May Newsletter
2026
by Natalie Toma, Travel & Attendance Coordinator
Please join us in welcoming Natalie Toma, our new Travel & Attendance Coordinator.
Leave Requests
To ensure assigned driver availability, all weekend travel requests must be submitted by Wednesday at 1:00 PM, which must be entered through the REACH App by the same deadline.
Please note that travel plans submitted via the REACH App will receive priority processing. All travel requests should be submitted through the REACH App and/or by emailing travel@grier.org. The travel phone line is only active during large travel weekends. The number is 814-684-3000, extension 7037.
End-of-Year Travel Plans:
- End-of-year travel plans will be finalized soon, and details will be shared via email/REACH App to confirm travel arrangements and the status of leave requests. If your travel plans change, please notify travel@grier.org as soon as possible.
- Note: If a student is not returning, a return date must still be selected when entering end-of-year leave. Please indicate non-returning status in the REACH notes section.
End-of-Year Departures:
- No Travel (Blackout Weekend): May 15–17
- End-Of-Year Departure -Students (except Seniors) may depart beginning May 20th at 3:15 p.m. and must depart by noon on May 21st *Exceptions for servers and performers in Music and Dance performances
- No move outs permitted May 22nd after 4 pm; May 23rd after 9 am or before 2 pm.
- Seniors are expected to move out on May 22nd but may sleep on campus with a reduced amount of items that evening.
Travel Information Submission
Please upload all travel tickets (flight, bus, train, etc.) into REACH when submitting travel plans. This ensures if a flight is cancelled or delayed that we can adjust travel accommodations in a timely manner.
Unaccompanied Minors
- “Unaccompanied Minor” refers to students for whom parents purchase an additional supervision service through the airline.
- Most airlines require this service for students under the age of 14. If you have any questions regarding age requirements, please feel free to contact us.
- When this service is used, the airline will require parents/guardians to complete additional documentation designating authorized individuals for drop-off and pick-up.
- All required paperwork must be completed prior to the student’s departure. A copy should be emailed to travel@grier.org or uploaded via REACH App.
* Please do not mark a student in REACH as an unaccompanied minor unless this service has been arranged.
Fall 2026 Student Return Times
- Student Leaders, September 2, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Returning Students, September 3, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Returning Day students have activities)
- New Students, September 4, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (New Day students have activities)
by Kathryn Barr, Dean of Academics
“Wild Geese”
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Mary Oliver
Academic Updates
2025-2026 FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
Sunday, 5/17 Period 1, 1-3pm
Monday, 5/18 Period 2, 9-11am Period 3, 1-3pm
Tuesday, 5/19 Period 4, 9-11am Period 5, 1-3pm
Wednesday 5/20 Period 6, 9-11am Period 7, 1-3pm
Underclassmen Awards
It is time to celebrate our underclassmen and all their achievements and recognitions.
Underclassmen awards will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at 1:00pmin the Peggy Dring Dance Building. If you would like to attend, please email kbarr@grier.org. Honor society inductions will be included in this ceremony at the end.
End of Year Pieces
Marking period five ends on May 14th. There will be a review day on May 15th prior to exams. Marking period five grades will be posted for seniors by Thursday, May 21st. All underclassmen grades will be published on Friday, May 29th.
Summer Work
Students who register for honors and AP classes for next year may have summer work to complete. This information will be provided prior to student departure in May. There will be required summer reading for all honors English courses in grades 9-12.
Grades:
To access grades via the website:
1. Login to Grier’s instance of PlusPortals
2. Select E-Locker
3. Select E-Portfolio and the Grade Report will appear as a PDF
To access grades via the app:
1. Login to the app.
2. Select more along the bottom toolbar
3. Select E-locker
4. Select E-Portfolio and the Grade Report will appear as a PDF
by Erin Guydish Buchholz, Dean of Student Life & Belonging
Welcome to one of the most exciting times of the year! Please see below for details regarding events, upcoming requirements for students, and end of the year information:
Upcoming Events and important Dates:
*Performances in Dance Building*
by Anthony Lang, Dean of Faculty
The green foliage and days of warm sunshine at campus are a sure sign that May has come to Grier School again. This year, students and teachers are once again preparing for AP and final exams, which come very quickly once May begins. Along with exam preparation, there are field trips to different STEM competitions and for the first time ever, the middle school teachers are planning end of year activities for the 5th and 6th graders. It is an exciting time on campus, as everyone works hard together to help the students show off what they have learned through the year. Along with the work and the progress, everyone begins to look back at another great year together and the memories they will take with them into the next one.
We are very excited to offer a senior class ring this year! The classic ring features a timeless design, very similar to the class rings our graduates had decades ago. Featuring a genuine jade center, the ring is set in antique gold. With "Grier School" around the bezel, the inside of the ring allows for custom engraving with your daughter's initials and class year. Our motto, Sana Mens in Corpore Sano, is also engraved inside. Please find the information attached with three options for the gold and your customization preferences. Josten's will handle the ordering and payment but reach out to Kara Lawler with any questions. Kara has sizers in her office if students would like to verify ring size.
Please follow the link below to view photos from our talented group of Photography Students and Photography Instructor, Mrs. Christine Fernandes!
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Thinking of Summer Vacation already?
Summer camp offers girls ages 7 - 17 a chance to experience Grier featuring our signature programs of Art, Dance, Horseback Riding, Music, and Tennis in a fun-filled camp environment! Help us get the word out about the fun that is Grier Summer!
General Camp Activities include: Archery, Art, Creative Writing, Dance, Horseback Riding, Musical Theatre, Photography, Science, Swimming, Videography
Intensive Activities include: Art, Dance, Horseback Riding, Music, and Tennis
We will be offering three one-week sessions for both day campers (ages 7-17) and boarders (ages 9-17). Campers are welcome to attend up to all three!
- July 5-11
- July 12-18
- July 19-25
For more information, follow this link: Grier Summer
Greetings from the Athletic Department!
Spring has officially arrived and we are excited to be in full swing with our seasonal activities. Our recent Athletic Banquet was a great success, with 174 in attendance including athletes, parents, coaches, fans and even a special visit from FOXY! Everyone enjoyed an evening of award presentations followed by a delicious buffet. It was truly a wonderful night for all. Outdoor sports are now underway, with tennis, pickle ball and soccer taking full advantage of the beautiful weather. We are also looking forward to opening our pool very soon.
Go Foxes,
Cherie
by Dr. Nancy Burke, Director of STEM Education and Science Dept. Chair
April has been such a busy month of STEM activities for Grier students that it’s hard to know where to start, but let’s begin with our school-wide celebration of Earth-Day. We celebrated this important day in true Grier style by working together to improve the environment that surrounds us. Grier students volunteered to remove invasive species, pick-up garbage, and to lay mulch at a number of nearby environmentally sensitive sites. These sites included Historic Fort Roberdeau, Nature Works in Hollidaysburg, and Plum Hollow right here near Grier School. The day was spearheaded and organized by Grier’s Kallie Brubaker, a teacher in the science department and sponsor of the Sustainable Sisters Environmental Club. Every year Ms. Brubaker provides the Grier students with amazing opportunities to both learn about and help protect the environment.
Following this same theme of ecology, I am currently writing this message to you from The Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Virginia. I am here with eight lucky students spending four days getting a close-up look at the study of coastal ecology. We are spending our time on three different coastal islands, Chincoteague, Wallops, and Assateague. Assateague is a dedicated wildlife preserve with a number of species found only on the island, including the famous Assateague ponies. We started our day yesterday by heading out on a research vessel to do water quality testing and to collect organisms to identify in the evening lab (don’t worry all organisms were returned to their habitat the next day). Students next pulled on their waders and did a survey of organisms in the intertidal zone and again collected specimens for identification. Today, we will go to a private beach on Wallops Island which is owned by NASA. There we will learn about the importance of dunes and barrier islands in protection of the mainland. Tomorrow our trip will end with a short hike on Assateague Island to learn about the unique nature of maritime forests. Current research indicates that exposing girls to outdoor experiences is vital for fostering self-confidence, resilience, and positive body image, while also reducing stress and anxiety. Evidence suggests that these experiences help girls develop leadership skills and a "can-do" mindset by overcoming physical challenges. There is nothing like getting out in the field to bring learning to life.
I would like to end this month’s edition of STEM Center Stage by offering my congratulations to one of our Grier students who has demonstrated excellence in pursuing her education in STEM subjects. Olympia Rock has earned a spot in The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences, which is a 5-week STEM residency program conducted at Carnegie University in Pittsburgh. During this program, students complete rigorous course work in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics while also getting hands-on experience in laboratory skills and research. This is a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity, as all costs for students to attend are completely covered through a variety of grants and corporate donations. The whole Grier community is very proud of Olympia’s accomplishment, additionally, we are pleased that Grier School is an environment where girls can achieve their goals in STEM, because at Grier School girls belong in STEM!
"I am among those who think that science has great beauty."— Marie Curie
by Lindsay Bassham, Assistant Director of Admissions
Congratulations to the Grier School Equestrian Team as they conquered IEA Western Regionals!
Our riders earned Champion High Point Team for both Saturday and Sunday’s competitions in High School and Middle School! Samantha W. earned Reserve High Point on Saturday and High Point Rider on Sunday. Way to go, girls! Our Western IEA Team will travel to IEA Western Nationals in Fort Worth, TX in June.
Our Hunt Seat and Dressage teams traveled to IEA Hunt Seat and Dressage Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri and brought 26 riders who competed both individually and for team awards. Our High School Dressage team earned National Champion Team! Our Middle School Dressage team earned 4th place Team!
The full results are as follows:
Aurelia A. - Reserve Champion JV Beginner flat
Ella D. - 6th JV Novice DSE
Maria E. - Champion JV Beginner DSE
Arianna F. – 5th JV Novice Flat; Reserve Champion JV Beginner DSE
Cali G. - Reserve Champion JV Novice Test; Champion JV Novice DSE
Violet G. - 5th Intermediate DSE; Champion Intermediate DSE Team
Piper H. - Reserve Champion JV Novice DSE
Meagan K. – Reserve Champion Open DSE; Champion Open Test Team; Champion Open DSE Team
Ana K. - 3rd Future Beginner DSE
Olivia L. - 8th Intermediate over fences; 4th JV Novice Test
Daniella M. - Reserve Champion JV Beginner DSE
Isabel M. – 6th Open DSE
Quinn M. - 4th JV Novice Test Team
Stassi N. - 8th Future Novice Test
Emerson P. - Champion JV Beginner DSE
Claire P. - 3rd Intermediate DSE
Finnley S. - 7th JV Beginner flat
Lyla S. – 4th Future Beginner DSE Team
Natalie S. - Champion Future Novice DSE; Champion Future Novice DSE Team
Samantha W. – 3rd Future Intermediate Test; 4th Future Intermediate Test Team; 7th Future Intermediate DSE Team
Avery W. - Champion Future Beginner DSE
Great job, riders!
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MAY?
- May 1st & 2nd at 7pm- Grier School Musical performances
- May 22nd- Grad Show (Graduating Seniors, Pre-Professional, & Intermediate dancers)
AWARDS & ACCEPTANCES
Congratulations to our dancers! Listed below are acceptances, scholarships, and awards received this past season. We are so proud of all our Grier dancers!
Motion Dance Competition
Pre Pros
- 1st place Senior Line for “Odi et Amo” (choreo: Danielle Bower)
- 2nd place Senior Line for “Crystals” (choreo: Danielle Bower)
- 3rd place Senior Line for “Ignite” (choreo: Darrell Grand Moultrie)
- 1st place solo- Gianna F. (self-choreographed)
- 3rd place solo- Natalia D. (choreo: Danielle Bower)
- Highest scoring routine of the whole event- Gianna F. solo
Intermediates
- 1st place Teen Line for “Everything in Slow Motion” (choreo: Danielle Bower)
- 3rd place Teen Line for “Salem” (choreo: Jocelyn Hrzic)
Special Competition Awards
- Outstanding Choreography Award- “Odi et Amo” (choreo: Danielle Bower)
- Outstanding Staging Award- “Crystals” (choreo: Danielle Bower)
- Jaw Dropper Award- Gianna F. solo
- Most Inspirational Award- Natalia D. solo
Motion Elite Selection
- Ava B, Loretta C, Camila C, Natalia D, Giana F, Palmer K, Jada M, Sarah P, Alyssa P, Isa T, Rebeca V
Motion Scholarships
- Pia R. (from
- Rebeca V. (from Keisha Lalama)
Grier Gala
Invitation to perform at Koresh Dance
- Pre Pros “When the Beat Drops” (choreo: Juel D. Lane)
Regional High School Dance Festival
Selected to perform in the Festival Gala
- Pre Pros- “When the Beat Drops” (choreo: Juel D. Lane)
- Pre Pros- “Odi et Amo” (choreo: Danielle Bower)
Acceptances into Summer Programs
Summer Intensive at Shenandoah University in Virginia
- Jada M.
- Isa T.
Intensive at Point Park University in Pittsburgh (full scholarship)
- Ava B.
- Talia C.
- Natalia D.
- Gianna F.
- Jada M.
- Sarah P.
- Isa T.
Summer Intensive at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania
- Camila C.
- Gianna F.
- Sarah P.
- Isa T. ($500 scholarship)
- Rebeca V.
Gallim Summer Intensive in New York City
- Gianna F. (full scholarship)
Lehrer Dance Summer Intensive in New York City
- Camila C. (full scholarship)
Hubbard Street Summer Intensive in Chicago
- Ava B.
- Camila C.
- Natalia D.
- Palmer K.
Peridance Collective & Peridance Certificate Program in New York City
- Ava B.
- Natalia D. (25% scholarship)
- Palmer K.
Bates Dance Festival in Maine
- Camila C. ($2000 scholarship)
- Natalia D. ($1250 scholarship)
- Palmer K.
- Sarah P.
- Isa T. ($750 scholarship)
- Rebeca V.
American Dance Festival in North Carolina
- Camila C. (50% scholarship)
- Natalia D. ($980 scholarship)
- Sarah P.
- Isa T. ($837 scholarship)
- Rebeca V.
Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive in Chicago
- Ava B.
- Camila C.
- Natalia D.
- Palmer K.
Steps on Broadway Summer Intensive in New York City
- Ava B.
- Jada M.
- Isa T.
Contemporary West to train for 3 weeks
- Palmer K.
- Jada M.
Earl Mosely Summer Dance Intensive in New York
- All Pre Pros
Summer Intensive at Philadanco in Philadelphia
- Sarah P.
Summer Intensive at Koresh Dance in Philadelphia
- Rebeca V.
College Counseling Updates
May 1st is National College Decision Day. Seniors celebrated this day by taking a photo on the colonnade in their attending school gear. We are so proud of all the accomplishments this senior class has achieved. We have much to celebrate with them in the coming weeks. We look forward to their graduation ceremony on May 23rd. The college counseling and academic offices will be sending final paperwork to attending universities the week after graduation. The junior class has begun their one on one meetings with Mr. Shelton and Ms. Barr. They will be finalizing an initial college list to research over the summer as well as outlining essays for fall. Mr. Shelton and Ms. Barr are available via email over the summer if questions arise for families.
College Visits
Over the summer, it will be very important for juniors to start visiting colleges they are thinking of applying to. This will help students discover their likes and dislikes regarding campuses and provide an opportunity to speak with admissions officers. It is very important that students begin the visit process during this time. When students return in the fall, they should have a more focused list of schools to apply to.
College Counseling Reading Corner
This month, we would like to recommend and oldy, but a goody for college reading. Colleges that Change Lives was first published in 1996 and has been revised several times since. This text looks at 40 schools spanning the United States in hopes of offering a view of different types and styles of schools beyond the hyped-up lists of mainstream media. The juniors recently visited Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, which is one of the schools outlined in the text. In the May newsletter, we hope to offer some additional summer reading for students and families to consider.
Stay in Touch!
Want to be "in the know?"
Want to be connected DAILY to Grier School?
There are multiple ways to follow along with the daily happenings here at Grier! Follow these steps to stay connected to your daughter and our Grier School extended family!
- Follow us on Instagram @grier_school
- Follow us on Facebook @ Grier School | Tyrone PA | Facebook
- Log onto our website: www.grier.org
Important Mail and Delivery Information!
WE HAVE CHANGED OUR SHIPPING ADDRESS. PLEASE SEE BELOW!
ALL PACKAGES from UPS, FEDEX, DHL, AMAZON, and USPS should be sent to:
Name
Grier School
4100 Juniata St
Tyrone PA 16686
ALL POSTAL MAIL (letters, cards, etc.) should be sent to:
Name
Grier School
2522 Grier School Rd
PO Box 308
Tyrone, PA 16686
Please note: Students are not permitted to order from InstaCart, UberEats, or any food delivery services. This is a safety concern. They are allowed to order from Domino's only on Friday and Saturday evenings for a 6-10 p.m. delivery to 4100 Juniata Street. With our amazing new food service and the extended hours of 1853, there are many options here on campus!
