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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. - Nine educators across Chappaqua's six schools bid farewell to community members Tuesday night after putting in nearly two centuries of combined work in the district.
Heavy-hearted and teary-eyed principals from all the schools spoke on behalf of the teachers, guidance counselors, coaches and social workers they called "role models."
"Sometimes in school districts they talk about dead wood," said Grafflin Principal Michael Kirsch. "And what has always amazed me in Chappaqua and thrilled me is that we have very little dead wood at all. And our most senior people over the years are the ones who are really making a difference."
Retiring from the district effective June 30 will be Lyndall Boal of Bell and Seven Bridges; Barbara Carlen of Seven Bridges; Susan Constantini of Westorchard; Barbara Fingeroth of Westorchard; Tore Heskestad of Bell; Thomas Howley of Seven Bridges; Bod Oddo of Greeley; Colette Principe of Grafflin; and Betsy Scroope of Roaring Brook. Some of the retirees will be leaving the state, others the country.
"We wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors," said school board President Alyson Kiesel. "I think one of the things I heard from every single one of these speeches is how much you love the work that you've done and enjoy working with children, and that's what teaching is all about. You are a testament to this profession and to this district. We will miss you all very, very much."
The Seven Bridges violin quartet, featuring Patrick Slattery, Sara Shapiro, Lyle Paskowitz and Jeffrey Liu, capped off the night by playing a piece for the retirees.
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