Before coming to D-E, History Department Chair, Arika “Ari” Easley-Houser taught at Rutgers Prep and several colleges and universities, including Montclair State University and New York University. A socio-cultural historian focused on United States history, she received her Ph.D. from Rutgers University and a certificate in school management from the Harvard Business School. She was recently selected for a National Association of Independent Schools Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. Now in her third year of heading the department, Easley-Houser speaks to the importance of historical inquiry for students and how the history curriculum must reflect and respond to the diversity of students. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Happy Hanukkah from the Lower School & Jewish Parent Affinity
Happy Hanukkah & Holidays from Jewish Parent Affinity! Hanukkah this year began on December 7th and concluded on December 15th. “The Festival of Lights” commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by lighting candles on each night of the festival....
Steve Petkus Featured as Leggett-Umpleby 2023 Lecture Speaker: “How My Side Gig as a Writer Informs My Work at D-E”
Steve Petkus | Our 2023-2024 Umpleby-Leggett Scholar Lecturer Steve Petkus, D-E's Middle & Upper School Librarian, was chosen as this year's featured Leggett Umpleby 2023 Lecture speaker. The annual event, held this year on November 28 in Hajjar Auditorium, offers an...
A Look Back: Book Talk with Dr. Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett on “Navigating the Awkwardness of Puberty”
"This is So Awkward" with Dr. Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett Puberty is Awkward! Here's Where Parent Education Comes In We had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett to talk about their book, "This is So Awkward" over Zoom. Parents...
Calliope: A Crown Award Finalist!
Congratulations to Calliope 2023! | A Crown Award Finalist Cheers to Mr. Petkus & the 2023 Editors Here Ye, Here Ye! Cheers to Calliope! Congratulations to Calliope, our Upper School English-language literary/arts magazine, for receiving a Crown award for last...
A Recap on the 6th Grade 2nd Annual TREP$ Marketplace!
TREP$, short for enTREPreneur$, is aimed at students learning about the evolution of business start-ups and creating their own products and services. 6th Grade students underwent a two-month process in which they brainstormed ideas, developed marketing materials and...
Ambrose Proctor ’21, Swartley Gallery Exhibit: “Three of Hearts: On Nature, Friendship, & Art”
Our latest alumni artist featured in the Swartley Gallery is Ambrose Proctor ’21! Their exhibit: “Three of Hearts: On Nature, Friendship, & Art” explores the history of playing cards and visualizes how relationships with others can change. Biography Statement: Ambrose...
New to the D-E Scene! The Upper School Club Ice Hockey Team Makes Their Debut
Click Here We are proud to present our new Bulldog Ice Hockey Club! A new Upper School club sport, the Bulldogs have had not just one but two victorious games in a row! The Bulldogs’ first game was against Fieldston at the Mackay Arena. With the score tied 4-4, the...
A Look Back: Bergen Science Challenge 2023
In early June, we had members of the MS Research & Innovation Club head to Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, NJ to present at the Bergen Science Challenge. Led by club advisor and Innovation Coordinator, Ms. Colleen Larionoff, students worked alone or in pairs to...
STEM News: Cubes in Space!
Yes, you heard correctly! Cubes! in Space! Read about how D-E sent students to Virginia to send Cubes to Space! This past June, D-E's Innovation Coordinator Colleen Larionoff and 14 Middle School Students made a trip to RocketFest2023 at NASA's Wallops Virginia Flight...
LEAD Dialogue Dinners Promote Constructive DEIB Conversation
Now having nearly concluded one full year as a D-E DEIB-focused offering, the “Leaders for Equity and Diversity” (LEAD) Program has evolved into an opportunity for students to not only encourage more open communication about DEIB within the school community, but also...