The Magic of Springtime at GUS
As I draft this reflection, there is snow on the ground on April 5th, but I will remind myself that despite the white stuff, it truly is spring. I know it’s spring at GUS by the signs of spring spotted across campus (and discarded jackets on the playground after recess). The upper school garden club has been busy preparing our garden beds and mulching our flower beds, while our youngest pre-k students spend time in the greenhouse. Seventh graders recently worked with The Food Project to learn about soil plant seedlings in our greenhouse. I also know it’s spring at GUS because of the sudden wave of celebrations and big class projects that are so classically GUS.
Our spring celebrations begin shortly after March break, and come on fast and furiously through to graduation. We recently celebrated Earth Day at our annual Nature Fair with some amazing partners from across the north shore, and families who joined us for nature-based activities and fun. Our second graders recently held a poetry cafe and will host their heritage celebration - an homage to family connections - later this month. Lower school students wowed us with their abilities at our Lower School Talent Sharing, and students of all ages are meeting with their partners to write poetry and prepare flower baskets to deliver to our neighbors on May Day. I’m also excited to see eighth graders build Rome in a Day, and for our sixth and seventh grade students to wow us at their Arts Night.
In these spring months, we also celebrate academics in a big way! While springtime at many schools means mandated assessments, at GUS, students are pouring their energy into big projects. Third graders are building skyscrapers, first graders are putting the finishing touches on their Body Projects, and fourth graders are rehearsing for Songs and Tales of the Sea. This performance is a highlight for me as it showcases the power of a thematic curriculum and interdisciplinary collaboration between academics and the arts.
All of these projects are an opportunity to celebrate student learning growth, and quantify it in a way that extends beyond raw scores. Instead of rushing to see how much more curriculum our students can get through in the remaining weeks of school, I am impressed by how GUS teachers intentionally prioritize culminating projects and performances. These opportunities are so important for students to recognize their growth and share their accomplishments with their peers, teachers, and families!
The end of the year is always special as all of our students prepare for meaningful transitions. Students in kindergarten through grade 7 experience move-up days and get to connect with next year’s teachers. Our eighth graders share themselves with the moving “Evening with the graduates” before crossing the bridge for graduation. While it is really exciting to acknowledge what lies ahead for your child, for now, we can focus on spring and celebrate where we are right now!