The Solstice Promise: January Tartan
Dear GUS Community,
This Solstice promise of lighter and brighter days ahead is certainly coming true here at GUS. The Class of 2024 took one giant step closer to graduation with the completion of an amazing Arts Night. Their speeches gave us wonderful insight into this class, both as individuals and as a collective group, and we could not be more proud. They put themselves out there, shared so much of themselves, took chances, and were brave. I don’t think anyone will ever forget their tap dancing to ‘Singin’ in The Rain’ or closing the night, fists in the air, with ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’. This is certainly a class we will never forget and we look forward to celebrating them throughout the spring.
One of the joys of the lighter and brighter days is the anticipation of upcoming spring trips, but even during the winter, students are heading off campus and adventuring. The third grade has been exploring local and urban communities as they begin to more closely explore cities ahead of their annual Skyscraper Project. Pre-K students are also creating their own environment ‘snake land’ which, like the skyscrapers and the 8th graders' White Shirt Projects, demonstrate the hands-on creativity that projects at GUS inspire.
The solstice promise is also about hope. Nothing gives me more hope that GUS’ commitment to do better. Read about the ongoing work GUS has done in order to meet our commitment to DEIJ work in this Tartan. While this is work that is never done, we have had amazing leadership under Emily Rabinowitz-Buchanan, Brad Belin, and Katie Chhu and inspirational buy-in from the faculty and board as we move GUS forward in important ways.
There are certainly so many reasons to be proud of our small school. For me personally, I have been overwhelmed by the support and love given to my family after the sudden passing of my mother in late December, just five months after the sudden passing of my father. While this has been a difficult time for my family, we have all taken great comfort in the support and love of the entire GUS community. From the admin team to the board, from teachers, students, and alums, to parents, past parents, and even grandparents, so many of you have reached out. Your notes, emails, hugs, and meals have certainly helped make our dark days lighter and brighter. I’ve always been proud of how tight-knit the GUS community is, but I have never felt it more acutely than in my time of need and I am so very grateful.
Community always brings light to the dark days and we will certainly feel that at Winterfest. I hope to see many of you there as we come together for some fun and friendship. Before we know it, the days will be even longer and the flowers will be blooming.
Sincerely,
