around Campus

campus recap

ccmc pj day On December 10, 2022, Rectory School participated in Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s 11th Annual PJ Day for the Kids to raise money for the hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Thank you to Hadly H. ’26 for educating our community on the day’s significance and encouraging the entire school to participate in the state-wide event that raised $657,005. community service elective Members of the community service elective spent the fall focused on how to support families in need through regional service organizations in Northeast Connecticut. Their hard work supported the Putnam Family Resources Center, TEEG, and United Services with grocery store gift cards, fleece hats to help keep children warm, bags filled with everyday necessities, and some fun surprises.

fourth-grade technology class The new fourth-grade technology class was a hit with the students, who were thrilled to take advantage of Rectory’s innovation lab. The class taught the basics, including using Google Suite to find the most effective way to search age-appropriate sites for project research and introduced more advanced concepts, such as creating circuits and developing functional code. Students enjoyed learning about 3D printers and how middle schoolers use the green screen and Mac desktop computers.

mlk day of service Early on Monday, January 17, the Rectory community gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through education, listening, and community service. Middle school students, faculty, and staff split into groups and scattered into the community to solicit nonperishable donations for TEEG (Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group), provide musical entertainment to the residents of Country Living at Westview Commons, and assist with cleanup at the Pomfret Fire Department. They also participated in several campus-based cleanup projects, including creating 750 Valentine’s Day cards and cupcakes to be distributed to TVCCA Meals on Wheels clients, painting dorm stairwells, organizing the athletic uniform closet, and restoring the blazes on the red and blue trails. Members of the elementary school made 32 colorful fleece knotted blankets to give to nursing homes and TEEG. They also held a Krispy Kreme fundraiser with all profits supporting the Porcupine School from the Lakota Nation for grades K-8.

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colorful fleece knotted blankets donated

winter break on campus Students who could not return home for winter break because of the pandemic were invited to stay on campus. They enjoyed some much-needed downtime, family-style activities, and off-campus events. Thanks to members of Rectory’s Parents’ Association (RPA), all students had a stocking and gifts to open on Christmas morning. (Shown here is the group leaving wishes on the wishing tree at Old Sturbridge Village’s Christmas by Candlelight event.)

shield promotes dei theme Through personal experiences and thoughtful discussions, Rectory’s Student Happiness, Inclusion, Equity, Leadership, and Differences (SHIELD) group promoted this year’s theme, “Rectory Is Differences.” Student-led activities and presentations focused on the importance of language and its use to express opinions, thoughts, and emotions. The Rectory community continues to live the SHIELD mission: to promote equity and justice, educate and inspire, and confront and correct biases to lift one another up.

kellogg awards The Kellogg Award, established in 1993 by Rectory alumnus Peter Kellogg ‘57 in honor of his mother, Mrs. James Crane Kellogg III, recognizes Rectory employees for their dedication and commitment to Rectory School. Each year, two employees are selected to receive this award because of their many years of service and special help to the school and students. On March 2, 2022, Mr. Williams announced the two 2022 recipients: Evan Campbell and Melissa Zahansky. Learn about their accomplishments and why they were selected for this prestigious award when you visit www.rectoryschool.org/about/ directory/kellogg-awards.

wolf den sports center elective Ms. Callanan introduced a sports media elective for 8th- and 9th-grade students this year. Students photographed and videotaped athletic events, interviewed athletes and coaches, and created fun and informative videos for Rectory’s Wolf Den Sports Center. You can check out their efforts on Rectory’s website: www.rectoryschool.org/ campus-life/athletics/athletic-news.

elementary school aquarium visit During the winter term, students in the K-1 classroom studied penguins through art, music, reading, and research. With the ability to resume off-campus field trips, the class visited the New England Aquarium in Boston, where they observed more than 60 rockhopper and African penguins before exploring the other exhibits.