Caroline Cook ’15: Episcopal is a school with many traditions, especially during the holiday season. Cheryl McLauchlan, Dean of the Junior class, sat down with Scholium to share some of these traditions. Every year we take part in a tree lighting ceremony with the tree in the middle school circle. The tree is small now, but in years time, as the tradition continues, it will grow, much like the trees seen as decoration in homes all over the world.
The Upper School sells candy canes that you can send to anyone, referred to as “Candy grams.” McLauchlan says the candy canes, which date back to the Merion campus days, “have been sold for about 15 years.” As for the faculty traditions, “I have always had a Secret Santa party for faculty who want to participate,” says McLauchlan, who also sets one up for the student council. The participants “each get a name and buy a toy that they think a faculty member would have liked when they were little.” All the teachers then donate these toys to the toy drive, which is sponsored by the junior class. Its purpose is to benefit those in need in the Philadelphia area.
To get students in the holiday spirit, all of the Upper School grades have a Christmas tree set up in their lounge. Each tree is decorated with ornaments that the students customize by adding their names. The trees get students into the holiday spirit while adding a sense of unity among their class.