs) and Lisa Oberstein (Director of the Lower School), and began research and analysis during Summer 2021.
Enhanced efforts in employee appreciation and wellness initiatives.
Received a $30M gift in support of financial aid endowment and the new Center for the Creative Arts and Technology. Formed the Campaign Steering Committee for Hackley’s Beyond Boundaries campaign in support of the Hackley Fund, endowment, and the new Center for the Creative Arts and Technology.
Rang the Chapel Bell in June 2021 in celebration of a successful fundraising year. The Hackley Fund, which provides funding for the educational opportunities that impact every student, every day, exceeded its fundraising goal by $206K with 77% parent participation and 18% alumni participation.
Increased efforts in communicating in-the-classroom stories and updates on the status of Redefining Excellence with all audiences, including increased use of social media, and enhanced e-newsletters and website announcements.