Dear Upper School Parents and Students, 

Fall is in full swing in the Upper School–Halloween is only two weeks away! This week’s annual Halloween concert, featuring our Concert Band and Jazz Band, was a festive celebration. Student musicians donned costumes, played seasonal tunes (equipped with special effects!), and reveled in the whimsy of the holiday. I truly can’t wait to experience my first SDS Halloween…if the intensity of the Trunk-or-Treat planning is any indication of what’s to come, it’s clear that something spooktacular is ahead! 

Learning came to life this week for our Health Science students as they traveled to Spartanburg Medical Center. The students toured the hospital through the perspective of a 19 year old boy who presented after a motor vehicle accident. They toured the ER, spoke to an ultrasound technologist and an x-ray technologist, and saw the x-ray machine. They went to the inpatient laboratory and saw a pathologist dissecting a metastatic tumor, saw how blood samples are processed in the lab, and experienced the hospital pharmacy (including seeing the large robot that pulls all of the patient's medications). The students met a surgical resident in the surgery simulation lab, where they asked questions about her journey. They had the chance to practice doing a laparoscopic procedure through a video simulation machine. Finally, the students toured the simulation lab while learning about the high fidelity manikins–including one that delivers a baby! The Health Science class–which was born from a successful Special Studies experience–is one example of how the Day School is able to nimbly adapt to serve our students.

The 2026 Special Studies trips were released last Friday. Families should review the varying options and work together to select each student’s top three preferences, which will be indicated through completion of a digital form. This form will be emailed to Upper School parents on Monday, 10/20 at 7:30 PM.

Looking forward, here’s what is on the horizon for the division: 

• Monday, October 2o
  • 9th Grade College Night @ 6:00 PM in the Seminar Room
• Wednesday, October 22
  • Parent Community All Parent Meeting @ 8:30 AM in the Dent
  • Q1 Report Cards release @ 5:00 PM in RenWeb
• Thursday, October 23
  • Make-Up Picture Day
  • Senior/Faculty Luncheon @ 12:oo PM on the Concourse
• Friday, October 24
  • PS/LS/MS Conference Day
• Tuesday, October 28
  • Fall Athletic Awards Assembly @ 10:30 AM in Stone Gym
• Friday, October 31
  • Trunk-or-Treat @ 8:30 AM 

As always, please check the athletic calendars for the most up-to-date information. College representatives will continue to be on campus next week–remember, demonstrated interest is an important metric in the collegiate admissions process, so students should be sure to connect with representatives of interest when possible. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend! Go Griffins!

Warmly, 

Jenny Glenn
Head of Upper School