The following memories are from the 2008 Argonner Elementary School Memory Book, the last yearbook for the school. You can view the original yearbook in our Argonner Elementary School yearbook archives.
In 1973-74, I had a basement room. It had a dirt floor and the controls to all the heat in the building. I taught middle school math. Next door to me was Chuck Messner’s industrial arts shop. There were no other basement rooms then. They hadn’t been dug out yet. (At that time, Argonner was both elem. and Junior High The first floor was elementary. The 2nd floor and the 2 basement rooms were Junior High. I can remember going over there with my vacuum cleaner to try to clean out the classroom. Also, if any of the teachers bugged me, I could shut off their heat! ! ! !
Bob Leach, Middle School Math & PE, 1972-1974
I came to Argonner School in 1986 – there were almost 1,000 students here. For 2 years I had a class in the basement – yes, it was dark, but no one bothered us. When I moved to the library it had yellow walls and red curtains. In 1992 the library was renovated and it was more cheerful. In my “early” days we were still using catalog cards and the students had to sign their names on check-out cards to borrow books. It would take a whole day once a month to make the overdue lists. Now, with the computer, I can do all the overdue lists in just a few minutes. I also remember we used to have big cottonwood trees around the school. In the spring it would look like snow falling with all the blossoms blowing in the wind.
Lynda George, First & Third Grade Teacher & Information Specialist, 1986-2008
Life is a journey through time, filled with many choices… There will be challenges to face and changes to make and it is up to you to accept them. When the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be, because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the dreams that you know are meant to come true for you. Remember you are your own greatest asset and never be afraid to defend your decisions. I wish each of you LOVE, PEACE and HAPPINESS and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Carolyn James, School Nurse, 1994-2006
After 22 years of teaching at Argonner, I have so many wonderful memories to reflect back on. If I choose one, it has to be all the special people that have walked these hallways over the years. I left Texas and my family not quite sure what I had gotten myself into. It didn’t take long to realize that I had walked right into an amazing school and found a new “family”. Teachers, students, parents, administrators, support staff-you all have enriched my life in ways I will forever treasure and can never forget. As we close the doors and say Auf wiedersehn to Hanau and Argonner School, I leave with a heart that overflows with moments to remember, and a tear in my eye.
Martha Gregg, Second & Third Grade Teacher, 1986-2008
Argonner Elementary School and the Hanau area were home to my girls and me for twelve years. Those were such special times and are the ones we remember most fondly when we talk together about our time in Europe. I remember coming there as an Education Program Manager when the student population was over a thousand, when the morning kindergarten sessions let out it looked like Munchkin Land, then going through the first and second drawdowns. Both of my daughters went from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade at Argonner, so it will always hold a most special place in our hearts. I would love to be able to attend the closing ceremony, but returning to Europe at the end of a very busy school year here just won’t work. I will most definitely be thinking of all of you on that day and remembering all of the good and truly special times my family and I had as a part of Argonner Elementary School.
Joyce Christian, EPM & Assistant Principal, 1987-1995
I came to Hanau in the fall of 1983 and was amazed there were over 1,000 students enrolled in Argonner Elementary School. I was shown my third grade classroom. It was in the basement of the school. It had no water, a tiny window, and was a long way from the bathrooms. Every room in the basement was being used as a classroom. Our school was packed with students and teachers. When the sixth grade moved to the new Hanau Middle School in 1989 I was asked which upstairs classroom I would like. I quickly said, “Room 221”! I have enjoyed teaching in that classroom with all the beautiful windows! Many third graders and I have watched the seasons change and Rocky the Squirrel entertain us by jumping from tree to tree One year we observed a woodpecker trying to drill a hole in a metal lamppost. He must have had quite a headache! I have so many memories of Argonner School such as: overnight youth hostel trips on the Rhein River, school volksmarsches, decorating gingerbread houses, field trips to castles, music programs, the third graders I have taught, the faculty members I’ve worked with, Young Authors’ Club, and much more. Argonner Elementary School will always be very special to me.
Lydia Youngman, Third Grade Teacher, 1983-2008
In August 2001, I transferred to Hanau, Germany from the VA to work in Sportfield Elementary School. Then 9/11 happened and I realized that I had more of a culture shock than I probably would have otherwise. For instance, we were confined to our Army billeting for two days and had humvees circling the building. The very first day I arrived in Germany, I met some of the best teachers and friends in the entire world. I wondered if I would ever get a chance to work with them someday. I finally got my chance after Sportfield Elementary School closed. Oh boy, a lot has changed in seven years!
I come from a large military family (dad was a Navy pilot). I was born in Norfolk, VA and grew up in Reno, NV. Later my father became a teacher and most summers we camped across the US. I have three brothers (Jim teaches at Kaiserslautern MS) and two sisters -Kathy teaches ESL in Naperville, IL.
A good part of my nursing career was devoted to critical care nursing. I have been a Dept. of Defense ICU/CCU nurse at Landstuhl, Germany and my hometown VA hospital. I am very glad I made the transition to school nursing for DoDDS. The children always surprise me with what they say or do.
After visiting my brother at Hahn AB and Misawa AB, I decided to apply for DoDDS. Being a part of the DoDDS family has been fantastic!
We have a teacher’s book club here at Argonner. This has been a very good place to work! I first learned to bowl here in Hanau as we had a teacher’s bowling league. That was a nice way to see people away school. I will always treasure my first DoDDS assignment and the friends I have met at Argonner Elementary School in Hanau, Germany.
Cindy Herb, School Nurse, 2006-2008
My first connection to Argonner School was our “Meeter Greeter”, Carol Parmenter, who met me at the airport with my name on a little sign and a smile. She made sure I went to Argonner first thing to meet Mr. Harr and Hilde and then she proceeded to give me a crash course about living in Hanau, Germany, that no one else was capable of teaching so well! A few days later, Carol and I greeted another newcomer, Lydia Youngman. She and I became fast friends as new arrivals and colleagues. I will always cherish the lifelong friendships of Carol and Lydia and all the others from around the U.S. we were privileged to work with.
Lou Dove (Christensen) Wirht, First Grade Teacher 1983-1987
I have very fond memories of Argonner ES students (over 500) and the wonderful staff. I remember the many, many busses (14) rolling in every morning with all of these students; the Thanksgiving Dinners sponsored by the 3rd grade teachers, the staff theatrical plays sponsored by Margaret Murray who wrote all of the scripts. We had fun rehearsing to put on the presentation for our students; the award assemblies, the Valentine Day dances sponsored by student council. Students were all excited to get dressed up, but became shy and wouldn’t dance. The field day activities in which the staff participated and how we struggled in competition with the students. The study trip planned by the Host Nation teacher for parents and their children. Parents were taught how to read the train schedule, pay for their tickets, etc. We all took the train to well, I have forgotten where we went though I know it was very nice. Although the school is closing these memories will always remain. I wish everyone the best in their new assignments, retirements or whatever decision you have made. Life goes on. When one door shuts, another opens. It was a wonderful experience for me.
Ora Flippen-Casper, Principal, 1998-2003
I’ve spent ten years at Argonner and they have gone by very fast. The craziest days that I remember were the Annual Fourth Grade Invention Conventions. It was always exciting and hectic to show off as many as 75 new inventions to the entire school. The basement hallway would ring with all the explanations as the fourth graders tried to sell their products. After school I will always remember our socials when we had a chance to twist and shout, surf the U.S.A., do the limbo, and even act like a hamster or a chicken! Who did let the dogs out anyway?
Tanya Chambers, Fourth Grade Teacher, 1998-2008
Some of my craziest and most tiring memories are of taking Argonner 5th graders to Hinterbrand, an Outward Bound Education Program sponsored by DoDDS. I did this for a number of years until DoDDs canceled the program. It was wonderful watching the growth in the students in so many different ways. During my time at Argonner, I took students skiing for a full week in Austria, roller skating, swimming, ice skating, bike riding, to Team Work Towers and the Rope Course at Hanau Middle School, as well as on a two overnight field trips to Dilsberg. It was great fun, challenging and exhausting, all at the same time. Getting to know students away from the school was a wonderful experience.
Evie Walls, Counselor, 1993-2008
I spent many happy years at Argonner and I have lots to remember, having started as a young teacher.
- The thousands of students, grades 6 to Kdg the hundreds of teachers & staff….and the 5 principals I worked with, in those 34 years…
- Cherished friendships that helped through rough times and shared the good times
- The many lessons, food tastings, study trips, youth hostel trips, and train trips I organized….
- Those amusing incidents and questions (“What’s the German word for ‘Schrank’?)….
- The countless times the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders cheered to hear about Siegfried slaying Fafnir the Dragon… with some crying when Siegfried was finally murdered by that scheming Hagen….
- The “Fall of the Wall”; “Castles”… folk tales, language lessons… and not forgetting “Muzzy”….
Oh, and do you remember… ?
Yes, the “Argonner Time” is a very special place in my heart!
Gis Olbrich, Host Nation Teacher, 1972-2006
Memories of Argonner. It was fitting that I was assigned to Argonner after being evacuated from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1994, because I spent my very first night in Germany back in 1966 at the barracks in Hanau before being sent to my first duty station in Fulda. I had come full circle. I have so many great memories from Argonner, including the wonderful people on the staff, but I think my favorite memory must be of the trips I made with Evie Fisher and the fifth graders to Hinterbrand Lodge. Those were extremely exhausting but exhilarating weeks that I often recall, even though I grumbled a bit about them at the time. How fortunate we were to be able to have so many students participate in such a character-building experience.
Kathy Rohe, Fifth Grade Teacher, 1994-2003
I have been privileged to feel the Argonner Elementary School HOSPITALITY in two different ways. First I got to know Argonner as a parent and secondly as a teacher. As a parent I came here 10 years ago from Okinawa. My daughter was going into 3rd grade and I worried about the transition for her since this was her first move. I anxiously awaited to pick her up at the end of that first day of school. Ms. Gregg opened the door and the 3rd graders began to file out. But before anyone stepped out the door, Ms Gregg stopped each child and gave each a hug and told them she’d see them tomorrow. What a way to ease a mother’s fear of the new school and how her child would be accepted. I’ll never forget the relief I felt for my child and how I knew this school would be perfect for her. My second experience was when I was reassigned to Argonner after being excessed from another local school. My daughter had already moved on to the high school by that time. I received a note from the CSC committee of which I would now be a member. The note welcomed me back to the school and said it could now be my home. And that is what it has become! The support, friendship and collegiality of the staff here at Argonner Elementary have surpassed any I could have imagined. I will truly miss the friends I have made here.
Terry Claus, Speech, 2006-2008
In my years, in ESL in Hanau, Argonner ES has welcomed students from every continent but Antarctica. These students have brought us their unique perspectives, along with challenges, joys, and laughter. Many of us will remember “French Franck,” (Ms. Parmenter’s term), who arrived from West Africa speaking French and Bafang. He was pleased to learn, after a weekend trip to Paris, that “everyone over there speaks MY language.” Ms. Youngman recalls Franck asking her whether, if he got a “CD” on his report card, he could choose his own CD at the PX, or if she would choose it for him. When he learned to read, he begged Ms. George to please, please, please order Harry Potter books for the Info Center.
Some will recall our new Polish student in Ms. Eddie’s class who, on Day 1, could not stop crying. When I led her out and down the hall, Ms. Chambers came out of her class and, in a firm voice, commanded her to “Raise your arms high and take deep breaths.” Puzzled, the girl stopped crying and watched as Ms. Chambers demonstrated this action with flair. Later on, when the student came out of her “culture shock,” she taught us Polish songs and explained how to say Ms. Michalski’s name “the real way.”
Few of us will forget Vera from Russia and Yeva from Belorus. Vera taught us the Cyrillic alphabet and Yeva played Chopin on the piano by heart. We remember Patrick from Nigeria who made a handsome pilgrim at the Thanksgiving Feast. We remember our South American girl who was amazed to leam that her books and tuition were paid for by “Uncle Sam” and that she would not need to work to buy her own books. We recall Multicultural Day when Ms. Gregg brought her class to a Japanese event and each student bowed to us and said, “Konnichi wa.”
Our German students loved Host Nation class, where they could be “stars.” They could tell everyone what they wore to “Fasching” and could say “Guten Morgen” without an accent. We remember our ESL student who brought in the medals his two grandfathers had earned in World War II. One grandfather had fought for the Americans and the other for the Germans.
We recall the Asian students who went to Saturday School to leam and keep their home languages. I worked every day in Ms. Gillett’s class and the multicultural lunches were fabulous we sampled marvelous Korean, Filipino, Turkish, Indian, Mexican (etc.) cuisines and the first graders became real gourmets.
Many ESL students saw their dads and moms off to war. We studied the maps provided by “Stars & Stripes,” and wrote in our journals. They wrote about their concerns for their parents away at war, and about how they looked forward to going to “Lunch Bunch” with Ms. Walls and Mr. Gillett. Many parents, despite long working days and intermittent deployments, came to school to read to students in Spanish or Tagalog or Korean or German, or to teach us games/crafts they had learned as children themselves. Some helped make pinatas or taught the students dances for Hispanic Heritage celebrations. All of these parents taught the rest of us how to cope and how to carry forward. We will always remember thesigns around base that read, “Welcome Home, Daddy. We love you
Evelyn Stuart, English as a Second Language (ESL), 1995-2008
I have so many fond memories of Argonner School that it would be impossible to list them all in one paragraph or on one page. Some of the best times were getting to know my students better when we took field trips. We were lucky enough over the years to be able to take train trips to Koln and Rothenberg with the entire train being DODDS students from all over Germany. Rhein River cruises, Main River cruises, ski weeks in Bertchesgarten, train trips to Fulda, bus trips to Idar Oberstein, Frankfurt, a candle factory, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Christmas Markets, Ronneburg Castle, are all wonderful memories for me. Many school volksmarches were walked over the years. I remember my class and I getting lost on a volksmarch once and running into soldiers out in the field. They steered us back to where we needed to be! Argonner School has made it possible to really experience Germany.
Carol Parmenter, Fifth Grade Teacher, 1981-2008
I came to Hanau when I was 29. It’s so hard to believe I’ve lived here 20 years already. I was excessed from Sportfield ES when it closed so I’ve only been at Argonner Elementary School for two years. I loved the school and felt welcomed right away. I’m excited to be moving to Yokota, Japan but will really miss everything and everyone here. I’ll remember the large classrooms with my Smartboard and 12 computers. I’ll remember the playground where I always felt like I was in the middle of a forest because it was so large and surrounded by trees. I’ll remember the long hallway in the basement that was so good for running races on rainy days or Judy Pritchard’s art museum. I’ll never forget Margaret Murray as lead singer in Jason and the Wildcats. I feel very blessed to have been a part of Argonner’s history.
Cheryl Lowery, Third Grade and Fourth Grade, 2006-2008
I’m not just saying good-bye to Argonner Elementary but to the Hanau military community. I started my career in the Army as an officer here in Hanau, Germany. I wasn’t even aware that there were schools here in Hanau until I returned from my first Iraq tour in 2004. Little did I know that just a few years later I would separate from the Army and work at the school that supports the military families. The last year of Argonner was my first experience in the classroom. I’ll never forget the feeling I had after my first month of working as a Special Ed Aide. I felt like the classroom was where I really belonged. For this reason, I will always remember Argonner Elementary School – it was where I finally realized what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Caprice Schupp, Special Education Aide, 2007-2008
I arrived at Argonner ES in November 1993 after leaving Bad Hersfeld ES, a closing school in the district. I taught third grade for two years. In 1995 due to enrollment, I was assigned to teach second grade.
My teaching experiences at Argonner ES have been both challenging and rewarding. I cherished making positive and lasting impressions on the third and second graders, that I had the privilege of teaching.
Fill with patience, smiles and dedication the teachers at Argonner ES make a difference in the lives of the students who have attended our school. Our students are proud of their heritage; diversity is an important asset to society.
My husband, Oren, worked at Argonner ES for several years, and then he transferred to Hanau HS. Our daughters, Otinetta and Roberautrice, loved their years at Argonner ES, kindergarten through fifth grade.
Nettie R. Brazile Eddie, Second and Third Grade Teacher, 1993-2008
Although I have been a teacher in the Hanau Complex for eight years, this is my first year at Argonner It’s like being a relative that gets together once a year for family reunions, but hasn’t really lived with this particular family. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to actually be a part of the Argonner family. Argonner always had a great reputation, and now I know why — the teachers and staff are amazing. Thanks Argonner for making me part of the family (and not a distant relative) for the year!
Deb Dombroff, Special Education Teacher, 2007-2008
I will always remember Argonner Elementary School for the kindness and opened arms the teachers and staff along with the parents and community gave us when we arrived here after Gelnhausen School closed. Everyone has treated us like family and has continued to do so. As everyone travels in different directions, may you have many blessings along the way.
Beatrice Jones, First Grade Teacher, 2006-2008
The faculty and staff of Argonner have been an inspiration to me for 9 years. My warmest memories are the extra things they all do to make education joyful for the students: Margaret Murray’s “Hooked on Books” programs, Frau Olbrich’s family outings by train, Tara Beau’s Math Contest, and all the after school programs that encourage children to explore and grow. Because I have had the opportunity to teach with many of them in their classrooms, I leave here a much better teacher because they have shared their knowledge and skills with me. I feel blessed to have worked at this school where there is “a little something special in the air”.
Polly Truzzolino, Special Education Teacher, 1999-2008
I will NEVER forget the day I landed in Germany. I was fortunate enough to visit during my college days and live and teach with DODDS for 2 years as a local hire in the 1980’s. I returned to New York with a full-time teaching position knowing one day I would return to Deutschland! In 1994, I was called to accept a position in Hanau, Germany and had only 2 weeks to pack out and get on a plane. I was nervous, excited and thrilled to be returning to Hanau, an area that I had been familiar with earlier in Dodd’s. When my plane landed and I saw the Frankfurt am Main Sign at the airport I could barely stop myself from jumping up and down. I was assigned to the middle school and eventually spent the next 14 years going back and forth over the bridge between the elementary school and the middle school in Hanau. Many students have come through the gym doors and my counseling office. I faced many challenges and changes in our community that has given me the strength and perseverance to keep steady and help guide students through school. Hanau will always be my HOME in Germany no matter where Dodd’s will take me. Thank you to all the parents, community and military support, faculty and friends for the times we have shared!’!
Monika Juergens
PE Teacher/Coach/ School Counselor, 1994-2008
My initial impression of Argonner Elementary on that August day in 1977, was of beautiful cottonwood trees framing a large white building. Upon entering the building I noticed the wide hallways and was led into an office where I was greeted by a petite lady with a German accent named Hilde. She in turn introduced me to Mr. Phil Harr, the principal (who would always be referred to as Mr. Harr throughout my 11 years at Argonner and to this very day, as I never could bring myself to call him “Phil”).
After introductory remarks and the completion of paperwork, I asked if I could see my kindergarten room which I envisioned being a spacious room down those wide corridors. Instead I was told my room was at Roseland on Wolfgang Kaserne. (Wolfgang then consisted of several large depleted storage buildings and was not the shopping area it is now.) Imagine my surprise when I was driven down a long, narrow road past a deserted chapel and a small cemetery to discover that “Roseland” was not quite a rosy place but a depleted building in need of much paint and with bars on the windows and doors! Upon entering Roseland, a former NCO Club that had been condemned by the military, I discovered that its structure had been partitioned into five classrooms of various sizes. I was a lucky one, as my room was quite spacious and was located on the front of the building with a wall of barred windows and exit door, worn indoor/outdoor green carpeting, four tables, and a yellow storage cabinet. At that first moment of negative impact I would not have believed it if you had told me that Roseland Kindergarten would become a magical place for those of us who taught there.
We learned it wasn’t the building itself which would be at the heart of our memories, but the special connections and friendships that were formed by those who taught there. We were a world unto ourselves, and we shared unique experiences and lasting bonds. After Sportfield was built several years later and kindergarten classes were shifted to Argonner those friendships continued and new ones were made with the other educators at Argonner.
Although it is very sad to think of the physical closure of Argonner Elementary and Hanau Post, I know that the magical moments and love that was experienced in those buildings will continue to survive through the retelling of many a fond story and memory with my good friends at our Hanau Reunions which we hold every two years to this very day.
Ginger Beavers, Kindergarten Teacher, 1977-1988
