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!”
“Turning Points in History”: 8th Graders Compete in NJ National History Contest
More than 20 of our 8th grade students went to Monmouth University recently to compete in the NJ National History Contest! This year’s theme was on “turning points in history”. Projects included exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites, and papers. Six (6)...
Ice Hockey Club Wraps Up Inaugural Season
D-E’s Ice Hockey Club Team recently wrapped up their first season with great hopes for the future! The team’s final game, against the Green Knights of St. Joe’s, was held at a very foggy Mackay Arena (Englewood). Despite some injured players, the Bulldogs fought hard,...
Regionals Success for Odyssey of the Mind (OM) Teams!
Teams from both D-E's Upper School (US) and Lower School recently competed in the regional Odyssey of the Mind (OM) Tournament, both learning and succeeding along the way! Congratulations to our US Structure Team, for taking 1st Place in their division with a...
8th Grade Paper Roller Coaster Expo
That’s how we roll! This year's 8th Grade class constructed 24 marvelous paper roller coasters made of cardstock, tape, and imagination… learning hands-on about physics, programming, circuitry, and more in the process! Students were split into teams and worked...
D-E Model UN Meets Success @ NAIMUN!
Congratulations to all our D-E Model UN (MUN) members on their success at NAIMUN! Convened at Georgetown University, NAIMUN is the largest Model UN conference on the East Coast. Over 3000 delegates participated in NAIMUN XLI last month. Despite the intensity of the...
BRAVO to our Upper School Musical Cast & Crew
BRAVO to the Company of the Upper School Musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”! The cast and crew recently wrapped up a wonderful weekend of live performances and clearly D-Elighted their appreciative audiences. We also look forward to the next live...
Opening Tonight! “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” US Musical
Opening Night is finally here! After months of hard work, D-E Performing Arts proudly presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” - the Upper School Musical! Showtimes are TONIGHT, Friday, March 1 (7 PM) and Saturday, March 2 (2 PM & 7 PM). This is a...
Upper School Robotics Teams Qualify in League Tournament, Heading to State Championship!
WOW & WAY TO GO BULLDOGS ‘BOTS! Our Upper School (US) Robotics Teams, Team 207 Critical Mass and Team 13048 Absolute Zero, competed recently in their League Tournament at Emerson Jr/Sr High School, against 18 other Bergen County teams. After qualification matches...
My Mind Matters Therapy Dog Event
With “PAW” (Projects & Assessments Week) coming up next week, the Upper School Club, My Mind Matters, hosted a therapy dogs event for Upper School students yesterday! The two therapy dogs Oscar and Thor made themselves comfortable in Hulst House, while students...
Club Etre Recognizes Women’s History Month
To recognize the upcoming Women’s History Month (in March), our Club Être Club hosted an informative assembly about the month’s significance. We learned about the International Women’s Day (March 8) and the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), and we did...
