Fort Worth Country Day
Chelsy Beninate
Fort Worth Country Day, the oldest coed college-preparatory school in Fort Worth, has appointed Chelsy Beninate as its new assistant head of school for operations and security.
Beninate will oversee safety and security at Country Day’s 104-acre campus and manage facility operations of its 13 buildings, including security, maintenance, grounds, custodial, and transportation.
Partnering with the managers of those departments, she will ensure effective responsiveness and communication in crises, oversee the active support and involvement of the entire operations team while participating in drills, and regularly review and test safety and security systems to ensure proper working conditions in the event of an emergency.
“My goal is to collaborate with all stakeholders to contribute to creating a safe, organized, and productive learning environment for students, teachers and staff, which ultimately enhances the quality of education the school provides,” Beninate said in a statement.
Country Day opened in September 1963. Trinity Valley was founded in 1959 but initially served only the young men of the Texas Boys Choir.
Beninate joined Country Day in 2018 as the director of fine arts. She served in the United States Marine Corps for five years. Beninate earned a Bachelor of Music Education in Instrumental Music, a Master of Education in Leadership of Learning, and a Certificate of Graduate Study in Conflict Resolution for Educators, all from Texas Wesleyan University.
“Chelsy gets things done and then looks for more ways she can help,” said Eric Lombardi, head of school. “She is uniquely suited by talent and temperament to take over the operations role and ensure we are always meeting high expectations for ourselves as custodians and caregivers of an amazing community.”
Beninate has also served as the assistant principal at Church Hill Middle School, the academic dean at Canyon High School, and the assistant principal at Smithson Valley High School, all in New Braunfels.
Beninate was recently accepted into and currently participates in the National Association of Independent Schools Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads.
“I am honored to accept the role” at Country Day, Beninate said. “It is integral to our school's overall functioning and success.”