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Flipping the Script: An Interview with Lower School Head Mrs. Lahiri

Hadley Mendelson ’34 approached Lower School Head Mrs. Lahiri over lunch one day and suggested the idea of a newspaper for the Lower School. Mrs. Lahiri loved the idea and shared it with the students at the next Lower School Gathering, inviting budding reporters to submit articles. The new publication, officially named the Ranney Gazette, displayed articles proudly on a bulletin board. For this year’s publication of Our Story, Hadley and Riley Mendez ‘34 “Flipped the Script” and interviewed Mrs. Lahiri:
  1. What has been your favorite memory of your first year at Ranney?
    My favorite memory is being a part of my first Crossing the Lawn ceremony. I had heard so much about it and as it approached, you could feel how excited and nervous the fifth graders were. When we got to the actual crossing, I got the chance to talk to each fifth grader right before they crossed over to Middle School. As they waited for their name to be called, each of them stopped to shake my hand and we had a couple of seconds to chat. Many of them shared their feelings that ranged from scared, nervous, to excited. It was such a special thing to be part of their last moment of Lower School before they crossed the lawn and shook Dr. Griffith and Ms. Mendez’s hand on the Middle School steps. A quick farewell as we watched them walk over to even more exciting adventures.

  2. What are you most excited for next year?
    I am most excited about the new structure for our music ensembles and elective program. Students can now both experience music as well as an elective, so everyone has more opportunities to explore different areas. Exploration is how we learn what we are good at and what we enjoy. My hope is that students explore something new and perhaps feel a spark for something they didn’t know excited them. 
  1. What is your favorite Dining Hall lunch?
    My favorite lunch is nacho day!! I love nachos! I think it’s super fun to choose your own toppings. When I’m feeling a little down or have had a hard day, a plate of nachos always brings a smile to my face. =
  1. Why did you add another elective choice for Lower Schoolers?
    I am so excited by our new Lower School Theater elective. You can learn so much from theater. It builds self-confidence and creativity. It’s an opportunity for teamwork that is different than in a sport or working on a school project. It’s a different way of being on stage than when you are playing a music ensemble. Adding theater broadens our elective offerings as we look to provide students with more opportunities to explore their talents and interests.

  2. What will the new playground look like? Are we keeping the basketball court?
    The new playground is going to be fabulous. We are updating both the Early Childhood and Lower School playgrounds. There are some elements that will be staying the same and some exciting changes coming our way. We are very excited to have swings added to the playground. This is something students have been asking for. There will be an area where students can build with large lego-like blocks. There will absolutely be a basketball court and I think you will be very excited to see what we have planned for that. It’s very exciting and is going to make recess even better.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.