August 16, 2019

Dear Parents,
 
Given the warm, humid weather of the last few weeks, it is hard to believe that the summer is almost over! I do hope that you had an enjoyable and restful time this summer, as well as ample opportunities to reconnect with friends and family.
The period between Commencement and Convocation has always been a time of renewal on the GSB campus. Several projects are now complete, and we will be finishing others over the next few weeks. Work on the former theater (now the SBS Pavilion) continues, and we hope to have full use of this renovated facility by next week. Most of all, we hope you will be excited to see the large globe recently installed by the main gate, a physical manifestation of the school’s motto, “The World is Our Classroom.”
 
Gill St. Bernard’s is proud to be an inclusive community; we remain resolute in our commitment to foster respect and understanding in our school. In keeping with this commitment, we purposefully create and actively sustain a secure environment guided by respect, and remain steadfast in providing for the safety of everyone in our community.
 
While the new school year promises to be one of change, opportunity, and growth for our school, it undoubtedly will also present unforeseen challenges. After all, in any given year there are many. Please know I am confident that we can successfully navigate these challenges together as a community, guided by our mission and our core values. Furthermore, by working cooperatively in this manner, we can do what we do best: actively support our children and each other.
 
The busy and exciting “back-to-school” weeks ahead are full of important activities and events; I encourage you to check the GSB calendar on our website for specific times and locations. Some key dates to remember, include:
 
August 27
Director’s Reception for New LS and MS Families
Director’s Reception for all US Families
 
August 28
Orientation for New US Students and Parents - Including all of Grade 9
Orientation for New MS students and Parents - Including all of Grade 5
 
August 29
Class Visits for Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten
Class Visits for New Students and Parents Grades 1-4
Registration/Field Day for Grades 5-8
Ice Cream Social for LS and MS Families
Registration/Mini Classes for Grades 9-12
Reception for New Parents
 
September 3
First Day of Classes
 
September 4
Convocation
 
September 11
Parents’ Association Welcome Breakfast
 
September 17
Upper School Back to School Night
 
September 19
Middle School Back to School Night
 
September 21
Family Day
 
September 24
Lower School Back to School Night
 
October 26
A Special Evening with Jim Breuer
 
November 1
Parent Teacher Conferences
 
I hope to have the chance to personally welcome you in the next few weeks, and I am confident that 2019-2020 will be another year full of accomplishments for our students and faculty. Gill St. Bernard’s is a special place; unique in its ability to balance academic excellence, a flourishing arts program, competitive sports and a commitment to serving others. Students truly thrive here.
 
Thank you for choosing to be a part of our wonderful school community, and I hope you share my excitement about all that is happening at Gill St. Bernard’s School.
 
 
Regards,
 
S. A. Rowell
Head of School
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Gill St. Bernard’s is a private, coeducational day school for students age three through grade 12, located in suburban New Jersey. Each of the three school divisions provides a rigorous, meaningful, and age-appropriate curriculum, and all students benefit from the environmental learning opportunities that exist on our 208-acre campus.