First days: Wait, Watch, and Wonder

First days of School!

The first day at EMS for the 2024-2025 year was Thursday, August 15 (kindergartners joined later for a softer entry). Our division principals shared these notes of reflection with different groups about the start of the school year. They drew out and named the positive qualities they see and hope to grow this year.

Elementary Gathering Theme
Wait, Watch, and Wonder: Learning to be Curious and Open to Change.
Gathering is a weekly program similar to chapel

Dear elementary students,

Welcome to EMES, new and returning students. We are all looking forward to an exciting year, one that will bring changes for us. Each day, we have been looking at the building of the new Gathering Space. Each day things change, and we are now beginning to be able to envision what this new building will actually look and feel like.

This year’s Gathering theme is: Wait, Watch, and Wonder: Learning to be Curious and Open to Change. Change is always happening around us, but we don’t often notice it. It can be exciting, scary, and sometimes difficult to navigate. Our hope is that we all are able to understand and navigate change in our own lives. God gives us many examples of change and transformation: the caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly, a tiny seed’s growth into a beautiful Zinnia, and a small child’s growth from baby to a new kindergarten student. These changes show us that God is with us, that the extraordinary can be born out of the ordinary. 

Change can also be challenging. We see this evidenced in the stories Jesus told. Whether it’s the challenge of too many people to feed and the bread and fish changing into enough food for the crowd, or the love of a father expanding so much that he forgives his son for his many mistakes, or a woman who gives everything she has, and her act challenging the disciples’ view of what it really means to give selflessly…..change is difficult. It makes us grow and pushes us to think differently, and sometimes to act differently. This is the beauty of being open to change, to being curious about what’s coming ahead and being ready to wait, watch and wonder.

Let’s work together this year, to help each other during these joyous and challenging times of change. And let’s celebrate that our Gathering Space will be here soon. We look forward to making new memories together in this new space at EMES. 

Maria Archer
Elementary School Principal

Shout out to the middle school teachers
Planning, thoughtfulness, and expertise
Principal Gascho shared a quick note at the first day

Middle school teaching team,

From my point of view, today – the first day of school – was a huge success!  I saw many interactions today that made me grateful to be part of this school… 

• In Mr. Gornto’s English, students interviewed each other as a way to get to know each other.
• In Ms. Brown’s science, Ms. Lawson’s Algebra, and Ms. Miller’s Pre-algebra, students worked on activities that required problem solving together.
• In Mr. Sauder’s civics class, students started with a “low key” argument to help them get comfortable with discussions on topics they disagree about.  
• Mr. Martin and Ms. Maloney-Smith sat with 6th graders in the dining hall foyer during lunch to build relationships and help them feel comfortable on the first day.
• In Mr. Gardner’s and Ms. Lorcas’s music classes, students played instruments  on the first day [some for the first time!].
• In Ms. Gascho’s art class, she was incredibly thoughtful about where students sat and was proactive about classroom routines. 
• Every teacher asked students if they know where they are going and helped them get there.
• All the Bigs that made sure their Littles got to their classes.  I saw a number of them passing out small gifts and treats at 7:45 am!

This day went so smoothly!  You made that happen with your planning, thoughtfulness, and expertise. This is a place I am truly grateful to be at each day because of the culture and environment you create for students and each other. 

Erika Gascho
Middle School Principal 

What do high school students show in week 1?
Kindness, Initiative, Joy, and Executive Functions
Shared with families

Dear High School Parents and Guardians, 

This wasn’t on my calendar to do today, but I wanted to take a couple minutes to let you know why my heart is so full after this week…

I have no doubt that if you could have seen the things I’ve seen this week, your heart would feel full too. 

So what have I seen from our 9-12th grade students in the first two days? 

• Kindness. 11th and 12th grade students who are “bigs” lead personalized tours to their “little” throughout the school, and genuinely build positive relationships with them. I saw one new 7th grade girl sitting with her big today at the lunch table, and it almost brought a tear to my eye.
• Initiative. A 10th grade student saw a middle school student ask me where a particular classroom was. Without any prodding from me, the student quickly jumped in and said, “I know where that is. Can I take you there?” 
• Joy. Teachers and students laughing together, students smiling in the hallways, and alumni returning to school to pick up their yearbook and bringing gleeful hugs to friends and staff. 
• Executive Functions. Teachers are placing an emphasis this year (particularly in 9th and 10th grade) on teaching executive function skills through their efforts on adding clarity, routine, and modeling to everything they are doing. Parents of 9th and 10th graders, ask your students to show you their planner! 

I could go on, and I’m sure I missed some things too, but I truly wish you could have experienced these moments as I did. 

With appreciation for the work we do together,

Justin King
High School Principal