One of the defining characteristics of The Gregory School is its tight-knit community. Unlike most high schools, students in different grade levels share classes and spend free time together on a regular basis. This environment where everyone knows everyone creates a strong sense of unity among the student body. This aspect of campus life at TGS may be what makes the historically underwhelming turnout at school events so surprising.
Dances, movie nights, music concerts, shows, spirit weeks, and even previous homecomings have rendered sub-par turnouts despite consistent efforts made by the student council, administration, and Family Association to increase school-wide participation. The same lack of enthusiasm among students has affected athletics as well, with many TGS sports teams failing to draw a crowd.
It is important to note that the idea of “school spirit” has become somewhat of a buzzword. The assembly of large crowds toting school colors is not synonymous with, or as important, as students’ appreciation and compassion for their school.
A traditional sense of “rah-rah” school spirit is nevertheless difficult to achieve, and TGS’ size, which somewhat hinders the ability to create massive school events, doesn’t make the task any easier. That being said, this year’s TGS homecoming, which took place on January 17, managed to defy these odds thanks to the creativity of the student council.
Basketball games, ping pong tournaments, and even a pep rally concert held in the gym featuring rapper Jordinadaze and DJ Max Hazzard were a handful of the events on offer for students to attend.
Eron Maltzman, Student Council Treasurer, says, “During this year’s homecoming, including the pep rally, there seemed to be a lot of school spirit. The soccer game had a great turnout and the student section during the Varsity basketball game was terrific.”
The success of this year’s homecoming certainly reflects an increase in students’ participation, a sentiment which is also being mirrored by their parents’ participation in TGS’ annual fund. This sharp increase in contributions to the annual fund is due largely to the efforts of Director of Communications and Alumni Engagement, Ms. Alicia Saposnik.
“Tuition covers 65% of an education here,” says Ms. Saposnik when asked about the importance of participation in the annual fund, “and that essentially [covers] faculty’s salaries and benefits and the staff’s. So everything beyond that: art supplies, referees for flag football, team travel, robotics competitions, that kind of thing, the annual fund helps support. That’s standard for every independent school.”
The annual fund also plays a role in a school’s applications for grants. Foundations take into account the percentage of parents participating “because they want to see that our families are supporting us. And if the families aren’t supporting us they wonder why they should,” says Ms. Saposnik, who has helped encourage 41.26% of TGS parents to contribute as of January 17, 2020, a large increase from years prior. "We’re going for 100% participation. We’re focusing more on participation than on a dollar amount simply because we want people to know that their being involved matters more than the amount they give.”
The administration is also focusing on alumni engagement as TGS approaches its 40th anniversary. “Starting in August we’re going to have lots of events,” says Ms. Saposnik, “We have a committee planning them right now and a lot of them will include current families, current students, and a lot of things for alumni.”
TGS currently lacks a lineup of traditional events for alumni such as high school reunions, but the introduction of new events could mark an important step in establishing a strong community among graduates.
New energy is indeed brewing not only in the student body but among TGS parents and alumni, as well. Thanks to efforts by the Student Council, a dedicated administration, and the Board of Trustees, the future of TGS events is looking bright.
“Any contribution to [the annual fund] makes a difference,” says Ms Saposnik, “and I would say the same thing for school spirit. The more people participate, even a little bit, the more all school spirit gets raised.”
Written by Leo Gruenstein and Liam Conroy, business managers
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