Supporting Student Wellness at Graland: The Bradley Thomas Memorial Fund

At this time, we’d like to recognize the 50+ individuals who are members of Graland’s Montem Society—those who have included Graland in their estate plans. Specifically, we would like to acknowledge the Thomas Family, whose existing and perpetual fund supports student wellness at Graland. 

Student wellness is incorporated throughout Graland’s curriculum. As early as Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten, students develop social-emotional skills such as how to label and express feelings, resolve conflicts, how to be a good friend, and how to show compassion. In Lower School, morning meeting integrates Responsive Classroom methods and the Lower School counselor collaborates with the teachers to introduce topics to students such as understanding feelings and emotions, how to embrace similarities and differences, and mindfulness. Middle School students start each day in advisory, a small group of peers, where they have a place to make connections and build relationships. Additionally, Grades 5-8 attend wellness class, one time a rotation, that covers a range of coming-of-age topics, relating to the physical and emotional development of young teens. Students learn good decision-making skills and develop attitudes and beliefs towards a healthy lifestyle.

As part of the Middle School wellness curriculum, a significant focus for students in Grades 6-8 each spring is the topic of substance abuse. Graland partners with Prevention Solutions (formerly FCD Prevention Works), an affiliate of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Prevention Solutions is the leading international non-profit provider of K-12 onsite drug education and substance abuse prevention services for schools across the United States and around the world. Since its founding, prevention specialists from this program have worked with hundreds of schools around the U.S. and in over 60 countries, serving more than two million students. 

Graland invites Prevention Solutions speakers—typically former addicts— to present to students in sixth through eighth grade about their personal journeys and the dangers of substance abuse at all levels. The speakers focus their messaging on the idea of social norms and students’ ability to make healthy decisions. In addition to the school-day programming, an evening event is included for eighth grade students and their parents, making family education a key component of the learning process.

The Thomas family established the Bradley Thomas Memorial Fund in the 1990s, following the passing of Bradley Thomas ’72. Bradley was a creative thinker, an excellent student, a fantastic athlete, and leader. Bradley also suffered from substance abuse and ultimately his life was cut short by the devastating effects of addiction. Bradley’s parents, Don and Marcia Thomas, were adamant to find ways that their son’s death could be of value to others. Because the beginnings of addiction can happen at a young age, the family believed that educational support, and the recognition of the danger of substance abuse, can be instrumental in saving lives.They graciously chose to make an impactful leadership gift to Graland to help fund substance abuse prevention education for current and future students. This gift now supports the Prevention Solutions program for Middle School students at Graland.

Recently, the family reached out to Graland to express their goal of ensuring the Bradley Thomas Memorial Fund and the critical education it helps provide remain in place in perpetuity. To achieve this goal, they shared that Graland is included in their will and the school would one day receive a charitable bequest.

The Bradley Thomas Memorial Fund is one of Graland’s several special funds that welcomes community support, as the purpose of this fund may especially resonate with  donors beyond the Thomas Family. “We understand giving is a very personal choice,” Bradley’s brother, David Thomas ’74, said. “Our family’s intent is to bring awareness to the fund and the reason it exists. Many families have been affected in some way by this debilitating disease, and we believe visibility will be a benefit to Graland, to its students, and to the families that choose to share their support.”

Graland is sincerely grateful to the Thomas Family, and all the Montem Society members, who have included Graland in their estate plans and whose gifts impact students today and in perpetuity. For more information about how you can create a legacy at Graland through planned giving, contact Jessica Goski at 303-336-3705 or jgoski@graland.org. 

To make a current-year gift to the Bradley Thomas Memorial Fund, please visit graland.org/specialfunds.