Ever notice or wonder about the sign that’s nestled among the reeds alongside the entrance to the big playing field on campus? The sign bearing the name Bartlett Field? Well, there will soon be a new sign to replace the existing, well-worn sign but the story behind how the sign was first named is an older one.

Shared by the Bartlett Family

Founded in 1977, Glen Urquhart School was first located at St. Margaret's Church in Beverly. The rental rate for the space was reasonable and the people there were kind and helpful. Due to increasing and unavoidable costs, primarily related to heating a large space, the school relocated. Available space was found (thanks to one of the student's parents) at the First Baptist Church in Beverly Farms, and the school became known as the North Shore Middle School. The total enrollment was small and enthusiastic, kindergarten through ninth grade.

Just months into the semester, a philosophical disagreement arose between the two founding teachers. One of the teachers left to start her own school, taking a number of students with her. The remainder stayed put, leaving the school with barely enough students to cover expenses for the year. In truth, if any of the remaining nucleus of students had left, the school might not have survived. Dirk Bartlett was part of the group that stayed.

A few years later, in 1982, North Shore Middle School turned into Glen Urquhart School and moved to a site encompassing 23 acres off Hart Street in Beverly Farms, offering an extraordinary and diverse landscape that anchored the school’s curricular program. Soon, the school evolved into a well-established, well-respected, K-8 elementary school - GUS as we know it today. Dirk Bartlett became the first of the original student body to graduate from the school in 1984. 

In honor of this achievement and its significance to the school's survival, the school's athletic field was named after him!

Dirk and his family continue to steward a strong sense of place by staying connected to GUS in important ways. The most meaningful connection is via Dirk’s niece, Emilia, who is currently a 4th grader at GUS. Emilia’s father, Jake Bartlett, is a graduate from the Class of 1987 and also currently serves on the Board of Trustees. He and Dirk have participated in a number of GUS Wild Boar Golf Tournaments over the past several years. The brothers Bartlett are great representatives for all things GUS and they are proud to be counted among an alumni body that is now some 1,000 strong.