Welcome Back to GFS!

August 28, 2018

Dear GFS Parents,

The campus feels so different from the last time I wrote you! In contrast to the relative quiet of July, suddenly the campus is starting to bustle with energy, as teachers and students are returning from their summer activities and adventures. Preseason athletics are in their second week, we have had orientation for new faculty and staff as well as our opening faculty meetings and training for the Residential Life team, and the boarding students have all moved into their rooms and begun to acclimate—or re-acclimate—to life on campus. It has been great to watch the campus come alive in the last couple of weeks.

I am looking forward to welcoming everyone back to school this week: the boarders and their parents had their orientations on Sunday and Monday; for everyone else, there are a range of welcome events in each division throughout the day on Wednesday (and for Preschool, those orientations extend into next week). My ambitious goal is to get to all of them. I have the golf cart charged up and ready to go so I can be at the separate orientation sessions for the Preschool, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School, while also having lunch with the seniors at Lochinvar and hosting Convocation for the Upper School on Wednesday evening, then getting ready for the first day of classes on Thursday. I feel like I should have been out with the preseason athletes doing some training—apparently, contrary to the old saying, the start of the school year at the Forest is both a marathon and a sprint!

You have heard and will continue to hear updates in every division and in virtually all areas of school life, including an update on security improvements on campus, the completion of the renovations for the McLennan Library and other important steps we are taking to support the students and the community on campus. You'll also be hearing about some new initiatives we will be piloting this year, including an outdoor movie night for families and all students on the lawn at Lochinvar (coming September 7—stay tuned for more information!).

I know the faculty and staff are incredibly excited to have their students back and to meet the new members of our community, just as I am excited to greet all of you and begin to get to know you and all of our students. Beyond the orientations and welcome receptions, you'll be seeing me at games, performances, morning drop-offs and other school events. I look forward to the many chances to meet and greet you in the coming weeks.

Best wishes to you all as we launch this wonderful new school year,