Principal of Chappaqua's Grafflin School Retiring

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – Michael Kirsch will retire in June after 38 years as principal of the Douglas G. Grafflin School in Chappaqua, he announced in letter dated Sept. 7.

Kirsch is only the second principal in the history of the elementary school, which opened in 1962. He took over from Mary Ellen Thrasher following her retirement in 1975.

“I believe that I have had the most wonderful job in the world,” Kirsch wrote. “Where else are you greeted by hundreds of young people every morning as they get off the buses? Where else are parents, Board of Education members and fellow administrators so committed to the academic and social success of students?

“However, all things come to an end, including my principalship.  I have informed the Board of Education and [Superintendent Lyn] McKay that I will retire at the end of the current school year in June. This was an incredibly difficult decision for me to make. I am looking forward to working closely with you, our students, and faculty for the next ten months. We have an exciting and busy year ahead of us.”

The letter can be read in its entirety on the school’s website.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Chappaqua and receive free news updates.