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Peck’s youngest students invited special guests from home to spend the afternoon with them during one of the most highly anticipated days of the year in kindergarten.

On May 15, the big room and both playgrounds were magically transformed into rainforest habitats by our imaginative kindergarten teachers. After spending the past two months studying rainforest plants and animals, students had the chance to experience what a day in the rainforest might actually feel like.
Kindergartners squealed with excitement (and disgust!) as interacted with all kinds of scaly and slimy creatures during an animal showcase presented by Snakes-N-Scales, a New Jersey-based educational entertainment group that rescues turtles, snakes, and even bearded dragons.

Students also made their way outside to the playground, where Peck’s very own Chef Joe Mirra served dragon fruit and pink pineapples–tasty exotic fruits that naturally grow in the rainforest. Not only did students learn how delicious these fruits taste, but also how important their role is in the ecosystem, as the tops of these wondrous plants provide shelter to frog eggs.

“This is hands-on learning at its best,” says Kindergarten Teacher Kristin Young. “Nothing compares to the experience of feeling the tough shell of a giant tortoise, seeing the blue tongue of the skink, or feeling the smooth and slick scales of the snake. Our students also got to talk about things like camouflage and defensive traits with reptile experts, bringing concepts they’ve been studying in the classroom to life in a memorable and meaningful way.” 

Finally, our little explorers—with clipboards in hand, special guests by their side, and bellies full of Chef Joe’s tasty treats—embarked on a rainforest-themed scavenger hunt across the big playground. As students searched for rainforest animals hidden throughout the space by their teachers, they crossed discoveries off their checklists while identifying creatures alongside their special guests.
 

At Peck’s annual Bridge Breaking Assembly, engineering, creativity, and a little bit of suspense were all on full display as eighth graders tested the strength of their handmade popsicle-stick bridges in front of the entire school community.

While every eighth grader participates in the bridge-building unit as part of science class — learning key physics concepts such as tension, compression, efficiency, and load distribution — the eight students whose bridges demonstrate the greatest strength-to-weight efficiency earn the opportunity to bring their final designs to the stage for the ultimate test in front of the Peck community, all competing for the title of strongest bridge.

This year’s event also marked a new chapter in Peck’s eighth-grade science program, as Dr. Denise Glenn led the assembly for the first time after stepping into the role previously held by longtime science teacher Mr. Tim Loveday. Under her leadership, students continued the tradition of thoughtful design, testing, and iteration — while also enjoying some of her own special flair, including a spirited rendition of London Bridge Is Falling Down.

“I had big shoes to fill stepping into Mr. Loveday’s role and leading the eighth grade bridge-building unit for the first time,” said Glenn. “I’m incredibly proud of the creativity, hard work, and perseverance our students showed throughout the project and during the assembly itself. I’m also very grateful to Mr. Loveday for all of his guidance and support along the way.”

The standout moment of the day came from Maddie F. ’26, whose bridge held an astonishing 436.7 pounds before breaking — nearly 100 pounds more than the version she had tested before taking the stage.

“I took a lot of inspiration from last year’s winners and asked my teachers for a lot of help,” said Maddie F. ’26. “I am very proud of the amount of weight my bridge held!”
 

On Friday, May 8, Peck held a beloved tradition: the Robin Ross Ceremony honoring the Class of 2030.

This milestone “moving up” ceremony is a time to acknowledge the growth and leadership of Peck’s fourth graders (particularly as rooted in character development, InDeCoRe values, and Consideration of Others) and to mark a new phase of their Peck journey as they get set to join the Upper School this fall.

“At Peck, building character is core to our mission, and we strongly believe that serving others is one of the best ways to build and reinforce character,” said Head of School Andy Delinsky in his remarks. 

“Whether it’s service that happens at school—being a Kindergarten buddy, leading activities, serving on the tech team, or supporting the community through projects and everyday acts of kindness—or service that happens beyond Peck, like volunteering locally or participating in the recent Costa Rica trip, students learn compassion, empathy, responsibility, gratitude, and other values at the heart of our InDeCoRe program and our commitment to Consideration of Others.”

Students each received a commemorative book, Maybe by Kobi Yamada.

The recipients of three traditional Robin Ross student awards were also acknowledged: Caroline C. ’30 for The Sheila S. Slutsker Lower School Creative Arts Award, Artemis B. ’30 and Thomas O. ’30 for The Andy Gaffney Lower School Sportsmanship award, and Neil S. ’30 for The John J. Kowalik Lower School InDeCoRe Award.

Delinsky also presented the school’s annual Award for Community Service. The award was established in 2007 by the Board of Trustees, which is given annually to a member of the Morristown community who merits distinction as a result of their personal dedication, community commitment, and service to others. The recipient for 2026 is P.G. Chambers School.

P.G. Chambers School is a New Jersey-approved private school for students with disabilities serving children with developmental and other related disabilities ages 3 through 14 years of age. Peck’s sixth-grade worked closely with P.G. Chambers School this year and the school was a beneficiary of the Day of Service.

Congratulations to P.G. Chambers School, and to The Class of 2030!

Second graders recently stepped into the shoes of history’s most influential figures during Peck’s annual Second-Grade Biography Presentation Project. After selecting a historically significant person to study, students read nonfiction texts, conducted research, and uncovered key moments that shaped their subject’s life and legacy.

The project culminated in a lively “Guess Who” game for parents. Students crafted three carefully chosen clues about their historical figure while families tried to determine the identity behind the clues. From inventors and activists to authors and world leaders, the presentations highlighted both creativity and confident public speaking.

In the Osborn Idea & Design Lab, students also designed and created artifacts connected to their subjects, which were on display during the event.

“This project gives students an opportunity to combine research, creativity, and communication in a meaningful way,” said Second-Grade Homeroom Teacher Jane Attah. 

Second Grade Homeroom Teacher Erin Ceder continues, “They become deeply invested in learning about someone who made an impact on the world, and it’s wonderful to watch their excitement grow as they share that learning with others.”
 

Peck's eighth-grade InDeCoRe officers (known as the PIC team) recently took the stage at our final Kairos assembly—performing the last chapter of a theatrical performance dedicated to Peck’s core values.

The PIC team produces skits for each Kairos assembly; three times per year. This year’s team produced a creative twist with the Wizards of Lindenwartz, a magical parody inspired by the world of Harry Potter. In their final skit, the villainous Voldemort has taken over the school and four young wizards are left with an unusual arsenal—a jar of pickles, a sock, a quill, and a plunger. Despite the odds, they worked together, persevered, and ultimately reclaimed what was rightfully theirs.

Filled with humor, teamwork, and an important message, Peck’s Kairos assembly was a memorable celebration of leadership, resilience, and the power of perseverance.

The stage came alive at last week’s Upper School Talent Show, where students showcased an incredible range of talent, creativity, and confidence. From vocal performances to impressive piano pieces, the show highlighted the artistic spirit that thrives within our school community.

Several eighth graders took on the role of emcee, introducing each act and keeping the energy high with kind (and often hilarious) commentary. The audience’s enthusiasm was unmistakable, with cheers and applause filling the room after every act.

Events like the Upper School Talent Show give students the opportunity to step outside the classroom, build confidence, and share their passions with peers, teachers, and families. It’s a celebration not only of talent, but of the courage it takes to perform and the joy of supporting one another.

Bravo to all of our performers for an unforgettable show of music, dance, and school spirit—we can’t wait to see what next year’s show will bring!