Kaitlin Kan ’18, Isaac Zhang ’18: Unlike almost every other EA student and faculty member who sees Episcopal school life exclusively as a daytime activity, a few community members reside on campus for the entire day, viewing school as a 24/7 commitment. Dr. T.J. Locke, Head of School, Rev. James R. Squire, Upper School Chaplain, and Mark Notaro, Director of Facilities and Operations, reside in homes on the EA campus. Locke and Squire offered their insights on what proves to be a unique living position.
Both Locke and Squire commented on how on-campus living has heightened their ties to the EA community. Squire explained, “I can really get involved with the EA community in ways such as making sporting events, plays, and musicals. This allows me to truly feel the different pieces of the community.” Locke agreed, adding, “I’m just able to come to more events. If I want to catch half of a soccer game, I can do it. To live here, I can do shorter things and get to more places and cover more ground. I can meet more people, talk to more people, and be more a part of the life of the school.”
Photo Courtesy of Emily Wingfield ’18
On-campus living allows Locke and Squire to benefit the community that they are committed to, helping them to make Episcopal the place it is. “Living on campus has allowed me to be present in times of crisis, or if someone needs me immediately,” explained Squire. “The school is like a sleeping baby and you never know when it will wake up and need some help.” Additionally, “Because my house is on campus, we are using it for more and more events. We had a new parent event at my house and I think there is a difference between holding an event in a foyer somewhere and having it at my home.” According to Squire, “We had 200 people come to my house. It felt like you were invited into someone’s home, which is really the feeling I want for people who go to this school; it should feel like a family; it should feel warm and connected, so the house helps to do that on campus.”
Due to this special opportunity to live on campus, Locke and Squire have unique insights about their surroundings. Squire stated, “There is so much wildlife on campus. There could be twelve deer on my front lawn at one time. On the cross-country course, which essentially runs through my backyard, there are an incredible amount of lightning bugs to the point at which it is surreal.”
Squire explained that he also enjoys being a part of a suburban community. He continued, “In the Neighborhood, as we call it, you always have to drive slowly because there are always kids and dogs running around.” For Locke, living on campus has given him an active family life. “For me, to be able to maintain a good family life and be a good husband and father, it’s really nice for me to slip home quickly to see my family or to have a quick bite to eat or to check in on them, and then get right back to an event.”
Squire concluded, “Living on campus has truly been a gift to me and my family.”