Faculty & Staff News

Fond Farewells

Four long-standing members of the Harvey faculty and staff are retiring at the end of the 2020–21 school year. We wish them all the best as they embark on new adventures!

Dolores Orchanian

is retiring from Harvey after 13 years as the evening nurse. Ms. Orcharian came to Harvey in September 2008. Her fondest memories include all the students who have come in and out of the infirmary over the years. “I really enjoy the kids,” said Nurse Orcharian. “I’m always amazed at their talent and I will miss them.”

“Dolores is such an important part of the nursing staff in the infirmary,” said day nurse Kerby Lewis. “She welcomed me to the Harvey community five years ago with open arms and a big smile.” Nurse Orchanian played a significant role in accommodating the international students when the program first began and helping them to feel comfortable in the dorms. Nurse Lewis agrees. “She treats all students with care and compassion and especially gets to know our dormers,” Ms. Lewis said. “She has taught me so much as a veteran nurse. I will miss her humor and her Brooklyn accent the most! We are so lucky that she has spent so many years with us and we will miss her dearly.” “Dolores coupled a terrific sense of humor with her medical expertise,” said Phil Lazzaro, upper school head. “She showed great compassion for our students and always offered her time to help our kids. She was a devoted member of the community and will be missed dearly next year.” In addition to being a nurse, Ms. Orcharian has been a fitness trainer and Bikram yoga teacher for the last 30 years. It is something that she loves, and she will continue to teach yoga and fitness classes at Club Fit. Nurse Orcharian will also spend more time with her family. “I have five children and four grandsons, and we are expecting a granddaughter in August,” shared Nurse Orcharian. “So my days will be full.”

Best of luck, and we will miss you, Dolores!

Irma Bloom has been

a presence in the Business Office for the past 16 years. Starting in August 2005 as the Accounting Administrator, Mrs. Bloom interacted with the entire Harvey community on a daily basis and kept financial affairs running smoothly. Mrs. Bloom feels her biggest contribution to Harvey was working with Director of Finance and Operations Jim Skrip and her business office colleague Jeannine Young to make the Business Office a friendly place to come to work. “One of the greatest things about Irma is that she knows her job responsibilities extremely well and is very self-motivated, said Mr. Skrip. “As such, things just get done. She keeps everyone in line … including me!” Many sought out Mrs. Bloom for advice, and she was known for being firm, fair, and consistent. Everyone knew where they stood with Irma! Mr. Skrip agrees. “Irma is a great team player, and a big teddy bear under that ‘tough’ facade,” he said. “She is very proud of her family and loves being a grandmother. She lights up whenever the grandkids stop in for a visit.”

“Harvey is one of the best jobs I have ever had,” said Mrs. Bloom. “Retirement will be a big change. I’ve never not worked since I was in the 10th grade, except briefly after having my two children.”

Mrs. Bloom plans to do some traveling, enjoy the warm weather in Florida during the winters, and spend more time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Bloom will miss the people at Harvey most of all. “Everyone at Harvey is warm and friendly,” shared Mrs. Bloom. “Everyone really cares about each other.” “Irma has seen a lot of changes at Harvey during the years, and through it all, has endured,” said Mr. Skrip. “She is a wealth of history and will be missed.”

We will miss you, Irma, and wish you all the best!

Robert Cook

During his 20 years at Harvey, Mr. Cook immersed himself in many different departments and roles at the school that included Upper School Head, Dean of Studies, Director of the International Program, SAT/ACT Coordinator, and teacher of psychology and senior English. Coming to Harvey in July 2001, he has been a prominent member of the community and a leader in innovative programming. Mr. Cook started the international student program in 2011 with just four students and helped it grow through the past nine years to approximately 19 students each year. He has worked with students from China, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, and Germany. This year, he will have seen 29 international students graduate from Harvey.

“Bob worked with international students when they arrived at Harvey, giving them a week-long orientation before school started, tirelessly working through the Labor Day weekend,” said Alex Lindquist, current director of the international program. “Bob would take students shopping, to the bank, set up their cell phones, and embark on field trips to New York City and other local places.” Ms. Lindquist adds, “Orientation was a lot of work, but also very rewarding and so helpful to our international students who have traveled so far away from home.” Mr. Cook considers his role in elevating the fine and performing arts at Harvey to a coequal position with other academic subjects as his biggest accomplishment. When asked about his fondest memory at Harvey, Mr. Cook said, “Playing trombone in the pit band for 12 Harvey musicals.” He will also miss conversations with his colleagues. Mr. Cook is a passionate gardener and cook, often sharing the bounties of his garden with colleagues by bringing in homegrown garlic, homemade pesto, or a fantastic recipe.

Best wishes, Bob! You will be missed.

Judy Ryerson is retiring after 31 years at Harvey. Mrs. Ryerson came to Harvey in September 1990 and along with her husband, Rich Ryerson, director of building and grounds, they have been a huge part of the Harvey community. Mrs. Ryerson has held many positions at Harvey during the years, starting out part-time assisting registrar Susan Tannenbaum in the Upper School office, then assistant to the director of athletics, Evarts Rink secretary, assistant to the head of middle school, after-school Middle School touch typing teacher, assistant coach for the Harvey equestrian team, and now Director of Information Management. It’s difficult to think of Harvey without thinking of Mrs. Ryerson. “When I first arrived on campus in 1994, Judy and Rich were one of the first families I met,” said Head of Upper School Phil Lazzaro. “Judy always makes time to help anyone in the community, no matter what the issue. She works behind the scenes to ensure the school runs as smoothly as possible, helping with the schedule, transcripts, academic reports, and communications.” Mr. Lazzaro notes that in a position where the work can get overwhelming, Mrs. Ryerson always displayed remarkable patience coupled with her great technological skills. Mrs. Ryerson feels her biggest accomplishment was helping to transform and maintain Harvey’s academic records from pre-computer days to the robust network and web-based student information system that it is today. “I will miss the satisfaction I feel every day helping everyone with various computer and data projects,” said Mrs. Ryerson. “After living and working in the community for more than 30 years, and raising my son here as well, Harvey has been not just a job but also a way of life,” Mrs. Ryerson said.

The Ryersons have fond memories of traveling with the Harvey boys rugby team to New Orleans over spring break to play Brother Martin High School (the alma mater of Mrs. Ryerson’s father) and on a spring break training trip to Parma, Italy. “We were impressed by the comradery, politeness, and maturity the boys exhibited throughout the trip,” said Mrs. Ryerson. “And of course, all of our lacrosse spring training weeks in Hilton Head, South Carolina, watching our son play!”

Mrs. Ryerson also enjoyed assisting Amie Phillips coach the first Harvey Equestrian Club, and spending Wednesday afternoons at the farm. Although some students were advanced riders, others had never groomed or had ridden a horse before. “Watching everyone enjoy themselves, progress, and gain confidence was priceless,” said Mrs. Ryerson. These are just a few of the many memories Mrs. Ryerson has collected during her 30 years at Harvey. She has so many that she humorously shares, “I could write a book!” What is certain is that Mrs. Ryerson will long be remembered as a valued colleague and a friend. “Judy embodies great character and wisdom,” shared Mr. Lazzaro. “She will be sorely missed.” “While I’m looking forward to the next chapter, Harvey will always be in my heart,” said Mrs. Ryerson. “I will miss everyone!” What comes next for Mrs. Ryerson? “Spending more time with my family,” said Mrs. Ryerson. “We are welcoming our first grandchild, a baby girl due in August!”

Congratulations, and we will miss you, Judy!

Harvey’s Growing Family

Harvey nurse Kerby Lewis and husband, Andrew Cabrey, had a baby boy February 20, 2020, who joined the family weighing 9 pounds, 10.5 ounces, and measuring 21.5 inches.

Dean of Upper School Students Gary Dunn and his wife, Tara, welcomed their son Grayson Thomas Andrew Dunn June 5, 2020. Grayson weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces. He joins big sister, Madison.

Harvey science teacher Melissa Zeffer Casella and her husband, Brian, welcomed their first child, son Nathan Adam Casella, April 2, 2021. Nathan weighed 7 pounds and was 19.25 inches. They are all healthy and happy as they settle into their new routine as a family of three.

A Harvey Welcome!

William Mena

We welcomed Mr. Mena, our new Director of Admissions and Financial Aid in 2020–21. Mr. Mena has more than 21 years of experience in independent school education. Although joining Harvey during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Mena has navigated that challenge and continues to connect with new, current, and prospective families to share all that The Harvey School has to offer students. Mr. Mena and his wife, Michele, have two daughters, one who started Harvey this school year as a freshman. When he’s not spending time guiding prospective families and spending time with his own family, he can be found rooting for the Yankees.

Meg Booth joined Harvey as Director of College Counseling in July 2020 with more than 15 years of experience in higher education, where she worked in college admissions, study abroad, and student advising. “Working on the beautiful, rural campus of Harvey takes me back to my college days at Middlebury in Vermont,” says Ms. Booth. She loves the outdoors and spending time with her family, including traveling and exploring both locally and abroad. She uses cooking as a way to decompress and to introduce her family to new things. Ms. Booth and her husband, Sam, have three children, Libby, Alice, and Paul. Although it wasn’t an ideal school environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Booth didn’t let that stop her from scheduling virtual college visits and information sessions or from connecting with all our Upper School students and the community. “Through my own sense of adventure, I hope to help students begin to discover and foster their own passions and interests,” says Ms. Booth.