Greetings From Epiphany!
Dear Friends,
The school year is back in full swing and I can’t wait for you to see some of the wonderful things that have been happening in our little community since the last edition. First, though, I wanted to invite you to a special event coming up on Sunday, October 19th here at the Middle School. Local superstar artist Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs has painted a powerful mural on the exterior of our building, and we will be hosting a joyous gathering to unveil the new mural. I hope you can make it (you can RSVP here!) and I hope that you know how deeply we appreciate your support - it truly makes everything we do possible!
Again and again and again, thank YOU!!!
The Rev. John H. Finley IV
Here’s a little sneak peek of the mural!
Partner Spotlight
The Pat Cooke Fund
This month, we would like to highlight our partners at The Pat Cooke Fund. Pat Cooke was a landscape architect, builder, and advocate for affordable housing and urban green space here in Boston, and when he passed away in 2014 he left a bequest for his dear friends Michael Gimbrere and Bill Walczak to administer in continuation of his work. They established the Pat Cooke Fund to pay tribute to their friend while continuing his legacy of supporting innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. They do this by providing fellowships to Boston educators that allow them to complete self-designed courses in professional development which enable them to teach the next generation about sustainability.
We are proud to say that several of our teachers have been selected as Pat Cooke Fellows, and they have been able to travel to destinations from Pennsylvania to Costa Rica to work and study and bring those lessons home to our kids. We’d like to offer our hearty congratulations to Pat Cooke Fellows Ash Inglis, Steeve Joazard ‘04, Lorra Marseille, Ashlee Renée, and Cami Fredericks, and to our friends at The Pat Cooke Fund for carrying on their friend’s legacy in such a beautiful and impactful way. Thank you!
A sloth photographed by Steeve Joazard ‘04 during his fellowship in Costa Rica!
Epiphany Stars: Graduate Profile
Melissa Gomes ‘16
A fact that may surprise you is that about 20% of our faculty and staff are Epiphany graduates who have returned to forward the mission they first learned about as children here in the middle school. The newest example is Melissa Gomes-Barros ‘16, who has just joined us as a Teaching Fellow. A proud Curry College alum, she earned her degree in Forensic Science and Biology. She loves Science, and loves to share that passion with our students. Melissa believes that “a great teacher is not only someone students can count on for knowledge, but someone they can depend on for support, encouragement, and understanding.” Here at Epiphany, she has the opportunity to grow as an educator, learning from our Lead Teachers both by example and through their mentorship and we are honored to provide a setting where she can develop her gifts. As she put it, “I’ve returned to Epiphany as a Teaching Fellow to continue my journey in education and give back to the community that shaped me.”
Learning is Cool: Epiphany Curriculum Highlights
Returning to Hurricane Island!
The 7th grade science curriculum culminates in a five-day, four-night trip to Hurricane Island off the coast of Vinalhaven, Maine. This is one of our most cherished traditions and this year’s journey was a success, with students studying life in tidal pools, getting up close and personal with lobsters on a lobster trapping boat, and even strapping on helmets to give rock climbing a try. Most impressively (if you know any middle schoolers) is that they spent the whole trip without their phones and still managed to enjoy themselves. We love being able to offer these experiences where students can get out of the city and explore a rich, new environment while learning, making memories, and cementing friendships. Thanks to all who make these adventures possible for these wonderful children.
7th graders studying gastropods on Hurricane Island
Early Learning Center Corner
Our Early Learning Center runs year-round, but before breaking for the Fourth of July weekend, they had a two-day “end of year” party with some great events to commemorate another fantastic year for our littlest learners. The first event was a “Celebration of Knowledge” where 9 children donned caps and gowns for a graduation before heading off to their new schools, and the second was a day of fun with a foam party and an ice cream truck!
Now the school year is back in full swing. The preschoolers have been learning about friendship, and awarding stickers to one another when they notice someone being especially kind or helpful. They’ve also enjoyed neighborhood walks, playing outside, and making music together while spending a lot of time outdoors, developing gross motor skills as they climb on the play equipment and digging in the vegetable beds for hidden potatoes! The Toddlers have settled into their routine with daily circle time where they practice counting and the alphabet, sing together, and talk about things like colors, shapes, the weather, and the days of the week. This is a cozy, relaxed time of day but it’s also building critical learning skills like taking turns and understanding that there is a time for active participation and a time for listening.
Epiphany News
Learning and Playing Together at Groton
Every child deserves to have fun, enriching, engaging summer experiences. Thanks to our dear friends at The Groton School (and the heroic efforts of our faculty!) our rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders had just such a summer! Our Summer Intensive includes both academic instruction and many fun field trips and outdoor activities from swimming to go karts. In addition to their academic classes, students worked with counselors and mentors, in small groups and one-on-one, on skills such as collaboration, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and independent decision-making. They also enjoy the healthy meals prepared by Groton’s outstanding kitchen team while feeding their minds with a curriculum incorporating math, reading & writing, media studies, health, and technology.
Graduates Gear Up for a Great Year
A key aspect of the Epiphany Model is abiding guidance for life through our Graduate Support Program. Our team stays in contact with over 450 grads of all ages, but pay particular attention to our high school-aged cohort who returned to campus in August to enjoy the annual Back to School BBQ. This is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, laugh, eat, play, and pick up needed school supplies. Our graduates know they have a home base to return to when life gets tough, and that they can count on our team to provide both practical and emotional support. The event was very well attended and we can’t wait to see all of the great things they accomplish this school year!
Graduate Support Directors Steeve Joazard ‘04 and Erika Forrest with graduate Shamel ‘21 (center).
A Joyful Legacy
Bob Mahoney was a dedicated volunteer and a beloved member of the Epiphany family. When he passed away in 2016, his family and friends chose to honor his legacy by establishing and funding a fellowship for one of our Teaching Fellows each year, and the current holder of this honor is second-year fellow Sam Fulton. Sam is a graduate of Rollins College in Orlando and he has chosen to pursue a career in urban education because, in his words, “I aspire to be an educator who creates spaces where everyone feels comfortable and yet challenged to elevate their academic level. The honor of being this year’s teaching fellow is one of the greatest I have had!” We’re proud of Sam, as we are of all our teaching fellows, and we know that Bob would be proud to see the ways they continue the work that he began here at the school he loved so much.
Bob Mahoney Fellow Sam Fulton poses with Mason
We are Hiring!
We are always looking for dynamic people to join our community. All job openings are listed here, and if you know someone who might be the right fit, we hope you will pass that opportunity along.
Admissions
Tell your family and friends they can take the first step in an amazing journey: admissions are open for grades 5 and 6 in the Middle School and for the Early Learning Center!