Dear Gator Family,

This year, Glades Day School celebrates a milestone, 60 years of Gator Pride. To honor this tradition and strengthen our future, we are excited to launch The Great Give 1965, an initiative that commemorates our past while investing in the next generation of Gators.

The First-Ever Annual Fund at GDS:
For many years, GDS has been blessed by the extraordinary generosity of our longstanding Institutional Donors, whose support has faithfully bridged the gap between tuition and the actual cost of operations. Their commitment has sustained our mission and allowed our students to thrive while keeping tuition costs down.

As we look toward the future, we recognize that the continued strength of our school depends on broadening that foundation to include the collective support of our families, friends, and alumni. This year marks an exciting new chapter: the launch of our first Annual Fund.

The Annual Fund will help provide the steady, year-to-year resources to sustain excellence in academics, athletics, and spiritual life, ensuring that tuition alone does not limit what we can offer and that the tradition of Gator Pride grows stronger with each generation.

When you give to the Annual Fund, you are investing directly in:

• Academic Excellence: innovative programs, inspiring teachers, and resources that bring learning to life.
• Student Experience: accessible athletics, rich arts experiences, meaningful leadership opportunities, domestic and international travel, and hands-on exposure to STEAM and Agriscience programs—all of which shape character, broaden horizons, and prepare students to thrive beyond GDS.
• Campus & Community: safe, welcoming spaces where students feel at home and can thrive.
• Access & Opportunity: financial aid that keeps GDS a family environment where every child belongs.

The Great Give 1965: Celebrating 60 Years of Gator Pride:

As part of this 60th anniversary initiative, we are inviting gifts at nostalgic giving tiers that honor the year of our founding:

$19.65 - Supporter
$196.50 - Impact
$1,965 - Champion
$19,650 - Legacy

Every gift matters! All gifts, whether one-time or recurring, will be processed through our secure Blackbaud online platform (note: You are not obligated to pay the transaction fees, and GDS does not cover them—please select 0% ($0.00) in the drop-down to avoid the charge). Donors will be recognized through school communications, social media, and in our Year in Review publication.

Marking this 60-year milestone, we are reminded that the strength of GDS has always come from the generosity of its community. Your gift keeps us Rooted in Tradition, Strengthened by Community—and ensures that every student, every classroom, and every corner of campus flourishes today and well into the future.

With gratitude,

Amie L. Pitts | Head of School