Greetings From Epiphany!
Dear Friends,
Epiphany definitely “punches above its weight.” Whether hosting an event for the community or advancing education through a podcast, our school is making a real difference. We make the biggest impact, however, through our graduates. Please scroll through to hear about Chrisangel, Class of 2020, as well as the many other bits of Epiphany news. (If you do listen to the podcast, which I definitely recommend, the Epiphany bit begins after 16 minutes and 45 seconds.)
Again and again and again, thank YOU!!!
The Rev. John H. Finley IV
Partner Spotlight
The Shippy Foundation
This month, we want to spotlight our friends at The Shippy Foundation, who have been major champions of our students and our work. This foundation gives to worthy organizations across the country, supporting everything from food banks and health organizations to cultural centers, but their primary focus is on education and since 2017 our school has been proud to have them as partners in this work. Please join us in saying a hearty THANK YOU to everyone at the Foundation for their abiding friendship and support!
Epiphany Stars: Graduate Profile
Chrisangel Gonzalez ‘20
We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on star graduate Chrisangel Gonzalez, Class of 2020. In his speech at graduation, Chris talked about how Epiphany helped him grow as a student, address habits like procrastination, and find the courage to ask for help when needed. Chrisangel has built on those skills and stayed on a remarkable trajectory of success. With support from the Upward Project (founded by former Epiphany teacher Mindy Wright), Chris has just started his freshman year at Occidental College on a full scholarship and is already off and running. He has joined the Black Student Association and the Latine Student Union, and the photography skills he learned at Epiphany have earned him a spot as the yearbook photographer. Like Epiphany, Occidental is a small, tight-knit community which suits Chris. Currently, he is interested in cognitive science and public health, but whatever he does, he’ll do well. We are so proud of you, Chris!
Learning is Cool: Epiphany Curriculum Highlights
Physics and Flip Books!
In the 8th grade’s current physics unit on the concept of motion, students have been getting hands-on experience by creating their own flipbooks! The class kicked off by defining motion — when an object changes position relative to a reference point. To bring this idea to life, each student then designed a flipbook that showcases the movement of one object relative to another, showing a clear reference point and a moving object that shifted slightly on each page.
This creative project allowed students to explore motion in an artistic and engaging way. The results were fantastic - everything from cars driving down streets to fish swimming by anchors and even someone walking toward a Chipotle! Whether students opted for freehand sketches or traced images on their computers, they really brought motion to life.
To celebrate their hard work, the flipbooks and students’ thoughtful reflections are on the second-floor bulletin board. Make sure to stop by and check them out—you can even flip through the books to see the motion in action!
Early Learning Center Corner
A visit from Pumpspotting
This summer, the ELC enjoyed a wonderful visit from Pumpspotting, a community-driven breastfeeding and baby feeding support organization. Their totally decked-out tour bus spent the day in our parking lot, a stop[ in their Feel Better, Feed Better tour to provide support and information about how to breastfeed with confidence. Our local CBS news featured the visit to Epiphany and interviewed some of our amazing moms. “The most important thing is to make sure the moms do not feel any shame in asking for help and have access to what they need,” said mom Hilary Santos. Another mom, Shakurah Hairston, added, “You know that you’re supported, that you have community, and you have other moms you can speak to as well.” We’re grateful to Pumpspotting, our partner Vital CxNS, and Pumpspotting sponsors Stonyfield Organic Yogurt and Momcozy for making this event possible.
Calling all podcast fans
The popular podcast “No One is Coming to Save Us" focuses on the critical importance of quality, affordable early childhood education and its role in creating economic mobility. Epiphany Early Learning Center, which host Gloria Riviera calls “a special, special place,” was featured recently in an episode called “How Childcare Can Fight Poverty.” Emily Centeio '01, ELC leader, shared her own Epiphany journey and talked about the importance of early years on brain development and school readiness, as well as our Center’s wide range of support for the entire family. “Our message and promise to families is: You deserve all of this. We believe in you. We won’t give up on you.” Please listen, maybe during your commute or while washing the dishes. We are so proud of the ELC!
Epiphany News
Super Summer at Groton
Our annual four-week, overnight “Summer Intensive,” Epiphany’s partnership with Groton School, continues to be a high point of the year. For example, students read at least two books in reading class and small group settings, followed by thoughtful and lively discussions. In the media class, students looked critically at social media’s influence on middle schoolers, focusing on Instagram and Snapchat (while living for the month without their phones).
Beyond these classes and others, there were three exciting trips, including a visit to Boundless Adventures, a high ropes course in Berlin, MA, a trip to Level99 in Natick, and a fun-filled trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH.
The Groton community does so much to welcome us on campus. For example, Groton students on campus for the summer organized a July 4th afternoon of field games and ice cream. Also, Groton helped organize a terrific Family Day, with good food, gym games, swimming, and celebration while taking in what their kids experienced and learned. This amazing summer program effectively replaces summer learning loss with meaningful and measurable progress and builds lasting relationships on Groton School's beautiful campus.
Family Flea Market
Our first Family Flea Market at Epiphany School was a huge success, uniting over 250 community members to celebrate the new school year. Attendees from Epiphany families and families from four other schools participated, along with members of the general public. A wildly successful clothes and sneaker drive provided free items to students, graduates, and staff members, and highlights included live art, an on-site barber shop, basketball tournaments, gaming competitions, and music from DJs like DJ 7L. It was a day filled with joy and connection, and we really appreciate all the partners who made it happen. We can’t wait for the next one!
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!