LOWER SCHOOL

KEEPING TRADITIONS IN THE LOWER SCHOOL

ADAPTING EDUCATION DURING A PANDEMIC IS A CHALLENGE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

By Anne Wooleyhand

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

The Lower School faculty and staff were thrilled to welcome all students back to school in the fall. Families selected a learning platform that would suit them best. During the first trimester, close to 65 of the 316 students ranging in age from two to 10 years old chose to learn virtually through the Digital Dragons program, while the other students decided to learn in live classrooms on campus. The Lower School took many steps to provide a safe on-campus experience and a meaningful virtual learning experience.

While students from both platforms are thriving with the academic program, keeping the community’s connectedness has been the most challenging piece for the Lower School. Pre-kindergarten through Grade 2 students have separate on-campus teachers and Digital Dragon teachers, so children do not connect in classes. Students in Grades 3–5 do connect during math and language arts, as teachers instruct with both in-person and digital groups at the same time. Our very own David Berg and Karen Mendoza offer lunch bunches throughout the week to promote a sense of community within our Digital Dragon population. All students join the Monday morning and Friday afternoon assemblies with Deborah Wooleyhand. It is great fun to hear the students logging into the assembly and greeting each other regardless of their location. The assemblies are one small way to keep all the teachers and students connected.

Maintaining important GCS traditions and events is a significant way to support the Lower School Community’s connectedness. Halloween has always been a big event on the campus, but with social distancing and class cohorts, we could not gather as an entire community as usual. The Upper School Business class offered Lower School students the opportunity to purchase special Halloween packs delivered to homes. The Lower School had traditional games and activities on campus, such as a socially distanced pumpkin roll and a scavenger hunt. Little Dragons and first-grade students took part in a socially distanced parade, while the second- through fifth-grade students enjoyed snacks and a costume fashion show where digital and on-campus students could interact and show off their costumes.

The next big tradition was the arrival of the first-grade turkeys. This tradition has been around for years. With COVID-19 protocols, first-grade teachers decided on pandemicfriendly costumes with large black trash bags and paper feathers made by each student. Sterling Gray, music teacher, recorded the turkeys so families and other students could enjoy a fantastic show. The Winter Holiday Concert is another long-standing tradition at GCS. This year, family cultures and celebrations were the themes of the winter concert. Showcasing how students, families, and the school celebrate throughout the holiday season was indeed a highlight and a great way to keep everyone connected.

In November, the Lower School was closed for a week, and all students learned virtually. It was the first opportunity for all students to attend synchronous Specials classes, which allowed students and faculty to connect. It’s difficult to say who enjoyed it more, the students or the teachers!

Some of us are Glens, and some of us are Elgs. Some are digital students, and some are in-person. At the end of the day, WE ARE ALL DRAGONS!

Previous page: First grade students in the Lower School continue the Turkey Day concert tradition.

This page, from top: Melody Chen ’35; Alessia Shipman ’34, Students playing in front of the Manor House; Kameron Parker ’30, Jaela Sedney ’30, and Priya Sokhey ’30 at their socially distanced desks; Bellamy Landsman ’32; Ava Mapuvire ’33;

Opposite page, from top: Isabella Pavelka ’35; Emma Hsieh ’31, Kyle Neblett ’31, Jackson Shippen ’31, Jacob Lombardo ’31, Layla Zakaria ’31, Aisha Alausa ’31, Jorn Groeneveld ’31, Kareena Sokhey ’31, and Jake Gordon ’31 at the outdoor theater; Knox Landsman ’29 and Rocco Peluso ’29 on swings; Karen Dodge, technology coordinator and library assistant, watches Harper Chappell ’30; Ryan Kim ’30; Josie Martin ’30.

From top, left to right: Milan Kang ‘29 learns from home; Ariana Jones ‘32 performing during the annual Turkey Day concert; Sophia Jo ‘30 and Arianna Jo ‘32 arrive for the first day of school; Nkosi Kingwood ‘30; Digital Dragons learning virtually; Melissa Johnson’s Little Dragons 3 class celebrates Veterans Day; Finn Boehm ‘34 waves to the crowd during the annual Halloween parade; Students enjoying the outdoors near the Manor House; Little Dragons practice yoga stretches taught by Hilary McCarthy, assistant head of the Lower School and director of early childhood education.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Melissa Johnson

Little Dragons 3 teacher Melissa Johnson’s passion for creating unique experiences for the youngest students on campus started early.

PLEASE GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ON YOURSELF AND YOUR EXPERIENCE.

I’m married with one son, and I’ve been teaching for 18 years. I’m a Maryland/DC native. I went to Largo High School in Prince George’s County. I worked in ministry for over four years while attending college in Florida. During this time, I felt in my heart that working with children would be my true ministry. I love leaving a lasting impression on the lives of little ones.

WHY TEACHING?

I’ve always known that I wanted to teach. My first job was at Chuck-E-Cheese’s, and young children have always been my passion. Early on, I realized I was most comfortable in a classroom full of fun, energetic students than working a traditional nine-to-five job. Growing up and attending private schools, I knew that I needed to learn differently. I promised myself that when I taught, I would lead differently. I love having a “why not” philosophy to my teaching, such as a crazy field trip or standing on a table while cooking to help students learn math. If it helps, then that’s what I will do. I believe nothing is off-limits.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO GCS?

After working in many childcare centers and private schools, I knew I wanted to be a part of a larger community. I found GCS by working in the Extended Day program. After arriving, I knew I found my home. If the gorgeous campus wasn’t enough, I could teach in an out-of-the-box way that made many families decide to be lifers at GCS.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING MOMENTS AS A TEACHER?

My absolute most favorite moment was going on individual class field trips. I remember asking Kirsten Mahoney if I could drive the pudge bus to take my class on a field trip. In many of the Reggio schools, I saw students have these fantastic experiences and decided it would be great to bring that to GCS. Before the pandemic, I’ve taken students on over 12 individual field trips since the program began. We’ve ventured near and far. I see former students who ask if I remember taking them to ICE at the Gaylord. It’s so rewarding that something so simple can have a profound, lasting impact.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING? ANY ADVANTAGES?

I believe the pandemic has changed us all. Even if it’s just a greater appreciation for the way life was before. When it comes to teaching, I believe GCS’s campus has made pandemic teaching a lot easier. The pandemic has taught me to make the most of every teaching moment. This year, my class has been able to have such unique experiences from eating outdoors to daily forest exploring, and outdoor story time to strengthening all five developmental domains using natural outdoor materials. We are fostering an environment rich in independence, and students have adapted very well. Teachers can be pretty set in their styles and routines. The pandemic has made me a better teacher, and it has reminded me always to remain soft clay—moldable and adaptable to the ever-changing world and needs of each student.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS LEARNING IN A PANDEMIC?

Learning in a pandemic can be challenging. I can’t imagine being a student and having everything you’ve come to know and love change instantly. I would encourage students to look back on the history of our country. Our country has overcome adversity, racial inequalities, recessions, diseases, and so much more. It’s always great to look back and know, “This too shall pass.” For everything in life has a season, embrace this pandemic’s uniqueness, and appreciate every day.