Dear Alumni,
As you may know, I am retiring in June, at the end of the school year. I have treasured my time as part of the Allen-Stevenson community more than you could possibly imagine. I feel so fortunate to have walked through the front door at A-S many years ago as a young First Grade teacher and am about to leave with a full heart and very thankful for all the time I have spent with hundreds of boys and colleagues. How much I have learned!
When people have asked about my time at A-S, I always begin with you, the boys! What do you need to learn? Are you happy and safe? Do you have enough time to run around and play? Is there a balance between academics, the arts, and athletics? And then, there is the focus on each individual boy… What does each boy need to be happy and feel good himself and his time learning in school?
What has remained our touch stone at Allen-Stevenson is that we believe there are many ways to be a boy. I have had conversations with our alumni, from high schoolers to grown men, who talk, with passion, about being given the opportunity to have the lead in Gilbert & Sullivan or speaking at the speech contest or Middle School Closing Exercises or perhaps they scored points at a basketball game. For many, they appreciated that teachers taught them with skill and kindness, that teachers saw in them a talent or gift that perhaps the boy didn’t see in himself, or perhaps the boy felt safe enough to take a risk. I also had a young man recently say to me that he appreciated that I realized that he could not be “pushed” with his academics at that point in his life. He needed time to grow. The spirit and commitment to each boy have not changed over time.
An example of what has remained constant is Gilbert and Sullivan. Two weeks ago, as I watched Patience, I went through the G&S “slides" in my mind of past performances over the decades. I can see an array of casts with faculty and boys spanning the decades. A long time ago, G&S performances were held in the gym/dining room/performance space, the basement. I used to stand on the deck outside my classroom on the first floor, with a coat on, peering down through the windows, along with others, as there were not enough seats in the room! We would welcome back alumni, and it was such a joyous occasion. So many of you have experienced the love of singing, acting, camaraderie and a love of music through Gilbert & Sullivan.
What has changed for our boys and perhaps the adults in the schoolhouse? No doubt the world has become more complex, technology has introduced opportunities but created some obstacles, and boys grow up a bit faster. Probably at the top of my list would be that we are becoming more aware, sensitive, and more open to what we don’t know in the area of diversity. I know that we are growing and working towards making our community wiser, and more equitable. I will miss that journey within the school.
In closing, I have a laundry list of events that happened over the years that I think of fondly. Perhaps you will remember some of them, and they will make you reminisce and smile. Did any of you make rather large paper-mache dinosaurs and walk them to Central Park? Do any of you remember snowy days when we would take the saucers in the Lower School closet and head out to Dog Hill for some sledding? Mrs. Barnhart and I started the Turkey Parade over thirty years ago. What fun, and it is still a part of the Lower School! How many thousands of sandwiches have we made and brought to All Souls? And finally .. Middle School STEAM Day .. an afternoon of creativity and problem-solving!
Allen-Stevenson has had a unique way of knowing what is important for boys, what makes them grow and learn in academics, arts and athletics. I am so looking forward to hearing about the next chapters of our beloved school.
As I often say, All Good.
Kimberly Kyte
Head of Middle School
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Share Your Memories of
Kim Kyte!
Middle School Head, Kim Kyte is retiring at the end of this school year. We are creating a memory book of her time at A-S, incorporating quotes to help send her off in style.
April 26, 2021.
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Save-the-Date!
A-S Giving Day: Wednesday, April 28
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A-S Giving Day Challenge
50 Gifts (of any amount) unlocks $50,000 for Allen-Stevenson!
A group of anonymous donors are collectively challenging the A-S community to reach 50 gifts on Giving Day. Help us unlock their $50,000 challenge by making a gift to the Annual Fund on Wednesday, April 28!
There are so many things at Allen-Stevenson that make us proud, and the Annual Fund supports them all. Your gift is incredibly meaningful to us and supports so many important aspects of our school.
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Don't forget! If you donate $50+, we will send you an Allen-Stevenson athletic t-shirt with our thanks!
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Allen-Stevenson Performs Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience
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The Allen-Stevenson Middle and Upper School students performed Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience on Friday, April 9. A big congratulations to all of the cast and crew!
Click this link to watch the full performance of one of Allen-Stevenson's beloved traditions. Please note this link cannot be shared and is for private viewing only.
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Moving Together
Join Señorita Spielberg
for a Community Workout!
Each year the Eighth Grade takes a trip to Costa Rica, volunteering in an impoverished neighborhood, La Carpio. Unfortunately, due to COVID, this community has been desperately lacking in visitors and volunteers for over a year, which has severely impacted the community.
Join Señorita Spielberg, and alumni, David Goldberg '14, Haz Goldberg '18, Zachary Rahaman '18, Jackson Collins '20, Andrew Greff '20, Richie Heller '20, Sam Smith '20, and Max West '20 for a community service event, a workout class with Forward Space, to support the community of La Carpio.
Click this link to register and join them on Wednesday, April 28 from 5:30-6:30PM!
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Head of School Search Update
Allen-Stevenson is beginning the search for its next Head of School.
The School has issued a brief online survey to alumni, parents, trustees, staff, faculty to ensure we capture valuable feedback. To learn more about the survey, please click here.
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Legacy Admissions 2022-2023
Admissions will be meeting with Allen-Stevenson alumni who have sons ready to enter the School in 2022-2023. If interested, please contact Darlene Mays, Admissions Coordinator, at dmays@allen-stevenson.org, to schedule a time to speak with the Admissions team.
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Hiram Rafliff '81 is celebrating his tenth year Pastoring at New Tabernacle Baptist Church and his fifth year as a Teacher's Aide with Mt. Pleasant Cottage School in Pleasantville, New York.
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Obituaries
We regret to say that Gillet Lefferts, Jr. '38 passed away recently. He will be remembered as an accomplished architect, talented artist, writer, devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. You can view his obituary here.
We are sad to announce that J. Carter Fahy '43 passed away on January 1, 2021. He was an inspiration to his nine nieces and nephews, encouraging and empowering them to fulfill their aspirations. You can view his obituary here.
If there is an alumnus, alumni parent or grandparent who you have lost this year and would like to acknowledge in the In Memoriam section of our Lamplighter, please reach out to the Alumni Office at alumni@allen-stevenson.org.
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Previous Blue & Gold Issues
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Allen-Stevenson Alumni Reunion
This year the Alumni Office will host individual class meet-ups for Reunion Classes (1s and 6s). If you are interested in hosting a virtual class meet-up, please reach out to Jen Ziplow at jziplow@allen-stevenson.org.
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