b'2nd grader Sophie Hatcher, I really like her being here because she is really nice. I like her personality. She is cool, thoughtful,In her own wordsand kind. When my grade met her, we asked her a lot of questions so I got to know a little bit about her. She has four sons. She makes me happy, she warms my heart. Tracie comments often that the Catletts feel right at home in Greensboro, all of you have made each of us feel very welcome - thank you! Math Department Chair Trish Morris, When we welcome someone new intoShe spent the first 100 days as Head of School, learning Greensboro Day Schools our home, we tend to spruce it up, makecultural and organizational DNA. She has been meeting with members of both sure everyone in our family is on theirthe School and the wider community. best behavior, and put our personal best foot forward. When Tracie arrived, it wasEach constituency has seen opportunities to meet the Tracie. As the kickoff to apparent that she felt the same way as shethe 50th Anniversary year, she attended the Founders Class Reception, a chance took the time to meet with each personto meet founding families and original students and faculty. She reported, In individually on campus. This gesture alongreflecting on the event, I am struck by the extraordinary vision of the Founders. with her warmth, openness, and hopes forShe added, That vision is realized every day in the teaching and learning that is at GDS has made Tracie a member of ourthe center of who we are and what we do.family in a very short amount of time.Further, those relationships are the engine that drives the mission develop[ing] First-year teacher of physics/chemistrythe intellectual, ethical, and interpersonal foundations students need to become Michael Welter, Tracies optimism,constructive contributors to the world, inform the Strategic Plan.determination, and obvious passion for young minds and the education theyTracie believes that a purpose-driven strategy must guide the completion of receive, has infused GDS with an electricitythe Strategic Plan. That work includes cultivating community connections - a spark of inspiration, with a steadyto position GDS as a private school with a public purpose, strengthening our current of focus - felt by faculty, staffinclusive community, assessing the current state of student wellness, and creating and students alike. Its exciting to join aa Schedule Task Force committee that will evaluate evidence-based best practices school that is using its 50th birthday as anand brain science research related to how students learn best during the school opportunity to reflect on its rich history,day. while simultaneously laying a sound, progressive foundation for the future - withThe last piece of the plan is to create built-in operational funds to ensure financial Tracie Catlett leading the charge.sustainability, a goal already in process. The 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign seeks to double our current endowment, thereby increasing the dollars Lower School Parent and alumna Elizabethavailable to reinvest into the School. Doubling the endowment allows us to rely Harrington Payonk 97, From the firstless on tuition so we can produce sustainable funding for programs that already day of school, the energy felt by everyoneexist and remain competitive with salaries to retain and recruit the best teachers in on the GDS campus has been incredible.the country.Tracies desire to connect with members of the GDS family and to understand what isThe transition from arrival to onboard is complete, and she is articulating a vision important to each is obvious . and she isfor the School that aligns with the mission and reflects the fundamental elements developing plans-both big and small-aboutof the Founders vision.taking GDS to the next level. The air is fullof excitement about what the future holdsLike we said, she hit the ground running.for GDS, and my family is thrilled to be a part of it.GDS Magazine | 7'