A Message from President Bridget Irish
Cotting School President Bridget Irish
Although I have enjoyed the first day of school for each of the 15 years I’ve been at Cotting, this year felt especially special since it marked my first day in a new role. I am honored and delighted to have been appointed Cotting School’s seventh president, and even more proud to be the second woman to lead the school after Mary Perry served as superintendent over 100 years ago.
Having worked closely with previous president David Manzo during my tenure here, I know firsthand what a vibrant and remarkable school community I inherit. Our faculty and staff consistently strive to learn and improve the services we provide to our students, which was unmistakable in their response to COVID-19. Despite it being an incredibly difficult time, their creativity, skill, care, knowledge and dedication to students has never been more evident. And now that we are fully back to in-person classes, our faculty and staff continue to expand their thinking and employ best practices to benefit all students.
In addition, our new Cotting Campus Center is an amazing new resource for our community. Construction on this 25,000 square foot addition began in April 2020 and is now fully open to our students. It includes a full-size gymnasium, visual, media and performing arts spaces, a candlepin bowling alley, a two-story climbing wall and a beautiful outdoor courtyard.
The campus center is an awe-inspiring facility where our students will be able to test their skills, boost their confidence, practice teamwork and expand their imagination. More importantly, this addition allows us to update programs and unlock the full potential of our therapy, medical, library, classroom and meeting space by expanding them. This will make it even easier for staff and students to continue to collaborate and inspire one another.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to take the lead at Cotting School during a time of wonderful growth and change. Yet I will continue to preserve and celebrate those qualities that define the Cotting community: tenacious, hard-working, compassionate and welcoming.
We live by our mantra: Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon.