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.

LS Holiday Sing-Along Assembly Highlights

LS Holiday Sing-Along Assembly Highlights

D-E’s annual Lower School (LS) Holiday Sing-Along Assembly yesterday held up to tradition! With festive lights and hundreds of happy smiling families, the LS Gym was transformed into a lively, lovely holiday-esque scene. Students and LS faculty/staff sang seasonal...

TREP$ 2025 Was a Success!

TREP$ 2025 Was a Success!

The TREP$ program, which kicked off in September, culminated in the TREP$ 2025 Marketplace, where our sixth-grade entrepreneurs set up shop in the Wharton Lessin Dining Hall to sell the wares they’d planned, received feedback on, prepped, and learned how to promote....

Handbells & Choral Winter Concert Recap

Handbells & Choral Winter Concert Recap

Bells were ringing and students across divisions were singing in D-Elightful harmony during last night’s Handbells & Chorus Winter Concert, presented by D-E Performing Arts. Hajjar Auditorium was standing room only for a seasonally-inspired program which included...

TREP$ Marketplace Kitchen Prep “Sneak Peek”

TREP$ Marketplace Kitchen Prep “Sneak Peek”

Our 6th-grade entrepreneurs are prepped and ready to go for today’s TREP$ Marketplace, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM! Get a sneak peek of the kitchen prep from students who have food businesses, guided by Chef Alex, Sous Chef Fernando, and the rest of D-E’s food-service...

English Department Spotlight

English Department Spotlight

Mr. Meserole, P’26, ’28, ’30, English Department Chair, shares how teachers in his department “create the conditions for learning.” He, along with other English Department faculty, point to examples of inclusive excellence, self-discovery, and innovation in action in...

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Q&A With US Dean Emily Sclafani
Professional Development 2026 Highlights
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Philosophy & Ethics Spotlight: Tapping Into Our Shared Humanity
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