We’re so grateful to our Middle Eastern Parent Affinity Group, who generously hosted a D-Electable Eid al-Fitr Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch recently in Hajjar Auditorium! Members of the D-E community sampled a variety of Mezza dishes such as spinach and meat pies,...
For the recent annual Middle School (MS) Diversity Day, now in its 6th year, MS students at D-E spent the day attending special activities and a variety of community-building workshops on topics of interest to D-E faculty/staff and affinity groups. MS Principal Jonathan Davis said it’s an event that is “grounded in our mission of meeting the challenges of a changing world and making it better.” The day began in Schenck Auditorium with guest speaker Eboné Bell, a prominent media figure who advocates for LGBTQ women, who spoke on creating intentional change. Students then dispersed to attend two of 16 available workshops, which included sessions on European folk songs, spoken word poetry, piñata making, hamantaschen baking, and the origin of beans. There was also a yoga class, a global dance party, an Advisory scavenger hunt, and a jubilant Holi celebration on Graham Field to wrap up the day. “Middle School is all about finding your place in the world and creating your own identity,” expressed Mr. Davis. “This is an opportunity for our students to know who they are and to give others the space to be who they are.”
This week the Upper School (US) INSPIRE student organization, focused on identity and culture, hosted a Multicultural Showcase. INSPIRE leaders Asher Cohen ’25, Musashi Shabazz ’25, Maya Jarrett ’25, and Cameron Gennardo ’26 gave opening remarks introducing the eight...
The celebration of South Asian culture continued this week during the Middle School (MS) Assembly, where the focus was on India and the diversity within its 28 states. Following a lovely rendition of the national song of India, students learned about Bollywood (it...
Namaste! Lower School students enjoyed a South Asian Culture Exhibit today in Hajjar Auditorium, with interactive stations where they could explore the arts, jewelry, clothing, and artifacts of India and surrounding countries. They had a chance to color mandalas, get...
February is Black History Month, and D-E celebrated with a series of events—from Upper School (US) Assembly performances—to a BHM Exhibit in Hajjar Auditorium for Lower School and Middle School (LS/MS) students. The exhibit featured 15 different sections that highlighted Black contributions in the arts, entrepreneurship, architecture, and more. In the Lower School, students participated in activities including drawing their favorite Black heroes throughout history. In addition, during the MS Assembly this morning, students listened intently to portions of “A Ballerina’s Tale,” a documentary on Misty Copeland’s historic achievement as the first Black principal dancer of a major ballet company. “We celebrate all the people who worked incredibly hard to achieve success when the odds are against them,” explained DEIB Assistant Director Simone Henry Agblonon. “The takeaway is to get to know people as individuals.” Fourth grader Camryn T. ’33, who attentively walked around the LS/MS exhibit, said she loved seeing the poster boards featuring Black people represented in so many different categories. She exclaimed, “Black people can change the world!”
In celebration of Black History Month, the Black Affinity student organization presented an Upper School assembly highlighting Black people in music and entertainment. In his opening remarks, Black Affinity leader Pape Toure ’25 shared that this assembly “centers on...
A recent Upper School (US) Assembly, presented by the Eastern European Culture Club, a newly formed D-E student organization, centered on understanding Eastern Europe. The timing of the assembly was chosen deliberately, says club co-founder/leader Len Glozman ’25, to...
The Jewish Parent Affinity Group (JPAG) recently hosted a meaningful Shabbat Dinner in the Wharton Lessin Dining Hall to share the traditions of Shabbat, feast on a D-Elightful spread from Chef Alex’s team, and celebrate the D-E community. “We were joined by...
The sixth grade Identity Unit, for which the theme was how we are what we eat, culminated recently with a presentation in Hajjar Auditorium and a food festival in the Wharton Lessin Dining Hall. More than 30 tables displayed sweets, savories, and beverages, from Indian samosas to Puerto Rican coquito, representing students’ cultures and family traditions. “Every student had a role in the celebration, including reading parts of their work, sharing the process, or showcasing part of their project,” says Ms. Sarah Macone, Grade 6 English Teacher. Cayla R. ’31 says the English project was her favorite because, “I wrote about how my grandma had taught me how to make matzah ball soup and how we have made it together every Passover for as long as I can remember.” Of the unit, Cole M-H. ’31 says, “It was surprising how many cultures and ethnicities we have at D-E, yet we all work together as one collective community.” Cheers to all our sixth graders!