Rensizzle Week 2024
One School, One Week, One BIG IMPACT!
October 21-25, 2024
2024 Rensizzle Groups
Artsizzle
Our week-long course will be filled with art activities to help us incorporate art into our everyday lives. Through pottery and other crafts, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic world and all types of art forms. Our goal being: we want you to live, breathe, and be inspired by the art around you. In this course, be prepared to ask yourself: What is considered art? What are the various arts and crafts that you are interested in? What do you know about street art? Immersive art? How can we take what we learn and incorporate our identity and our own artistic imprint in our work?
Leaders: Dhariana & Shahreen
Central Park Explorers
Get ready to dive into the heart of NYC with “Central Park Explorers: History, Monuments, and Movies!” This week-long adventure will take you through incredible stories behind Central Park’s statues, monuments, and famous movie locations. Uncover hidden histories, explore artistic masterpieces, and walk in the footsteps of movie stars. Each day, we’ll visit a different part of the park and related locations, engage in hands-on activities, and create projects that bring history and art to life. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or a movie enthusiast, this is the ultimate NYC experience!
Leaders: Robert M. & Stephanie
COPAL: Crafting Original Paths for Achievement and Lyricism
Hey, future leaders! Are you ready to vibe to the rhythms of hip-hop, reggaeton, salsa, and rock, infused with the wisdom of Indigenous cultures? Get ready to craft lyrics and possibly lay down some beats of your own. This journey is all about marching to the beat of your own drum, discovering your unique path, and belting out verses of empowerment. From exploring the vibrant streets of New York City to connecting with nature and Indigenous communities, our trips will immerse you in new experiences and fuel your creative fire. Join us as we fuse the artistry of hip-hop with the profound wisdom of Indigenous teachings, forging original paths to success through lyrical greatness and cultural appreciation.
Leaders: Dennis & Renay
Cycling
** For students age 16 and over. You must know how to ride a bike. **
Bike enthusiasts aged 16 and over are welcome in Cycling! We will learn about bike safety, the benefits of cycling, and how cycling contributes to a positive community. We will be working with and learning from different bike advocacy and activist groups as we clock up to 100 miles of road over the course of the week! Learning will also encompass how to build a safer bike-friendly city. This will include speaking with political officers regarding what the city is doing to ensure the expansion of safe biking in our city.
Notes: Cyclists who opt to use their own bicycles will be required to provide proof of a tune-up prior to Rensizzle. Helmets are required and are the responsibility of the student to bring with them every day.
Leaders: Curtis & Ali
Food Fantasy
Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey with Food Fantasy: A Global Culinary Adventure!
This exciting Rensizzle week will take you on a tour of the world’s most delicious cuisines. From the fields of sustainable farms to the vibrant food courts of Flushing Mall and into the kitchens of top chefs, you’ll discover the incredible diversity of food available in NYC. Each day is packed with fun field trips and hands-on activities that will turn you into a connoisseur of global cooking. Join us for a week of tasty treats, creative cooking, and making a positive impact on our planet!
Leaders: Jessica & Monica
Home Economics
Embark on a week-long journey where you’ll master the arts of baking, pasta making, sewing, and embroidery. Each day, you’ll learn new skills and create unique projects that you can take home. From delicious cupcakes to beautiful hand-sewn and embroidered items, you’ll explore the joy of the traditional skills that used to get taught in “Home Ec” class. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a world of creativity and fun!
Leaders: Vanessa & Fareeha
Inside Out Experiences
Are you ready to turn your world inside out? Join us for a week of immersive explorations and hands-on adventures that reveal the hidden layers of creativity and expression. From diving into the vibrant world of street art to uncovering the secrets of NYC’s iconic museums, you’ll experience the city like never before. Get ready to create, explore, and transform yourself and your surroundings. This isn’t just a field trip—it’s an odyssey of the senses and the mind. Let’s peel back the layers and see what’s inside!
Leaders: Adrian & Martin
Korean Food Culture
Prepare for a week of delicious creativity and artistic expression! In this Rensizzle you’ll learn how to make Korean “lunch box” cakes, cook a traditional Korean meal, and make your own pottery plates using Korean-inspired designs to display your sweet creations. Each day will bring a new adventure, from hands-on workshops with professional bakers to pottery-making sessions with local artisans. This Rensizzle Week is all about celebrating cultural diversity, unleashing your creativity, and promoting cultural practices in the culinary arts. Join us for a week of crafting sweet memories and handmade art!
Leaders: Erin & Joe H.
Lights, Camera, Critique: A Journey Through Film Criticism and Video Essays
Love food, movies, and talking about how good the last thing you ate or watched was? In this experience, students will discover new local flavors of food and film. After diving into new dishes and watching new movies, students will reflect on their experiences and write about them for publication on a website in an effort to build a portfolio for future writing opportunities.
Leaders: Joe & Wagner
Make Your Own Video!
Get ready to dive into the making videos! Over the course of the week, you’ll learn everything from storyboard creation to shooting and editing. We’ll explore iconic film locations in NYC and get to know the ins and outs of what makes a hit video clip! You’ll have voice and choice in your project, engage in critique and revision, and produce a public product that showcases your newfound skills!
Leaders: Ram & Matt
Museum Scavenger Hunt
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to explore museums in a new and interesting way: Two teams will face off in a week-long scavenger hunt competition as we explore the best museums in NYC. During the first half of each day, both teams will create questions based on the exhibits for each museum, and in the second half, the two teams will swap questions and compete to see who answers the most questions first by the end of the week.
Leaders: James & Edy
Renaissance Film Fest
Wonder what goes into making a film? Make your directorial debut with the folks behind the Queens Fillm Festival! In this Rensizzle, you’ll work with professional moviemakers to produce a short film. In addition to learning technical skills, you’ll get to experience firsthand how your wildest dreams can be transformed into movie masterpieces.
Leaders: Robert E. & The Queens Film Festival
B&W Photography: Through A Different Lens
Get ready to embark on a photographic adventure that will change the way you see the world! “Through A Different Lens” invites you to dive deep into the art of black and white photography. Imagine yourself learning the secrets of the camera at the renowned International Center of Photography, experimenting with vintage cameras at the Penumbra Foundation, and capturing the energy of NYC with a professional photographer by your side. We’ll also hit the streets to snap candid shots of the city’s vibrant life! By the end of the week, you’ll have the skills to use photography as a powerful tool for art, journalism, and even storytelling. Are you ready to share your unique perspective of the world with others? Join us for a week of creativity, exploration, and fun!
Leaders: Ana & Fahad
Climb, Aim, Fight!
Get ready for an adrenaline-filled week as we embark on a journey of physical and mental challenges! From scaling rock walls to mastering the art of archery, navigating rope courses, and conquering indoor obstacle courses, each day will be an adventure. You’ll learn essential skills like teamwork, focus, and resilience while having a blast with your peers. Are you ready to climb, aim, and conquer? Join us for a week of unforgettable experiences and personal growth!
Leaders: Riaad & Raymond
Culinary Arts
Do you like to explore the world through food, and would like to make a career of it? Culinary arts and careers explore different opportunities in the world of food. From cooking, food management, nutrition, entrepreneurship, to food media and blogging, we will explore food around NYC and how one can launch your love of eating into a professional career. You will be encouraged to try foods you never had before and also try your hand at cooking. All the while you will produce food journals and blogs of your experiences throughout the week!
You will be responsible for sampling, participating in cooking, exploring the variety of careers available outside of being the head chef, as well as the variety of pathways available. You will have the opportunity to journal your experiences through the week, and will catalog how your love of food might transition into a career option in the future.
*High School Only
Leaders: Nicole & Natalie
Dance, Fight, Thrive
Get ready to jab, kick, sprint, and dance your way to a healthier you! Join us for an action-packed week of boxing, martial arts, sports, and dance workshops that will challenge your body, engage your mind, and strengthen your spirit. Whether you’re throwing punches, mastering martial arts moves, scoring goals, or expressing yourself through dance, each day brings a new adventure that strengthens your body and empowers your mind. This isn’t just about breaking a sweat; it’s about breaking barriers, building community, and discovering the rhythm of a healthy life. So lace up your sneakers, and let’s Rensizzle with vigor and vitality!
Leaders: Cristine & Yianna
Hip-Hop Deep Dive
Join us for a week of making beats, diving into the world of hip hop, and going on awesome field trips! You’ll learn the basics of music production, explore the culture and history of hip hop, and get inspired by visiting some of the city’s most iconic spots. Whether you’re a beat-making pro, an MC, or just curious, this hands-on experience will have you creating your own tracks while soaking in everything that makes hip hop legendary!
Leaders: Jose & Ryan
History of Green Spaces in NYC
Have you ever wondered how spaces in New York became so environmentally friendly? Well you have come to the right place. Everywhere that we go we can see the Green spaces thriving in NYC whether it is in the city parks or other wide open spaces. Come travel with us and enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and the exciting activities within these city spaces along with the diverse rich foods nearby these spaces!
Leaders: Thandi & Janice
Immersive Art
Welcome to an adventure where art bursts into life! In this exciting Rensizzle week, get ready to be transported to the most vibrant and interactive art spaces in and around the captivating city of New York! Immersive art isn’t just about observing; it’s about diving deep into a multi-sensory journey where you become one with the artwork. Say goodbye to dull classrooms and hello to an experience that will ignite your imagination, challenge your thinking, and leave you in awe.
Why experience immersive art?
1. Enhanced Learning Experience: Immerse yourself in an educational experience that speaks to all your senses – sight, sound, and touch. Get ready to absorb knowledge like never before and retain it for the long haul.
2. Cultural and Global Awareness: Immerse yourself in art that exposes you to diverse cultures, perspectives, and ideas from around the globe. Get ready to broaden your understanding and embrace the beauty of diversity.
3. Social and Emotional Learning: It’s not just about what you learn; it’s about who you become. Immerse yourself in collaborative activities that nurture teamwork, communication, and empathy. Get ready to forge meaningful connections and grow as a person.
4. Personal Growth: Get ready for a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Immerse yourself in art that encourages self-expression and reflection. Get ready to unleash your potential and emerge as a confident, self-aware individual. So, what are you waiting for? Join us for a week of immersive adventures, where art isn’t just something you observe – it’s something you experience!
Leaders: Addison & Malini
Latino Culture in NYC
** Students may only take this course once. **
New York City is known for its diversity. Latinos have been a crucial part of the city since the early 50s. People from all parts of the Spanish Speaking world have made NYC their home. In this group we will experience Latin Culture in the city. We will watch an off Broadway play, see art exhibitions from ancient Spanish/latino culture thru today, create Dia de los Muertos art, learn some dances and most importantly eat our way thru some latin american countries. We will be creating a “where to go” slideshow with all of the things we experience over Rensizzle week; letting the TRCS family know where to go and what to do. All students in the group will be responsible for certain parts of the slide show.
Leaders: Lisjane & Helen
Literary Landscapes
Get ready to embark on an epic literary journey through the heart of NYC! Each day, we’ll dive into a different genre, exploring the worlds of science fiction, BIPOC authors, thrillers, and graphic novels. From interactive museum visits to thrilling scavenger hunts, and creative bookstore explorations, we’ll uncover the magic behind each genre. You’ll not only read and discuss amazing works but also participate in hands-on activities that bring these stories to life. By the end of the week, you’ll have created your own masterpieces, ready to share with the world!
Leaders: Gavi & Gaby
Multiculturalism in NYC
Embark on this vibrant journey into multiculturalism in the city of NY with a week filled with history, culture, art, music, language, etc. Each day will be an adventure, from exploring the primary pathways immigrants used to enter the country, Ellis Island, to exploring diversity in Jackson Heights, Queens, etc. This week is designed to be fun, hands-on, and culturally enriching, culminating in a final demonstration where students will share their newfound knowledge with their peers through interactive activity stations.
Leaders: Marta & Jason
"Paws"itive Minds!
Join us for a week-long journey into the world of animal mental health and discover the profound impacts of our interactions with horses, dogs, and cats! From therapeutic horseback riding to the heartwarming stories of rescued dogs and the soothing ambiance of a cat café, you’ll learn how these animals’ mental well-being affects and enhances human lives. Through hands-on activities, engaging field trips, and discussions, you’ll dive into the science, care practices, and mutual benefits of our relationships with these beloved animals. Get ready for an adventure that will broaden your understanding of empathy, animal care, and the importance of mental health for all living beings!
Leaders: Ariel & Karaliyah
What Is Rensizzle?
“Rensizzle Week” – a unique opportunity for students and staff alike to suspend traditional teaching and learning for 5 days and learn by doing. Regular classes are canceled, and 6th-12 grade students come in at 9:00 AM for Rensizzle activities.
What's the Purpose of Rensizzle?
The purpose of our ‘unique to Renaissance’ Rensizzle program is to let students learn as much as they can about their chosen area of study by doing interdisciplinary and multi-sensory work. The Rensizzle clusters are suggested by students and staff alike, and students are placed in one of their top 5 choices. The clusters include academic, cultural, culinary, scientific, artistic and technological areas of study. In keeping with our mission statement we ask students to look at their group’s experiences through our core values of sustainability, social justice, and global citizenship.
Why Do We Do Rensizzle?
Passions are translated into action during Rensizzle: there are students who love to cook, sew, and design—clothes, buildings, and furniture; there are students who want to build things, learn about architecture and engineering, learn all kinds of dance styles, and create social justice documentaries. As we tell our students when we survey them for their interests, “There is bound to be something you DO and want to share, are curious about and want to learn more, or have never done and want the challenge!”
Policies and Procedures
The school day begins at 9:00 AM. Students should not report to school before 9 AM unless they have a trip that departs early. Attendance will be taken each morning.
The school day ends at 2:40 PM. Students should plan to return to school after their field trips unless otherwise stated.
Permission slips, waivers, and details about trips–including those that fall outside regular school hours or extend before and/or after the school day–will be sent to families before Rensizzle begins.
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Students learn collaboratively during Rensizzle, so attendance and participation are key! When students arrive late or are absent, they lose valuable opportunities to learn with their peers in exciting new ways. Rensizzle is still school!
For this reason, this year students will receive a grade of “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” on their report card at the end of Rensizzle Week. The criteria are simple: attend school, show up on time, participate, and be respectful to others.
Students who arrive late are required to stay at school. They will work on an assignment related to their Rensizzle unit. They will be supervised by a teacher and will be required to eat lunch in the cafeteria. Their work will be included in the group’s final presentation/portfolio.
Due to safety reasons, students may not “opt-out” or join other groups’ activities. They must stay in their group for the duration of Rensizzle.
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We look forward to this year’s Rensizzle and hope you are too. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rensizzle Coordinator Meredith Hinshaw-Chaney at meredithhinshaw@rencharter.org.