Parents' Association Hosts Virtual Welcome Breakfast

The Parents' Association welcomed new and returning GSB parents and guardians during the first-ever virtual welcome breakfast this week.

Breakfast Co-Chairs Miyuru Amarapala P '24, '29 and Vicki Castiglione P '29 kicked off the meeting with some Zoom tips and then, in good fun, offered the first of four gift card prizes for the first guest to correctly answer a GSB trivia question.

Head of School Sid Rowell then shared some highlights of the first week of school stating, "Despite all the many challenges we face with COVID-19, the opening days of classes, both in person and online, have gone remarkably well. Our students have been great about following our new procedures, and we really appreciate everyone's patience as we work out the glitches." He also reviewed several books from his summer reading list and their relevance for today's times. Sid closed his remarks by wishing the PA well in all their initiatives.

As the Parents' Association President, Sheri Cohen P '22, '23 also extended a warm welcome to all GSB families, introduced the 20-21 PA Executive Members, and spoke of the overall efforts of the Steering Committee. Sheri reflected on the first time she attended a GSB community event that inspired her ten-plus years of volunteering at Gill: "Each event I attended and each time I volunteered, I met someone new, someone with a child in a different grade or division, and I quickly made friends within the entire community."

Additional Steering Committee members encouraged getting involved and supporting their activities and events by requesting guests to sign up to volunteer on one or many of the PA community builders such as Bingo Night, as well as annual fundraisers such as Pie Sales and the spring Fashion Event.

Tracey Goodson Barrett, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, announced the opportunity to volunteer on a new parent Diversity Committee that will work together to celebrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community.

The meeting wrapped up with Sheri urging all parents to view the Sunday evening GSB Weekly Newsletter for ongoing updates, as well as extending a big "thank you" for joining the Zoom meeting, wishing all a great new school year ahead.