September 15 through October 15 marks the month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes and honors the rich history, cultural diversity, and contributions from Hispanic and Latino communities. Here under the pines, all three divisions are and will enjoy various activities and programming including a high energy, lively performance by musical guests The Hartt Salsa All-Stars.

Dressed in their spring best, 36 sixth-grade students said a bittersweet farewell to their Lower School journey as they celebrated a graduation ceremony in front of parents, families, and faculty hosted in the Taylor Performing Arts Center.

Swain Library was filled with curated exhibits featuring Florence Nightingale, Josephine Baker, Albert Einstein, Muhammad Ali, Tyrus Wong, Elijah McCoy,  Milton Bradley, and other historical figures as fifth-graders took on the personas of inventors, activists, athletes, visual and performing artists, scientists, and writers in the recent Changemakers Living Museum.

An underwater adventure through the coral reef and its creatures awaited parents and the Lower School community as third-grade students performed their original play titled Reef Harmony, a Tale of Unity, in the Taylor Performing Arts Center.

Fifth-grade students turned four timeless tales and illustrations of children’s author Leo Lionni into a heartwarming live performance and art show for their Kindergarten buddies along with PreSchool and PreKindergarten students.

Fourth-grade students in Emily Schimelman 2002 and Stephanie Riedel’s class welcomed special guest speakers Judge William Bright and Benjamin Schimelman for a presentation titled Rules, Fairness, Democracy, & You.

It was a night of all things science as extractions of strawberry and blueberry DNA, a tornado in a box, a miniature wind turbine and solar panel display, and other demonstrations and experiments filled the cafeteria tables as students in Grades 4-6 showcased their research findings at the Lower School Science Fair.

As the fire crackled on the screen and twinkly night lights luminated the room, second-grade students were quiet under their tents enjoying a leisurely fun activity, Camp-Read-A Lot. Soothing tunes also helped set the mood for the special program, which emphasized the fun you can have as accomplished readers.

February marked the month-long celebration of Black History Month and the Hamden Hall community partook in activities, discussions, readings, and a special luncheon that gave students the opportunity to dive deeper into history and learn more about the people and events who shaped our nation.

A recent English class for sixth-grade students took an unexpected turn as teacher Patrick Yeoman walked through the door dressed as Socrates for an enriching learning experience. Students partook in a Socratic Seminar for their current reading of Among The Hidden by author Margaret Peterson Haddix.

While most are too dangerous to view up close, active volcanoes make for interesting conversations and, in classrooms, science projects. Second-grade students carried out their own volcanic eruptions in a recent hands-on STEM activity.

The beloved world of fairy tales turned upside down as fourth-grade students offered a new perspective full of fun anecdotes and modern twists on the traditional telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood in their cross-curricular stage production of Twisted Tales.

How do little monsters understand feelings and emotions? First-grade students turned that question into a vibrant and fun production as they performed their own telling of the book, The Color Monster, by author Anna Llenas. First-graders performed on the stage in our Taylor Performing Arts Center in front of their families and fellow Lower School students.

There are few things as inherently exciting as when things are flying through the air. Fifth-grade students took on that challenge as they constructed catapults in a hands-on learning project.