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The Gillispie Blog

Stay up to date with the latest news, events, and everyday moments at Gillispie School in La Jolla. Our weekly blog features engaging stories, photos, and classroom highlights that showcase the creativity, connection, and joy of our Pre-K to Grade 6 community. Visit often—there’s always something new to discover!

First Grade and Preschool Buddies at Gillispie

Oct 29 2026

How Do First Graders and Preschool Buddies Learn and Grow Together at Gillispie?

Watching children of different ages learn and grow together is one of our favorite things at Gillispie. Recently, Grade 1 […]

Oct 22 2026

How Clay Exploration Builds Confident, Resilient Learners in PreKindergarten

What can children learn from a big lump of clay? In our preKindergarten classes, the answers have included shoes-off discoveries, […]

Oct 15 2026

Exploring Cultures in Preschool: Celebrating the Japanese Moon Festival at Gillispie

At Gillispie, learning about the world begins with curiosity about the people in it. Our teachers introduce different cultures at […]

Oct 8 2026

There’s More to Art at Gillispie Than Meets the Eye

There are many ways we introduce students to an artist’s work: reading artist biographies aloud, looking closely at images of […]

Why Invite Preschoolers to Push a Rock with a Marker?

Oct 6 2026

Why Invite PreKindergarteners to Push a Rock with a Marker?

“I thought I couldn’t do it first, but then I realized I can! Look at all the long lines!” This […]

Oct 1 2026

Why Gillispie School Starts Songwriting in Kindergarten

If you hand a five-year-old an instrument, they won’t wait for a lesson-they’ll likely just start making sounds. That effortless […]

Gillispie Preschoolers Find Dots Everywhere

Sep 30 2026

Gillispie School Preschoolers Find Dots Everywhere!

In celebration of International Dot Day, our preschoolers read Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot, a story that encourages children to […]

Gillispie School Upper Elementary Science Program

Sep 24 2026

At Gillispie, Science Is a Verb

At Gillispie, we think of science as a verb: thinking clearly, communicating carefully, observing accurately, and asking relevant, testable questions […]

Sep 22 2026

From Backyard Limes to Homemade Limeade

When a Rosewood family generously shared fresh limes and lemongrass from their backyard, our preschoolers were invited to explore the […]

Sep 17 2026

Exploring the Art and History of La Jolla

Our second graders recently wrapped up an exciting cross-curricular unit connecting Social Studies and Visual Arts. Guided by the theme […]

Sep 15 2026

Taking Art to New Heights

What happens when PreK children create art standing up instead of sitting at a table? At Gillispie, vertical art experiences […]

Sep 10 2026

Living Our Values Across Gillispie

Since 2023, Science-Design students have kicked off the school year with the ICARE Community Mural Project, a thoughtful, hands-on exploration […]

GILLispie GEM

Stay connected to the Gillispie community!

Our newsletter, Gillispie Gem, offers insightful perspectives where you'll discover the inspiring work of our students and teachers, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our school. Subscribe today!

Read past issues:

The Sacred Work of Summer Play
Educating Hearts and Minds: Our Guiding Values
Designing the Future
Educating Future Shapers
The Benefits of Healthy Risk
Skills for Learning and Life.
Grateful Hearts, Inclusive Minds
The Ripple Effect of Compassion
Measuring Success
The Journey Matters
The Magic of Mud
Smiling Hearts