When school starts, I am always pulled to a poem by an unknown author called “Dream Big.”

There are many aspects of this poem that appeal to me, but this year, the part that I am focused on is “Persist. Because with an idea, determination, and the right tools, you can do great things.”  Here at GUS, we have persisted through challenges, with a real sense of purpose, and we are ready and determined to do great things. We learned a lot during the pandemic about who we are, and as we begin again, we are focused on digging deeper, examining our practice, and continuing to do all we can to support our students. We are dreaming big with a sincere commitment to do better.

Our do better commitment began last year with a charge to truly become the inclusive community that GUS has always dreamed of being - with a population and program that represents diversity at its best. While the commitment is nothing new, the dedication and determination to do better has become a strong statement as we continue this work. This year, we are focusing on deeper and further, a concept that began in our classrooms, and using this theme to push all our work forward. Upper school families may know deeper and further as ways students take on academic work. What began in humanities has become part of our math program as students determine if they need to go deeper and spend more time or if they are ready to go farther and take on more challenge. In all areas of GUS life, from how we support young people, to evaluating our program, to continuing with our DEI efforts, we are working to further our commitment to do better, by doing better in all ways. 

Our success last year was a real team effort and showed us that we can do anything together. Our dedicated group of faculty and staff always seem to find a way to bring our dreams to life. The partnership between school and home has never been more vital, and we are so grateful to all our GUS families for their trust and support. Our wonderful alumni and alumni families that continue to remember GUS and believe in our mission buoy us up. It is the people that make GUS so special and give us the inspiration to aim high and make our dreams come true.

Armed with talented and imaginative thinkers, dedicated and devoted community members, and young people who are up for adventure, we are poised for a great year. A year filled with joy, learning, and big dreams. A year that pushes us to imagine the GUS of tomorrow, based on all we have learned about who we are and what we do. While there may still be challenges ahead of us, we look to the future with excitement. As the Dream Big poem begins, “if there was ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, the time is now.” Yes, the time is now! Let’s dream big!

Trust and go forward,

Gretchen Forsyth
Head of School

DREAM BIG

If there were ever a time to dare,

to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing,

it is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily --

but for something that tugs at your heart

something that's your dream.

You owe it to yourself

to make your days here count.

Have fun.

Dig deep.

Stretch.

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing

seldom come easy.

There will be good days.

And there will be bad days.

There will be days when you want to turn around,

pack it up,

and call it quits.

Those times tell you

that you are pushing yourself,

that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,

determination,

and the right tools,

you can do great things.

Let your instincts,

your intellect,

and your heart

guide you.

Trust.

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.

Of doing something that makes a difference.

Of working hard.

Of laughing and hoping.

Of lazy afternoons.

Of lasting friends.

Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new

brings the hope of something great.

Anything is possible.

There is only you.

And you will only pass this way once.

Do it right.

Author unknown