News Archive

This November, the spirit of curiosity and innovation is alive and well in Graland’s kindergarten classroom. Bella's Fall Coat Lacing Challenge, more affectionately known as tinker time, is a creative endeavor inspired by Lynn Plourde's book, "Bella's Fall Coat."

In art class this month with Ms. Baldwin, first graders learned about Alma Thomas (artist, teacher, and prominent American painter of the 20th century) and color mixing.

In Grade 6 English class this month, students have been working on suspenseful narrative stories.

This November, fourth graders got to experience a new intramural sports unit in their daily PE classes.

Each year, after completing the Chief Mountain Hike at the start of the school year (a Grade 3 tradition), students return to campus to continue learning about life zones. In addition to lessons in their social studies, library, and art classes, third graders also explore life zones in Tinker Time by designing an animal for their culminating diorama project.

In Grade 2 science with Mrs. Jackson, second graders started their geology unit this October with a hard-boiled egg dissection!

Care, connection, balance, and belonging are all aspects of life that Middle School students seek. At a time when students experience significant emotional and social growth, advisory provides them a safe place and a brave space to discuss feelings, challenges, and successes. The advisor can become a trusted adult in a place where students spend more time than they do at home in a typical week. Furthermore, students learn to develop or practice empathy, communication skills, self-awareness, advocating for themselves, study skills, and how to reach the optimal space of balance.

When asked to think of three words that come to mind when he thinks of Graland, Trinidad (Trini) Rodriguez, Class of 1989, said “relationships, experiences, and growth.” Since his time at Graland, Mr. Rodriguez has dedicated his career as a changemaker to these same themes, making him the ideal recipient of the 2023 Nancy Nye Priest Alumni Award. Each year, the Nancy Nye Priest Alumni Award honors alumni whose extraordinary contributions in their field are reflective of the exemplary qualities of the person, Graland Country Day School, and the global community in which we live.

In the late 90s, there was a science fiction comedy film, “Multiplicity,” starring Michael Keaton, about a man who never has enough time for what he wants to do and is offered the opportunity to have himself cloned. As a parent, I thought this was a great idea! One parent can do the after-school pickup, one can organize and drive the Saturday sports carpool, the other can attend the Back-to-School Night, and another parent can make sure your child’s academic and social needs are being met. We have busier schedules than ever before, and you may often ask yourself, how does one manage it all? The good news is you don’t have to.

In David Brooks’s article, “Why Are Americans So Mean?”, he states, “The most important story about why Americans have become sad and alienated and rude, I believe, is also the simplest: We inhabit a society in which people are no longer trained in how to treat others with kindness and consideration.” Over my time as an educator working with children in their most formative years, I have felt an increasing urgency to focus on that same simple objective: developing foundational character traits like kindness.

During any given point in the school year at Graland, one can walk down the hallways and feel the energy and excitement of young learners ready to take on a new day full of adventures and discoveries. While summertime at some schools could leave the grounds feeling quiet, at Graland, summer programs such as Camp Roots keep the vibrancy and magic alive all year long. In line with the school’s mission to cultivate compassion by caring for others in our community, Graland began hosting Camp Roots in 2021 to serve migrant students from a variety of metro public schools enrolled in the Metro Migrant Education Program. Thanks to the dedication and support of several partners, including the Jewish Community Center (JCC), local public school teachers, coordinators from the Metro Migrant Education Program, and Graland faculty and staff, Camp Roots recently finished its second summer of programming at Graland.

As part of their science unit, students in Pre-Kindergarten have been learning about the five senses.

Sawubona. It’s an African Zulu greeting that means “I see you.” But it goes much deeper than that. For me, it speaks to the heart of inclusivity. “I see your personality. I see your humanity. I see your dignity.” This is how I introduced myself to the Graland community seven years ago when I began my tenure as head of Middle School. This is what I say to every eighth-grade student as they walk across the stage to collect the diplomas at graduation. Although this is how I choose to move through the world, I can tell you more about what this means to me at Graland.

“What are the arts good for?” This decades-long debate offers no shortage of perspectives from philosophers to community stakeholders alike. Some might argue artistic value is found in the collective belonging, while others might cite increased intellectual capacity. Still yet is the ability to transcend our lived experience into an ethereal world of beauty. Although there are many reasons the arts are valuable to the human experience, for the Graland Visual and Performing Arts Department (VAPA), none is more important than the ability for artistic creativity to communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Have you ever wondered if whales sleep? We hadn’t either, but once the question was posed and we saw how it piqued the interest of our Lower School students, we couldn’t resist searching for an answer. This type of curiosity invites engagement and makes learning more effective and enjoyable. According to cognitive scientist and researcher Elizabeth Bonawitz, “Curiosity acts as a kind of filter you put over the world to help the mind decide what information to attend to." 

Recently, Graland students received a special visit from New York Times Best-Selling Author Lisa McMann and her husband, Matt McMann, a fellow children’s book author.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month this October, eighth-grade students created food trucks in Spanish class showcasing the cuisine and culture of Spanish-speaking countries.

In Grade 1 math, students have been learning how to use addition to solve real-world problems. During the first part of the lesson, the first graders gathered as a class to discuss the steps of solving a math problem.

"What is a triangle?" "Is this a triangle?" "How do we know?" This month, preschoolers asked these questions as they studied shapes.

This year, the Bike Hike (a Grade 4 Graland tradition!) took place from September 18-21, with each class completing a 13-mile round trip ride from the Four Mile House to Confluence Park in Downtown Denver using the Cherry Creek Trail. Check out this recap featuring Ms. Levy's class!

Before embarking on their trip to visit historical landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement in the South in November, eighth graders prepare for the experience in their MESH classes.

In preparation for their Chief Mountain Hike this September, third graders created field guides in art class and learned how to draw from observation.

In Grade 7 science this September, students conducted a paper airplane investigation to better understand how to think, work, and learn like a scientist.

This month in music class, first graders got to experience what it is like to conduct and participate in their very own orchestra!

To kick off their social studies unit this September, kindergarteners went on a campus-wide scavenger hunt!

Karin Bisogno-Von Glumer became a Graland parent in 2017 and has not stopped finding new ways to get involved since. Originally from Valencia, Venezuela, Karin came to the United States to go to school in Omaha, Nebraska. 

All year, Grade 6 students have been learning about poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity in their math, English, science, history, and art classes and working together to make a difference.

With spring in full bloom at Graland, Pre-K students have been studying insects, plant life, spring, and summer.

For several months, second graders have been prepping for their largest culminating event of the year… the Biography Expo!

Did you know that third graders have been working with Graland’s very own Artistic Director, Mrs. Tara Neeley to write their own blues songs?

Throughout the year, Kindergarten students have been preparing for their “mane” event… the annual Rodeo! To get ready for this special day, students visited Urban Farm to learn about caring for animals and farmer/rancher life. Kindergartners also went to the National Western Stock Show in January to see what a real rodeo is like and to celebrate Colorado's agricultural heritage.

With the help of Graland's talented Visual & Performing Arts Team, Graland's seventh and eighth graders put on a fantastic performance of "Newsies Jr." this month. Whether you saw the musical and want to re-experience it or happened to miss the production, you're not going to want to miss this highlight reel of the show! Encore!

Each year, eighth graders finish their final year at Graland with a culminating Capstone project. The assignment allows them to not only pursue their individual interests but also employ key academic skills acquired throughout their time as a student. Capstone was started several years ago with the intent of imbuing in eighth graders a sense of purpose and social consciousness. Students start the year by choosing a topic for their project that centers around the 17 United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Goals.

Every time one enters the main doors of the Georgia Nelson Building on campus, they are greeted by the Master Teacher wall, which houses the portraits of Graland educators (former and current) who have dedicated 20-plus years of their career to the school, its mission, and its students. This year, the 71st Master Teacher headshot was added to the wall in honor of Drama Teacher Dan O’Neill. 

When our youngest students enter the Gates Invention and Innovation Lab, their eyes light up in wonder as they see tools they will one day use and inventions they may one day create themselves. Our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students’ curiosity is sparked as they step into the lab and sit on the rug, ready to learn. Although this is a space to tinker, experiment, and play, Lower School students are also practicing skills that will transfer to learning experiences in the classroom and throughout their lives.

This year, for my wife’s birthday, my son gave two birthday notes. One, without my wife knowing it at first, was written by ChatGPT. It was fine, a little general and superficial, but adequate for a mom who is happy to receive any acknowledgment from her twenty-year-old son. At the end of that note, my son revealed the actual author and asked her to flip the sheet to reveal his own unique letter, much more personal and poignant. It was a moment that has stuck with me as I often consider the question, what will humans need to differentiate themselves in this automated world? It is a crucial question for us all and mostly for educators who are attempting to prepare children to thrive in school and in life.

At Graland, we want to do more than educate our students. We want to inspire them. This is why “Inspire Students” is one of the four core tenets of our strategic plan. The first objective of this tenet is “to provide dynamic and engaging learning experiences that captivate students and cultivate competencies that reflect our mission and guiding principles.” Learning needs to be dynamic and engaging – it needs to provide a spark. Of course, we want students to be competent but also curious and eager. Head of School Josh Cobb has written about the intellectual attributes we desire in our students, and in this article, I will address this essential question: “How do we provide the right environment to create those dynamic and engaging learning experiences?”

Originating in 1971 (52 years ago), the Southwest Trip provides opportunities each spring for sixth graders to explore and experience the lifestyle of early Coloradans.

At the end of April, the entire seventh grade traveled to Washington D.C. for their class trip.

As an independent school that serves students through eighth grade, Graland’s mission and Guiding Principles are paramount in graduating students who are not only engaged citizens but thoughtful leaders. But this journey to becoming a thoughtful leader doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, Graland’s Guiding Principle of “Inspire Leadership” is infused at every level of the Middle School, encouraging students to lead their classmates and inspire the Graland community with their words and actions.

The Week of the Young Child, created by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is an annual event that celebrates early childhood education, kids, teachers, and families. This year, Graland participated in Week of the Young Child festivities from April 14-21.

This April, second graders in Ms. Julie Lachance’s drama class invited their families to campus for original performances.

All year long, eighth graders have been working hard on their final culminating project as a student at Graland.

As part of their studies on immigration, students in Grade 3 got a special visit from Project Worthmore this month.

This month in Mr. Willis’ Grade 5 history class, students took part in a game show-esque activity known as “Ancient Survivor.”

In Grade 4 Spanish, students have been learning all about Spain, but with a fun twist! 

This March, Grade 5 students in Mrs. Dodge’s math class worked to answer the question: “Why do tenths, hundredths, and thousandths matter?

Graland Lower School science teachers recently added a new project to elevate the Grade 4 unit on animal senses: a sheep’s eye dissection!

After finishing their choice novel, Grade 6 Book Club groups began working on a Literary Food Truck project to demonstrate their understanding of the text in a new and different way.

We hope everyone got a chance to check out the fantastic projects featured at the 2023 Gates Invention and Innovation Expo on Thursday, March 9. Several students who participated in the Expo were excited to share their thoughts on the experience and what they learned.

This March, preschoolers in Ms. Sara Flansburg's class learned all about the weather.

On a beautiful sunny day in March, first graders got to fly their homemade Japanese carp (koi fish) kites that they made in art class.

As part of their social studies unit on the history of Colorado, third graders got to visit the American Museum of Western Art - The Anschutz Collection this March.

February 25, 2023 marks the 99th birthday for Graland’s oldest alumna, Cope McWhinney Craven.

On Thursday, February 16, Grade 1 students invited their parents on campus for a special performance they have been working on in music class.

Every February during Black History Month, fourth-grade students explore the Harlem Renaissance and the music, art, and literature that resulted in the 1920s and 30s.

In Grade 8 French class with Madame Cohen, eighth graders filmed cooking shows (entirely in French) that showcased their best French recipes this month!

If you love colorful art, this project is for you! In line with their studies of the natural world, third graders created portraits of insects and other species using scratch art techniques this month.

In Kindergarten, math is anything but boring. In fact, in the words of Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Helen Valiant, math for some of our youngest Graland learners is "explorational," "hands-on," and "fun!" 

Inspired by the book “Paperwhites,” by Nancy Elizabeth, ECLC students have been bringing “a little bit of spring into winter” this January. After hearing the story of a small bunny who plants paperwhite bulbs with her senior neighborhood, ECLC students learned how to plant their own flowers with Library Coordinator Mrs. Meyers.

After learning new vocabulary words in science class, such as "force," "gravity," "friction," "Newton's Laws," "potential energy," and "kinetic energy," second graders' knowledge was put to the test through a physics design challenge!

On October 27, 2022, clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah Burgamy ’93 returned to Graland to receive one of the school’s highest alumni honors, The Nancy Nye Priest Alumni Award. Many who knew Mrs. Priest ‘39 (Graland alumna and former educator of 43 years) remember her for her leadership, selflessness, service, courage, creativity, and dedication to the school and the community. Those who have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dr. Burgamy would agree that she embodies these same qualities as Mrs. Priest.

Introduction

The power of the new strategic plan lies in its synergy between three elements of the Graland community–educators, students, and families, a collaborative partnership that led to the founding of Graland. Almost a hundred years later, I find this dynamic relationship even more important as our children grow up in a world impacted by divisiveness, uncertainty, and depression, all exacerbated by social media. Now more than ever, the adults who interact with children face-to-face, day in and day out, need to unite as educators. As I stated in my opening remarks this year, we are all educators–administrators, teachers, parents, and guardians. We all have a responsibility to educate children, so they develop the traits to thrive.

Picture this… for the past five years, you have been walking your child into school, likely holding their hand and maybe their backpack, and always getting a hug and kiss goodbye. By the time your kiddo is in fourth grade, they might be telling you to simply drop them off in the carpool line. Your first reaction might be, “This is different. I’m not sure about this. Why don’t you want me to walk in with you?” 

Recently I was in the library with a group of prospective students. One child was on the verge of tears as he looked longingly at the door waiting for his parents’ return. The educator in charge was encouraging all students to come to the rug to listen to a delightful book. Another little boy noticed how this sad fellow student was reluctant to join the group, hanging back on the outside of the circle. The boy turned ever so slightly to face the sad student and enthusiastically waved him over, encouraging the boy to sit with him to listen to the story. This was a small gesture but one that positively welcomed the sad boy and left an impact on the whole group. I couldn’t help but think, “I hope this student comes to Graland.” I’m lucky enough to witness small, empathic acts like this all the time and feel they’re the glue that holds our thriving community together.