Our youngest ones have so much wisdom to offer us. Former librarian and now 3rd grade teacher, Rachel Brainin carries on the legacy of Sheila Sienicki and maintains the publication’s spirit. Rather than having students strive to be published, D-Escribe is an open opportunity to explore writing prompts and styles. Teachers mainly submit work from the Units of Study, while also offering students creative prompts to play with style and content.
“Writing is sometimes very prescribed, so the open-ended prompts provide us with more exciting stories. I had a kid who didn’t like to write but then couldn’t stop writing about dinosaurs. In any free moment he had, he would say, ‘can I work on my dinosaurs?’”
Rather than having students strive to be published, D-Escribe is an open opportunity to explore writing as an artistic medium. Rachel hopes to continue to build upon D-Escribe’s wonderful history and to continue to inspire young students.
Learning About the Birds and Bees That Live on Campus
Faculty from all three divisions at D-E recently took advantage of the animal life that lives on campus for hands-on (and fun!) learning. Beekeepers from our Apiary visited The Imperatore Library on World Bee Day, May 20, to show our PreK 4 class the live bees in our...
Alumni Networking Panel & Senior Lunch Highlights
The D-E Development and Alumni Relations Team recently hosted an Alumni Networking Panel and Senior Lunch, featuring professionals in various fields who shared their career journeys and imparted advice on college life and beyond. Alumni panelists included Mark Stetson...
8th Grade Service Trips Highlights
For the second time this year, 8th graders participated in service-learning field trips and opportunities to connect with our local community and take steps toward our school’s mission to “make it better.” Students volunteered for the Bergen Family Center, Meals on...
US Farewell & Awards Assembly Celebrates Departing Faculty, Student Leaders
During our Annual Upper School (US) Farewell & Awards Assembly, school publications were commemorated, student awards were announced, and we bid adieu to several important members of the US community. In her opening remarks, US Principal Ms. Lalli noted, “The...
8th Grade ‘Living Wax Museum’ Illuminates Banned Books
This week 8th Graders stepped into history as part of their “Living Wax Museum” presentations to D-E families, faculty, and staff. The cross-disciplinary project, facilitated by Ms. Burnett and Mr. Akula, consisted of dynamic, student-led performances that brought...
Swartley Gallery Senior Spotlight Exhibit Highlights
In what has become a D-E tradition, the Swartley Gallery Series is closing the school year with its Senior Spotlight exhibit, running through Monday, May 25, and celebrated with an artist reception this week. This showcase is “a chance for all Seniors’ work to be...
LS Pajama Day Highlights
The Lower School recently celebrated its final Spirit Day of the school year—an ever-popular Pajama Day! Students across the division sported their comfy clothes, wearable blankets, matching PJ sets, and bright smiles while completing assignments, reading, crafting,...
Dance at D-E Makes Some Moves!
D-E Performing Arts formally introduced the expansion of its dance programming via the first-ever Dance Assembly in Schenck Auditorium last week. Spearheaded by Class of 2027 Dean Stephanie “Tuc” Tucker, Dance at D-E consists of the Dance Club, led by Madigan Kacmar...
New Jersey National History Day Contest Highlights
Way to go! Eleven of our 8th Graders participated in the New Jersey History Day Contest, which took place at William Paterson University. This series challenges students to become experts on a topic of their choice, individually or in a group. Students take...
MODE Hosts Library Jam Session
Student leaders of Musicians of D-E (MODE) hosted an after-school jam session in The Imperatore Library this week, just as Seniors reached their last official day of classes. Mackenzie Hammer ’28 kicked off the live performances, playing the ukulele as she sang...
