Traditions of our Own Making

At GDS, traditions don’t just endure—they evolve. Over the years, countless traditions have taken their turn as part of the fabric of our community.

In addition to the cherished religious holidays and a few well-known secular celebrations, GDS has long  celebrated its ability to invent traditions uniquely its own. Some last for decades, others for just a few years, but each leaves its mark and adds to our shared story.

Change can be challenging, but it can also be energizing. As new ideas and perspectives emerge, they open space for growth and creativity. At GDS, this process is strengthened by heartfelt dialogue—where students and adults alike bring forward varied viewpoints and shape the path ahead together. It is a hallmark of a healthy democracy as well as a hallmark of GDS.

In October, up until the 1980s, GDS had a longstanding tradition of a balloon launch, first as one of the many activities during Country Market Day, and then as part of the Halloween parade and celebration later in the month (both time-honored GDS traditions in and of themselves). The event involved the release of thousands of balloons from students. Prizes were doled out to those whose balloons landed and were reclaimed.

The knowledge of the damage to the environment and harm to wildlife that is often caused by balloons is now commonplace, but in Georgetown Day School’s early days when the tradition was started, the harmful impact was yet unknown.

Then some knowledgeable parents and students expressed concern. What followed was a lengthy and passionate back-and-forth, with many students, parents, and teachers weighing in on whether or not to let the annual event go in consideration of possible harm to the environment, or to keep it for the benefit of maintaining a beloved tradition. The cons of possibly causing harm to wildlife and the environment won out, and in 1989, the launch was cancelled.

Since the event involved prizes which had been lined up during the summer, they sold tickets and held a raffle instead, with the proceeds going to benefit student financial aid.

Over the years, many unique, perhaps even more meaningful traditions would emerge to take the place of the balloon launch at GDS, reflecting a resilient community’s willingness to evolve and adapt with the introduction of new information. 

At GDS, even the students have been encouraged to create their own unique celebrations. Juice Box Petting Zoo Day at the High School, and Fancy Sparkly Day at the Lower School, are two of the more original that have emerged through this creative process.

Juice Box Petting Zoo Day originated in 2023 with Andrew Mikhail ’23. The focus on childhood interests like juice boxes and a petting zoo attempted to conjure the nostalgia of being young and carefree. While these days of celebration tend to be ever-evolving, currently, the day simply involves giving out large numbers of juice boxes to students and hiding five “golden juice boxes” with prizes around the high school.

The high school students begin the day with music and festivities, greeting fellow students at the carlines and building entrances wearing juice-themed costumes. In the afternoon, a petting zoo is set up on campus via a local farm, and all the school gets to visit an assortment of friendly farm animals.

Meanwhile, on a random April day of the very same year, in Todd Carter’s 3rd grade classroom at the Lower/Middle School, student Mary Katherine ’32 arrived one morning wearing a sparkly shirt. The shirt made enough of an impression on the class that a few weeks later, Mary and her classmate Samyuktha ’32 had an idea for a celebration day based around it: they thought it could encourage people who are sometimes too shy to express themselves, and that it also might help to better connect the school.

Todd encouraged the creation of the day and helped the students bring their idea to life with thoughtful planning and organization, and Fancy Sparkly Day was born. Students then promoted the day with flyers and a video, encouraging all of campus to dress in sparkly clothing, or simply in a more extroverted fashion of their own choosing for the event. 

On the day, they created a sidewalk runway with music—a safe space where students and faculty alike could feel free to express themselves with a walk or a dance to show off their sparkly duds in the company of others who offered encouragement. The day was a hit.

Since then, the popularity of the day has grown, and just this year,  Todd applied to the DC mayor’s office for special recognition. Mayor Muriel Bowser proclaimed May 30, 2025, as Fancy Sparkly Day for the city.

Whether these new traditions will prove to have staying power has yet to be seen, but for now, they are proving to be unique, safe, and joyous expressions promoting the authenticity and community that GDS will always revere.