Few people in today’s culture of fast flow information could be convinced to memorize Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. However, we would all do well to at least commit to memory the scene when Odysseus finally returns home from war disguised as a beggar hoping to catch the suitors of his supposed widow Penelope off guard. As Odysseus approaches his home for the first time in twenty years, it is only Argos, his faithful dog, who “when he marked Odysseus standing near, wagged his tail and dropped both his ears.” Only Argos recognized Odysseus, and how did he know him? It is said that it was because he looked past all the noise… to the truth.
Of course, we know that looking past the noise is tricky in our modern world filled with noise of no value, both visual and oral. It competes effectively for our attention with what does have value – our personal interactions with our friends, our family and especially our children.
A Publishing Tradition of the Unquowa School
On a grand scale, without our permission or awareness, our collective attention has become economically monetized by the world marketplace. But while our collective awareness has been compromised, we can still protect our individual practice of attention. We simply have to recognize the size of the challenge and commit to realistic goals to protect our relationships – both how we model attention for our children and how we actually pay attention to our children. Remembering that “the small things become the big things,” paying attention on a small, personal scale has immeasurable possibilities, so our achievable practice of attention has to focus on where it matters most, in our homes and in our schools with our children.
In what small ways can we do this? Here at Unquowa, we balance the positive uses of smart devices with their attentionrobbing power by asking students to check their cells and smartwatches in with advisors at the beginning of the day, and we ask that Chromebooks be closed in classrooms when they
are not being used as tools for writing or research. Long before Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation championed free play, Unquowa understood and protected its value. Students of all ages here have two outdoor device-free recess/social periods every day for chatting and playing with classmates, and our family-style lunch tables are mixed-grade, with teachers at each table to encourage enjoying food and socializing with each other. Setting tables, serving food and clearing is also a tech-free part of lunch and one which kids see as both a service and a pleasure. At home families can do the same in simple ways like having device-free meals and tucking devices away in the car to encourage meaningful conversation among whoever happens to be in the carpool. Parents can also establish family tech spaces for doing homework and charging devices overnight, and they can designate sleeping spaces as “device free” so that kids don’t find themselves texting friends, surfing sites, or playing games when they should be sleeping. Modeling that as parents is also a huge step towards the simple practice of paying attention to each other.
In 370 B.C., Socrates, placed as a character in Plato’s Phaedrus, expresses the fear of that day’s new technology, writing. He predicts that it will foster forgetfulness, hinder true knowledge transmission, and lead to the appearance of wisdom without genuine understanding. Hindsight tells us that Socrates’ fear about writing was unfounded. But as we transfer Socrates’ fear to today’s new technology, we must remember that if we are to balance the gifts of modern technology with the threats it presents to human relationships, we must, like Odysseus’ faithful dog Argos, look past its noise to the truth. At the end of the day our relationships with each other are what we must pay attention to, nurture, and protect because, in the end, they are what matter most.
Sharon Lauer, Head of School
Growth Mindset Using Dots
Over the course of January, the entire school focused on a growth mindset. Students learned what it is, the importance of it, the role mistakes and failure play in our life, and the strength in resilience. Lower Schoolers practiced flipping their mindsets and harnessing their power in positive affirmations. Upper Schoolers learned about neuroplasticity and the literal growth we can have within our brains. The whole school ended the unit by reading The Dot, by Peter Reynolds, a story that reminds us that sometimes the best way to get unstuck is to simply get started, and that growth often means taking a risk. Every student in the school then decorated a dot, and 5th graders worked to display them in our dining room. If you find yourself stuck, think about our mural of dots and remember to have a growth mindset!
Deep Play
- Annie Henry, Director of Social/Emotional Wellness
Each week students in PreK, Kindergarten and 1st grade join me after school to learn new ways to calm their bodies and regulate their emotions through play. During this less structured time, we do crafts, play games and have lots of hands-on fun. Recently in February to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Deep Play classes focused on self-love. I wrote affirmations on conversation hearts with white crayons that students revealed with paint. What a heartwarming surprise! For homework students were instructed to post these notes somewhere they could read them every night. Another time students chose to make their own puffy paint and tackle a self made obstacle course. One of the things I love most about these sessions is that the students direct a lot of the activities; it really is their time!
- Faith Barbuto, Early Childhood Director
A Gift for the Birds
After reading the book Night Tree by Eve Bunting, Kindergarteners discovered the family in the story was going to the woods to decorate their favorite tree for the animals of the forest. Before winter break we made bird feeders out of bagels, Crisco, and birdseed to hang on one of Unquowa’s favorite trees, the blue spruce located near the corral. When we returned from break, we learned the birds had enjoyed their treats. The only thing left was a few strings. We wondered if the birds could use the string to make nests now that it is spring!
- Ann Palm, Kindergarten Teacher
Memories For India
Students in 7th and 8th grade have been working on creating beautiful custom gifts for youth facing challenges in India. Eighth graders painted portraits of students that will be sent to them as personal gifts through The Memory Project, an organization that works to spread messages of kindness to children around the world. Seventh graders also participated by creating Inspiration Art with students’ names, favorite colors, and three words that they used to describe themselves. Many of the children in India have never received keepsakes that others have made for them, so we hope these art pieces will be special gifts that let them know that there are other young people thinking of them and sending them good wishes!
- Krissy Ponden, Visual Arts Teacher
Ain’t Nothin Like The Real Thing!
Technology, books, films, podcasts, videos, documentaries, websites… These are all ways we consume information. But how much of it do we actually remember? Are we experiencing information overload, where the abundance of sources makes it harder for us to truly understand and learn?
In a recent lesson, our 4th graders dove into studying the structures and functions of plants and animals. At first, this might sound a bit tedious, uninteresting and dull to students. But to make it more engaging, we brought in live animals, plant specimens, and taxidermy mounts. Seeing these creatures up close allowed students to develop a deeper sense of understanding and stewardship, something that’s harder to achieve through just videos or pictures. The students spent time carefully observing the specimens, looking for clues about how their structures help them survive and thrive in their ecosystems.
Our live visitor was an adult screech owl named Cedar. He injured his eye many years ago and subsequently must live the remainder of his life in captivity. Students learned that owls use a variety of tools to allow them to live in the wild. Eyesight is key to effective hunting in the wild. Another adaptation or function is their ear placement (one high on the disc face and one low). This ear placement allows owls the ability to hear sounds up high and down low. In addition, students learned that many species of owls have feathers that have fringe or space between the edges, that enable silent flight. Helping the owl to sneak up on their prey in the dark!
We were lucky to have our friend Cedar visit the 4th grade science class. Cedar is just one of the many fascinating creatures that inhabit our big blue marble—Earth.
- Colleen Noyes, Science Teacher
Gators Go Bragh!
Our 20 Global Gators had an incredible nine days on our Irish adventure! From the moment we landed in Dublin, we were immersed in history and culture. We explored Trinity College and Temple Bar, and even stood at the site of a Viking settlement! St. Patrick’s Day brought us to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, a megalithic tomb and the Rathbaun Farm, where we baked scones and bottle fed lambs.
We continued our travels through Galway’s streets, visiting the cathedral and tasting fish and chips. These 7th and 8th grade travelers then visited Glengowla Mines, where they were introduced to silver mining, gold panning, and border collie sheep-herding, before snuggling with newborn lambs. Our three chaperones were just as excited as the kids! We spent the following morning at Sligo Abbey and Bundoran Beach.
The sights kept coming in Northern Ireland, where we toured Derry-Londonderry, hiked Giant’s Causeway, and crossed the Carricka-Rede rope bridge! Our time in Belfast gave us a deep dive into the region’s history, from the Titanic Museum to murals depicting The Troubles; we all got to sign the Peace Wall. Our last day brought a memorable tour of Dublin, exploring St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the EPIC Emigration Museum. Our trip may be over, but the special memories will last a lifetime! Ariel Warshaw, EF Trip Co-ordinator
Black History:Part of our DEIB Focus
Unquowa’s commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is an integral aspect of our community and curriculum. In February, we honored Black History Month while striving to ensure that these topics are embedded into our programming throughout the year, across every grade and discipline, not just in a single month.
As part of our year-round commitment, students across all grades engaged with these important themes in various ways. To illustrate just a few examples of classroom experiences: Pre-K learned about trailblazing women in history such as Bessie Coleman, the first African American female and Native American airplane pilot. Students imagined themselves as pilots and considered where they might fly to, and they also explored the achievements of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space.
First graders fell in love with the story Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Through this beautifully written and award-winning book, they discovered Duke Ellington’s life and legacy as a revolutionary jazz pianist and composer. Not only did students immerse themselves in the music of The Duke, but they also envisioned what his melodies would look like through art and design. First graders created their own colorful, Duke Ellington-inspired drawings to accompany their fact-filled writing pieces.
Fourth grade students have been learning about several notable women who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement using the literacy skills of identifying the main idea and details and summarizing. Students read passages such as The Reasons and Causes of the Civil Rights Movement, The Bus Boycott, and Young People of the Civil Rights Movement. From these passages they learned in depth about Rosa Parks, Ayanna Najuma, and Barbara Johns and worked on related activities including creating an infomap in the image of a bus to note the events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Students in 8th grade took a deeper dive into American history and racial justice during a field trip to the Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum in Stratford. This visit allowed them to explore exhibits that covered pivotal moments in history including the Middle Passage, enslavement, Jim Crow America, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Civil Rights Movement. Students also reflected on the profound legacies of Black Americans on U.S. and global culture, broadening their understanding of history and its ongoing relevance.
Through these comprehensive experiences and many others throughout the school year, our students are continually engaging with the rich, complex history of Black Americans. Unquowa understands the importance of considering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in every aspect of our curriculum to enrich our entire school community and provide authentic learning experiences for our students.
- Krissy Ponden, DEIB Co-coordinator
Celebrating Chinese New Year
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè, Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái – Happy New Year and Wishing You Good Fortune! Our Upper School Mandarin students kicked off the Chinese New Year celebrations by preparing over 600 vegetable dumplings, which, along with other delicious Chinese dishes created by our Chefs, were enjoyed by the entire school during a special festive lunch. Meanwhile, our younger students had fun practicing their Mandarin skills by crafting Play-Doh wontons, listening to stories about the Twelve Zodiac Animals, and making colorful Chinese New Year crafts. As part of the celebration, all Mandarin students received traditional Red Envelopes to mark the new Year of the Snake.
A special thank you to Unquowa parent Mrs. Toolan, who visited the 6th grade Mandarin class to share insights into Chinese New Year traditions. The students had a great time taking turns wearing the festive dragon costume and dancing around the classroom!
Throughout our two-week celebration, Mandarin students across all grade levels showcased their language skills with performances during our weekly assemblies. Their songs were filled with wishes of good luck and health for the New Year. Adding to the joyous spirit of the occasion, everyone came to school dressed in red!
Enhancing our foreign language program, this cultural experience is always a festive and delicious highlight of the year that our Unquowa community looks forward to celebrating.
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Carina Blackwell & Kelly Yeh, Mandarin Teachers
Gearing up for the Show!
In the Kingdom of Unquowa, many cherished traditions herald the arrival of our magical Winterfest! As the castle walls rise, stained glass panels are placed and the stage is set, the first order of events is the coronation of the new royal court, led by the Kings and Queens from the previous year. This noble ceremony marks the official beginning of Winterfest and ushers in the new Royal Court to commence their reign. This year, King Riley and Queen Alex were crowned, both honored for being the longest-standing students at Unquowa!
Shortly after the Royal Coronation, the Knighting Ceremony takes place, where the new King and Queen fulfill their first royal duty. The valiant 1st grade knights, who have studied their duties, are bestowed their knighthood and granted a key to the Unquowa Kingdom. With this honor, they vow to defend the Kingdom of Unquowa!
During this busy time, even our parents play a role in the Winterfest preparations! The makerspace transforms into a creative hub, where our talented parent costume designer, Missy Howe, leads a team in crafting costumes for the performance. Another group of dedicated parents decorate the castle walls, hanging bows and garlands to create an enchanting atmosphere. Additionally, parents come together to prepare the special, traditional snowman gifts, which are presented to each student and alumni after the show.
Another cherished Winterfest preparation is the creation and unveiling of the royal banner! Each year, Mrs. Ponden collaborates with the graduating class to craft a theme for the banner, bringing it to life with her exceptional artistry. The banner is first revealed privately to the 8th graders, before being presented to the entire community during the candle dance that opens the evening’s Winterfest performance. This year’s banner perfectly embodied the essence of Winterfest while also capturing the spirit of our graduating class. Together, these timeless traditions, shaped by the hands of our community, create the magic and warmth that make Winterfest a truly unforgettable celebration year after year.
- Jacqui Mudre, Director of Communications
44th Annual Winterfest: “Let’s Hang On”
Unquowa Winterfest is an annual school-wide performance with a storyline that evolves each year, while still preserving certain timeless elements. Always set in the medieval Kingdom of Unquowa, the tale captivates audiences, and students eagerly look forward to the cherished tradition of their unique themed roles assigned to each grade.
This year’s Winterfest story Let’s Hang On follows Renee Plover, who runs a side business, Renee’s Rescue, rehabilitating injured animals. Recently, she’s been caring for an injured Belgian Tiger named Ti with the help of her daughter, Sarah, as temperatures rise in the Kingdom of Unquowa, causing trouble for everyone.
Renee also works for her grumpy, mean Aunt, Ms. Rinalda Cost, an accountant in the Kingdom. One night Aunt Rinalda is visited by the spirits of three relatives who are fed up with her terrible behavior and bring her a message through song and words of wisdom.
As the climate’s heat continues to intensify, Renee and her friends, meteorologist Gabe Fahrenheit and climatologist James Hanson, receive letters from more animals needing urgent help. When they learn a family of polar bears is trapped on an iceberg, they rush to save them, leaving Sarah to care for Ti, whose health is worsening.
Meanwhile, the mean Aunt Rinalda is visited by three more spirits: The Spirit of Friendship, the Spirit of Family, and the Ghost of Silence, who also try to change her ways. Did they succeed? Were the polar bears rescued, and did the Kingdom of Unquowa find a cooler future before it’s too late? You can view the performance at: unquowa.org/wf24/
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Patty Carver, Performing Arts & Winterfest Author and Director
Basketball Season Roundup
What an incredible basketball season it has been for our Unquowa teams! Our players brought their best to every practice and game, showing unwavering dedication and effort to improve their skills. And it truly paid off! It was a fantastic season to remember for Unquowa Gator Hoops!
Our 7/8 girls and boys teams, as well as our 5/6 boys team, had an exciting start to the season, each winning two out of their first three games! The 5/6 girls team showed incredible growth throughout the season, finishing strong and playing their final three games down to the wire. The 7/8 girls team finished with a winning record of 4-3, capping off their season with two thrilling victories in games that came down to the last possession. Both the 5/6 and 7/8 boys teams also had exciting finishes in their final two games, each team splitting the outcomes with one win and one loss and both games coming down to the final seconds. Many of the games throughout our season were filled with intense moments and were such a blast to watch!
A huge thank you to our loyal fans for their amazing support this season – you truly made the experience exceptional!
Young Gators On the Court
Unquowa’s 3rd and 4th grade basketball stars conquered the court this season! Our little Gators didn’t just go through the motions; they’ve been all-in, mastering skills, working together, and having a blast. From perfecting dribbling to mastering passing and shooting, these young athletes proved they’ve got the grit and the heart to rise to the challenge. Every practice was a step toward greatness and we’re excited to see where they go from here! Our Gators are on fire – Go Gators!
- Sarah Pollex, Grades 3/4 Basketball Coach
- Ryan Taylor, Director of Athletics
Spirit In Our Game!
One of Unquowa’s most time-honored traditions takes center stage on the iconic hardwood of the gym. Can you guess what it is? Picture this: as March settles in and the promise of spring lingers in the air, Unquowa gears up for its legendary showdown—a high-spirited, fast-paced battle where 8th graders and faculty team up in a mixed-squad faceoff, all under the strategic leadership of none other than the 7th grade basketball teams, who serve as the coaches for the day.
This year, the energy in the gym was electric, with the crowd erupting at every steal, pass, and improbable half-court shot. The student coaches paced the sidelines with dramatic intensity, calling timeouts with the flair of seasoned professionals and drawing up plays on clipboards as if the championship were on the line. This year, in addition to our Gators energizing the crowd during halftime, a group of 8th grade moms got into the spirit with a fun dance routine, pompoms and all!
As the game continued, laughter echoed through the gym when a teacher’s ambitious three-pointer banked in off the scoreboard, and the game reached peak excitement when a student broke away for what looked like an easy layup— only to be met with a surprisingly agile block from a faculty member. With the final buzzer sounding and players high-fiving across teams, one thing was certain: the Unquowa spirit was alive and well. Until next year Gators!!!
- Sarah Pollex, Physical Education Department Chair
Epic Time on the Slopes
The Upper School Ski Club, now in its 13th year, just wrapped up another fantastic season. Nearly every Upper School student joined us for at least one trip to Ski Sundown, making it a highly successful year. Our 8th graders showed up in full force, and we welcomed a great group of brand-new skiers who’ve quickly developed a passion for the sport. To top it all off, several snowstorms gave us perfect conditions throughout the season and we are already looking forward to hitting the slopes next year!
- Lloyd Mitchell, Ski Club Coordinator
From The Kitchen
In the Unquowa kitchen, we prioritize health, safety, and clean eating. Recently, we have made the shift to using all-natural, seed-free oils, eliminating conventional seed oils like corn, sunflower, and soybean. Instead, we now use healthier alternatives like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and tallow—each chosen for their potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and supporting brain and skin health.
Unquowa School
Presents the Upper School 2025 Spring Musical
Friday, May 9th - 7:00pm
Tickets available here –
In addition to focusing on nutrition, we are committed to food allergy safety. As of this year, we’ve completely eliminated sesame from our kitchen to protect students with allergies. We take allergies and food safety very seriously and we always provide alternatives to ensure every student can enjoy their meals worry-free.
Our kitchen staff is dedicated to serving up meals that are not only delicious and nutritious but also safe and comforting, ensuring that every student and faculty member can enjoy their food with peace of mind.
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S U M M E R C A M P AT U N Q U OWA
Summer Camp at Unquowa offers a wide variety of engaging activities designed to spark creativity and adventure.
Including themed Fun Fridays – complete with BBQ cookouts! Open to children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade in the fall of 2025. Campers will be grouped based on their grade.
Weekly sessions available from June 16 to July 11
Registration now open to Unquowa families & friends at unquowa.org/summer-camp
Online Gator Goods!!!
Check out our Gator Goods Spiritwear online store. Enjoy shopping for Gator swag and gifts for the entire family. Alums - check out the “Class” gear!
Orders will be shipped directly to your home address. Visit: unquowa.org/gator-goods/ or scan QR code
Adam Stuart, Head Chef
Notes From The UPA
The Unquowa Parents Association’s Spring Auction will be extra special this year, as we honor Sharon Lauer’s 20 years (and counting!) as Head of School. Tickets are on sale now for the Saturday, April 26th celebration. Parents, grandparents, alumni, neighbors and friends are all invited to join and bid in support of Unquowa’s biggest fundraiser of the year! The auction will feature fantastic vacations, Red Sox and Hartford Wolf Pack tickets, charming teacher experiences, tickets to the new smash Broadway hit HEATHERS (produced by our own Ms. Carver’s husband, Jerry Goehring), and as always… parking spots, and more! Why do we do this? Because the school we love flourishes with financial support. Money raised at the auction covers everything from socials to special speakers, helps with teacher salaries and keeping our grounds beautiful, sports nights and classroom equipment, traditions like Winterfest, and printing our award-winning Pen & Paper Magazine. The funds raised touch every part of the magical experience that is Unquowa.
Over the past several months UPA committees have held a successful Holiday Wishes Delivered gift card drive for the benefit of Fairfield Family Services, hosted a Community Closet gently-used uniform shopping event for families to reduce clothing waste and encourage recycling, and created a new “Anxious Generation” action committee inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s book. In the months ahead, the UPA will celebrate our wonderful faculty, staff and administrators throughout Teacher Appreciation week, host a book donation drive, sponsor Upper School socials, and contribute to a tree and flower planting initiative in Bridgeport. We couldn’t do any of this without the support of the greater Unquowa community and the labors of love of our UPA members, chairs, and volunteers. So, thank you, for your past, present and future support of our wonderful school by the brook. - The Unquowa Parents Association
The impact of your support is evidenced in these pages. With deepest gratitude for each and every single contribution to:
THE FUND FOR UNQUOWA 2024-2025
100 Days and Counting!
Both Lower School and 8th grade students recently celebrated the milestone of 100 days! On the 100th day of school, our younger students, proudly claiming to be 100 days smarter, enjoyed a variety of fun activities in their classrooms, all themed around the number 100. A few days later, in Upper School, Ms. Lauer and the 8th grade advisors surprised the Class of 2025 with a well received pizza and cake party to mark the exciting countdown—only 100 days left until graduation!
- Jacqui Mudre, Director of
Communications
Good News For Our 8th Grade Scholars!
We are proud to announce that our graduating 8th graders have had a record number of acceptances at day and boarding schools for the fall of 2025. We are wishing them all the very best in high school next year.
• Canterbury School
• Choate Rosemary Hall
• Fairfield College
Preparatory School
• Governor’s Academy
• Greens Farms Academy
• Harvey School
• Hopkins School
• Lauralton Hall
• Madeira School
• Marvelwood School
• Miss Porter’s School
• Northfield Mount Hermon
• Notre Dame Prep
• Pomfret School
• St. Joseph High School
• St. Luke’s School
• Suffield Academy
• Westover School
• Wooster School
ALUMNI NEWS
Lucy Panagos ’16 graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2024 with a BS in Human Biology and a minor in Finance. She recently took a position at Massachusetts General Hospital as a clinical neurotechnology research assistant. Lucy is a part of the BrainGate research team, which includes neurologists, neuroscientists, engineers, computer scientists, neurosurgeons, engineers, and other researchers — all focused on developing brain computer interfaces (BCI) technologies to restore the communication, mobility, and independence of people with neurological disease, injury, or limb loss. Congratulations on your new position and keep up your impressive work, Lucy. We are so proud of you!
Steve Aikenhead ’54, a longstanding supportive Unquowa alumnus, is still going strong and utilizing his “unafraid spirit” at 84 years of age, spending his time between Weathersfield, Vermont, and Mount Tamalpais, California, where in his own words, is “trying to be more help than bother” at the elementary school where he once taught.
A dedicated storyteller, Steve recently published Weathersfield Tales VI, the final book in his series capturing the humor, history, and occasional disasters of life in a Vermont village. True to his generous gator spirit, Steve offers copies of his latest collection for free (or by donation) to anyone who is interested – just email him for a copy: steve@vermontel.net or stevea47@tds.net
Nolan Howe ‘22, a junior at St. Luke’s High School in New Canaan, won 1st place in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Connecticut Voice of Democracy competition. The VFW Voice of Democracy program is a scholarship competition that provides high school students across the nation with an opportunity to express their thoughts on democratic ideals and principles. Participants write and deliver original speeches on an annually selected theme, competing at the local, district, state, and national levels for scholarship awards. This year’s theme, “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” inspired over 40,000 students from across the country to enter the Voice of Democracy competition, showcasing their talent, critical thinking, and passion for civic engagement. As the Connecticut champion, Nolan represented the state at the Voice of Democracy National Competition in Washington, D.C., where he competed against other state winners from across the country. We are so proud of Nolan’s achievement, which highlights his exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to civic engagement
Alumni ~ We would love to hear from you!
Please visit our alumni page at unquowa.org/alumni, join us on LinkedIn, follow us on social media, and don’t forget to email any news or updates directly to alumni@unquowa.org.
