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.
MAGIC 2025 Highlights
D-E’s school spirit was on full display recently at the Myrna B. Sherman Gym, where MAGIC happened! Rain kept the annual intramural competition indoors, but it didn’t dampen the sense of community beaming from the rafters. “Spirited, cheerful D-E is my favorite...
Art in Action Aims to Inspire and Have an Impact
In an example of cross-divisional collaboration that beautifully illustrates imagination, the Art in Action student organization, advised by Rachel Brusky of the US/MS Art & Design Department, repurposed a tree they created as part of the set design of the HOPE...
Cabaret Night & All-School Chorus/Drumming Concerts an Inspiring Performance Double-Header!
This week, D-E Performing Arts hosted an inspiring double-header of live musical performances! During the Cabaret Night Concert on Monday, May 19, our Jazz Workshop and Stage Band ensembles, directed by Music Director Rob DeBellis P’18,’15 and accompanied by guest...
All-School Chorus & Drumming Concert Tomorrow, May 20
Our chorus students from all divisions have been working hard preparing for the All-School Chorus & Drumming Concert, on Tuesday, May 20, and starting at 7:00 PM in Schenck Auditorium. Middle / Upper School Music Teacher Ken Kacmar P ’26, ’28 said this is the...
Women in Finance Hosts a D-E Alumna, J.P. Morgan Banker
D-E’s Women in Finance student organization, facilitated by Faculty Advisor and Chief Financial Officer Angela Artale, recently hosted alumna Neesha Khanna ’09, a private banker at J.P. Morgan, for a conversation on building a career in finance. Ms. Khanna answered...
Cabaret Night 2025 Performance on Monday, May 19!
Get ready for one of the final concerts of the school year! Our Upper School student jazz artists have been busy rehearsing and can’t wait to perform Cabaret Night. This annual concert, featuring the Stage Band & Jazz Workshop ensembles and guest artist Marty...
Lower School Book Sale Gives Third Graders a Lesson in ‘Making a Difference’
Third Graders Making a Difference (TGMD), a service-based initiative founded by Third Grade Teacher Michelle Sussmann and co-led by Third Grade Teacher Rachel Brainin, culminated with a book sale this week, consisting of gently used children’s books donated by members of the D-E community. Proceeds from the book sale will benefit a charity selected by third graders. Students participated in sorting and preparing the donated books for sale. The Lower School was then invited to attend the fundraiser, where each book could be purchased for $5 or less. “It was fun planning for it,” exclaimed Zein A. ’34 of the event.
“This TGMD project truly puts all aspects of making a difference into the third graders’ hands,” said Ms. Sussmann. “They have learned so much about the power of giving… how important it is and how good it makes us feel!” When asked why it’s important to “make a difference,” Caleb C. ’34 remarked, “You’re helping people less fortunate than you.”
The project is tied to skills learned in students’ persuasive writing unit, for which they are asked to write a persuasive speech to convince their peers that a particular charity should receive the profits from the book sale. Alanna M. ’34 said she discovered through TGMD that anyone of any age can make a difference in the world, sharing: “Why wait until you’re older when you can do something now.” We’re so proud of our third graders for paying it forward!
Achille (“Ash”) Pompidou ‘25 Scores His 100th Goal for D-E Boys Lacrosse!
WOW & CHEERS to Achille (“Ash”) Pompidou ’25, who scored his 100th goal for D-E Boys Varsity Lacrosse this week during a match against West Orange High School! Ash’s five goals and four assists helped the team secure an 18-11 victory—D-E’s fourth win of the...
AP Psychology Students Test Young Minds
A few of D-E’s oldest students (seniors) collaborated with some of our youngest (Preschool 4) during a Developmental Psychology unit for which AP Psychology students learned about Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. “Part of that theory is that children at...
End-of-Year Garden Work Party Highlights
The Upper School Garden Club recently hosted their final Garden Work Party of the season, which included tending of the Nettie Coit Teaching Garden, a potluck, and live music from an ensemble led by Mr. Jack Armitage, Director of Program Scheduling and Mathematics...
