News
This past weekend, the Renbrook community had the pleasure of experiencing several incredible performances of Finding Nemo, Jr., presented by our talented Upper School students. As we watched these students shine on stage—excelling in singing, dancing, acting, stage changes, and behind-the-scenes work—it was impossible not to recognize the transformative power that theatre has on our…
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At Renbrook School, learning transcends textbooks, coming alive through dynamic, interdisciplinary experiences. Our Grade Three Westward Expansion unit, affectionately known as The Oregon Trail, is a prime example of how we transform history into an engaging, skill-building journey for students. From interactive simulations to imaginative storytelling, this beloved unit sparks curiosity, collaboration, and a love…
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Helping Your Child Navigate Friendships by Terese Brennan-Marquez, LCSW Children think about and experience friendships differently at all stages of development. As a parent, you can help your child navigate friendships in healthy and productive ways. Parents can support their children if they experience challenges with a friend by viewing the situation through a developmental…
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The skills and experiences students gain from reading – from improving literacy to expanding their imaginations – are invaluable. Bernice E. Cullinan, Professor Emeritus at New York University, notes, “The amount of free reading done outside of school has consistently been found to relate to growth in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information.”…
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Renbrook’s Grade 5 Science Program actively participates in the Connecticut River Salmon Association Salmon-in-Schools Program. This valuable scientific and environmental learning project is enjoyed by children in schools across Connecticut. Students participate actively in all program phases, from rearing salmon eggs in the classroom to stocking rivers, and Renbrook is thrilled to be a part…
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Renbrook School recently honored the legacy of Frederick B. Rentschler, the pioneering spirit of women in aviation, and the modern-day accomplishments of female pilots across the globe with our annual Flight Day celebration. This year, we honored “Women in Flight.” Frederick B. Rentschler Frederick B. Rentschler, co-founder of Pratt & Whitney, and his family lived…
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A Snapshot of Renbrook’s Writing Program InitiativesBy Amy Ma, Director of Writing; English Department Head; Co-Coordinator of Diversity and Belonging “I wrote my way out – Wrote everything down far as I could seeI wrote my way out – I looked up and the town had its eyes on meWait for it … (I’ll write…
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The Vision In March 2020, Kathryn Ferrante, Renbrook’s adventurous librarian, and Matt Sigrist, Head of School, began a conversation about exciting new models for school libraries. How could we make our library the heart of the school? Kathryn and Matt recognized that our beautiful library space is currently underused. They were inspired by the learning…
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Renbrook Beginning School Celebrates Global School Play Day The Beginning School at Renbrook embraces a play-based learning approach that encourages children, in partnership with teachers, to make discoveries about themselves and the world around them. Play is essential as children learn to socialize, communicate, make choices, show initiative, collaborate, observe, problem-solve, and ask questions. While…
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As part of their study of Black History Month, Upper School students in Ross McLay’s Honors History class participated in Senator Chris Murphy’s 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. Each year, Senator Murphy invites students from across Connecticut to help honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting essays that reflect on…
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As we embark on the Season of Giving and the annual Day of Giving today, we think of others and embrace how our kindness and generosity can impact their lives. The working definition of giving is “to give to another in some terms, to make gifts or presents, or give to charity: to provide love or other…
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Each year, we welcome new faculty and staff members to Renbrook School. For those of us who have been here a while, it’s always interesting to take a fresh look at Renbrook through the lens of a colleague seeing it for the first time. I had that opportunity when I read a letter from our…
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Recently, a Renbrook fifth-grade student demonstrated true agency in leading a project with his classmates to help them understand the Teal Pumpkin Project and increase awareness of food allergies. Every year, as Halloween approaches, neighborhoods are adorned with pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors. One particular pumpkin, though, stands out with its distinctive teal…
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by Julie Schlossinger Ed.D. Self-regulation is a fundamental skill that empowers students to manage their emotions, behavior, and attention effectively. As we work together to provide the best possible education for our children, nurturing self-regulation should be one of our key objectives. One of the best explanations of self-regulation that I ever read comes from…
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Every parent dreams of raising children who are confident, capable, and able to make informed decisions. One of the key milestones on this journey is developing agency in young children. Agency refers to a child’s ability to make choices, take action, and have a sense of control over their own lives. It’s a vital skill…
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Ah, the Monarch Butterfly. Do you remember the awe and wonder of witnessing a caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly as a child? It’s a magical experience that captivates young minds. Junior Kindergarten students at Renbrook School are so lucky to benefit from the passion that their teacher, Robin Ellef, holds for these beautiful creatures.…
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Congratulations to the Renbrook School Class of 2023! What an amazing group of scholars, athletes, leaders, and friends. We know great things are ahead of you. Members of this class are headed to the following schools, and we know they will make us proud! Go Hawks! Avon Old Farms School, Berkshire School, Choate Rosemary Hall,…
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Jane Shipp was Renbrook’s Headmistress for 20 years, from 1990 to 2010. Only Florence Greene, our founding Headmistress, served the school longer. Mrs. Shipp preferred the title Headmistress because she saw her role as head teacher, the first among equals. She left a lasting imprint on the school and is remembered fondly by former students, parents, faculty, and staff. Although she has scrupulously kept her distance since retiring, she watches our doings with keen interest and speaks with great conviction about her love for the school and its mission.
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Trudging up the hill to the Upper Athletic Fields used to mean emerging on the verge of Edith P. Gengras Field on a muddy pathway under the Sills Family Tennis Courts, squishing through puddles to reach the soccer and field hockey fields. Now, the trudger is greeted by an elegant stone plaza and a stone wall proudly proclaiming “Renbrook School.” The first field is now dedicated to Bruce J. Irving, and beyond it is the new Gengras Family Field.
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