GRACE-ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | SPRING 2020
WHY GSL?
IN THEIR OWN WORDS GSL families, alumni, grandparents, alumni parents and more share why they choose GSL.
GSL
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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR TO THE GSL COMMUNITY At the time of publication, Grace-St. Luke's joined global efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by shifting to remote learning. In a matter of days, many wonderful examples of resilience in our community began to emerge. From faculty taking just two business days to launch a remote learning program to the remarkable grit of our students, the stories are plentiful and the commitment impressive. In this issue, we feature the many reasons families have chosen, and continue to choose, GSL. I suspect that many more reasons will emerge as we fight through this crisis together and continue to accomplish remarkable things in our community. As we find ourselves surrounded by the unknown, I encourage you to take solace in knowing that GSL and its warm community is, has been, and forever will be An Anchor for Life. Perhaps you'll add that to your own list of reasons the next time you're asked Why GSL? Be well,
Brenda Berry, Director of Advancement
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IN THIS ISSUE
PAGES
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A LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL A LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT DESIGN THINKING @ GSL GSL EMBRACES ESA PROGRAM 2019-20 SCHOOL FACTS INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST WHY GSL? IN THEIR OWN WORDS GSL'S LIBRARY IS A FAMILY LIBRARY ANNUAL FUND LEGACY 8TH GRADERS CLASS OF 2020 HIGH SCHOOLS ALUMNI NEWS DIANE GLUECK RETIRES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
About the Cover Senior kindergarten student Bennett Jancelewicz enjoys this time of connection with his teacher Kirsten Horton and her son (and soon to be Little Luker!) Cash. GSL shifted to remote learning on March 16 in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Erica Jancelewicz
Head of School Thor A. Kvande
19 20-20
Liz Keough, President
Paul Morris, Vice-President Scott Crosby, Secretary
Editor Brenda Berry
Melanie Schrank, Assistant Secretary
Copy Editors Sherry Emerson
Shelly McGuire
Megan Ford
Kate Shelton
Kimberly White
Sharon Shipley, Treasurer Ryan Gibbs, Assistant Treasurer Doug Duncan, Past President Emily Callahan
Lauri Prather
Margaret McLean
Lauren Taylor
Luis Orbegoso
Anneliese Watts
Ruth Patton
Casey West
Photography
Contributors
Erica Jancelewicz
Kirsten Horton
Holland Studio
Rick Kohlhof
Jeff White
Juan Roncal
Thor A. Kvande, Head of School
Denise Taylor
The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector
The Anchor is a biannual publication of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School. Articles are published at the discretion of the school. Comments and questions should be directed to Brenda Berry, Editor and Director of Advancement, at bberry@gslschool.org.
Ken Woodmansee
Simon Wadsworth, Senior Warden Mandy Chauhan, Parents’ Association President
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SPRING 2020
A LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Thor A. Kvande Dear GSL Families, Why GSL? When I first came to GSL back in 2004, there were several things that attracted me to this incredible school. In particular, the co-educational nature of the school was familiar; because we had both a boy and a girl, my wife Dawn and I wanted them to be at the same school and have shared experiences. Additionally, my professional career had focused on preschool-to-8th-grade schools, and that focus on developing the leadership capabilities of middle school children was exciting. Finally, the faith tradition was important to me. I grew up in Quaker schools with warm and welcoming philosophies, and it was important to find a school that had a similar ethos. When we first looked at GSL, it was in the context of my application to be the next Head of Middle School. I had been at another Episcopal school in Maryland and was drawn to GSL’s size and the scope of its program. The interview process was immersive—three days—and I was deeply impressed by the commitment to the mission of the school by parents and teachers alike. I was struck by how both teachers and parents believed the school was doing meaningful work. I heard over and over again stories of GSL graduates who had gone on to great successes in high school, college, and beyond. But a small part of me wondered, “Would this work for my daughter?”
came out for a visit. Claire was in daycare in Maryland, and the process of picking that school had more than a few twists and turns—she refused to engage at the one we thought would be best. So, I was more than a little curious to see how she reacted to GSL. I needn’t have worried. Within moments of arriving, she had separated from us easily, probably easier than we did from her, and was happily engaged in the activities of the class. Later that morning, we had a chance to watch her unobserved on the playground, and she was running, playing, and laughing; this was a safe place for her to be and a good place to learn. And when Thomas was ready to begin Miss Lee’s a few years later, we had the joy of seeing him embrace his surroundings. His time at Miss Lee's prepared him for a lifetime of learning and growing. My children—and all GSL graduates—owe a great deal to this wonderful school. Our graduates go out into the world with a deep and rich background in writing, thinking, computing, performing, competing, and collaborating, to name just a few. GSL offered a formative and transformative experience for our children, and that continues for all students to this day.
At the time, Claire was eligible for PK (there was no such thing as Little Lukers back then!) and the whole family
Thor A. Kvande, Head of School
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A LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Liz Keough Why GSL? Because . . . I love that we prioritize recess. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a webpage devoted to Healthy Schools where they list the benefits of recess for students at all grade levels: increasing their level of physical activity; improving their memory, attention, and concentration; helping them stay on-task in the classroom; reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom; and improving their social and emotional development (e.g., learning how to share and negotiate). It’s that last one that resonates the most for me. I’ve heard many tearful stories from the backseat about the jockeying for position that goes on in the leadership wars of recess. The horrors of having to play tag when one’s true heart’s desire is to run football plays. And the pushes and bruises and kicks and slights that go along with a rough and tumble afternoon. We may not get as many skinned knees in the grownup world, but every day brings subtle power plays that we need to negotiate using social skills, tact and controlled emotions. I sometimes wonder if recess isn’t the most important class of the day. I love it when kids take the mic. The robust performing arts program at every level of GSL is a wonder to behold. Five-year-old kids walk confidently up to the microphone and belt out holiday greetings; third grade violin virtuosos leave their friends with mouths gaping; and earnest songbirds bring a tear to every eye. The eighth grade chapel talks take an enormous amount of courage. The stories ranging from poignant to hilarious result in peer based learning that really soaks into the bones. The confidence it takes to do any of these things is almost taken for granted within the walls of GSL – even though outside those walls, public speaking is the number one fear. Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I love that GSL provides a lot of scary experiences for our kids to tackle and triumph and prove to themselves that they can do anything they put their minds to. I love that we are never done tinkering. The littlest of our kids have a Tinker Lab at Miss Lee’s where they build from found objects and learn STEAM principles as part of the early childhood program. The grownups are at it too as various teachers and staff members are well into their second year focus on Design Thinking, a guided process of challenging assumptions and redefining problems in order to identify alternate strategies and solutions to everyday teaching situations. The new Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Committee is taking a proactive and thoughtful
approach to evaluating teaching materials to combat the development of hidden biases in our children – making sure we are opening minds instead of closing them. We’ve got faculty committees working on both our language arts curriculum and our math curriculum to ensure they remain fresh, relevant and prepare our students for high school, college and beyond. Our kids go into high school well prepared to write, think, and compute, and we are working every day to give them the best foundation to be lifelong learners. I love that our kids are treated with respect. Life isn’t all that fair in general, but when you are a kid it can seem particularly unfair. At GSL, kids are asked for their opinion – and we are planning an amazing playground on LeMaster based on their ideas. Middle schoolers don’t start the academic day until 8:30 am, allowing them the first 30 minutes of the day to get acclimated during Chapel, Celebration, club meetings and other soft-skill focus activities that ease them into their day. Lunch is served during normal lunchtimes, and there are opportunities for snack breaks for even our biggest (and hungriest) of kids. The teaching team spends the time to mete out discipline in a thoughtful manner with various levels of escalation and family involvement. There is no unseen bureaucracy or man behind the curtain – all of the rules that govern GSL’s academics and disciplinary procedures are developed and enforced in our private independent school. In order to form respectful adults it makes sense to show them how it’s done. It’s good to be a Luker!
Liz Keough, President, Board of Trustees SPRING 2020
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DESIGN THINKING PROMOTES STUDENT-LED PROJECTS By Juan Roncal Design thinking has been one of the school’s academic emphases for two school years now. Its impact has been highly visible through touchstone projects like the studentled playground redesign, but it has also been apparent through simple shifts that provide increased agency for students, one such example being the administration of classroom surveys where teachers seek student input for methods to advance their classrooms.
“With an instructor as a facilitator, students are led to rethink, redirect, question, experiment, and reflect,” said McCloud.
In its two years at GSL, design thinking has helped tackle real-world questions with the intention that, as Head of Lower School Marti McCloud remarks, “Student voice and choice becomes a motivator for learning.”
As GSL continues to place emphasis on academic excellence, design thinking will remain a part of that conversation. Now that this framework has solidified itself with the students and faculty, Head of School Thor Kvande sees a promising continuation of this innovative methodology.
This framework naturally merged with the school’s mission to develop creative problem solvers, but the process provided a common language to articulate and formalize the innovations happening in the classrooms. As part of teachers’ setting their professional goals, they identified ways to incorporate more facilitation of student problem solving into their school year objectives.
This approach can look very different for each teacher, but that’s part of the intention behind design thinking. The freedom for students and teachers to explore challenges together creates authentic and differentiated learning experiences, a goal for the school as it lives out its current strategic plan.
“At each grade level, we’re looking to add signature projects that weave our academic curriculum together in interesting ways,” he said. “I see design thinking playing a large part in that process.”
DESIGN THINKING IN ACTION PRESCHOOL
LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
In preschool, where prototypical project-based learning can be challenging given the younger students’ shortened attention spans, JK Lucky Llamas teacher Mimmie Fisher found a creative way to integrate design thinking and play.
This year, the fourth grade embarked on an ambitious partnership with ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, to help redesign their Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavillion, a museum type space that commemorates the life of Danny Thomas, as well as ALSAC and St. Jude’s role in supporting his vision to end childhood cancer regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Middle School Science Teacher Julie Binder created her own design thinking task to help seventh graders find a lifelong passion for science and learning. For student interest to prosper, Binder recognized a need for smaller groups so she could be a facilitator and respond more effectively to student queries.
“The Llamas were exploring in the backyard when they discovered a hard object and were curious as to what it could be,” says Fisher. She capitalized on the natural inquisitiveness of preschool-aged kids and created an inquiry-based exploration of this hard object. “They worked together in small teams and as a class for over a month to retrieve it from the backyard,” Fisher said. “They used various resources from the backyard to determine what would work best. In the end, a shovel, hoe and a lot of grit and determination paid off … they were successful in removing a large rock!” A tenant of design thinking is its student driven nature, and, while her students were playing, Fisher recognized how their curiosity about a rock might lead to opportunities to explore teambuilding, the overcoming of obstacles, as well as well as early project management skills.
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Throughout the fall trimester, fourth graders were engaged in a realworld endeavor where they were asked to read, write, engineer, and imagine. Students engaged in a rigorous, hands-on learning experience where they wrote and administered surveys for ALSAC. They also created presentations and engineered their own 3D museum bays using cardboard and other found objects. The final result was a businesslike presentation in the ALSAC boardroom where they presented digital slides and their 3D prototypes. The coolest part: ALSAC will use their ideas to help in their remodel of the Pavilion as members of ALSAC’s redesign team took notes and asked challenging questions of the students in the process.
“With a smaller section of students, I am able to give each student more time to ask questions and explore, and it also makes the lab space less chaotic,” Binder said. “We are able to participate in a lot of real-world applications of the concepts to help the students better understand the relevance of life science in their lives. “We cooked calamari when we studied and dissected the squid, we tested our blood type when we studied human blood typing, we dissected a sheep heart with a veterinarian surgeon when studying the circulatory system, we baked bread when we studied the difference between cellular respiration and fermentation, and we even made root beer to better understand the role yeast plays in making our food,” Binder explained. The results are clear: Students didn’t just learn science, but actually played the role of scientists.
NEW @ GSL
GSL EMBRACES ESA PROGRAM By Juan Roncal In a letter to the community on February 10, Head of School Thor Kvande announced the Board of Trustees' approval of Grace-St. Luke’s participation in Tennessee’s new Education Savings Account (ESA) program beginning with the 2020-21 school year. The program provides a state-funded voucher to students from low- and middle-income households in Memphis and Nashville who are switching out of a public district or charter school, or who are eligible for the first time to enroll in a Tennessee school. These funds can be used toward expenses such as tuition or fees at participating private schools. “Grace-St. Luke’s is proud to participate," said Kvande. "GSL firmly believes that every child deserves a strong educational foundation." With this announcement, GSL embarked on a new journey that will see additional missionappropriate families who may not otherwise have the option to receive a GSL education. “Parents should have a choice to send their children to a school whose mission best suits them,” Kvande said.
With the current version of this program, GSL can advance its offerings solely driven by its mission, which was an essential factor when considering. The admission process at GSL will not change in any way for ESA-qualified students who apply to GSL. In fact, participating in the ESA program will not have any impact on GSL's academic program or how the school functions. The only change is that our school will now be a viable option for more students than ever before.
“Grace-St. Luke’s firmly believes that every child deserves a strong educational foundation and is proud to participate”
As a GSL alumni parent himself, Kvande knows first-hand how beneficial — Thor the school’s whole-child emphasis is on children’s growth, so preserving GSL’s mission was a paramount factor in the school’s decision making.
While ESA’s will provide new and exciting opportunities for more kids in Memphis, the addition of new students and families also offers a tangible outcome for those already enrolled at GSL. Kvande said, “This program will create a learning environment that is richer, deeper and more diverse for all of our children and will help us learn and grow in some new and different ways.” When the 2020-21 school year begins, the GSL community will have new members from all types of backgrounds that will receive a highquality education while supporting and contributing to the mission of the school.
“For independent schools to better represent the communities that they serve is a good thing,” Kvande said. “At GSL, we’ll welcome people Kvande through words and deeds, but also foster a true sense of belonging to the mission and community of the school.
Liz Keough, President of Grace-St. Luke’s Board of Trustees, echoed Kvande’s sentiments. “In considering this option, the board knew that the addition of ESA’s could not change the character of the school, but rather would enhance what we already have,” she said.
“This is an exciting moment. Our mission to prepare boys and girls to become creative problem solvers, confident lifelong learners, and responsible citizens in their communities and the world is appealing to people from all walks of life.”
To learn more about Tennessee's ESA program, visit tnesa.org.
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Friendships form early on at Grace-St. Luke's.
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WE ARE
A
CO
2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR FUN FACTS ED
L HOO C S COED
FEMALE MALE
IN ADDITION TO ENGLISH, OUR FAMILIES SPEAK 16 LANGUAGES IN THEIR HOMES
100% 46% 54%
FRENCH HEBREW
PUNJABI JAPANESE SPANISH
VIETNAMESE
SWEDISH
GERMAN SERBIAN
OUR FAMILIES IDENTIFY WITH THE FOLLOWING ETHNICITIES
MANDARIN
EUROPEAN AMERICAN MULTI-ETHNIC AFRICAN AMERICAN MIDDLE EASTERN ASIAN AMERICAN NATIVE AMERICAN LATINO/HISPANIC
OUR FAMILIES IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING AS THEIR RELIGIOUS PREFERENCES
EPISCOPAL
GREEK ORTHODOX
HINDU
SIKHI
FARSI
ARABIC
PORTUGUESE
URDU HINDI
CATHOLIC
PRESBYTERIAN
METHODIST
JEWISH
UNITARIAN
QUAKER
CHURCH OF CHRIST
BUDDHISM
TURKISH
BAPTIST
CHRISTIAN
non-denominational
PENTECOSTAL
EASTERN ORTHODOX SPRING 2020
DISCIPLE OF CHRIST
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INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST MARY MARGARET SNOW MAKES STRIDES IN YEAR ONE By Kirsten Horton In her first year at GSL, Mary Margaret Snow has quickly carved out a place for herself as an integral part of the school’s community. As GSL’s Instructional Support Specialist, she is always on the go, ensuring that GSL students are supported and the most successful they can be. Last year, GSL announced the addition of this position for the 2019-20 school year. The news was excitedly received by both faculty and the parent community. Snow, who previously worked as a Shelby County School psychologist, works with all three divisions, from administering reading readiness assessments in kindergarten to providing study skills support in middle school. Being connected to all three divisions gives Snow a chance to see the whole picture of the GSL child. She uses this knowledge—along with data and her expertise in education—to help teachers, administrators, and parents ensure that all children are individually supported so that they can thrive academically. “That’s the purpose of my job: to help teachers meet the needs of students,” said Snow. “Every day is different, which I love.” Snow ensures that the teaching practices at GSL are responsive to the data she collects. This, explained Head of Lower School Marti McCloud, is a critical piece of individualized instruction. “She helps us understand data so we can use it to make informed decisions and become a stronger school,” said McCloud. “Mary Margaret walks teachers, staff, and administrators through data to create individualized instruction for children who are challenged by the content,
as well as those who excel. She has taken division heads through a battery of data to help us better understand students across all subjects.” In addition to helping teachers, Snow offers guidance to parents. “I’m right where kids enter school in the morning,” Snow said. “Occasionally, a parent will drop-in, which I love. I always have an open door.” Snow also welcomes parent emails and phone calls. She frequently advises parents about best practices for study skills, executive functioning skills, and strategies they can implement at home. If a child has been recommended for testing, she advises parents through that process. Snow’s expertise has helped in other ways, too. She has also played a huge role in researching a new lower school language arts curriculum. “She’s been helping me collect research-based, language arts curricula and interpret the research so we know what is a good fit for GSL,” said McCloud. As a parent, Snow said she was drawn to the GSL community as a whole, but as a faculty member, she has discovered many more wonderful things that promote the spirit of community at GSL. “These characteristics include openness to collaboration and a team approach to problem-solving,” Snow said. “For example, I work very closely with School Counselor Courtney Ciaramitaro. We typically check in with each other at least once a day to ask questions and exchange ideas. Having that kind of partnership with the people I work with is very valuable to me.”
A Few Highlights
BASKETBALL SEASON SUCCESSFUL FOR GSL SAINTS By Rick Kohlhof
• The 7/8 Boys Varsity and 7/8 Boys Junior Varsity teams were both undefeated in league and tournament play.
This season, seven of our nine basketball teams made it to the quarterfinals in their league championship tournaments. Five of the nine teams made it to the finals, with four claiming the championship! • 7/8 Girls Varsity team (champions) • 7/8 Boys Varsity team (champions) • 7 /8 Boys Junior Varsity team (champions) • 5/6 Boys Varsity team (champions) • 5/6 Girls Varsity team (runner up)
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• The 7/8 Boys Varsity team had an impressive run in the tournament, outscoring their opponents 176 to 63, with an average margin of victory at 37 points per game. • Entering the tournament as the #3 seed, the 7/8 Girls Varsity team had to earn their spot in the finals, where they faced an undefeated Lausanne team. GSL was down 7-16 at halftime, but the girls played an incredible second half with ferocious defense and an unstoppable offense. They went on to outscore Lausanne, winning the championship 28-26.
Lunch gives students a break in the day—a chance to socialize, relax, and have fun.
We can't wait to once again fill the cafeteria with these bright smiles. SPRING 2020
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by Denise DuBois Taylor So many choices! The Mid-South is home to an exceptionally large number of schools for a city its size. Coed. Same gender. Parochial. Non-denominational. Charter. Progressive. Traditional. Some go through sixth grade, some through eighth, and some through twelfth grade. Tuitions run the gamut, too—not to mention the option of free public schools. So why choose GSL? What special appeal does it have over all the competition? For nearly 75 years, generations of families have opted to send their children to Grace-St. Luke’s for myriad reasons, so we decided to go directly to the source: current parents, alumni students, alumni parents, and grandparents. We asked them all, “Why GSL?” Personal Note I decided, in writing this article, to start with myself. While a lifelong member of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, I did not attend the school, but my husband Sledge and I sent two of our sons to GSL. We assumed that our boys would probably go to all-male high schools. Denise DuBois Taylor (Son Andrew graduated from the boys-only Blue Ridge School in Virginia and son Will graduated from MUS.) Sledge and I both attended public schools and same-sex schools. We liked the idea of a single gender high school, but wanted our sons to get to know females (other than their mother!), to see girls as equals and be comfortable working alongside them, so the coed school environment was important to us during their younger, formative years. We also liked the size of GSL, because it was not too big. The faculty gets to know each child’s distinctive strengths and challenges. The comparatively smaller size offers 10
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students more opportunities to participate in the school’s many activities, from playing sports to performing in the school’s plays. GSL kids don’t get lost in the sea. Additionally, we didn't want our sons to attend a "cookiecutter school" that was too regimented and structured, but we did want to make sure they had some classic, traditionally-based academics to ensure that each child was prepared for the rigors of high school and that each was also stimulated intellectually. Finally, we were impressed with the school’s outcomes. An almost disproportionate number of graduates rise quickly to leadership positions in their high schools and colleges. Valedictorians, salutatorians, captains of sports teams, Honor Society members…GSL students excel as leaders and as thoughtful human beings. So that’s my story, but what about other GSL loyalists? Alumni parents Allison & Andy Cates Allison grew up in Austin, Texas, while Andy is a native Memphian who attended PDS and MUS. Allison was a member of GSL’s Board of Trustees, serving as president from 2015-2017. Their daughter Frances ’17 is a junior at Hutchison and their twin son Stephen ’17 is a junior at MUS. They live in East Memphis.
“We chose GSL because we believed it would be the best place for our kids to develop, and it succeeded in preparing them academically, socially, and emotionally for demanding high schools. GSL provides a loving, tolerant, Christian environment that provides a superior education while nurturing each individual. It’s amazing to watch our kids and their peers still so appreciative of their critical anchor years at GSL. It’s not an accident that GSL graduates are leaders and excel at the multiple high
Kenny Jabbour
Alumnus Kenny Jabbour ’79 Kenny offers a unique perspective, having only attended GSL for one year in ninth grade. (Two of his sisters also attended GSL.) He grew up across the street at the corner of Belvedere and Peabody but attended public schools most of his life. Still, to this day, he regularly attends GSL reunions. The Jabbours live in East Memphis.
Martin Family
“My year at GSL was the absolute best of my young life. Because of its size, I got to do things I would never have been able to do at a bigger school, like play baseball and basketball (Coaches Nick Scully and Jim Lassandrello were great). All the teachers were cool, so nice, more like friends and family. I made friends who are still my close friends today. After my experiences in other schools, GSL was an eye-opener. People were so involved. You got to know not just the kids, but their parents, too. There was a relaxed, neighborhood vibe that still exists today.” Sweeney Hannock Family
Current parents Teresa Sweeney & Melanee Hannock
Cates Family
schools they end up attending. The coed-before-singlesex high school is huge and can’t be emphasized enough. I have conversations all the time with folks who say they wish they’d sent their kids to GSL.” Current parents and alumni Kelly Gault Martin ’92 & Eric Martin ’84 Kelly’s family moved to Memphis from Verona, N.J. in 1989 when she was in eighth grade. She attended GSL for two years (the school went through ninth grade then) before graduating from Briarcrest. (Her mother is Tina Gault, a beloved retired GSL teacher who occasionally substitutes at GSL.) Eric Martin left GSL for East High School before Kelly arrived, but as fate would have it, they met years later and returned to their joint alma mater as the parents of Porter ‘24 and Julia ‘27. The Martins live in Midtown.
“In my two-year period as a student, I became a Luker for Life. Some of my 9th grade classmates consist of faces you still see on our campus. We have all chosen GSL for our own kids. For me, a coed school in Midtown is perfect for my family. There was no other choice for us. GSL is one of our many anchors.”
Teresa is a pediatric nurse practitioner at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the Cancer Survivorship Clinic. She moved around frequently when she was young, attending public schools. Melanee is the Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at ALSAC-St. Jude. She grew up in Oswego, N.Y. and attended public schools. They live in Midtown with their twin children, son Jack ‘29 and daughter Anna ‘29.
“We chose GSL because we have friends who attended the school, and they had great experiences. The fact that the school is coed also influenced our decision, since we have twins (boy and girl). GSL is located close to our home and work in Midtown, so it is convenient for our lives. Finally, we have attended church at GSL and felt there would be community support and a commitment for inclusion and diversity! “Since our family has two moms, we feel as though the school and community are supportive of our family. So many people at GSL have shown so much caring and encouragement of Jack and Anna’s development into kind people. Thus far, we have also been satisfied with the expertise of the teachers and staff in helping our children learn. It is important to us that Jack and Anna receive a well-rounded education that will prepare them for the rigors of high school, college and eventually the workplace. It is equally important to us that our children develop the skills and values needed to overcome obstacles, foster enduring relationships, and positively impact the world.” SPRING 2020
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WHY GSL? CONTINUED | IN THEIR OWN WORDS Current parents Anand Raji & Ramona Phinehas Anand and Ramona grew up in India. Their medical studies and subsequent work as physicians brought them to Memphis. They are residents downtown at Harbor Town. They have two children at GSL: son Andrew ’24 and daughter Alicia ’26. They heard about GSL from fellow members of Idlewild Presbyterian Church, which included the strong encouragement of the former senior pastor Steve Montgomery. Their pediatrician Noel (Kip) Frizzell, a GSL alumni parent and current grandparent, also strongly recommended GSL.
“The reason we chose GSL for Andrew and Alicia is its being a coed school in the Midtown area, making it convenient for both kids to be at a single school. It is also close to where we stay and our work place in the downtown area. Since we are Christians from India, being in an Episcopal school has helped spiritual development for our kids immensely. Our kids are active in soccer and basketball conducted by the GSL Church. My kids are also enrolled in the GSL summer camp activities and look forward to them every year. We as parents are very happy with their overall growth and academic achievements in preparedness for middle school.”
Anand Family
Davis Family
Current parents Emily (faculty member) & Will Merrell Emily has worked at GSL for nearly 12 years and currently serves as the Assistant Athletic Director and Director of SummerFest. A lifelong Memphian, she attended private Catholic schools from elementary through high school. Will went to public schools while growing up in Bartlett. They have two sons at GSL: Ty ’24 and Sam ’29. The Merrells live in Cordova.
Merrell Family
“GSL was an easy choice for many reasons, not just because I work here. The play-based atmosphere at Miss Lee’s has taught my children how to play with others, socialize, empathize with their peers, and be good humans in general. GSL really nurtures the 'whole child’ by giving children numerous opportunities in all fields, not just academics or sports. I have seen it first hand, especially for Ty: By encouraging him to speak in front of large crowds to develop his public speaking abilities, by nurturing his love of art by giving him opportunities to shine on so many occasions, by letting him explore all the sports he wants without pressure to be the best, and by our incredible librarian and teachers helping him to learn to love reading. “Although we live 30 minutes away and have several good options for schools, we make the drive every day because we love our school, our community, and our friends. We also love the 2-year-old-through8th grade model. Our boys are comfortable here and feel as though it is a second home, and that is incredibly comforting to us as parents. As an employee, I hear from a lot of other schools that our students leave here well-rounded and prepared for high school. That is something we value and want for our children. We are definitely ‘Lukers for Life.’”
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Current parents Natalie & Mike Davis Mike lived in a number of places before settling down in Memphis and attending a public high school. Natalie grew up in Jackson, Miss. She went to a public elementary school before transferring to St. Andrew's Episcopal School for middle school and high school. Natalie and Mike are actively involved as members of Grace-St. Luke’s Church and as volunteers at GSL School. They have two sons at GSL: Michael ’22 and Henry ‘26. The Davis family lives in Midtown.
“We chose GSL for our two boys for a variety of reasons, but the most important reason was that the school upheld the same values that we wanted to instill in our children. We have always felt that surrounding Michael and Henry with a village of adults that will help them grow and develop as humans is our most important job. We were looking for a school that was academically rigorous but that also worked to develop them as well-rounded, compassionate, hard-working, service-minded, and kind community members. Natalie's background with an Episcopal education, the coed environment, GSL’s convenient location in our beloved Midtown, and being parishioners at GSL Church made it a perfect fit. Our boys are so happy and so loved in a school that both pushes them and keeps them safe. We've been thrilled with our choice everyday for the past six years and for the six left to come.” Bell Family
Alumni parents and grandparents Corinne & Bob Adrian Corinne is a native Memphian and graduate of Central High School. Bob attended a public grammar school in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. and an independent high school in Charleston, S.C. Corinne and Bob are Midtown residents and members of Grace-St. Luke’s Church. Bob was a GSL School board member who served as president from 2007-2009. Their three sons attended GSL (and went on to MUS for high school): Nelson ‘96, John ‘98, and Duncan ‘02. They have one granddaughter at GSL, Smith ‘31.
“We wanted our boys to have a coeducational school and one that was in the neighborhood. We attended Grace-St. Luke’s Church and lived close by, so GSL School was our choice. The school was like a big family and many of our children’s friends are still the ones they met at GSL. “When they left to go to high school, they were well-prepared, and all the GSL kids were leaders at their high schools. I am so glad to have well-rounded and grounded adult children, and GSL played a big part in helping them become who they are now.” Adrian Family
Alumni parents Jamie (faculty member) & Rusty Bell Rusty grew up in Rison, Ark. and attended public schools, while Jamie grew up in Marion, Ark. She went to an Episcopal school through seventh grade and a public high school. She has been a JK assistant teacher at GSL since 2008. Both of their daughters, Mary Peyton ’11 and Piper ’12, graduated from Hutchison. The Bells live in Marion, Ark.
“Rusty and I chose GSL because of its amazing community of students, teachers, and parents, and because we felt that a coed environment was very important for our girls. The community at GSL is filled with families and teachers who value education and the well-being of their children and students. We also felt while our girls were students at GSL that their social-emotional needs were as nurtured and as valued as their educational needs and goals. “When both girls graduated from GSL, their transitions to high school were easy because of the solid foundation they received. We are so thankful for the love, support and community that GSL gave us as a family!”
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As we all respond to physical distancing, we reflect on the wonderful students that fill GSL’s campus with joy. We are eager to gather together again soon to create more lifelong memories. Until then, be well, Saints.
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WHY GSL? CONTINUED | IN THEIR OWN WORDS Current parents Katrina & Tony Sanford
Current parents Amy & Emmel Golden
Katrina lived in Baltimore and attended both a coed public school and an allgirls independent school before moving to Memphis. Tony grew up in Memphis and went to public schools. Now commuting from the Bartlett/Millington area, their children include Karter ’24, Tia ’30, and baby Tegan!
Lifelong Memphians, Amy attended Bartlett Elementary, St. Mary’s, and Germantown High School, while Emmel was a student at PDS and MUS. Their son Billy ’31 started this year at GSL; they also have a nine-month old daughter Celeta. The Goldens live in Midtown.
“We chose GSL for a number of reasons. When looking for a school for my oldest son, it felt as if we left no school unvisited. What stuck out about GSL for myself was the focus on diversity. Touring during the months of January and February, we were disappointed to find a lack of acknowledgment of MLK or Black History Month at any of the schools we toured. The turning point for me was walking into GSL and seeing children of color throughout The Anchor magazine and the artwork from SK about MLK’s dream. I felt as if my children would be respected and embraced here. Also, Midtown was a prime location for my kids to see a diverse community in the heart of Memphis. GSL also represented continuity for my kids. I was impressed with the LL-8th grade option. My kids could be educated together, which is very important.”
“We chose GSL first for its academic approach and programs. Also, we knew coed was important to us. The community we have found is the best surprise! Candidly, we have often looked to GSL alums as kids (turning to young adults) that we admire.”
Golden Family
Sanford Family
Huber Family
Alumni and alumni parents Kay Wells ’78 & Kent Wells ’78 Kay and Kent grew up together at GSL School. They were even voted “Mr. and Ms. GSL!” They attended different colleges but were destined, literally, to be Lukers for Life. Now married for more than 30 years, they live in Midtown and are members of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Their son Michael ’04 went to MUS and daughter Ellen ’06 attended Hutchison.
“We never considered any place other than GSL. Not for a second. Our children have totally different personalities. As different as they are, GSL brought out the best in both of them and allowed each to shine. They both enjoyed leadership opportunities and were ready for what came after GSL. Although both of our children went on to single-sex high schools, the fact that GSL is a coed school was one of the most important factors to us. Our children made life-long friends of both sexes while at GSL. Not to mention that they got to go to school together. “I met many parents of our kids’ high school friends whose children attended a same-sex school from day one who said, ‘I wish we’d considered GSL.’ One does not have to look far to find GSL grads who are successful leaders in schools after GSL and in their careers as well.”
Johnson Family
Alumna and alumni parent Amy Huber ’81 A lifelong resident of Midtown and member of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Amy also served on GSL’s Board of Trustees (twice). Amy not only grew up as a student at GSL, so did all three of her children: Abby ’10, who graduated from St. Mary’s; Margo ’13, a graduate of Lausanne; and J.D. ’16, a senior at MUS.
“The decision to send our kids to GSL was never a question. As an alum, I knew about this unique community and the experience one gains from being a student at GSL. We wanted a coed school, and we lived in Midtown, so it was the obvious choice. Also, so many of my closest friends are fellow GSL students I met almost 50 years ago! “GSL prepares students for the future by giving them the tools to accept people for who they are and for allowing and encouraging students to participate in many different extracurricular activities. Kids who attend GSL feel confident to play sports, become student council leaders, participate in theater, etc. “I have been thanked many times by all three of my grown kids for sending them to GSL for their formative years. I have no regrets sending my kids to GSL, and I hope to watch my future grandkids thrive at GSL some day!”
Current parents Trinh Johnson & alumnus Albert Johnson ’89 Albert is a lifelong Memphian who attended GSL and MUS. Trinh’s family moved to Memphis from Vietnam when she was a young child. Trinh's parents made many sacrifices to send her and her siblings to Catholic schools in Vietnam, and later in Memphis after migrating to the United States. Despite Trinh’s wonderful experiences in Catholic schools, she and Albert found that it was rather easy choosing GSL for their two children, Levi ’24 and Beklin ’25. The Johnsons live in Midtown.
“We love the smaller classes to ensure their performances academically. I love the open communication between the parents and administration. This makes it easier for parents to volunteer when we can! Studies have shown through parent surveys that teachers in private schools are qualified and passionate about their students. I see this at GSL. They know all the students by their names plus who their siblings are! I feel ‘safe’ for my children, and I know that they feel the same. I love that GSL prepares students to be creative problem solvers and to be responsible in their community and the world. “Although Albert and I have different preferences on our denomination, we love the spiritual guidance that GSL offers with chapel every week. It is important to us that God is with them no matter what religious group they belong to. “I believe GSL will prepare our children for high school. The balance of a challenging curriculum and the different enrichment classes offered at GSL allows them to thrive in a supportive environment, while building character and independence. Furthermore, they will gain a variety of skills to help them survive the world that is waiting on them.”
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WHY GSL? CONTINUED | IN THEIR OWN WORDS Alumna Kacey Hickey Davies, ’86 Kacey grew up in Central Gardens, attended Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School and Church, and graduated from Hutchison. She is married to Navy Captain Brian L. Davies which, in part, means that she has been moving all over the country for many years— from Virginia to California and points between. Despite her years away, Davies Family she has maintained close ties to her beloved school and sits on the GSL Alumni Board.
“In my 20s and early 30s, I worked in the Admissions Office of Hutchison School. In that capacity, I met all prospective families, and some of my favorite families were those from Grace-St. Luke's. I saw in each of those young women a shared experience and a common core of values. It was a reminder to me time and again of the gift my parents had given me in selecting a GSL education. I recognized how lucky I was to call myself a Luker and, as such, how important it is for me to remain connected to the school that molded and shaped me. “Grace-St. Luke's is part of the very fabric of my being. I spent 11 of the first 14 years of my life as a Luker and that experience helped define who I am as an individual today. I received an education that challenged me to think and grow, I felt loved and protected, and I learned to recognize and appreciate the worth in every individual. To this day, I value the teachers, the friendships, the faith-based education, and the experiences in and out of the classroom. We were encouraged to take chances, to be involved in activities that we might not otherwise pursue, and to treat others with respect and dignity—all in a safe environment with solid academics. Friendships were forged across the gender and age divide, and today I am proud to say many of my friends are those from my GSL elementary and middle school years.”
“We did look at other schools before choosing GSL. I think it is fair to say that we moved Eliot to GSL in the 4th grade because the environment at GSL was more our style, overall. We appreciate that GSL gave out grades A-F, unlike the subjective: E for excelling, S for satisfactory, US for unsatisfactory. The down-to-earth feeling that GSL has really attracted us to the school. We also thought the presence of girls would diffuse some of the highly competitive aspect of boys.” Alumnus Donald McClure ’02 Donald lives with his wife Michelle in Dallas. He attended GSL from toddler-to-teen, growing up in East Memphis. He attended MUS in high school. Although Donald lives out-ofstate, he continues to support and keep in touch with GSL.
“I've stayed connected because I'm very grateful for what GSL provided me in my formative years. I am proud of the person that I've become and credit a lot of that to the things I learned and the experiences that I had at GSL with my teachers, administrators and classmates. The academic foundation definitely prepared me to succeed at MUS and Washington University. The lessons I learned playing on the field/court are priceless, as was the ability to participate in all sports (even if we didn't always win). The small class sizes provide leadership opportunities in sports, academics and other extracurricular activities that you wouldn't get at a bigger school. “I like that GSL stopped at 8th grade, forcing the change of moving to a new high school. I think it’s good for kids to get out of their comfort zones, make new friends, and find ways to fit into a new setting. It builds confidence and sets the foundation for transitions to college, to the workplace, and between jobs.”
Current parents Lee & Eliot Morris A native Memphian, Lee went to St. Mary’s, Grahamwood, and graduated from Hutchison. Eliot is from Mobile, Ala., where he attended parochial schools. Their son Eliot ’19 is now at MUS. William ’24 and Jamsie ’26 still attend GSL. Morris Family Additionally, the Morris family has two daughters, one who graduated from Hutchison and one who is currently a senior at Hutchison. 18
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McClure Family
Buckner Family
Current parents Collin (faculty member) & Sam Buckner Collin and her sisters attended St. Mary’s through twelfth grade, while Sam went to PDS and MUS. Now the seventh grade English teacher at GSL, she and Sam chose to send their daughter Annie ’29 and son Jack ‘30 to GSL. They live in Midtown.
“There are many reasons why Sam and I chose GSL for our children. We love the coed, PS-8 model. Sam and I both grew up going to single-gender schools. Now that we have a boy and a girl, we wanted a place where both of our children could attend together. I absolutely love the fact that my kids get to see each other during the day. Last year, their teachers would often send me pictures of Annie and Jack sitting together at chapel and playing on the playground. Nothing makes me happier than hearing my son Jack say, ‘I saw Annie on the playground today!’ As a teacher, I have seen my own students go on to high school and succeed both in and outside of the classroom. They are academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for the rigors and demands of the high school world. I am grateful to be able to give my own children such a valuable experience.” So why do families choose GSL? Obviously for lots of reasons, but there are a number of common themes: the coed experience; the acceptance, tolerance, and welcoming community; the well-rounded character development; the spiritual guidance that applies to all faiths; the academic rigor and numerous leadership and participation opportunities; the preparation and foundation for future success and achievement; the smaller size that allows for personalized development in a nurturing environment; the diversity that abounds in Midtown—and more.
WHY NOT GSL HIGH SCHOOL? “On a personal note, I want to re-emphasize the benefit of the LL-8th grade model. I remember so many conversations with fellow parents in which we wished GSL had a high school. We never wanted our children to leave! “But there was a huge benefit to transferring to a new school in the ninth grade. Our children had weathered those often-times challenging middle school years and had a stronger sense of self by the time they had to adjust to high school. They also had the chance to participate in numerous activities and to strengthen a range of skills before competing on a high school level. Perhaps most importantly, entering high school in an unfamiliar landscape better prepared all of us—parents and students alike—for the ‘weaning process’ as they gradually prepared for college and the real world beyond. It was a critical stepping-stone and important lesson for all of us, and the foundation—the anchor—we all had at GSL helped pave the way. No matter where our children went to high school or college, no matter where we all are now as families, we are all proud and thankful to be Lukers for Life.” Denise DuBois Taylor retired from GSL in 2019 after more than 25 years with the school as an employee, Board member, parent, and volunteer. She is currently working on freelance assignments for various organizations, including her beloved Grace-St. Luke’s.
A FEW STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ON
WHY GSL? Iris Vining ’23 Iris has been a GSL student since PK.
“I heard fun things about GSL from cousins and sisters who went here. They always said good things about it, and they were right. There are lots of good teachers. They are really helpful, even after school. Also, Midtown is close to home.” Temana Kuo, ’22 Temana has attended GSL since PK.
“I like the strategy of how they teach you here. The teachers have a good way of explaining things. They make it fun to learn. They are so nice and supportive. “I was in my first play last year, and I’m in another one this year. Afternoon enrichment is really nice. I’ve done decoding, chess and soldering. Early care is helpful, too. I live on Mud Island, and I like having GSL friends in bordering neighborhoods.” Ava Saenz ’21 A new student, Ava transferred to GSL from Hutchison this year.
“I wanted to come to GSL. I was tutored by Ms. Forsyth while I was still at Hutchison and fell in love with her! I asked my mom if I could tour GSL, and I loved it. It’s a new environment where teachers really care about you. The buddy system is a great idea and really helped the transition into a new school. No one was judgmental. I felt a part of things so fast. “I love the teachers and staff. They are always willing to help you. At GSL, you know you are getting a true education with all the support you need. It’s a great environment. Things like Celebration on Fridays make everything really fun.” Andrew Wharton ’20 Andrew started at GSL Church as a one-year-old in the Parents’ Day Out program, transferred to another school, then returned to GSL.
“When I came back after being gone, it was like I never left. I was welcomed back. “I think it’s great how GSL’s teachers interact with students—even after school. They are always there to help you, anytime. The school has great teachers, sports, the whole environment. I have spent every summer attending GSL’s summer camps. I’ve also done basketball, Debate Club, football, track, golf, Model UN, and Youth in Government. The size of GSL means I can participate in whatever I want.”
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GSL'S LIBRARY IS A FAMILY LIBRARY By Denise DuBois Taylor
A brand new Little Luker started in January this year. Just two years old, the first part of his first day on campus involved a visit to the library. He sat quietly on the floor crying softly the entire period. As the class of young students filed back to Miss Lee’s, Librarian Angela Massengale and Director of Library Services Jan Willis spoke with the child’s teacher Ariel Laws, wanting to know his story. They learned that he spoke no English and that his parents were from Tajikistan. They speak English and Farsi, but they only read the Cyrillic alphabet (Russian). Almost immediately, Massengale and Willis ordered new library books – beginner reading books with pictures that were identified in English above the photo and in Russian underneath. Ariel and assistant teacher Anden Hamilton were able to send the books home to the parents, so the entire family could read and learn together. The next time this Little Luker came to the library, he was all smiles - and he continues to do well. A caring, nurturing relationship had begun with the child, the faculty, and the family as a whole. Massengale explained, “I credit GSL for giving us the freedom to get the books we need, allowing us to develop relationships with parents as well as with the students and teachers. It’s a wonderful thing to see.” “We have always had the freedom – and opportunity – to do whatever is needed,” added Willis. “When I started working here nine years ago, Thor came up to me and asked if I had what I needed to succeed. I’ve always been given that support and the necessary resources, enabling us to buy specific books to meet individual student’s interests.”
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A Library for All On a recent Wednesday, six parents had already stopped by the library before 9 a.m., asking Willis for recommendations and checking out books – for themselves as well as for their kids. Their children ranged in age from PK through Middle School, and they were stocking up for Spring Break. The school is proud to have two professionals, Jan Willis and Angela Massengale, who had many years of experience in the public library system before joining the more intimate world of a school environment. Before GSL, Willis served as the public library system director, overseeing operations of a two-county area headquartered in Tupelo, Miss. Prior to coming to GSL this year, Massengale worked at the Benjamin L. Hooks Public Library as the senior agency manager in the children’s division. She has focused her career on early childhood literacy with a particular focus on early readers and the development of programs encouraging greater parental engagement. “I’ve been a librarian for 40 years,” Willis said recently, “but I have never enjoyed it more than I have here at GSL. The families are so involved.”
Bringing his “library for all” philosophy with him, Willis has elevated the overall experience to an unequaled level. When he joined GSL in 2000, 8,000 books were checked out. Last year, 16,000 publications were checked out with a projection of 17,000 this year. We Know Your Children GSL’s formidable team works tirelessly to ensure that each and every child sees the library as more than a pillar of academic study but as a haven for the joy of discovery. Willis and Massengale know every student by name (that’s more than 500 children!), and they make a point of learning what interests each child – dinosaurs, unicorns, adventure, history, fairy tales, and many more topics. Virtually every day, they are at the front door ready to greet a young boy or girl with an eager smile and a conversation that begins, “Hey, we just got in a new book about (fill in the blank). You’re going to love it!” Diversity and inclusivity are key. GSL students come from traditional and alternative families. Some have struggled with serious illnesses or family loss. They represent a range of religious, ethnic, cultural, economic, and racial backgrounds. Willis and Massengale know them all. Willis explained, “Their teachers change from year-to-year, but we provide continuity. We spend hours with each child every year of their lives here. We get to know them. We can anticipate what they are going to want to read. “We can personalize their selections. For children who are ill or experiencing a family loss, children who are struggling, because we know them so well, we can find books that speak to them. They can find chapter books where they are represented, books that reflect them. They can find children on the covers that look like them. They are at home here, because they find books that speak to them - for all ages from Little Lukers through Middle School.” Of course, the GSL library offers books that support curriculum, too. Willis and Massengale work closely with faculty to ensure that students can find the resources they need to support their academic work. “We teach them to research,” added Willis. “I knew I could teach students how to use print and online resources that would prepare them for high school and life in general. It’s all about searching and finding answers – to all kinds of questions – and I know how to teach that. It’s a skill that will not only help them in school, but will serve them for a lifetime.” While proud of their abilities to assist children with their schoolwork, it’s clear that Willis and Massengale exude genuine enthusiasm for literature of all kinds, and they take tremendous joy in expanding the school’s library to appeal to a wide range of interests. Like curators of fine art, they continue to perfect and expand the school’s collection, keeping up with the ever-evolving passions of students. A new Middle School student displayed an interest in anime earlier this year. He would spend part of his library time drawing anime-styled pictures. Before long, other students joined him, and an Anime Club was organized. Now, they
meet in the library every day at 1 p.m. to work on writing and designing their own graphic novel. Naturally, the school has purchased more Anime books to fuel their imaginations. A Noisy and Welcoming Place GSL's library is not where one has to whisper. The library is not a quiet place in 2020. Students can make noise; it is a space for learning and collaboration, and that is not always quiet. Massengale and Willis agreed, “Unlike some libraries where adults have sole control of the decision and acquisition process, our collection has grown through conversations with parents, students and faculty that is very special. In addition to curriculum-related materials, we have books that children personally want to read. Additionally, we try to create a very warm and welcoming atmosphere here. We want the kids to explore, to work together as teams, to make discoveries. It’s a fun place.” Like much of the GSL School experience, the library is remarkable and unique, offering insights and opportunities that few schools can match. As one young reader said recently to Mr. Willis, “You’re not just my librarian. You’re my friend.” Library Basics • Library opens to students and families daily at 7:15 a.m. • Families are invited to open free family accounts • The library collection currently includes more than 24,000 volumes – an increase of 10,000 in the past nine years • The collection is meticulously cultivated to represent diverse characters and genres • The library provides hands-on experience using print and online resources, such as World Book Student with curriculum-connected lessons • Colorful, diverse and cinematic picture books are provided to create iMovie versions of books • The library staff assists with a variety of research projects, including projects specific to past and present city of Memphis • The collection includes books that support the Formative Five elements of grit, empathy, selfcontrol, embracing diversity, and integrity Visit gslschool.org/about-gsl/diversity--inclusion to watch a video that celebrates diversity and inclusion in the GSL Library.
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THE 2019-20 Thanks to You ... ANNUAL FUND Thanks to you, a lower school student is learning about the importance of a community—and how even young children can have a positive impact on it through thoughtful actions.
Your gift plays a critical role in the operation of the school. It also enhances the classroom experiences for every student.
k a N TH S Gifts and pledges received before July 2020 will be credited to this year’s Annual Fund.
Thanks to you, a child in preschool is exploring the world through play, all while learning how to be mindful of others.
to You
Thanks to you, a middle school student is choosing to do what’s right and is experiencing the empowerment of being an upstander instead of a bystander.
STILL NEED TO SEND IN YOUR GIFT OR PLEDGE PAYMENT? MAIL A CHECK made payable to Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School to: GSL School Attn: Advancement Dept. 246 S. Belvedere Blvd. Memphis, TN 38104
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Thanks to you, all students at Grace-St. Luke’s are receiving a solid academic and social-emotional foundation.
YOU HAVE A FEW OPTIONS! PAY ONLINE: www.gslschool.org/giving GIVE A GIFT OF STOCK by contacting Kate Shelton at 901-278-0200 or kshelton@gslschool.org WE CAN SEND YOU A GIVING ENVELOPE, which you can return with either a check or credit card payment
Fun & Fitness at the Preschool instills in children the importance of physical activity at an early age. SPRING 2020
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CONTINUING THE SAINTS TRADITION LEGACY 8TH GRADERS The GSL Class of 2020 has four eighth grade legacies. As they prepare for high school, we asked them to share their favorite things about GSL. The same was asked of their alumni family members. Many thanks to these families for continuing this Saints tradition!
LILY KARNES '20 Favorite class: History Favorite teacher: Ms. Thompson Favorite extracurricular: Debate Favorite GSL memory: Sitting in Ms. Thompson’s room during lunch and recess, having the craziest conversations. What you will miss the most: The love and support from the teachers and from the friends I made during my extracurriculars.
JENNIFER HARVIEL KARNES '86 Favorite class: Coach pop’s 7th grade math class Favorite teacher: Mrs. Gafford & Coach Callahan Favorite extracurricular: Riding the Bullet to various events Favorite GSL memory: We would run the “big block” to McLean and return down Union. More often than not, we would stop at the KFC and buy biscuits! If we had forgotten money, we would stop at Seessel’s and charge junk food to the house accounts of kids who were with us! Also, in 9th grade we made communion wine in Ms. Griggs’ science class, and then we actually used it for communion! What you miss the most: the community
MATHIS BRYANT '20 Favorite class: History Favorite teacher: Mrs. White Favorite extracurricular: Boxing and airsoft Favorite GSL memory: Going to GSL in 6th grade and everyone was really nice and welcoming. What you will miss the most: My friends as we go to different schools, and teachers.
TIGER BRYANT '85 Favorite class: History Favorite teacher: Linda Weintraub Favorite extracurricular: Any sport and the various clubs I participated in Favorite GSL memory: Faculty Donkey basketball game Tiger in 6th at GSL What you miss the most: Friends; I have best friends from GSL that I still talk to daily and friends that moved to other states or across the world. I never miss an opportunity to catch up with them. I learned that as my friends entered different high schools or colleges, we still came together as GSL “Saints/Lukers” given the opportunity, that remains true today.
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JACK TAYLOR ‘20 Favorite class: History because it is so interesting and fun to learn about – I especially liked early American History and also WWI. Favorite teacher: Ms. Slatery because she has helped me a lot. Favorite extracurricular: Playing QB on the football team because it is exciting to be playing in a big game. Favorite GSL memory: The 7th grade Chicago trip. Playing around with my friends in the hotel was fun and the science museum was great. What you will miss the most: I will miss being with all of my friends all of the time.
DREW TAYLOR ‘81 Favorite class: Definitely recess! We used to have a playground where the parking lot is today across Peabody. Favorite Teacher: I remember really liking them all. I remember Ms. Knight, Ms. Turner, Ms. Shelton, Ms. Abernathy, and Ms. Stephens. There must be someone I am forgetting because that is only five and I was there from 1st grade to 6th grade. Favorite extracurricular: I remember going to Blanchard Caverns one year. That was fun and I remember thinking Ms. Stephens was fun to hang out with when she wasn’t being a teacher. Favorite GSL memory: There were lots of fun times! Playing nerf football on the playground with Joel, Ken, Andrew, and Michael was always fun. I remember Hiroshi making some really cool origami swans. I also remember coming back to GSL after I had left to play the 7th and 8th grade basketball team in the old gym. It was loud and packed! What you miss the most: Fortunately, still living in Memphis, I get to see a lot of the friends I had in grade school who are still around town. I do miss walking to school, lunchboxes, jungle gyms, games of nerf football, kneeling at chapel, games of paper football, and being a kid!
COOPER SHANNON ‘20 Favorite Class: History Favorite Teacher: Mrs. White Favorite extracurricular: traveling Favorite GSL memory: Spain What you will miss the most: Teachers and friends
MARTIN SHANNON ‘95 Favorite Class: History Favorite Teacher: Mr. Clay Phillips Favorite extracurricular: football and basketball at GSL Favorite GSL: Taco Salad Thursday; I convinced my teachers every Thursday to let me leave class five minutes early so I could be the first person in line for taco salad! What you miss the most: Riding in the Bullet
GSL'S CLASS OF 2020 Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We wish you the best of luck as you begin your high school journey in August. You will be greatly missed!
Benjamin Brewer Mathis Bryant Seth Cohen Jackson Saatkamp Andrew Wharton
Trinity Carroll Astrid Karl-Wilson Charles Rowland
Rebecca Burnett Zelia Cedeno-Avila Emmy Roberts Saylor Waddell
Edens Richardson Cooper Deason
Carlos Gonzalez
Kai Barnes Knox Brown Noland Brown Ron Byrnes Samuel Callan Henry Duncan Luke Early Harry Feild George Henley Michael McDonnell Parker Paschal Hays Prather Cooper Shannon Owen Sharp Jack Taylor Marley White
Lucy Sheffield
Khaki Callan Lily Karnes Bronwyn Saatkamp Anna Smith TBD Zoey Brady Destiny Lowe Jayla Williams
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LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS ‘84
‘03
Kim Hawkins Laughlin was awarded Teacher of the Year in Trenton, Tenn. She currently teaches 6th grade math at Trenton Rosenwald Middle School.
John Carr visited the PK Daring Dinosaur classroom this spring as a guest reader. His nephew Hunt ’30 is in that classroom, and John himself used to be a Daring Dinosaur!
‘87
‘08
Nicole Cleaborn, Amy Cleveland Shoaf and Jeremie Upshaw attended the GSL 21+ Alumni Event on February 11 at Young Avenue Deli, owned by Tiger Bryant ’85.
Laura Mathews is a professional triathlete competing in Ironman 70.3s around the world.
‘14 Tess Emerson has been named the new President for the MEDLIFE Chapter at the University of Kentucky. MEDLIFE's mission is to provide equal access to healthcare, education, and safer homes around the world. Tess is a sophomore in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program at UK. (Tess, left, is pictured with the outgoing president.) Savannah Hall has been elected Vice President of Leading Women of Tomorrow on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is currently pursuing a major in public administration.
‘01 Chad Cunningham and wife Sophie welcomed their first child, Landon Louise, on January 24.
Ryan Seamons was recently elected to the Inter-Fraternity Council at the University of Tennessee.
‘16 Olivia Berntson has been named a 2020 National Merit Finalist. Olivia was also recognized by St. Agnes Academy as an AP Scholar with Honor in recognition for her performance on recent AP exams. Olivia plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. Anna Margaret Burnett is serving as the Senior Class Communications Officer and the Vice President of Global Ambassadors at Hutchison School. She is also a member of many honor societies including science, history, and community service. Isabel Campos, Mia Jones and Caroline Seamons had prominent roles in New Ballet Ensemble’s 2019 NutRemix production. Caroline and Mia shared the role of Clara and Isabel was Dew Drop.
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‘18 Sara Kate Burnett has been an active student at Hutchison. She has participated in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Eddie, and was an Indie Memphis Film Fest student film finalist. She was awarded the JV Volleyball Team Player Award, received an honorable mention for her Scholastic Writing, and received the first place Spanish award for her poem. Currently, she is a member of the Peer Council (elected by her classmates), JV Volleyball, Varsity Track, and the MUS basketball cheerleading team.
‘19 Kylie Jackson was crowned Basketball Homecoming Freshman Princess at Memphis Central High School on January 31. She was elected by popular vote of the 400+ member freshman class.
Ashlee Rivalto ’01 and Bryce Hendry ‘02 welcomed their first child, Nell Florence, on November 15, 2019.
Graham Springer, Bruce Taylor, Gus Schaffler and Alex Wood played on the CBHS freshman football team this fall; the team finished with a 7-1 record. Chloe Schwartz '18, Maeve Karnes '18, Addison Wilson '18, Merrill Ford '18, Mallory Miller '18, and Grace Ciaramitaro '19 were inducted into the Beta Club at St. Mary's Episcopal School in February.
Over the holiday break, several Lukers gathered for a pick-up basketball game in the Anchor gym. Back row, left to right: Logan Taylor ’95, Pierce Jones ’11, Whit Overstreet ’16, Grant Young ’15, Jack Lakey ’15, Will Woodmansee ’16, Cole Adams ’11, Charlie West ’19, Connor Truitt ’11 Front row, left to right: Gabe Hanna ’12, David Scharff ’11, Avery Hastings ’16
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Congratulations Diane Glueck Leaves ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT,
Indelible MARK
By Denise DuBois Taylor
Diane Glueck has been smiling since 1981. And inspiring. She has shared her boundless enthusiasm and undeniable talents with GSL students for a whopping 39 years. She has never failed to arrive on campus early and eager to start her day. She has seen the campus change and grow. She has taught children and their children’s children. She has served as an instructor, confidante and surrogate grandmother. And throughout her nearly 40 decades at GSL, she has never failed to share the creative beauty she finds in the world around her. “I think about her many roles at GSL,” said Head of School Thor Kvande, “driving the bus, running summer camp, as well as teaching art. She did morning care for many years and was the first adult generations of students saw when they came to school. She embodied the warm welcoming presence that defines GSL.” Head of Middle School Ellen Hendry added, “From driving the Bullet back in the day to chaperoning kids at overnight Leadership retreats at Sardis Lake, Diane has truly done it all in her time at GSL! While she will certainly be remembered for her contributions to ‘all things art’ at GSL, she will also be remembered for ‘all things heart!’ Diane has loved each and every one of our students through the years, and in return, she is one of our most beloved faculty members. She will be missed.” Diane's energy and innovation have taken many forms over the years. She created the middle school art show to showcase students' work, ranging from different drawing projects to exploring mixed media and creating 3-D pieces.
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Diane has also played an instrumental role in overseeing the ever-popular and best-selling art projects at the school’s annual Anchor Auction. “I first met Diane in 2012 when I began volunteering for the auction art projects,” said Lee Schaffler, a parent, volunteer, and fellow art teacher. “She graciously allowed me to use her valuable classroom time to complete the auction projects with her students. We immediately connected and started bouncing ideas off each other in planning the projects. She is also the most loving person you will ever meet. She is happy to share anything with everyone and her kindness is contagious.” Carol Buchman, fellow GSL art teacher and friend, is also quick to speak of Diane’s generosity. “When I think of Diane, I think of her warm cheery hello and goodbye each day, her endless enthusiasm for the kids’ artwork and projects, for her personal warmth, hugs and involvement with all of her ‘bunk mates’ in the Anchor Center, and her total unwavering devotion to GSL and her teaching.” A visit to Diane’s classroom is an eye-opening experience. It’s best described as “creative chaos” or in other words, the physical manifestation of an imagination constantly on the move, encouraging and engaging each student as much as possible. Diane’s entire career has been one of sharing and nurturing with an undiminished love of the school, its students, and their families. GSL provided her with a canvas on which she has left an indelible mark, and no matter where she may be, you can be sure she’ll greet you with her trademark “Heeeeeey!” and a big hug. Congratulations, Diane. You’ll be missed!
On March 30, GSL began its second full week of remote learning. To help connect students to each other remotely, the Student Council created our first-ever virtual spirit week. MAUI MONDAY | TIE-DYE TUESDAY | WIG-OUT WEDNESDAY | THROWBACK THURSDAY | FAR-OUT FRIDAY
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Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School 246 S. Belvedere Blvd. Memphis, TN 38104 gslschool.org
Now, more than ever, we need to come together and lean on the strength of our great GSL community to get through this together. And when the threat of COVID-19 passes and we are able to gather again, we will rejoice together in celebration. -Thor Kvande, Head of School
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