Graland Parent Association

Hello Graland Families!

As the Graland Parent Association, our continuous goal is to build community, promote volunteerism, and raise funds to support its programs. Looking back, 2020 has been described in many ways: unprecedented, exhausting, lost, chaotic, surreal, heartbreaking, transformative, and many more. As a community, we felt and experienced many things individually and collectively. As GPA President, the one word that resonated with me most, was grateful. I was continuously in awe of the support, involvement and positive attitude of our community, and I cannot thank you all enough for your contributions. The GPA council, committee chairs, room parents and grade reps worked tirelessly and seamlessly to provide opportunities for community and connection, which was especially challenging at a time where caregivers were not allowed on campus. While we may have not been together in person, we still connected in so many ways! We kicked off new initiatives such as the back-to-school kit, Halloween contests, and Lower School Kindness Week. We reimagined traditional events, like the virtual Graland Gallop with over 700 registrants (a Gallop record!), heard from speakers at various virtual PEN events such the Civil Discourse panelists, with wisdom from Kerry Stutzman and Lisa Damour, participated in our annual Book Fair, and were entertained during the reimagined Birch Street Virtual Family Bash (it was incredible!). We’ve helped our greater community with numerous monthly community outreach opportunities benefitting more than 12 organizations in the Denver area, and had a few physical interactions through morning parent coffees and year-end parties. We supported our faculty and staff with heartfelt contributions in Operation Appreciation and Project Superstar. Our phenomenal school spirit shone through Graland Spirit Store purchases. Our largest fundraising event of the year, The Eagle Invitational Golf Tournament, sold out. Importantly, our voices were heard and lifted through our Equity and Inclusivity representatives. Finally, your generosity provided robust year-end gifts to all faculty and special staff, and was sincerely appreciated. Through your incredibly impactful contributions, the GPA offered all of its programming for free or at a significantly discounted rate. This allowed us to operate under budget, and raise over $100,000 in funds! In turn, we have been able to further invest in more free programming for the 2021-2022 academic year, contribute to Graland’s technology needs, and further support student financial aid.

It is your continued support, involvement and engagement in GPA programming that allows our community to thrive and grow, and I hope you continue to do so during your family’s time at Graland. I am deeply grateful to have served and shared with you -- thank you for supporting our school!

All My Best,

Graland Parent Association Council

President: Deb Ridenour President-Elect: Michele Steed VP of Fundraising: Elana Schwartzreich VP-Elect: Bethany Chang VP of Community Programming: Kalliope Balafas VP-Elect: Michele Steed VP of Community Events: Samantha Thompson VP-Elect: Marnie Klein VP of Community Enrichment: Megan Wesley VP-Elect: Karin Bisogno Von Glumer VP of Equity & Inclusivity: Japera Walker ’02 Wilkison VP-Elect: Megan Bee ’86 Treasurer: Gabe Koroluk Secretary: Jennifer Bergsieker Communications Chairs: Laura Bonnet-Lohr Elect: Cat Carlson Parliamentarian: Griffen O’Shaughnessy Nominating Chair: Michelle Kuba Elect: Ashley Tulp ECLC Lead Representative: Cullen Wold Elect: Elaine Oliver Lower School Lead Representative: Becky Schaub Elect: Jaime Miller ’97 Altman Pod Representatives: Christy Anderson (5/6) Carolyn Mitchelll (7/8)

GPA SPONSORS

Graland is grateful for the sponsors and in-kind donors who supported the Graland Parent Association’s activities and events during the unique 2020-21 school year.

Anonymous Abbey Collection Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta Apex Dermatology Group Artisan Partners Limited Partnership David and Anna Asarch George and Kalliope Balafas Benson Orthodontics Birdcall, BCR Group LLC The Blair Dvorak Family Jon-Erik ’92 and Brooke Borgen Justin ’91 and Tobey Borus Chase ’95 and Amanda Boswell Kenneth and Jacqueline Brody Caerus Oil and Gas Carpet Exchange Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek Chook Jason ’84 and Sara Drucker ’89 Cooper Core Dermatology Peter and Amy Corrigan Denny and Liza Coughlin Christopher and Lauren Davis Jean-Philippe and Jennifer Failyau Adam ’92 and Melissa Farver FirstBank Chris and Yvette Frampton Stephanie Frankel ’91 and Nicole Neuschler John Freyer, Jr. ’92 and Andi Freyer Frost Creek The Gates Corporation Chris and Erika Gebhardt GEM Family Law George and Jenn Glyphis John Gribbin and Paige Dorn ’94 Ron Guillot, Jr. and Alexandra Theriault Patrick ’85 and Pam Hatcher Josh ’94 and Kerri Holman Adam and Stefanie Howarth Ibex Investors Impart Iris Companies Kumon Denver - Lowry Land Title Guarantee Company John and Shannon Le Bel Levin Orthodontics Geoff Lord, Sr. and Marty Lord Winston Lapham and

Jennifer Marsico Lapham Mile Hi Modern Realty Nadia Watts Interior Design Haeman and Afsaneh Noori Bruce and Patrina Odette Blake ’98 and Emily O’Shaughnessy Carmelo Paglialunga and John Reilly Parisi Foods Inc Peak Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery &

Dental Implant Center Pella Corporation Polar Gas Front Range, LLC Nathan and Alison Reed Brandon and Deb Ridenour Joe and Carolee Russ Brian and Becky Schaub Dara Segal Susanna and Tim Shannon Bernie Siegel, Jr. and Kimberly Siegel Justin and Dina Silverman Stretch Labs Simply Framed Slifer, Smith & Frampton- Denver, Inc. Chris and Erin Smith Sodexo Erik and Krista Speicher David and Michele Steed Stephen and Lisa Storey Drew and Leanna Sultan Jeter ’95 and Meagan Thomas Stephen Tsai and Sonya Bassaly Mathew Van Alstyne and Catherine Grimes David ’92 and Nadia Watts Kris and Laura Whalen Graham ’92 and Caro Williams Phil and Anya Winslow Bob Young, Jr. and Chris Parisi

GPA GIFTS IN KIND

The following families and businesses supported the GPA with in kind donations

Anonymous (2) AEG Live Andrisen Morton Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta Birdcall, BCR Group LLC Christy’s Sports Codigo 1530 The Duck Company Emich Chevrolet Fred and Alexis Emich Jean-Philippe and Jennifer Failyau Matt Gold and Masae Gold Ryan and Kate Gulick Jele Goodness LLC John and Shannon Le Bel MAX Clothing Stores Ryan ’95 and Emily McGee Peter Millar Molson Coors Beverage Company Paper Lady Perch Denver Rewind LLC / Tricia Stephenson PA-C Brandon and Deb Ridenour The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen Shane Company Lee and Sarah Solomon Sodexo Stance Don Strasburg and Jenny Baker-Strasburg Wipeys Dan and Laura Wolf

While the 2020 Graland Gallop may have been virtual, the community still gathered with their own families to get active, get outside, and celebrate

Eagle perseverance!

ECLC students received a sweet lesson on bees during a special presentation by

Grade 5 teachers (and beekeepers) Mr. and Mrs. Dodge.