Traditions

All-School Sing led by Kent Stevenson began in the mid-1990's. Now a well-established community tradition, the whole school gathers regularly to unite in song.

Older and younger students are annually paired together as buddies or triads for ongoing joint activities and fun. Children enjoy the mentoring; both as a younger and older student. The program creates additional friendship connections and empathy across grades.

Students and teachers engage in a wide range of field trips to deepen and enrich their learning experience. In past years, students have experienced theater, farms, museums, and athletic trips.

The third - fifth graders have the opportunity to experience environmental education and overnight adventures while at camp. These fun bonding excursions often include beach combing, team building boating, hiking, and marine biology.

The third and fourth grade band typically attend camp in the spring.

Our fifth graders attend camp in the fall.

The third and fourth grade students manage a post office every year - they do everything from making and selling stamps and stationary along with collecting, sorting, and delivering the mail! This treasured tradition allows students to practice their sales skills and learn about the postal system.

The proceeds collected from the stamps and stationary are calculated. Students then write and present persuasive essays to rally support for their charity or cause of choice. Students vote on a cause and a lucky charity receives the proceeds of the GSPS unit.

All of the students at Giddens read the same nominated picture books and each student votes on their favorite. Winners are selected after an exciting voting period and the winner revealed at an all school assembly in the spring.

Since 1975, Giddens has celebrated the arts and community in a joyful festival. At an evening event, students share their artwork and musical/theatrical performances with their families.

Every December, students share poetry and music with families at an evening concert. It's joyful to see our whole community united to celebrate song and the hard work of our students.

Every January, students learn about Black history and the Civil Rights Movement. Students share their learning at an all school assembly and rally. Learn more about our MLK March here.

Students at Giddens are truly known for their gifts, talents, strengths, and challenges. That is never more clear than at our graduation ceremony. Our graduating students sit in a special chair and receive a hat personally made by a team of faculty and staff. The hat is decorated with items that are meaningful to the child and have significance to their time at the school. These hats are treasured by our students and a wonderful way to conclude their Giddens journey.