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The Peck School community came together for a special tradition during this week's All-School Assembly, as eighth graders joined their kindergarten buddies for a ceremony symbolizing growth, friendship, and the connections that make Peck so special.

Meeting at the front of the audience, each eighth grader presented their younger kindergarten buddy with a daffodil bulb that they would plant together later that day. Eighth-grader Ellie H. ’27 also read a poem reflecting on the growth and new beginnings the bulbs represent.

Near the end of the school day, eighth graders and kindergarteners headed down to K building, where they worked together in pairs to plant their bulbs. Just as the daffodils will take root and blossom over time, students will continue to learn, grow, and build meaningful friendships throughout their years at Peck.

The ceremony serves as a reminder of the special bonds between Peck's youngest and oldest students and the bright futures ahead for the Class of 2035!
 

The Morristown Fire Department paid a special visit to The Peck School earlier this week, giving kindergarten and first grade students an opportunity to learn about fire safety while connecting with the local heroes who help keep our community safe.

During the visit, firefighters introduced students to important fire safety practices and gave them an up-close look at the equipment and tools they use every day. They even dressed a few Peck teachers in full firefighter gear, helping students understand that while the equipment may look intimidating, underneath it is a friendly face and someone they can trust in an emergency.

The experience also brought an important part of Peck’s Individual Development and Community Responsibility (InDeCoRe) program to life. The visit was especially meaningful for Peck's first graders, who are exploring the essential question, "What makes a community?" throughout the school year. By meeting local firefighters and learning about their roles, they also begin to understand their own responsibility within one–to care for others, contribute, and recognize the many ways people work together for the common good. Students were able to make real-world connections to their classroom discussions about the people, relationships, and responsibilities that bring a community together.

Experiences like these remind students that community extends far beyond the walls of their classrooms. Building relationships with those who serve our greater Morristown community helps students see community responsibility in action and develop a deeper appreciation for the people who make it a safe, caring, and connected place to live and learn.

A special thank you to the Morristown Fire Department for sharing their time, knowledge, and commitment to our community!
 

For Peck’s eighth graders, studying the American Revolution doesn’t stop at the classroom door.

As part of their study of the Revolutionary War period, eighth graders recently traveled to Philadelphia for a day of hands-on learning throughout Old City. The annual trip gives students the opportunity to see firsthand the historic sites they have been studying in class, and to take on the role of a teacher themselves.

Before the trip, each student researched a particular historical site and prepared a short report, becoming the group’s resident expert on that location. During the walking tour, students traveled through Old City in small groups, stopping at sites such as Independence Hall and sharing what they had learned with their classmates before moving on to the next location.

The trip continued as students visited the Museum of the American Revolution, where students explored the exhibits and encountered artifacts connected to the period they have been studying. Museum docents challenged students with questions throughout the visit, giving them a chance to demonstrate how much they had retained and make connections between their classroom learning and the objects and stories on display.

And, of course, no Philadelphia trip would be complete without a stop at Reading Terminal Market. After a full day of history, students were given time to explore the market and choose their own lunch from its many vendors.

With students leading the way as historians, the trip offered a chance to step out of the classroom, walk through the places where history happened, and experience their studies in a whole new way.

Third graders rolled up their sleeves while volunteering with America’s Grow-a-Row to harvest turnips for a cause they could feel proud of!

Grow-a-Row, a nonprofit operating 423 acres across four farm locations in New Jersey, donates fresh produce to food pantries and shelters across Hunterdon County while educating communities facing food insecurity on nutrition and healthy eating. Peck’s third graders volunteered at Grow-a-Row’s Milford farm for its final day of the harvest season, where they discovered the dedication and resilience it takes to cultivate a successful farm.

Third graders put Consideration of Others and Peck’s InDeCoRe values into action as they worked to harvest turnips that would go directly to people experiencing food scarcity. The experience also connected nicely to the grade’s essential question, “How do your experiences shape who you are?” Through their work, students saw firsthand that they have the power to make a difference in their communities.

In just two hours, Peck’s third graders harvested a remarkable 4,200 pounds of turnips, enough to feed 16,800 people, and so many that Grow-a-Row ran out of bins in which to carry them all! Third graders left with a sense of pride in the work they put in that day, knowing that they had a direct hand in improving their community.

“It takes true grit to harvest 4,200 pounds of turnips! Our third graders faced the physical challenge with courage and resilience, drawing on their determination and teamwork to put our InDeCoRe values into action,” said Third Grade Homeroom Teacher Nichole Bolio. 
 

Each school year, students at The Peck School come together for an important tradition that reinforces the values at the heart of the Peck community: the annual Honor Code Assembly.

Peck’s Honor Code is a shared commitment to consideration, respect for others, personal responsibility, and high ethical standards. Rooted in the values of honesty, integrity, and trust, the Honor Code asks every member of the Peck community to act honorably and with personal integrity.

During the all-school assembly, Head of School Andy Delinsky leads the entire Peck community in reading the Honor Code Pledge aloud together:

“We, the members of The Peck School, actively value consideration, respect for others, and a sense of personal responsibility. We are committed to the consideration of others and the practice of high ethical standards. We, therefore, pledge to conduct ourselves according to our values and to act honorably and with personal integrity. The Honor Code is upheld by all members of The Peck School community. By signing below, I, a member of the Peck community, adhere to the values and principles set forth in the Honor Code.”

Following the reading, one student representative from each grade steps forward before the entire school to sign the pledge on behalf of their classmates. Assembly then concluded with a sing-along of The Peck School alma mater led by the Upper School Chorus. As students returned to the classroom, everyone signed their own copy of the Honor Code in their classroom or homeroom, making an individual commitment to uphold its principles throughout the school year.

While the Honor Code is formally signed at the beginning of each year, its meaning extends well beyond the annual assembly. The tradition reminds students that each person plays a role in creating a community built on trust, respect, responsibility, and integrity, and that those values are reflected in the choices they make every day.

Peck Athletics is back in action as student-athletes hit the fields and trails for the start of the Fall 2026 season.

For the 2026-2027 school year, Peck shifted to a Grades 5-6 and Grades 7-8 team model, giving each group access to full-field practices every day. The new structure also allows coaches to collaborate more closely, share resources, and provide student-athletes with more focused instruction and preparation for a successful season.

During the first few days of preseason, students had the opportunity to try different sports before making their final selections. Boys can choose between soccer and cross country, while girls can choose between field hockey and cross country, with cross country competing as a coed team.

“It’s amazing to see how willingly our student athletes lean into the hard work of getting better, and how eagerly they live and share our core values,” said Athletic Director Scott Dobbs. “Our coaches emphasize and model those values every day too. We have incredibly skilled coaches, but even more, they’re caring people who really know and support our students, and ensure that the hard work required to do these things remains fun.”

Returning to lead Peck’s fall programs are three familiar faces from both the classroom and sidelines: faculty members Scott Beil as Cross Country Program Director, Molly Donnelly as Soccer Program Director, and Stewart Wilkinson as Field Hockey Program Director.

The fall competition schedule gets underway on Monday, September 14, with Cross Country hitting the trail at Delbarton. Field Hockey and Soccer begin their seasons the following day with intrasquad scrimmages before beginning interscholastic competition the following week.

At the start of every school year, Upper School students at The Peck School step outside the classroom for experiences designed to strengthen friendships, build confidence, and bring each grade together.

This year, fifth graders traveled to the Princeton-Blairstown Center for the day, where, in collaboration with the center’s staff, they took part in an outdoor adventure focused on building camaraderie and leadership. Through a variety of activities, students practiced self-reliance, teamwork, and grade-level bonding as they began their first year in the Upper School.

Sixth graders headed to YMCA Fairview Lake for their first overnight trip as Peck Upper Schoolers. Working with YMCA staff and their grade-level teachers, students participated in group games, a ridge hike, boating, archery, and team-building activities—all while enjoying a little more independence and strengthening connections with classmates.

Seventh graders traveled to the New Jersey School of Conservation for an overnight trip, where professionally trained staff led them through games, team challenges, and outdoor activities. The experience gave students an opportunity to bond within their advisories and come together as an entire class.

Eighth graders kicked off their final year at Peck with a Lasagna Dinner (the grade’s annual tradition in September), gathering with their families outdoors after school to celebrate the beginning of this milestone year. Their own outdoor adventure is still to come, as the Class of 2027 will travel to YMCA Camp Mason next week.

“Outdoor education trips are the perfect way to start off the school year as it removes the pressure of starting traditional classwork and puts students in an environment where the main objective is to get to know one another, work together toward common goals, become exposed to new beautiful places and experiences, and above all have fun,” says History Teacher and Outdoor Education Facilitator Dave Carlo. “It also gives teachers the opportunity to get to know their new students for their authentic selves outside of a classroom setting.”

Each experience is thoughtfully planned to meet students where they are developmentally while encouraging them to stretch beyond their comfort zones. Whether tackling a new outdoor challenge, navigating an overnight away from home, working toward a common goal, or simply sharing time with classmates and families, students begin the year building the confidence, connections, and sense of community that will carry them through the months ahead.
 

At Peck’s 2026 Welcome Back Dinner—held during the first week of school—Upper School Latin Teacher David Marshall was honored with the Disciplina ad Vivendum Award for Teaching Excellence, the school’s highest faculty distinction. The award recognizes a teacher who embodies lifelong learning, embraces the school’s mission, and creates a dynamic, caring environment where students thrive.

Since joining Peck in 2018, Marshall has brought joy, optimism, enthusiasm, and tremendous energy to his work—and the rare ability to bring Latin to life.

“Latin is almost always over-enrolled, with more students eager to take the course than we can easily accommodate,” Head of School Andy Delinsky says. “It is a remarkable testament to the experience David creates for his students.”

Marshall’s dedication begins long before the school day starts. Often arriving around 5 a.m. to get an early start on his days—reviewing lessons or refining scripts before classes begin—he brings that same energy and enthusiasm into every aspect of his work. At the end of his very first year at Peck, the eighth-grade class of 2019 selected him to deliver the faculty Commencement address—a testament to the trust and affection he quickly earned from his students.

Outside of the classroom, Marshall plays many vital roles, serving as an Upper School coach, Peck's InDeCoRe Council Advisor, International Trip Coordinator, and an eighth-grade advisor. He also makes appearances in Lower School Kairos assemblies, bringing his warmth, humor, and curiosity to students across divisions.

Marshall’s open-door policy invites students in throughout the day, before Morning Meeting, between classes, during recess, Academic Support, and at dismissal. Students gather there because they know they are welcome—and because Marshall creates a space where they can relax, laugh, ask for help, or simply be themselves.

What makes him such a memorable educator, however, is not simply his energy. Beneath it is an educator who knows his students deeply, sets high expectations, and helps even Peck’s most skeptical middle schoolers recognize their own value and understand how deeply they matter.

Marshall leads by example, uplifting his students, peers, and the entire Peck community through his energy, kindness, and lifelong commitment to learning. The school proudly congratulates him as the 2026 recipient of the Disciplina ad Vivendum Award for Teaching Excellence.
 

At Peck’s 2026 Welcome Back Dinner—held during the first week of school—three long-tenured members of the community were honored for their decades of service to Peck.

Celebrating 20 Years: Wanda Fiorini and Jen Garvey

Wanda Fiorini and Jen Garvey were recognized for 20 years of service, receiving engraved wooden chairs to commemorate their impact on the school community.

For two decades, Fiorini has been a warm and reassuring presence at the center of Peck’s Admissions Office. As Head of School Andy Delinsky noted during the celebration, virtually every family in the room had likely interacted with Wanda from the very beginning of their relationship with the school—from families who have been part of the community for years to those just beginning their Peck journey.

Fiorini has guided the Admissions Office through numerous transitions, bringing an extraordinary command of its details and history while making each family feel seen, cared for, and at home. She also helped create Peck’s Saturday admissions events, which have become an important and welcoming part of the kindergarten admissions process.

For Garvey, 20 years at Peck reflect a career defined by a willingness to keep learning, evolving, and asking what students need next. She began at Peck as a third-grade homeroom teacher, creating memorable experiences such as Third Grade Project Runway, before moving into technology integration in 2013. Today, she serves as Peck’s Lower School Technology, Innovation, and Design Integrator.

Garvey has helped make new technology approachable for students and adults alike, supporting design thinking, robotics, Exploravision, the ID Lab, faculty professional development, and Peck’s ongoing work with artificial intelligence. Her leadership has extended well beyond technology, including service on the Service Learning Task Force and AI Task Force, as well as a key role in guiding remote learning during the pandemic.

She also shares her expertise beyond Peck, helping lead the NJAIS technology community, organizing the Summer Innovation Summit, and sharing her knowledge with educators nationally.

Celebrating 35 Years: A New Tradition
 

This year’s Welcome Back Dinner also marked a first for Peck: the recognition of a faculty member for 35 years of service. Mark Mortensen, Peck’s longest-serving current faculty member, became the inaugural recipient of this new milestone honor.

A master woodworker, educator, colleague, and friend, Mortensen was a fitting first honoree.

For over three decades, Mortensen has brought his whole heart and an unwavering commitment to excellence to Peck. His workshop is a space students eagerly anticipate entering each week, where he inspires them to approach their work with the same dedication, precision, and creativity he models every day.

His impact extends well beyond the woodshop. Mortensen has quietly contributed to countless aspects of school life, from updating award plaques in the dining room and crafting theatrical sets to designing custom solutions for classrooms and hosting holiday woodworking events for staff. Through it all, he has been a steady source of thoughtful advice, problem-solving, and mentorship.

After 35 years, Mortensen’s legacy can be seen not only in the many objects he has crafted, but in the generations of students and colleagues he has influenced through his steady presence, craftsmanship, and commitment to the Peck community.

As Peck begins this new tradition of recognizing 35 years of service, it is fitting that Mortensen is the first to receive the honor—a true culture holder whose dedication embodies so much of what makes the Peck community special.