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.
Spirit Week 2024 Kicks-Off with PJ Day!
The annual D-E tradition of Spirit Week continues again this year! Spirit Week 2024 kicked-off today with “PJ Day”! Students from all 3 divisions, along with faculty/staff as well, clearly embraced the theme of the day, attired in comfy PJs as well as bathrobes and...
Annual Breakfast Welcomes D-E Legacy Families
Dozens of D-E families gathered recently for the annual Legacy Breakfast! Our Legacy families are those with alumni who have children currently attending D-E. This year’s Legacy Breakfast followed tradition, with a child from each Legacy Family proudly introducing...
Student-athlete Skye Trainor ’28 Nominated for NJ.com’s Best Freshman Girls Soccer Athlete 2024
Congratulations to Skye Trainor ’28, who was nominated as one of the "Top 2024 Girls Soccer Freshmen” on NJ.com! Let’s ‘cheer’ it for Skye!
Celebrating Reunion Weekend 2024
Welcome back, Alumni! We’re looking forward to reconnecting with D-E alumni as well as current and former faculty members during this year’s Reunion Weekend, which kicks off with Kraut’s Running of the Bulldogs (a 5K and “Fun Run”) tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 19, at 9:00...
‘Antigone,’ the Upper School Fall Play: Our Directors’ Perspectives
To gear up for the debut of Antigone, the Upper School’s Fall Play, to be performed Nov. 7-9 in Hajjar Auditorium, we spoke to US Theater Director Robert Murphy and his staff about his vision for this Greek tragedy that has stood the test of time. Read about the...
US Assembly Features Special Guest U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer
During an Upper School Assembly earlier this week, the D-E Political Discussion Club hosted a panel talk with Josh Gottheimer, the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District and a D-E parent. Club members Asher Cohen ’25, Rebecca Kreynin ’25, and...
Backstage Perspective: D-E’s Adaptation of Antigone Aims to Be Timeless
Selecting Antigone, the Greek tragedy written by Sophocles around 441 BC, as D-E’s Upper School Fall Play was a collaborative effort. History Teacher Ben Fleisher, who teaches the text from Antigone to his Upper School classes, had approached the former director of...
Swartley Art Gallery Series Welcomes Alumna Soyoung Stephanie Moon ’13
D-E was thrilled to welcome back alumna Soyoung Stephanie Moon ’13, whose art is on display in Swartley Gallery now through Oct. 29. An optical artist, Stephanie guest lectured Upper School students on her painting technique, which uses tape as a tool to create the...
D-E Today Class Trips Recap
As part of a welcome tradition at D-E, the Middle School and Upper School embarked on class trips in September to kick off the school year, engage in the School’s sense of community, and broaden their horizons. Brian Merry, Grade 12 Dean, chaperoned seniors on a trip...
LPAG Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
It’s a fiesta! Latin beats recently filled the lobby of the STEM Center, as D-E’s Latino Parent Affinity Group (LPAG) hosted a lively Hispanic Heritage Month celebration for D-E families, faculty and staff. Event-goers danced, decorated cupcakes, and dined on...