Dear EMS Families,

Happy New Year, and welcome back! It’s been a joy to see our campus come alive again this week. Walking through the halls and across our grounds, I have been struck by the warmth of the reconnections taking place between students, faculty, and friends. There is a palpable sense of renewal in the air — the perfect energy with which to begin the second half of our school year.

As I reflect on how far we’ve come, I want to thank you for your continued partnership. This year has been a pivotal one for our school’s long-term roadmap, as we’ve begun implementing the Strategic Plan we launched last spring. Guided by our watchwords of Intention, Innovation, and Interconnection, we have already seen transformative progress:

• Elevating Mathematics & Science: We have intentionally expanded our math curriculum across all grades and increased instructional minutes for science in Chilton House and Little School. By adding new science faculty and launching a new greenhouse and outdoor classroom area, we are ensuring our students engage in deep, authentic scientific inquiry.

• Leading in Innovation and AI: As part of an elite global cohort, EMS has established institutional policies benchmarked against the highest international standards for AI ethics and safety. From hosting New Jersey’s inaugural AI Summer Institute to embedding AI literacy into faculty learning and student experiences, we are equipping our students to lead responsibly in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

• Deepening Community Connection: We are expanding our signature Buddy Program to create a universal model of mentorship across all divisions. Whether it’s our middle schoolers pairing with Chilton House students or the growth of our student government, we are fostering the compassion and agency that define an EMS leader.

And we’re just getting started. These are investments in your child’s daily environment, allowing us to develop leaders who are prepared not just for high school, but for a lifetime of confident, successful transitions and equipped with the capacity to excel in the diverse communities they will join. As we look toward next year, our focus remains on deepening these enhancements and ensuring The Elisabeth Morrow School remains a place where each child is supported, challenged, and celebrated.

Thank you for being such a vital part of this community. I look forward to the wonderful things we will achieve together in the year ahead.

Warmly,

Marek Beck, Ph.D.

Head of School