“and as we head into our ninth year as Saints parents, we continue to love and appreciate the community we are a part of at St. Christopher’s.”
 
The Ryans, whose son began 7th grade this year, are excited about the opportunities that await Teddy in Middle and Upper School. “Middle School is a great time to try new things, and our son surprised us by auditioning for the musical last year, which he loved. So whether he’s learning a foreign language, trying a new sport, or acting for the first time, we are grateful for the opportunities he has available to him.”
 
As they settle into life with a middle schooler, the Ryans still carry some sweet memories of life in Lower School. Particularly, they remember a Christmas choir performance, where Teddy performed the solo of Mrs. Ryan’s mother’s favorite Christmas hymn on her birthday. “We kept it a secret from my mom,” Mrs. Ryan recalled, “and then he sang it right in front of her in the recital hall.”

Along with their role as parents, Elaine and Sean are also in the final year of their threeyear term as Parent Chairs of The St. Christopher’s Fund, which has given them a unique perspective on the role annual giving plays in the life of the School. “Initially, we didn’t fully understand why tuition didn’t cover all of the School’s expenses, but we quickly came to see that supporting the School is what keeps tuition rates steady, and that it also allows us to attract great faculty and offer opportunities for faculty and students.”