Campus News
SENIORS PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT COMMEMORATING THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
Who was the first woman in your family to vote? Ellis grade 12 students set out to find the answer during their participation in the national Women Leading the Way project, a community
storytelling initiative that challenged students to explore their own family’s voting history. Designed to honor the legacies of the women who bravely fought for the right to vote 100 years
ago, Ellis’ projects are featured in a virtual gallery exhibition alongside dozens of other high schools from across the country.
NEW EDUCATION SERIES PROVIDES ENRICHMENT FOR FAMILIES
From learning about developmentally appropriate behavior and resolving healthy social conflict to building resilience and preparing for college, Ellis was pleased to offer a diverse series of educational programs to families this year. These informative sessions served as an opportunity for parents and guardians to hear from teachers, administrators, and experts as well as learn strategies and ideas for
raising healthy, happy girls.
Who was the first woman in your family to vote? Ellis grade 12 students set out to find the answer during their participation in the national Women Leading the Way project, a community
storytelling initiative that challenged students to explore their own family’s voting history. Designed to honor the legacies of the women who bravely fought for the right to vote 100 years
ago, Ellis’ projects are featured in a virtual gallery exhibition alongside dozens of other high schools from across the country.
NEW EDUCATION SERIES PROVIDES ENRICHMENT FOR FAMILIES
From learning about developmentally appropriate behavior and resolving healthy social conflict to building resilience and preparing for college, Ellis was pleased to offer a diverse series of educational programs to families this year. These informative sessions served as an opportunity for parents and guardians to hear from teachers, administrators, and experts as well as learn strategies and ideas for
raising healthy, happy girls.
NEW DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION ANNOUNCED
Denise LaRosa accepted the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Ellis School beginning Summer 2020. She is familiar to many in our community, as she has been an outstanding teacher in the Lower School for the last four years. In addition to her work at Ellis, Ms. LaRosa is pursuing her Doctorate in Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Pittsburgh, where her dissertation focuses on creating culturally sustaining classroom practice and curriculum.
Denise LaRosa accepted the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Ellis School beginning Summer 2020. She is familiar to many in our community, as she has been an outstanding teacher in the Lower School for the last four years. In addition to her work at Ellis, Ms. LaRosa is pursuing her Doctorate in Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Pittsburgh, where her dissertation focuses on creating culturally sustaining classroom practice and curriculum.
LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN
Lower School students and teachers participated in the national African American Read-In (AARI) to celebrate diversity in literature during Black History Month. Following an assembly about the history and goals of the AARI, Upper School students from Sisterhood, the Black Student Union, joined Lower School classrooms to read books written by African American authors that featured diverse characters and viewpoints.
Lower School students and teachers participated in the national African American Read-In (AARI) to celebrate diversity in literature during Black History Month. Following an assembly about the history and goals of the AARI, Upper School students from Sisterhood, the Black Student Union, joined Lower School classrooms to read books written by African American authors that featured diverse characters and viewpoints.
STUDENTS PARTNER WITH CMU TO GAIN ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE
Students in grade 6 partnered with the Swartz Center of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. During the immersive unit, “Starting Your Startup,” students worked with Kit Needham, Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Director of Project Olympus at CMU, and Max Mirho, former CMU Innovation Scholar and founder of Moss Generation, to pitch, plan, and market an original product or idea to expand their critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Students in grade 6 partnered with the Swartz Center of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. During the immersive unit, “Starting Your Startup,” students worked with Kit Needham, Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Director of Project Olympus at CMU, and Max Mirho, former CMU Innovation Scholar and founder of Moss Generation, to pitch, plan, and market an original product or idea to expand their critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
UPPER SCHOOL DEBUTS FIRST REGIONAL PRODUCTION OF THE WOLVES
The Upper School fall play, The Wolves, made its Pittsburgh premiere at Ellis in the fall, with the cast and crew delivering a nuanced, complex, and guts-out performance of the Pulitzer Prize finalist. Focused on a high school girls’ soccer team who face the complicated challenges of adult life, The Wolves was directed by Ellis’ newest addition to the performing arts team, Lydia Gibson, and was the first-ever Ellis production performed in the Middle School mini-gym.
The Upper School fall play, The Wolves, made its Pittsburgh premiere at Ellis in the fall, with the cast and crew delivering a nuanced, complex, and guts-out performance of the Pulitzer Prize finalist. Focused on a high school girls’ soccer team who face the complicated challenges of adult life, The Wolves was directed by Ellis’ newest addition to the performing arts team, Lydia Gibson, and was the first-ever Ellis production performed in the Middle School mini-gym.
LOWER SCHOOL PERFORMS ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR.
Students in pre-kindergarten through grade 4 had the entire Ellis community singing “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” before winter break with their colorful performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Directed by two educators new to Ellis, Lower School Music Teacher Jayla Griggs and Performing Arts Teacher Lydia Gibson, the production was particularly heartwarming for the Class of 2020 who performed the same show during their final year in the Lower School.
Students in pre-kindergarten through grade 4 had the entire Ellis community singing “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” before winter break with their colorful performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Directed by two educators new to Ellis, Lower School Music Teacher Jayla Griggs and Performing Arts Teacher Lydia Gibson, the production was particularly heartwarming for the Class of 2020 who performed the same show during their final year in the Lower School.
STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN NAIS DIVERSITY CONFERENCES
Six Ellis students and six faculty members traveled to Seattle for the National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference. The conferences aim to equip students and educators with the dialogue and skills needed to improve the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools and communities.
Six Ellis students and six faculty members traveled to Seattle for the National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference. The conferences aim to equip students and educators with the dialogue and skills needed to improve the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools and communities.
TEACHER FURTHERS HER CRAFT IN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ART PROGRAM
Lower School Art Teacher Sarah Ceurvorst was chosen to participate in the internationally-recognized Art21 Educators program. A year-long intensive experience, the program encourages teachers to explore contemporary art and the ways it can support their art classes as well as other disciplines.
Lower School Art Teacher Sarah Ceurvorst was chosen to participate in the internationally-recognized Art21 Educators program. A year-long intensive experience, the program encourages teachers to explore contemporary art and the ways it can support their art classes as well as other disciplines.
PERFORMING ARTS SELECTS NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIR
The Performing Arts Department is pleased to announce that Elisa Hill, Middle and Upper School Music Teacher, will serve as the next Performing Arts Department Chair beginning in July 2020. Ms. Hill will follow in the footsteps of longtime chair, Sara Sturdevant, and is a dedicated musician, teacher, choreographer, and conductor who will bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge to the position.
The Performing Arts Department is pleased to announce that Elisa Hill, Middle and Upper School Music Teacher, will serve as the next Performing Arts Department Chair beginning in July 2020. Ms. Hill will follow in the footsteps of longtime chair, Sara Sturdevant, and is a dedicated musician, teacher, choreographer, and conductor who will bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge to the position.
STUDENT-ATHLETES RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE AND ATHLETICISM
Several Ellis students were recognized on a regional level for their skill and athleticism in their respective sports this year. Basketball player Natalie Jasper, Class of 2021, was named the WPIAL 2A Girls Player of the Year; ended the season as one of the WPIAL’s leading scorers; and reached her 1,000th career point as an Ellis Tiger. Tegan Poerio, Class of 2021, was named the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Player of the Year for her standout work on the field hockey team and also earned spots on the Junior Olympic, All-American, and WPIAL All-Star Teams. Audrey Lyda, Class of 2021, was honored by Pittsburgh City Council for her excellence in rowing with “Audrey Lyda Day” and represented the United States at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Japan. Stephanie Somlo, Class of 2022, represented the Tigers in the WPIAL swimming championships and earned a spot in the PIAA state championships.
POSTSEASON SUCCESS FOR THE TIGERS
POSTSEASON SUCCESS FOR THE TIGERS
The Ellis Tigers were on the prowl this year as multiple teams had showings in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) postseason. In the fall, the Varsity Soccer, Field Hockey, and Tennis Teams all made the playoffs; with the Field Hockey Team advancing to the WPIAL final for the sixth year in a row. The Varsity Basketball Team made its furthest run ever in the playoffs, making it to the semi-final match-up in WPIAL play and the Elite 8 in the state playoffs.
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