The Doane Stuart School kicked off its 41st year with a Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, September 7 in the Golub Interfaith Chapel. This annual Doane Stuart tradition officially opens the year as students, faculty, and staff gather to begin the process of once again binding our learning community together with shared goals and interests.
Students and faculty processed to bagpipes played by Dalton Hanaway ’17 of Saratoga Springs. Associate Head of School Lisa Brown opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and a prayer inspired by an Irish blessing and a Buddhist prayer. Head of School Pam Clarke provided the opening remarks on civil discourse and nonviolence then introduced the new faculty: James Cernik (Middle School Math; Lower School Technology), Liam Pickett (Chemistry), Kyle Schindler (Physics), Claire Sherwood (Upper School Secretary; Registrar and Assist. to the Associate Head of School), and Sara Knaggs (STEAM Room Coordinator and parent of Connor ’27). Director of Admission Geoffrey Bowman introduced this year’s new students and Lower School Coordinator and Kindergarten Teacher Sandy Cassant, Middle School Co-Coordinators Seamus and Patty Hodgkinson, Mrs. Brown, and Academic Dean Bill Russell introduced grades Four, Eight and Twelve, the division leaders. Upper School Assistant Dean for Student Life Juan Ocampo introduced Dalton Hanaway as the new Student Body President for 2016-17.
At the end of the service, a bell was rung to officially start the school year. This year we were honored to welcome Mrs. Sharon Duker, President of the Board of Trustees, to ring the traditional Doane Stuart bell and deliver the closing prayer.
Would you like to see photos from the first day of school and Convocation?
~ Visit the Doane Stuart Photo Gallery ~