Issuu

Nice to meet you!

We’re thrilled you and your family will be with us for the 2026/2027 school year!

In this New Family Guide, we’ve included some helpful (and fun!) information to help you get settled.

McGILLIS CONTACTS

Jim Brewer Head of School jbrewer@mcgillisschool.org

Katy Hastings Director of Lower School khastings@mcgillisschool.org

Tim Campbell Director of Middle School tcampbell@mcgillisschool.org

Melinda Kaufman Assistant Head of School mkaufman@mcgillisschool.org

Mary Kimball Director of The Learning Center mkimball@mcgillisschool.org

Mike DiBiasio

Middle School Dean of Students mdibiasio@mcgillisschool.org

QUESTIONS?

Absence, Illness, & General Inquiries office@mcgillisschool.org

Messenger, Social Media, & Website communications@mcgillisschool.org

Parent & Family Events events@mcgillisschool.org

Lunch Program & Food Allergies bgill@mcgillisschool.org

Tuition & Tuition Assistance businessoffice@mcgillisschool.org

Lower School Counselor khutten@mcgillisschool.org

MS Counselor/School Psychologist sdavies@mcgillisschool.org

Giving to McGillis philanthropy@mcgillisschool.org

IMPORTANT DATES

May 13

June 9

August 12

August 20

August 24

August 25

September 7

September 10

September 21

October 4

October 22-23

November 6

November 24

November 25-27

December 18

December 21-January 1

January 4

January 18

February 15-19

March 18-19

April 2

April 22

April 22-30

May 3

May 31

June 3

Night Out for New Parents @ 6:30 PM

Kindergarten Playdate @ 6:30 PM

New Student/Parent Orientation @ 5:00 PM

Welcome Back Social @ 6:00 PM

Kindergarten Pop-in Morning @ 8:30 AM

First Day of School

Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

Back-to-School Night

Yom Kippur - NO SCHOOL

Magpie Market

Parent Teacher Conf. - NO SCHOOL - All Divisions

Professional Development - NO SCHOOL

GrandFriends Day/Early Dismissal

Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

Early Dismissal

Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Classes Resume

MLK Day - NO SCHOOL

Mid-Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Parent Teacher Conf. - NO SCHOOL - All Divisions

Professional Development - NO SCHOOL

Passover Begins

Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

Classes Resume

Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

Last Day of School/Commencement

Please see our website for the most up-to-date calendaring information! As of 4/22/26

HOW YOU’LL HEAR FROM US

Emails

Magpie Messenger

• Emailed to all families every Sunday at 8:00 AM

• Your one-stop-shop for announcements, events, and signups—don’t miss it!

• Includes important info for the week ahead, such as the Lunch Menu and Upcoming Events Calendar

Additionally, be on the lookout for emails from:

• Homeroom and Specialty Teacher(s) for regular updates and upcoming events

• Grade Reps (volunteer liaisons between McGillis and parents) for important reminders and opportunities to get involved

• Business Office for tuition and Tuition Assistance messages

• Front Office regarding attendance, dismissals, illness, or injuries

Emergency Notifications

If we experience an emergency or inclement weather that affects the school day, McGillis will notify you via:

• Text (add 73959 to your contacts)

• Email

• If inclement weather causes a delay or closure, you’ll also see announcements on Instagram and Facebook.

Digital Platforms for Parents

Veracross

You’ll use Veracross for all sorts of things, including:

• Annual re-enrollment

• Community Calendar

• Athletics registration

• AfterSchool and Summer

programming registration

• Parent Teacher Conference sign-ups

• Report cards

• Student schedules

• Community directories

• School handbooks

• Digital citizenship resources

Canvas

Canvas is our learning management system, which allows faculty to share class content and communication for grades 4-8. McGillis will provide students and parents/guardians with instructions on logging into Canvas prior to the beginning of the school year.

SCHOOL ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

School Day Run Times

Lower School

Kindergarten: 8:30 AM - 2:55 PM

Grades 1-5: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

TLC, Grades 4-5: 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Grade

Kindergarten - Grade 5

TLC Grades 3-5

Grades 6-8

TLC Grades 6-8

Grade

Kindergarten

Grades 1-5

TLC Grades 3-6

Grades 6-8

TLC Grades 7-8

Middle School

Grades 6-8: 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

TLC, Grades 6-8: 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Drop-off

Time

8:15-8:30 AM

8:00-8:15 AM

Pick-up

Time

2:55-3:15 PM

3:00-3:15 PM

3:15-3:25 PM

Location

Main Lot or 700 South

700 South

Location

Main Lot or Historic Entrance

Main Lot or 700 South

700 South

TRAFFIC PROTOCOLS

• Do not leave your vehicle unattended between 8:00-8:45 AM or between 2:453:30 PM. During these times, 700 South is used ONLY for drop-off and pick-up, and the driver must stay in the vehicle.

• NO U-turns on 700 South.

• NO double-parking behind cars parked at a 45-degree angle.

• Students and parents must cross 700 South ONLY at the crosswalk.

• If entering 700 South heading east, park on the south side of the road and have your child cross at the crosswalk.

• If entering 700 South heading west, use the 45-degree parking.

Parking Lot drop-off/pick-up loop

• Please follow one-way traffic in the main parking lot loop.

• Do not exit the main parking lot at the entrance (north end of the lot).

LUNCH, SNACKS, & BIRTHDAY TREATS

Lunch

Families may opt in for school lunch for a fee when they enroll/re-enroll. Please send your child with a lunch from home if they don’t plan to eat school lunch.

Special dietary needs: Contact Bridget Gill, Food Service Manager, at bgill@mcgillisschool.org. We are prepared to accommodate a variety of needs and preferences, including glutenfree or Kosher meals.

Food allergies: Please be sure to keep your child’s medical information up-todate in the Veracross Parent Portal, and email Bridget Gill: bgill@mcgillisschool. org about your child’s allergy. The kitchen staff posts notices when food contains nuts and/or dairy.

We will work with families to teach their child not to exchange food with other students, to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction, and communicate any distress immediately to an adult.

Snacks

Snacks are not provided in the classroom. We recommend that children bring a nutfree snack every day.

Birthday Treats

A child’s birthday is an important day and may be celebrated here at school. Lower School teachers will communicate with parents/guardians how birthdays are celebrated and recognized in the classroom. Middle School student birthdays are recognized weekly on the announcement board.

Due to a variety of factors, from food allergies to economic concerns, we strongly recommend that parents do not bring in individual treats and/or snacks for their child’s class or grade level on their birthday.

OVERNIGHT TRIPS

One of the hallmarks of a McGillis education is class trips in 4th through 8th grades! These overnight, off-campus excursions are chaperoned by faculty members and provide unforgettable experiences for our students. They learn together and play together, all while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery our country has to offer. With the exception of the 8th Grade Washington, DC trip, all trips are included in tuition.

Fall Trimester

6th Grade

At the Teton Science Schools (TSS), our students have the opportunity to learn from TSS guides and their transformative place-based education curriculum in the Teton Valley for 5 days/4 nights.

7th Grade

For 5 days/4 nights, 7th graders travel to the Moab area to work with the Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI). CFI designs its program to deepen the connections students have with each other through hands-on activities at archaeological sites, riparian ecology zones, and a day of whitewater rafting.

8th Grade

Every fall, our oldest students head out on a 4-day/3-night camping trip in the Uintas.

Winter Trimester

5th Grade

Details to be announced in Fall 2026!

Spring Trimester

4th Grade

4th graders spend 2 days/1 night with their class at the Wasatch Mountain Institute in Park City.

6th Grade

6th graders travel to beautiful Zion National Park to hike and camp for 4 days/3 nights.

7th Grade

Details to be announced in 2026/2027!

8th Grade: Washington, DC ($2,400*)

In Washington, DC, our students celebrate the culmination of their year-long study of U.S. history and government (and their McGillis career!) by visiting sites that bring their learning to life.

*Financial assistance is awarded as part of our Tuition Assistance process; email businessoffice@mcgillisschool.org for more information.

McGILLIS-ISMS

AfterSchool: Our fee-based AfterSchool Program is available for students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade, from after school until 6:00 PM, Monday – Friday.

Back to School Night: Evening event when our parents/guardians hear about the new school year and enjoy drinks, appetizers, and mingling with each other.

Coffee Klatch: Informal get-togethers at drop-off in the Gathering Space or outdoors, hosted by the Magpie Association.

CSI: Abbreviation for Curious Student Investigations. One week each year, students in grades 3-5 participate in experiential learning activities led by McGillis teachers and special guests. Teachers create in-depth experiences on a topic they are passionate about.

DEIB: Abbreviation for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging. We believe a diverse, inclusive community is essential to a rich educational experience, and we support each person in our community to reach their full potential.

Ethics & Cultures: Students have a trimester-long class titled “Ethics & Cultures.” In addition to learning about our school’s values and how we can live them every day, students discover, discuss, and read about topics such as identity, diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice, culture, and world cultures. We also explore the historical and contemporary forces that oppress and separate people. Through our Ethics & Cultures program, students participate in our school traditions that are anchored in Jewish holidays.

Fall Leaf Haul: Every November, our entire school rakes leaves for our neighbors in the Douglas Neighborhood and on our campus. Parents are welcome to join us for this Fall community service activity!

Family Groups: Multi-grade groups of students that meet together with a McGillis faculty member for the purpose of sharing values and strengthening the community.

Gathering Space: An open and light-filled space at the Main Entrance where our community can gather, where students perform plays, and where we celebrate Shabbat. Also the spot where coffee is available every weekday morning for faculty/ staff and parents/guardians!

GrandFriends Day: GrandFriends Day is an annual tradition when we invite the grandparents and special friends of our students to experience the magic of McGillis.

Integrative Studies: Integrative Studies, or “IS” for short, is an our unique and innovative pedagogy in Middle School. The IS program fuses Humanities, Science, and Writing curricula to tackle one critical question at a time. Students participate in nine IS hours per week, including largegroup meetings, small-group project work, individual research time, and grade-wide field trips. The result is a group of creative and collaborative problem-solvers who are ready for high school!

Kehilah Crew: Similar to an advisory, Kehilah Crews are small groups of Middle School students who meet together four times each week with a Middle School teacher to participate in group discussions and a variety of games.

Lower School: Grades K-5

MAC: Abbreviation for McGillis Activity Center (our gym and stage).

Magpie: The McGillis School mascot.

The terms and events that are unique to the McGillis community.

Magpie Association: The priority of our Magpie Association is to build the culture of community at McGillis. There are many opportunities to participate and volunteer. Every parent/guardian of a McGillis student is a member of the Magpie Association, and all are invited to engage in ways that fit their interests and availability!

Magpie Messenger: Our Sunday morning email to families with the upcoming week’s important information.

The McGillis Fund: The School’s largest annual fundraising effort to support our school programs, Tuition Assistance, and more.

Middle School: Grades 6-8

Magpie Musings: The McGillis School’s website blog, where you can learn more about our community, culture, and values.

Movement: K-3 Movement classes focus on helping students develop their movement skills. Students will develop an awareness of how to move their bodies, how different body parts relate to one another, and how they, as a mover, relate to people, the environment, and other factors such as music or boundaries.

Morning Care: Our fee-based Morning Care program is available for students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade, beginning at 7:30 AM, Monday – Friday.

OEE: Abbreviation for our Outdoor Environmental Education program, which provides outdoor learning time for all grades, K-8. More extensive outdoor experiences begin in 3rd Grade with day hikes, culminating in a multi-day overnight camping trip in 8th Grade.

Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath, occurring from Friday sundown until Saturday sundown. At McGillis, we acknowledge Shabbat every Friday. Families are welcome to join us! Most weeks, small groups gather to celebrate Shabbat by grade, with one group of students assigned to take the lead. A handful of times a year, we gather as an entire school community in the MAC for All-School Shabbat. A McGillis Shabbat is a time to slow down, gather, and express gratitude for the past week and the people in our lives.

Specialty Classes: Art, Music, Drama, Science, Ethics & Cultures, Library, Digital Citizenship, and P.E./Movement.

The Learning Center (TLC): Our schoolwithin-a-school program for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia).

Toolbox: An evidence-based Kindergarten through 5th Grade Social-Emotional Learning program used throughout our Lower School. The 12 Tools help reduce student conflict and behavioral incidents, improving classroom achievement and our school climate.

TREEkun Olam: A school-wide day of service that provides our students with hands-on experience planting trees that immediately impact our climate and community. “TREEkun Olam” is a play on the value tikkun olam (repairing the world).

The View: Digital screens in the School’s Gathering Space and outside the MAC to inform and celebrate our community.

West Campus: Our West Campus building is located at 721 South 1200 East, just 500 small-child steps from our Main Building. West Campus (formerly the Douglas Ward Building) is home to the Middle School Integrative Studies program and hosts a variety of other kehilah gatherings.