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GREEN MOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL
Notes from Campus
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NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Members of the GMVS Community,
Last Wednesday, just seven weeks after I landed here at GMVS, students and parents arrived for the start of the 2017-2018 school year and this campus came alive.
I saw smiles, hugs, and tears as students and parents carted their belongings to their dorm rooms. I heard laughter and enthusiastic cheering as students and faculty members greeted one another. I overheard students telling teachers and coaches how happy they were to be back at school.
Across the country, students are returning to schools in droves. But, very few of them are arriving to a place like GMVS where students live the school's mission, where students and faculty form deep lasting relationships with one another, or where the school is shaped by the students and staff.
In the natural cycle of schools, no two years are the same -- and that's the beauty. Each fall we have a unique opportunity to start fresh, shaping our school into what we want it to be.
In starting fresh, I hope that none of us ever questions our choice to be here at Green Mountain Valley School. I challenge us to take advantage of the opportunities to do something that falls outside our comfort zones. I dare us to "look up," have face to face conversations, and really get to know one another. I encourage us to act always with empathy and compassion - helping one another when we stumble and struggle. And, I dare us to, on occasion, slow down. To look around at the beauty of this campus, to smell the freshly cut grass, to feel the raindrops on our faces, and to remember what brought us here in the first place -- a love of snow, winter, and the sport of skiing.
The more I get to know this place we all call home, the more excited I am to be leading it. I look forward to the year ahead, to learning the ins and outs of the GMVS experience, and getting to know all of you. Please stop by and say hello.
Here's to a new year! Let's be our best selves, work hard together, and ensure that this year's version of Green Mountain Valley School is one we're proud of.
Warmly,
Tracy Keller
Head of School
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Each week we select a "Photo of the Week" to share throughout GMVS communications. Anyone can submit images! Email images to:
photos@gmvs.org
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Photo of the Week from teacher Kerry Jackson:
Sunrise from a sleeping bag atop Lincoln Peak with the 10th grade orientation trip.
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ORIENTATION WEEKEND
Students and staff spent the first weekend of school engaged in outdoor team-oriented adventures throughout New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Each grade spent time getting to know one another and focusing on one of the five core values of the Mission Statement.
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8TH & 9TH GRADERS
Discipline and Responsibility
Orienteering at Geordy's farm. Dinner at the Round Hearth in Stowe. Hiking Camel's Hump. Swimming at the Waterbury Reservoir.
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10TH GRADERS
Respect
Hiking on the Long Trail. App Gap to Lincoln Gap. Camping at Allyn's Lodge at Sugarbush Resort. Moose sighting.
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11TH GRADERS
Independent Initiative
Overnight at the White Mountain School. Shared responsibility for meals. Campfire. Summiting Mt. Moosilauke.
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12TH GRADERS
Total Commitment and Effort
Camping in Minerva, New York. Whitewater rafting on the Indian and Hudson Rivers.
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STAFFING UPDATE
As in the normal cycle of schools, each year brings unexpected (and sometimes last minute) staff changes. Late this summer, we said goodbye to Director of Advancement Keith Wilkerson and alpine ski coach Dave Wenn. We thank both Keith and Dave for their service to GMVS and wish them well.
In an effort to develop a more comprehensive institutional advancement plan for the coming year and beyond, we have engaged Tere Gade and Scott McArdle, Vermont-based development consultants, who will begin working with us immediately.
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Replacing Dave Wenn on the coaching staff is Martin Guyer who will serve as the Head Club U14 coach, an Academy U14 coach and our Return to Ski Director. In addition, Martin will be a full time strength and conditioning coach here at the school.
Martin's experience includes two years working as US Ski and Snowboard Eastern Region Development Director and two years as Eastern Region Development Coach. Prior to his time with U.S. Ski and Snowboard, Martin worked for GMVS for more than a decade as a U19 boys' coach, including a stint as Head Boys' Coach and Conditioning Coordinator.
Martin holds certifications from U.S. Ski and Snowboard as a Level 300 coach, from APSI as a ski instructor and from the National Council on Strength and Fitness as a personal trainer. A native of Australia, Martin lives in South Burlington with his wife Maura and his two young daughters.
Martin's breadth and depth of experience and training are real assets for GMVS. His understanding of GMVS and its systems, coupled with what he has learned in his time working for U.S. Ski and Snowboard will pay great dividends to GMVS students and athletes. Please join us in welcoming Marty back to GMVS!
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GMVS has actively participated in the Kelly Brush Ride since its inception 12 years ago. On-snow camps in Chile and Italy have prevented students from participating en masse.
That hasn't stopped the GMVS team (made up of mostly staff, parents, and alumni) from bein
g the highest fundraising team nearly every year since 2007, thanks mostly to donations from current and former parents, students, and staff. The Kelly Brush Foundation heightens awareness on the issue of ski racing safety and
proceeds from the
Kelly
Brush R
ide have put B-Net on the sides of nearly every venue where our kids race and train.
Help the GMVS team break past fundraising records by signing up to ride or donating to the GMVS team here.
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2017 GMVS GALA &
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Join us on Parents' Weekend, October 6-7 to
celebrate the GMVS community and our Olympic legacy.
Beautiful Golfing at the 16th Annual Golf Tournament
11:00am - 4:00pm, Friday, October 6th
Alumni Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm, Friday October 6th
Rumble's Kitchen, Sugarbush Resort
Delicious Local Food and Drink at the 24th Annual Gala
6:00pm - 10:00 pm, Saturday, October 7th
GMVS Racing Performance Center
Fabulous Auction Items
Including:
A two night stay at the Pitcher Inn, a luxurious Relais & Chateaux experience, a Sugarbush Snowcat Ride and Gourmet Dinner for 12, skis, a basket of exquisite wines, gorgeous artwork and our own special GMVS pottery to name a few.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall Soccer
The fall soccer season officially begins this weekend with home games for both the boys and girls. Friday afternoon the boys take on Vergennes, and Saturday morning the girls play Harwood. Click HERE to view the complete soccer schedule. Please note that because we do not have enough boys to field two complete teams this fall, most of our previously scheduled JV games have been cancelled.
Kelly Brush Ride
September 9
GMVS Golf Tournament
October 6
Parents' Weekend and Gala
October 7
Theater Production: Chicago
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A FEW SNAPS FROM OUR RECENT ADVENTURES
Check out great photos of GMVS activities on SmugMug, a photo-sharing website where we post pictures from races, games, camps, theater and other weekly campus events.
The website is gmvs.smugmug.com and the password is: GMVScommunity (it is case sensitive).Visit
GMVS SmugMug now!
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Back in the lab and hard at work.
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Jere working with individual students during Study Hall.
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Students soak in the view atop the Green Mountains.
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