001fact it's been since I've been here. Um, we have a lot of individuals we're going to be recognizing tonight. I did have a 20-minut opening speech, but I'm going to cut that to 15 minutes just because of the amount of people. Um, I'm super excited. I can always tell how excited I'm going to be by the songs that are playing in my car as I pull up. And it was Asia Heat of the Moment that you can just crank that up. You know that song, right? With the guitar and then Lionel Richie All Night Long, which is two good songs to come in here with. Um, I'd like to welcome the board of education, our central office administrators, our building level administrators who are here, some of who will be speaking and others that are
002just here for their support. I'd like to welcome our staff members that are here to support their colleagues, current staff members, and also past retirees that are here as well. I'd like to welcome all the family and friends of our retirees and of course our our people of honor tonight. Um we have 21 individuals that will be uh recognizing tonight. And that again is the most that we've recognized in one night since I've been here. It's a combination of teachers. We have 14 teachers. We have two of our school nurses, two custodians, a teachers aid, one of our clerical staff members, and one of our central office administrators. Some of these people have spent more than half their lives in the district up to 33 and a half years. I think was the most um
003I'd like to thank Angela Corbo and Heather Campbell who helped me organize tonight sending out invitations uh organizing the the gift bags that we have. Like to thank Janet Janakio and her staff for all the wonderful food that they brought for us tonight. To the retirees, I just want to thank you for your years of service and to the district. We are so appreciative of all the work you've done day in and day out for our students, for our staff, uh, and for our buildings. We really, everything is a group effort and it's we're so appreciative of everything that you've done for us. Your impact will be felt long after, uh, tonight. So, how it's going to work tonight, we're going to call up a building principal and they're going to call up the retirees
004one at a time from their district. They're going to say a lot of nice and great things about them. And as they do that, we're going to have the retirees come up as well, so everyone who might not know them can see who we're talking about. And then afterwards, after the principal speaks, if the retiree wants to say a few words, you are more than welcome to do so. Under no obligation to do so, and everybody's comfortable speaking, so you don't have to, but you're more than welcome to as well. Um, so without further ado, I'm going to call up Paul Adler from the high school to get this night going for us. Thank you, Mr. Matone. Good evening, members of the board, uh Dr. Gunderson, staff, and of course, families who came out uh
005to celebrate your loved ones. I am going to start by calling up uh Lori Moore. [Applause] So Lori Moore is our wonderful information system specialist here at Suffren High. She started her career in IT as a help desk help desk operator in Ramsey, New Jersey. She then worked for an area wide company called Tilkcon as an IT technician fixing and replacing hardware devices and then moved to Keller Army Hospital in West Point where she continued to work in IT tech. Lori then came to Suffren Central where she worked at Hillburn for five years supporting the assistant superintendent curriculum and was our IT database management director. She then joined us at Suffren High where she has remained for 15 years providing software support. Now I do have to admit uh when I first came here two
006years ago, Lori was a total person of mystery to me in my first couple months. She had her own little secret office just inside the doors of the main office and she hunkered down behind what looked like a supercomput with multiple monitors and she was always working late on various projects that I was pretty sure were secret government missions. Um and by the way during the holidays holidays no one dressed as crazy as Lori. I was person of mystery to me. But there was a day in November, I'll never forget, in my first year where I truly understood the power of what Lori brought uh for us and our school. I was looking for different ways we could uh look at our first quarter grades and support our kids. And I came to our office
007and she showed me about five different ways we could do this and I was just blown away. Um it led then le sorry then led us to figuring out how we could identify which kids were struggling by course, by grade level, by every which way you could imagine. and it made a huge difference for how we supported our kids in homework club, after school programs, and the summer. So once I learned about her superpowers, I felt like here's the secret weapon. And uh she just continued to do incredible work. She helped us with athletic eligibility, as I shared earlier, homework club, region support, you name it. So in my book, Lori is definitely one of the unsung heroes of Suffren High, and I'll miss her tremendously. Uh, and from your colleagues, they've said things such
008as this. Uh, Lori, what can we say? Uh, you have a big heart and always have a smile on your face. You go above and beyond to help and get the job done. From your decorations, your candy dishes, always spreading sweetness. Um, Lori, you are quiet but fierce and it's been such a pleasure working with you and will sure miss you and your sense of humor. Best of everything to you. That was from your colleagues and from our administration which works closely uh who work closely with Lori. Uh they say this uh Lori always handled her job with grace and poise no matter what challenges she was presented with. She has a calm demeanor which can help to put others at ease, especially when they approach her with a challenging situation. She's able to problem
009solve effectively and provide people with a historical lens that can be incredibly helpful in troubleshooting a particular problem. Lori is always available to lend a helping hand and help out when needed. She's also all about the holidays during the year, whether it's Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day or Halloween. Her office is always decorated in a festive theme. Uh we all wish Lori the best in retirement. Lori, thank you for your tireless service to Suffer High. I just want to thank everyone. The kind words were so nice and um you know I coming to Suffer Central was like my dream job and uh I'm so grateful for the people that hired me to get here and um you know I've jo enjoyed the work that I've done and uh even though I'm kind of behind the
010scenes the kids don't see me but I've watched them grow up on the screen and uh which I will truly miss that screen although I know Dr. Douglas has a bigger one. So, but uh I am very proud to be a Mounty and um I'm going to miss everyone. Thank you. Thank you so much. Let's give Lori one more hand round of applause. I would now like to call up uh Mr. Greg Casarella, our wonderful English teacher. So, a little bit about Greg. Greg graduated from the University of Delaware in 1991. and we heard your daughter just graduated there, too. So, congratulations. Um, he later earned his teaching certification through St. Thomas Aquinus College. Greg joined us here at Suffren High in 1995 and has dedicated the past 30 years to teaching and coaching here.
011In addition to teaching English, he has served as both a football and lacrosse coach, a lacrosse coach for a total of 19 years with our boys team and the last three as head varsity coach. Greg also served for many years as the adviser to the Mountain Echo, the school newspaper. He founded and continues to advise the military appreciation club, which has led several meaningful initiatives. These include organizing student efforts to send care packages to deploy troops, securing the display of the P MIA flag that is right here at the high school and middle school, and help the club raise funds to install the empty chair memorial at the middle school stadium to honor those who never returned from war. Suffren High School has truly been Greg's home away from home. His decision to retire was
012not made lightly, and we know he will deeply miss the students, friendships, and the meaningful life he's built here. And in that spirit, uh, we have notes from several of his colleagues who have taught with Greg for at least 15 of his 30 years. Um, for brevity, I had to cut a little bit of these down. I'll share them with you later, Greg. Um, and there might be some appropriateness things I had to cut out, too, but again, I'll share with you later. But first, from his friend Ian. Um, Greg is a man of many fine qualities, but few people outside the English department that know that he is a vicious earworm dropper. So, for the past 25 years, on a daily basis, he would casually walk through the office belting songs like Jesse's Girl
013or Sister Christian, which reverberate in your head for the remainder of the workday. It's torture. So, your colleagues decided to tort you back a little bit tonight. And a couple of your colleagues uh wrote new lyrics to songs that you may know. Now, they asked me to sing, but I literally think this place would empty out if I started singing, so I'm just going to say them, but from your friend uh Kathy Pharaoh, uh this is Adapt and Keep Trucking, a farewell jam for the coolest cat in the hallway, and I'm going to read three verses from her. From Dead Head Jams to a Zeppelin dive, you made the classroom come alive. Those kids, they heard more than just tunes. They caught your spirit like a Sunday afternoon. A man of brisket and stories bold
014of campfire legends and wisdom gold. Your laughter timed your timing tight. You brought the kind of honest light that can't be found in lesson plans but in how you listen, laughed and stand. Trucking got your chips cashed in. Yay. Showed us all how to begin with kindness first and humor close. You were the rock in this English post. And now from your friend Liz Kleta Skard state of mind for a rocking retirement. You told us to be a simple man, to follow your heart and do what you can. You taught with soul, with fire, with grace. In every lesson, you found your place. Tuesday is gone with a wind, you say with a grin. Your grade books closed. No more pencils or pens. No more give me three steps to the copying machine. You're trading
015those hallways for a wanderer's dream. No more. No more working for MCA. You punched your last clock. You're heading your way. Call me the breeze, we'll hear cry as you chase the sun across the southern sky. If I leave here tomorrow, well, now you are. And your truck was skinned in a mason jar. Retirement's calling like a sweet guitar slide cuz I'm free as a bird now. And man, what a ride. From sweet home Alabama to your classroom's door. We gave it your all and then some more. We'll raise a glass and play your song knowing you're rocking Skinner spirit will always live on. Greg, thank you for your care of students whether it be in the classroom or on the lacrosse field. And thank you for the deep impression you made on your colleagues.
016Congratulations. [Applause] And now I'm going to call up Mr. Pierre Andre. [Applause] So, this is the moment um as a PR I've been a principal for more than nine years between the city and here. This might be the most nervous I've been because how do you honor a man like this who's given us so much uh but I'll try. Um Pierre has served um as our custodian with honor with honor over 30 years in every part of the district serving Connor the middle school. U can we just actually just raise our hand if you work with Pierre and some so so look around Pier. Okay. [Applause] And uh those of us who know Pierre knows that he shows up to work every day with a smile that brightens our entire school. Um there's not a
017time uh that we've ever spoken to Pier and we don't feel humbled and grounded by his absolute love of life. His mantra seems to be I am happy and I am blessed with a smile that radiates from ear to ear. And we feel blessed for knowing him. But I want to come back to this theme of honor that I started with when I speak about Pierre. And there's there's three stories I'm going to share that point to the honor that he's brought to this role. Um recently, uh Pierre was sharing his outlook on life with our wonderful assistant principal Danielle Castaldo, who he's known for 13 years. And he said to her, um, "I came here to this country with nothing, and now I have everything. I have the job, the house, the car, and
018have traveled the world. And in each country I go to, I tell them proudly that I am a custodian. And they respect me for that. Pierre believes that everyone could have the same if they work hard and go the extra miles. I always know when it's Pierre who cleans my office because he leaves his mark behind. Something as simple as putting a wrap tissue in my washed mug to show it's been cleaned. Or he'll look at my markers and see that they're completely disorganized and create a new system for me without me knowing it. He does this extra work not because he has to, excuse me, but because he wants to. He is always going above and beyond because he wants things to look nicer and function better. I if you noticed, but during the
019reception, he was fixing all these shades so they'd be exactly the same. The second story is a very short one that speaks to Pierre's honor for the role. Pierre has never taken a sick day. Ever. Period. And finally, if you ever happen to come to our suffering high evening events, you'll see the way he interacts with our students. He comes to sports events. He cheers on our athletes. He comes to our evening of excellence and celebrates our scholarship recipients. He attends our plays. Even when there's not an event, you'll see him chatting with students in our hallways who are just there waiting for rides. He knows our suffering students just as well as he knows the students who just arrived from another country. They are given his equal attention and love and he treats them
020as if they were his own. Excuse me. So, going back to honor, Pierre Andre reminds us of the honor that we owe to our roles here at Suffering. If we all could have the love and pride for our jobs the way Pier does, the world truly be a better place. Thank you for your service [Applause] here. Hi everybody. This is a privilege to working for Seno. I remember 25 years ago, 24 years ago, I came here before 911. One week before 911, everybody said, "But me, I'm already in." When they put me in, he look like they pay me for the thing I love. I love to clean and they pay me for that. And they put I'm so excited to keep working and I love that. But they have when I'm from this job
021I blessed not only blessed double and blessed. I'm ready to go to to vacation maybe three years ago from Canadia airport to Germany. I love the job so much. You know I take the the fab I put in my bag. The plane laid down in Germany, but my destination in Singapore. It was 11 hours from Germany to go all the way to Singapore. You know why I want to go to Singapore? Is the cleanest place of the world, but this is a short short story. I put the the fab on my bag at the immigration kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty. the whole welcome. I said, "No, I have to catch my flight to go to Singapore. If you want to send them to my to to my back to New York, they say, "No,
022okay, you can go." But now I pick up the Singapore direct to Singapore because I love to see what's going on in Singapore. Singapore when you come in somebody they smoking they smoke behind you somebody with the dustpin pick up there is no food outside at all that's what they say why you the immigration the flight almost 400 people in the plane everybody coming to the immigration what you doing for a living somebody student conference I said what about Hello. What are you doing for a living? I am a custodian. He say wow that's a long flight. I say I coming to visit your country because I know is a one of the best cleaning place. Welcome. But you know whatever you doing for your life doing exactly why by the wall. This is it.
023I love it you know. But now for the sick day I love the job so much. I never did you hear that this is the first time you go to here for 24 years somebody never call sick I always come in here and I enjoy to to to walk in and I say you are the good hand like all Hi. I now want to welcome up Andrew Trust from our middle school. Good evening everyone. Dr. Adler clearly didn't get the one minute memo where we have to be one minute. Larry was very clear on that. here. You can talk as long as you want. Thank you to Dr. Gunderson and the board of education for hosting such a wonderful evening. It's truly one of the highlights of the year. Suffer Middle School's first retiree is
024Allison Claire. [Applause] Claire after 30 years in education and 24 of those year years right here at Suffer Middle School. Allison is closing one chapter and opening another. But her impact will last for years to come. As a dedicated math teacher, Allison didn't just teach equations. She taught students how to think critically, solve problems, and believe in their own ability to grow. She ma made math meaningful, approachable, and yes, even fun. Beyond the classroom, Allison has served as a team leader, offering steady guidance, support, and just the right amount of humor to keep us all grounded. Her sense of humor is legendary, and her ability to bring people together, especially during challenging times, has been a true gift for our school. What really sets Allison apart though is her heart. She's always looked out for
025the neediest students, the ones that needed a little extra patience, a little extra care, and a lot of understanding. Allison never gave up on them. And in doing so, she reminded us that what it truly means to advocate for every child. When asked what's what she's most proud of, Allison didn't talk about awards or achievements. She talked about relationships. the bond she built with the students, families, and colleagues. And when asked what she'll miss the most, it's the people, the co-workers who, in her words, make me smile and push me to think. Allison, thank you for your leadership, your laughter, your heart, and your unwavering commitment to your students. Suffer Middle School won't be the same without you, but your legacy will always be part of its foundation. [Applause] Side note, this is one of
026the first times Allison doesn't want to say something. Our next retiree is Christine De Antonio. [Applause] Christine is a beloved physical education teacher who is retiring this June after 33 incredible years in education all right here in Suffren. Christine's con connection to this district runs deep. She spent 13 years as a student graduating from Cherry Lane Suffin Junior High School and Suffren High School. That's 46 years of living, learning, and leading in Mount Blue and White. [Applause] She calls this her dream job, and anybody who's watched her teach knows why. Christine brings passion, warmth, and spirit into every class. She builds confidence, community, and countless memories in our gym and beyond. For the past 18 years, her legendary Halloween costumes with Gabby Soma have brought joy and laughter to the entire district. That kind of
027creativity and joy has helped make our school feel like home. I especially enjoy walking the hallways in early July and seeing their costumes still being stored in random corners of the school. Christine and her husband Bill have raised three exceptional children, William, Grace, and John. all proud graduates of Suffin Central School District. Just like their mom, all three of her children were here at Suffren High School while I was there, while I was here, and they were all a joy to be around. As she prepares to retire, Christine says she'll miss her second family, especially her PE team, and the sense of home that she's always felt at Suffer Middle School. Christine will Christine will miss you just as much. Your legacy, your laughter, your Mounty pride will always be part of Suffering. Congratulations. I'll
028send an email. She says she's going to send me an email. Trust me, she's very good at that. Our next retiree is Miss Heidi Rene. [Applause] Heidi began her teaching career in September 1993 at Suffren High School after seven years in the corporate world. That brave shift brought her to a place where she would spend the next 30 plus years teaching inspiring students with her passion for language and her deep sense of care. Most of Heidi's career was spent at Suffer Middle School where she taught Spanish, Italian, and French, but more importantly, where she created a space that felt like a family. Her classroom was a place of safety, enthusiasm, and connection. Many students have stayed in touch with her, and others still tell her how much support her support meant meant during those critical
029years. Heidi never stopped learning. She absorbed lessons from her students, from her colleagues, from courses that she eagerly took to sharpen her craft. Her joy, her energy, and her ability to stay young at heart have been hallmarks of her career and a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. On a more personal note, Heidi's time has been deeply meaningful in many more way in more ways than one. her son Nick who is a proud graduate of of Suffren schools. I had the pleasure of knowing Nick at his time during Suffren High School. And our relationship was something truly special. To to see him thrive and grow and to share that bond not just as a principal but with a colleague and a friend like Heidi is something that I will always hold
030close. Heidi, thank you for everything. Your legacy lives on in every student you've touched. Congratulations. [Applause] I am gonna say something. I hope that's all right. But for me, it's cathartic to be able to say something before I retire so that I know that I've put all the energy out into the world. So bear with me. suffer. When thinking about what I would like to share this evening, I quickly realized that for me, my retirement is much more than my teaching career. The school district and the suff community is interwoven and an integral part of who I am. In 1967, the renewed family moved to Suff right off of Mile Road. We watched as Montabelloo, Viola, and Suffren High School were being built. My brother and I were one of the first classes that graduated
031through Montabelloo and continued at Suffren Junior High School and then the high school. Our family have graduates from 1982. myself 1983, 1985, 2016 my daughter Francesca, 2020 my son Nicholas and 2021. So how did I get where I am today? I am a product of Rampo Central School District. It at the time in high school I studied French, Spanish, and Italian. And in the summer of 1982, when I was only 16 years old, I spent a month in Spain with some of the people you all might know, Joe McKe and Gloria Steves. With that, I fell in love with everything Spanish. 10 years later, in 1993, I was offered a teaching job at Suffren High School, replacing my first Spanish teacher, Jimmy Brightes, who retired. Here I was a product of the schools and now
032a teacher. And moving forward few more years later I became a proud mom of two beautiful children who then attended Sloburg Elementary School. I had the opportunity to teach their friends and their peers cheer at sporting events, concerts, plays and graduations. Suff is my home. I have traveled far, but when I return from a trip and I see our beautiful mountains, the sign for exit 14B and the Suffer Middle School building off of the highway, I feel connected once again to this fabulous community. Teaching every day students who are energetic, curious, and simply contagious. I become alive, young, and enthusiastic. The schools and towns are part of my personal and my professional history. The Mounty Paw is on all the t-shirts, the hoodies, the bags, the magnets. We all have them. For me, it's been
033a roller coaster of a year. I vacasillate between excitement and sadness that it's all over. But for many reasons, it is the perfect time to start my next chapter in journey. I'm sorry I'm going on, but I'm almost done. I would like to especially thank my 90year-old mom who is here. [Applause] She is the one who kind of pushed me to pursue the education path after the corporate world. I'd like to thank my wonderful children, Francesca and Nicholas, who are always there for me even when I get a tad bit crazy with them and Joe for his daily support. Plus my suffer middle school staff and colleagues who have been continuously checking in on how I'm feeling. me. Graciaser Maraviosa and I will end tonight with once a Mounty always a mounty. Thank you. Thank
034you, Heidi. I now want to welcome up Vanessa Rodriguez from Slutzburg Elementary School. Good evening. I would like to start by calling up Melissa [Applause] Jefferson. Today we celebrate an extraordinary educator whose journey began with us over 30 years ago. Melissa Jefferson first walked through the doors of RP Connor Elementary School as a student teacher in both second and fifth grade. In 1994, she was hired at Slitzburg Elementary School as a half-day kindergarten teacher. It was half day kindergarten. And she has been a part of the heartbeat of the school ever since. Melissa spent 27 years teaching kindergarten, three years in second and also in fourth grade, leaving behind a legacy of love, care, and dedication. Melissa has tied countless shoelaces, wiped away many tears, and patiently taught all of her students to read, instilling
035in them a sense of wonder and confidence that I know will last a lifetime. She has mentored many student teachers as well. She's brightened our days as part of Sunshine Committee and extended her care into after school and summer programs as well. Melissa, your warmth and your kindness have shaped so many lives. We know your three children, Julie, Chris, and Kevin, and your husband, Jerry, can agree. Today, we don't just celebrate a retirement. We honor a legacy. a legacy of compassion, dedication, and deep roots in our community. Thank you for everything that you've given to Slotzburg. You will always be a part of our family. Just briefly, I just want to say my heart is so full right now. If I tried to share everything I was feeling, I'd be in tears. But I do
036want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It's been a wonderful career, a wonderful life. And I do want to thank my family, the reason why I smile so much. My husband who helps me so much throughout these 30 years. He's done all the big things and little things so I could be uh concentrate on being a mother and being a teacher. And to my three kids who I love bring me so much joy and happiness every day. And uh it's just been a wonderful ride. Thank you all. [Applause] All right. At this time, I'd like to call up Mrs. Kathleen Reed. [Applause] Kathy Reid is retiring after 19 years of dedicated service here in the Suffren Central School District. She started her career in the district as a Montabella Eagle before eventually becoming
037a Slosburg pirate. Kathy has been a tireless advocate for her students through the years, always ensuring that each and every child that sat before her felt seen, heard, and supported. Her dedication to helping every student reach their full potential has been nothing short of inspiring. Whether celebrating small milestones or major breakthroughs, Kathy always believed in the ability of her students to succeed, often before they believed in it themselves. Her retirement leaves a space that cannot truly be filled, but her impact will continue to shape the lives of her students for years to come. Kathy has also served as a mentor twice. She's coordinated after school programs and served as teacher in charge, handling each and every role with professionalism and dedication. But what truly sets her apart is her heart. She has been a champion
038for her students, a steady presence in every hallway, and someone who makes our school community feel like a second home. Thank you for your service, Kathy. You will be missed dearly. [Applause] All right. The man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Jay Hourfeld, please join us. I am honored to stand here tonight next to Mr. Jay Hourfeld as he concludes over 36 incredible years in education. [Applause] I'm certain that he's flooded with memories of laughter, learning, and the joy of watching his students grow. As some of you may recall, back in 1997, a book called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone was first published. Jay excitedly read it to his class that year and then every single year ever since. That read aloud became one of his classroom traditions and more than a few reluctant readers
039caught the reading bug from Mr. and Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Over the years, students and even parents have stopped to tell Mr. Arafeld that that was the book that started their love of reading. What a gift. During his time teaching about the Irakcoy in fourth grade, along with his team, they transformed their classrooms into long houses. They dressed part and they held a meeting of the five nations. They even had a talking stump which later became the thinking stump and is still a fixture in his classroom today and will be handed down to one of his colleagues. Jay, throughout your time in the district, you have not just taught students, you have inspired them, nurtured their creativity, and made learning an exciting adventure. Your warmth has created classrooms where every student has felt safe, valued,
040and eager to learn. We wish you and your wife Edna the very best in this next chapter of your lives. You will be missed greatly and your legacy will live on for years to come. Congratulations J. [Applause] Thank you all. I'm very blessed and grateful for the trust that you've all shown me over the years. And thank you beautiful people. All right, still going. At this time, I'd like to call up Mrs. Patty Gilson. [Applause] Patty Gilson is our esteemed nurse, Szburg Elementary School, and has been a quiet strength and a comforting presence in the building for the past 12 years. She is the master of band-aids, the queen of calm, and somehow she always knows which injuries need just a little bit of TLC and which can return to recess. We'll miss her warmth,
041her patience, and her magic ability to heal just about anything. sometimes with just an ice pack and a kind word, but crackers also always seem to help. Whether it's cheering on our students at our cross country races, being present in the hallway every single day for arrival and dismissal, and helping out at all of our school functions. Patty has been an essential part of the Slotzburg family. In talking to her recently, she shared with me that she is really just going to miss seeing the students every single morning, seeing their smiles. She said she's going to miss the joy of our school concerts and the daily hope of making a student's day just a little bit better. And of course, she also mentioned that she will miss the colleagues who have become a second family
042to her. We will miss your warmth, Patty, your compassion, and the way that you have made Slber Elementary School a more caring place each and every day. Thank you for everything you have done. You have truly left a lasting impact on us all. Congratulations. [Applause] All right. And last but not least, I would like to call up Mrs. Don Pastalaski. [Applause] Finally, I would like to take the time to honor to honor Don Postolowski, who is closing the chapter on an incredible 32 and a half years teaching. And yes, we are counting the half because anyone who has taught second grade knows in June how long those days can be. Over the years, Dawn has taught predominantly at Biola Elementary School, which is where we met and worked together, second grade team, quite a few
043years ago. Uh, in addition to second grade, Dawn has taught fourth grade, third grade, second again, fifth grade, and somehow found her way back to second at she's basically lived an entire elementary school experience and continues to smile about. What makes Don stand out isn't just her classroom experience, but the way she brings warmth, endless humor, and just the right amount of sarcasm to every situation. She is famous for saying what everyone else is thinking, but with a sparkle in her eye that makes you laugh when you probably shouldn't. Her patience is the kind that you wish you could bottle up, especially during indoor recess. And when it comes to communicating with families, Dawn does so with honesty, kindness, and a truly genuine care that builds lasting trust. She reflects deeply on her teaching experiences,
044always striving to make things better, not just for her students, but for the entire school community. Dawn, we will miss your wisdom, your heart, and your perfectly timed jokes. I'm so grateful for us to have been able to spend this last year together at SLSburg. Enjoy this next chapter with your beautiful family, Ed, Kayla, and Luke. And know that your influence has made a lasting impact on the lives of so, so many. [Applause] Congratulations. So, I didn't get the one minute memo or the memo that we could speak. So, um, I just want to thank everybody. I mean, the administrators, you have nailed every person that I've knew, and I think there was just two I didn't. Um, we're lucky to work here. I'm a Mounty through and through, a graduate. Um, the only reason
045we left is because my boyfriend at the time, which is now my husband, was like, I can't handle parent conferences when we're on a date. So, we we shipped up to Monroe. Um, but and it was true. Lafayette Theater in the middle of lobby. Um, So, but I it really has been wonderful. Um, and I can't thank my colleagues enough. Um, my daughter wants to go into teaching and I said if you love the job and you love the people you work with, it really is truly a blessing. So, thank you. [Applause] Thank you very much. I want to now welcome up Kelly Benady from RP Connor Elementary School. Okay. Tonight I'm honored to share a few words in celebration of our literacy aid, Sue Gella. Sue has been a steady, nurturing presence in our
046kindergarten classrooms, guiding our youngest learners with patience, love, and a passion for education. Her calm demeanor and kind heart have left a meaningful mark on so many lives. From day one, the staff and administration at RPC welcomed Sue with open arms, and she quickly became a cherished part of the team. Her warmth and positivity have helped make RPC one of the most joyful, supportive places to work and an environment where children thrive. Sue often spoke about how much she valued working alongside the amazing teachers there. She considered it a true privilege to be part of such a talented and dedicated group of educators. Her time with the kindergarteners brought her immense joy. Their curiosity, energy, and laughter lit up her days and often became the highlight of her evenings at home, where her dinner table
047stories brought even more smiles. Helping children learn to read, supporting their growth and watching them flourish both academically and socially, was deeply fulfilling for her. She formed genuine connections with the students, ones that, as she puts it, truly made her heart smile. Although she deeply misses the students and the staff at RPC, Sue is also excited about the next chapter of her life. She and her husband recently returned from a beautiful 10-day trip to Ireland, and they're already planning more adventures together with his retirement coming in 2026. They have time to dream, explore, and hopefully welcome a grandbaby or two along the way. Sue, thank you for your years of service, your commitment to our children, and the joy and heart you brought into our school each day. You've left a lasting mark, and we
048are all better for having worked alongside you. Congratulations on your retirement. [Applause] The influence of a great teacher could never be erased. Tonight, I'm honored to celebrate Barbara, Lisa, and Mary. Three extraordinary educators whose combined 91 years of service have shaped the lives of countless students and left a lasting impact on our community. Each of them brings a unique story of dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping children grow and thrive. I'm truly grateful that for the opportunity to reflect on the remarkable difference they've made not just in classrooms but in the hearts of all who've had the privilege to learn and work alongside them. I'd like to invite Barbara Brain to come [Applause] up. Barbara began her journey in our district in 2000 at Cherry Lane Elementary School. And just a year later, she
049found her home at RP Connor. From the start, her heart and soul have been devoted to the students and families she served with tireless dedication. Before teaching, Barbara knew she wanted a meaningful career, something that challenged and inspired her. Encouraged by her beloved teacher, Sister Evelyn, she chose education, and we are all grateful she did. As a special education teacher, Barbara has done far more than teach. She's empowered, uplifted, and believed in students before they believed in themselves. She's been an advocate, a steady hand, and a gentle guide, always putting students first. Barbara first knew RP Connor as a parent, experiencing the warmth of the community firsthand. When she joined as a teacher, she brought both professional passion and a personal investment that helped shape the caring and dynamic culture we cherish today. The relationships
050Barbara has built here with students, families, and colleagues are a testament to her heart, humility, and quiet excellence. Now, as she retires, Barbara looks forward to time at the beach with her husband, bike rides, reading, and hosting loved ones. She's excited for her son's wedding this fall and plans to complete a 200 hour yoga teacher training course. Barbara, your impact goes far beyond the classroom. Thank you for your patience, wisdom, and tireless ad advocacy. You've left a lasting mark on RP Connor, and you'll always have a home there. Congratulations and best wishes for a peaceful, joyful, and adventurefilled retirement. [Applause] Next, I'd like to invite Lisa Cosgrove to join me as we celebrate her inspiring journey. It's truly a a pleasure to celebrate Lisa and her wonderful career as a reading specialist. She began teaching
051back in 1992 in New York City, came to Suffren in 2005, and has been a cherished part of RP Connor since 2008. Education is in her blood. Her mother, aunt, uncle, cousins, brother, and even one of her own children are teachers. It's no surprise that her passion for reading led her become a certified reading specialist, dedicating herself to helping struggling readers discover the joy of books. Although she was a bit sad at first to be transferred to RP Connor, she quickly realized RPC was something special. The strong sense of community here both inside the school and throughout Suffford made it feel like home. With encouragement from colleagues, she stepped up in ways she hadn't imagined. Leading the Sunshine Committee, organizing the Rocklin Readen, planning Friendsgiving celebrations, and even hosting a popular Cricut meetup. We all
052know she's been looking forward to retirement for some time. Not because she didn't love her work, but because she's ready for new adventures. She'll deeply miss the daily hugs from her students, the calls of her name echoing down the halls, and the strong, supportive team she built with Katie and Brenda. The first day of school without her will be a very emotional moment. Looking ahead, she's excited to start a new chapter in Florida with her husband and little one, making new memories in a new home. And this July, she'll welcome her first grandchild. A joyful surprise she's wrapping her heart around. She's also eager for more time to read, craft, and visit families spread across the country. Lisa, thank you for your kindness, your dedication, and your warmth. You've made a lasting impact on all
053of us and the students whose lives you touched. We will miss you all. We will miss you. Wish you so much happiness in your next chapter. Lastly, I'd like to invite Mary Ror to join me as we celebrate her remarkable journey. It's a true pleasure to stand here today and celebrate the incredible 33-year career of someone who has devoted her life to education, to children, and to helping others grow, our colleague and friend, Mary. Mary began her journey in 1992 at Viola Elementary in the special education department. From the start, her empathy, calm presence, and quiet strength made her a natural teacher and a gift to every student in her care. In 1995, she joined RP Connor as a kindergarten inclusion teacher. And it was during those early years that she fell in love with
054kindergarten, a passion that would define the rest of her career. In 2003, she made the bold move to switch tenure tracks to general education, continuing her work in kindergarten. The same warmth and dedication Mary's path to teaching began long before her first job. As a high school student at Spring Valley, she took child development courses and worked with preschoolers. Later, inspired by her siblings experience with dyslexia, she was drawn to supporting students with special needs, a calling she followed with great compassion and purpose. One of the things I'll always remember is the time Mary told me I was like an onion. A moment that made me laugh at first but stayed with me because that's how Mary sees people. Not just at the surface, but in layers. With kindness and passion, she helps students uncover
055their strengths and build their confidence, just as she's done throughout her own layered and deeply meaningful career. She's often called RP Connor the hidden gem of the district. And the truth is she's one of the reasons why. Her kindness, professionalism, and genuine love for teaching have left a lasting impact on the school and everyone in it. Though retirement is bittersweet, Mary isn't saying goodbye to teaching completely, she's looking forward to traveling, time with family, and continuing to teach part-time at a private school and maybe even a little subbing along the way. Mary, thank you for your years of dedication, your warmth, and the lives you've touched so deeply. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of your students and your colleagues. Congratulations on your retirement. We will miss you dearly. I will miss you
056dearly. And we miss wish you nothing but joy in the next [Applause] chapter. Thank you. Thank you, Kelly. I want to welcome Teresa Ivy from Montabelloo Elementary School. Thank you. And good evening, everyone. I'm actually going to invite both of the people I'm here to speak on behalf tonight um to join me up front. So, Miss Lavine and Nurse Cooper, if you would come and join me up here. Thank [Applause] you. Mrs. Mrs. Lavine and Nurse Cooper have contributed to the success of our school community at Montabelloo as well as the district throughout their years in suffering central. I have been fortunate enough to get to know Mrs. Lavine and nurse Cooper in the time that we have worked together and I'm honored to stand here and provide a glimpse into who they are and
057the impact they have made in their years. Mrs. Lavine or Bev has worked in the district for 25 years, spending 24 of those years at Biola. Over the years, Bev has inspired at least 700 students. I say inspired over taught because in the one year that I've worked with her, I've witnessed a teacher who takes her passion and love of learning and turns it into creative, thought-provoking, and engaging lessons. Her calm and patient demeanor has not only allowed her students to take risks, but has allowed her to work collaboratively with her colleagues in a trusting environment where all voices are heard. Through thoughtful and purposeful construction of lessons, Mrs. Mrs. Lavine helps to build confidence in all learners, preparing them not only for what is to come tomorrow, but days well into their futures. Mrs.
058Lavine values inclusion and her philosophy reflects a deep belief in every child's potential. This was evident when Mrs. Lavine shared her love of project-based learning and a vision of a unit on human rights activists. Her vision, powerful and thoughtful, was brought to life in daily lessons steeped in critical thinking and shared and then ultimately celebrated through schoolwide involvement. This is only one example of the learning community Mrs. Lavine created in her classroom, but I know that it is only one of hundreds that she created over the course of her career. Her compassionate ear and nurturing ways encourages students to find kindness in others as well as appreciation and understanding of each other. These are the life lessons that will remain with our students and have the most impact on their lives. Nurse Cooper or Melissa
059has worked at Montabelloo for 15 years and spent some time as a sub as well. Nurse Cooper is one of the sharpest, most resourceful and knowledgeable individuals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Always five steps ahead, nurse Cooper is rarely, if ever wrong. You know I'm right. and has also taught me more about medical issues than I ever thought possible. Over our 13 years together, I've witnessed Melissa care for and support students and staff in times when they have felt their worst, or when they have been afraid, or when they have had a problem that only a nurse could solve. Always calm and inviting, Nurse Cooper's office is a revolving one, unless of course it is Halloween, a half day, or the day before a vacation. Weekends excluded. Nurse Cooper cares deeply about
060her profession, which on paper is to help heal physical ailments. But her heart is greater than that. She has supported our students, teachers, parents, and me in quiet, powerful ways when we needed it most. She has done far more than treat bumps and bruises. She's been a trusted listener, a fierce advocate, and a cornerstone of care. Bev and Melissa, through your though your titles may be different, you share similar values. Excellence, belonging, integrity, and respect. You bring your all every school day and go above and beyond for our students, your colleagues, and the school community. As you head into your retirement, know that your impact will stick around long after the final bus leaves on June 27th. and also know that we will be calling you to sub within days of school reopening next year.
061My wish for you is that you have decades of health, happiness, and adventure with your families who you are welcome to attend to now with your undivided attention. To the families of Bev and Melissa, thank you for all of your patience, support, and love you have given over the years so that they could be the best versions of themselves every day. Please join me in thanking these remarkable women for the lives for lives spent in service for the time spent in service and in wishing them all the joy, freedom and fulfillment that retirement can bring. You have earned every moment. Congratulations. Thank you, Teresa. I'd like to welcome up Angela Aguilar from Cherry Lane Elementary School. Good evening. Um, it's a pleasure to be here tonight. Thank you, Dr. Gunderson. Thank you, the board of
062ed, and all of our families and friends for being here tonight. I'd like to start by asking Kim Kavanagh to come up, please. [Applause] So tonight, we're here to celebrate and honor an extraordinary educator in person, Kim Kavanagh, who is retiring for Sumpren Central after an incredible 32 years of service. Kim began her journey in suffering central in 1993 actually as a speech therapist at RP Conor. Uh over the years her passion and dedication led her to transition into special education where she spent 24 impactful years supporting students and teachers at RPC. And then in 2017 we were lucky enough and fortunate enough to have her come to Cherry Lane Elementary. And from the very first day, she brought a light, warmth, and energy that became a part of who we are. Kim's love for
063people and teaching is contagious to say the least. Her smile can be can brighten the busiest of hallways and her calming presence has a way of making everyone feel that things are going to be just fine because when she's around, they typically are. She has deep uh she became deeply woven into the fabric of Cherry Lane, building meaningful relationships with our students, families, and colleagues. She made learning feel personal and purposeful. She stepped into the leadership of our teacher in charge. Thank goodness, someone I could trust without hesitation. Knowing Kim was in the building gave me peace of mind because I knew that everything was in the best of hands. She also led our ease program, after school program with grace, determination, and an unshakable commitment to our kids, making a very complex and difficult
064job look effortless. And of course, Kim served as the heart of our sunshine committee for years, always finding ways to celebrate others and to lift our spirits. Kim's connection to our district runs deep. Her children came through Suffren Central and her legacy stretches far beyond the walls of any one building. She's touched countless lives. Um, and the impact of her work will be felt for years to come. I have no doubt. While I truly don't know what I'll do without her next year, I do know this. Kim has earned every moment that will lies ahead. Kim, we are so excited for this next chapter, for your travel, for your possible Florida sunshine, and most of all, for the time you're going to be spending with John, your fiance, and of course, we can't forget about
065Bill, the dog who supposedly is her daughter's, but we all know who really who he really belongs to. Let's be honest, Bill has hit the jackpot. endless walks, uh, belly rubs on demand, and front row seat in Kim's next adventure. So, Kim, you are going to be deeply missed. Thank you for your years of service, your compassion, your leadership, and your friendship. We are so, so happy for you. Congratulations. [Applause] Next, I'd like to bite invite up Wendy Hawk. Tonight we come together to celebrate and honor someone uh someone incredibly special, Mrs. Wendy Hawk on her retirement from Suffren Central School District. Wendy has been a dedicated um educator for the since 2001 devoting 24 years to teaching third grade her entire time third grade students and she was an expert. In that time, she
066has shaped the lives of countless students, not just with her deep understanding of curriculum and instruction, but with the kind of heart and kindness that you don't see every day. She has a quiet strength about her. The kind that lifts up others, inspires her colleagues, and creates a classroom where every child feels seen, valued, and loved. Anyone who knows Wendy's knows that she has a signature routine. Every Friday night you could find her at Cherry Lane wrapping up the week and planning small group instruction for the following week. She used to call it her date night. While the rest of I don't know how Russ feels about that, but that was her date night. While the rest of us were thinking about weekend plans, she was already figuring out how we how to meet her
067students exactly where they are and take them further. We'd always joke about those Friday nights, but truthfully, it speaks volumes about her unwavering commitment to her students. I can say without hesitation, and I mean this with all my heart, that Wendy is the best teacher I've had the privilege of ever watching. She has a way of making everyone around her better. There is a warmth in her presence and a calm in her classroom and a deep rooted care for her children and families that defines her work. She does as she just doesn't cheat content. She builds relationships. She makes connections that last well beyond the classroom. And I don't mean just with students, I mean with families and community members. As a fun side note, we actually share a birthday. We uh which is just
068one of the reminders of the special bond that we are lucky to have that I'm lucky to have with her. Wendy and her husband Russ have been beloved members of Suffren Central community for many years. Her daughter Caitlyn is a suffering brat. Um, and her legacy here is in one true partnership, loyalty, and service to our district. While we are happy, so very happy for you, um, and what lies ahead, there's no doubt we'll you'll be missed deeply. She and Russ are beginning their next chapter, one filled with more rest, more time with family, and thankfully no more Friday night lesson planning. Mrs. talk. Thank you for your years of unwavering dedication, your quiet strength, your wisdom you've so generously shared in many of our conversations over the years. And congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.
069[Applause] Thank you, Angela. So, I have the privilege of speaking on our next retiree, Leonio Rosario. [Applause] So, most people know him as Jose. Um, and we very rarely refer to you by by your first name. So before Jose came to suffer, he was actually a cook and cooked for a Spanish restaurant. He cooked for Rockland Community College and also Good Samaritan Hospital. I got that. And we also got to sample some of his cooking. Every now and then we do a potluck at Hillburn where he works and he brings some of his dishes in which are excellent. Excellent. So Jose started in the district as a substitute in July of 2005 and quickly became promoted to a full-time custodial worker. First worked at the high school, I think for 11 years, and then came
070in 2016 to Hillburn and has been the staple of Hillburn. Everyone who comes to Hillburn knows Jose. I think besides maybe a couple of the board members in Lee, he's been to more board meetings than anybody in the district. He is at every board meeting, sets up. Um there's people at Hillburn because it's a three sto fourstory building now where you might not see for weeks, but Jose probably sees everybody every day. He makes his rounds doing his job and he makes contact and personal contact with everybody on a daily basis and he's a calming factor for us there. So people come to him, they talk to him. I hear people talking about their families with him. He talks about his family with them as well. And he's just a staple. When he's not there,
071you know, things just aren't right. Um, my wife knows about Jose because I I do talk about him frequently. And on Friday, I took off from school to go babysit my grandkids in Buffalo. And on the way up, I said, "Oh, no. I didn't get permission from Jose to be out today." She's like, "What do you mean permission?" I said, "Watch." And so sure enough on Monday I came in I was running up the stairs and Jose said hey Larry what how come you were out Friday? You didn't tell me you were going to be out Friday and if I come in late like if I started a school he looks at his watch and said what do you have new hours Larry? What do you how do you who said you can come in
072this late? So Jose is someone who is a role model for me in that his love for his family. He is such a dedicated family man. His love for his job, his professionalism, the respect he has for everybody that he works with in the details that he does. I've never seen him upset. I've never seen him complain. And I've never heard him say no. I don't think he knows how to say no. If you were to ask him to say, "Hey, I need to get into the building." He'll say, "I'll run over and open it up for you." Last Friday, I was expecting a FedEx package and said, "Oh, the Friday the district was closed and Jose said, "Look, I'll come in and meet the guy if you need me to meet the guy." That's
073the type of person that Jose is. Uh he is one of the most professional people that I've ever worked with and I'm just honored to have been able to work with you. We appreciate your years of service here, Jose, and you surely will be missed at Hill. Thank you. And I'm going to be out on Monday. Jose, I now want to welcome up Dr. Gunderson to do our final presentation of the night. Good evening, everyone. Jose really does run the place. Congratulations, Jose. And congratulations to everyone upon your retirement. I'd like to welcome up Lee [Applause] Weber. Before I get started, Lee, I just want to acknowledge the fact that your father is here tonight. David, if you can give a little wave. Want to welcome your father. So Leah has shared a couple times
074that she was inspired by a very at a very young age. You're the youngest of five children and you knew way back then that you wanted to become a math teacher. And I don't know if your father remembers that, but I can imagine it being a little bit of a challenge probably to try to educate four older siblings in math when you were trying to do those lessons. But your determination and your focus that I've seen these last several years working with you, I can only imagine what that has done throughout your career and the fact that it started at a young age and you wanted to be a math teacher. You made it happen. You got a bachelor's in math at the University of Rochester, continued on at no less than Teachers College, Columbia
075University to get your mers in mathematics education and then also got an advanced certificate um to become an administrator. You started off teaching at Duchess County Boseies for a couple of years, then went to White Plains where you really cut your teeth in the classroom and then very quickly within a few years became the math supervisor, the coordinator of mathematics in White Plains only then to come to Suffren Central and Lee Weber oftentimes when we're talking about curriculum instruction and decisions that we need to make will often reference your expertise and your experience and white and you brought a lot of those experiences here to Suffren Central. So many retirees tonight have talked about multigenerational experiences here in Suffren Central and seeing that pride is fantastic. Lee Weber is a testament to someone who has
076an equal amount of Mounty pride without having been a suff graduate and having been here for about 14 years. You've been the ASI, the assistant superintendent for instruction for 12 years and even spent two years as the acting superintendent during the worst time ever to be a superintendent, which was during co and you kept smiling and you kept moving through. And as I said, your Mounty pride just exudes from the fact that you're wearing blue today to the fact that all four of your children either have gone through suffering or will continue to go through suffering even when you retire. And I think Rachel, Billy, Michael, and Amy are almost all in the audience here tonight. And I know that they have great Mounty pride and I want to tell all of you that your
077mom has such great pride in what you do every week. Typically when we have our Monday morning administrative meetings, we're talking about business and then Lee Weber often goes ahead and shares a story about an athletic event or something funny that happened that all brings us together and makes the culture and the feeling of that Monday morning really something special. And then of course your husband Bill also represents the Suffren Central School District as our state senator. Of course give a little wave there Bill. Very nice. So Lee's Lee's pride in this district is just unmatched. Um and when I came into Suffren Central four years ago, um this is an incredible place. It's an intimidating place to come in as a new. But Lee, you made me feel so welcome and so I I
078appreciate everything that you did for me. Um and I know that everything that you've done for our district is just incredible. Whether it's introducing problem based learning and that initiative, whether it's bringing in a math curriculum, surprise surprise, Eureka math, the science of reading, um, a wide variety of things that you had a lot of input on with regards to the restructuring, and then of course the fun stuff that I know you're super passionate about, AI. You have kept us on the leading edge of that work. And I know that tonight and the end of the school year is not goodbye. And I know that we're going to see you not just because your children are here, but because you care so deeply for the district. And I just want to thank you for all
079that you've done for our district. Congratulations, Lee, on your retirement. [Applause] Thank you so much. Um, I do have a few comments, so Heidi, I'm right there with you. And because I'm Gen X, which all of us who are retiring tonight are Gen X. My daughter is making fun of me because I had to print out my I wasn't reading it off my phone. So, thank you, Dr. Gunderson, for those kind words and to the board of education for the opportunity to speak tonight. I'd also like to congratulate my fellow retirees. What an accomplished group. Thank you for your many years of service. Here I am, been here the shortest because only in suffering can you live somewhere 18 years, raised your entire family here, have it be the only school your four children have
080ever attended, work here for 12 years, and you're still new. Um, thank you. And several of you have had the, um, pleasure of teaching my children, so I really appreciate that. A special thanks to my family for being here tonight. As, uh, Dr. Gunderson mentioned uh my father's here, my husband and my four kids. And yes, their suffering pride is showing because I told them they could either get dressed up or they could wear their suffering gear. You see the choice they all made. Um it's been a true honor to serve this district for 12 years. When Bill and I chose this community to raise our family, I never imagined that one day I'd have the privilege of serving it in this way. The two years I spent as acting superintendent during the pandemic stand
081out as particularly challenging and meaningful. I'm especially grateful to the board for their support during the time. Amongst the chaos and uncertainty, I'll never forget the sight of our teachers and administrator boarding buses to deliver meals, or our tech staff handing out devices in the rain, or the discussions about the bears and the bees when we moved lunch tables outside. So many of those moments showed me the heart of this community. Working in central office while my kids attended our schools has been a unique and, let's say, educational experience. While I saw the direct impact of our decisions at work and at the dinner table, my children might have preferred a little less overlap between home and school. Apparently, you can't opt out of the state test. Your mother is in charge of it is
082not a popular opinion. I still remember the moment 22 years ago when I told Bill and my dad in separate conversations that I had the chance to become an administrator. Their identical response was, "Why would you do that? You love teaching." To which Bill added, "You love your job more than anyone I know." And they were right. I did and I still do. That passion has fueled every role I've held because at its core, this work has always been about teaching and learning. I used to walk into meetings with Steve Walker and Dr. Adams and greet their serious faces with a big smile. When they asked why I was smiling, I'd often say, "I have the best job in the district." I meant it. Getting to work alongside teachers and students was and always will
083be my greatest joy. And having had that job, I can absolutely guarantee you this job is better. and especially with staff members as amazing as ours. I have had the privilege of helping launch a number of staff inspired initiatives. Our in district universal prek is the brainchild of Renee Dawson and Jackie Budner. The implementation of project-based learning was first imagined by visionary fizzed teacher Ken Rojahowski and continues to thrive. Two of my favorite projects are taking place at the high school right now. the launch of our bilingual and dual language program, first conceived in 2016 and now thriving under the incredible leadership of Dr. Patricia Belena. Our network of family resource coordinators ensuring every family feels supported and our literacy journey from units of study to the science of reading. While I'm proud of where
084we've landed, I'll always wish we had gotten there sooner. I carry the voices of challenged us of families and students who challenged us and me to do better. And of course, our collaboration with the Reach Foundation on the Steam Expo. Some of my favorite days in the district full of curiosity, creativity, and cardboard prototypes. I've had the joy of working with incredible colleagues, including those no longer with us. Patty Litman who made every day lighter and brighter and Sue Hario who shaped our literacy work and my leadership more than she'll ever know. To my team at Hillburn, thank you for keeping us productive and pleasant. Anyone who comes by our offices knows that we're always um happy to see them. To Alexis, my right-hand person, confidant, and budget handler, Gracia, Deb, Yadira, and Wellington. Thank
085you for your hard work, kindness, and camaraderie. Patricia, you become an essential thought partner, nemerr of gaps, and I am so grateful for your leadership. Our students are so fortunate to have you working for them. To Larry and Billy and Eric and the entire central office and leadership team, thank you for your trust and partnership. To my many teams, the principles, instructional facilitators, specialists, and committees. You've been my people, and we have done some great work together. Thank you for walking this journey with me. Most of all though, it's been my visits to classroom. They have filled my heart and fueled my spirit. Watching educa educators in suffer pour their love and knowledge into our students. Whether through an innovative use of technology, a challenging PBL unit, or a perfectly ordinary Tuesday morning lesson. Those
086were always the highlights of my day, my week, and my year. Suffren has become and will continue to be our home for our family and for my heart. I'm beyond grateful to serve this incredible community. And now I look forward to a new role, Dr. Adler. I'm just going to be a mom in Suffford. I've heard though I'll have a lot fewer meetings. Thank you. The words that I've heard the most this evening are love, suffering, home, and students. Each and every one of you that are retiring tonight are an inspiration for everyone else in this room and all your other colleagues who will one day retire from the Suffin Central School District as well. Thank you for the years of dedication, the love for what you do, what you've done for our children and
087this entire community. I hope that you've walk you're walking away this evening and at the end of the school year feeling really proud of the work that you've done and always know that you'll have a home here in suffering. You all exude Mounty pride and on behalf of the board of education and our entire community I can't thank you enough. Have a great evening everyone. Thank you. We will take a we will take a 10-minute recess and then the board will begin in about 10 minutes for its regular meeting. Thank you everyone. He likes you, right? Okay, I'm I'm ready whenever everybody else is ready. Yeah, of course. Okay, everybody, we're going to get started with our regular meeting in a few minutes. You don't have to leave. You can stay or you can leave.
088Whatever you want to do, it's fine. Uh Sheruk, how are we doing over there? Just give me a few seconds. Okay, we're live. Okay. All right. Uh good evening again everyone. Welcome back to the regular meeting of the Suffren Central School District Board of Education for Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025. Uh we are going to recall the meeting to order right now. May the record reflect that all board members are present. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. All right. If you are just joining us, we just had a wonderful reception for all of our retirees and everybody had such nice things to say about them
089that we went on a little bit long. Um, but we're back to work and uh we are not going to have a student report tonight, but we're going to move on to the minutes of the regular meeting of May 20th, 2025. Has everybody had an opportunity to review the minutes? Do I have a motion to approve the minutes? Mr. Shapiro, second. Second, Mr. Kern. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed. Any abstensions. Okay. Very well. We're going to move on to superintendent's comments. Thank you very much. This was a just a wonderful evening to celebrate the folks who have spent a good portion of their lives here in the Suffren Central School District working with our students on behalf of our community. Um we heard so many great examples of what makes
090Suffren so special. Um, and I think the only retiree left here at the meeting, showing her true dedication to experiencing the full effect of this uh this evening is Lee Weber. And Lee, all joking aside, the work that you've done here is just incredible. And Suffern is in the great place that it continues to be in in large part because of your 14 years here in the leadership capacity. So, thank you so much. Um, yeah, another round of applause. Yes. It was great to see everyone's families uh and colleagues coming out tonight to celebrate one another. It's truly it's a beautiful night and a sad night all at the same time, but it's more beautiful than sad. Um and this concludes my superintendent report. All right, thank you very much. We're going to move on
091to our first public participation section. This is on action items only. Action items are on our agenda tonight of 2.01 01 through 2.16. Is there anyone who is here to speak on an action item? Looks like not. So, we're going to close that portion of the meeting and move on to our action items. Uh, is there any action item that any board member would like to pull? 2.12. 2.12. Anything else? Okay. Uh, do I have a motion for a consent agenda on action items 2.01 1 through 2.11 and 2.13 through 2.16. Mr. Kern second. Mrs. Hodgej. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Uh, and with regard to matter 2.12, do I have a motion? Is that Mr. Shapiro? Second. Mr. Donnelly. Uh, any discussion? Okay. Uh then we're going
092to close that matter. Um all in favor of 2.12 uh signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Mr. Kern abstains. And now we're going to move on to board member comments. Do any board members have any comments tonight? Mr. Shapiro. I have a 12 12 minute speech, but I'm not going to give it. So these are the words that I heard tonight. Commitment, dedication, family, heart, support, passion, inspire, caring, wisdom, kindness, love, relationships, and that explains why Suffren is an incredible school district. Those are the things that our teachers have, the ones who retired and the ones who are still teaching. And it was a it was it was terrific to hear the comments that their principles had. And uh it was just a wonderful evening. And I I want to personally thank
093Lee Weber for all she has done for Suffren Central. Um you are really a light of Suff. Thank you, Lee. And I'm done. Thank you. Any other board members? Okay. Well, I also would like to say thank you to all of our retirees. Um, whenever we have our top 10% students at the meeting and and we asked them to say which teachers or staff members have made the most impact on them, we hear the same names over and over again and some of those people were here tonight. Um, so I want to thank them for their service to Suffren Central and for having truly made a difference in the lives of so many of their students over the years. And also, uh, thank you Lee whose commitment to the board of education and Suffren Central
094really shows in attending schoolboard meetings even on your birthday. Um, and uh, before I became a board member and I was merely a a suffering mom and a a reach member, your encyclopedic knowledge of supply cabinets and which teachers had classrooms next to each other was really inspiring and I don't know how we're going to go on without that uh, institutional knowledge, but um, thank you so much for your confidence in the Reach Foundation particularly in the grant program and uh, it was just always amazing the the length and breadth of your knowledge of all the opportunities that were out there for innovation for students and your confidence um even in me personally when I didn't always share it. Uh we appreciate you so much and uh that concludes my board member comment and we're
095going to move on to the public participation section. This is on any district related business. Is there anybody who is here to speak on any district related business? Wow. Nothing like the end of a party in a a board meeting to really clear the room. Okay. Then we're going to close that portion of the meeting and move on to closing comments of the superintendent. I have no further comments. Okay. Very well. Our next and last meeting of this school year will be June 17th, uh, Tuesday night, 7:30, right back in Hillburn. And uh then in July, we'll be welcoming our new board members, Jason Ander, uh who's here tonight. Congratulations, Jason and Roxan [Applause] Bryan, and saying farewell to Dr. Nickpon and Mr. Kern. Uh longtime important board members. Um clap for yourself. I'll clap
096for you, too. [Applause] And so, uh, we look forward to seeing everybody back then. Uh, until then, have a safe couple of weeks. And, uh, at this time, do I have a motion to adjurnn? Uh, Mr. Donnelly second. Nobody wants to leave. Second. Oh, Mr. Kern. Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. All right. Very good. We'll see everyone back on June 17th. Oh, yeah. and we're adjourning to executive session again, but we're not going to return to public session. Okay. Very well.