The genesis of “Beyond Empire” comes from a personal place. As a first-generation American of Trinidadian immigrants, who came to the US amidst Trinidad’s independence from the UK, Stephen Bailey finds that it is imperative to trace these stories. The central questions of the course ask, “What is it to move beyond empire? How do people understand themselves in a new context? How do you reacquire or reinvent yourself?” What underlies the curriculum is the belief that through investing in the literary worlds of other cultures, students can be world scholars and compassionate readers.
Stephen emphasizes reading a breadth of literary styles like poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc. to think critically about how language is used. With challenging material from authors and playwrights like Tayeb Salih and Lynn Nottage, Stephen asks for courage from both his students and himself; the courage to ask hard questions and to listen to different voices and opinions. “That is where true inquiry begins!”
Sixth Grade Identity Unit Culminates With Food Festival
In a culmination of the Sixth Grade Food & Identity Unit that began two weeks ago, students recently presented their hard work across their MESH (Math, English, Science, and History) classes to D-E families in Hajjar Auditorium. The presentations were followed by...
Swartley Gallery Presents the “AP Art Gallery Wall”
The Swartley Gallery Series’ latest exhibit is the traditional “AP Art Gallery Wall,” featuring the work of AP Studio Art students, on view now through Thursday, Feb. 5. A variety of mediums are represented from Emma Baumgarten ’26, Lily Berger ’26, Celia Binn ’26,...
MS Show Choir Concert “Workshops” Edgar Allen Poe
Families and friends of our Middle School (MS) Show Choir recently experienced a workshop-style live concert centered on the works of famed writer Edgar Allan Poe. Director Olivia Lionetti shared with the audience that the performance, titled "The Tales & Tunes of...
Emerging Technologies Club Partners With Women’s Information Center to Teach Digital Skills
Members of the Upper School’s Emerging Technologies (ET) Club recently organized a workshop on teaching key digital tools at the Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood after learning there was a need for this training in the community. “As a club centered on...
2nd Semester Kicks-Off; Seniors Celebrate Their Last Semester
We’re halfway through the school year! Our dedicated D-E Parents’ Association helped our Middle and Upper School students celebrate the start of the second semester this week with blue and gold balloon displays, uplifting signs, and a visit from Ace the Bulldog....
INSPIRE Multicultural Showcase Assembly Highlights
This morning in Schenck Auditorium, the Upper School (US) INSPIRE club, which provides a collaborative space for D-E’s diverse community, hosted its annual Multicultural Showcase Assembly. INSPIRE was founded in 2010 by Ms. Rivera Murphy ’11, Dean of Student Life,...
Field Trip Helps 7th Graders Connect a Science Lesson to Real Life
Seventh graders recently took a field trip to the world-renowned Cold Spring Harbor Lab, in Laurel Hollow, New York. Mr. Larrowe P’30, P’32, 7th Grade Science Teacher, and Mr. De Los Santos, 7th Grade Math/Science Bridge Teacher, organized the trip, which was designed...
Don’t Miss the MS Show Choir Concert!
Rehearsals are in full swing for the Middle School Show Choir as they prepare for their annual winter concert a week from today! The vocal ensemble has catchy tunes, rhythmic beats, and dazzling dance moves in store for its big performance on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 7:00...
D-E Celebrates the Legacy of MLK
D-E honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. across divisions. During the Lower School (LS) Assembly on Wednesday, students from each LS grade spoke beautifully about how MLK’s dream of racial harmony and equal justice connects to our School’s core values of community,...
National History Day 2026 Highlights
Our eighth-grade students nailed their National History Day (NHD) presentations! NHD projects require students to choose a topic related to a specific theme and conduct research, write a thesis, and create a project that supports their historical argument, shared Mr....
