GDS Celebrates Grand Opening of Helen Monroe Preschool

On August 14, 2024, we were thrilled to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Helen Monroe Preschool with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by an open house.

This brand-new, state-of-the-art facility includes spacious indoor classrooms, an outdoor breezeway, a multisensory playground, and other learning spaces designed to support students’ intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth. Every classroom opens to the outdoors, allowing teachers to extend learning spaces by utilizing the outdoor space.

According to Head of School Dr. Tracie Catlett, the building was specifically designed to foster the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of preschool-age children. “Our preschool teachers are experts in the area of early childhood education,” Dr. Catlett said. “Their input and experience was an essential part of the design process. The design includes indoor and outdoor academic learning and play spaces that embrace what’s best for kids.”

Greensboro Day School broke ground on the 19,300-square-foot preschool facility on May 3, 2023. Little Architects of Charlotte designed the building, and Samet Corporation was the general contractor.

The ribbon-cutting party consisted of (L–R, above) GDS Preschool Director Laura Shue; Samet Chairman and CEO Arthur Samet; Be BOLD Campaign Co-Chair Chuck Keeley ’81; Mary Katherine Bell and GDS Board of Trustees Chair Durant Bell ’98; GDS Head of School Dr. Tracie Catlett; Jill and Thomas White ’00, along with their children Julia ’38, Taylor ’33, and Ford ’33; Be BOLD Campaign Co-Chair Mary Katherine Strong McInnis ’04; GDS Building and Grounds Construction Committee Chair John King ’87; and Little Architects Studio Leader Shana Hetherington.

The Helen Monroe Preschool is part of the school’s $27 Million Be BOLD Comprehensive Campaign. The campaign will raise $25 million for a new Preschool Center, a new Center for Student Life, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation (SLEI), a new maintenance facility, and new restroom facilities at the tennis center. An additional $2 million will go towards the school’s endowment.

About Helen White and Monroe Brown

The Helen Monroe Preschool is named in honor of Helen White of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Monroe Brown of Sumter, South Carolina, by their loving grandchildren Jillian White, granddaughter of Monroe Brown, and Thomas White, grandson of Helen White.

Helen and Monroe were both individuals who reflected the traits that are important in early childhood education: caring, compassion, kindness, and patience. Helen White was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of great faith who devoted her life to the pursuit of making others happy through service. Whether it was volunteering at church, baking wedding cakes for friends’ family members, or staying up all night on Christmas Eve with a nervous grandchild, “Nana” always chose to patiently and kindly put others first. Monroe Brown left a lasting legacy for his family and for our country. He was 16 years old when he joined the U.S. Army, and he served 630 days in combat during World War II. Monroe’s fervor to boldly fight for our country was equally matched with his passion to boldly share his faith. In every area of life, Monroe demonstrated love, respect, kindness, integrity, and responsibility. “I have no regrets. If I had to do it again, I would … I love my country.” —Monroe Brown, in an interview with The Item on Veterans Day. The Helen Monroe Preschool is a symbol of the love, respect, and admiration Jill and Thomas feel for these caring, compassionate, kind, and patient souls.