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 (he composed the music for CARRIE: The Musical), sent this heartfelt message to our incredible cast and crew: “Along with my other collaborators—Lawrence D. Cohen, who wrote the book, and Dean Pitchford, who wrote the lyrics—we wanted to reach out to wish all of you a successful run this weekend. I hope you’ve had as good a time working on our show as we had writing it… it feels like a gift in this full circle moment that you guys are doing CARRIE at the very school that gave me four wonderful years and helped prepare me for both Yale University and the world beyond. Break a leg tonight and know that my colleagues and I are thinking of you and sending all our best!” Don’t miss your chance to see CARRIE.

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, Chia, a service-dog-in-training and the 17th dog she has raised. Caryl answered questions from inquisitive students, such as how long it takes to train a pup (18 months) and what happens when a dog doesn’t graduate (the puppy raiser will keep the dog as a pet), and demonstrated the commands Chia had learned so far. Second Grade Teacher Ms. Dijkstra connected with Caryl years ago in Englewood and invited her to speak to her class about the organization. According to Ms. Dijkstra, this year will be the 15th year Canine Companions has visited second graders. “It has been such a meaningful experience for our students, who have a greater understanding of people with physical and mental disabilities and how these service dogs help them,” said Ms. Dijkstra. “Older students see Caryl on campus each spring out and about in Englewood and still say hello to her.” Paws up for Caryl and her four-legged heroes!

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, racial justice, and literacy activists, respectively. Students also shared stories about female leaders they know and are inspired by, including author Lady Lee Andrews (a pen pal of Karissa V. ’35); Bhawna Garg (aunt of Samara S. ’33), who works in the Indian civil service; and Dr. Neeta Chitkara, an infectious disease specialist (grandmother of Zayn C. ’35 and Simran C. ’38). In the Upper School, Club Être co-hosted its Women’s History Month Assembly with Women of Color Affinity (WoCA), AURA (Actively Understanding Reproductive Autonomy), WISE (Women in STEM Education), and Women in Finance.  Daniela Hochstadt ’28, co-leader of Club Être, said the assembly’s goal was “to connect the D-E Girl Groups to celebrate Women’s History Month and highlight important women’s issues today.” Students who answered trivia questions correctly on topics such as the 19th Amendment received “The Epic Mentor Guide,” by Être founder and D-E alumna Illana Raia ’86. Presenters also discussed current events that are examples of women’s accomplishments being diminished and devalued even today (the U.S. Men’s Hockey viral video) and how we can ensure a culture of equity exists at D-E. The day concluded with a ‘period cramp simulator’ activity with the Discover Medicine club. Club co-leader Piper Rosenberg ’26, noted, “This activity is a great opportunity to experience what a period is like; offering it concurrently with recognizing Women in History Month also made a lot of sense.” Here’s to honoring all the women who shaped history and those who move it forward as leaders, innovators, and trailblazers!