Meredith (“Mimi”) Garcia had the unique challenge of teaching “Apocalyptic Lit” amidst the COVID-19 hybrid year. Still, the central questions of the course remained, “Will the apocalypse bring total annihilation, transcendence, bloodthirsty zombies, or all of the above? Will it bring people together or tear them apart?” As a medium, fiction allows for distance from both the material and reality, enough to critically engage with the text. Despite the fantastical, sci-fi qualities to apocalyptic literature, Mimi stresses that each text, from The Walking Dead to Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, speak to questions of human nature and of hope.
Mimi’s new course offering, “Globalization, Literature, & Film”, investigates how globalization and media have come to shape each other and our everyday lives. The course utilizes films like Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon (1950) and Walter Salles’ Motorcycle Diaries (2004) to discuss how politics, history, and cross-cultural encounters come to manifest in film. Mimi notes that the entire film industry and how we have come to watch film also plays a role in how we analyze and reflect on the relationship between literature and media—to be both critical of the past and the present.
Fourth Grade UN Field Trip Fosters Global Understanding
During a recent field trip to the United Nations (UN), fourth graders expanded their understanding of global citizenship and international cooperation. They learned about refugees, who they are, why people are forced to leave their homes due to war or persecution, and...
US Odyssey of the Mind Team Heading to State Finals
Cheers to our Upper School (US) Odyssey of the Mind Team, which recently competed in a regional tournament and earned entry to the State Finals. Odyssey of the Mind, a student-led competition, bridges STEAM and the performing arts. The team took first place in the...
Middle School Celebrates Diversity Day
The Middle School recently hosted its annual Diversity Day, facilitated by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The program sets aside scheduled classes for the day to engage students in presentations, workshops, and other activities that...
US Robotics Team to Compete in State Competition
Our Bulldog ‘Bots are State bound! Upper School (US) Robotics students recently competed at the Bergen County League Tournament at Emerson Junior-Senior High School. During the qualification rounds, Critical Mass, our Varsity Team, ranked No. 2, and Absolute Zero, our...
D-E 360° Piano and Flute Students Perform a MasterClass
Music to our ears! A few of our Lower School (LS) students recently participated in a Piano and Flute MasterClass in the LS Music Room with music teachers Karen Littlefield and John Littlefield. “MasterClass is a supportive, small-group learning experience in which...
AP Psych Partners With the LS in a Lesson on Cognitive Development
In what’s become a cross-divisional tradition, the AP Psychology class of Dr. Carragher (“Dr. C”), Human Development Chair, visited the Lower School for a fun experiment that tested Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Upper School students were partnered...
D-E Celebrates March Madness, Raises Money for CancerCare
Way to go, Bulldogs! The Dwight-Englewood Fights Against Cancer (D-EFAC) club hosted its annual March Madness basketball tournament last week, raising almost $1,775 for the CancerCare organization, which provides free professional support services and information for...
CARRIE Composer (and Alumnus) Michael Gore ‘69 Sends Meaningful Message to US Cast/Crew
It’s not too late to reserve your tickets to CARRIE! Remaining performances are tonight, March 6, at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, March 7, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Award-winning composer Michael Gore ESB ’69, an alumnus of D-E with an extraordinary connection to the production...
Second Graders Learn About Canine Companions Service Dogs
Puppy power! This week the Lower School’s second graders got a visit from Caryl Swain, the Vice President of the New Jersey Chapter of Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization that trains and places service dogs. “Puppy raiser” Caryl brought her golden labrador,...
Celebrating Women’s History at D-E
This week the D-E community commemorated Women’s History Month in March across divisions. In the Lower School, students were introduced to young women initiating change, including Xiye Bastida, Jasilyn Charger, Mari Copeny, and Adora Svitak, who are environmental,...