Beyond Academics: Supporting a Holistic Learning Environment at D-E
In this issue, Michelle Carstens-Potts, Chair of the Health and Wellness Department; Dr. Danny Carragher, Chair of the Human Development Department; and Lisa Wittner, Director of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), discuss their roles and the programs they implement.
In our next issue, Part II of this series will feature conversations with members of our Student Support Leadership Team, including Dr. Deirdre O’Malley, Director of Counseling Services, and Marc Gladstone, Lead Learning Specialist. Interviews have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Spring Carnival 2026 Highlights
The Spring Carnival, a beloved D-E tradition co-hosted by D-E Student Activities and the Parents’ Association, was a massive success! “Despite organizers having to pivot [from Leggett Field to Modell’s Sports Complex], it was just as lively as in past years,” said...
Cabaret Night is Friday, May 1, Featuring Guest Artists Don Byron, Kenny Davis
Stage Band and Jazz Workshop are hard at work rehearsing—jazz lovers, get ready to enjoy! Plan to attend an amazing LIVE Cabaret Night performance by our Upper School Stage Band and Jazz Workshop ensembles tomorrow, Friday, May 1, at 7:00 PM in Hajjar Auditorium....
5th Grade Original Musical Highlights
Spring always brings an abundance of amazing live performances at D-E! Fifth Graders recently took center stage to present a set of three distinct shows for this year’s Fifth Grade Original Musicals (formerly known as the Fifth Grade Opera). What makes this event so...
Jazz Rock Assembly Highlights
D-E is still buzzing following last week’s highly anticipated Jazz Rock Assembly, directed by Mr. DeBellis with vocal coordination by Mr. Kacmar. The event featured almost a dozen riveting performances by student vocalists and instrumentalists, including “The Mighty...
STEM Symposium Spotlights Innovation in Action
The Emerging Technologies Club recently hosted a STEM Symposium for students in the Upper School and Middle School to share their passions and STEM knowledge with the school community. Club leader Jared Mosseri ’27 described the Symposium as “a great way to explore a...
D-E 360° Hosts 2nd Annual ChessFest
Our 2nd Annual D-E 360° ChessFest is in the books! More than 70 players from all over the region joined us in the STEM Building, including our own D-E Bulldog Chess Team. The daylong event balanced intense matches with casual blitz play with Grandmaster Mac Molner and...
D-E Celebrates Earth Week
In honor of Earth Week, the Upper School Environmental Club planned a series of events to raise awareness about sustainability practices. They also created a slide show of facts about climate change and simple ways to make a big difference that were displayed on the...
D-E Productions Nominated for Theatre Night Awards
Bravo! D-E Performing Arts is thrilled to announce that our musical production of CARRIE received 12 nominations and A Monster Calls, the Upper School Fall Play, received 11 nominations for Montclair State University’s annual Theatre Night Awards. The awards, known...
D-E Hosts the 2026 Student Summit on AI
The D-E Student Committee on Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), advised by Chief Innovation Officer Diana Gross, recently hosted the Student Summit on AI in the STEM Building. The event brought together students from schools such as Newark Academy and Kent Place “to...
Congrats to Cum Laude Society 2026 Honorees
Seniors from the Class of 2026 were recently honored for their academic achievements and community leadership in co-curricular endeavors, service, and other activities, at the D-E Cum Laude Society Induction Ceremony in Hajjar Auditorium. D-E Head of School Dr....