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Designs Galore!

September 27, 2018

2nd graders have been hard at work designing their bulletin boards! Stop by and check them out in the Nelson Building.

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Our Brains at Positive

September 20, 2018

During this year’s faculty in-service days at Renbrook, I presented the lower school teachers with a TED Talk titled, “The Happy Secret to Better Work” by psychologist, Shawn Achor.  Shawn is a quick-witted, passionate storyteller with an overall helpful message to anyone who is looking to become more productive in their work.  

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Actor Malachi Weir ’86 Visits Renbrook 8th Graders

September 6, 2018

Taking a break from his busy acting schedule, Malachi Weir who graduated from Renbrook in 1986, spent time with our 8th graders discussing their hopes and dreams. Malachi is best known for his work on the show Billions, Wisdom of the Crowd, Chicago PD and The Tick. Current teacher Chris Ladd and retired teacher Jim Ladd beamed with pride while watching Malachi speak with our current Renbrook leaders in the 8th grade.

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7th Grade Annual Camp Jewell Voyage

September 6, 2018

7th graders learned problem solving, planning, communication and teamwork on their trip to Camp Jewell!

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8th Graders Take a Tour of Hartford

September 6, 2018

8th graders had a rare opportunity to visit the State Capitol and Legislative Offices, the Supreme Court and the Connecticut State History Museum. They finished off their visit to Hartford with an interactive tour from Hannibal to Hartford:The History Behind The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at the Mark Twain House.

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6th Graders Visit the CT Science Museum and Wadsworth

September 6, 2018

6th graders studied physics at the CT Science Center this week including simple machines like pulleys and wheels. The ‘Bionic Me’ expo got the kids on their feet to learn about the power of the human body. “Making Myths” was a second stop on their trip where they viewed the ancient collection at the Wadsworth as a prelude to their study of mythology. They visited galleries with a docent and entered the Education Art Studio to make an amphora design featuring a monster of their own design battling Hercules, inspired by a piece in the museum’s Ancient Greek collection. 

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6th Graders Visit Wadsworth Museum

September 5, 2018

“Making Myths” 6th graders are bringing learning to life by visiting the ancient collection at the Wadsworth as a prelude to their study of mythology. They visited galleries with a docent and entered the Education Art Studio to make an amphora design featuring a monster of their own design battling Hercules, inspired by a piece in the museum’s Ancient Greek collection.

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The 2018-19 School Year is Now Official

August 29, 2018

Lots of smiling faces showed up on campus today for New Student Orientation. The littlest students got to spend time with their parents getting to know their teachers, while our older students got a personalized tour from our Renbrook Student Ambassadors!

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Renbrook School Awarded Grand Gold by CASE

June 10, 2018
Washington, D.C. — The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has named Renbrook School a grand gold award winner of its 2018 Circle of Excellence awards program. Renbrook School was recognized for its short recruitment video entitled “What if Your Child’s School Day Looked Like This?”. 

A panel of experts selected the institution’s entry in the short video category from among 47 video entries

In 2018, CASE received 3,204 entries for consideration in nearly 100 categories by more than 675 higher education institutions, independent schools and nonprofits worldwide submitted more than 3,200 entries for consideration in nearly 100 categories. Judges gave nearly 350 awards: 104 bronze; 118 silver, 100 gold and 13 grand gold.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, serving more than 3,700 universities, colleges, schools and related organizations in more than 80 countries. CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information and standards in the fields of education fundraising, communications, marketing and alumni relations.

You can view the video on out homepage.

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Second Graders Present “Renbrookville”

June 1, 2018

Second graders studied how businesses use needs and wants to provide a good or a service to make a profit. Each student created a business and handmade all their goods and services. Then, we participated in a day of trading, also known as “Renbrookville,” to understand simple economics through a direct experience in a mini-market.

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Grade 2 Visits the Gifts of Love Farm

May 30, 2018

Second grade visited The Gifts of Love Farm. The students had the opportunity to learn about how the farmers there grow a variety of foods to donate to people in need. We had a chance to explore the farm, see the different crops, and of course, interact with the farm animals!

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Annual K-5 “Race to a Good Deed”

May 25, 2018

Over 100 kindergarten through grade 5 students ran 1.5 miles around campus for the annual Race to a Good Deed. After the race, students organized backpacks that were filled with new school supplies and donated to kids in need. Students chose this program because it serves over 500 local school students and helps them start next school year off right. Great job to all! See more pics at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmkj6KmU

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Woodworking Bring Out Creativity

May 25, 2018

Jack shows off his adirondack chair that he made in his woodworking class this year. All students got to pick an item to design and create in woodworking. Nice work Jack!

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Science is Cool at Renbrook School!

May 25, 2018
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Shoe Design Showcase

May 8, 2018

We celebrated the culmination of the shoe design project with Renbrook School’s Tinkering Academy. Betsy Flynn, Lower School Learning Specialist, has been working with students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 along with the classroom teachers designing shoes for their buddies. Using a design thinking model, with a focus on empathy, the students interviewed their buddies to learn about their shoe preferences for style, color, and function. Their designs were on full display with a runway show, lights and music! 

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K-Max Came in for a Landing!

May 5, 2018
Neal Keating, former Renbrook parent and trustee, and Chairman, President, and CEO of Kaman Corporation, arranged for their helicopter, called the K-Max, to come to the campus of Renbrook School in West Hartford for Flight Day!

The event, which began in 2010, includes aviation workshops and flight-centered experiential learning activities. Throughout the day, students enjoyed the up-close experience of exploring the cockpit and structure of the K-Max

helicopter.
Workshops included presentations by Pratt & Whitney’s Ken Benson, Retired Flight Test Manager, Melissa Sirois, Senior Associate, Program Support, Military Engines and Jack Swift, Deputy Director Domestic Business Development, Military Engines will speak to students about piloting and the structural engineering behind various aircraft.

With help from members of the Simsbury Radio Control Club, students will explore lift, thrust, weight, and drag while working with remote-controlled planes and flight simulators in another workshop.

Renbrook’s long association with aviation dates back to 1957, when the estate of Faye B. Rentschler and Frederick B. Rentschler, co-founder of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, became the campus of Renbrook School. The school’s Globe Foyer is an exhibition that features the connection between Rentschler, Pratt & Whitney, flight, and Renbrook School. A Pratt & Whitney WASP engine, donated to the school by George David, former chairman and CEO of United Technologies, is the central focus of the exhibit.
 
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Senior Night Projects

April 23, 2018

On Thursday, April 19, Renbrook ninth graders showed off their Senior Projects.  The subjects varied from the role of advertsing in todays world, to the evolution of hip-hop. Students also displayed their favorite artwork for their family and friends to admire.

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Renbrook School Continues Tradition for Sixth Graders

April 23, 2018

Renbrook School sixth graders presented their Greek Plays for a large audience on campus included costumes and props as part of their sixth grade curriculum.

“The Greek Play allows every single student to contribute, interact with people they might not otherwise get to know, and shine on the stage,” says Amy Ma, an English teacher in the Upper School. “By performing the myths, the students demonstrate that they know the stories and the characters thoroughly. Through their performances, the students show that they understand themes, plot, character, conflict, and a myriad of other elements of literature,” says Ma.
Several stories were interpreted on stage from Athena’s life including the Trojan War, and the stories of Artemis, Hades, Persephone, and Demeter.
The students wrote the play over the course of two months and rehearsed for two weeks. The students will never forget the power of this event, in which they come together to continue the wondrous tradition of story-telling.
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Week of the Young Child 2018

April 23, 2018

Renbrook School proudly celebrated “The Week of the Young Child”; a celebration sponsored by the NAEYC (National Association for the education of young children). This event is primarily celebrated by Preschool through Kindergarten; however, this year the rest of the lower school grades one through five joined in for some of the celebrations. Each day had a special theme and had planned activities to celebrate the themes such as Musical Monday, Healthy Habits Tuesday and Work Together Wednesday.

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C. Alexander London Visits Renbrook

April 23, 2018

C. Alexander London (Alex) has written books for children, teens, even a few grown ups. He’s the author of The Wild Ones series, Dog Tags and Tides of War series, as well as the Accidental Adventures and two titles in The 39 Clues series for young readers.

His young adult debut, Proxy, was an American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers and included on their 2014 Best Fiction For Young Adults list. Proxy is a 2015 Texas Lone Star Reading List and TAYSHAS Reading List selection, a 2016 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist selection in Oklahoma, and has been on many state reading lists including Colorado, Arkansas, Missouri. The sequel, Guardian, is available now.

His books for adults include One Day The Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War and National Jewish Book Award finalist Far From Zion.

Alex was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to New York to attend Columbia University. He graduated with a degree in philosophy and earned his Masters Degree in Library Science from Pratt Institute.
At one time a journalist reporting from conflict zones and refugee camps, he has recently moved from Brooklyn, NY, to Philadelphia, PA where he can be found wandering the streets talking to his dog, who is the real brains of the operation.

(Source: http://www.calexanderlondon.com/)

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