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Head of School Transition
List of 20 news stories.
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The Rivers School Appoints Meredith Lorber as Assistant Head of Middle School
Read MoreThe Rivers School is pleased to announce the appointment of Meredith Lorber as assistant head of Middle School, effective July 1, 2026. A veteran educator with over two decades of experience, Lorber is a recognized leader in middle school pedagogy and instructional innovation. She emerged as the top choice from a highly competitive national pool of more than 90 applicants following a rigorous search process and a series of intensive campus visits. -
Rivers’ Third Annual State of the School Update: Ushering in a Bold New Chapter
Read MoreOn Wednesday, February 11, The Rivers School held an evening event for parents, caregivers, and alumni: “Activating Our Bold New Plan: A State of the School Update.” The program provided an inside look at the current state of the school from various perspectives—strategy, governance, finance, advancement, and academics—along with a focus on the past year’s strategic planning efforts aimed at shaping the school’s future.Click here for an executive summary highlighting key information shared during the presentation. -
The Science of Social Media With Jill Walsh
Read MoreThe Rivers School welcomed Jill Walsh, Ph.D., on Monday, February 2, in the second of three events in the wellness speaker series “Navigating Adolescent Development in an Interconnected World.” A sociology lecturer and researcher at Boston University, Walsh studies how teens use digital spaces to shape their identities. Her research examines the impact of digital media use on psychosocial well-being and development, and she works with schools across the country to develop best practices and policies for technology and social media use. -
The Next Chapter of Board Leadership at Rivers: Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87 to Conclude Term as Board President in June; Peter A. Walter P’23, ’25, ’28, ’29 to Succeed Rose
After nearly two decades of dedicated service, Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87 announced that he will conclude his tenure at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. Succeeding him in the pivotal role of board president is Peter A. Walter P’23, ’25, ’28, ’29, a seasoned trustee and current vice president of the Board.Read More -
Honoring Those Who Serve: Veterans Day 2025
Celebrated annually on November 11, Veterans Day is a day off from work or school for many people. But at Rivers, taking the day to pay tribute to veterans with special programming is a longstanding tradition. This year, that tradition continued with an all-school assembly featuring a pre-recorded conversation with Capt. Jake Stenquist ’15, who is currently serving in the Marine Corps in Japan. Later in the day, over 100 members of the Rivers community contributed to a Veterans Day service project, volunteering to write notes and assemble care packages for homeless veterans in partnership with the nonprofit organization Provision Ministry.Read More -
Excellence with Humanity in an Interconnected World: The Rivers School Unveils New Strategic Plan, Mission, and Core Values
Read MoreIn a letter sent to the community on Friday, October 10, Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87 and Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem announced the official launch of The Rivers School’s new strategic plan, approved by the Board of Trustees in June and concluding an initiative that has been nearly two years in the making. Rooted in the school’s educational philosophy of Excellence with Humanity and anchored by a revised mission and a new set of core values, the plan will serve as Rivers’ guide as the school moves forward into a future full of opportunity. -
Welcome Back Barbecue Draws Hundreds to Celebrate the Start of School
On the first Friday of the academic year, parents and caregivers, students, and members of the professional community gathered on campus in the evening to reconnect and celebrate the start of school at the Rivers Welcome Back Barbecue. With more than 540 community members registered for the event, “the energy and excitement for the start of a new school year were palpable,” said Director of Family and Alumni Engagement Janet McKeeney.Read More -
Opening Day 2025: Branching Out
Clear skies and warm smiles welcomed the Rivers community on Tuesday, September 2, with new and returning students and teachers greeting each other bright and early on the first day of the 2025–26 academic year.Read More -
Joyful Connections at The Rivers School’s BIPOC Picnic
The Rivers School kicked off the new academic year with its beloved annual back-to-school picnic for families of students of color, a vibrant event that brought together close to 200 students, families, and members of the professional community. Held on the Lank Quadrangle outside of Revers, the gathering was a chance for both new and returning families and students to connect in a casual, upbeat setting, facilitated by Rivers’ DEI team.Read More -
Celebrating Paul Karasch and His 33 Years at Camp Nonesuch
The Rivers School and Camp Nonesuch communities recently gathered to celebrate the remarkable career of Paul Karasch, who is retiring from his role as director of Camp Nonesuch after 33 seasons. The event honored Paul’s enduring legacy and the profound impact he’s had on thousands of children over the years. (Fortunately, Paul will continue in his role as assistant director of technology and cross country coach at The Rivers School.)Read More -
Rivers Cape Cod Summer Reception Celebrates and Connects Community
Parents, caregivers, alumni, and friends of The Rivers School gathered on a beautiful summer evening at the Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville, MA, for a Cape Cod summer reception. Hosted by Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87, and Lisa Rose, the evening celebrated community, connection, and a strong sense of forward momentum at Rivers.Read More -
“Reconnect, Reminisce, and Celebrate”: Rivers Celebrates Reunion
Read MoreThe Rivers School welcomed alumni back to campus on May 31 to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their reunion milestones. This year’s Reunion honored classes ending in 0 and 5, and alums spanning the Class of 1960 to the Class of 2021 all made their way back to Winter Street. -
Leadership, Love, and Lessons Learned: Celebrating the Class of 2025
Spirits were high as the community gathered to celebrate the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 23. Though the day was unseasonably chilly, the sun made an appearance just in time for the 92 graduates to process into the tent on Lank Quadrangle.Read More -
Prize Day 2025: Honoring Excellence, Character, and Community
Read MoreThe Rivers community came together on Thursday, May 22, for the annual Prize Day ceremony, a tradition honoring excellence, integrity, service, and spirit. A deluge of rain and chilly temperatures brought the planned outdoor ceremony indoors to Benson Gymnasium, but the change of venue did little to dampen the celebratory spirit of those gathered to cheer and applaud the well-deserved accomplishments of students and professional community members alike. -
Rivers Community Tees Off at 23rd Annual Golf Tournament
Despite chilly temperatures and rainy skies, nearly 80 golfers turned out for the 23rd Annual Rivers School Community Golf Tournament at Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson, MA. The event welcomed Rivers alumni, parents and caregivers, grandparents, and members of the professional community for a day of connection, friendly competition, and school spirit.Read More -
Meret Nahas Named New Chief Advancement Officer at The Rivers School
Read MoreHead of School Ryan S. Dahlem announced last week that, following an extensive search from a deep and talented pool of advancement professionals nationally, Meret Nahas has been named chief advancement officer, effective immediately. Nahas will provide strategic and administrative leadership to Rivers’ fundraising efforts and serve as a key member of the administrative team, partnering with the head of school and colleagues across campus to help implement the school’s next strategic plan. -
Rivers Holds Second Annual State of the School Update: Imagine 2035
Read MoreOn Tuesday, February 11, The Rivers School held an evening event for parents, caregivers, and alumni titled “Imagine 2035: A State of the School Update.” The program provided an inside look at the current state of the school from various perspectives—strategy, governance, finance, development, and academics—along with a special focus on the past year’s strategic planning efforts aimed at shaping a bright future for Rivers.
Click here for an executive summary highlighting key information shared during the presentation. -
The Power of Teams: Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem Participates on PIN Panel
On January 15, the Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) hosted a virtual heads of school panel to discuss the topic of teams: “Being Our Best Selves: A Team Approach.” In addition to Rivers’ Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem, the event featured heads of school from three other Massachusetts independent schools: Derek Boonisar from Fenn School in Concord; Judith Guild from Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill; and Mark Stanek from Shady Hill School in Cambridge.Read More -
Renowned Neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang: Understanding Adolescent Brains
We may think of the world of emotions as very separate from biology or the process of learning and the brain, but Mary Helen Immordino-Yang would have you know that those processes are deeply linked. Following the winter break, The Rivers School welcomed back Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, a distinguished neuroscientist and professor of education at the USC Rossier School of Education, as a guest speaker for a day of professional development, and in a later session for parents, caregivers, and alumni.Read More -
“Rivers on the Road” Admission Tour Brings Science to the Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Rivers School admission team recently stopped at the Harvard Museum of Natural History for the second annual “Rivers on the Road” event. The museum’s newly renovated Earth & Planetary Sciences gallery, an expansive space that houses thousands of rare minerals and sparkling gemstones, was a perfect setting for forging new connections and talking about science programs at Rivers.Read More
Head of School Transition Planning
Dear Rivers Community:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are excited to provide some details about transition planning for incoming Head of School Ryan Dahlem, who will be joining The Rivers School as our ninth head on July 1, 2023. This is an exciting time for everyone in our school community, and we enjoyed welcoming Ryan for two campus visits in early February and late March.
The goals of these visits was simply to allow us to get to know Ryan better and allow him to get to know Rivers and the members of our community better. The first visit on February 2 and 3 focused on our “campus community” (students, faculty, deans, and staff) and trustees. The second visit, on March 28 and 29, focused on the broader school community (alumni, parents, past parents, and prospective parents).
Some highlights of Ryan’s February visit included Upper School and Middle School class visits, Upper School assembly, and meetings with faculty, staff, deans, and department chairs. In March, Ryan met with the parent community, addressed prospective families, and spent time getting to know our campus and the local area.
By way of background, in late October, the Board of Trustees appointed a Head’s Transition and Support Committee (HTSC) consisting of three trustees and three administrators:
–Sheila Hiatt P’21, ’22, ’24, Trustee and HTSC Chair
–Andy Delinsky ’93, Trustee (Head of School, The Peck School, Morristown, NJ)
–Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87, President, Board of Trustees
–Melissa Anderson P’25, ’25, Head of the Upper School
–John Bower, Head of the Middle School
–Krissie Kelleher P’22, ’25, Associate Head of School for External Relations
The HTSC has reviewed materials from our consultants on successful transition planning for heads of school and has set up a transition portal for Ryan that provides information on Rivers and the community. In addition, Head of School Ned Parsons has provided Ryan with detailed operational reports prepared by his senior administrative team. We have also provided Ryan with some historical information about Rivers. Over the past several weeks, the HTSC has met with Ryan over Zoom and in person to work on transition planning. Ryan is now in weekly communication with Ned Parsons and regular communication with me as we move toward his July 1 start date. In addition, as you know from Ned’s recent announcement, Ryan was directly involved in hiring Jenny Jun-lei Kravitz, our new director of DEI. Overall, we are working hard to strike a balance that allows Ryan to hit the ground running on July 1 while respecting his current duties at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.
We look forward to a successful leadership transition for Rivers. Please join me in offering Ryan a very warm welcome to campus when he arrives in July.
Regards,
Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87
President
Board of Trustees
Head’s Transition and Support Committee
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Sheila Hiatt P’21, ’22, ’24, Trustee and HTSC Chair
Sheila is a co-founder and managing partner of Hiatt & Hoke LLP and oversees all of its practice areas. Additionally, she is responsible for managing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the firm. Sheila joined the Rivers board in 2019 and serves as a trustee at Dedham Country Day School, where she was president of the board from 2014 to 2017. Sheila and her husband live in Milton and have three children, one of whom is currently attending Rivers. -
Andy Delinsky ’93, Trustee (Head of School, The Peck School, Morristown, NJ)
Andy Delinsky ’93 has served as a trustee since 2019. The Delinsky family has deep ties to Rivers: Andy’s older brother, Eric, graduated in ’87, and their father, Steve Delinsky, served as board president during Delinsky’s years at the school.After Rivers, he earned a BA in English at Franklin & Marshall College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College, as well as an MA in leadership from the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University. He has spent his career in education, teaching at the Fay School and St. Albans School and serving as an administrator at the Bullis School. In July 2014, Andy was chosen to lead the Peck School, a co-educational K-8 school in Morristown, N.J. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Julie, and their three young children. -
Alan D. Rose, Jr. ’87, President, Board of Trustees
Alan co-founded Rose Law Partners (then Rose & Associates) in 1995. Alan’s practice focuses on civil and criminal trial and appellate litigation in federal and state courts and in arbitration, with an emphasis on commercial litigation, employment litigation, defense of state and federal government and regulatory investigations, and college and university law. Alan served on the Rivers board from 2007 to 2021 and was re-elected in June of 2022. He lives in Weston with his wife and two sons. -
Melissa Anderson P’25, ’25, Head of the Upper School
Melissa Anderson has a BA in politics from Princeton University and a PhD in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Rivers, Melissa spent 16 years at Greenwich Academy, where she had extensive experience in both teaching history and administrative roles. In addition to teaching Upper School history, Melissa assists with special projects that support curriculum and strategic planning. She has twin daughters in the Rivers Class of 2025. -
John Bower, Head of the Middle School
John Bower joined the faculty in 2008 and has served as head of the Middle School since 2020. During his time at Rivers, John has taught Middle School and Upper School French and Middle School chorus; he has also served as music director for the Middle School and Upper School musicals. He was the school's director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from 2009 until 2019. In 2017, he received the Walter Family Community Award recognizing his "commitment to cultivating a caring community through extraordinary contributions to the school." John holds a BA in music theory & composition, with a minor in French language, from Haverford College. -
Krissie Kelleher P’22, ’25, Associate Head of School for External Relations
Krissie Kelleher has worked in development for more than 15 years, having started her career in the Harvard College Fund office before moving to Loomis Chaffee, where she was an integral part of the development team. Krissie worked at Loomis as associate director of development and major gifts officer before being promoted to director of major gifts and then director of the school’s Centennial Campaign. A native of the South Shore, she earned a BA in communication from Boston College and an MA in public relations from Boston University.
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