Winchester Thurston School

💜 As we close out this school year, we’re sharing a heartfelt thank you to three retiring employees who will be deeply missed here on Morewood Ave.

Karen Gaul retires after more than two decades of dedicated service to WT. Since joining the school in 2003, Karen has taught third grade and found her longtime home in fifth grade, where she helped shape the literacy curriculum, mentored fellow teachers, and built global connections through the Peking Elementary partnership. Her love of learning and deep care for students have enriched the WT community and beyond.

After 38 years at Wi******er Thurston, Michele Farrell is retiring from teaching visual arts. Since joining WT in 1988, Michele has inspired generations of Middle and Upper School students, served as a department chair, Thistledown yearbook advisor, mentor, and committee member, and been recognized with honors, including the Jane L. Scarborough Teaching Award. Her creativity, leadership, and lasting impact on students will be remembered for years to come.

Joanne Palmiere retires after 41 years as a staple of the WT Dining Hall. Since her arrival at WT in 1985, she has nourished generations of students and employees. Those who have passed through our lunch line can attest to her incredible ability to memorize account numbers. From lunch tickets to computers, she has seen our food services through many changes while remaining a warm, familiar presence in our daily lives for over four decades.

We're so grateful for their many years of dedication and care at WT. Please join us in congratulating Karen, Michele, and Joanne on their retirements! 🎉

Looking for a Pittsburgh summer camp for your three year old? 🏕️ Our Teddy Bear Camps offer a fun way for young campers to spend summer days playing, exploring, and discovering new things!

🐻 Teddy Bear Camps run at our Shadyside campus throughout June and July. ☀️ Designed with preschool development in mind, these camps include small group sizes, strong counselor support, social-emotional learning, outdoor time, music, sensory play, and more.

Summer 2026 themes include:�- Move & Groove�- Dinosaur Digs & Nature Detectives�- Garden Explorers�- Teddy Bear Senses�- Puppet Theater�- Bubbles and Balloons�- Under the Sea

Full-day options are also available, with before- and after-camp childcare offered to give families extra flexibility.

Explore WT Summer Camp here:
https://www.winchesterthurston.org/wt-summer-camp

💜 Class of 2026, you did it! 🎉 Last week’s Commencement marked the end of your journey as a WT student and the beginning of your next adventure. We’re so proud of your growth and can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you.

Join us in cheering on these grads! 🎓

☀️ Summer break is loading…

Enjoy the last week of school, Bears!

Check out WT Summer Camp’s programming at Allegheny RiverTrail Park! ☀️ Learn more: www.winchesterthurston.org/wt-summer-camp

We kicked Field Day off with a visit from Will Loevner ‘16! He talked to our students about this year’s hometown marathon win and said hi to some familiar WT teachers and coaches. 👋 Thanks, Will, for visiting Dear Old WT! And thanks to DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3rmovespgh, and Kidsofsteel for making this event so amazing for our kids. 🐻 Go Bears!