Make the Most of Your Break

By Bart Gummere, Associate Head of School for College Counseling and Alumni Relations

On Tuesday, December 17, nine of our alums took time from their college breaks to return to EPS and sit in front of nearly 300 Upper School students to talk about college life.  They discussed everything from workloads and choosing a major to social life and eating habits in college.  For 45 minutes, the audience listened intently and asked thoughtful questions, 9^th graders and seniors alike.  We ran five minutes late into the lunch period and no one had even stirred in their seat—that never happens!  There are times as a parent of this age group (and as a teacher) when one wonders how seriously they are taking their responsibilities. Tuesday’s assembly was emblematic of just how much they care about their education and their future.

With that said, breaks come at good times, too.  Students work hard here, and they earn their time off.  Yesterday, the last day of classes before our holiday break, the sense of joy amongst the student body was palpable.  “The 5^th graders were literally bouncing off the walls,” Anthony Colello told me.  Teachers play it a little more cool, but inside they are just as energized about the upcoming change in their daily routine.  Everyone needs a break from time to time.  With that in mind, all of us here at EPS wish you each the very best for the next few weeks.  See you all in 2020!