Episodes

On this episode we are joined by licensed clinical professional counselor, certified professional school counselor, journalist, and podcast host Phyllis Fagell to talk about the current challenges students are facing as they begin the process of transitioning from middle school to high school during the pandemic. Her book Middle School Matters: the 10 Key Skills Needs to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond - and How Parents Can Help gives actionable steps for students, parents, and teachers to de...

With an even greater emphasis during these unprecedented times, student mental health has gained a heightened awareness as students face the challenges of the world around them. On this episode, we preview the 2021 EPSD Virtual Mental Health Symposium being held February 15 through 28 which hopes to begin helping parents and members of the community understand more about this topic. Co-chair members Amy Williams, Communities in Schools at Emmaus High School; Stephanie Cignarella, School Psychol...

During the first few days of February, the Lehigh Valley got walloped with over 27 inches, making it the second biggest snowstorm on record. It gave the freshmen of Emmaus High School an opportunity for 2 snow days -- no Zoom, no Schoology, and no work! We asked students what they did to take advantage of historic weather and on this mini-episode we hear some of their awesome responses about their time in the snow.

This past week saw Emmaus High School finally reach the 2nd half of our 2020-2021 school year. Due to our current block schedule, It came with a different opportunity than most years, as students, teachers, and parents alike had a chance to hit the reset button, beginning new classes with the potential for a fresh, improved outlook on finishing the school term. In this mini-episode, Mr. Stuchko takes some thoughts from our Schoology Class of 2024 message board about how the year has been going, ...

On this episode, we catch up with student Grant Gallagher, whose post on our podcast message board for the Class of 2024, invited us to tell his story of how Covid-19 impacted him and his family earlier this year. Gallagher, who is currently enrolled in the Jasper Learning Initiative Program, discussed both the physical and mental strains that students encounter as they battle through this illness. Gallagher also talked about how, even in a hybrid setting, he has found a sense of belonging and g...

Jessica Lahey is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, keynote speaker, wife, and mother. But at her core, she is an educator. She has worked with a wide variety of students at all levels from sixth through twelfth grade. In this interview, she gives tips and strategies from her teaching career and her 2015 book “The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed” for students, teachers, and parents to apply during that all-important 9th grade ye...

Sometimes it is fun to look outside of our school community to see what other students around the country are experiencing during their 9th grade year. During this holiday break, I chatted with my nieces, Catalina and Maddy, about their freshmen year experience. Catalina, who is attending the largest high school in Chicago and second largest in the state of Illinois, has not stepped foot in her school since a tour last spring; Maddy is attending a high school in Central New Jersey that has been ...

In our final episode of 2020, you will hear from close to 40 members of our Emmaus High School community talk about ways they will look to improve themselves in the classroom and beyond in the new year. If you are struggling to come up a resolution, we provide tips on how to arrive at a personal goal to jumpstart your 2021. Resource: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/resolutions/

Our 9th Grade School Counselors Mrs. Demchak and Mr. McInerney return to the show this week to help you finish up the calendar year 2020 as strong as possible and give you momentum toward a much needed new year. Some of the topics we covered included A recap of the first 3+ months of the school year (marking periods, grades, timelines, and deadlines) Tips and strategies for improving your learning remotely The importance of reaching out for help and being your own advocate Scheduling for nex...

As we approach the holiday season and the end of 2020, it is a great time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for here at Emmaus High School on the second annual Attitude of Gratitude special episode. There are many people, either in a classroom, on the field or court, or in the school’s many offices that work together to make the transition from middle school to high school as smooth and successful as possible for all students. On this episode you hear from students through Zoom inter...

This year’s 9th Grade Experience has been like no other and this week’s episode, recorded during EHS’s Covid-19 one-week closure in November 2020, was yet another memory to add to the digital scrapbook. On this episode Elizabeth Samer, Molly Himes, and Victoria Toto chat about being involved with in-person school activities during the beginning of the year, strategies for hybrid/distance learning and things they learned about how they work best, and their hopes for a return to normalcy at some ...

While much of the start of the 2020-2021 school year has been anything but normal, there are still time-honored school traditions that have occurred during the first 9 weeks of school, including the the election of class officers. On this episode, you will hear from three out of the four newly elected leaders, including President Bella Desiderio, Secretary Angela Tran, and Treasurer Sarah Greene as they discuss the start of their school year, the beginnings of hybrid learning, what led them to b...

Week nine of the 2020-2021 school year will present the next in a line of challenges thrown in front our students since March 2020 - the return to our EHS school building for the beginning of hybrid learning. While some students will seamlessly transition back this setup, others may struggle with different worries and adjustments. On this episode, we talk to our school psychologists Mrs. Stephanie Cignarella and Dr. Trevor Pinho about those feelings and when to take action on them. Topics cover...

Without our normal club fair at the beginning of the year to learn more about the 70+ organizations here at Emmaus High School, the 9th Grade Experience has been reaching out advisors to bring you more information on some of these different groups to see if one is the right fit for you. On this episode, we hear from Alexzander Toto and Sam Comfort discussing the Economics and Investment Club; and Briahna Milander, Natalie Ruschman, Chanelle Peña, Michaella Moyer and Avery Edelman to talk about ...

This is Part 2 of the discussion with our EPSD Technology Integration Specialists Heather Moser, Dylan Peters and Brian Scholl. If you are looking for some of the best tips and strategies for Zoom, Schoology, and a reminder on what to do when your computer is not working, this is the episode you have been looking for. For more information about all things technology, please go to https://sites.google.com/eastpennsd.org/epsdfamilytech/home If you missed it, go back and listen to Part 1, which wa...

On this week's episode we hear from our EPSD Technology Integration Specialists Heather Moser, Dylan Peters and Brian Scholl on the best ways to tackle technology during this remote time. Surprisingly, most of this conversation does not deal with hardware and connectivity issues, but how to communicate with teachers, collaborate with other students, and problem solve through challenges. For more information about all things technology, please go to https://sites.google.com/eastpennsd.org/epsdfa...

Without our normal club fair at the beginning of the year to learn more about the 70+ organizations here at Emmaus High School, the 9th Grade Experience has been reaching out advisors to bring you more information on some of these different groups to see if one is the right fit for you. On this episode, we hear from Mrs. Grim and Dr. Pinho discussing the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA); Ms. Martini explaining Kid to Kid, and Mrs. Shimmel doubling down with Latin Club and Foreign Cultures Club. To ...

One of the themes that has come up time and time again as we have detailed successful 9th graders on this show has been their involvement in extracurricular activities. But, during a time when school is remote or hybrid, how will students be involved in clubs, activities, and organizations? On this episode Assistant Athletic Director Matt Spengler gives the latest information on getting involved virtually and hopefully face-to-face, when it is safe for students, He breaks down the challenges an...

With the start of a new school year just days away and feelings of unease about the unknown about the jump from middle school to high school in most student's and parent's minds, today's episode hopes to give some information to alleviate those fears. Today's guest, 9th Grade Assistant Principal Jordan Fortier, gives the most up-to-date information about the first two weeks of school. We talk about Week 1, when students will have the opportunity to come to the building and meet their teachers a...

We often tell high schoolers that to be successful, they should eventually pick one area and focus their attention heavily. For Clarence Lam, a 1999 Emmaus High School graduate. it was a desire to pursue multiple passions that has led him on a unique career path. After finishing at EHS, he went on to study both political science and biology. He has gone on to become a physician in preventive medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Maryland State Senator for Distric...

Lisa MacDonald ‘14 is living her dream. When she entered Emmaus High School as a freshman during the 2010-2011 school year, she was unsure about where she was going, but knew she would need to overcome challenges, including her learning disability, to get there . A freshman year art class, opened the door that Lisa has burst through to blossom into an abstract motivational artist and speaker through her brand “Imperfection is Beautiful.” She is currently a student at Cedar Crest College majoring...

The first year at Emmaus High School for the Class of 2023 will be one that they surely will never forget. This week in Part 2 of the year-end reflections, we hear the words of over 20 freshmen who offered thoughts on their year, tips for upcoming 9th graders, and what they learned about themselves through this challenging time. Once again joining the podcast to read student's reflections are my children, Cole, 11; Grace, 9; and Joy, 6; and my wife, Jen.

The first year at Emmaus High School for the Class of 2023 will be one that they surely will never forget. Over the next two weeks, we hear the words of over 40 freshmen who offered reflections on their year, tips for upcoming 9th graders, and what they learned about themselves through this challenging time. Once again joining the podcast to read student's reflections are my children, Cole, 11; Grace, 9; and Joy, 6; and a new special guest, my wife, Jen, who talks about her own 9th grade experi...

Whether it has been on the football field on Friday nights, at community events, or posing under a billboard congratulating the Class of 2020, the Hornet mascot has become an unmistakeable symbol of Emmaus High School over the last three years. But, despite being so visible, how much do you know about the student in the costume and his family? On this episode, we hear from the Hornet himself, graduating senior Zachary Conner, his mom Jennifer, and his soon-to-be 9th grade brother Andrew about w...