Trinity North Elementary sends off retired principal
Trinity North Elementary students waited quietly in the darkened auditorium Tuesday morning for their honored guest to arrive.
“Sh!” someone whispered. “She’s coming!”
For a moment, Dr. Beth Tully stood illuminated in the doorway, before the lights were switched back on and the opening chords of James Taylor’s “How Sweet it is” sounded through the room.
“It’s hard to surprise me,” she told them later, “but you did a good job.”
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Dr. Beth Tully, who has been principal at Trinity North Elementary School for 10 years, is retiring. She is pictured dancing with students during a surprise assembly Tuesday.
Staff and students organized an all-school assembly for Tully, who is retiring as principal after 10 years. Students presented her with flowers, a sash and tiara, and led her around the room before escorting her to a throne. Every grade, from pre-k through fifth, took turns singing a tune they had prepared.
Tully, who was joined by daughter, Emily, son, Brian, and granddaughter, Kayla, comforted several students who cried during the event.
“She’s an awesome leader, a wonderful friend and a very caring person,” said Linda Oros, Title 1 reading teacher. “She will be greatly missed.”
A group of fifth-grade students, who acted as emcees, spoke of their beloved principal, referring to her as “a good sport, dedicated, caring and approachable.”
“She really listens to us if we have problems,” they said, and “She taught us how important it is to give back to the community,” and “She has made us feel like we are one, big family.”
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Students hold up signs spelling out, “We’ll miss you, Dr. Tully” as their principal, Dr. Beth Tully, looks on.
Brenda Williamson of the Trinity North Parents Club presented Tully with a personalized stepping stone.
“Thank you on behalf of all the parents,” she said. “It’s a great comfort knowing you and your staff always cared greatly for the children.”
Dr. Michael Lucas, Trinity superintendent, said that Tully is one of the most dedicated educators he’s known.
“She knows your names. She knows your parents’ names. She knows your grandparents’ names. That’s not common,” Lucas told the students. “(Educators) have to be advocates. Dr. Tully is the biggest advocate I know.”
Lucas said that Tully was instrumental in getting the Blessings in a Backpack weekend feeding program reestablished four years ago when there was no funding for it.
“She may not be very large,” he said, referring to her height, “but she has one of the largest hearts.”
The staff presented Tully with a stained glass Trinity lamp and the Dr. Seuss book, “O, the Places You’ll Go!” that they had signed.
Tully said her family is her first priority. She plans to spend time with Kayla and her husband, Robert. Next week, she’ll celebrate her father’s 95 birthday.
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Tully, holding her granddaughter, comforts a student. There were many tears during her goodbye celebration Tuesday.
“Its the first time I’ll be with him on his actual birthday,” she said.
William Tracey, who is new to the district, will take over as principal after the spring break.
Before a special luncheon, Tully gave the students some words of wisdom, including, “take care of each other, read every day, be good to people and be honest.”
Her proudest accomplishment at Trinity?
“Them,” she said, stretching her arms wide to indicate the students.