THE GRYPHON GUIDE
A PARENT'S GUIDE TO GRAYSON EVENTS
AUGUST
WELCOME BACK SOCIAL
Reconnect with the Grayson community as we kick off a new school year! Families will meet teachers, catch up with friends, and enjoy sweet treats.
• Type: Before school begins event
• Who Attends: Students and families
• What to Expect: Ice cream truck, community gathering, faculty introductions, club preview
• Dress: Casual summer attire
• Performances: None
SEPTEMBER
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
This is your opportunity to step into your child’s world at The Grayson School. Families meet their student’s teaching team, learn about the curriculum and programs for the year, and get a feel for what it is like to be a Grayson student.
• Type: Evening, parent only event
• Who Attends: Parents of Grayson students
• What to Expect: Meet your child’s teachers and learn about the curriculum
• Dress: Casual
• Performances: None
FALL CONFERENCES
Fall Conferences provide a valuable opportunity to focus on your individual student. Held early in the school year, these conferences allow you to meet with members of your child’s core team, review baseline assessments, and share your thoughts and insights as we plan for the year ahead.
• Type: During school hours, parent-only event
• Who Attends: Parents of Grayson students
• What to Expect: Meet your child’s teachers, give input on your goals for your child
• Dress: Casual
• Performances: None
OCTOBER
FALL FESTIVAL
An afternoon of games, snacks, music, and fun for the whole community, hosted by the Grayson Parents Association.
• Type: After school, family event
• Who Attends: Entire Grayson community; PreK–7th graders must be accompanied by an adult
• What to Expect: Games, music, snacks, and student-run activities
• Dress: Casual; costumes allowed (must follow costume guidelines in Family Handbook)
• Performances: None
PICTURE DAY
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students
• What to Expect: All students will have their school photo taken, regardless of purchasing pictures.
• Dress: On Picture Day, students must wear a white collared shirt (long- or short-sleeved. Pictures are taken from the waist up so regular dress code. Shirts must be tucked in. No sweatshirts of any kind are permitted on these days.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION
A festive school day full of performances, classroom parties, and a spirited parade.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students; all families are welcome to attend Lower School parade and musical performances
• What to Expect: Musical performances, classroom parties, outdoor parade
• Dress: Dress down day, Costumes in afternoon (follow guidelines in Family Handbook)
• Performances: Gryphonix, Chorale, Chamber Jazz
NOVEMBER
DAY OF GRATITUDE
A day for students to give back and reflect on the things they are grateful for as we head into Thanksgiving Break.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: Grade-level service projects and community activities centered around gratitude
• Dress: Dress down day
• Performances: None
HARVEST DAY
• Type: Half-day event; dismissal at 12:00pm
• Who Attends: Half day for Students, Upper School Parents
• What to Expect: The Lower and Middle School will have a field day at school. The Upper School students will be on a field trip. Upper school conferences will be held that day.
• All students will be dismissed at 12:00pm for a half day.
• Dress: Dress down day (follow guidelines in Family Handbook)
• Performances: None
DECEMBER
WINTERFEST
Our annual evening showcase of student musical performances and a stunning art show from every grade.
• Type: Evening event
• Who Attends: All families welcome
• What to Expect: Evening concert and gallery, intermission with milk and cookies
• Dress: Formal dress for student performers (white shirt, navy pants/skirt, dress shoes); Chamber Jazz Only – Black dress shirt, black pants
• Performances: All Lower School, Gryphonix, Gryphonix Jr., Gryphonix Mini, Middle School Vocal, Middle School Instrumental, Upper School Instrumental, Chorale, Chamber Jazz
WINTER SOLSTICE
A celebration of winter with school-wide themed activities to mark the last day before break.
• Type: Half-day event, 12:00 pm dismissal
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: Themed classroom activities by division; Upper School off-campus trip
• Dress: Dress down day
• Performances: None
JANUARY
CULTURAL CELEBRATION
An evening potluck that celebrates our school community's culture and diversity.
• Type: Evening event
• Who Attends: Entire Grayson community
• What to Expect: Shared meal, student performances, cultural storytelling
• Dress: Casual
• Performances: Chamber Jazz, Chorale, Gryphonix, Gryphonix Jr. Gryphonix Mini
FEBRUARY
WINTER CONFERENCES
Held after Winter MAP testing, this round of conferences serves as a checkpoint for your student’s progress over the first half of the year, as well as an opportunity to plan for the end of the year.
• Type: During the school day, parent-only event
• Who Attends: Parents of Grayson students
• What to Expect: Track your child’s progress over the first half of the year
• Dress: Casual
• Performances: None
MARCH
PI DAY
A fun-filled celebration of math, logic, and creativity across all grade levels.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: Math contests, pie bake-off, fun math activities
• Dress: Math-themed dress down day
• Performances: None
VIP DAY
A chance for Very Important People to join PreK–8th graders for classroom visits and performances.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: VIP guests of PreK–8 students
• What to Expect: Classroom visits, student performances, art exhibition
• Dress: School-appropriate
• Performances: PreK–3 and Grades 4–12 Music Recital, Chorale, Middle School Vocal
MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL MUSICAL
A full musical theater production by the Middle and Upper School.
• Type: After-school event
• Who Attends: Families of performers
• What to Expect: Musical performance
• Dress: Costume per director guidance
• Performances: Middle and Upper School students
APRIL
EARTH DAY
Students come together to celebrate our planet through themed classroom activities and meaningful service projects.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students Only
• What to Expect: Middle and Upper School students will participate in service field trips. Lower School classes have themed activities
• Dress: Dress to get dirty
• Performances: None
STAR WARS DAY
Celebrate a galaxy far, far away with themed activities and seminars.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: Star Wars-themed games and activities, Lower School Rocket Day
• Dress: Star Wars-themed dress down (T-shirts only)
• Performances: None
FIELD DAY
A day of outdoor games and rocket launches, filled with school spirit.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: Grade-level games, rocket launches, tie-dye Tshirts
• Dress: Dress down; athletic wear and sneakers required
• Performances: None
LOWER SCHOOL MUSICAL
A full musical theater production by the Lower School.
• Type: After-school event
• Who Attends: Families of performers
• What to Expect: Musical performance
• Dress: Costume per director guidance
• Performances: Lower School students
JUNE MOVE-UP DAY
Students visit next year’s classroom and teachers for a sneak peek.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: Orientation-style preview of next grade
• Dress: Dress down day
• Performances: None
FOUNDERS DAY
Our end-of-year celebration with student project presentations and a promotion ceremony.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: All families welcome
• What to Expect: Project presentations, promotion ceremonies, performances
• Dress: Morning—Formal dress
• Performances: Gryphonix Jr., Middle School Instrumental, Upper School Instrumental, Chamber Jazz
GRAYSONPALOOZA
Our end-of-year celebration for students where they get to enjoy fun activities with their friends before heading off to summer break.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Students only
• What to Expect: carnival games, balloon artist, face painting and just all-around fun!
• Dress: Dress down
• Performances: None
JUNE
COMMENCEMENT
Our formal graduation ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of our seniors.
• Type: Formal school event
• Who Attends: Seniors, Upper School students, families and guests
• What to Expect: 11:00 AM ceremony, student arrival by 9:00 AM, Grades 9–11 arrive by 10:00 AM, dismissal at 1:00 PM
• Dress:
• Seniors: White dress or khakis with navy blazer and tie
• Grades 9–11: Formal dress (white shirt, navy pants/skirt, dress shoes—no shorts or sweatshirts)
• Performances: Gryphonix
MASTERY DAY (GRADES 9-11)
Students reflect on the year, update portfolios, and prepare for conferences.
• Type: School day event
• Who Attends: Grades 9–11 only
• What to Expect: Mastery transcript, college planning, advisor meetings
• Dress: Dress down day
SENIOR AND ALUMNI TRIP
Seniors and alumni bond over a cultural experience in Philadelphia.
• Type: Off-campus school day event
• Who Attends: Seniors and alumni
• What to Expect: Cultural arts experience in the city
• Dress: Dress down day
STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES
End-of-year conferences reaffirm our commitment to curiosity, authenticity, and purpose by celebrating student growth throughout the year. Students in grades 3+ attend these conferences alongside their parents to reflect on their progress. Teacher attendance varies based on parent and student request.
• Type: During the school day, student and parent event
• Who Attends: Parents of Grayson students, Grayson students (grades 3+)
• What to Expect: Reflect on your child’s progress over the year
• Dress: Casual
COLLEGE BOOT CAMP
Rising seniors kick off their college application journey.
• Type: Summer workshop
• Who Attends: Rising seniors
• What to Expect: Writing workshops, portfolio prep, admissions strategy
• Dress: Casual
