Jeanette Gilhooly Each month our district will honor a valued employee whose exemplary efforts improves the quality of our children’s educational experience in Garden City Public Schools.

This month’s Behind-the-Scenes: Employee Spotlight is focused on Mrs. Jeanette Gilhooly, school nurse at Homestead Primary School. Mrs. Gilhooly has worked in Garden City Public Schools since 1991 when she began as the school nurse at Stewart School. In 1999, Nurse Gilhooly transferred to Homestead, where she continues to serve children each day. “Jeanette has a heart of gold,” commented Homestead Principal Dr. Suzanne Viscovich. “Children at Homestead love to visit Mrs. Gilhooly’s office, and it is no wonder. She is so kind and caring that just seeing her makes the students feel a little bit better. Whether it is a temperature, their first lost tooth, a tiny paper cut needing a band-aid, or a scrape on the knee, the Homesteaders get treated with the utmost respect, patience, and genuine care.

“Nurse Gilhooly gives the same care to the staff at Homestead. She is a very special person, and teachers and faculty can always count on her compassion and friendship, or even just to listen. Her decorating talents are second to none, and she shares them in the beautiful baked creations for Homestead’s birthday breakfasts, bridal showers, and baby showers. The time and love she puts into these magnificent concoctions are evident in the edible ribbons, baby carriages, and teddy bears that grace the layers of the spectacularly decorated cakes.

“Nurse Gilhooly also extends herself by being an active community member with the Lead the Way Foundation. The students and teachers become involved in her commitment to our troops overseas. Students create cards and write letters, teachers bake cookies, and prepare care packages with other collected items. After she packs all of the items in boxes, Nurse Gilhooly mails them overseas.

“Jeanette is a true asset to the children and staff of Garden City Public Schools. We are so very fortunate to have Jeanette as our nurse, colleague, and friend!”

Thank you, Mrs. Gilhooly for all you do to make Homestead Primary School a special, welcoming, and caring place!