After a long winter, it’s nice to see signs of spring on the GUS campus: crocuses and snowdrops are rising up through the soil in front of the library windows. Red-wing blackbirds are exploring the wetlands and singing “conk-la-ree!” Black-capped chickadees are singing their spring song, which sounds like, “hey, sweetie!” And the snow is gone, hopefully for good. I trust you recharged and rested over the break. The faculty and I look forward to a great spring with your children.

Beginning April 2 and running in three shifts each day through April 6, Play By Design will guide volunteers through the process to build our new playground! If you haven’t signed up for a shift, there’s still time. No experience or special skills are needed! (But if you have skills, we’ll use them.) Shifts run from 8:00 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 4:00 p.m., and 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Special thanks for playground leadership goes out to trustees Andrew Brown and George Balich for managing the preparations. Parent and alumnus Nick Kent has also been instrumental in laying the groundwork. Lots of others have helped thus far and more will follow, and we’ll thank everyone and celebrate a new playground, start to finish, soon.

On the heels of the new playground, we will welcome Rhode Island School of Design Professor Amy Leidtke who will begin the process to design our new lower school “Naturescape.” Working with teachers in Pre-K, K, and 1st grade and observing how students use the current play area, Professor Leidtke will spend April designing a space that will both reflect the GUS program to observers and give children an exciting area to explore, play, and imagine!

This month, we will welcome newly admitted students and families back to campus for a revisit day as they make school choices for next year. We’ll also see 8th graders off to Florida and the Dominican Republic for Service Week. In addition, students will replant the raised beds in the greenhouse to grow spring salad greens. And the Parents Association will host a social event, A Night Out at Braemar Lounge, to give parents a chance to enjoy a gathering with old friends and new.

Before we know it, the May pole will rise and students will be delivering baskets to our neighbors. Hold on tight for what promises to be a fantastic, fun, and busy month!