April Message from HOS
Dear GUS Friends and Family,
At Glen Urquhart School, we often talk about preparing students for a future we cannot yet fully see. That work asks us to hold two things at once: a deep commitment to who we are, and a willingness to grow into what our students will need next. Our Long Range Plan, GUS 2033, launched in the spring of 2024, is a roadmap designed to ensure we do just that. Now, two years into that plan, you may begin to notice signs of this work taking shape.
We continue to invest in our program in ways that reflect both our mission and the evolving needs of students. Experiences like our recent bacterial art seminar — a partnership with Spanish and Art Teacher Maria Peñil Cobo and scientists from New England Biolabs — highlight the kind of learning we value: hands-on, interdisciplinary, and connected to real-world application.
Another important part of this work is our continued focus on our early childhood program. Pre-K is a vital entry point for families and a foundational part of the GUS experience. We are excited to grow this program next year by expanding to three sections, including two groups of our older pre-K students. This growth reflects strong interest and our belief in building curiosity, confidence, and connection from the very beginning of a child’s journey at GUS.
We are also excited to share leadership updates. Suzy Light and Alex Belluschi will join the administrative leadership team, while Bre Brandt will expand her role within the school community. Together, they bring a combination of fresh perspective and deep institutional knowledge that will help ensure we continue to grow thoughtfully and intentionally.
Partnership is another important factor in the future of GUS, whether through local organizations, environmental partners, or schools in our region. Collaborations with groups like The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms and Essex County Greenbelt Association deepen our place-based work, while partnerships with nearby schools create opportunities to share resources and think creatively about how we operate. These relationships allow us to be both expansive and intentional — broadening what we offer while remaining grounded in who we are.
As part of this broader effort, we are also taking important steps to strengthen the school's long-term sustainability. Our enrollment remains steady, our program continues to be a source of pride, and our community is deeply engaged. With this foundation, we are moving forward with a clear vision and a shared sense of purpose. While not everything on this front is visible just yet, real momentum is building. Some of what lies ahead will begin to take shape in the coming months, and we look forward to sharing more soon.
April showers bring May flowers, and this year, May Day is an important moment for GUS. I hope you’ll join us for All School Meeting on Friday, May 1, at 8:15 a.m. It will be a chance to come together as a community and share some exciting news about what’s starting to bud and will soon begin to bloom!
At GUS, growth has never been about becoming something different. It is about becoming more fully who we already are. As we look ahead, we are excited about what is taking shape — thoughtfully, intentionally, and with our students at the center. We are abuzz with energy. You can feel it, even if you can’t see it yet. It is definitely spring here at GUS!
I’m excited for what’s ahead — and even more so that we’re doing it together.
April Tartan 2026
