THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE and Superintendent Kristen Vogel honored 10 retirees on June 6. From left, Summer Street third grade teacher Cheryl Welsh, Huckleberry Hill kindergarten teacher Jayne Swirka, LMS special education teacher Carol O’Shea, Student Services Office administrative assistant Camille Ernest, LMS math teacher Heidi Johnson, LHS Principal Bob Cleary and Vogel. Missing from photo are Summer Street kindergarten paraprofessional Laurie Jameson, Huckleberry Hill School manager Andrea DiStefano, LMS Guidance Office secretary Maria Goodwin and LHS world language teacher Lisa Giacalone. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The School Committee honored 10 retiring educators and staff members during a June 6 meeting.
The 10 retirees attended the School Committee’s meeting with their families. Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr, Middle School Principal Stephen Ralston, Huckleberry Hill School Principal Melissa Wyland and Summer Street School Principal Karen Cronin also attended the meeting to give the retirees a warm sendoff.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate all of you before you move on to do wonderful things in your lives,” said Superintendent Kristen Vogel.
Vogel said the retirees will each be given two glasses that contain the town of Lynnfield seal.
“They are quite beautiful,” said Vogel.
Vogel said Summer Street School third grade teacher Cheryl Welsh has taught at the elementary school for the past 30 years.
“Cheryl also did her student teaching at Huckleberry Hill School,” said Vogel. “Cheryl loves to travel, run marathons, referee soccer games and sing at her church. Cheryl will be traveling abroad this summer to referee a soccer tournament. She will also be enjoying her first grandson, who was born on June 1.”
Vogel said Laurie Jameson has worked as a kindergarten paraprofessional at Summer Street School for the past 12 years.
“Laurie has worked with kindergarten teacher Christine Sartorelli for 11 of those years,” said Vogel. “Laurie has two sons who were educated in the Lynnfield Public Schools. Laurie will be busy this fall, as one of her sons is getting married.”
Vogel said Andrea DiStefano has worked for the School Department for the past three decades.
“Andrea worked various jobs, and eventually became the manager of the Huckleberry Hill School kitchen,” said Vogel. “She and her staff became an integral part of the Huckleberry Hill community, and often participated in assemblies. She is missed, and will be remembered for her hard work and dedication to the children of Lynnfield, specifically the Huckleberry Hill community. We wish her health and happiness in her retirement.”
Vogel recalled that Huckleberry Hill kindergarten teacher Jayne Swirka has taught at the elementary school for the past 18 years.
“Huckleberry Hill School was fortunate to have Jayne join their faculty 18 years ago,” said Vogel. “She is a shining example to the teaching profession. Jayne’s passion, patience and creativity have brought great joy to our youngest learners in a pivotal year in their development. She has made a positive impact on countless students, families and colleagues. Her daily humor and laughter will be missed, but Jayne’s impact will remain as she moves on to enjoy time with her family and grandson.”
Vogel said Carol O’Shea works as a sixth grade special education teacher at Lynnfield Middle School.
“Carol is a career changer who became a Merrimack College Fellow,” said Vogel. “This launched her second career as a special education teacher in grade 6 at Lynnfield Middle School. She has mentored many Fellows since, and has served LMS in grade 6 with dedication and the utmost professionalism.”
Vogel said Camille Ernest has worked as the Student Services Office’s administrative assistant for the past 16 years.
“Camille has been the rock in the Student Services Office, and her smile and laugh will be missed,” said Vogel. “We wish her all the best.”
Vogel said Heidi Johnson teaches seventh grade math at LMS.
“Heidi re-entered the classroom after a long career as a teacher and administrator in Belmont,” said Vogel. “She worked in seventh grade math for the last several years, and has been a strong and contributing voice for math education. Even in her final year, she piloted new lessons and co-presented ‘Building Thinking Classrooms’ at the ‘Lynnfield Learns’ professional development day.”
Vogel said Maria Goodwin has worked in LMS’ Guidance Department Office for many years.
“Maria has had a long career at Lynnfield Middle School dating back to the former building,” said Vogel. “She has faithfully served as the guidance secretary, and is a conduit for new enrollees as well as transitions to high school. Her warm and welcoming nature will be missed whether it will be greeting new families or consoling a student waiting to see the nurse or a counselor.”
Vogel said Lisa Giacalone has worked as a world language teacher at Lynnfield High School for 28 years.
“Lisa started in 1995 as a Spanish teacher,” said Vogel. “She took a leave of absence to study abroad in Florence, Italy in 2008. Upon her return, she began an Italian program at LHS in 2009. She has organized many school trips to Italy, Spain and France over the years. Students love her exciting and dynamic classroom. She will be fondly remembered by many.”
Vogel recalled that Principal Bob Cleary has worked at LHS for the past 31 years, 21 of which as an administrator.
“Bob has been the volleyball coach, girls’ basketball coach, assistant principal and principal since 1992,” said Vogel. “Bob’s legacy is the relationships he has built with students and staff at LHS. Bob has always said, ‘It is his job as principal to get out of the way so others can do great work.’ Under his leadership, the faculty and staff always rose to the occasion. Bob will be missed by the staff and students at LHS.”
The meeting’s attendees gave all of the retirees a round of applause.
School Committee member Jamie Hayman thanked the retirees for their dedication to the students and families of Lynnfield.
“There is over 300 years of service to the Lynnfield Public Schools here,” said Hayman. “My kids have had half of you or have been associated with you. We as a family have had tremendous experiences, and it’s because of everyone in this room. Thank you very much and good luck.”
School Committee member Phil McQueen agreed.
“I want to thank you all very much,” said McQueen. “My kids had quite a few of you in class. Enjoy yourselves.”
School Committee member Kate DePrizio echoed Hayman and McQueen’s sentiment.
“I would to thank each of you,” said DePrizio. “I would like to personally thank Jayne for what you have done for my little ones. I am so grateful.”
School Committee Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt thanked the 10 retirees for their “years of service” and their “day-to-day” work.
“My son has had the pleasure of working with many of you,” said Dahlstedt. “It’s very much appreciated. I want to thank all of you for everything you have done. I wish you the very best in your retirement.
School Committee Chair Rich Sjoberg said honoring the retirees was “bittersweet.”
“Lynnfield is such a special place where all of our teachers and staff go above and beyond every day,” said Sjoberg. “They do much more than what is legally required of them in a contract. You have all been shining examples of the way our children are treated on a daily basis. It’s hard to see you go because of the breath of experience leaving the district this year. It hurts.”
Sjoberg also thanked Cleary for everything he has done for the students and staff at LHS.
“The calm presence, the demeanor and the politeness that you bring to the halls at Lynnfield High School does not go unnoticed,” said Sjoberg. “The kids that attend Lynnfield High School have had the benefit of your presence, your personality and your tutelage over many years. You are going to be sorely, sorely missed. There hasn’t been a day where I visited the high school not only as a parent, but a member of this committee, where students passing you in the hall greet you with a smile, a handshake and say hello. That just shows the work you have done for them and the respect they have for you. The next generations of students that come through Lynnfield High School are certainly going to miss that. I thank you for everything you have done for these many, many years.”
