Going, But Not To Be Forgotten

For weeks local elementary school officials had been planning a surprise going-away assembly for retiring princi­pal Lucia Godfrey, and they apparently pulled it off. Godfrey, the principal of Freeman-Centennial School for the past six years, retired this past Thursday, but not before an auditorium-full of students, teachers, and parents sent her off in style, including presentations from students and musical performance from the school’s Advanced Band.

The Freeman-Centennial School community recently honored Lucia Godfrey with a surprise going-away assembly. Godfrey was the school’s principal for six years before retiring last week. Teachers and administrators held up a timeline of Godfrey’s 30 years in the Norfolk school system, including spans as a teacher, assistant principal, and princi­pal. Third-graders held up letters spelling “MRS GODFREY,” each one stating what each letter was supposed to stand for. “F” was for “Forever in our hearts.” Fifth-graders offered elements of a “recipe” for a great principal, includ­ing “Mrs. Godfrey’s smile is always very warm and welcoming” and one that brought laughter: “Mrs. Godfrey’s a great principal because she cares more about children than money.”

Photos by Matt McDonald At one point all the students in the grades-3-through-6 school stood up and sang a rousing rendition of Barry Manilow’s “Can’t Smile Without You,” backed by Manilow himself blaring from a speaker.

Godfrey was also presented with a box full of cards and other writings by every student in the school. She said she is looking forward to reading all of them. “I still have things from when I first started teaching, because I really care about kids,” Godfrey said. Godfrey, who was surprised not only by the assembly but also by the appear­ance of family and former colleagues, frequently wiped her eyes during the 45-minute assembly in the school’s audi­torium but never broke down. “I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful memory that you’ve given me for six years, and for this wonderful day that you have created for me,” Godfrey said. “… It’s been my pleasure, it’s been my honor, to be here with you.” Godfrey said she is leaving the school to help babysit her twin grandchildren born a few months ago. She introduced the twins and a 2-year-old grandchild to applause from the crowd, along with her husband and her chil­dren and their spouses. Lisa Altham-Hickey, who began as assistant principal at Freeman-Centennial this past September, took over as interim principal on Friday, April 2.

Altham-Hickey’s appoint­ment runs through the end of the school year, but it’s not clear whether Superintendent Don LeClerc will make the permanent appointment of a principal be­fore he leaves at the end of June or leave it to his successor.

“I’m leaving, but I know I’m leaving the school in wonderful hands. You have a wonderful new principal, Mrs. Altham-Hickey,” Godfrey said. Altham-Hickey, who led the assembly, praised Godfrey for her “loyalty to education” and her “enthusiasm, perseverance, and integrity.” “Your passion for children is recognized every day. The stu­dents are always your number-one priority,” Altham-Hickey said.

Altham-Hickey became emo­tional toward the end of her talk as she mentioned Godfrey’s re­tirement. “Treasure these memories and know that you’ve made a dif­ference,” Altham-Hickey said. “… We love you and we’ll miss you.”

Among those who made sur­prise appearances at the assem­bly was Chris Augusta-Scott, the former Norfolk superintendent who hired Godfrey as principal of Freeman-Centennial-School.

“Mrs. Godrey is so dedi­cated and committed to student achievement, to student well-being, and to the happiness and well-being of her staff,” said Au­gusta Scott, who is now superin­tendent of Lowell public schools.

LeClerc, Norfolk’s current superintendent, also offered praise. “Many people aspire to do things in life. Few people are able to accomplish those aspira­tions.

I have to say, Mrs. Godfrey has truly left a legacy in Norfolk that will last for years and years to come,” LeClerc said.