This year's Earth Day brought students together across divisions through a range of experiences that connected sustainability to daily choices, creative expression, and shared responsibility.
In the Upper School, the focus was on student voice. During a special Earth Day Assembly, students shared work across disciplines, including sustainability research, creative writing, and visual arts. Framed by the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” the presentations explored both global challenges and everyday decisions—from the impact of fast fashion and consumer habits to reducing emissions through commuting, protecting coastlines, and using art as a form of advocacy. Each perspective approached sustainability differently, but all pointed toward the importance of thoughtful, informed action.
Middle School students contributed to the week by partnering with Lower School in a series of co-curricular experiences. Working across grade levels, these activities brought sustainability concepts to life—from fish labs and ecology lessons to recycling challenges and outdoor scavenger hunts. The collaborations created natural opportunities for connection while reinforcing a sense of shared learning across divisions.
In the Lower School, Earth Day was woven into Mini-Term, a week dedicated to exploring a shared topic through hands-on, collaborative learning. Across grade levels, students engaged with themes such as animals, pollinators, water systems, and the environment, asking questions about how natural systems function and how people interact with them. A gathering in the garden brought the week to a close with a shared sing-along, featuring a special Earth Week song composed by GFA’s Choral Director, Danny Fishman. The moment offered a joyful and memorable way to celebrate the learning and experiences of the week.
The week also included a series of celebratory events that brought further energy and creativity. A highlight was the Trashion Show, where students designed outfits from recycled materials and faculty members—including Head of School Mr. Whelan—took to the stage to model their eco-friendly pieces. The Earth Day Fair invited clubs and local nonprofits to campus—students engaged in hands-on activities and explored sustainability in a dynamic, informal setting.
Across all divisions, Earth Day reflected the kind of learning that defines GFA—collaborative, interdisciplinary, and grounded in real-world questions. Throughout the week, students were encouraged not only to understand environmental challenges, but to consider how their own actions contribute to meaningful change. Special thanks to GFA’s Sustainability Coordinator Team for their leadership in organizing and bringing this year’s Earth Day programming to life!
View photos here.