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!”
Asian American Pacific Islander Month Recognized
Did you know? May was Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month! To celebrate, our Upper School East Asian and South Asian Affinity Groups collaborated to make a “SkyBridge Wall Almanac”! Students researched a variety of flora, spices, and herbs that are culturally...
Yom Hashoah Recognized; Jewish Affinity @ D-E (JADE) Hosts Holocast Remembrance Assembly Programs
We had the honor and privilege of welcoming visiting presenter Sandy Rubenstein to D-E in conjunction with our Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance) Middle and Upper School Assembly programs. The programs were hosted by the JADE (Jewish Awareness at D-E) Club. Ms....
Observation of Eid Al-Fitr
This year, D-E officially observed Eid Al-Fitr on Wednesday, April 10. To then celebrate the holiday as a community, our Middle Eastern Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group hosted a fantastic faculty and staff lunch (presented in a beautifully-transformed Hajjar...
Middle School Diversity Day & Holi Recognition
In March, the Middle School celebrated Diversity Day, an all-day program hosted by the DEIB (Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging) Department. Students heard from speakers like Dr. Marsha Maxwell about the importance of inclusive AI and even saw an artificial...
DEIB Highlights
Our Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB), often in partnership with our Parent & Caregiver Affinity Groups (PCAGs), brought so many distinctive, valued communities of D-E into the spotlight this spring. From hosting insightful speakers to remembering important historical events and recognizing holidays, here’s to the efforts of so many to follow-through on our D-E mission statement in tangible, meaningful ways!
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon
classes, our faculty and staff remain on-campus for a final week in June to give closure to the academic year and prepare for the upcoming fall. This “advance days” time period then officially comes to an end with the annual Faculty & Staff Appreciation Lunch – a...
5th Grade Moving Up
The morning of Friday, June 10 welcomed beautiful sunny weather and a most auspicious event: our 5th Graders officially “moved up” and became rising 6th Graders! Parents, families, faculty/staff, Lower School (LS) students, and friends came to celebrate our eldest in...
8th Grade Moving Up
Our 8th Graders recently celebrated the bittersweet ending of their middle school years during the annual 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony. During the annual event, held under the big tent at twilight on Friday, June 10, students shared poignant personal reflections about...
Commencement 2024
With smiles and mortar board caps aplenty, and a record number of attendees as well, the D-E community gathered on Sunday, June 2 for Commencement for the Class of 2024. Dr. Ami Vaidya ’91, Board of Trustees President; Jeremy Meserole, Class of 2024 Dean; Aaron...
End of Year Celebrations
Early June is typically a bittersweet time at D-E, as we say goodbye and recognize students as they celebrate milestone events! Leggett Field was THE place to be for all our major end of year events including Commencement for the Class of 2024 and the 5th and 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies. Our annual Faculty & Staff Appreciation Lunch then wrapped-up the year for all D-E employees.
