By Angie McCann

Planning a party for 870 people is a challenge even in normal times, so how do you celebrate during a pandemic? Just ask any student from Peachtree Elementary School – they celebrated the school’s fiftieth birthday with bubbles, balloons, books, blue cupcakes, and boogie dancing on the 50^th day of school, October 18.

Students and staff participated in special activities throughout the day to mark the occasion, with many wearing tie-dye clothing as a throwback to 1971, the year Peachtree opened. Groovy seventies music played in classes as students enjoyed mini dance party “brain breaks.” The art club made banners and parent volunteers made decorations to decorate the halls, and even the Peachtree Panther mascot made a special appearance for the day.

“Peachtree has a proud history of achievement and providing a positive environment where children learn at a high level,” said Principal Gretchen Runaldue. “It’s exciting to watch our children as they grow and learn.” Mrs. Runaldue has served at Peachtree for 22 years and has seen many changes, including the school’s certification as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme.

Teachers focused on reading, with classes participating in the “Read 50 for the 50^th” challenge to read fifty books in October. Many former staff members also contributed by recording themselves reading some of their favorite children’s books, which teachers could share with their students.

Several notable guests participated in virtual visits to commemorate the day, including Dr. Calvin Watts, GCPS’s new Superintendent; Dr. Brooks Coleman, Peachtree’s first principal; and Dr. Mary Kay Murphy, GCPS School Board District 3 Representative. All extended their congratulations on 50 years of teaching and learning, and commended students for their achievements.

Dr. Coleman shared stories from the very early years of the school and about its opening day. He told students that the roads were not paved back then, and it had rained for days, so he helped wipe mud off students’ shoes with paper towels as they came into the building to keep the new carpet from being ruined.

Dr. Murphy reflected on the development of Peachtree Corners and the vision that developer Paul Duke had for the area, with Peachtree Elementary being a cornerstone of that vision to attract families and businesses to the area.

 “The beauty of Peachtree Elementary lies in its branches, represented by the rich diversity of your school community, your students and staff members, and a range of innovative programs that make Peachtree unique,” Dr. Watts said.

Watts referenced one of the school’s mottos – “Greatness Grows at Peachtree,” and compared the school to a tree. “The true strength of Peachtree is found in its roots and its rich history. That history includes a supportive community, caring families and the great leaders and classroom teachers who have served this community.”  

One of those great classroom teachers is Mrs. Yolanda Sato, a fifth-grade teacher who has been selected at the school’s Teacher of the Year. She is an enthusiastic IB advocate and appreciates that the program focuses on developing life-long learners. Many former and current students have participated in the school’s talent show or the robotics club, both of which she started. Mrs. Sato has been at Peachtree for 16 years, and her now-grown children James and Lauren attended. A resident of Peachtree Corners, Mrs. Sato said, “I see myself not just as a teacher, but as a part of the community.”

The school was much smaller when it opened with 698 students. It was the first school in the county designed with modular walls for open-space team teaching and consisted of just one building. As the community grew through the years, and enrollment increased to as many as 1,800 students, three more buildings housing classrooms and a gymnasium were added to the school. Two additional elementary schools were built in the cluster to relieve overcrowding.

It is estimated that the school has served more than 50,000 students and their families in our community. Some of those students have returned to Peachtree as teachers. Eryn Greenstein, the current Media Specialist, was a student at Peachtree when the media center featured a reading “pit.” In addition to books, the media center now features smart boards, computers, and a maker space, but Ms. Greenstein still fondly remembers the pit, which was removed years ago.

Shari Hairston, another former student, is now a third-grade teacher, and her two daughters Leah and Sophie attended as well. When she returned in 2017, she recalls feeling like she was “coming home.” She remembers the modular walls and now teaches in what was her first-grade classroom so many years ago, but it now has solid walls.

First-grade teacher Lauren Held is the longest-serving teacher at Peachtree with 31 years. She said her favorite grades to teach are first “when they start” and fifth “when they are transitioning to middle school.”

Ms. Held remembers, “When I walked into Peachtree, I just knew it was the right place.” She said that she just loves the children and the school, particularly the multi-cultural aspect, and she gives high praise to her colleagues, saying, “There’s nothing like this staff. There’s always been a great camaraderie.”

Wendy Dore, a second-grade teacher, agreed, “Everyone supports each other. It’s been a great place to work and teach and it’s become my home.” Mrs. Dore is retiring at the end of this year after 14 years, and she said that although much has changed, it’s the same in that, “It’s always about the kids.”

Technology in the classrooms is one of the biggest changes that teachers have experienced. Ms. Held laughed when she talked about using a mimeograph machine to make copies when she was a young teacher. She said, “It’s a strange thing, as technology happens, and we get smart boards and computers, we don’t know how we did it before.

Echoing Mrs. Dore, Mrs. Held said, “At its core, teaching is connecting with the kids and how you impart knowledge into them. It’s about meeting them where they are and getting them to where they need to be.”

After a day of celebrating and reflecting on the past 50 years at Peachtree, Mrs. Runaldue wrapped up the day by reading a book to the whole school which students watched virtually in their classrooms. As students lined up and walked to their busses, The Jackson 5 song “ABC” from 1970 played and a sea of bubbles wafted through the front breezeway and into the blue sky. It was the perfect ending to a perfect Peachtree day.

Peachtree Elementary School Principals

1971-1975 Dr. Brooks Coleman

1975-1978 George Thompson

1978-1981 Dr. Edith Belden

1981-1984 Jerrilyn Berrong

1984-1992 Deanna Fraker

1992-1998 Maureen DeLoach

1998-2006 Kathy Eichler

2006-2009 Jean Loethen

2009-2013 Dr. Beverly Smith

2014-2017 Kara Dutton

2017-Present Gretchen Runaldue