Early each September, the Corsica River comes alive with a flotilla of boats carrying new students to the Gunston School for its annual Embarkation Ceremony. Gunston welcomed the largest group ever—70 new students from 5 Maryland counties, Delaware, China and Korea arrived at the 35-acre waterfront campus. Each new student was met at the dock by the Headmaster, John Lewis, then signed the school’s honor document, Responsibilities of the Community, and shook the hands of the faculty, administration, and every Gunston student.
Students arriving to the Gunston campus by boat.
“We’re a community that values both scholarship and character,” said Gunston’s Assistant Headmaster Christie Grabis,” and the Embarkation ceremony seeks to honor these values.”
Following a long-held tradition, Grabis rang in the school year before the student body of 212 students using the original school bell well known to all students of the school’s boarding school era. Students cheered as the bell sounded, signally the beginning of the new school year.
On Sunday, September 29 the Kent School campus will be alive with activity. The Osprey 5K fun run and walk will kick off at 9:00 a.m. followed by a family friendly Fall Fest which includes games, activities and food for all ages. The Fall Fest is from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Osprey 5K race will start and finish on the School’s riverside campus at 6788 Wilkins Lane in historic Chestertown. All participants receive a medal and race t-shirt. Registration can be made online by visiting 
Teachers at Kent School are guided by the latest mind, brain and education science to ensure students have the best opportunities for academic success. Experiential learning is an impactful tool that reinforces classroom learning at every level and across all subject areas. Those field experiences combined with Kent School’s commitment to cross curricular instruction create a unique learning environment that supports a child’s love of learning. Mugele continued, “When a child can express understanding of history or science through an inspiring art or music project, we celebrate that deeper learning. I am inspired by our teachers and students and teachers every day and am truly grateful for the opportunity to lead Kent School as we soar into the 2019-2020 academic year.”
“Our research shows that Junior Achievement alumni are more likely to finish high school and complete college because of their JA experience,” said Lisa Thornton, Development Manager for Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore. “The same research also shows that one-in-five JA alumni end up working in the same field as their JA volunteer, so the volunteers have a tremendous impact on students.”
Cooled by the bay breezes, the dedicated group learned about the fragile ecosystems that comprise the Chesapeake, explored the island’s culture and heritage, and developed a sense of place amongst the island lost in time. The conference also included sessions related to Environmental Sociology and Systems Thinking and Change Management theories derived from Harvard Business School and MIT’s Sloan School of Management. These sessions offered participants key tools to facilitate change within their schools.
