Beyond the Classroom
There have been so many opportunities over the past few months for our students, faculty/staff, and families to enjoy learning experiences far beyond the confines of the classroom. This is all thanks to robust, exciting student life and community service initiatives. From our youngest students involved in Affinity Group-led diversity awareness assembly programs and being mentored in hands-on STEM workshops… to Middle and Upper School student leaders of clubs that are focused on the arts, identity, community service and specific interest areas … our mission is fully in action through D-E’s co-curricular offerings.
The D-E Garden Club, Jazz Rock, INSPIRE ( Introducing New Solutions to Promote Integrity & Respect Everywhere), WISE (Women in STEM Education), JADE (Jewish Awareness at D-E); GSA (Gender & Sexuality Awareness) and Spoonies ( a club dedicated to raising awareness about Chronic Illness) are just a few examples of clubs that have made a wonderful, positive impact on the School over the past few months.
The photos here provide just a sampling of these activities; please see the following pages for more specific examples of our students doing their part to ‘make it better’ through fundraising programs including V-Day 2023 and Art in Action, and affinity group activities celebrating differences.
1st Graders Present Annual Houses & Homes Assembly
Our 1st Graders’ Houses & Homes Assembly, a 25-year-old D-E Lower School (LS) tradition, took place earlier this week in the LS gym! For this annual labor of love, students work together to build a home that represents their assigned continent—Australia, South...
Sixth Grade Rome Day Highlights
When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Grade 6 students gave their Rome Day presentations in Hajjar Auditorium this week, following an immersive unit on the Roman Empire. “This showcase is the culmination of weeks of work by our 6th graders,” says Middle School History...
D-E 360° ACE Preps for HOPE Fashion Show on Saturday, April 5!
Future fashion designers are hard at work and having a ball getting ready for the HOPE Fashion Show on Saturday, April 5! A beloved annual event, this year’s show celebrates the theme “A Whimsical Fairy Tale,” and will once again feature original apparel, accessories,...
8th Graders Participate in NJ National History Day
Several D-E 8th Grade students became State qualifiers following a trip to Monmouth University in West Long Branch for the National History Day (NHD) regional contest! “NHD projects require students to choose a topic related to this year's NHD theme, ‘Rights and...
LEAD/VDay Club Members Support Local Women’s Rights Info. Center
D-E’s LEAD and VDAY students went on a service trip to the Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood to help clean their offices and basement for new donations. They spent the afternoon organizing clothing donations, disposing of trash and old furniture, and...
Award-Winning Interior Designer/Architect, Alumna Krista Ninivaggi ‘97 Visits D-E
D-E’s AXIS student organization was excited to welcome back alumna Krista Ninivaggi ’97, an award-winning Interior Designer and Architect, last week at the Swartley Art Gallery. Ms. Ninivaggi’s visit was coordinated with help from D-E Art & Design Department...
Eighth Graders Set Their Wheels in Motion for the Great Paper Roller Coaster Expo
What do dinosaurs, flames, space, Minecraft, and SpongeBob have in common? They are among the themes depicted in this year’s Great Paper Roller Coaster Challenge, which recently took place in the Middle School. The project, facilitated by 8th Grade Science Teacher Hyo Kim and 8th Grade Math & Science Teacher Julia Taazelar, challenges students to design a roller coaster marble run. Parents and some Lower School students had a chance to view the variety of designs as well as test the functionality of each roller coaster, marble in hand. Ms. Taazelar describes this as a capstone project for Grade 8 that puts to use what they’ve learned about the laws of motion and energy transformation. With this project, they’re able to “apply the skills they’ve learned theoretically into something that is practical and hands-on,” she says.
Ms. Kim adds that the project, in its fourth year running, is a way “to wrap up the curriculum on physics… that also teaches students about collaboration, as each person has a specific job.” As students described to their gathered audiences how the marble could represent both stored energy (potential) and energy in motion (kinetic), it was clear that the project met its aim of being both imaginative and educational. It’s another great example of innovation in action at D-E!
US D-EFAC March Madness FINAL BB Game / Learning about Research Fighting Cancer
Thirteen teams faced off last week during the D-E Fights Against Cancer (D-EFAC) club’s March Madness Basketball battle/fundraiser, which culminated in a Pink Out championship game where players and attendees were encouraged to wear pink. After two 10-minute halves,...
US Students Get Dog Therapy Ahead of PAW
In preparation for Projects & Assessments Week (PAW), our Upper School (US) students got some TLC from cute canines Marley, a Golden Retriever; Tashi, a Tibetan Lhasa Apso; and Dakota, a Newfoundland. The therapy dog visit was organized by members of D-E’s student...
US Varsity Robotics Team Critical Mass Preps for State!
D-E’s Upper School Varsity Robotics Team (207 Critical Mass) is looking forward to competing in the New Jersey State Championship on Sunday, March 16, where they hope to have a strong performance and connect with students and professionals in various sectors of...