Thank You, Parents' Association! Yesterday, the HIES Parents' Association treated our entire faculty and staff to a festive holiday luncheon, providing a delicious meal and gift. We are so grateful for the Parents' Association and our entire parent community! A special thank you to the luncheon chairs, Stephanie Briles and Ashley Walker.

Behind-the-Scenes with UVA! The College Counseling team hosted a Lunch & Learn with Doug Hartog, dean of admission at the University of Virginia, giving students an inside look at how selective colleges make decisions. In a candid conversation moderated by Pam Ambler, director of college counseling, students gained clear, practical insight into holistic review and how to show up as confident applicants for top universities. 

From The 805 to the Tank! A beloved alumni-owned business made a national splash this week when Bauble Stockings, founded and owned by Kate Stice Stewart ’04, appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Ms. Stewart shared her mission-driven company and, after fielding questions about sales, margins and future plans, accepted an offer from investor Barbara Corcoran. Click here to read more about her journey!

A Global Sing-a-Long! Third-grade students enjoyed a special lesson in Global Education this week when they participated in an international sing-a-long with students from across the globe to celebrate the holiday season! Through our Round Square partnership and an exchange facilitated by Kristin Ahler, Lower School teacher, these Golden Bears have been communicating with their international pen pals all year, even exchanging Christmas ornaments!

Blessing of the Bears! This week, third-grade students participated in the beloved tradition of the "Blessing of the Bears." The Rev. Trey Davis, Lower School chaplain, prayed over teddy bears that the students collected and will be donated to Emmaus House, a diocesan partner that supports Atlanta families in need. It was a special morning of gratitude and service!

This week brought a range of hands-on learning and reflection for students in the PEAK Leadership Institute. PEAK seniors gave confident and engaging Capstone Project presentations, clearly articulating their “why” while sharing project details and fielding questions from both the audience and a feedback panel. From exploring the use of AI in law and medicine to interior design and beyond, students demonstrated thoughtful research, professional interviews and site visits, showcasing their ability to connect real-world inquiry to a purposeful project goal. In addition, Paul Barton, head of school, led a workshop on Stoicism for PEAK Experiences students, discussing the philosophy’s focus on resilience, perspective and responsibility through guided exercises and reflective journal prompts. Then, Kate Walker, Lower School French teacher, led a calligraphy workshop with ninth-grade PEAK students, offering a creative and intentional way to practice craftsmanship and self-expression.