2024-25 Bruiser Family Guide

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GPS

At GPS, our mission, values, and vision provide an integral framework that supports every interaction with our students. We believe that in addition to providing students robust and engaging academics and girl-centered social-emotional support, we should establish an environment that encourages girls to live out the values that will help them meaningfully contribute to the betterment of their families and communities. Each girl learns to focus on who she will become as much as what she will accomplish.

mission statement

Girls Preparatory School inspires each girl to lead a life of integrity and purpose by engaging her mind, cultivating her strengths, and nurturing her self-confidence and respect for others.

Adopted June 2016

values

Honor | Respect | Curiosity | Individuality | Relationships vision

To celebrate each girl for the unique gifts she brings to our school, on campus and off, prioritizing healthy connections and relationships, fostering a culture where she is known, she is heard, and she is empowered to use her voice. This culture of acceptance and belonging nurtures her and lifts her up in mind, body, and spirit so that she can find her place and discover her potential with confidence and joy for dynamic engagement within a rapidly changing world.

IMPORTANT contacts

The

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

In the event of a weather-related closing, delayed opening, or other emergency, GPS utilizes an automated rapid alert system to send voice, text, and email notifications to our community.

All parents will be automatically enrolled in the system before the start of the school year. Go to your MyGPS and select “Update My Profile” should your email or phone number change.

2024-25 KEY dates*

August 12

August 14

August 15–16

September 2

October 10

Back-to-School Picnic/Open House

First Day of School

Grade-Level Retreats

Labor Day | No Classes

Faculty/Staff Professional Learning Day | No Classes

October 11–14 Fall Break

October 15

November 1

Classes Resume

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences | No Classes

November 25–29 Thanksgiving Break

December 2

Classes Resume

December 16–20 Fall Semester Finals

December 23–January 3

January 6

January 7

January 20

Semester Break

Faculty/Staff Professional Learning Day | No Classes

Classes Resume

MLK Day | No Classes

February 10–13 Winterim

February 14–17 Winter Break

February 18

March 14

March 17–21

March 24

March 25

April 17

April 18

May 1

May 15

May 16

May 17

May 19–23

May 22

Classes Resume

Student-Parent-Advisor Conferences | No Classes

Spring Break

Faculty/Staff Professional Learning Day | No Classes

Classes Resume

Grandparents Day

Good Friday | No Classes

May Day

Baccalaureate Service

Class Day

Commencement

Spring Semester Finals

Eighth-Grade Celebration

*Minor adjustments may occur, and dates are subject to change. For additional events and to see the most up-to-date calendar, check the calendar on MyGPS.

CAMPUS map

EVENT SPACES

The Mills Complex: Includes the Main Entrance, Frierson Theatre, and Reception Area

Caldwell Commons

DeFoor Patio

Evans Fine Arts Center

ADMINISTRATIVE SPACES

Advancement Offices: Includes Admission, Development, and Marketing and Communications

Business Offices: Includes Human Resources and Accounting and Billing

ATHLETIC SPACES

Athletic Commons: Includes the Main Gym, the Pool, Caldwell Fitness Center, and The Bow School Store

East Gym

Lower Fields: Includes GPS | McCallie Rowing Center, Soccer/Lacrosse Field, Softball Field, Tennis Center, and Track

ACADEMIC SPACES

Middle School: Includes Head of School Office, Middle School Main Office, IT Department, and The Center for Teaching and Learning

Upper School: Includes Upper School Main Offices, College Counseling Offices, Health and Wellness Center, Rotunda, and Dining Hall

Holland Library: Includes the Makerspace and The Landing

Science Building: Includes the The Haskins Family Research Lab

The C. Ben Harnsberger Student Center: Includes Bowman Terrace Cadek Conservatory of Music

STAYING connected

HAVE QUESTIONS? START HERE!

MYGPS

MyGPS is designed for you to stay in the know. MyGPS is our password-protected portal on the GPS website, where grades and other pertinent information intended for only GPS parents, students, faculty, and staff are posted. Here you will find:

STUDENT AND SCHOOL CALENDARS CLASS INFORMATION & GRADE BOOKS

RESOURCE BOARD containing information on topics from athletics to after-school enrichment opportunities

STUDENT & FACULTY DIRECTORIES

Parents, if you forget your login information, reach out to HelpDesk@GPS.edu.

If you change your email address, please remember to update it in MyGPS!

!EMAIL

You will receive emails regularly from various school constituencies such as Division Heads, College Counseling, the Business Office, Advancement, and Communications and Marketing. You may also receive individual emails from your daughter’s teachers, coaches, or club sponsors.

BRUISER NEWS

Bruiser News arrives in your inbox every Friday morning and features upcoming events, announcements, and messages from GPS community members. Be sure to click on the middle school or upper school buttons to see divisionspecific announcements.

Each issue is archived on the Resource Board in case you miss one or desire to revisit a communication at a later date. kooL f o r t his icon!

STAYING connected

PARENT FACEBOOK GROUP

A private Facebook group for GPS parents shares information and reminders about upcoming events, uniform resale dates, and more.

To join, search for “GPS Parents” and answer the prompts.

Links to join are available on the Parent Council Resource Board. kooL f

SCHOOL WEBSITE

For information on everything from athletic schedules to signature programming opportunities, alumnae stories, camps + clinics, news, blogs, and more, visit our website at GPS.edu.

THE GPS MAGAZINE

Our biannual school magazine features event recaps and photo galleries, arts and athletics updates, admission and development stories, and current students and alumnae articles. Each issue is mailed to our GPS families, and you can also read it online by visiting Issuu.com/GirlsPreparatorySchool.

ALL THINGS social

Catch the latest photos, videos, and news by following us on your social network of choice!

Join more than 23,000 followers:

Facebook: @GPSBruisers, @BruiserAthletics

Instagram: @GPSBruisers, @GPS_Athletics

X: @GPSBruisers, @BruiserSports

TikTok: @GPSBruisers, @BruiserSports

LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/school/girls-preparatory-school

YouTube: @GPSBruiserTubeChannel

SmugMug: GirlsPreparatorySchool.SmugMug.com Here you can download images from school events and activities for free or purchase prints for a small fee.

password: GPS1906

GI RLS SCHOOL

PREP ARA TO RY

205 Island Avenue

Chattanooga, TN 37405

GPS.edu | 423.634.7600

WIFI

On campus and need to connect to our network?

GPSWireless-Guest | password: Apollo1958

JOIN THE FUN!

As you pack suitcases for any travel destinations throughout the year, be sure to include your Bruiser spirit wear to show your school pride! Take a photo and tag us when you post to social, #BruisersOnTheRoad, so we can share your pictures with our GPS community or email the photo to MarComm@GPS.edu.

SHARING THE LOVE

Does your daughter have successes outside of GPS? We’d love to hear about them! Send us a brief overview of her accomplishment along with a photo, and we may give her a special #YGG shoutout on social media! Email MarComm@GPS.edu.

LIVESTREAM

Many of our major events, such as May Day, Class Day, Commencement, and more, can be viewed via livestream on the GPS YouTube page or by visiting GPS.edu/LIVE.

ABOUT THE schedule

The best place for you and your daughter to see her daily schedule is in MyGPS. Classes will run on a rotating schedule, which means they will vary a bit week to week.

Here are the most important aspects to remember:

School begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., except on Wednesdays, when school begins at 9:30 a.m.

Insider Tip: Some parents find Wednesday mornings convenient for scheduling medical visits or other important appointments because they are late-start days.

kooL f ro t h is icon!

Look for Blue Book on the Resource Board for specifics about late arrivals and other school attendance information.

Students have five 1-hour classes a day.

Help Class is offered daily at various times, including before school.

Every girl is required to have an after-school activity. Days and hours vary.

kooL f ro t h is icon!

See After-School Activities on the Resource Board for further details.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

A complimentary shuttle between GPS and McCallie runs before and after school. Paid bus services are offered to and from various locations in our area.

kooL f ro t h is icon!

For more info, click on the Transportation tile on the Resource Board.

GET involved

PARENT COUNCIL

The purpose of the Parent Council is to create a sense of community for all parents in order to support the girls and the adults who lead them at GPS. Throughout the year, Parent Council hosts and organizes many special events and opportunities for parents, students, and faculty and staff.

Opportunities include Parent Coffees, Book Club, Bruiser Eats, Class Representatives, Faculty | Staff Appreciation Committee, GPS Dads Network, Garden Club, May Day Welcome Wagon, Praying Parents, and more.

ONLINE AUCTION COMMITTEE

Each year, GPS hosts an online auction to raise money for the annual Impact Fund, and parent volunteers are a huge part of its continued success!

To get involved with Parent Council or any committee, contact Coughlin Haverty Cooper ’88, Director of Parent Engagement and Special Events: CCooper@GPS.edu.

ADMISSION AMBASSADORS

Parent Ambassadors provide a unique perspective on the GPS experience for our prospective families. The Admission Office relies on our current parents and students to help attract new mission-appropriate girls and their families to our school. Through a variety of ways, families can be involved during the school day helping with Open Houses or campus events, in the evenings by hosting a Neighborhood Night, or even digitally through our PeerPal network. To get involved, contact Alice Smith Harris ’03, Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid: Admission@GPS.edu.

PEERPAL

Share your experience with prospective parents through PeerPal, an online resource for families considering GPS. Prospective families can ask questions, make connections, and learn about what makes GPS so unique.

Scan the QR code if you are interested in joining our PeerPal Network.

BRUISER CLUB

Bruiser Club is designed to support our girls and their coaches by increasing the visibility of our programs, creating additional social opportunities for our community, and providing financial assistance for GPS Athletics. A booster club membership will allow you to partner with us in our efforts to help support, challenge, and celebrate our girls as they play in an environment designed for their success.

the UNIFORM fall/spring

Everyone needs a uniform in white

Your daughter’s class color

6th-grade: navy

7th-grade: light blue

8th-grade: lavender

9th-grade: green

10th-grade: pink

11th-grade: yellow

12th-grade: white

Any other color you like!

Shoes or sandals

Socks or Leggings

Black Grosgrain Bow 1/4 inch

Black or Brown Belt with golden buckle

ID Badge winter

A navy or plaid skirt or khaki pants

A solid-colored polo or oxford style shirt with the GPS logo

Tights or Leggings optional Black, white, gray, or navy fitted to the ankle

Shoes or sandals

Crew cut or ankle socks in any solid color

ID Badge

Please see the Blue Book for complete uniform guidelines.

THE GOLDEN BUCKLE

Our uniform and spirit gear resale store, The Golden Buckle, is operated by the GPS Parent Council and located on the lower level of the Middle School building. You can purchase both summer and winter uniforms as well as sweatshirts, one-of-a-kind items, and other gently used GPS gear. Purchases are as-is with no returns and can be made through your FACTS account or by check.

SALE DATES

Monthly sale dates are announced throughout the year through Bruiser News and posted on the MyGPS calendar and Parent Council Resource Board. A back-to-school sale is held the Monday prior to the first day of school.

meet OUR LEADERS

MEGAN D. COVER

Head of School

• educational philosophy: To lift each girl up so that she can meet and exceed her potential with confidence and joy. To inspire a curiosity and love of learning about the world around each student so that she can discover and develop passions and interests.

• someone who inspires me: My mother and mother-in-law inspire me because of the barriers they broke as part of the Silent Generation. They pursued higher education and career opportunities, which weren’t the norm for women at the time. Throughout their lives, they have demonstrated perseverance, grace, resilience, humility, courage, and humor—all which are traits I admire—and serve as strong role models for their granddaughters.

• favorite snack: anything salty

• the best trip I have ever taken: I love to travel so I don’t just have one: I recently went to Italy and enjoyed the history, food, beauty, and culture.

• three words to describe me: Positive, relational, curious

• favorite hobby: Spending time with family and friends

BETH CRESWELL WILSON, PHD ’96

Head of Upper School

• educational philosophy: Engage students meaningfully with the stuff that matters—to them and to the world.

• someone who inspires me: Simone Biles is so inspiring, from her discipline and incredible talent as an athlete to her bravery and navigation of really difficult situations as a teen and young adult. She's so impressive!

• favorite snack: A Dole Whip at Disney World

• the best trip I have ever taken: Galway, Ireland, or Santa Fe, New Mexico

• three words to describe me: Passionate, creative, nerdy

• favorite hobby: Reading on a porch with a cup of coffee

KATHRYN OUTLAW

Head of Middle School, Director of Student Support Services

• educational philosophy: Holistic teaching that focuses on the whole child, is relationship-based, promotes safety, comfort, and overall emotional and social well-being. "You cannot learn well if you are not well." I think about this all the time with our girls.

• someone who inspires me: Kathrine Switzer. She broke the gender barrier for women in sports and was the first female to run the Boston Marathon when women were not allowed in the sport.

• favorite snack: Almonds

• the best trip I have ever taken: Kaui, Hawaii

• three words to describe me: Thoughtful, forward-thinking, energetic

• favorite hobby: Running

ERIN DAVIS SIZEMORE ’98

Dean of Students

• educational philosophy: As an educator in an all-girls school, my primary goal is to foster an empowering and inclusive learning environment. I believe in creating a safe space where girls feel valued, respected, and supported.

• someone who inspires me: Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate

• favorite snack: Cheez-Its

• the best trip I have ever taken: London to experience the Championships at Wimbledon

• three words to describe me: Understanding, passionate, energetic

• favorite hobby: Playing tennis

BRUISER lingo

Advisory

Belonging

Cat-Rat

A small group of students paired with a faculty leader that meets weekly in a supportive environment

Feeling socially connected, supported, and respected by peers and teachers

A yearlong pairing of seniors (Cats) and sixth-graders (Rats) that helps young students learn the ropes of GPS

Chapel A time when all students and faculty gather together for speakers or programming

Chapel Talk

A speech given by each senior during her last year at GPS

Class Ring Received during junior year and worn proudly far beyond GPS

CLC Class Leadership Council

Coordinate

Dress Down Day

Founders Day

Founders House

Girl Guide

Giving Day

Honor Code

Any program or activity we have with McCallie

Students can come to school out of uniform

A celebration of the day our three Founders took the courageous step to form our school, September 12

Head of School home located just across the parking lot; frequent school event venue

A current student who is paired with a new student

GPS’s biggest fundraising day, celebrated annually on the anniversary of the school’s founding, September 12

Provides the guidelines for our community while allowing each student her individual freedom

MarComm Marketing and Communications

PIC Partnerships in the Community, our community service club

May Day

Rivalry Week

An outdoor celebration of the senior class with special recognition for the May Queen and her court

A week in the fall when GPS and McCallie compete in athletics against Baylor

YGG You go, girl!

WINTERIM

Each year, our teachers jump at the chance to plan educational itineraries that encapsulate enrichment experiences beyond the classroom. These offerings, which run the gamut from local volunteer days to worldwide travel, comprise Winterim, a week of experiential learning in February. During Winterim, students build new relationships and make lasting memories.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

In middle school, Winterim experiences are curated at the grade level by class deans. Typically they include some time spent on campus and may feature an overnight element to a nearby city such as Atlanta or Birmingham. This provides an opportunity for girls to get to know their classmates better while expanding their horizons and taking what they have learned in the classroom and applying it to the real world.

UPPER SCHOOL

In upper school, students can choose from a variety of learning opportunities based on their interests and participate across grade levels. Offerings range from on-campus activities to international travel, resulting in a spectrum of costs. Students rank their top choices in the fall with priority given to higher grade-level students. Deposits are due at that time with any remaining balance due in the spring.

EXPRESSING creativity

Engaging different parts of her brain, the arts are uniquely positioned to support learning at GPS. The arts begin in middle school, with dance, drama, visual arts, and music all required in sixth and seventh grades. Beyond the classroom, students have a multitude of opportunities to further pursue their passion for creative expression, including:

Candlelight Chorus

GPS Singers

McCallie Tornado Winds Pep Band

Middle School Band

Middle School Choir

Middle School Fall Musical

Middle School Orchestra

Middle School Spring Play

Motion Makers (Middle School dance)

Senior Orchestra

Tango String Quartet

Terpsichord (Upper School dance, by audition)

Upper School Dance Ensemble

Upper School Fall Play

Upper School Spring Musical

HANDS in!

The GPS Athletics mission teaches girls to be team players, understand the importance of mental toughness, accept challenges enthusiastically, and value strength, fitness, stamina, and good health. Ultimately, the GPS athletic environment is about aiming to be the very best on the field of competition, in the classroom, and in life.

UPPER SCHOOL FALL

• Cheerleading (coed squad)

• Cross Country

• Golf

• Rowing

• Soccer

• Volleyball

WINTER

• Basketball

• Bowling

• Cheerleading (all-girl squad)

• Climbing

• Diving

• Squash

• Swimming

SPRING

• Lacrosse

• Rowing

• Softball

• Tennis

• Track & Field

MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL

• Cheerleading

• Cross Country

• Soccer

• Softball

• Tennis WINTER

• Basketball

• Cheerleading

• Diving

• Swimming

SPRING

• Golf

• Lacrosse

• Rowing (eighth grade only)

• Track & Field

STAY IN THE LOOP!

Use this QR code to stay up to date on GPS athletic calendars, scores, and more!

GIVE back

We believe in our school’s long-standing mission, values, and vision and aspire to create a culture of philanthropy in order to celebrate and steward GPS for a robust future.

GPS IMPACT FUND

GPS families are encouraged to give to the Impact Fund each year so that we can continue to make GPS the best school for girls. The Impact Fund is an unrestricted current-use fund that must be spent and raised annually and fulfills GPS’s greatest needs—from funding new courses and technology to campus improvements and financial aid.

Annual Impact Fund participation numbers, especially among our parents, reflect the belief in a GPS education. Many foundations and corporations request participation rates among alumnae and parents when faculty and staff apply for grants, as it reflects the strengths of and commitment to the GPS experience.

WE HOPE YOU WILL BECOME A PART OF OUR GIVING COMMUNITY!

GPS.EDU/GIVE

shop THE BOW

Last but not least—you can’t show your Bruiser pride without some amazing spirit wear! Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. The Bow, our school store, is conveniently located by the Main Gym (and online!) and offers all of your family’s favorite items and new merchandise appearing each season.

STORE HOURS

Monday-Wednesday | 10:30 a.m–4:30 p.m.

Thursday-Friday | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

VISIT US ONLINE!

GPSBow.MyShopify.com

GPS ALMA MATER

Here’s to the girls of the GPS.

Here’s to the lessons, too.

Here’s to the ring we wear for her.

Here’s to the Black and Blue.

Here’s to the hope that we still may be Proven through every test, Worthy the school we most revere.

Here’s to the GPS.