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.
Category: Firsts
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.
In 1997, Sarah Pickens was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Girls Soccer in North Carolina. She was the first student at Greensboro Day School to receive this honor in any sport. Sarah went on to play collegiate soccer for Duke University. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Programs for the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
The Brooks’ Sabbatical was established by Dr. Jean Brooks (now deceased), mother of Jim Brooks ’77 and Helen Brooks ’80, and grandmother of Taylor Brooks-Murphy ’18. Dr. Brooks dreamed of a program that would reward and renew experienced GDS teachers. This grant supports a summer sabbatical opportunity for a faculty member each year. The first award was given in 1996, and the first recipients were Mr. Bob Satterfield and Mrs. Kathy Davis. Mrs. Davis and Mr. Satterfield used the grant to attend Advanced Sketchpad courses in Cal-Berkeley, studying with the creators of technology that allows students to explore concepts and discover geometric principles inductively.
In 1994, a team coached by Trish Morris and Jane Gutsell and led by Kulbir Walha ’94 won the High IQ championship, defeating Morehead High School of Eden.
Greensboro Day School hosted the first North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) People of Color Conference on April 6, 1992, attended by representatives of 18 schools and one college. Keynote speaker Justice Henry Frye, a member of the North Carolina Supreme Court, spoke on “Education and People of Color in North Carolina.”
Here’s something to cheer about! In 1991, we were the first school in the area to create comprehensive, onsite Sports Medicine services for student-athletes. And while our facilities are comparable to those of a college, it’s our talented athletic trainers who really make the program stand out.