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.
Kindergarten Zoo Highlights
A beloved annual tradition returned to the Lower School (LS) when the Kindergarten Zoo was set up on Mr. Rocky’s Field by LS teachers Ms. Tricia Fiore, Ms. Kristina Dellefave, Ms. Teresa Cali, and Ms. Meghna Mathur. Enthusiastic kindergarteners, donning safari vests...
D-E Celebrates Commencement 2025
The mood was joyous and a little bittersweet as D-E’s graduating seniors, their families, faculty, and staff gathered beneath a white tent on Leggett Field for Commencement 2025 on June 1. This momentous event was called to order by Student Government President-Elect Max Koppelman ’26. The processional followed, with the graduates led into the tent by a pipe band and the playing of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” by the D-E Symphony Orchestra. …
End-of-Year All School Assembly Highlights
This morning Interim Head of School Preeti Fibiger P’24 welcomed the D-E student body, faculty, and staff to the End of Year All-School Assembly, which carried on the theme of ‘community’ from the first All-School Assembly earlier this year. The program began with...
Class of 2025 Wraps Up Year with Senior Selectives & More!
The end (of a chapter) is near for our graduating seniors! D-E’s Class of 2025 has had an active couple of weeks leading up to Commencement this Sunday, as part of their Senior Selectives trips and activities. “Selectives—senior + electives = selectives—are a time...
8th Grade Discovery Field Trip to PIX11
Hot off the presses! Students in 8th Grade Dean Ali Miller’s ‘In the News’ Discovery class recently got a sneak peek at a morning news broadcast during a field trip to WPIX (Channel 11), a TV station in New York City, followed by a tour of the United Nations. Ms....
Engineering Pioneer Speaks to Women in STEM; Sylvie Yao ‘27 Honored
Women in STEM Education (WISE) recently hosted Chitra Venkatraman, Co-Chair of Women in Engineering for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), who was on campus to present Sylvie Yao ’27 with the IEEE’s North Jersey Young Engineer Award....
Sixth Grade Experimental Design Fair Highlights
Sixth graders unveiled the results of weeks of scientific research, experimentation, and data analysis for the Sixth Grade Experimental Design Fair, which took place this morning in Hajjar Auditorium. “Through hands-on experiments, students have learned to ask...
“How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery”: Spring Theatre 2025 One Act Play Highlights
Senior Hannah Carroll ’25 recently presented her comedic one-act play, “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery,” to a packed Hulst House. The student director described the show as “a parody on the beloved murder mystery genre with references to Clue, Knives Out,...
8th Grade ‘Living Wax Museum’ Brings History to Life
The 8th grade Living Wax Museum, facilitated by Grade 8 English Department Faculty Mr. Gautham Akula and Ms. Amanda Burnett, showcased historical figures selected by our students. Each student dressed the part and gave a well-rehearsed presentation to parents,...
MAGIC 2025 Highlights
D-E’s school spirit was on full display recently at the Myrna B. Sherman Gym, where MAGIC happened! Rain kept the annual intramural competition indoors, but it didn’t dampen the sense of community beaming from the rafters. “Spirited, cheerful D-E is my favorite...