Rachel Brainin, Librarian, 3rd Grade Teacher, D-Escribe

Jan 27, 2022 | Spotlight on English

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.

8th Graders Engage in Service Learning Field Trips

8th Graders Engage in Service Learning Field Trips

With our D-E mission to “make it better” clearly in mind, 8th graders recently participated in hands-on service learning to benefit local organizations. Students chose from three volunteering programs:  Pasta packing at the Community FoodBank of NJ warehouse  (they...

D-E’s Model UN Team Competes at Princeton

D-E’s Model UN Team Competes at Princeton

D-E’s Model UN team recently attended its first collegiate conference of the year: Princeton’s Model UN Conference. For the past several weeks, club leaders have mentored younger delegates in meetings and even hosted its own conference (D-EMUN) to get the team ready....

Thanksgiving Assembly Gratitude Reel

Thanksgiving Assembly Gratitude Reel

What a fantastic year so far! In the words of our Head of School, Dr. James Calleroz White, “Thank you for showing up every day!” We wish our incredible D-E community a Happy Thanksgiving—it’s always so nice to see ya! Explore this topic further with a curated video...

Art Comes to Life for Our Third Graders at MoMA

Art Comes to Life for Our Third Graders at MoMA

D-E’s third graders recently took a field trip to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to observe and discuss the life’s work of sculptor Ruth Asawa. “They were excited to see this retrospective in person, since they had studied her sculptures last year and explored a...

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D-E Today - News and Editorial Content

Service-Learning Initiatives Inspire 7th Graders

Seventh Graders recently learned about service learning first-hand from organization founders and high school students who started their own community programs. Students gathered in the 7th Grade Porch to listen to a panel, moderated by Ms. Patel and Ms. Butterman,...

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Lower School Celebrates Community, Earth Day

Sporting their Spirit Day athletic team jerseys and T-shirts, Lower School students entered the gym for this week’s LS Assembly as the iconic song “We Are the World” played in the background. The song, as the fifth-grade presenters described, “is about being kind...

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2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Recipients

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers’ annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is an opportunity for creative teens in grades 7-12 to submit their artwork or written work for a chance to receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, and scholarships....

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Imperatore Library Hosts Spring 2026 Write Night

Happy National Poetry Month! In celebration, the English Department, in partnership with the Dwight-Englewood Writers (DEW) student organization, hosted Spring 2026 Write Night yesterday in The Imperatore Library, with a focus on poetry readings. Specifically,...

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LS Students Find Their Voice During Spring Sing-Along

Singing it loud and proud! The first Lower School (LS) Assembly following the break was a spirited Spring Sing-Along, featuring tunes LS teachers and students have enjoyed so far this year. To kick off the event, the Parents’ Association generously arranged for the...

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