On Friday, April 25, students across all divisions celebrated Earth Day with a full schedule of activities designed to deepen their connection to the environment and the GFA community.
Grades 4–8 visited the Earth Day Fair in the McGrath Gallery, where nine local organizations shared how they are making a difference for the planet. Students decorated canvas bags, met live animals (including bees and birds!), and picked up seedlings to take home. Earth Day passports guided students through the fair and encouraged reflection and conversation.
Meanwhile, every Lower School grade partnered with Middle or Upper School students for hands-on activities focused on sustainability and the natural world. From exploring fish labs, dissecting flowers, and making beeswax candles to learning about pollinators and writing nature-themed poetry, students spent the day learning, collaborating, and connecting.
A highlight of the day was the opening ceremony for the new garden, where students, teachers, and Upper School volunteers gathered to celebrate a growing space that will serve as a place for learning and connection for years to come. The garden began its move to the Front Lawn in November, giving students continued access during ongoing campus construction. It was designed in partnership between Lower School Science Teacher and Sustainability Coordinator Sofi Kurtz and Grounds Manager Tom Barry. At the ceremony, lower schoolers planted sunflowers—both real seeds inside the garden and crafted paper versions outside—bringing life and color to the space. Stay tuned to learn more about the evolution of this beautiful garden in the summer issue of GFA Magazine!
View photos from the day on Flickr.