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2018–2019 was a Wonderful Year

7/29/2019

As we approach the end of July, memories of the 2018–2019 school year are fresh in our hearts and minds. Whether we look back at Commencement and closing exercises, a phenomenal year in athletics which included two state championships, mesmerizing performing arts events, outstanding student success in academics, or the countless ways in which our community served others, 2018–2019 was a wonderful year. Before you read the remainder of this message, which features news about the upcoming school year, please take a few minutes to watch this Commencement 2019 video, created by Sanford alumnus Jordan West '18.

The sentiments expressed in this piece showcase just a few of the ways that Sanford helps students be themselves, express themselves, and challenge themselves. Thank you, Jordan, for sharing the video with our community. To our most recent graduates: Good luck as you embark on the next phase of your journeys.

Speaking of journeys, our faculty and staff members have been busy navigating our course to the 2019–2020 school year. Here are a few highlights.

Enrollment
On the admission front, we are on track to reach our budgeted enrollment of 580 students. I'm happy to report that we have broken a school record by enrolling 107 new students for the upcoming school year, and we expect that number to increase later this summer.

Fundraising
June 30th marked the close of Sanford’s fiscal year. We exceeded our Annual Fund goal and raised over $580,000, setting a new Sanford record! A generous, anonymous match helped pushed us across the finish line by encouraging other donors to step up. Total giving in 2018–19—which included the Annual Fund, special projects, and bequests—brought in nearly $1.7 million. Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising initiatives.

Facilities
In our continuing effort to improve our campus and facilities, several projects are underway, including:

The planting of a new Bermuda grass field for soccer and boys’ lacrosse
Middle School renovations
Additions of security cameras to internal and external locations.

Staffing
We have welcomed several new faculty and staff members to our community and some of our veterans have taken on new challenges.

Heather Carlisle is our new Lower School administrative assistant. A graduate of Penn State, Heather recently relocated back to the East coast from Chicago, where she served as an apprentice teacher in kindergarten and fourth-grade classrooms. Heather started in the Lower School on July 1st.

Jenna Newborn will teach second grade, a role she filled the last three years in Manassas, VA. Jenna graduated from the University of Rhode Island (where she also played collegiate softball) with a double major in elementary education and psychology. Jenna worked for many summers at YMCA’s Camp Tockwogh.

Skye Rashkind is joining Sanford in the role of Lower School counselor and learning services coordinator. She holds degrees from Dickinson College, Brown University, and Wilmington University. Skye most recently served as a school counselor at Friends School in Mullica Hill, NJ, a PK–8 independent school.

Sarah Cushing comes to Sanford from West Chester University where she majored in history. She will be teaching eighth-grade history and English. In addition, Sarah, an accomplished volleyball player and coach, will serve as Sanford’s head varsity volleyball coach.

Courtney Gregor will serve as Sanford’s new Middle School counselor and learning services coordinator. She earned her master’s in counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and her bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall. At F&M, Courtney swam for the college squad, and she will coach Sanford’s swim team this winter.

Elise Burke Parcha joins Sanford Upper School and will teach English. Elise double majored in English and art history at Goucher College and earned her master’s in creative writing at Hollins University. Most recently, she has been teaching English and creative writing at Susquehanna University.

One of our new assistant directors of admission, Jacqueline DeLaFuente, began her new role in April. She is a graduate of Amherst College and has a master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Her most recent position was as director the of the mid-Atlantic region for Hobart and William Smith Colleges. We are excited about Jacqueline’s first full year with us.

Joining our Athletic Department on a part-time basis is Stephanie Mark. Stephanie served as our assistant varsity girls’ lacrosse coach this spring. She earned a master’s degree in athletic leadership and administration at Goucher College and a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins. Before moving home to the East coast, Stephanie served as the head lacrosse coach at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Several Sanford stalwarts are taking on new roles in the coming year. Veteran educator Christine DiUbaldo has moved to Sanford Hall as our second assistant director of admission. Emily Amendum is serving as the interim head of Middle School. Jaime Morgan is leading the admission and development teams in her new role of associate head of school for advancement. Courtney Lewandowski (formerly Kalinowski) and Krista Berneike have moved from the Lower School office and second grade, respectively, to launch our new Sanford preschool for three-year-olds. Lastly, Middle School dean and English teacher Max Schneider has assumed the position of head boys’ varsity soccer coach.

Stay tuned for more news and information
Our division offices and administrative departments will be in touch with students and families in preparation for the upcoming school year. Until then, have a wonderful summer. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us.

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