News

child in pool at camp

The Gift of Summer Camp

November 28, 2023

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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front entrance of Renbrook School

Reflections from the Admission Office

November 14, 2023

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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teal pumpkins in a wagon

Teal Pumpkins: A Colorful Tradition of Inclusivity on Halloween

October 31, 2023

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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a child thinking representing self-regulation in children

The Importance of Developing Self-Regulation in Young Children

October 24, 2023

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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teacher encouraging students

Nurturing Independence: Developing Agency in Young Children

October 3, 2023

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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monarch butterfly

From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly: A Magical Journey!

September 14, 2023

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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Renbrook School Graduation

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023!

July 31, 2023

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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News

Legacy Society Profile: Jane C. Shipp

June 19, 2023

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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GIFTS AT WORK: Manafort Family Plaza

June 12, 2023

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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News

Renbrook School Celebrates Flight Day

May 30, 2023
In recognition of our rich aviation history, Renbrook School recently held a day-long Flight Day celebration after a 3-year pandemic-induced hiatus. Flight Day is an annual all-school event that began in 2010 and joyously celebrates the deep connection between Renbrook School, the Frederick B. Rentschler family, and Pratt & Whitney.
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GIFTS AT WORK: Gengras Family Field

April 17, 2023

Athletic Director Peter Reynolds beamed as his familiar, raspy voice rang out at the dedication of the Gengras Family Field. What a difference our beautiful new turf field will make to our students! A reliable playing surface for our teams to practice and compete on, regardless of the weather. A dry outdoor classroom for physical education classes. “Our athletes will have a new, stronger sense of pride as they wear the blue and walk onto this field,” he boasted.

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Renbrook Students Shined on the Slopes this Year

April 10, 2023

Several Renbrook students demonstrated exceptional skills and success in their ski programs this year, and we’re so proud of their commitment, hard work, and accomplishments. It is a pleasure to share the good news about our students and their endeavors! 

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Renbrook Chess Team Wins Fifth at State Championships

March 29, 2023
The Renbrook Chess Team has been hard at work this year, refining their skills, and it has clearly paid off.
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Eighth-grader Savanna Singh featured on We-Ha.com

March 21, 2023
An eighth-grader at West Hartford’s Renbrook School is holding a jersey drive to benefit children in developing countries and also to help keep textiles out of landfills.
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Renbrook School MATHCOUNTS Team Shines!

February 9, 2023

Twelve Renbrook students in grades six through eight participated in the Hartford Chapter MATHCOUNTS competition on Saturday, February 4, 2023. There were 17 teams and 131 individuals from area public and private schools who competed in the event.

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News

Happy Birthday MLK

January 16, 2023
At Renbrook, we believe a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment serves our students’ needs of belonging so they can pursue academic excellence, experience community, and lead with courage and empathy. Throughout the school year, those core beliefs inform our curriculum and programming. Additionally, when significant events such as the MLK Jr. federal holiday occur, we thoughtfully curate learning experiences that are relevant and age-appropriate. This important work is accomplished because of positive and constructive mindsets, belief in the impact of unity, and an understanding of the experiences of others.
 
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Renbrook School Featured in West Hartford Lifestyle Magazine

November 7, 2022

Renbrook School was recently featured in the November edition of West Hartford Lifestyle Magazine and Glastonbury Lifestyle Magazine. Head of School Matt Sigrist talks about our mission and the Renbrook difference. Our own Katie Jackson graces the cover with her woodworking students. Enjoy the full article here.

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Maggie Doyne, Author and Philanthropist Visits Renbrook School

October 26, 2022
Last week, Renbrook welcomed humanitarian and author, Maggie Doyne. Maggie is the founder and CEO of the BlinkNow Foundation that funds a children’s home, health clinic, women’s center, and K-12 school in Surkhet, Nepal. Maggie met with our Lower and Upper School students for a spirited and inspiring conversation about her life’s work. She also joined us for an evening parent event to discuss her new book, Between the Mountain and the Sky: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, Healing, and Hope.
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Columbus Day

October 10, 2022

As you know, school is closed on Monday due to Columbus Day, a federal holiday in the United States which celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. As a child in America, I sat in my elementary classrooms around Columbus Day and learned about the Niῆa, Pinta, and Santa María. In music class, I learned songs about those ships, and my teacher read picture books that taught me about an adventurous and brave explorer who “discovered” America.

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Eighth Grader Excels at Track & Field

June 8, 2022
We are excited to celebrate eighth grader Chidi Moemeka for his amazing accomplishments in track recently, In the Spring of 2022, Chidi, along with his team at Capital City Track Club, competed in the USA Track & Field (USATF) Indoor Nationals.  Individually, Chidi won the National Championship in the 55 meter hurdles. Additionally, his relay team earned All American honors  by placing fourth in the 4X200m.
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