The Allen-Stevenson School

Third graders are studying maps during social studies! As part of this unit, boys learn how to create map keys and use a Compass Rose incorporating both cardinal and ordinal directions. Not all maps need to be of locations the boys did a fun project mapping out their breakfasts. Students visualized their breakfast setting and designed a map of their breakfast. They had to have at least five items, fill in the Compass Rose, and make a map key. #passionateachievers #socialstudies #boyseducation

Our youngest actors are studying how to perform emotions. Last week, boys crawled under their desks with their iPads and told a scary story in the spirit of Halloween while giving us their best spooky performance. Instead of saying The End, they had to give us a mwahahaha! This is a great example of how we teach our boys to express emotion even ones they are not necessarily feeling at that moment. We also explore how you can express emotion using your voice and body you can do it even while socially distancing with a mask on! #socialemotionallearning #SEL #compassionateachievers

At Allen-Stevenson we pride ourselves on inspiring boys to become thoughtful, responsible, generous, respectful, studious, enthusiastic, determined, creative, and good.

Benjy Sarlin '00 of NBC and Will Rahn '02 of CBS, political reporters on the national scene, visited our Middle and Upper School students live for a discussion and Q&A on the current presidential election. Mr. Sarlin and Mr. Rahn spoke to the boys about what it means to be a political reporter. The boys came away from this exercise well informed about our country’s political system and why every voice is important including their own!

Newbery Honor-winning author Victoria Jamieson visited our Middle Schoolers LIVE on Zoom to speak about her books and give them a drawing lesson! Ms. Jamieson’s latest graphic novel, When Stars are Scattered, is also included in our Adi’s Reading Challenge this year and was recently named a finalist of the National Book Award. This graphic novel is a collaborative project with Omar Mohamed, founder of the organization Refugee Strong. The book is based on Mohamed’s life grow...ing up in a refugee camp in Kenya. It’s an extraordinary glimpse into life in a camp, taking the reader on a journey of despair, and hope, as Omar figures out how to secure a future for himself and his younger brother. This and the rest of our Adi’s Challenge books foster empathy and perspective-taking in our boys by providing a window into a character’s life which is much different from their own. #compassionatelearners #socialemotionallearning #SEL See more

Finding creative ways to move when the weather keeps us indoors! Our Athletics Department continues to come up with a variety of activities that allow the boys to exercise and hone fine motor and balance skills while staying safe and healthy. In the Fourth Grade, boys have been engaged in a friendly jump rope competition. They were timed jumping rope one at a time to see who could jump the longest!

Hoping you have a frightfully fun Halloween! The Middle and Upper School boys helped to kick off the occasion with creative costumes in school on Friday.

To close out this Autumn season and the first week of Phase 2 Hybrid Learning, the PA is throwing a virtual cookie decorating event, accompanied by a live Zoom story reading with Lower School Librarian Maria Paz Alegre TODAY! More information and the Zoom link for the storytelling event can be found on the recent activity steam by logging on to the website. Please take a photo of your son(s) decorating cookies and send it to [email protected]!

What’s the healthier option? Sixth graders in Maya Jourieh’s Health and Wellness class are learning important tools for self-care and self-management to maintain a healthy lifestyle during a creative Halloween-themed lesson. Boys were tasked with researching healthier alternatives to Halloween candies and presenting their findings to the class. In their presentations, the boys had to display both wrappers and walk the class through the labels, explaining why one is preferential in terms of ingredients and nutrition facts. #studentdrivenlearning #passionatelearners #healthandwellness #selfcare

Our kindergarteners and first graders are engaged in some spooky projects in celebration of Halloween! This week, boys are crafting skeletons out of a variety of mediums including dried noodles and beans. These projects are both fun and educational as they teach our boys about body parts and symmetry.

With safety as our top priority, a new batch of boys and teachers returned to our building this week. We are thrilled to welcome more of our community back to 78th Street!

Political cartoons are beneficial educational tools for our boys. They provide an important historical record by reflecting the values, conflicts, and key issues present in different societies at a specific moment in time. Analyzing political cartoons allows students to develop both factual knowledge and interpretive skills. Seventh graders in Mr. Kersey and Ms. Storch’s history class analyze political cartoons to aid in their understanding of the history of American immigration and naturalization. They are considering questions like: What do you notice in this cartoon? What is the cartoonist’s point of view? What does this cartoon teach us about American history? #deeperlearning

Our Lower Schoolers get to know different members of our community by welcoming special guests to Community Time on Fridays. Last week, Chef Joe joined us live for a Q&A! He shared what inspired him to become a chef and taught the boys a bit about the Food Services Program at Allen-Stevenson. The boys also played a fun guessing game called Another One Bites the Crust to get to know our Food Services Team and learn what some of their favorite foods are.

We are welcoming back another batch of boys today as we begin Phase 2 of our re-opening plans! Our boys are being thoughtful about the many ways we can work together to keep one another safe and healthy. These helpful drawings by our youngest learners illustrate the many measures we have been taking, and will continue to take, as more of our community re-enters the building.