Gavin Schmidt ‘24 | Aru Venugopalan ‘24
May Term, an interactive two-week course that students would normally engage in at the end of the school year, has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 restrictions. Michael Letts, Head of Upper School, says that the program is “an opportunity for students to really explore areas of interest in an unconventional academic way,” but planning it proved to be too difficult. Letts explains, “Unfortunately [May Term is] just not possible this year. We would have had to prepare a whole host of logistical things months ago to have it ready for May, and at that time, there was just no way to know if we could even do day trips off of campus.”
In the past, May Term has acted as a way for students to participate in activities and opportunities that they might not otherwise have been able to during the school year. Riley Thibodeau ‘23 comments, “May term is such a unique concept and something that I had always looked forward to as a younger student. I love the idea of being able to explore a new, specific interest without the stress of grades.” The program also offers ways for students to learn more about their world and help their greater community. Letts says, “I think it’s important for you guys [the students] to connect with the community and understand that you have responsibilities here. We want you to leave [EA] with an understanding that you have a commitment to the world around you and to making it a better place.”
In previous years, May Term trips have been the highlight of some students’ school years. Chris Lo ‘21 shares, “As a high schooler, you are always looking forward to that end of the year learning experience that is pretty unique to EA. I did Podcasting 101 my freshman year with Mr. Shapiro and Coach Kline, and it was extremely fun. I had a great group of friends doing it with me, and I got to meet other students that I wouldn’t otherwise have worked with normally.”
Some of the trips involved travelling out of the country. Letts explains, “In the past, I have taken two groups to India for service trips, and I have taken groups to South Africa for service trips as well.” Emily Staid ‘22 was disappointed by the news to cancel May Term, saying, “During middle school I always looked forward to the opportunities [May Term] gave students to travel and explore new places. I remember looking at people my freshman year going to Greece and places like New York and hoping that next year I could go on those trips and explore new or familiar places with my friends. However, I’m hopeful for our senior year as vaccinations and new studies on Corona are coming out which would potentially allow us to travel.”
Much of the community shares Staid’s sentiments about May Term’s cancellation. T.J. Locke, Head of School, comments, “The real bummer about this is that we usually have these great, life-changing experiences, and we just can’t do them. It is another year of adjusting, but I think we will be back to normal for 2021-2022.”
Underclassmen were especially upset, as they have never experienced it before. Jack Crowley ‘24 says, “Although travel is restricted due to COVID, I thought EA might create interesting courses on campus while following social distancing guidelines. Also, we started a week earlier than other schools, and with the disappointing cancellation of May term, we now have an extra two weeks.” Anika Kakarla ‘23 also notes, “My older brother [Nikhil Kakarla ‘20] always loved May term and before that, J Term. It seemed like a really cool opportunity to dive into an interesting topic. It’s really disappointing that we’re missing it again this year, but hopefully we will get to participate next year.”