Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School develops in students a love of learning, respect for self and others, faith in God and a sense of service to the world community. -The Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School Mission Statement
Instagram: @holyinnocentsbears and @hies_lowerschool_beartracks Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolyInnocentsEpiscopalSchool
WELCOME
Welcome to the Dorothy Sullivan Lower School at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, where we give students every opportunity to learn and grow in an environment of love and support, with an emphasis on personal responsibility and service to others. This guide will act as a great resource and answer some of your questions about first through fifth grade. Please refer to the Lower School Handbook on myHIES for more information.
AUGUST 2026
2026-2027 LOWER SCHOOL KEY DATES
Tuesday, Aug. 11
New Family Campus Kickoff Event
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Orientations – 1st-5th Grade
Thursday, Aug. 13
First Day of School – 1st-5th Grades
Thursday, Aug. 27
Lower School Parent Information Night
SEPTEMBER
Friday, Sept. 4
Labor Day Weekend – Early Dismissal
Monday, Sept. 7
Labor Day – School Holiday
Friday, Sept. 25
Parent-Teacher Conferences – No
School for Students
OCTOBER
Friday, Oct. 9
Faculty In-Service Day, No School for Students
Monday, Oct. 12 and Tuesday, Oct. 13
Fall Break – School Holiday
NOVEMBER
Friday, Nov. 20
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day for PS & LS - Early Dismissal
Monday, Nov. 23 - Friday, Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, Nov. 30
Classes Resume
DECEMBER
Friday, Dec. 18
Christmas Break Begins – Early Dismissal
Monday, Dec. 21 – Jan. 1
Christmas Break – School Holiday
JANUARY 2027
Monday, Jan. 4
Teacher Professional Learning Day – No School for Students
Tuesday, Jan. 5
Classes Resume
Friday, Jan. 15
Parent-Teacher Conference – No School for Students
Monday, Jan. 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – School Holiday
FEBRUARY
Friday, Feb. 12
Faculty In-Service Day, No School for Students
Monday, Feb. 19
Presidents’ Day – School Holiday
MARCH
Monday, March 1 - Friday, March 5
Spring Break
Friday, March 26
Good Friday – School Holiday
Monday, March 30
Easter Monday – School Holiday
APRIL
Friday, April 16
Parent-Teacher Conferences – No School for Students
Monday, April 19
Teacher Workday – No School for Students
MAY
Thursday, May 27
Last Day of School – Early Dismissal
Dates may be subject to change.
PEOPLE TO KNOW
Nicole St. Amand Principal
nicole.stamand@hies.org
Robin Gafford Administrative Assistant robin.gafford@hies.org
Anne-Brown Adams Nurse anne-brown.adams@hies.org
Fraser Kent Counselor fraser.kent@hies.org
Rev. Trey Davis Lower School Chaplain trey.davis@hies.org
Susanna Mees Teaching and Learning Coordinator susanna.mees@hies.org
Laura Peters Data and Operations Coordinator laura.peters@hies.org
Riley Yearwood Academic Coordinator, Math riley.yearwood@hies.org
School begins Monday-Thursday at 8:15 a.m. for all classes in the Lower School. Arriving at school on time is critical to our morning routine and sense of community. Supervision is provided on the playground beginning at 7:45 a.m. On Fridays, classes begin at 8:45 a.m. in order to allow for faculty professional development.
Lunc H
Included in tuition, we are pleased to offer all students a complete selection of menu coices prepared daily by Sage Dining Services including salad, fruit, pasta, sandwiches, a hot entree and dessert. Milk and water are provided. Parents may notify the Dining Hall staff if students have any food allergies.
TOwn H ALL mEET in G
The entire Lower School will meet weekly in Duncan Gym for announcements, community time and special guests. Town Hall is on Monday mornings at 8:15 a.m. Parents are welcome to attend.
cHA p EL
We gather as a community of students, faculty and staff in weekly chapel services on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and affirm both our Episcopal Christian traditions, as well as recognize religous diversity. We celebrate values that unite, we nurture the spiritual framework in our lives, and we learn about God’s love through songs, stories and prayer. The Good Samaritan Award is presented to selected students who are exhibiting exceptional citizenship, going above and beyond the Golden Rule as Golden Bears. Parents are welcome to attend.
DOROTHY SULLIVAN LOWER SCHOOL
THE BUILDING
LOwER LEvEL
ScIEncE LAbS, THEATRE ROOm, muSIc ROOmS, InnOvATIOn LAb
mAIn LEvEL
ADmIn, fIRST-THIRD GRADE cLASSROOmS, mAKER SpAcE
uppER LEvEL
mEDIA cEnTER, fOuRTH-fIfTH GRADE cLASSROOmS, LEARnInG RESOuRcES
LObby
mEDIA cEnTER
bLAcK bOX THEATRE
CAMPUS MAP
mOR nin G cAR p OOL
» Please enter the campus using the driveway off Mt. Vernon Highway closest to the roundabout, Golden Bear Plaza, and turn into the parking lot, then form two parallel lines that will queue along the curb adjacent to the sidewalk.
» Students will remain in cars until the teachers on duty indicate it is safe to exit the car and enter the building lobby. Note - we have music playing on an outdoor speaker to welcome students!
» Please do not arrive before 7:45 a.m. or after 8:15 a.m. If you are late arriving, please use visitor parking in the front of the building and walk your child to the front desk.
» Please do not use the driveway entrance at Holy Innocents’ Church or any reserved parking at HIEC during school hours during the week, and please do not drop off students at the roundabout.
Af TER n OO n cAR p OOL
» Regular dismissal time is 3:05 p.m. We ask parents not to arrive before 3:00 p.m. so as to keep the roadways clear and prevent backup on Mt. Vernon Highway.
» Please download the app Queful to your mobile device and become familiar with it prior to the start of the school year.
» Families with siblings in other divisions should communicate with the principals regarding carpool plans. More information will follow at Orientation.
Please encourage timely arrival as a habit and do your best to schedule any appointments outside of school hours when possible.
For more information about the bEAR buS shuttle services, please contact Jessica Vance, Director of Auxiliary Services at jessica.vance@hies.org
CARPOOL MAP
LOWER SCHOOL UNIFORM GUIDE
unifORm REquiREmEnTS
WHERE TO PURCHASE YOUR UNIFORM
New Uniforms
Flynn O’Hara
6311 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
School Code: GA055
Gently Worn Uniforms
HIES Bear WearHouse
Alumni Hall, Terrace Level
Open Wednesdays 7:30-10:30 a.m.
Outwear and Spirit Wear
HIES Campus Shop
Humanities Building, Main Level
Open during school hours.
A crimson short or longsleeved knitwear shirt as the uniform top, and paired with khaki shorts with belt, khaki pants with belt or a plaid skirt/skort as the uniform bottom. Plaid jumpers with a white collared shirt are also an option. Shoes should be rubber soled and suitable for PE activities and recess. Solid color tights or leggings are permitted on cold days. Any jackets or sweaters worn inside the buildings should be HIES logo items or solid color (black,gray, white or crimson). Students are permitted to wear warmer coats of any kind when outside on the playground. Please remember to label all clothing items with your child’s name. Items that remain in the lost and found for more than two weeks will be donated.
Most Fridays are considered “BearWear Days” and students are invited to wear any HIES shirts, cheerleading outfits, shorts, etc. to show school spirit. There are opportunities to purchase optional Homecoming or other t-shirts throughout the year.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
b ASE
At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, we believe that education and socialemotional learning continue beyond regular school hours. For our Lower School students, we offer a program known as BASE (Bears After-School Experience) as well as weekly ACE (After-Class Enrichment) courses in the areas of academics, athletics, fine arts and STEAM. For more information about course descriptions and parent policies, please visit www.hies.org/campuslife/after-school-programs.
BASE is an extended day program open for all HIES students through fifth grade. Our program offers a structured and supervised environment for children which begins the moment the school day finishes and runs until 6:00 p.m. Each day, the staff provides age-appropriate group activities, outdoor free play and organized games, puzzles and books.
Ac E
The objective of ACE is to offer programs to enrich HIES students in the areas of academics, fine arts, STEAM and athletics with the goal of providing an opportunity for every 1st5th student to be an active participant in the HIES community. Registration for ACE classes occurs each semester or quarter.
bEAR cA mp S ( p K3 - 12 TH )
Bear Camps are open to the community on a weekly basis with morning, afternoon and full-day sessions with a variety of program options for academics, athletics and arts. More information and registration online at www.hies.org/campuslife/bear-camps.
STUDENT HEALTH
m AG nu S HEALTH
All students must have a completed Magnus Health profile before they can attend school. See myHIES Resources tab.
Students cannot receive medication (Prescription/ OTC) until parent permission completed in Magnus Health.
Students cannot carry medications (Prescription/ OTC) unless authorized by a HIES Nurse. EpiPens, inhalers and insulin can be carried by a student.
If a student needs to take PRN medication during the school day, it must be kept in the clinic. Please complete the medication administration portion in Magnus.
If your child has a specific condition that requires medical attention, please upload a MD signed Action Plan onto your student’s Magnus profile.
pLEASE EmAIL ILLnESS DETAILS, upDATES AnD DOcTORS’ nOTES TO THE LOwER ScHOOL nuRSE.
TECHNOLOGY
MacBook laptops are assigned and distributed to fourth and fifth-grade students at the beginning of the school year. More information about expectations and social media policies is available in the school handbook. Students may use iPads and SMART Boards in each classroom at the teacher’s discretion.
Students should not have cell phones, smart watches, etc. that they are using during the school day to text or call others. Cell phones must be kept in the child’s book bag and only used after school. Teachers have the right to ask a student to remove a smart watch before an academic test during the school day.
SUPPLIES
All school supplies needed for the classroom will be made available from the homeroom teacher at the beginning of the school year. The Grade-Level Supply Fees that are collected as part of the tuition payments will cover the cost of all required supplies. Parents do not need to purchase additional school supplies. Students can purchase a backpack of their preference and a size that they can manage independently.
The Technology Office/IT Help Desk is located on the ground floor of the Upper School Humanities building.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Lower School students are presented with many exciting opportunities to become involved and to explore their passions such as band, orchestra, chorus, clubs, participating in Chapel and many more.
See below for examples of optional student involvement.
» SERvIcE cLub
» SAfETy pATROL
» nEwS TEAm
» cHARAcTER buILDERS
» vESTRy
» LIbRARy AmbASSADORS
GOLDEN BEAR PARENT INVOLVEMENT
pARE n T O RGA niz AT i O n S
There are a variety of opportunities for parents to participate as a member of the HIES community, including the Parents’ Association, as well as affinity groups such as the Holy Innocents’ Cultural Awareness and Acceptance Partners, the HIES Prayer Group, among others. Please visit www.hies.org/campus-life/parent-organizations to learn more. The Parents’ Association monthly newsletters are a reliable source of information on dates and events and provide contact information for Grade Level Representatives. Follow the PA on Instagram @hies_parents_association.
pARE n T n i GHT, pR incipAL’ S cO ff EES & cO nf ERE nc ES
Parents are invited within the first month of school for an evening event to learn about schedules, curriculum and to hear from the teacher. Principal’s Coffees occur regularly with special focus areas. Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled at least twice-yearly and teachers are always available for questions via email or by appointment.
cLASSROO m cELE b RAT i O n S
Parents are invited to organize and assist with class holiday parties and other special events throughout the year.
Parents are encouraged to view class pages via myHIES to review class announcements and assignments.
nOTE : Wednesdays are typically a “No Homework Night” and families are encouraged to focus on meaningful connections together.
FAVORITE TRADITIONS IN THE LOWER SCHOOL
H O m E cO min G A n D w in TER f EST
Sports-themed, all-school pep rallies in the Main Gym and spirit days.
G RA n D pARE n TS ’ A n D Sp E ci AL fR i E n DS ’ DAy
Each grade level presents a musical theatre performance and provides tours of classrooms for invited guests.
Li TERAcy/R EAD in G cHALLE n GE
A special incentive to reward student effort, achievement and to celebrate reading accomplishments with surprise guests and carnival games; the Battle of the Books and Spelling Bee contests are also popular initiatives.
LOw ER Sc HOOL f i ELD DAy A n D pARE n T p icnic
A long-time cherished event where grade levels have outdoor games, team challenges and parents are invited to join for lunch on the lawn!
LOw ER Sc HOOL H O n OR cODE
“I will tell the truth. I will do my own work. I will respect things that belong to the school and others.”
