NewsBriefs
PREPARATORY SCHOOL
THIRD GRADE REINTRODUCED
Afterschool Program
GMC Prep School reintroduced third grade in the 2019-2020 school year, welcoming a maximum number of 40 third-graders into two classrooms on the first day of school. Throughout the school year, third-graders joined in various elementary school activities and programs that included becoming Bulldog Buddies with the high school seniors, joining a Junior Bulldogs sports team, and expressing themselves in the new elementary visual arts program. Third-grade students expanded their educational horizons in other ways that included: taking a field trip to The Rock Ranch and to the Museum of Aviation; participating in Fire Safety Awareness Month with an informative, interactive visit from the Baldwin County Fire Department; and writing and publishing their own hardcover books. One of the third-grade teachers, Sara Gray (HS ’10, JC ’11), is a GMC Prep School, as well as GMC Junior College, alumna. Fourth and fifth grades were reintroduced at the Prep School at the start of the 2018-2019 school year. To meet enrollment demands, an additional class was added to fourth and fifth grades in fall 2019. The GMC Board of Trustees approval of the addition of third through fifth grades allows the Prep School elementary program to dovetail with the county public school system that has K-2 primary schools.
When in-seat classes were held during the 2019-2020 school year, Prep School students and their parents had the opportunity to participate in an afterschool program first introduced in February 2019. The program is open to students in third through fifth grades. The afterschool program offers regular enrollment as well as a daily drop-in option, giving parents several childcare choices to fit their needs. An average of 35 students – almost one-fourth of elementary school enrollment – participated in the program. Students who participate in the Prep School afterschool program are given a snack, and have opportunities to complete their homework and participate in various activities, such as art and games, as well as outdoor playtime.
Prep School Annex and Jenkins Hall Open A pair of ribbon-cutting ceremonies was held at the start of the 2019-2020 school year to unveil the all-new GMC Prep School Annex and the adjoining fully restored historic Jenkins Hall. Both facilities house elementary school students in third, fourth, and fifth grades. The Prep School Annex has a 1,428-square-foot visual arts studio; the Bulldog Café, a cafétorium for students
in third through ninth grades, featuring a snappy black and red décor and a sizeable stage; expansive Pursley Patio with a fireplace located outside directly off the cafétorium; and two computer labs for third through twelfth grades. Jenkins Hall was restored to its original ten classrooms, each with their charming transom windows. Each teacher decorated their classroom with a different theme to add a fun, modern touch to the facility’s historic interior design. The structure’s facade was reestablished to feature its original exterior windows arrangement. Additions include a recreational room for P.E. classes and an outside playground.
2020
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