Gooden Blog

This year has been one of reflection, growth, and celebration at The Gooden School as the community proudly honored its 50th Anniversary. Throughout the year, students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni came together to celebrate Gooden’s rich history and bright future through special events, alumni gatherings, memorable chapels, decade-themed celebrations, and a spectacular Anniversary Gala that highlighted the spirit and strength of the Gooden community.

At the heart of this milestone year was Gooden’s guiding theme: “Service – the Key to a Gooden Heart.” From Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade, students embraced opportunities to serve others both on campus and throughout the community. Younger students learned responsibility and kindness through caring for classrooms, gardens, and campus spaces, while older students expanded their impact through environmental projects, partnerships with Friends In Deed, community clean-ups, and more than 1,000 hours of middle school community service. These experiences brought Gooden’s core values, the 3Rs: Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect for the World, to life in meaningful ways.

The year also marked exciting growth for the school with the successful launch of Gooden’s new Transitional Kindergarten program under the leadership of Ms. Wiley. The program has provided the school’s youngest learners with a joyful and nurturing start to their educational journey while already instilling the values of kindness, curiosity, and community.

As Gooden celebrated new beginnings, the school also honored significant milestones within its faculty and leadership. After 35 years of extraordinary dedication, beloved Music Director Mrs. Ewen announced her retirement, leaving behind a lasting legacy that has shaped generations of students through music, creativity, and performance. The community also welcomed new music educators Ms. Jessi Livermore and Ms. Sheila Nicholls, ensuring the continued strength of Gooden’s arts program for years to come.

This year also marked an important transition within the spiritual life of the school community. After years of meaningful leadership and service, Chaplain David shared reflections on Gooden’s culture, Episcopal identity, and sacred commitment to nurturing the whole child. The school community also warmly welcomed Rev. Annie Thornberg as Gooden’s new chaplain. Her arrival marks an exciting new chapter as she continues the tradition of fostering connection, compassion, service, and spiritual growth within the Gooden community.

Leadership transitions were also celebrated within the Board of Trustees. The Gooden community extends heartfelt gratitude to David Lee for his dedicated service as Board Chair and for the many ways he has helped guide and support the school. Looking ahead with excitement, the school proudly announced that John Carlson will serve as the new Board Chair. Gooden also welcomed three new members to the Board of Trustees: alumni parent Amy Zimmerman, alumna Maggie Sabbag, and community member Tam Ly. Their leadership and commitment will help continue to strengthen and support the school’s mission for years to come.

The school community also celebrated the accomplishments of the graduating 8th-grade class, whose acceptances to a wide range of prestigious high schools reflected both academic achievement and personal growth. Our 8th-grade speakers thoughtfully reflected on their time at Gooden, sharing memories, lessons learned, and gratitude for the relationships and experiences that shaped their journey. 

Another exciting milestone, made possible through the generosity and support shown during the 50th Anniversary Gala, was the successful funding of the North Side Playground renovation project. This transformation represents an investment in spaces where students can build friendships, explore, play, and continue growing together as a community.

Throughout the evening’s reflections, one message remained clear: Gooden is far more than a school; it is a place of belonging, compassion, service, and connection. Rooted in Episcopal values and strengthened by generations of families, educators, and students, The Gooden School continues to cultivate not only strong learners but caring, thoughtful individuals prepared to make a positive difference in the world.