It’s no secret this fall has been a back-to-school like no other. Members of the GUS faculty share reflections on the first month of school back at GUS:

Bre Brandt
School Counselor

As odd as it may sound, this year has been the best start to any school year I have experienced. There is a revived sense of joy for being with people we care about and learning. Was it difficult to wear a mask for the whole day at the beginning? Yes.  However, doing so in order to teach alongside faculty that I respect and admire and who keep me motivated to do the "good work" makes it more than worthwhile. Add to that the joy and energy emanating from the students and one cannot help to feel renewed. There is an appreciation for what we didn't have for so many months and though that has come at far too high a cost, it is here nonetheless. If we can continue to focus on the interactions, the laughing (even if muffled) and the magic of GUS this will be a year to be remembered.

Cori Russo
Upper School Dean of Students + Latin Teacher

With all the change and uncertainty in the world outside our "green and shady place," it has been such a welcome blessing to be back at GUS. True, the last few weeks haven't always looked exactly like they normally would in the fall trimester-- enjoying socially distanced "mask-breaks" in addition to "brain breaks," seeing a fancy new classroom in the middle of the Nance Assembly space, hearing the occasional "thud" as an outdoor whiteboard easel is blown over by a gust of wind-- but the things that matter most have been as present as they always are: excited and curious students, faculty who nurture and challenge in equal measure, and the compassionate support of a dedicated learning community. In this new reality, I don't always know exactly how each Latin class will turn out, but there are some things I can always count on: there will be some moments of frustration, but many more moments of laughter; students (and teachers) will continue to learn more about themselves, each other, and the world; and there will always be another chance for everyone to catch their breath, regain their focus, and try again. 

Elliott Buck
Second Grade Teacher

By late August my peaceful walks and calm breaths were sometimes interrupted by my worries surrounding the start of school. My head was swirling with questions like: How would my students play math games and partner read from a safe distance? How will I teach in a mask all day? How many mask breaks will kids need? These anxious feelings quickly dissipated when I arrived on our beautiful GUS campus to welcome new students and collaborate with colleagues and my amazing co-teacher Maggie Clark. Second grade is buzzing with learning, laughter and positive energy. Keeping a safe distance and squirting hand sanitizer are now routine. While it looks vastly different with masks on, I love interpreting the curiosity and joy in my students’ eyes. Our community is bonding during an unforgettable and challenging time. As always, I am so grateful to be a part of GUS.

Emily Rabinowitz-Buchanan
Interim Assistant Head of School
+ Director of Early Elementary

Coming back onto campus after so many months away has been a surprisingly calming and restorative experience. I have a renewed appreciation for our incredible campus and school community, both as a faculty member and as a parent of two lower school students. I feel so fortunate to be a member of the GUS community, and each day I am in awe of the learning that is taking place in our classrooms and across our campus. Peeping into classrooms and walking across campus during recess and outdoor learning times, I see the GUS that I’ve come to know and love in my four years at the school. The changes we’ve made to keep ourselves healthy and safe - the masks, the individual tables, and the distancing - are not what stand out to me these days. It’s the level of engagement and focused learning, and the lively conversations and spirited play I see in every Pre-K through 8th grade class on a daily basis. I have also been blown away by the unbelievable energy, investment, and creativity of our teachers, and their determination to make this fall a great one, and provide an experience that is true to our GUS values and mission. GUS is a special place to go to school - our large, airy, and light-filled classrooms, our wide-open forests and fields, our playgrounds and pollinator gardens - all of these spaces create an environment that makes our school feel like both a home and a site for adventure and discovery. What really brings our campus to life, though, is the passion, warmth, intelligence, and dedication of our teachers; and the insatiable curiosity, and desire to learn and connect, that we see in our students. The GUS we all know and love is alive and well, and it’s a joy to be back together on campus this fall, doing what we do best, in this special place.