As you read through this issue of our magazine you will understand why everyone looks forward to returning to Greensboro Day School! And you will learn the many opportunities students and faculty have to travel beyond the borders of our campus. In my early years of teaching, I led groups of students to Europe and Mexico, and I have many a fond memory of trying out my French in France and my Spanish in Mexico. I also learned local customs, how to exchange money, take a subway, get directions from a stranger, and live with a local family. Like our students who take advantage of our travel programs, I too made many lasting friendships and learned to see the world from very different perspectives. I’m grateful that our students are having opportunities to see the world as others see it and to make many lasting friendships as you will read about in this issue of the GDS Magazine. Reaching beyond our campus to other countries is life changing for many of our students as they use their world language skills or engage in and learn about cultures and people different from themselves. I hope that you will take some time to read what Robert Mimms, our Global Studies Director, and the students who travel on our programs have to say about their experiences traveling abroad with GDS. Jeb Brooks ’01 joins them as he chronicles the adventures and learning he experienced, when he was first bitten by the “travel bug” on a Greensboro Day School trip to Pompeii. It’s been a terrific start to the school year filled with learning, athletics, theater, art, clubs, and trips, and this issue of the GDS Magazine features engaging reports on all of them! You will also learn about our annual Honor Code signing that takes place in the Upper and Middle Schools, our National Merit Scholarship commended students, our National Honor Society inductees, and our student council representatives. As you read through these pages, I hope you will also enjoy learning about our new mobile hanging in the McMillion Media Center, the Lower School Gift Ark fundraiser, and the fall production of Pippin. This fall has seen the dedication of two new learning spaces for our students, The Kathy Davis Student Life Center in the Upper School and the Andreve Garden in the Middle School. Both of these areas were made possible through the generosity of donors comprised of current and past parents, alumni, current and past faculty and the Andreve Foundation. Both projects are representative of gratitude felt for Greensboro Day School and the difference that teachers and friends can make in the lives of our students. The warmest of holidays to you and your family! And, please, always feel free to stop by and see what’s happening at GDS! Mark C. Hale Head of School Dear GDS Community: I have fond memories of growing up in the small town of Eugene, Oregon and how getting ready to return to school each fall was a full family event with my mom, brother, and sister. We always took in a full day of shopping at Penney’s and Sears to purchase new shoes, shirts, blue jeans, and school supplies. Of course, a new warm jacket that might shed some of the plentiful Oregon rain was a must! Even though I’ve spent almost my entire professional career in education, I still get excited when all the students come back to campus each fall. HEAD’S CORNER GDS Magazine | 1