Gray Stone Day School 

MISENHEIMER — The 2018-19 school year kicked off Aug. 13 at Gray Stone Day School, and 835 students in grades six through 12 arrived ready for the new year.

The school held open houses the week before to give parents and students an opportunity to follow their class schedules and meet teachers.

“We are excited about another great year at Gray Stone,” said Jeff Morris, principal of the high school. “After lots of growth in both facilities and student population last year, the beginning of school has been very smooth.”

An orientation day for ninth-graders helped them transition to the expectations of high school in both the rigors of curriculum and responsibilities as a student.

Before the first day of school, seniors participated in “senior seminar” meetings led by college counselor Sarah Ince.

“Seniors come in to check in with me and begin the process of applying to colleges,” Ince said. “It is exciting to see them working through the many postsecondary options and helping to guide them through applications, essay writing, recommendations and the financial aid process.”

All sixth-grade students participated in a two-day orientation before the start of school to help them transition to middle school.

“Students learned about the culture of Gray Stone, bonded with their classmates through fun activities and enjoyed time learning the skills and expectations to get off to a great start,” said Robert Stack, principal of the middle school. “It is hard to believe this is only year two of the middle school, because it has been a very smooth and exciting start to the year.”

Middle school also began the second year of athletics with fall sports coinciding with the first week of school.

Gray Stone added 12 faculty and staff members, bringing the total to 66. The school hosted a faculty and staff retreat with a day at White Water Center in Charlotte. Members did the zip line and ropes courses as well as whitewater rafting and other activities.

“We were able to get together as a staff and spend some time together, away from school and school-related conversations,” teacher Olivia Pettigrew-Fanzo said. “It felt like we got to know some of our co-workers in a different context.”

This opportunity will allow teachers to know each other better and help with collaboration and teamwork as the year progresses.