Dear Middle School Families,

The 6th grade students had a proverbial blast this week. Between the experiential learning they did in their A-Term courses and their whirlwind tour of Boston, students learned a tremendous amount while having a good time. Be sure to check out the highlights of their Boston trip!

On Tuesday, The Clare Foundation and Hinton Family STEM Speaker Series featured Dr. Po-Shen Loh, a social entrepreneur, educational researcher, and math professor at Carnegie Mellon University. In an extremely energetic and engaging format, Dr. Loh addressed Middle School students during a special assembly and shared some of his experiences as a social entrepreneur. He offered several messages that resonated with EA’s ethos as a school, including an exhortation for students to look for ways to have a positive impact on the world around them. Dr. Loh explained how students using his platform “like” and upvote comments that offer helpful explanations and thus promote prosocial behavior in a digital environment. EA students took full advantage of the opportunity to ask impressive questions about Dr. Loh’s projects and AI in general, and students in STEM class had a chance to extend their conversations in smaller groups.

This week, Middle School students enjoyed the 2nd annual STEMposium. Upper School students showcased the work that they have done in science, math, technology, and engineering during presentations in the Maple Family Hall. Two of our Middle School students were also able to participate and presented along with their Upper School counterparts. Seventh grader Yashvi Kiran shared her work on the impacts of plastics on the environment and 7th grader Sophie McGarry presented her experiment on the impact of age on memory. Middle Schoolers also had the opportunity to participate in special STEM-themed activities during Sports Block on Thursday afternoon.

In Chapel this week, Rev. P. caught our attention with a track metaphor and video about the all-important home stretch. After viewing the stunning 1972  Munich Olympics come-from-behind performance of 800 meter runner Dave Wattle, Rev. P counseled students to remember to kick through to the end of the year and continue to embody the high expectations we have for them. On Wednesday, Fr. Tim and Rev. P spoke about the importance of service and asked 8th graders to reflect on last week’s Day of Service and asked 7th graders to keep their messages in mind for their Day of Service today.

Students are indeed finishing the school year strong. Third trimester interim reports will be available for you to read on Tuesday, April 23, at 4 p.m.; I will send an email with instructions for accessing them.

Save the date for the Awareness Walk for Mental Health on Saturday, May 11, from 2-4 p.m. This event is sponsored by members of Student Council, Vestry, EQV, Mind Matters, QSA and The Domino Club. Learn more and register here.

Please also take note of the following:

• We will have an Earth Day Dress Down Day on Monday, April 22. 
   
• All are invited to celebrate our student-athletes during the EAPA Spring Fling (Spring Sports Night) on Tuesday, April 23.
   
• Donations of new or gently used items are still being accepted for our All-School Cradles to Crayons Collection through Tuesday, April 23. Thank you for your support.
   
• We will have a delayed 9 a.m. opening on Wednesday, April 24, to allow our academic departments to meet.
   
• You're invited to join Head of School Dr. T.J. Locke and Gary Bridge, EA's consulting partner, on Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. for the EA Parent Survey Results Webinar. Hear an overview of the results and valuable feedback that parents shared through the fall 2023 survey. Register here.
   
• Next Friday, April 26, from 12:45-2:45 p.m., we are excited to showcase the artistic and musical talents of students in all divisions during our annual ArtsFest. All are invited to this community-wide celebration! (Middle School will have a Dress Down Day this day as well.)

Have a wonderful weekend,
Laurie

_______


Stripe of the Month:

The Stripe of the Month for April is Courtesy.


Calendar Events:

April 22: Dress Down Day: Earth Day
April 22: Passover Begins
April 22-26: Celebration of the Arts Week
April 24: MS/US Delayed Opening, 9 a.m.
April 24: EA Parent Survey Results Webinar, 6:30-7:30 p.m. register
April 25: Nothing but Blue Skies for Horizons, 7-10 p.m., Ballroom at Ellis Preserve tickets
April 26: ArtsFest; MS Dress Down Day
April 30: MS Electives Fair
May 1: STEM Speaker Patrice Banks
May 2: Episcopal Academy Golf Tournament, Radnor Valley Country Club
May 3: 6th Grade Day of Service
May 3: Order Deadline for EAPA Spring Flower Sale (pickup on May 9)
May 3-4: EA Alumni Weekend
May 8: MS/US Spring Instrumental Concert, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Carrafiell Family Theater
May 9: EAPA Spring Flower Sale Pickup, 2-4:30 p.m., Dixon Athletic Center Minnick Porch
May 10: 8th Grade Dance, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
May 15: MS Spring Choral Concert, 7 p.m., Class of 1944 Chapel
May 16: Athletics Speaker
May 17: MS Music in the Parks
May 17: MS Spring Sports End
May 20: MS Spring Sports Assembly
May 21: MS Recognition Assembly
May 22: 8th Grade Emperor Debate
May 24: MS Barbecue