What’s Happening
From September’s opening day to June’s closing ceremonies, we document and share events from all over our campus in an attempt to continuously communicate all the diverse goings-on at The Unquowa School. From school-wide events, assemblies, visiting presenters and other highlights from around campus, here’s a sample of what’s happening…
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Voices of Change
Posted by Vincent O’Hara
For the second year, the Voices of Change art show, featuring a selection of seventh and eighth-grade students’ artwork, was on display for the public, both as a one-night “pop-up” at Robert Valle Designs and for two weeks at Blends Gallery in Bridgeport. Their art was the result of a trimester-long collaboration between the humanities and art departments.
The students traveled to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield and to the Walsh Gallery at Fairfield University to learn about how to decipher meaning from works of art. Then, they were tasked with identifying a part of the world they want to change, thoroughly researched that topic, developed their own opinions and synthesized a meaningful way to display it. Unabashed and sophisticated, their pieces focused on a wide range of issues, from gun violence to income inequality, and took on a variety of forms, such as installation, performance, and embroidery.
Voices of Change was a celebration of our seventh and eighth-graders’ intellectual capacity, maturity, and global knowledge. It was a message of hope, for the world cannot solve these problems without awareness, humanity, and a desire for a change. Wise beyond their years, our students once again reminded us of why the future is so bright, and we could not be more proud of them, the leaders of tomorrow.
UnquowaZine Volume 1
Posted by George Seferidis
We are so delighted to present the 1st edition of UnquowaZine to the community. A student led, authentic literary and art magazine filled with work from PreK-3 to Grade 4. It speaks to the Lower School’s commitment to the written word and artistic expression. From the PreK-3 Frida Kahlo portraits to the Grade 4 poetry, lower school students are consistently finding was in which to express themselves. The Grade 3 and 4 students who worked to edit and gather all of these pieces, were continuously in awe as they surveyed the work of their fellow students. We the faculty advisors could not be more proud.
Pen & Paper Volume 10
Posted by George Seferidis
We are excited to present, Pen & Paper Volume 10!
This year’s magazine features sophisticated and well-crafted poems and short stories with powerful themes. We have a few satires whose QR code you can scan to experience online. Our art staff has produced stunning photography. Student poetry displays wonderful imagery, lyricism, and wonder. Enjoy student work from the 2018-2019 academic year!
Physical copies of the magazine will be available for purchase during closing ceremonies or click here to order one online.
Ah Camping We Will Go!
Posted by Ann Palm
The PreK classes had an authentic camping experience, including rain! First, in the Unquowa woods we set up a tent. The children were amazed that a bag of material could make an outside house. The kids hammered in stakes, held poles and watched as the center pole went up to finish our house in the woods. Then we all got inside, opened windows and learned about different camping equipment. Without water, toilets and electricity, life is different outside. Everything is compact and easy to carry. The folding chairs were like puzzles, sleeping bags for sleeping, buckets to get water, lanterns for light and the firepit for cooking. The nesting pots were a favorite as the kids pretended to cook. Another favorite was finding worms for fishing. Unfortunately we didn’t catch anything but one child proudly announced, “I caught a leaf!” Even our specials were outside. During art class we made wood fairies out of clothespins and found homes for them on trees. In Makerspace we remade an old shelter with sticks and leaves. The children were true campers and were not affected by the rain. They played with their fairies and listened to books in the tent. The highlight of the day was the smores cooked on the fire pit mmmm good!
Field Day Fun
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Fueled by an amazing pancake breakfast, Unquowa students were eager to enjoy some healthy competition and showcase their sportsmanship. While every Field Day event, especially the water games, basketball arcade, and scavenger hunt continued to be super fun, it was the creative hurdle races that became the favorite this year. The classic game of Capture the Flag as the day’s big event and the Lower School and Upper School competitions were thrilling to watch. Our students’ agility and speed were impressive as they worked together to enter the opponent’s territory and steal flags, as was their ability to anticipate an opponent’s move to defend the flags. The cheering (“Go Green! Go White!) that broke out from the bleachers kept the teams motivated.
While the Lower and Upper School games ended in a tie, the PreK and Kindergarten team dominated the eighth-graders in the grand finale game. Crossing into the eighth-grade territory, our youngest students brought each and every flag safely back to their own side without getting tagged! The eighth-graders were great sports and led us all in team handshakes and a school cheer. Go Gators!
Featuring Unquowa’s Student Artists
Posted by Krissy Ponden
The all-school annual art show is a creative celebration of the work our students have accomplished in visual arts throughout the year. An exhibition of works in drawing, painting, weaving, clay, batik, digital illustration and other media, the art show is always a favorite event for the whole school.
This year, seventh and eighth grade students displayed their Voices of Change projects, conceptual art in various media that speaks to an issue they researched and care about. Sixth graders collaborated on a multimedia installation complete with video and sound that draws attention to the problem of plastic in the ocean. The students created a dynamic underwater scene with prints, soft sculptures, and clay. It is always a treat to see all of our students’ artwork displayed together and to have the opportunity to celebrate their creative growth throughout the year.
