August 14, 2020
Dear Members of the St. Philip’s Community,
Most years, the start of school comes with fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils and the sound of students gathering to tell stories and show souvenirs from summer adventures. Even alumni feel the tingle of anticipation at the opportunities a new school year brings. In spite of the celebrations and resolutions on January 1st, for me, it is the first day of school that really marks the beginning of a new year. While this year’s back-to-school connections will be different, I remain excited and hopeful about starting this new term and reconnecting with all of you.
On August 19, 2019, the year began in such a festive manner! I had the privilege of dressing up as Philip the Eagle to welcome you and your children to the 2019 - 2020 school year. It was a joy to meet you and witness everyone’s excitement to be with friends and classmates after summer break. With the hard work of the SHA, I had many chances to get to know you through events like the Back-to-School Barbecue and Cocktails and Conversations. I was grateful to be a part of long-standing St. Philip’s traditions, such as the Halloween Extravaganza, Fall Field Day, and Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day. The affection and cohesion in the St. Philip’s community is truly remarkable.
The first months of this new decade began with a sense of familiarity and excitement as we ushered in the long-awaited 2020! Students and teachers returned from Christmas break with renewed enthusiasm as they prepared for the spring semester. We had big plans for field trips, spring sports, and more learning. And then the world stopped. Within days, life as we knew it changed as words like “unprecedented”, “uncertain”, and “novel” became commonplace. While the second semester of our last school year was not what we anticipated, I am proud of how quickly our teachers pivoted to adjust their plans to virtual learning. I am grateful for your support, and I know that you encouraged the hard work and positive attitudes of our students in the last few months of the 2019 - 2020 school year.
Circumstances shifted quickly last spring, and the transition to virtual learning was largely reactive by necessity. We have taken full advantage of this break to reimagine learning and be proactive in planning. This year’s lesson plans incorporate teachers’ experience from last spring as well as feedback from parents, with room to adjust based on further observations and input.
Our Leadership Team has worked tirelessly all summer to prepare for the 2020 - 2021 school year. Planning has covered not only curriculum, but also multiple scenarios for remote, hybrid, and on-campus classes. We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration and support of the Re-entry Team, the Medical Task Force, our Board of Trustees, and Vestry. We enter this school year as prepared as we can be for a range of possibilities.
I remember being amazed by the work done to our physical plant during the summer of 2019, but the Facilities Team has outdone themselves this year. Their accomplishments have been detailed in other missives, but the Team has made significant physical changes to allow for social distancing and increased sanitation. Our Facilities Team has also adjusted their protocols, increasing the frequency of cleaning and changing after school cleaning practices to comply with medical guidelines. When the time comes to open the campus, we will be ready.
Our faculty and staff are also ready, as transitions have been made over the summer. I would like to thank Coach David Vasquez, Carolina Guara, and Rich Schiccatano for the time and energy they dedicated to St. Philip’s over the years, and wish them well as they pursue new opportunities. We met with several outstanding candidates over the summer and are excited to onboard our new colleagues. Please join me in welcoming the following educators to St. Philip’s Episcopal School.
Mrs. Cassandra Cusco
Mrs. Cusco joins us as an Early Childhood Classroom Assistant. She is a Miami native, working toward her Bachelor’s degree in Education at Miami-Dade College. Mrs. Cusco has spent the past three years at the Mandelstam School as an Assistant Aide. Please join me in welcoming her to our community.
Mrs. Pippa Ellis
Mrs. Ellis joins us as a First Grade Co-teacher. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and History from the University of Miami. She received a fellowship from Stanford University to teach English in Indonesia. After spending some time in fashion and beauty merchandising, Mrs. Ellis is excited to be returning to education.
Ms. Jocelyn Mahone
Ms. Mahone joins St. Philip’s as an Advancement & Communication Specialist. She holds a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a Master’s Degree in Forestry from Yale. Ms. Mahone taught environmental science in Nicaragua for two years and is delighted to be in the educational arena once again.
Mrs. Janet Schoenfeld
Mrs. Schoenfeld joins us as a Kindergarten Co-teacher. She has a B.A. in Graphic Design from Texas Christian University and a Master’s in Education from Lesley University. Mrs. Schoenfeld has spent the last five years at the Frost Museum of Science as the Early Learning Specialist, and has coordinated a number of grant-funded projects focused on young learners and their parents/caregivers.
Mr. Alex Zaldivar
Mr. Zaldivar joins us as the Technology Support Specialist. He has a B.S. in Communication, and Master’s in both Liberal Studies and Ergonomics and Occupational Safety from the University of Miami. He has worked as Software Product Manager, AP Computer Science Teacher, Instructional Designer and Web Designer, and has spent the past five years as an IT instructor at Miami-Dade College.
Each of these individuals are joining us at a time of uncertainty, and are committed to partnering with us, and with you, as we work to encourage and educate your children this year and in the years to come.
Our St. Philip’s community is bound by a covenant of mutuality. My obligation is to determine a course of action that serves our entire community. My responsibility includes the social and academic education of our students, as well as the health and safety of students and their families, faculty, and staff. The members of the St. Philip’s community have a responsibility to each other to support their students’ learning and protect the community’s health and safety. Ideally, this would mean that all our families are following CDC guidelines and doing everything in their power to reduce exposure to and transmission of the novel coronavirus. It is only when we join together with the full weight of our hope, strength, and reliance on our faith that we will be able to overcome the barriers placed in our path by this momentous challenge.
I am an educator. I believe with every fiber of my being that children should be in school. Children should learn. Learning isn’t just about reading, writing, and arithmetic; it’s about social skills and learning to be part of a community. At St. Philip’s we are honored to teach all of those skills, as well as privileged to worship and honor God with our students. It is my sincere hope that I will be able to see you and your children in person soon. Until then, we will stay true to our mission of educating each child intellectually, physically, and spiritually in an atmosphere of acceptance and inquiry.
In service,
