School News

Every autumn at the beginning of the school year, members of the senior class conduct book conversations. These are small group sessions that seniors often look forward to leading since they first stepped on campus in an earlier grade. The seniors choose the books, it is always exciting to see what has been selected. Director of Library Resources and Research Caroline Buinicky says her favorite part of the annual book talks is “seeing which books the students suggest and what an amazing range of topics!”

In most schools, every autumn is a time for new beginnings. New classes, new friendships, new adventures, and new teachers! Typically we’d announce these new teachers early in September just as school is underway. This year, 2020, is unique in so many ways. We’ve been paying attention to our new COVID safety protocols, making sure virtual learning and on-campus learning are going well while creating community even as we are located around the world. While all of this has been going on, three new instructors have been quietly teaching and fostering learning. Please welcome our newest faculty members to the Emma community.

Brett LaFave is a native of Voorheesville, NY. He is a National Merit Scholarship recipient and earned his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. As an undergraduate, Mr. LaFave developed interests in the social sciences and in mathematics, completing HIV/AIDS education work in Tanzania and analyzing interview data related to African immigrant communities in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Through his work in Africa, Mr. LaFave became passionate about teaching. Upon returning to New York State he went on to earn his master's degree in secondary math education summa cum laude from Empire State College. Mr. LaFave taught math and engineering courses at the Hawthorne Valley School for five years. At Emma Willard School, Mr. LaFave teaches math and leads AWAY trips to Kenya. He has ten years of successful SAT prep experience. Brett is a published fiction writer, and an avid hiker, canoer, and cyclist. He is also a "big brother" and this is his story about his "little brother" that he shared as an inspirational speech with the school community.

Last week, the Emma Willard School and Russell Sage College communities gathered to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment. NewsChannel 13 anchor Benita Zahn moderated a discussion featuring a panel of influential women in local, regional, and national politics and activism.

Emma Willard School is settling in for Fall 2020: masks, a tool at the front of the news throughout the pandemic, are a daily addition as students, faculty, and employees make their way back to campus. Faced (pun intended!) with wearing them for the foreseeable future, an anonymous donor offered to provide each person on campus three masks featuring an Emma Willard School original design.

The school posted a blog post on September 25 titled “The Right To Be Who We Are.” This post, meant to support our LGBTQ+ community, had the very opposite impact. We apologize for the hurt and anger this post caused.

While there is and always will be work to be done, Emma Willard School strives to be a community in which all members feel fully affirmed in every aspect of their identity. When an individual or group of students with a shared marginalized identity experiences emotional harm from within or outside our school community, it is of utmost importance that the school provides support and affirmation to the students who have been impacted. The Emma Willard School community, much like our larger society, contains a complex web of beliefs and values. And, as in society at large, oftentimes the beliefs and values of some will run in direct conflict with the identity and wellbeing of others. At Emma Willard School, we encourage the exploration of personal beliefs and values. We unwaveringly support and stand with the LGBTQ+ student community and will continue to strive to create a fully affirming school culture for all students. 

Part of empowerment is learning to use your voice. Emma Willard School creates opportunities for members of our community to stand up and share their thinking. English instructor Emily Marchese works with students and employees to share what we call “inspirational speeches” during one of our weekly Morning Reports. Ms. Marchese knows that role-modeling is a form of leadership and a tool for teaching and learning. She recently shared her own inspiration with the Emma community. (For the Emma Community: Enjoy Ms. Marchese’s witty commentary and if you have an inkling of an idea or the desire to make a speech, reach out to Ms. Marchese and she’ll work with you.)

Early in this past summer, Emma Willard School selected an all-school read that would give faculty, staff, and students an entry point for conversation around the issues of diversity, equity, justice, allyship, and very specifically anti-racism at the onset of the 2020-21 academic year. The choice was Such a Fun Age, a book that examines entitlement, racism, and what it means to be an ally from various vantage points. The protagonist is a young woman possibly adding some identifiability for many of our students. Author Kiley Reid spent time with the Emma community yesterday and presented some of her thoughts on writing and her thinking behind Such a Fun Age.

As we continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Emma Willard School is partnering with The Women’s Institute at Russell Sage College to hold a virtual symposium on “Women, Politics, and Activism” featuring Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Parker Hamilton Poling '95, Alice Green, PhD GP'21, New York State Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, Kathy Jimino, and Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan.

As we grapple with the consequences of climate change, students at Emma Willard School are taking advantage of classes that ask questions like: “If access to clean water is a basic human need, why are all people not given this right?” Several offerings this fall examine the intersection of our environment and human choice, including a new course called Science and Society: Water Quality and Climate Change.

Emma Willard School launched its 2020-2021 school year with its first ever virtual Opening Convocation on Friday, September 4, followed by the first day of classes on Tuesday, September 8.

In early March of 2020, the Emma Willard School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force presented the school staff with four books on topics related to racial justice work. Staff could choose any or all of the books to take and read, with the goal of meeting together for later discussions. In August, the groups gathered to share their thoughts and discoveries.

This 100th anniversary, a single point in time, marks momentum toward change. A more recent and modern lens might ask: suffrage for whom? The passing of the Nineteenth Amendment on August 26, 1920, marked progress toward inclusion but not yet the attainment. The ratification was a great victory for suffrage. As many citizens were still left out of this basic democratic right, the anniversary might be considered an engine toward change and movement toward equality and political power rather than the arrival at a destination. There is still work to be done. Our voting rights are precious to our citizenry and worthy of protection; our call toward equality remains a modern endeavor.

Being able to vote is such a precious right. It fuels our democracy. It pushes us to be informed. This right didn’t come easily for all and even today is something that we need to protect. This year, this month, and this week mark the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granting a sub-set of citizens the right to vote —women, but not all women.

We are thankful for the many alumnae, current students, and employees who have helped us understand that we must take action to create an antiracist, inclusive, and equitable culture at Emma Willard School. We have created three task forces focused on making changes at Emma Willard to practice and teach antiracism right away.

Summer is winding down.  There is still time to read a few more books, however. Whether you are looking for the perfect book for some time on the backyard hammock or want to go on an adventure that keeps you from thinking about other things, a few members of the Emma Willard School faculty and staff have provided some suggestions from their favorite reads this summer.

Sarah S. '21 has spent a good part of her summer participating in an intensive study of the Chinese language. After being awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Virtual Summer Intensive scholarship to study Mandarin Chinese this summer, Sarah spent time reflecting on how studying the Chinese language has impacted her.

The New York State Department of Health requires that all schools submit their plans for reopening and operating during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Emma Willard School plan was submitted to NYSDoH on July 31, 2020.

Starting high school is a challenging and exciting time of life. It is the very challenge embedded in this transition that can foster positive growth and establish a promising trajectory. The ninth-grade year offers a rich learning landscape coupled with critical brain maturation. The ability to think more abstractly and more critically occurs at the very time that peer relationships become more meaningful and one’s own sense of identity is nourished. The transition into high school, research confirms, will have a critical impact on a student’s path toward achievement and wellbeing.

After a semester of COVID-related upheaval, the spring edition of the Emma Willard School magazine, Signature, hit mailboxes last week. The focus of this issue is on our strategic imperatives regarding health and wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our new academic pillars.

Math Instructor Alexandra Schmidt, formerly a control systems engineer, has spent the last 16 years as a teacher. Her engineering background helped her recognize the value of encouraging students to utilize mathematics as a decision-making tool. Alexandra's recent article, "Mathematical Modeling in High School: How It Begins and Where It Can Go," reveals the impact of her teaching at Emma Willard School.

Every school has a personality and some schools just feel right. Finding the right school for you is more than just advancing year after year with your neighborhood friends. High school is an excellent time to think about something different, a school that matches the expectations you have for your own learning. 

No one is born racist or antiracist; these result from the choices we make. Being antiracist results from a conscious decision to make frequent, consistent, equitable choices daily. These choices require ongoing self-awareness and self-reflection as we move through life. In the absence of making antiracist choices, we (un)consciously uphold aspects of white supremacy, white-dominant culture, and unequal institutions and society. Being racist or antiracist is not about who you are; it is about what you do. Talking About Race, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture

The June 2020 reunion is postponed until June 2021. A virtual creation that featured alumnae awards, old friends, classroom samples, and more including author Elizabeth Gilbert discussing her recent book City of Girls, might entice alumnae to physically return to Mt. Ida next year.

At the end of the academic year, the Emma Willard School community joined together virtually to celebrate the work of many students. A combination of artistry and performance along with deep thinking and experiential exploration were showcased. Examples of student work and performance served as the canvas for a series of live (now with the recordings) discussions with the students as they shared what they learned, their process, and future considerations.

President & CEO at Special Olympics Colorado Megan Toohey Scremin '00 Delivers 206th Commencement Address

Class of 2020 member, Harper Cartwright '20 shares her thoughts about her Emma Willard experience at the Commencement held virtually on May 31, 2020.

At last Sunday's 206th Commencement experience, two members of the Class of 2020 were honored with awards of excellence. Meya Salas '20 was presented with the Jameson Adkins Baxter Award, and Molly Zahnleuter '20 received the Clementine Miller Tangeman Award. We invite you to read about the accomplishments of our distinguished graduates.

I write to make a call to action to our community, to do what we can in our own circles of influence to be agents of change, hope, and anti-racist work.

Each year, the Emma Willard School graduating class creates chalk art on the sidewalks to represent their plans for the coming year. This year, the Class of 2020 took their Chalk Day virtual, and we invite you to enjoy exploring their creations.

Alumna Tory Dietel Hopps '81 has shared her thoughts on lessons we can learn through this extraordinary time in our world. We invite you to take a moment to reflect on this "dress rehearsal" for a new normal in our world.

On Tuesday, May 5, athletes, coaches, and supporters gathered for a virtual Spring Desserts to honor the dedication of our Varsity and Die Hard athletes. We are delighted to announce that we have 36 new inductees into Varsity Club, and five Die Hard athletes this year.

Emma Willard School is excited to announce honors earned by our mathematics students. Our math team earned first prize in our region of the New York State Mathematics League, led by top performers Ivyann S. '23, Stella L. '23 and Lucy Z. '21. In addition, Lillian L. '22 has won an award from the Mathematical Association of America. Read on to learn more about these exceptional accomplishments.

Every year our various teaching departments gather to discuss students who have gone above and beyond in a particular discipline. The teachers have been paying attention for the entire year and springtime brings forward a period of recognition. This year, even with our students spending the spring term learning virtually, our faculty presented this year's kudos to ten individuals at Morning Reports on Thursday, April 30. We celebrate the hard work and determination that these kudos represent.

Each of the 360 students at Emma Willard School has a unique story. They are truly one-of-a-kind. The Emma Willard community has students from 24 states and 36 foreign countries. Some are interested in technology and robotics, others are entrepreneurs and artists, musicians, writers, and athletes, historians and social justice advocates. We love hearing their voices and think you will enjoy meeting some of our students who are serving and shaping their world. This series known as  “One of 360” features these students and explores what makes them unique.

The process of shifting Emma Willard School's learning atmosphere to Virtually Emma took rapid and extensive planning and creativity. As students were departing for the spring recess, the academic and technology teams geared up to tackle the transformation. Academic Technology Coordinator Nick Marchese took a moment to share some behind-the-scenes insight into this new adventure in learning. 

Emma Willard School honored academic excellence and exemplary citizenship in the Class of 2020, as well as extraordinary faculty service, at our first ever Virtual Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 23. Join us in congratulating this year's honorees!

The first Earth Day took place 50 years ago on April 22, 1970. Americans from college campuses, schools, at Emma Willard, and elsewhere joined together to protest the damage that was happening to the environment. It was a unified effort in the wake of oil spills, water pollution, and air pollution. That first Earth Day is now a global civic event that calls for action and careful tending of our natural resources.

They step forward when many of us would back away. They are committed to the purpose of their work and that work is helping and caring for others. The Emma Willard School community has many of these unsung heroes who serve in hospitals, ambulances, urgent care centers, medical offices, nursing homes, and veteran centers. Many are alumnae, parents, employees, or good friends of the school. We share the story of one such selfless caregiver. We know there are many others. We thank you. We honor you. And we do, indeed, need you. 

Each of the 360 students at Emma Willard School has a unique story. They are truly one-of-a-kind. The Emma Willard community has students from 24 states and 36 foreign countries. Some are interested in technology and robotics, others are entrepreneurs and artists, musicians, writers, and athletes, historians and social justice advocates. We love hearing their voices and think you will enjoy meeting some of our students who are serving and shaping their world. This series known as  “One of 360” features these students and explores what makes them unique.

Books and book discussions are part of the fabric of an Emma Willard School experience. Director of Library Resources and Research Caroline Buinicky crafted a plan with some of her colleagues to make sure literary conversations continue as part of the virtual community experience.

What are the essential elements in a learning environment and how do you rapidly put on-campus teaching and learning into a digital format for 355 students scattered around the globe in the midst of a pandemic? Thanks to a dedicated faculty, the forethought of a head of school, and an academic dean with a can-do attitude, online learning launched this week.

Classes resume! While our campus is closed, our learning continues with a program that our faculty has been hard at work on over the extended spring break: Virtually Emma. Today we had our first (virtual) Morning Reports of the semester, and Head of School Jenny Rao has a special inspirational message for our community.

We welcome our students back to learning on April 6. We've missed them and can't wait for our spring term connections to refresh and solidify. We have many favorite places on-campus and many moments that bring us joy. Here's a visual celebration of good times on campus from earlier this year. We will hold all these places dear in our hearts while we begin our Virtually Emma experience.

Spring break 2020? We’re in it, but for much of our community, current events called for a change of plans that involves less vacation and more field trips to the sofa to bother the family pet. It’s hard to tap into a feeling of togetherness when the distance is so tangible and we spend hours scrolling through a cycle of difficult news, with little shift in tone. Yet, in true ‘gaudet patientia duris’ style, there are gleams of goodness to be found in our virtual world! We’ve compiled some suggestions pulled from several corners of the internet for some socially distant spring break activities. Read on for links (a lot of links) and resources.

It seems like a lifetime ago, before COVID-19 took a firm hold on daily routines, a group of young thespians took to the Emma Willard School stage and worked theatrical magic recreating the look and feel of a competitive indoor soccer team. Under the direction of Instructor/Theatre Director Erica Tryon, the winter play, The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, depicted the poignant sideline conversations of a nine-member girls’ team.

On Monday, March 3, our winter athletes and their coaches gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the season. Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity Basketball, Indoor Track and Field, and Ski Racing teams were well-represented by 74 students. We celebrate all of our winter athletes and invite you to read specific comments about those students who were honored with awards this season. 

Keep your eye out: a special delivery from admissions is in the mail! We await your return owl.

On Tuesday afternoon, squeals of delight could be heard from classrooms across the Emma Willard School campus: Principal's Play Day had been announced for the next day! This exciting reprieve each year allows students and faculty to leave the classroom in pursuit of rest, recreation, and connection. Although it usually happens later in the spring, Head of School Jenny Rao surprised students by planning a mid-winter day of fun.

Eura C. ’20 and Dohyun P. ’20 are making the 2019-20 debate club an exhilarating experience. The two determined 12th graders are not just making this year a successful experience, they are also leaving an imprint on the Emma Willard School debaters for the future.

Ring Week, steeped in Emma tradition, is one of many markers along the journey for 11th graders rising to become 12th graders. This week, we have witnessed the jubilation with which our students anticipate receiving their beloved class rings.

Each of the 360 students at Emma Willard School has a unique story. They are truly one-of-a-kind. The Emma Willard community has students from 24 states and 36 foreign countries. Some are interested in technology and robotics, others are entrepreneurs and artists, musicians, writers, and athletes, historians and social justice advocates. We love hearing their voices and think you will enjoy meeting some of our girls who are serving and shaping their world. This series known as  “One of 360” features these students and explores what makes them unique. 

Emma Willard School takes pride in its strong tradition of providing a place for great artists to thrive. We are honored to be represented by the work of five students at the 21st annual “Art in Three Dimensions" juried high school exhibition. In addition to the juried art, several of our students have recently been honored through the Scholastic Art Awards.

February 5th is recognized as National Girls and Women in Sports Day! We acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and honor the progress and continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.

In the dance studios at Emma Willard School, students learn and practice a variety of dance styles at various levels. Student dancers have the opportunity to perform, dance with professional guest artists, and learn to choreograph a performance that expresses their own artistic vision. This program has evolved over the long life of dance at the school, a progression that Dance Instructor Barbara Magee has witnessed throughout her years here. Read on for details from our conversation, and images from some of this year’s classes and performances.

Emma Willard School is excited to announce that two of our students have won National Honorable Mention Awards for the 2020 National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Awards. Jessica Z. '22 and Lucy Z. '21 were two of 360 girls selected from more than 4,700 amazing, talented young women to receive the honorable mention distinction. 

After two years of work, Alex S. '20 has fulfilled her desire to explore and write about the architectural heritage of Emma Willard School. The culmination of her junior and senior year Signature project, the book includes photographs and details about each of the buildings on the Emma Willard School campus.

As Emma Willard School works to become a more sustainability-minded community and campus, one of the topics that comes up frequently is dining. We sat down with Kevin Bayer, the general manager at Emma Dining, to learn about the steps they have taken to become a more environmentally friendly organization.

The entire school community enjoyed a day practicing critical thinking skills, communication, and collaboration outside of classes and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy.  The day was designed to reflect on the history, present, and future of civil rights in this nation through the lens of our nation’s history of slavery.

During Fall Family Weekend 2019, Matthew Richter P’21 was impressed by History Instructor Robert Naeher’s teaching style and its implications for his own work as a consultant. The lessons he learned inspired him to write an article entitled "Seven Steps for Making Critical Thinking Easier." In the article Mr. Richter draws on the "close looking" exercises Bob used in class to explain how one can become more adept at critical thinking.

Under the direction of Debra Spiro-Allen and Elizabeth Silver, music students gift the audience with a program filled with musical selections to bring joy, light, and reflection to what can sometimes be a stressful time of year. We invite you to take a moment as the new year dawns to enjoy a sampling of the music that was shared at Eventide 2019.