PRINCETON, NJ Restaurant Dining Guide Announcement

PDS Announces New Head of Upper School

Princeton – Head of School Paul Stellato announced the appointment of Trixie Sabundayo as Princeton Day School’s next Head of the Upper School, effective July 1, 2018.

In her 13^th year at Marin Academy – a 9-12, coeducational day school of 410 students in San Rafeal, California – Ms. Sabundayo serves as Chair of the English Department, where she has distinguished herself as a teacher, advisor, mentor, and coach. In her several leadership roles, she has shepherded and participated in critical, school-wide conversations on curriculum development and assessment, faculty evaluation and professional growth, faculty recruitment and retention, and long-range, strategic planning. An accomplished classroom teacher, Ms. Sabundayo has designed and implemented a host of interdisciplinary course initiatives in English and history, all of which have reshaped offerings and requirements in those departments. Demonstrating their regard of their colleague, the faculty of Marin Academy bestowed upon her the highest honor for one of its members: election as their representative to the Marin Academy Board of Trustees.

Committed to the enhancement of student experience beyond the classroom, Ms. Sabundayo was appointed by her Head of School to be Diversity Council Chair, Interim Dean of Equity and Inclusion, and Dean of the Sophomore class, responsibilities through which she has encouraged her school’s exploration of the benefits and opportunities within a diverse community. These efforts have strengthened her school and have been recognized by the National Association of Independent Schools, through its School Leadership Institute and People of Color Conference; and the Edward E. Ford Foundation, from which she received a leadership grant for travel and study in South Africa.

A Baltimore native, Ms. Sabundayo attended Bryn Mawr School and, eager to nourish her love of science and prepare herself for a career in medicine, matriculated at Johns Hopkins University. Along the way, a world of literature and history blossomed before her, and she graduated with degrees in English and Women’s Studies. While at Johns Hopkins, she played varsity field hockey and captained the team in her junior year. During her four years as a member of the varsity lacrosse team, she was chosen captain, elected a member of the All-Centennial Conference First Team, and named a First Team All-American by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association. In 2002, Ms. Sabundayo was awarded a master’s degree in English from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. Prior to her long, successful tenure at Marin Academy, Trixie taught at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, and Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. She and her husband, Josh Frechette, are the proud parents of six-year-old Teaghan and 18-month-old Quinlyn.

In his announcements, Mr. Stellato also reflected on the tenure of Jason Robinson, Assistant Head of School for Academic Life and Upper School Head, who will leave Princeton Day School in June to begin his tenure as Head of School at St. Alban’s School in Washington. “I recall well meeting Jason for the first time, in October, 2013; and I remember fondly extending our school’s offer to him in the Behr House living room that December.  How quickly the years have gone, and how much he has made of them. There is no area of life in the Upper School that has not been enhanced and strengthened through his vision and vigor; nor is there a student or faculty member who has not benefitted from his wisdom and counsel. Jason Robinson inherited an Upper School that stood among the finest of its kind. He leaves it better than he found it. It is not surprising, then, that hundreds of independent boarding and day school leaders sought to succeed him.”