The Latest
Tickets Now on Sale for The Auction at Erie Day School: Boots & Bling!
Get ready to dust off your cowboy boots and shine up your bling—The Auction at Erie Day School: Boots & Bling is set for Saturday, April 5, 2025! This unforgettable evening will feature incredible auction treasures, mouth-watering food, lively entertainment, and the warm camaraderie of our EDS community.
This year, we are proud to honor Dr. Karen Tyler with the 2025 Spartan Award, recognizing her extraordinary leadership and lasting impact as Head of School for over a decade. Dr. Tyler’s vision, resilience, and unwavering dedication to Erie Day School have shaped our community and enriched the lives of countless students.
For more information, contact Christina Katen, Director of Development, at (814) 452-4273 or ckaten@eriedayschool.com.
Get your tickets today!
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The Students
We are thrilled to celebrate our talented Erie Day School artists who participated in PAEA’s Youth Art Month (YAM) statewide events!
Five student artworks were selected for the PAEA Youth Art Month Virtual Exhibition, representing EDS and showcasing their dedication to the visual arts. A special congratulations to Virginia, whose "Serpentine Snake of PA" mixed media piece was chosen to be displayed on a banner at the PA State Capitol in March!
Members of EDS’s National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS) also took part in the YAM Flag Design Contest, creating designs around the theme "Healing Through Color." We are proud to recognize Charlotte Darling, Fiona He, Oyayi Magno, Valeria Peña, and Rebecca Smith for their creativity. Becca’s flag design won the Middle School Division Award and will be featured online.
Congratulations to all of our student artists for sharing their creativity with the school and beyond!
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The Campus
With warmer days ahead, our Early Childhood playground is getting a refresh! Soon, the space will be cleaned off and prepped for another season of fun, exploration, and hands-on learning. This past fall, our youngest Spartans were thrilled to receive new climbing and sensory pieces, enhancing their play experience and supporting their development in exciting ways.
One of the biggest highlights? The mud kitchen—a long-awaited addition from our educators’ wish list! Built and installed by Mitch Schreffler, husband of 4th Grade Educator Connie Schreffler, this incredible piece encourages creativity, problem-solving, and sensory exploration as children mix, mold, and pretend in their outdoor “kitchen.”
This exciting playground transformation was made possible through the generosity of our donors during the Raise the Paddle at The Auction at Erie Day School. Because of their support, our youngest learners now have an enriched space to climb, explore, and imagine.
Playground time is essential for young learners, fostering physical development, social skills, and imaginative play. Whether climbing, running, digging, or creating in the mud kitchen, our Early Childhood students are developing important skills that will serve them far beyond the playground.
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The Teachers
Mr. Silakowski—known to students as Mr. S.—is more than just Erie Day School’s dedicated Middle School math teacher. He is the driving force behind the EDS Math Counts team, helping students sharpen their problem-solving skills and prepare for the challenging Erie Regional Math Counts competition held each year at Gannon University.
This year, 14 EDS students competed against 134 participants from 19 schools, with Aaron (2nd place), Alex (6th place), and Luca (10th place) securing top-10 finishes. The EDS team—Aaron, Ethan, Luca, and Julian—earned an impressive 3rd place overall.
Beyond the classroom, Mr. S. brings his passion for numbers to the soccer field as a varsity coach. But he’s perhaps best known for his unwavering loyalty to the Buffalo Bills, sporting red and blue as often as he wears his Spartan green and white.
Thank you, Mr. S., for your dedication to EDS students—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond!
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The Alumni
Music is in the air for Sam Gilman, an Erie Day School alum who has been making waves in the music industry! Sam is a guitarist for First to Eleven, a high-energy rock band that has gained significant recognition on YouTube with millions of views for their dynamic covers and original music.
Beyond performing, Sam is also passionate about teaching the next generation of musicians. He works at Rockschool Studios in Erie, PA, where he helps aspiring artists develop their skills and stage presence. His dedication to both performing and mentoring embodies the creative spirit we celebrate at EDS!
Recently, Sam returned to Erie Day School as a featured guest in our Human Story series. This initiative invites parents, grandparents, and alumni to share their life experiences, career paths, and defining moments with our students. Sam spoke about his journey from EDS student to full-time musician, sharing insights into what his job is like, how he spends his days, and how his passion for music led him to a career in performance. His visit was an inspiring reminder that following your interests can lead to incredible opportunities!
Keep rocking, Sam—we can’t wait to see what’s next for you!
Want to learn more? Check out First to Eleven on YouTube and visit Rockschool Studios to see where the next generation of musicians is growing!
Do you have exciting EDS alumni news to share? To have your story featured in "The Spartan" send information to ckaten@eriedayschool.com
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Save The Date
Fri., March 28th & Sat., March 29th: EDS Playhouse Production
Shrek, Jr.
Saturday, April 5th: The Auction at Erie Day School
Boots & Bling
Thursday, May 15th: Retirement Open House for Dr. Karen Tyler
more information to come
Friday, May 23rd: Alumni Homecoming
4 - 6 PM
Join us in the outdoor space at the back of campus.
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Erie Day School
Spirit Store
Looking for a way to show your Erie Day School pride? Our Spirit Store has everything from cozy hoodies and performance tees to stylish hats, water bottles, blankets, and even tie-dye items. Whether you're a Spartan fan, a proud alumnus, or a family member looking for a perfect gifts, you'll find dedicated sections just for you. Ten percent of all sales from the Spirit Store are donated back to Erie Day School Parent Group and support events like Field Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Founder's Day Ice Cream Social and more.
Shop Now!
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Erie Day School Recognition Tree
Erie Day School offers a unique opportunity for families to etch their legacy into the institution's history by purchasing a leaf for our Recognition Tree. Crafted by local artist Adam Stempka of Stempka Designs, this custom piece invites families to honor or remember a student, teacher, philanthropist, or special person or family with a laser-engraved birch leaf. The tree is located on the exterior wall at the Griffith Lobby entrance patio.
Purchase a Leaf
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