Dear Upper School Families,

Good afternoon! I hope everyone enjoys a restful weekend. With the end of the year fast approaching, students enjoyed another busy week in the Upper School.

On Monday, 11th grade students took part in their Day of Service, while 9th, 10th, and 12th grade students participated in a variety of programming, including interview skills, financial literacy, college counseling, social media training and awareness, and mindfulness exercises and stress relief. This coming Thursday, our 10th grade students will have their chance to serve our greater community during their Day of Service. While these special days may interrupt our typical rhythm, providing our students with both the opportunity to serve others and to take part in important ancillary programs and education is incredibly important. Time is certainly tight, but I believe these mornings are so important to their overall health and development. 

On Tuesday, we were honored to host Dr. Po-Shen Loh, a social entrepreneur, educational researcher, and math professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Loh's energy and passion for encouraging broad-based education focused on preparing students to problem solve and follow their intellectual curiosity was both infectious and well-received. It truly was a pleasure to hear from him, and his message is one that our students can't hear enough. Thank you to the Clare Foundation and Hinton Family for continuing to bring in great speakers like Dr. Loh through our STEM Speaker Series.

Then, Thursday brought about our exciting 2nd Annual STEMposium, where students from all divisions showcased their work for both the EA community and guests attending our Spring Open House. Work from our PJAS participants, Lilley Independent Study fellows, Computer Science Department, some of our Upper School Clubs, and our Robotics program (to name a few!) was on display for students of all ages. As usual, it was both incredibly impressive and highly informative. A huge thank you to the Science, Math, and Computer Science departments for the support they provide the students and the work they put into putting this great annual event together.

Looking to next week, a few quick reminders:

• Our spring athletics teams are having an amazing season so far! Come out and 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!

I hope to see many of you at our US Choral Concert tonight in the Class of 1944 Chapel at 7 p.m.!

Enjoy your weekend,
Mike

_______

Calendar Events:

April 19: US Spring Choral Concert, 7 p.m., Class of 1944 Chapel
April 22: US Awards Chapel
April 22-26: Celebration of the Arts Week
April 23: Deadline for All-School Cradles to Crayons Collection
April 23: EAPA Spring Fling (Spring Sports Night), 4:30-6:30 p.m.
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 25: 10th Grade Day of Service
April 26: ArtsFest
April 30: 9th Grade Day of Service
May 2: Episcopal Academy Golf Tournament, Radnor Valley Country Club
May 3: Order Deadline for EAPA Spring Flower Sale (pickup on May 9)
May 3-4: EA Alumni Weekend
May 3-4: The Domino Club Presents Pippin, Carrafiell Family Theater tickets go on sale April 19
May 6: Ordering Deadline for 2023-2024 US Tabula Yearbook
May 6-9: US Review Week
May 6-17: AP Exams
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: US Reading Day
May 13-17: US Exams
May 16: EAPA Spring Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Lowry House
May 17: US 2nd Semester Ends
May 20-30: US May Term
May 24: US Spring Sports End
May 27: Memorial Day; School Closed