Cedar Hill secretary is 'queen'

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 12/11/18

It was a surprise. Kids lined up at their classroom doors and were told to walk silently to the gym. They did. This was all part of the plan.

Throughout the week the word was “mum,” although …

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Cedar Hill secretary is 'queen'

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It was a surprise. Kids lined up at their classroom doors and were told to walk silently to the gym. They did. This was all part of the plan.

Throughout the week the word was “mum,” although the 350 Cedar Hill School students knew what was going to happen Thursday afternoon as most of them had a role in honoring school secretary Eileen McDonald. She officially retires after serving Warwick schools for more than 27 years this Friday.

As the gym filled, McDonald suspected something was going on as she found intercom calls to various classes weren’t being answered. Besides, earlier in the week a student let slip that there would be a surprise. It was her only clue.

But she couldn’t have imagined what was in store for her. Each of the grades – kindergarten through 5th – sang to McDonald culminating with the entire staff singing their version of Old McDonald Had a Farm. There were fun presentations, including giant sunglasses should she and her husband, Paul, travel south and a bib to wear when she goes to bed.

McDonald’s secret of unplanned nighttime snacks was out. And then there were too many hugs to count from students, faculty and principals she has worked for.

First grade teachers Vanessa Rooney and Trisha Dilanna orchestrated the celebration.

McDonald got to view it all from a front row seat – actually more of a throne – after being crowned and draped with a long blue boa. Thoughtfully, the throne was outfitted with a box of tissues that she used more than once to wipe away tears.

This was a celebration, not the conventional retirement gathering where administrators and elected officials all have something to say. The officials weren’t there. This was Cedar Hill family. McDonald is a big part of that family.

“She’s beloved by everyone, students, teachers, parents – it doesn’t get any better than Eileen McDonald,” Steve Kirby told this reporter.

Kirby started working with McDonald when he was principal at Potowomut School. Both Kirby and McDonald moved to Cedar Hill when Potowomut closed. Kirby said McDonald is quiet, unassuming and “loves the teachers and students.”

Dr. Frederick Schwiezer, principal today, spoke briefly about McDonald saying, “She goes above and beyond for all of us…she puts a smile on our faces.”

It’s no wonder that she does. McDonald knows virtually every student by name and goes out of her way to be there for them.

“I always try to make it personal,” she said in an interview following the festivities. It may be a question about the family’s new pet, a word about what they’re wearing or encouragement if they’re going through tough times.

“I want them to know me…when they make it personal, you make it personal,” she said.

McDonald started with the school department in special education and later worked with the late Superintendent Robert R. Shapiro in the area of attendance. When the family built a home in South Kingstown she looked for a position that would give her the summers off. She took the post of secretary for Ron Areglado, principal at Potowomut School. Closing the school where enrollment dropped to less than 100 was one of the “saddest” things in her career with Warwick schools.

McDonald doesn’t have grand plans for the next chapter in her life. She and her husband are not big on traveling. She aims to get him to the gym and she has plans for her garden – “I love pulling weeds.” She looks forward to spending more time with her four grandchildren.

With her gift for building relationships and understanding people, what about running for office?

She laughs. There’s already an Eileen for Mayor sign in the school office. McDonald found the sign, made up by Eileen Naughton when she ran for mayor, in a consignment store. She inquired about the cost and the store clerk said they were hers if she had the right name.

Well, is she planning?

“I could be a Walmart greeter,” she says with a laugh.

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