The last two days have been a whirlwind of activity as a crack team of dedicated voluteers descended on the yellow house and moved every last bit of the stuff that had accrued from the last three years out and into storage. The Gailer school’s new temporary home is in an office on 18 Creek Road.  The office is just two driveways up from the building which is under renovation this summer which will be the permanent home of the Gailer school.

I want to thank everyone who was a part of the move effort.  Everyone was so cheerful and the dedication to the school is profound.  Thanks for making it such a smooth, if rather effortful transition.  The yurts are down and in storage,  I planted grass on the dirt circles that were left from their footprints.  We will be cleaning the building some more tomorrow, but all in all I was amazed at how efficiently we were able to get everything into the new space.

It really feels like we are turning a corner, and positive change is taking place.  The organization is becoming more clear, and I can’t emphasize enough how enjoyable it has been working with all of the Gailer community.  It is a great group of people who are dedicated to making this school a great place to work and learn.

Muchisimas Gracias,

Lonny

Today was a great day.  The Gailer school marked another commencement ceremony as our two seniors Jake and Andrea spread their wings and left the nest.  I am sad that I only had a week to get to know them.  In that short time I realized how truly special these two individuals were and how much a part of the school fabric they had become.  It is a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to them, knowing that the school has been a richer place for their having been a part of it.  We wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors and we are very happy to know that they will continue to be influential in our community and we hope that they will come to visit often.

I am looking forward to faculty week this coming week.  I really love all of the people I have met and gotten to know this week and I look forward to digging in to take care of this year’s wrap up and the process of launching into the work to prepare for the new year.  I will be at it all summer, helping Dutton get the new building ready, working to advertise and reach out to prospective students and parents, and learning the ins and outs of the Gailer Schools history, past practices and future goals.  This is an exciting time and I am hoping that all of you feel welcome to contact me with advice and ideas to make this school the place we all want it to be.

Thanks again for all your support and I look forward to deepening our relationships.

Yours in Learning,

Lonny

Wow!  It has been two full days since I started at the Gailer School and it seems as if I’ve known everybody for years.  I had the amazing opportunity to have my first day be on the same day as the Inquiry and Master Class presentations.  I was so impressed with the range of projects the students undertook and the quality and attention they brought to them.  Great work everyone.  The students and the staff have all been very welcoming and I feel as if I fit right in.

Today I got a key for the building.  The students spent all day packing up and cleaning and were really focused and cheerful about getting things stored away before our big move to the new space.  I realized that my new key will only be useful for two more days.  Oh well, it felt like progress.

Tomorrow we are all going to walk over to the new building and rehearse for graduation day on Friday.  We will also be walking on the TAM to Middlebury College Museum and perhaps Vermont Folklife as well.  Middlebury is so cool.  I am really excited for my first look at the new building.  I will be helping Dutton, the Chairman of the Gailer School board (alas, for only two more days,) fix up the building over the summer to get ready for the start of the school year in September.  Many thanks to Dutton for all his work on this project we will sorely miss him.

Thursday brings us to Lake Dunmore for a day of fun and community.  Let’s hope the sun shines for us, and Friday I will get to see you all at graduation.  I’m looking forward to the summer, I’m sure all of the students and teachers are as well, and I’m excited about what’s to come.

Spread the word everybody:  The Gailer School is soon to be transplanted into its new home; and with this new space, new life and new growth will emerge, like flowers on a newly planted tree.  Gailer is experiencing its own Renaissance in this time of hope and new beginnings.  We welcome you all to be a part of it.

Yours in Learning,

Lonny