Hello from Presnell,

Familiar and new faces joined our campus on Tuesday to begin what was the start of a great school year for the Upper School and the entire SDS community. Spending time catching up on our summers and enjoying time together was met quickly with full faculty meetings and Upper School faculty meetings that focused on connectedness, collaboration, and growth while working to answer the question “What do I wish for our students?” in order to prepare our students for a life well lived. Faculty spent Thursday morning exploring the ever-changing landscape of generative AI, and Thursday afternoon was spent learning about the research and strategies of Mind, Brain, and Education Science.   

The Upper School is excited to welcome three new faces to our halls: Carol Hamilton (physics), Jolie Joseph (math), and Susan-Douglas Smith (English).   

Your student’s teachers all have their courses and curriculum at the forefront of their minds as they plan for students’ return next week; however, we cannot wait for another year of advisory challenges, Grade Cup points, club meetings, Trunk or Treat, Special Studies, sporting events, Hall Night, and all of the other amazing things that make this place so special. 

Mrs. McGrath and I will be rotating the writing of the weekly notes to you all as Assistant Heads of Upper School for Faculty and Student Life, respectively. 

On behalf of Mr. Skeen, Mrs. McGrath, all of the Upper School faculty, staff, and myself, we cannot thank you enough for entrusting us with educating your students.

Upcoming Events:

• Sunday, August 11 - New Parent Orientation and Social; 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Dent Gallery

• Monday and Tuesday, August 12-13 - College Boot Camp for Seniors; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Parents’ Community Seminar Room

• Tuesday, August 13 - New Upper School student orientation; 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Dent Gallery

• Tuesday, August 13 - Rising 9th-grade orientation; 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Dent Gallery

• Wednesday, August 14 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Schedule below

• Wednesday, August 14 - 7:30 am - Seniors Last First Day Breakfast and Photos Crowley Concourse and outside Dent Gallery

• Thursday, August 15 - First Full Day of School

• Wednesday and Thursday, August 14-15 - JV/Varsity Girls’ Tennis tryouts 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

• Monday and Tuesday, August 19-20 - Volleyball tryouts 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

With heartfelt thanks,

Jillian