South Kent School students are gearing up for an exciting evening of art, STEM, and sustainability at the inaugural Firefly Environmental Arts Festival, hosted by Millbrook School on February 21. This unique event brings together students, educators, and professionals to celebrate the intersection of science, creativity, and environmental advocacy.

The festival will feature keynote speaker Eileen Fielding, Director of the Sharon Audubon Center, who will deliver an inspiring talk on the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability. For South Kent students, this event is more than just an opportunity to showcase their talents in nature photography—it’s a platform for meaningful collaboration with like-minded peers and professionals who are making a difference in sustainability efforts across the region.

“The Firefly Environmental Arts Festival is a perfect example of how art and science can come together to inspire change,” said South Kent STEM Dean Michelle Borsavage, who played a key role in ensuring South Kent’s participation. “Our students are thrilled to be part of this event, especially as it aligns so well with the sustainability and environmental initiatives we’ve been cultivating at North Campus. The chance to share their work and engage with others who are equally passionate about conservation is truly exciting.”

South Kent’s North Campus has been at the heart of the School’s commitment to environmental education, regenerative agriculture, and hands-on learning in sustainability. Through applied STEM coursework, ecological restoration projects, and farm-to-table initiatives, students have developed a deep connection to the land and an understanding of the role they can play in shaping a sustainable future.

The Firefly Environmental Arts Festival offers South Kent students a chance to further highlight their environmental work, exchange ideas with students from other schools, and gain insight from professionals actively working in conservation. The evening’s collaborative art exhibit, featuring nature-inspired works by both professional and student artists, will serve as a testament to the power of art in raising awareness and inspiring action for environmental causes.

As South Kent students prepare to take part in this exciting event, the importance of hands-on sustainability education at North Campus has never been clearer. Opportunities like these allow students to engage with the broader environmental community, strengthening their commitment to conservation, scientific inquiry, and creative expression.

The Firefly Environmental Arts Festival promises to be a dynamic evening of inspiration and action, and South Kent School is proud to be part of this regional movement toward a more sustainable future.

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The week, which embraces “hands-on, minds-on”learning, is designed as a transformative program that takes students beyond the classroom and into immersive learning experiences that spark curiosity, build self-reliance, and bring energy to the long New England winter.

Learning Beyond the Classroom
This year’s Experiential Learning Week continued to emphasize South Kent’s commitment to engaged, purpose-driven learning. Students selected from a wide range of courses, each crafted to ignite curiosity and encourage hands-on participation. All South Kent employees, not just faculty, were invited to teach courses, which meant that students were exposed to an array of professional talent and diverse skills.

Some of the standout offerings included:
Tapas: A Regional Tour of Hispanic Cuisine – Students explored the flavors of Spain, Chile, Uruguay, and Puerto Rico, learning the culinary techniques behind these vibrant dishes.
Carpentry Workshop – Students learned the basics of carpentry including how to frame walls and hang sheetrock, gaining real-world construction experience.
Introduction to Stage Combat – Hands-on training in choreographed fight scenes, including swordplay and hand-to-hand combat techniques, culminating in an end-of-week performance.
Bitcoin Unlocked – A deep dive into the history, technology, and future of Bitcoin, including the Lightning Network and the potential of decentralized finance.
Acting, Communication, and Media Techniques for Scholar-Athletes – Students learned improv techniques and practiced on-camera interviewing, learning how to speak with confidence in media settings.
Dungeons & Dragons: Side Quests & Stranger Things – Students embraced team-building, creativity, and strategic thinking through immersive role-playing adventures.
Spaces for God – Students explored diverse religious traditions, including a visit to the Buddha Ariyamettaram Temple in Morris, learning about spirituality across different cultures.
Paper Planes: Flight School 101 – Students experimented with airplane designs, testing lift, flight distance, and aerodynamics to see which designs performed best.
Troutbeck Symposium – A research-based course where students examined local history and artifacts, preparing for a presentation at a prestigious historical symposium.

One student shared, “I never thought I’d get to do something like stage combat at school. It was so cool learning how actors perform fight scenes safely and make it look real!”

Another student in the Exploring the Litchfield Hills Through Hiking course reflected, “I’ve lived in this area for years, but had never really appreciated these trails. The hikes challenged us physically, but they also gave us a chance to slow down and enjoy nature.”

Evening Activities & Community Building
Beyond the daytime courses, Experiential Learning Week included exciting evening activities that brought students together for fun, teamwork, and competition.

Some highlights included:
6v6 Intramural Tournament – A week-long, high-energy competition that had students competing for ultimate bragging rights.
“Chopped” Cooking Challenge – Inspired by the TV show, students faced off in North Campus’s kitchen, culminating in the Tournament of Champions on Friday.
Esports Tournament – Students battled it out in competitive gaming showdowns, showcasing strategy, reflexes, and teamwork.
DIY Pizza-Making Night – A fun, relaxed evening where students designed and baked their own pizzas from scratch.
Gaming Night – An evening filled with board and card games, strategy, and friendly competition.

The winner of “Chopped Challenge” was Ricards Dimants ’25, with a solo effort dish of Latvian inspired flavors, which featured such mystery ingredients as canned chicken, cream cheese, ginger, zucchini, and kumquats.

One student who participated in the “Chopped Challenge” championship shared, “I learned so much about cooking under pressure, but more than that, it was fun to work as a team and get creative with ingredients!”

Final Reflections
As Experiential Learning Week 2025 comes to a close, the students and faculty are already reflecting on how this unique week continues to shape South Kent’s approach to learning. The opportunity to apply knowledge in real-world settings, embrace new challenges, and collaborate with peers has left a lasting impact.

Jesse Brennan, Dean of Mastery Learning & Curricular Innovation, summed it up best:
“Experiential Learning Week is about more than just trying something new—it’s about stepping outside of comfort zones, discovering self-reliance, and building a sense of purpose in learning. Seeing our students grow, collaborate, and thrive this week has been truly inspiring.”

South Kent School is already looking forward to next year’s Experiential Learning Week, which will continue to expand opportunities for students to explore, create, and connect with the world around them.

Enjoy the FULL GALLERY of this year’s photos!

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This week marks the beginning of South Kent School’s second annual Experiential Learning Week, a highly anticipated tradition that debuted in 2024 and quickly became a hallmark of the South Kent experience. Designed to spark curiosity, foster self-reliance, and break up the long New England winter, this week provides students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on, dynamic learning outside the traditional classroom setting.

For South Kent, Experiential Learning Week is about more than just trying something new—it’s about connecting to the simplicity and directness of purpose that underpin our school’s values. As Jesse Brennan, Dean of Mastery Learning & Curricular Innovation, explains, “Whether it’s building something with your own hands, discovering self-reliance on a hike, or mastering a new skill, this week is a chance for students to grow in meaningful and intentional ways while bringing energy to the winter season.”

Students will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of courses that cater to diverse interests and spark exploration.

A small sampling of the offerings for 2025 include:

– Tapas: A Regional Tour of Hispanic Cuisine
– Exploring the Litchfield Hills Through Hiking
– Tastes (Culinary Arts) of Upstate NY
– Introduction to Bitcoin
– Mastering Chess
– Carpentry
– Introduction to Stage Combat
– Acting, Communication, and Media Techniques
– Spaces for God: Exploring Diverse Religious Traditions

Beyond the daily courses, the week is packed with engaging evening activities designed to bring students together in the spirit of camaraderie and competition.

Highlights include:
– A week-long 6v6 intramural tournament
– A “Chopped” cooking competition at the North Campus kitchen, culminating in a Friday “Tournament of Champions”
– An esports tournament
– DIY pizza-making
– Casino Night
– And other fun and interactive experiences

Experiential Learning Week is a reflection of South Kent School’s commitment to providing a holistic education that goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. It’s about helping students discover new passions, build practical skills, and create lasting memories in a supportive and dynamic environment.

As the second year of this tradition begins, the entire Hillside is buzzing with excitement for what lies ahead. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from this exciting week of exploration, creativity, and growth.

We look forward to seeing our students dive into these unique experiences and embrace the opportunity to grow in meaningful ways during this special week. More photos and updates will be posted at the end of the week – stay tuned.

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South Kent School Transforms North Campus into Hub for Culinary Education and Sustainable Agriculture

South Kent School is proud to announce the ongoing transformation of its North Campus into a dynamic hub for hands-on learning in culinary arts and sustainable agriculture. The initiative, designed to deepen students’ understanding of food systems, sustainability, and climate solutions, has already achieved significant milestones with more growth planned for 2025.

The transformation focuses on two primary areas: weekly culinary experiences and enhancements to the campus’s agricultural infrastructure. Together, these efforts provide students with immersive, real-world learning opportunities that blend practical skills with academic study.

“The transformation of our North Campus reflects our commitment to experiential education, environmental stewardship, and the power of community collaboration,” said Brian D. Sullivan, Head of School. “By fostering enduring partnerships with local chefs, community members, and sustainability experts, we are creating a living, learning environment that benefits not just our students, but the wider community. This initiative invites people from all walks of life to join us in a shared mission to develop innovative solutions for food systems, climate resilience, and sustainable practices.”

Culinary Education Brings Food Systems to Life

One of the most celebrated additions to the North Campus programming has been the return of weekly Friday night culinary sessions. Each week, local chefs, South Kent faculty, and culinary experts from SAGE, the school’s food service partner, lead cooking workshops for students. From learning knife skills to preparing international cuisines, students are exposed to the artistry and science of cooking.

“The kitchen has become a space of creativity and collaboration,” adds Mr. Sullivan. “It’s more than cooking—students are learning to appreciate nutrition, cultural diversity, and the joy of sharing meals together. These experiences teach them to see food as a tool for connection, education, and wellness.”

These sessions emphasize the “plow-to-plate” philosophy, connecting the culinary experience to the sustainable farming activities happening on the rest of the campus.

Building Infrastructure for Sustainability and Student Engagement

While culinary lessons happen indoors, significant work has also taken place outside to create a hands-on learning farm. Students have played a direct role in several major infrastructure projects, including:

28 Custom-Built Raised Garden Beds – Designed and constructed by students using pine and aluminum to house a wide range of crops.

Upgrades to the Hoop House – Students installed a three-zone drip irrigation system to promote water conservation, and the entrance was renovated to meet ADA compliance, making the space accessible to all.

Future Projects – Plans are underway for the construction of large compost bins and chicken tractors in the spring, offering students hands-on experience in regenerative farming and waste reduction.

“Every project on the North Campus is student-driven,” said Richard Chavka, Director of North Campus Operations. “From designing irrigation systems to building raised beds, our students are taking an active role in shaping this space, which is at the heart of experiential learning. Our goal is to create a space where students, educators, and community members can come together to build something that endures beyond the school year.”

These developments are part of South Kent School’s broader vision to create a sustainable, student-led farm that incorporates no-till farming, carbon capture, agroforestry, and hydroponics. The North Campus aims to become a living laboratory where students explore food production, climate change, and ecological stewardship.

Looking Ahead

As winter approaches, South Kent School is working with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) to pursue certified organic designation for the North Campus. This designation will ensure the farm follows sustainable agricultural practices and serves as a model for future student-led initiatives.

South Kent School is also developing a comprehensive North Campus Development Plan that will guide future activities, from farming expansion to student research projects. This plan will integrate sustainability concepts across the school’s curriculum, empowering students to address pressing global challenges like food security and climate change.

To support the further development of North Campus in 2025 the School will be launching a section of their web site solely devoted to North Campus programming and events, as well as a new student-led social media account for the program. For more information on South Kent School’s North Campus transformation or to learn how you can support this initiative, please contact Richard Chavka: chavkar@southkentschool.org

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