The Browning School

2012 Forms V and VI Explore College Campuses

Wednesday, 19 September 2012 00:01

On the morning of September 19, Forms V and VI boarded a coach bus to begin the annual Browning School College Trip. Led by Director of College Guidance Sanford Pelz, who was accompanied by Head of Upper School Jim Reynolds, English teacher Kevin Dearinger and history teacher Steve Jasikoff, the juniors and seniors spent the next three days exploring the campuses of Drew University, Lehigh University, Muhlenburg University, Villanova University, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Reynolds noted, "As always, the trip provided the young men of Forms V and VI with the opportunity to experience the college atmosphere, sample the nutritional offerings at several of the schools at which we had lunch or dinner, and further differentiate the varieties of colleges to which they may be applying in the next few months (Form VI) and in a year (Form V). The weather was superb, making each campus appear even more beautiful than the last. The traditional college trip is invaluable, and, according to the admissions representatives we met with, it continues to be a unique feature of the Browning college preparation program." Click here to view photos.

2012 Fifth Grade Boys Tour Mystic Seaport

Thursday, 20 September 2012 00:00

On September 20, the fifth grade boys headed to Mystic, Conn., for their class' annual overnight trip. Teacher Dan Ragsdale reports that the crisp fall weather was perfect for exploring historic Mystic Village Museum. He added, "The boys were fascinated by the ship repair and blacksmith shops, but the top attraction was the tour of the S.S. Morgan, an 1844 whaling ship that the seaport has been restoring for several years. The second half of the afternoon was spent at Mystic Aquarium, where the boys learned the difference between seals and sea lions, posed for pictures with Beluga whales, and petted manta rays and (small) sharks. Friday morning was spent at the Pequot Museum, where the boys toured life-size, walk-through dioramas depicting Native American life, as well as a variety of interactive exhibits depicting the history of the Pequot nation." Click here to view photos.

2012 Browning Boys Traverse Brooklyn Bridge

Wednesday, 19 September 2012 00:00

On September 19 (a gloriously sunny and temperate day), second grade boys, accompanied by teachers Rachel Gerber and Alison Hilton, along with parent chaperones, took a bus to the Brooklyn Bridge. As the East River sparkled beneath them, the group walked across the pedestrian promenade of this iconic feature of the New York City skyline. A link between the two boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge, which serves approximately 150,000 vehicles and pedestrians every day, was the longest steel suspension bridge of its day when it opened in 1883.

Every year, Browning’s second grade class pays a visit to the bridge, learning about its history beforehand as part of their year-long study of all the city’s boroughs. In fact, their teachers quizzed the boys a bit before they disembarked from the bus on Wednesday, asking them about its creator, John Augustus Roebling, and the fact that his son, Washington A. Roebling, took over as chief engineer upon his father’s death. (In 1869, just before construction began, Roebling was injured while taking some compass readings across the East River and died of tetanus three weeks later. Washington's wife, Emily, assisted her husband to see the bridge completed.)

The boys each carried a clipboard with them to record what they saw during their crossing, including the Statue of Liberty, Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges, bikers, boats and so on. The boys also sketched what they saw of the New York City skyline from their vantage point on the bridge. With pencils in hand, many of them were still drawing as they ate their lunch in a nearby park. When asked what they found most interesting about the bridge, they noted the length of it as well as the historical markers and dates along the promenade route. Of course, being able to reach out and touch the cables was definitely a bonus! Click here to view photos.

2012 Alumni Soccer Game

Thursday, 13 September 2012 16:00

On Thursday, September 13, the 22nd Annual Alumni Soccer Game was held on Randall's Island. Browning's Alumni/Faculty Team took on the Varsity Team and the final score resulted in a tie of 3-3. Thanks to all the parents, faculty, students and alumni who came out to support this annual event. We hope to see even more of you at next year's game! Please click here to view photos from the game. For a list of alumni attendees, please log in to the alumni website.

2012 New Boys in Forms III-IV Meet School Leaders Over Breakfast

Thursday, 13 September 2012 13:36

On September 13, Headmaster Stephen M. Clement and Head of Upper School Jim Reynolds met with those students new to the Upper School for an informal breakfast and conversation in the Cook Room. Mr. Reynolds noted, "The traditional New Upper School Student Breakfast is a terrific way for the boys entering Browning at the Form III and Form IV levels to meet the Headmaster and converse with him about their prior experiences, both academic and personal. The boys also had the opportunity to debrief a bit about their first week of school. Mr. Clement and I look forward to celebrating the future successes of these new members of the Browning community. Welcome, gentlemen!" Click here to view photos.

2012 Alumni Council Meeting

Monday, 10 September 2012 00:00

The first Alumni Council meeting of 2012-13 was held in the Wilson Room on Monday, September 10. Twenty-seven guests were in attendance. The meeting kicked off with special guest Sam Keany, dean of students and head of the science department, who spoke about a new internship initiative he is launching for Browning Upper School students. Following Mr. Keany's presentation, President Michael Beys '89 appointed 24 members to the '12-'13 Alumni Council and Director of Alumni Affairs Laura Neller gave a report on the record alumni Annual Fund numbers from ’11-’12 as well as a look at the year ahead. In addition, Director of Institutional Advancement Marty Haase provided more information about the Annual Fund in general and he also touched on highlights about the school's capital campaign, recent renovations and plans for Browning's 125th anniversary year in 2013. Alumni also volunteered for four special committees: the Advancement Committee, the Reunion and 125^th Anniversary Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Young Alumni Committee. Please click here for photos from the meeting. For a full list of those in attendance, please log in to the alumni website. The next Alumni Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 5.

2012 Form VI Breakfast