Penny Hazlett ’18 is the first graduate to spend 14 years at GDS after enrolling in the first PK class offered. At the time, the class was known as “Transitional Kindergarten” (TK), but later the name changed to “Pre-Kindergarten” (PK).
Author: Courtney Sparrow
In 2017, Greensboro Day School became the only school in the area to have its own climbing wall for lower and middle school PE classes.
In 2012, Jonathan Campbell was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Boys Soccer in North Carolina. He was the first male student at Greensboro Day School to receive this honor in any sport. Jonathan played soccer at UNC-Chapel Hill before being drafted #12 in the 2016 Major League Soccer Draft by the Chicago Fire. He also played for the Seattle Sounders, where they won the 2019 MLS Cup! Following the 2019 season, he retired from soccer.
In 2007, AEDs were both donated and purchased by the school in order to have one in each building on campus. Drs. Peter and Christi Dalldorf established an endowment fund in order to provide maintenance and replacement of this important medical emergency equipment. Their gift was in honor of Linda Sudnik Register ’79, Jon Schner and Mike Gale for their roles in helping the students of Greensboro Day School. GDS remains one of the only schools in Guilford County to have 98% of the student body trained and certified in CPR and AED use every year.
In 2005, Greensboro Day School was the first regional school to solely sponsor the building of a Habitat for Humanity home. At Greensboro Day School, we believe that service learning is a core value and is, therefore, an integral part of every student’s education. Partnering with local non-profits is a great way for our students to obtain service learning experience.
On September 14, 2002, the Linda Sloan Theatre opened its doors for the first time. The first production held in the Sloan Theatre was “Music Man” during the fall of 2002.
In 1999, Greensboro Day School became the only school in the South Region to teach Rollerblading in middle school PE classes.
In 1999, the school purchased 105 laptop computers for Greensboro Day School, including 75 for Upper and Middle School Faculty members and 20 laptops to “make any classroom a wireless network.” The computer purchased was the Compaq Armada 1750 series. In “Lo Hearts Behold” it stated, “In schools, as elsewhere in society, computer-based technology is becoming an omnipresent and essential tool. Computer use is not an end in itself but a means, when employed in appropriate ways by teachers and students to better facilitate learning.” The information evolution was moving forward, and uses of the Internet expanded exponentially – whether or not given individuals or groups chose to avail themselves to the opportunities. Greensboro Day School sought to balance responsible stewardship with the mandate of the future. The Laptop Program remains one of the longest maintained programs in the country.
The 1998 girls’ soccer team reached a national ranking of #1 by the NSCAA, the first time any team at GDS had reached this national ranking. This season fell in the middle of six consecutive NCISAA state championships, the most consecutive state championships by an athletic team at Greensboro Day School. (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
Bengal Games was the idea of two former teachers, Middle School teacher Peter Amidon ’90, and Upper School teacher Chris Ryan. In 1998, Peter and Chris came together to create Bengal Games. In the words of Peter, the goal was to “bring the whole school together – students, teachers, administration, parents – to have fun and promote school spirit.” In 2003, Bengal Games became a way for the school to give back to the community. Seeking a sponsor for each super team, the sponsor would donate $1 for each point the team earned. This tradition has carried on to present day giving approximately $80,000 to area non-profits. Craig Head has been an advocate and leader since his early involvement in this special school event.