Adelphi Welcomes Back Students for Historic 159th Academic Year!
Members of the Class of 2022 unveil the official logo for the 2021-2022 school theme, “I Am Adelphi!”
BAY RIDGE – Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn officially welcomed students, parents, faculty and staff back to school on Monday, September 13th, 2021, once again providing full in-person learning for the historic Bay Ridge private school’s 159th academic year.
“The first day of school is always exciting, but this year is extra special,” said Adelphi Head of School Ms. Iphigenia Romanos. “After proving that we are all ‘Adelphi Strong’ by completing our successful 2020-2021 academic year together inside the Academy’s hallowed halls, we are pleased to be offering full in-person learning once again to all of our students and their families. Rest assured that Adelphi has continued to take appropriate measures to ensure a safe and healthy academic year for all Adelphians!”
The official theme for the 2021-2022 academic year is “I Am Adelphi,” it was announced. Students and staff were excited to see how the theme would be incorporated into daily learning as well as special projects throughout the school year.
Safety and security were once again at the forefront on the first day of school, as parents and students were greeted by informational signage directing them to four different entrances to reduce congestion, and hundreds of customized floor decals remained in place throughout the grounds and inside the building promoting social distancing. Sanitizing stations remain located at every entrance and outside every room, daily temperature checks are made before entry to the building, students and staff are wearing masks throughout the day, and classrooms are being sanitized in between each class.
Ms. Baalbaki reads to students on the first day of school!
Lower Schoolers created paper crowns to commemorate the first day of school!
“We want our students and their families to feel safe and secure at all times,” Ms. Romanos explained. “Having gone through such an unprecedented — yet successful and, ultimately, rewarding — experience last year, we know that the safety measures that have been put into place at Adelphi do indeed work. We look forward to an even more successful year ahead.”
During the first week of school, Adelphians of all ages participated in icebreakers and team-building exercises within their respective houses — Morrill, Lockwood, Ellinwood and Levermore — each named for some of Adelphi’s earliest leaders. Adelphi’s House System allows for each house to accumulate points throughout the year for individual and class-wide academic, extracurricular, social and service-related achievements, as well as demonstrations of good character, service and kindness. The house with the most points accumulated by year’s end has its name etched into the annals of Adelphi history, literally, in the form of a trophy — Adelphi’s majestic House Cup — that is displayed in the Academy’s Main Hall all year round. Last year, House Morrill was announced as the winner for the third consecutive time!
Ms. Foronda provides instructions to her class!
“Members of House Morrill have rightfully seen their House name etched in history as three-time winners of the Adelphi House Cup,” Director of Academy Operations Mr. Albert C. Corhan said. “They have set a very high standard and these proud Adelphians will undoubtedly do everything possible to keep the streak going and to live up the great legacy of the Academy’s founders.”
As the oldest private, independent, continuing, coeducational, college-preparatory day school in the borough and one of the oldest in the nation, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, “the little school of big dreams” has been “effectively preparing young people for college, career, and life, one day at a time” for over 150 years. Founded in 1863 and located in the historic Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, Adelphi enrolls students from three years of age through twelfth grade. A strong emphasis is placed on small class size, individualized attention, self expression, critical thinking and challenging hands-on learning through Adelphi’s founding philosophy and dedication to the education of the “total child”. Adelphi students excel within a small, intimate, safe, caring, nurturing, and secure environment through Adelphi’s core values and founding principles of pride, tradition, spirit, and excellence. The student-teacher ratio is 8 to 1 and Adelphi is a New York State Regents Exempt Program with a 100% college application, acceptance and attendance rate. A founding member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, Adelphi receives its charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and has been a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1928. Ms. Iphigenia Romanos serves as Head of School.
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Photos courtesy of Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn