Rohan Rajogopalan ’14: Episcopal Academy conducted a test of the emergency mass communication system on November 25th at 6:00 PM. The school sent out a pre-recorded message to the home and cell phones of most members of the Episcopal community currently within the communication system. Over 3,700 people received the message between 6:00 and 6:35 PM. 657 text messages were also sent out the next morning. The security staff conducted a survey after the test and found that almost 80% of people received the message on one of their phones. Joe Shanahan, Manager of Campus Safety, described the test as “a…
Author: TECHALERT
Wilson Smerconish ’16: In light of an upcoming external department review, the Upper School English department is considering supplementing or perhaps substituting the current AP English seminars with a fully-credited AP English course. For years the English Department has discussed changing the AP English seminar program, offered to fifth form students, in order to cater to student needs. With an external department review coming during the winter season, the Upper School English office is considering this change now more than ever. Christopher McCreary, Chair of the English Department, stated that, “Every few years teachers or professors from outside the school will…
Kendra Williams ’16: The Episcopal Academy Upper School has implemented a new semester exam schedule and midyear course review activities as a result of the absence of midterm exams this year. Sarah Baker, Member of the Upper School English Department and VI Form Dean, clarified that exams for one semester courses “will be held on December 19th.” Students “will take those exams in the morning, and then they’ll rejoin their classmates after the exam.” Moreover, students who are only enrolled in yearlong courses, will go to class as usual. Dr. Delvin Dinkins, Head of Upper School, added, “Two-thirds of semester exams…
Kendra Williams ’16: The Episcopal Academy Upper School has implemented a new semester exam schedule and midyear course review activities as a result of the absence of midterm exams this year. Sarah Baker, Member of the Upper School English Department and VI Form Dean, clarified that exams for one semester courses “will be held on December 19th.” Students “will take those exams in the morning, and then they’ll rejoin their classmates after the exam.” Moreover, students who are only enrolled in yearlong courses, will go to class as usual. Dr. Delvin Dinkins, Head of Upper School, added, “Two-thirds of semester exams…
Sam Niu ’15, Eunice Ju ’15: A new traffic light has been set up at the intersection of Route 252 and Sawmill Road in conjunction with the new Liseter housing development being built off of Route 252. Mark Notaro, Episcopal Academy’s Director of Plant and Operations, stated that the light will be “a way to control [Route 252] traffic especially in the morning rush hour, allowing the people to get in and out of the development”. Because Route 252 is a busy road which many students use to travel to and from school, Notaro believes that the light “may make the commute…
Grant Plotkin ’16, Isabella Sanchez ’16: As a tribute to Ham Clark, former Head of School, the area outside the Middle School main entrance is in the process of being transformed into a plaza of stone. Mark Notaro, Director of Facilities and Operations, explained, “We are building a plaza, between the [Class of 44] Chapel and Middle School as a way to honor Mr. Clark and his service to Episcopal.” Planning for the construction of this dedication began in the spring of the 2012-2013 school year. It will include a circular seating area and is to be surrounded by trees and flowers.…
Grant Plotkin ’16: The Episcopal Academy entered into a new partnership with NXTsports, which will run athletic external affairs, managing athletic facilities and programs on campus. Andrew Hayes, former Upper School Biology teacher and EA’s current Head Lacrosse Coach, oversees this partnership as the founder and CEO of NXTsports. Founded in 2010, NXTsports “is a youth sports education and management company,” whose mission is to “create the most innovative sports education programs and execute industry-leading events at exceptional venues,” said Hayes. According to Hayes, “NXTsports’ main goal [at Episcopal] is to manage the facilities and help our varsity coaches develop their…
Sam Niu ’15, Eunice Ju ’15, Sarah Wingfield ’17: The Episcopal Academy student body will be honored with the “Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award” at the upcoming 28th Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Gala on November 20th. The Gala, hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, seeks to recognize “service by an individual or group of young people who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy.” The Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award will be the second award honoring the Episcopal Academy service program since its inception nearly thirty years ago.…
John Flynn’14: The admissions office at Episcopal has observed changes in the applicant pool since the move to the Newtown Square campus, according to Rachel Tilney, Head of Admissions. Currently, the Upper School is the largest that it has ever been. Not only are freshman class sizes increasing, with this year’s class at 135 students, but attrition is much lower so classes are remaining large. Middle school classes average about 90 students, and freshman and sophomore classes consist of around 135. With only about 45 spots to fill and so many applications, Rachel Tilney, Head of Admissions, said, “we turn away…
Isabella Sanchez ’16, Kendra Williams ’16: The Common Application for college admissions underwent changes last spring with new essay questions that raised concerns about its effects on the application process. Seniors now have to choose between five specific essay questions. However, Matthew Essman, Head of the College Guidance department, clarified that “There haven’t been many complaints about the Common App. I think people were just getting a little nervous about the changes.” Pertaining to students, Essman explained, “The biggest change was in the series of essays questions. Prior to this change it had a ‘topic of your choice’ option allowing students…
Christina Chambers ’16, Isabella Sanchez ’16: Hundreds of people rallied together in support of Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance in its fifth annual Ride Ataxia cycling race in Philadelphia. The festivities held on October 13th allowed 475 total cyclists to participate, racing on a variety of courses, along with a great number of spectators. The event welcomed all skill levels with the option of a five, ten, twenty-five or even fifty-mile race. Cyclists managed to raise thousands of dollars for the Freidreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance works to raise awareness, fund research, and improve the quality of life…
Alli Camp ’14: As I stepped back onto the campus where I started my Episcopal Academy journey, I was expecting to see the Merion Campus as I remembered it: EA/Haverford paraphernalia strewn about, half emptied packs of chews hidden in various nooks, and flyers for “OPEN MIC NIGHT: join us on the first floor of the Annenberg Library!” I wanted to see the old senior star under the seemingly ancient Oak tree. I wanted to see the grimy carpet that covered the Academic building’s floor. And I definitely wanted to see our old chapel and feel the grandeur walking through the intricately carved wooden doors with colored warmth on my back from the stain-glass windows. However, none…
Alex Archambault ’14: You sit down to do your math homework, look down at the page and gulp. If only you had taken better class notes. If only you had not been distracted right as the teacher taught the formula that would solve those problems. So what do you do? Recently, more students have looked towards online resources such as Kahn Academy for assistance. Khan Academy and the like are useful supplements for studying or obtaining a better grasp of material covered quickly in class. Kahn Academy was founded by Sal Khan in 2006. According to the Khan Academy website, Sal…
Taryn Gallagher ’14, Meredith McCarthy ’14: Teachers at EA are some of the most well-educated, passionate, and caring in their fields. They know how to challenge students to work to the best of their ability: they also keep challenging themselves. This semester, three Upper School teachers, Thomas Goebeler and Tanuja Murray, both members of the math department, and Michael Leslie, woodworking and photography teacher are switching positions as they themselves become students at EA Goebeler is taking Mr. Memmo’s yearlong Introduction to Computer Science course that covers the fundamentals of programming in Java software. Goebeler explained, “I no longer know relevant programming languages and I want to be more conversant with…
Alexa D’Ambrosio ‘17, Sonam Saxena ‘17: “Ask me why I’m bald,” reads a pin sported by Matt Lake, member of the technology department who currently supports the St. Baldrick’s foundation. The foundation, which collects funds for pediatric cancer research, has skyrocketed over the past decade. Lake’s was one of thousands of heads shaved at similar events this year. In his usual cheery manner, Lake relayed, “There was a lot of humor at the event: there’s no ‘St. Baldrick’ that I know of; it’s just a funny sounding name that emphasizes the fact we were all getting bald. We had a lot of fun afterwards pointing to people with respectable…
In light of recent events, Scholium decided to discuss whether or not Episcopal should be involved in off campus disciplinary issues. While the paper recognizes that the school does posess the right to do so, the Scholium staff was split in opinion as to whether or not EA should exercise such a right. As such, instead of writing a single staff editorial, Scholium felt the need to provide arguments to both sides of the matter and leave the reader to come to his/her own conclusion. What follows are two contrary opinion pieces to the question of whether or not Episcopal…
Jon Hurst ’14: A proposal that Episcopal students complete a community service requirement is currently being considered by the administration. The proposal is designed to help students make time for community service at Episcopal. It does so by requiring all students to dedicate two sports seasons throughout their four years of Upper School to the Wellness Program, which is currently a fitness option. Logistics of the proposal mean that three season athletes will be exempt from this requirement, but anyone who would otherwise take fitness would be required to participate in the Wellness Program. The Wellness Program consists of two days…
Jessica Bai ’16: The Episcopal Academy Community Players will perform Nelson Bond’s adaptation of Animal Farm on November 14th, 15th, and 16th at 7:30 pm in the Ridgeway Blackbox Theater. Founded by a well-known actor and former student, John Carradine, the group has been in existence for about forty years, and the money it earns goes to the Episcopal Academy’s Parents Association. The association then uses this money to help departments that are in need. The director for this year’s show is Barry Brait, a retiree who has directed the group in the past. Brait is part of the Screenwriters Guild and…
Brittany Belo ’14: Though a light drizzle blurred our vision, my friend and I were able to maneuver our way to the Theater of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia. after having been dropped about two blocks away. Our excitement was evident as we breathlessly anticipated the imminent appearance of Noah and the Whale. A room that has the capacity to hold one thousand people was currently holding about fifteen eager teenagers, so we easily made it to the front row. The room was dimly lit and playing tunes that can be traced back to my childhood, ranging from “1985”…
A.J. Marcucci ’17: Eliza Dordelman ’14 has been a star on the tennis courts for EA during the past four years. Eliza is a strong competitor on the court with a mean forehand and a wicked backhand, skills that she has perfected ever since she was five years old. Although she has been playing her entire life, her passion for tennis truly formed during her freshman year. Dordelman explained, “I really began to pursue my passion in tennis during freshman year when I quit all of my other competitive sports. I wanted to focus on my tennis future.” Because this is her last year in the EA girl’s tennis program, she wants to win it…