Lower School Opening // 08 Farewells — Retiring Faculty

Save the Date LOWER SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTING & COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Ribbon Cutting — Friday, August 19, 2022, 9:00 a.m. Community Celebration — Saturday, August 20, 2022, before kickoff

New Lower School Building Named in honor of Dorothy Sullivan

“She is a fixture at the school and has been a flag-bearer for the HIES mission for 45 years (and still going),” Paul Barton, head of school, said. “Dorothy Sullivan’s name is synonymous with HIES and symbolic of what it means to be a Golden Bear. And now, with the Dorothy Sullivan Lower School building officially and permanently carrying her name, it is certain that her name will forever echo throughout these halls — just as it should.”

RETIREMENTS > Holy Innocents’ Bids Goodbye to a 'Great Eight'

by Dunn Neugebauer

WRITER

MILLIE TUCKER

PRIMARY SCHOOL Millie Tucker was on the faculty of HIES for 33 years and was here as a parent about seven years before that. She began as a PK4s assistant and the Kindergarten music teacher before she began teaching music to all of PK3s through Kindergarten. She has also taught music up through third grade. Ms. Tucker served as chair of emergency preparedness for a number of years. “We had a devastating fire in 1995; the school really stood behind our family at that time, and for that I will forever be grateful!” The ever-active smiling Ms. Tucker has been a positive fixture on this campus. “There are a lot of parents of kids that I currently teach that I taught,” she said. “I will miss the sense of community that I feel at HIES. It’s a special place and I will hold that in my heart. I’ve seen a lot of growth here. I used to park my car where the Fine Arts building stands and I remember when Riley was acquired. Our family used to build and shoot off rockets behind Riley. The tearing down of the old pre-school and the building of the Primary School years ago are also memories. I taught in the old lower school. There has been a lot of change happening!”

KIM ARMSTRONG

LOWER SCHOOL

A parent for many years at HI, Kim

Armstrong spent 12 years here as a first-grade co-teacher.

“It’s been fun but now it’s time for the next chapter.”

PAM MULLEN

PRIMARY SCHOOL Pam says goodbye after 22 years, where she enjoyed working with Heather Hahn in the 3-year-olds program for most of her time. She ended her HI career as the library teacher in the Primary School, while also enjoying playing the piano in chapel. “I loved working with the little ones. The Primary School has been a wonderful place to come to work to every day, and I will truly miss HI, though my family will keep my connected! Go Bears!”

GAIL COX

LOWER SCHOOL Starting as a parent in 1994, Gail Cox worked as a volunteer on Parents’ Council, the Booster Club, and was a substitute teacher for years. She later became a first-grade co-teacher, a position she held for 14 years. “I have lots of great memories both with co-workers and students, and I’m thankful for all the close friendships my family that I have formed over the years from our association with HI. Looking forward to what’s next!”

NANCY WADDELL

LOWER SCHOOL Nancy was with HIES for 28 years and wore many hats, some of them including fourth- and fifth-grade lab assistant at the same time, writing lab teacher, science lab teacher and science lab assistant. “When one teaches, two learn, is how the saying goes, and that has truly been my honor at HI,” she said. “As a parent of an Alpha Omega (2001) and a faculty member as well, my involvement here has given me too many memories to count. Still, I will treasure them all.”

MARY CHRIS WILLIAMS

ADMINISTRATION Mary Chris Williams was introduced to HI at an Open House she attended when looking for a neighborhood school for her 3-year-old daughter, Anna. In moving on, Anna (1997), Ellen (2001), and James (2004) graduated from here while Charles graduated from St. Francis in 2003. Her husband, Hal, and Mary Chris volunteered as class reps, PA Secretary, Treasurer and President, and helped with fundraisers for all the buildings that sprang up over the years. Her first real position was part-time as Development Assistant working for Steve Gende, which was 21-plus years ago. “The expansion of tasks I handled for information systems requirements for the school just kept increasing, as did my titles and responsibilities over the years,” she said. Ms. Williams reported to different people, but always in Development. “One of the joys of working here was being able to see my children (maybe more than they wished!) over the years at their events and with their friends. Also, I loved the short commute to work. My last ‘new task’ before leaving is to set up a communications network between current school activities and former faculty and staff. I had no idea when I agreed to help to do this project – being spearheaded by Dorothy Sullivan and Karen Ghertner – that it would be something I, too, will benefit from in the years to come. Thanks to all for many happy years of working in a great environment with wonderful people.”

SANDY FREEMAN

LOWER SCHOOL Sandy Freeman has been with HIES for 32 years and held two positions – first-grade co-teacher and secondgrade co-teacher. She began as a long-term substitute in 1988 before being offered a half-day position by then Head of School Alice Malcolm. The following year, she moved her youngest son into the HIES family while she continued to enjoy teaching. “Many things have changed since 1989; there was no Upper School then and our population was smaller. I miss those days. I thought our school was so family oriented – everyone was extremely focused on helping each other when there was a need. This is certainly a bittersweet feeling about retiring, but I am starting a new chapter in my life by leaving Atlanta which has been my home since 1976 and moving to Lake Oconee. Y’all come visit!”

JUDIE JACOBS

UPPER SCHOOL Judie Jacobs finished her 32nd year at HIES – she came here in 1990 to teach in the summer camp. Later, she was invited to teach in the Kindergarten art program and the following year filled in for a teacher on leave. This turned in to a fulltime position when Alice Malcolm asked her to start the art program for the new Upper School, a position she remained in until the close of this past school year. “The years I’ve spent here in the HI community have helped shape my desire to share something important to me with future generations and hopefully make a positive contribution. The creative energy that flowed from the students influenced my work as a professional artist as well. All is good – I feel I’m leaving the art program in good hands as I create a new path in the next chapter of my life. “And finally, it’s been a whirlwind span of time watching the school grow and change, meeting tons of wonderful people along the way, shedding tears of joy and frustration at times, though most of my memories bring joy. I look forward to hearing about the many other experiences that will take place at the 805 and I hope those privileged to be a part of the HI family to continue to love and grow here and help make the world a better place.”