Similar to the decades that preceded it, the nineties began with the search for a new “Head of School”—no more “Headmistress.” Working for the first time with a recruitment firm, the search committee conducted countless interviews, seeking for a suitable leader to continue the progress made in the eighties. The 1990 edition of Anchor announced the appointment of Dr. Mary Jane Yurchak as Hewitt’s new head. She had an extensive background in child development and educational program evaluation, having taught preschool as well as graduate and post-graduate courses at universities such as Harvard and Tufts. She quickly adapted to life at Hewitt. She embraced the morning hand-shaking tradition, participated in faculty/student volleyball games, and left her office door open and a jar of cookies on her coffee table. “She jumped right in,” said Catherine Davis, Class of ‘91.

 

Upon arriving in the fall of 1990, Dr. Yurchak immediately made efforts to understand the school’s distinct history. She conducted a series of interviews with alumnae, knowing that a firm understanding of the school’s past would ultimately guide Hewitt of the future. In her first year, she held many open faculty meetings, encouraging debate into staff priorities and concerns. She explained in Anchor, “I am glad to be working with such a committed faculty, a faculty not adverse to shaking things up and making some changes.” By increasing course offerings, improving facilities, addressing different learning styles, and integrating a more comprehensive technology program, Dr. Yurchak hoped to redefine Hewitt’s image.

 

The nineties saw the advent of more learning specialists who informed faculty about learning differences and disabilities. Dr. Yurchak financed teacher attendance at workshops and conferences addressing these topics. Under her conviction that “any child can learn,” the school established a learning lab, located on the fourth floor of the Stillman Building and staffed with permanent learning specialists. As enrollment increased, the school understood the importance of student support facilities. This change addressed the shifting student population, no longer homogenous in income level, race, ethnicity, or learning style

 

 In the early and mid-nineties, Hewitt welcomed a number of new teachers. Ms. Elizabeth Stevens arrived as a new Latin teacher in 1991, and Daniel Denver began as a music teacher in 1994. Dr. Yurchak valued their enthusiasm for foreign language and performing arts, respectively. Other current teachers arrived later in the decade, including drama and English teacher Ms. Alexia White and Spanish teacher Señor Steven Gray in 1998.

 

Throughout the decade, classes at all levels enjoyed special trips: first graders explored environmental studies in Central Park, while second graders went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Seventh and eighth graders had their retreat at Blairstown, and ninth graders continued their tradition of visiting Frost Valley. Foreign language trips in the spring increased with visits to Spain and France. There was a broad range of locations with a fifth-grade trip to Stonehenge and a seventh-grade visit to Morocco, with hospitality extended by King Hassan II due to the support of Hewitt parent and board member Dr. Alain Roizen, dentist to His Majesty.

 

Hewitt’s technology department greatly evolved over the decade. Hewitt transformed from a school with computer labs to a “laptop school” with community-wide access to computers. The plan included minor alterations to school infrastructure such as adding electrical and telecommunications wiring. By the end of summer in 1998, all classrooms in the Stillman Building had been rewired and renovated. Soon Dr. Yurchak began implementing teacher training to ensure successful technology use in the curriculum. Using laptops, third-grade students visited New York City historical sites, foreign language students read French and Spanish online newspapers, and art history students took virtual tours of international museums. As Anchor explained, “the walk down the information highway had begun in earnest at Hewitt.”

 

The decade represented creative growth at Hewitt. Life at school continued amid renovations, faculty shifts, and program development. Academic departments added new courses, electives, and advanced placement offerings. Students could take full advantage of the augmented curriculum and expanded range of activities. In the spring of 1999, Dr. Yurchak announced her decision to resign as head of school. She left as her legacy a curriculum that encouraged interdisciplinary thinking and a computer program that represented revolutionary advancements in technology.

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