Head of School Elect Suzanne Fogarty, center, with Board Chair LeeAnn Black and Dr. Hayot.
Suzanne Fogarty, Chapin’s Head of School Elect, spent two lively and informative days at 100 East End Avenue, meeting many members of the School community and seeing for herself what makes Chapin such a remarkable place.
After arriving early on Thursday, November 21, Ms. Fogarty devoted the morning to reconnecting with the Division Heads group (Lower School Head Thérèse Cruite; Middle School Head Mary Rafferty; Upper School Head Michael Maloy; Associate Head of School MJ Quigley; and Director of Academic Program Ilana Pergam ’86), whom she had met in her search process; conferring with Head of School Dr. Patricia Hayot; and having coffee with the Parents’ Association Executive Committee. Ms. Fogarty also embarked on a comprehensive tour of the building with a knowledgeable Upper School student and then sat down for an interview with the editors of “The Limelight,” Chapin’s student newspaper.
That afternoon, Ms. Fogarty was the guest of honor at a “meet and greet” gathering for Chapin’s professional community in the Gordon Room. After an enthusiastic introduction by Board Chair LeeAnn Black, Ms. Fogarty briefly addressed the faculty and staff, punctuating her remarks with warmth and humor, while expressing her excitement about joining the Chapin community in 2020. She ended her day at a gathering with Trustees.
Ms. Fogarty experienced a beloved tradition on her second day, watching Chapin’s traditional Thanksgiving Assembly from the balcony. She then visited a variety of classrooms, including Kindergarten with Alana Cimillo and Veronica Sanabani, Class 7 Humanities with Mallory Neidich, and Class 8 Science with Dr. Prasad Akavoor. She enjoyed an animated lunch, which featured a special Thanksgiving menu, with Student Self-Government Leaders, members of the Jr. Council and a group of Class 3 students before she left.
It was a pleasure hosting Ms. Fogarty for these two days at Chapin. We look forward to welcoming her back on a yet-to-be confirmed February date when she’ll meet with parents.