Week of Sept. 4

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear SDS Learning Community,

I hope by now you are all well onto your way to a relaxing Labor Day weekend. I know many families get away and others stay put, but we all relish an opportunity to come together and celebrate together. Today, we celebrated our college colors as the fall sports season and college football season begins to ramp up. Of course, I noticed that there were equal parts Clemson Orange and Gamecock Garnet with some sprinkling of other schools with equally passionate supporters. I love that we can bring these passions onto campus and celebrate like this together. 

As a learning community we relish the opportunity to both provide and nurture the passions of our students. As a whole child oriented school we work hard to offer those experiences across multiple facets of the student experience. Whether a student is trying out for our school play “Ghost Hunt,” running cross country or trying middle school volleyball for the first time, pushing the envelope in Mrs. Reel’s Frontiers class, or trying out a new club offering in Upper School, Spartanburg Day School works with intention to nurture the passion inside each and every one of our students. 

When we convene to watch the play, cheer on our state championship cross country team, or visit Exhibitions we are celebrating the passions of our students. And it feels good to celebrate together. It gives us affirmation and belonging and reinforces a community of trust where we can feel confident to seek new passions and learning. A virtuous cycle our model of continuity spanning 2s-12th grade uniquely fosters.

Dave W. Skeen

Head of School

DIVISION NEWS

Click 👇 for important news and announcements,

from your division head to you!

- Lower School -

- Middle School -

- Upper School -

We're CLOSED Monday for Labor Day

In recognition of Labor Day, SDS will be CLOSED on Monday, Sept. 5.

We'll be back Tuesday on a regular schedule, ready to go for another week of learning. Enjoy the long weekend!

You're Invited! 'Is everyone else' Art Reception this Thursday

Local artist Maggie Macdonald kicks off the Dent Fine Arts Gallery's exhibition calendar this year with her show Is everyone else?. A reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the gallery. All are invited to view the show and meet the artist.

Macdonald creates large-scale abstract art that are often accompanied by poetic or literary elements. Is everyone else? will be on display in the Dent Gallery through Oct. 13.

It's Back-to-School Picnic Time! See you Friday, Sept. 8!

The entire Griffin community – students, parents and faculty – is invited to join us for the annual Back-to-School Picnic on Friday, Sept. 8. It's one of our favorite school traditions, and we can't wait to have our entire Griffin community all together in one place!

The picnic begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Dining Commons and on Dorrance Plaza. Food will be provided by the Griffins Table with a menu including chicken tenders and wings, corn dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, tater tots, green beans, corn, cookies and brownies.

See you there!

A NOTE FROM THE NURSE

At Spartanburg Day School, we strive to keep all members of our community safe. Since fall and cooler temperatures are quickly approaching, we begin to think about the rise in viral illnesses (influenza, colds, and COVID-19). Though we hope for your student to be at school every day, during certain circumstances, we ask that your student stay home. These "stay-at-home" guidelines are outlined by the SCDHEC and can be viewed here. In short, please review the graphic above for when to stay home and when to return to school.

COVID-19

If a student or faculty member tests positive for COVID-19, please contact Nurse Jonathan Green (jonathan.green@sdsgriffin.org) to establish a return to school plan. Household members and close contacts who do not show symptoms or test positive may continue coming to school.

Griffin Clinic

Remember, if your child is a member of the Griffin Clinic, you can schedule a virtual visit from the comfort of your own home. If further treatment is recommended (i.e. antibiotic), this can be addressed directly from the telehealth visit. It is not too late to sign up! Please email jonathan.green@sdsgriffin.org if you would like to sign up for this service.

OUR GRIFFINS

UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS LAND ROLES IN SLT'S 'THE SOUND OF MUSIC'

Freshman Camden Doolittle and sophomore Samuel Kitchen have been cast as Kurt Von Trapp and Friedrich Von Trapp, respectively, in the Spartanburg Little Theatre's production of The Sound of Music. Look for Camden and Samuel on the SLT stage Sept. 8-24. Congratulations!