Freezing temperatures couldn’t dampen the Eagle spirit in mid-January as community members gathered at Central Park’s Wollman Rink for the School’s first-ever ECFS Family Party. With private access to the iconic skating rink, families, faculty, staff, students, and alumni came together for an evening that blended winter fun with meaningful connection.
“Our goal was to create a fun, interconnected space where faculty, families, students, and alumni from all four divisions could simply enjoy being part of the same community,” says Events Coordinator Hannah Bradford. “What better way to celebrate ECFS than being out on the ice side by side!”
The night opened with a celebration of the Class of 2026, as over fifty seniors hit the ice for a “Senior Skate-Out,” kicking off their final semester and serving as a new signature moment for their milestone year.
“The Family Party was a great way to start the second semester,” says Fieldston Student Government (FSG) Co-President Alexa C. ’26. “It was nice to see students from all divisions, particularly Fieldston Lower and Ethical Culture, thinking that was me so many years ago and that I’ve come all this way. These kids that are ice skating now will hopefully be here ice skating in 14 years.”
“It was a fantastic event,” adds FSG Co-President Alex G. ’26. “It was the perfect way to bring everyone together and a perfect experience for the seniors. It was fun to skate with my friends and sometimes see them fall over!”
Following the Senior Skate-Out, our younger students and their families poured onto the rink, with some testing their speed around the perimeter, while others glided along at a leisurely pace. Inside, attendees browsed new ECFS spirit gear, including winter apparel and adorable Eagle Squishmallows, contributing to the festive atmosphere. Whether on the ice or off, guests embraced the joy of being together, laying the groundwork for future community gatherings.
“Bringing our full community together is something we value deeply, and their participation helped make this event memorable and the start of what we hope will be a lasting tradition,” says Chief Advancement Officer Rose Turshen.
“All school events like this help people feel connected in ways that go beyond the school day,” Bradford adds. “They create space to build relationships and feel more rooted in the ECFS community.”
As the evening wound down, the event left behind a few cold cheeks and tired legs, but, more importantly, a shared memory that felt distinctly ECFS, reminding us that some of the most memorable school moments happen well beyond the classroom.
