THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL                                                               JUNE 2016 - SUMMER EDITION

CONNECT WITH US
We hope you enjoy our latest issue of Connections, a quartlerly newsletter brought to you by The Epiphany School Foundation.   We thank you for reading and we welcome you to share your feedback and suggestions by emailing

A MESSAGE FROM KEVIN GREANEY
Chairman, Foundation Board of Trustees

On behalf of The Board of Trustees, I want to thank all of our friends, parents and volunteers who supported The Foundation this year.  We are extremely grateful to you for giving back to our wonderful community, and it is through your generosity that we are able to enhance our educational programs and provide financial assistance to our students.  Please save the date for The Walk and Fall Festival: October 16, 2016.  We're thrilled that Sonaly Aditya and Agnes Teng will return as our Fall Festival Chairs and that Eileen Pino will join our returning Walk Chair, Christina White, to execute this fun, family event.
 
I would also like to thank Tony Pagano, Patrick Plunkett, Candice Willoughby and former Chairman, Patrick Williams, for their time served on The Board of Trustees over the years.  As we say goodbye to our departing members, we welcome Jessica Annunziata, Paul Bowden, Joanna Cawley and Thomas Hanna to The Board.  We look forward to sharing Foundation news and progress with you in the coming year.
 
We're excited for Jim Hayes to embrace his role as President of The School and Foundation, and I am pleased to announce that our current Assistant Director of Development, Lindsay Carr, will step into the role of Development Director in July.  The Foundation will also welcome Samantha MulĂ©, our new Development Coordinator, to the team this summer.  Mary Jean Fitzpatrick will continue her role as Business Manager and has just celebrated her 20th year at Epiphany.  Congratulations, Mary Jean, and thank you for all you do for us!
 
When you return to school in the fall, The Foundation office will be relocated to the second floor.  Please stay tuned for exciting new changes in our branding and communications in the coming months.  You may have noticed our new logo in the heading of this issue of Connections which I hope will give you a pleasing preview of things to come.  Thank you again for your support and I wish you all a happy and healthy summer! 
 
Sincerely,  




Kevin G. Greaney KM
Chair, Board of Trustees


NEWS FROM 22ND STREET
Mary Jane Higgins '80, Vice Principal

What a wonderful year it has been at 22nd Street!  Our Kindergarteners spent the year making friends, adding and subtracting, exploring shapes and learning to read.  They loved visiting Central Park Zoo and having the Art Farm come to school to teach them about rabbits, lizards, turtles and chicks.  The Kindergarteners really enjoyed their time in the Atrium with Ms. De Simone learning more about the life of Jesus.   Each week, the children looked forward to reading lessons with Mrs. Jones and art projects with Mrs. Murphy. 

The First Grade entertained us with two of our all-time favorite performances, Fifty Nifty United States and Do You Live in a Nest?  They began reading chapter books and learned to do double-digit addition and subtraction.  Their trip to see The Paper Bag Players was such a treat!  Our First Grade scientists loved their hands-on experiments with Ms. Taylor in Science Lab. 

Our Second Graders had such an exciting year with many of them receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.  Budding thespians performed in the amazing school play, Oliver.  Second Grade also loved learning about Greek myths and beginning multiplication.  They really enjoyed more advanced Spanish lessons with Mrs. Trotta.  A highlight of Second Grade was partnering with schools in India.  Epiphany students collected school supplies and The Kelly Family delivered their contributions to several schools there.  Second Graders were happy to help students in need. 

Under the direction of Mrs. McGarrigle, the Third Graders learned how to play the recorders.  Reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was so much fun! Third Graders had a ball at their first ever Field Day!  They are so proud of the hard work they displayed at the Art Show under the guidance of the very talented Ms. O'Mara.   With the help of Mrs. Lynch in the Library, they researched China and created Prezis.  The Third Graders loved watching their caterpillars turn into chrysalides and emerge into butterflies. 

Thank you so much to all of our families for your continued support!  I wish you all a wonderful summer! 


Mary Jane Higgins '80
22nd Street Vice Principal
The Epiphany School


SUPPORT US
Only Two Weeks Left To Support 
The Annual Fund!

Dear Epiphany Families:
 
As the fiscal year comes to a close on June 30th, I hope you and your family will consider contributing to the Annual Fund - the Foundation's most important initiative.  My daughter, Ann Jacob '15, is finishing her freshman year at the Loyola School and we are grateful to Epiphany for helping our family in many ways: academically, socially and importantly, spiritually.  It is because of this connection to Epiphany that I agreed to chair the Annual Fund efforts for The Epiphany School Foundation.
 
The Annual Fund provides funding for many programs and services, which benefit students and are not covered by tuition.  This year, that amounts to over $1,300 per student.  It is of great importance that we reach our Annual Fund goals so that the Foundation can continue to offer Epiphany children what they need to excel in the classroom. 
 
This year, the Annual Fund goal for the board and current parents is roughly $260,000.  We are currently about $60,000 short of this goal, and need your help to reach it.
 
I ask that you support the Annual Fund by giving an amount that you can afford and is meaningful to your family.   The only gift that is too small is no gift at all, so please make a gift before the school year ends.  Click  HERE to make your gift today.
 
Lastly, there may be an opportunity for you to double your gift with a corporate match, which is always appreciated.  For further information about matching gift opportunities or questions about the Annual Fund in general, please feel free to call the Development Office at  212-473-6158.   All donations received by June 30th will be reflective in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
 
With sincere gratitude,

Catherine Coluzzi
Chair of the Annual Fund
The Epiphany School Foundation


WELLNESS IN OUR SCHOOL
A Message From The Wellness Committee
 
Thank you for your support in helping us implement the Welllness In The Schools program into our cafeterias come September!   As a reminder, WITS partners with the Department of Education and trains culinary school graduates to prepare daily, scratch-cooked meals for school lunch.  The chefs promote healthy eating, and through the WITS Labs-in-classroom cooking classes, they teach children how to prepare delicious, affordable, healthy recipes using real food.  Watch the video of WITS in action  HERE ! For a full description of the WITS program, please click  HERE . We also encourage you to explore the WITS website: www.wellnessintheschools.org.  We anticipate that filtered water fountains will be installed on each floor of the lower school during the summer. 
 
Stay tuned for our updates on the program, including information on Labs and new recipe tastings for the kids, throughout the year.  We are confident that our students will enjoy this new program and w e are thrilled to be bringing healthier school lunch options to Epiphany!   Please support us by encouraging your children to try the new lunch program instead of bringing lunch to school.  

A happy and healthy summer to all! 
 
Best regards,



Jessica Annunziata 
Of Behalf of  The Epiphany Wellness Committee

Jessica Annunziata, Paul Bowden, Nicole Capella, Iris Ho, Lauren Minardo, Annie Muzaurieta, Felicia Tanoff, Gen Towzell
A MESSAGE FROM 
THE EPIPHANY FAMILY
ASSOCIATION 
Thank you from Co-Chair, Linda Fox
   
I would like to take a moment to say thank you to the 2015-2016 Epiphany Family Association (EFA) and my Co-Chair Natalie Reilly, who has just ended her second and final year of service on the EFA.  We have had a successful year and without everyone's dedication, it could not have happened.  Congratulations to Caroline Maher, who will take on the role of EFA Co-Chair and to Lina Mati and Lauren Minardo, who have joined the EFA. 
 
To the teachers, principals and staff of the Epiphany School: thank you for your hard work and dedication to our children!  We appreciate each and every one of you and everything you do to make our children's educational experience so meaningful. 
 
To Mr. Hayes, well.... there are no words that are sufficient to describe our immeasurable gratitude.  It is amazing that you are as bright and energetic today as you were the first day anyone of us met you standing outside greeting the students every morning.  You have developed and shaped the school, its educators and students for decades and created this amazing Epiphany Community.  You are the pillar of Epiphany and we are thrilled that you will be President!  Congratulations!
 
We hope you have enjoyed the new events and services we have brought to you this year and how we have "changed up" some of the old favorites!
 
NEW THIS YEAR
TEACHER TAILORED SUPPLY KITS 
This online service by Staples allows you to order all the required items for next year and have them delivered to your child's classroom for the first day of school.  You can also order classroom supply donations that will also be delivered to the school. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS JUNE 24th order at www.shopttkits.com Epiphany #90365.
 
HALLOWEEN PARTY
This past Halloween, we threw a Halloween Party at night in The Parish Hall, complete with a walk through graveyard and a Haunted House.  It was a huge hit!  Don't miss it next school year on Friday, October 28th!!  It's fun for ALL grades and adults, too!
 
EPIPHANY GAME SHOW
This year we got rid of the board games and brought in a real Game Show host!  The kids and adults competed for cash prizes.  Are you good at  Jeopardy  or  Family Feud?  If you missed it, check it out next year !
 
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & HOLIDAY SHOPPING
No one had to brave the lines at Macy's Santa Land because Santa came to Epiphany!  It was an old fashion Christmas gathering and a wonderful Epiphany community builder, and we all got some shopping done, too!
 
EPIPHANY YOUNG ENTREPRENUERS
This year at the carnival, our students had an opportunity to hone their business skills and sell products or services of their own!  If you have an idea, get it ready for next year!
 
CARNIVAL
Rain or Shine!  That's our motto!  The carnival went on in the pouring raining for a while but, guess what??  Pie in the face was rocking as was the silly string tent and carnival games.  All the rides were able to operate including the King Kong Half Moon, the spinning swings, Spinning Apple and the train ride.  Everything was tented including the grill and bar!  Thank you to the many of you who came and helped with games, tables, tickets, setup and clean up!  We can't thank you enough!!
 
Here's to a great summer and an even better year in September.  Enjoy the summer and don't forget to order your supply kits.

Sincerely,




Linda Fox
On Behalf of The Epiphany Family Association

2015-2017  E piphany  F amily  A ssociation :
Linda Fox, Natalie Reilly (Co-Chairs) 
Cathy Caulfield, Caroline Maher, Aleona Nyamgavaa-Sencion, Julie Palumbo, Kerry Shimaitis, Gen Towzell
THE EPIPHANY GOLF OUTING 
Celebrating 22 Years
 
Over 85 golfers came out to Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, NY on May 16, 2016 to support the Epiphany School Foundation.  The 22nd Annual Golf Outing raised roughly $35,000 for The Foundation, the greatest results the event has generated in four years!   Thank you to all of our generous sponsors and friends who made this event possible, especially our event co-chairs, Kevin Greaney and John Sowarby.  

Though our golfers faced some strong winds that day, Epiphany parents, alumni and friends enjoyed the course as well as a live raffle and auction, emceed by Mr. Hayes and Epiphany parent, Peter Deering.  Congratulations to parent Jim Phillips and his foursome on their best ball finish!  Our 50/50 raffle winner, parent David Keane, generously donated his winnings back to the The Foundation.  Thank you, David, for your support!   Please enjoy a few photos from the outing below.  Thank you to Epiphany parents, Kathy and Michael Bettigole, for capturing the day's festivities.  


Thank you to all who have supported The Foundation this year!  Whether you are attending one of our events, making a gift or volunteering your time, we are so grateful for your kindness and generosity.  On behalf of all of us at The Epiphany School Foundation, thank you and we look forward to seeing you again in September!   
 
Warm regards,




Lindsay Carr
Assistant Director of Development


Q & A With Principal James L. Hayes 
Turning The Page To
The Next Chapter of Leadership at The Epiphany School
By Courtney Huang, Communications Chair, Board of Trustees 

After 38 years,  Jim Hayes will be transitioning to another integral role at the Epiphany School as the School and Foundation President.  Jim leaves the Principal role with the legacy of providing our community with a superior Catholic education.  In the last weeks of the school year, I caught up with Jim to reflect on the past and hear his plans for his new role.
 
Q:  What are some of your fondest memories as principal at Epiphany?
A:  There are many but here are just a few: 
-        Being able to accomplish the addition of 28th Street in 1991- a lot of politics and hesitation with the diocese, but we prevailed.  The rest is history! 
-        Bishop Edward Egan, then Vicar for education, celebrating the school centennial in 1988
-        Cardinal Dolan's visit celebrating my 35th anniversary and the parish's 125th together with a mass and reception.

Memories continue all the time when I meet alumni from The School at various venues. The oldest alumni under my administration are about 53 years of age.  The many families that keep in touch are still connected to Epiphany through grandkids and nieces and nephews.  I am very fortunate to have had this position for so long.
 
Q:   What is the biggest change you have seen over years?
A:  Our expectations of what we can accomplish with parents and students over the years.  Better tools through staff development, continually updating technology and the introduction of the Internet, have all improved education over time.  I anticipate more automation and self-directed learning in the immediate future.

Q:  What accomplishment are you most proud of?
A:  My biggest accomplishment is being able to help so many students and families receive a good, strong value-centered education as a foundation for their futures.  I have five children and 11 grandchildren and without the support of community, church and school, it is very difficult to navigate the complex task of parenthood.  I was blessed to be part of that support for many families over the years.
 
Q:  When you started as Principal at Epiphany, did you think the school could grow as well as it did?
  A:    The growth of the school and the start and growth of The Foundation were carefully planned events that occurred because of the faith of the people that were involved when those ideas were first touched upon. I was fortunate to have pastors who trusted my judgment during this time, especially  Msgr. Harry Byrne when we acquired 28th Street and raised over a million dollars to renovate the building.   I am also grateful to  Msgr Walter, who supported The Foundation and its unique position of having board oversight only with no involvement of the Church.
 
Q:  What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?
A:  As President, I look forward to maintaining the fiscal stewardship of the school.  I am encouraged by the many new families in our school and their support for The Foundation.  I plan to do my part in helping to nurture that.  Of course, I will still visit
The School to say hello to teachers and offer my support to our new administrative team.  I am not retiring, just entering a new phase of my life with a little more flexibility with my time.

NEWS FROM 28TH STREET
Kate McHugh '93, Vice Principal

What an amazing year of Epiphany experiences!
The Nursery students loved their first year at Epiphany.  As they sang at graduation - now they know their ABCs, 123s, and they're already off to PreK!
 
Our Pre-K students have gained confidence, skills, faith and friendship. They are already eager to begin Kindergarten in the fall!
 
The 4th grade has put their improved writing and presentation skills to work in their year-end Science projects about alternative energy sources.  With projects including interpretative dance representing hydropower, Prezies, posters, and functional generators, the 4th grade's creative spirit has come shining through!  Celebrating with s'mores cooked in their solar oven was the perfect way to end the year. 
 
Our 5th grade's passion for reading has been fueled by this year's weekly book clubs.  They've read, discussed, and analyzed 7 books this year!  Their most challenging text, The Little Prince, put their understanding of figurative language to the test.  The fifth grade passed with flying colors and was able to put their knowledge to work as they drew connections between our Catholic faith and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
 
Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade amazed us with their interpretation of classic plays. Working with educators from Rising City Arts and our esteemed ELA teacher, students analyzed the text, honed their dramatic presentation skills, and presented scenes to a live audience of their peers.  The 6th grade analysis of three Greek tragedies and the 8th grade analysis of A Raisin in the Sun were aided by the background knowledge gained in this year's Social Studies lessons on ancient Greece and the United States civil rights movement, respectively.  As part of their analysis of Inherit the Wind, our 7th graders were treated to a special discussion with Fr. Austin about the challenges we face interpreting the teachings of the Bible in modern times.  The final productions were Tony award worthy and made us all proud!
 
And we cannot forget our graduates...

The 8th grade high school acceptances are a testament to all we do here at Epiphany.  Their intellectual curiosity and dedication to their academic work has earned them over $1.4 million of scholarship awards.  We congratulate the class of 2016 on their amazing success, wish them the best as they enter high school, and remind them that we will always welcome them back home at Epiphany.
 
Sincerely,
Kate D. McHugh
28th Street Vice Principal 
The Epiphany School 
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LATEST GRADUATES
Epiphany Class of 2016

We wish our most recent alumni, Class of 2016, our best as they head off to their high schools in the fall.  Keep in touch! 
 
Daniel Michael Betancourt LaSalle Academy
Caroline Bradley The Bronx High School of Science
Thomas Cahill St. Peter's Preparatory
William M. Cassini Fordham Preparatory
Grace Cook Dominican Academy
Claudia Shea Crotty Loyola School
Ava Culoso Loyola School
Seloni Daryanani Convent of the Sacred Heart
Mery-Alexandra Harris de la Campa St. Vincent Ferrer High School
Camille Dell'Olio Dominican Academy
Emma R. Donaldson Xaverian High School
John C. Fleming St. John's Preparatory
Liam W. Gallagher Fordham Preparatory
Julia Ellis Gillespie Dominican Academy
Sean T. Halbert Fordham Preparatory
Anna Hedengren Grace Church School
Blake Richard Henis Manalapan High School
Kristina Mae Henis Manalapan High School
Jamie J. Heraty St. Vincent Ferrer High School
Peter J. Heraty Fordham Preparatory
Patrick Joseph Jennings Xavier High School
Eamon Kelly Archbishop Molloy High School
Jude S. Kelly Xavier High School
Emilee Juliana Kitmahawong The Bronx High School of Science
Helen Isabel Knaus The Beacon School
Morgan Elizabeth Liotti Notre Dame High School
Matthew J. Lucin Xavier High School
Emilia Lord The Bronx High School of Science
Maria Mayer Dominican Academy
Jack Ross Mirto Xavier High School
Declan R. Molloy Fordham Preparatory
Eileen Murray Notre Dame High School
Maya Anh Dao Nguyen The Brearley School
Ava Hamlin Orpilla Notre Dame High School
Eleanor Ryan Patton Grace Church School
Emma T. Preite NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies
Victoria T. Rinn The Marymount School of New York
Alana P. Schmitt The Marymount School of New York
Annette-Lisbeth Svet Sebrell Loyola School
Gabriella Silva Loyola School
Alexander J. Sisk Xavier High School
Sienna Marie Stuebe Convent of the Sacred Heart
Grace A. Transom Notre Dame High School
Luca F. Vertucci Archbishop Molloy High School
Daniel A. Vitenko Xavier High School
Elise D.C. Williams Loyola School


"Like" The Official Epiphany Alumni Facebook page  
Join our  Facebook Group.  

If you are interested in becoming involved with The Epiphany Alumni community, please contact the Epiphany School Foundation at 212-473-6158 or email alumni@epiphanyschoolfoundation.org.  We'd love to hear from you! 
 
Please save the date for next year's Hall of Fame: November 5, 2016!  

THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL FOUNDATION | 234 EAST 22ND STREET | 212-473-6158    Like us on Facebook