![Building Community Layer By Layer]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1573840375/gdsorg/r50mgzpiu0aezdnnndpq/20191115_Jenga_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1573840375/gdsorg/r50mgzpiu0aezdnnndpq/20191115_Jenga_1.jpg","width":500}])
After reading these dispatches from Middle School, you might just adore our teachers and students even more.
These skills, as we have defined them, will foster in our students both the will and capacity to change the world in ways that each generation is called to do.
Build Networks
![Wau Bulan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1572271520/gdsorg/em649zqiawniqdepgsix/20190307_Wau-Bulan_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1572271520/gdsorg/em649zqiawniqdepgsix/20190307_Wau-Bulan_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
An authentic cultural experience and an uplifting performance
![Ours was the Best]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1574198237/gdsorg/lscfpwqsmdz6y6iymaj2/20190301_Ours-was-the-Best_1_359x269.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1574198237/gdsorg/lscfpwqsmdz6y6iymaj2/20190301_Ours-was-the-Best_1_359x269.jpg","width":500}])
Minimester 2019 participants explain their incredible experiences.
Innovate & Create
![Makers in Residence in Your Residence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1600883825/gdsorg/op6dswjvakng383dyszr/20200923_Makers_in_residence_in_your_residence-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1600883825/gdsorg/op6dswjvakng383dyszr/20200923_Makers_in_residence_in_your_residence-1.jpg","width":500}])
GDS’s maker in residence is leading a school-wide, thematic maker project that students can join from home.
![Chalk Walk]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1586184105/gdsorg/r8phtc21virmmqnjcxqb/image0.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1586184105/gdsorg/r8phtc21virmmqnjcxqb/image0.jpg","width":500}])
GDS invites you on a Chalk Walk!
![Don't Touch Your Face]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1585860992/gdsorg/tshkv7vhuwzuwyvetdvk/IMG_2046.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1585860992/gdsorg/tshkv7vhuwzuwyvetdvk/IMG_2046.jpg","width":500}])
GDS provides personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers.
Take Risks
![Four students smiling in front of a farm fence.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1570644144/gdsorg/naagc1orvegrzyukxrlh/20190920_Ziplines_1_Cropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1570644144/gdsorg/naagc1orvegrzyukxrlh/20190920_Ziplines_1_Cropped.jpg","width":500}])
6th grade overnight trip to River Valley Ranch
Self-Advocate
![Making This Moment Matter]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1591889603/gdsorg/u6kwrzygahiypec5wj7j/thumbnailIMG_31292.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1591889603/gdsorg/u6kwrzygahiypec5wj7j/thumbnailIMG_31292.jpg","width":500}])
Student and alumni social justice leadership
![You Are Called to Action]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1591202861/gdsorg/rqmbts4xbju27sgavdhj/collage_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1591202861/gdsorg/rqmbts4xbju27sgavdhj/collage_1.jpg","width":500}])
![Advocacy Corps: Felipe’s Story]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1573240559/gdsorg/jppjhre0qh1djokoh1lc/20191108_Advocacy_Corps_FelipesStory_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1573240559/gdsorg/jppjhre0qh1djokoh1lc/20191108_Advocacy_Corps_FelipesStory_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
Middle School Community Engagement Reaches for the Heart of the Matter
Think Critically
![Continuing Conversations about Social Justice During Distance Learning]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1588182205/gdsorg/d10sohd0u2au0m6klmyz/ContinuingConversations_about_Social_Justice_During_Distance_Learning_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1588182205/gdsorg/d10sohd0u2au0m6klmyz/ContinuingConversations_about_Social_Justice_During_Distance_Learning_1.png","width":500}])
![Group photo of students on a staircase.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1581083417/gdsorg/gpfuvohkbtesrzmiydur/20200207_Learning_to_Listen_8.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1581083417/gdsorg/gpfuvohkbtesrzmiydur/20200207_Learning_to_Listen_8.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1581083417/gdsorg/gpfuvohkbtesrzmiydur/20200207_Learning_to_Listen_8.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1581083417/gdsorg/gpfuvohkbtesrzmiydur/20200207_Learning_to_Listen_8.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1581083417/gdsorg/gpfuvohkbtesrzmiydur/20200207_Learning_to_Listen_8.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1581083417/gdsorg/gpfuvohkbtesrzmiydur/20200207_Learning_to_Listen_8.jpg","width":2200}])
8th graders at Hill Day
![Students over a desk arranging game pieces.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1571143269/gdsorg/uapvogeacb84jlcotcyl/20190531_CodingCrocodiles_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1571143269/gdsorg/uapvogeacb84jlcotcyl/20190531_CodingCrocodiles_1.jpg","width":385}])
Our 3rd graders explore coding—plugged and unplugged
Communicate
![Student speaking before classmates.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1571144478/gdsorg/zhk81vj5z9hqwxebykg8/20190531_Bookends_1_Cropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1571144478/gdsorg/zhk81vj5z9hqwxebykg8/20190531_Bookends_1_Cropped.jpg","width":500}])
GDS Creative Writing presents an 8th Grade poetry reading and the 1st Grade Authors’ Brunch
![Spotlight on World Languages]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1571428971/gdsorg/vmyaxd4mzlosj0tdgfn5/20190509_Spotlight-on-World-Languages_1_Cropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1571428971/gdsorg/vmyaxd4mzlosj0tdgfn5/20190509_Spotlight-on-World-Languages_1_Cropped.jpg","width":500}])
HS & LS competitions and recent MS day-long field trips keep language learning relevant.
![M.I.L.K. versus D.O.N.U.T.S.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1572548754/gdsorg/c0itjazawbieblhrgvzz/20190208_MILK-versus-DONUTS_1_500x375.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1572548754/gdsorg/c0itjazawbieblhrgvzz/20190208_MILK-versus-DONUTS_1_500x375.jpg","width":500}])
A 4th grade project inspires outstanding strategies for successful collaboration and some unforgettable acronyms.
Tackle Problems
![Euro Challenge Success]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1587477699/gdsorg/ijzkdkm6xxqa9cpbhiur/ScreenShot2020-04-20at103834PM.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1587477699/gdsorg/ijzkdkm6xxqa9cpbhiur/ScreenShot2020-04-20at103834PM.jpg","width":500}])
![Top-Level Bowling]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1583356747/gdsorg/qjye5opvnfg7a2lqnpx9/IMG_1414.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1583356747/gdsorg/qjye5opvnfg7a2lqnpx9/IMG_1414.jpg","width":500}])
GDS Quizbowl and History Bowl Teams Score Big
![Aidan '22 testifies before the DC Council Committee on Public Safety]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1578760588/gdsorg/wifl6ijzg9d46hdcl1vc/Aidan22testifiesbeforetheDCCouncilCommitteeonPublicSafety.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1578760588/gdsorg/wifl6ijzg9d46hdcl1vc/Aidan22testifiesbeforetheDCCouncilCommitteeonPublicSafety.jpg","width":500}])
Student Action Committee members take on the youth vaping crisis.
Learn Actively
![Guess Who’s Zooming In]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1590002154/gdsorg/yjwyzgw6chk5nbow3lg8/THUMBNAILScreenShot2020-05-06at61504AM.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1590002154/gdsorg/yjwyzgw6chk5nbow3lg8/THUMBNAILScreenShot2020-05-06at61504AM.jpg","width":500}])
Fifth Grade Traveling Biographies Zoom Throughout Our Community
![Close up of crystalized shards being held by fingers.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1587580967/gdsorg/mdfripdo4cqxdwv5gsnm/20200422_The_Solution_Cool_It_0.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1587580967/gdsorg/mdfripdo4cqxdwv5gsnm/20200422_The_Solution_Cool_It_0.jpg","width":500}])
![Students with an architectural model making a]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1581695067/gdsorg/rkclrngazf0n1ujuh2an/20200214_Mythsonian_Museum_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1581695067/gdsorg/rkclrngazf0n1ujuh2an/20200214_Mythsonian_Museum_1.jpg","width":500}])
“No other civilization makes a better case for inclusion…”
Engage Ethically
![Shaping Our GDS Future Through Activism]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1582920593/gdsorg/ufhounwqrpcpxv2sxhcd/20200228_Social_Justice_Teach_In_Days_2020_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1582920593/gdsorg/ufhounwqrpcpxv2sxhcd/20200228_Social_Justice_Teach_In_Days_2020_1.jpg","width":500}])
Social Justice Teach-In Days 2020
![Two students playing on the ground together.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1570547071/gdsorg/vy3ej4y8m1kgoghmy3pe/20190920_SettingThemUptoThrive_1_Cropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1570547071/gdsorg/vy3ej4y8m1kgoghmy3pe/20190920_SettingThemUptoThrive_1_Cropped.jpg","width":359}])
Routine-Building in Lower School
![Good Neighbors]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1570642230/gdsorg/rstdbhnys7m1vciwbhmp/20191309_Good-Neighbors_1_Cropped.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1570642230/gdsorg/rstdbhnys7m1vciwbhmp/20191309_Good-Neighbors_1_Cropped.jpg","width":500}])
Middle School community engagement launches with 7th grade Conservation Corps
Lead
![One (Sustainable) GDS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1614772944/gdsorg/zzneibwlvgivzuzglp5p/20210303_One-Sustainable-GDS.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1614772944/gdsorg/zzneibwlvgivzuzglp5p/20210303_One-Sustainable-GDS.jpg","width":500}])
Meet GDS’s Environmental Task Force
![Changing the World in Ways Big and Small]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1613592012/gdsorg/t7hzpeo8wtisw4zjyduz/20210217-changing-the-world-in-ways-big-and-smal.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1613592012/gdsorg/t7hzpeo8wtisw4zjyduz/20210217-changing-the-world-in-ways-big-and-smal.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1613592012/gdsorg/t7hzpeo8wtisw4zjyduz/20210217-changing-the-world-in-ways-big-and-smal.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1613592012/gdsorg/t7hzpeo8wtisw4zjyduz/20210217-changing-the-world-in-ways-big-and-smal.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1613592012/gdsorg/t7hzpeo8wtisw4zjyduz/20210217-changing-the-world-in-ways-big-and-smal.jpg","width":1280}])
Each year in 11th grade English, GDS students study Aristotelian Appeals. Last week, they witnessed a living example of the Aristotelian Triad unfold on Capitol Hill from Congressman Jamie Raskin ‘79.
![Two high school students with voter registration handouts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1601491419/gdsorg/wufjchttyaddpojbocoi/20200930_Voter_Mobilization_Initiative.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1601491419/gdsorg/wufjchttyaddpojbocoi/20200930_Voter_Mobilization_Initiative.jpg","width":500}])
When I first hit ‘send’ on an email last May to recruit students to volunteer for the newly-launched Voter Mobilization Initiative, the promise of a constructive channel to address voting inequality began to nullify my grave concerns about rampant voter suppression.