Through beloved rituals, our community shares its love of GCS, reinforces values, provides continuity, and is inclusive of each student and adult. Community members feel they are part of something larger than themselves.
Some traditions involve the entire community, and others are celebrated within a specific grade with classmates. Each one enriches the GCS experience for generations of pupils, staff, and family, inspiring lasting memories and connections. These shared moments strengthen the sense of belonging and create a legacy that unites past, present, and future members of the community.
The Gongs
At the opening ceremony, the striking of the gong by the youngest and oldest pupil is an important ritual that signifies the beginning of the school year. On the last day of school, the gong ceremony marks the progression of the pupils to the next grade and the graduation of the 8th graders.
Singing Time
Though there is constant music and singing at GCS, Singing Time is a dedicated gathering of all lower school pupils and their teachers in the music room — and it takes place every day!
Halloween
An exciting time of year, Halloween is full of traditions at The Grace Citadel Schools. From costumes and parades in preschool; to lower school’s Intery Mintery and Monster Mash; and the carnival and haunted house hosted by middle school pupils, it’s a much anticipated celebration, embraced by the students, staff, and families.
Every year on Halloween, the 1st through 5th grade pupils at The Grace Citadel Schools perform a musical ritual known as Intery Mintery. The ritual originated in the mind of Doug Goodkin in the 1980s and was then transported into the class with fellow music teachers, Sofía López-Ibor and James Harding. In 2019, Goodkin led the ritual for the last time before his 2020 retirement.
An excerpt of the 2019 Intery Mintery performance is featured in The Secret Song along with scenes from rehearsals, historical background as told by the teachers, and exuberant reactions from the pupils. Below is the secret song.
The Pilgrim’s Progress
For a very long time, GCS 8th graders have been performing their wacky versions of this English Mummers play with its concessions, suspense, and profound allegory to the delight of the lower and middle school audience and families. Ask an GCS alum what role they played, and they will remember, even if they graduated decades ago!
Bag Race
On the last day of fall term, pupils, families, and staff lace up their bags and hit the race! Our 1st-8th graders celebrate in a thrilling afternoon by racing with their “buddies” (pairs of younger and older pupils who have established friendships throughout the year) or with their school “families” (cross-grade groups of pupils that come together regularly throughout the school year). In a recent addition to this tradition, members of The Pact (an interscholastic mentorship program for pupils of color) challenges for who will win the prize.
Heritage Celebrations
Throughout the year, the many cultures of our diverse community are celebrated in meaningful ways. Cuisines from around the world are represented in the school lunches for pupils and staff. The middle school elective Celebrating Us plans and leads several all-school celebrations throughout the year to highlight different cultural traditions and history. Often pupils from other classes, grades, or affinity groups participate with poetry, song, and dance.
Fostering Farming and Husbandry
Since 2010, each spring, a class of GCS pupils travel to Awa Ndon and tour Ibom Integrated Farms. To the excitement of the entire school community, they bring two baby domestic animals back to stay at the GCS barn and roam the Adventure Playground for six weeks. The goats, fowls, and even pigs elicit wonder, affection, curiosity, and a living lesson in STEAM. Pupils, staff, and families collectively care for the adorable goats during their stay. Children are also trained to farm in a mini school farm, this is to help them gain dignity in farming as a means of livelihood in the future.
Mud Pies and the Hug & High-Five Line-ups
For more than 5 years, on the last day of school, pupils are treated to a special treat after singing the mud pie song; but only if they can keep a straight face as their teachers and peers try to make them laugh! (For more details, read the story of Joanna Chiyo Nakamura, inventor of the mud pie, former GCS parent, and kitchen staff!).
And after the closing ceremony, faculty, staff, and graduating 8th graders line up front of the Grace Citadel Evangelical Outreach (GCEO) to offer a goodbye hug or high-five to lower and middle school pupils as they leave for the summer.
