Education
Peachtree Elementary School celebrates 50th anniversary
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 50th 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 50th” 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
The Norcross High School drama department has a reputation for presenting quality productions each year, and 2024-2025 is no exception. They staged a one-act show of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in October followed by “Miss Nelson is Missing” in January. Next up for NHS Theatre is Matilda the Musical, set to open in April.
Leading the department this year is NHS’ new theatre director, Terry Gabbard, who came to Norcross with degrees in educational theatre and educational leadership, as well as over 20 years of public school theatre teaching and directing experience.
An award-winning director and playwright, he received the prestigious John W. Parker Award for excellence in directing in 2015, has had numerous productions named “distinguished play” from the North Carolina Theatre Conference and has three Best Musical wins from the Blumey Awards (Charlotte, NC’s version of the Tony awards).
Gabbard has also published two plays, one of which, “Our Place,” was named one of the top ten most produced short plays in American high schools.
Additionally, in 2020, his production of “Puffs” (a clever and comedic play set in the world of Harry Potter) was selected as one of only a handful of productions in America to perform at the International Thespian Society festival.
Though busy with preparations for Matilda, Gabbard recently took the time to answer a few questions about his career, his love of theatre and what’s next for the NHS drama department.
Which productions have you worked on since joining NHS?
We started off performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in October, and we did a performance of Miss Nelson is Missing in January.
Where did you teach and direct before coming to Norcross?
I always explain that my wife supports my teaching habit, so we tend to move as her opportunities change.
I’ve taught mostly in high schools in Florida, North Carolina and now Georgia. I have taught in Gwinnett Public Schools before at Paul Duke STEM and in Cobb County at Campbell High School.
How did the move to NHS come about?
After leaving GCPS for a short few years, I was anxious to get back to this system and this community, and when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance.
Have you always had a love for theatre?
I started participating in theatre when I was in 9th grade and have never stopped. For me, the thing that drew me to the art form was the sense of community that theatre creates.
What led you to pursue a career teaching and directing? Was there a specific moment that you realized it was what you wanted to do?
When I was a senior in high school, my theatre director let me direct a play in his theatre [for] one class. This is when I realized how much I loved directing and coaching other actors.
What was it like to win the John W. Parker award in 2015? And to be recognized with so many other honors?
I have been blessed to have been recognized several times by my peers and the organizations I’ve partnered with. It’s always nice to have these recognitions, but I have come to believe that any high school theatre production is a miracle in and of itself.
Producing theatre in high schools is always a challenge and getting to opening night is always a huge accomplishment.
Will you continue playwriting in addition to your work as NHS theatre director?
I haven’t written any plays in some time, but I’m definitely starting to get the itch. All of my plays have premiered at the schools where I was teaching. I imagine a world premier will happen at Norcross pretty soon.
What can you share about the school’s upcoming Matilda the Musical production? Is it one that you’ve directed in the past?
I have never directed Matilda, and I am extremely excited for the challenge. The music is incredible, and the characters are big and over the top.
What plans do you have for the NHS theatre program for the remainder of this year and next year?
After Matilda, things wrap up for us. I haven’t yet decided what shows to tackle next year. I know that I want to find plays that have a different tone than the pieces we did this year. The shows have been comedic this year. Something more dramatic is definitely in our future.
The NHS production of Matilda the Musical opens in April.
Dates and show times are:
- Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit nhs-drama.com.
The investment will transform the campus and elevate student experiences
Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) has announced an investment of over $30 million in facilities and program improvements at GAC, made possible through the Light the Way Campaign, a visionary initiative designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.
This transformative campaign will fund a dozen renovation and building projects that reflect GAC’s commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world while deepening the school’s strong Christian foundation. The school recently shared details about some of the program’s key projects.
The Tidwell Commons
At the heart of the campaign is the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate and innovate.
The Tidwell Commons will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, a creative media production studio and modern academic spaces, including an enhanced library and academic support areas. The space will also be home to Christian Life and Missions, providing a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.
“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Paul Cable, GAC’s high school principal.
The Combee Elementary Complex
The Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will undergo a complete redesign to better support the needs of today’s students. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces and a state-of-the-art engineering, science and design lab.
“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” said Rhonda Helms, lower school principal.
Athletic improvements
The campaign also includes a new Athletic Field House to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and girls flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training and meeting spaces and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices.
“This is a premier facility that will allow our athletes to compete at the highest level,” shared Athletic Director Tim Hardy.
In addition to the Field House, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center, further strengthening one of the top performance training programs in the state.
“Our performance training program is among the best in Georgia, and these upgrades will align our facilities with the excellence of our programming,” Hardy said.
The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area and a new recovery suite.
“This space will give our athletes the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he added.
Wood Family Treehouse
Additionally, the new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk, which was completed last month, will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences for years to come.
Designed as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities and after-school programs, the Treehouse is an exciting space for educational growth, exploration and team-building. It’s a place where students can connect with nature, develop new skills and deepen their love for the outdoors.
An investment in the future
This investment campaign is about more than just buildings though; each project focuses on today’s students as well as future generations, ensuring that GAC remains a beacon of excellence with a foundation of faith for years to come.
Through the Light the Way Campaign, students will benefit from improvements in academics, athletics, the arts, community and Christian faith.
About Greater Atlanta Christian School
Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12 students. The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, just off of I-85 and Indian Trail Road.
GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.
In addition to forward thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes.
GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts and athletics.
For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.
Since the opening of the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) in 2018, their students have been immersed in Japanese language and culture, including starting each new year (osho-gatsu) — Japan’s most important holiday — with two traditional rituals: Kakizome (New Year Japanese calligraphy) and Mochitsuki (New Year rice pounding).
This year, the students at the K-6 dual-language school in Peachtree Corners, gathered in the gym to practice and demonstrate their growing calligraphy skills and again outdoors a couple of weeks later for the physical fun of mochitsuki.
Kakizome
Literally translated as “first writing,” kakizome is a form of artistic calligraphy of the Japanese language that’s done at the start of each year to express hopes and positive wishes for the year ahead. Using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink, and often expressed through poetry, New Year’s resolutions or an auspicious word, kakizome is a special time to clear your mind and focus on the brush strokes.
According to a press release from the school, for ICAGeorgia’s kakizome event, each student, including the youngest kindergartners, used a traditional brush (ふで) and ink (すみ) to write a Japanese word of their choice — for example, “新年 (new year)” “元日 (New Years Day)” or “もち (mochi).”And, because 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar, 巳 (snake) was included in the word selection.
Mochitsuki
“In Japan, people make ‘mochi’ or pounded rice to celebrate the New Year,” shared Junko Jones, CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Mochi is sticky, so people eat it to help them ‘stick’ with their goals for the year — and they do it with family, friends and people in the community who they would like to ‘stick’ together [with]. Mochi can also be used as a decoration for New Year’s celebrations.”
Pounding the sticky rice into mochi with a wooden mallet is hard work, but the celebration is also one of Japan’s most fun (and popular) traditions.
For the school’s mochitsuki event, each student had an opportunity to pound and taste the mochi rice. All of the ingredients were donated by ICAGeorgia parents, and the mochi rice was cooked by ICAGeorgia parent volunteers on the day of the event — making it true school community celebration.
After pounding the rice, students, staff and volunteers enjoyed delicious rice cakes (omochi) together, welcoming the new year and looking forward to a happy and successful 2025.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia offers a dual language immersion program in English and Japanese, allowing students to learn both languages through a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Japanese instruction is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum, and teachers collaborate across departments.
The school’s mission is “to broaden the horizons of students in Georgia so that they may become global citizens who promote peace throughout the world.” This is achieved not only through language learning, but also through cultural activities. But the best way to promote peace and understanding is through interactions among the students themselves, who make up an extremely diverse community.
For more information, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.
Photos courtesy of ICAGeorgia.
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