It is really quite amazing what takes place throughout a year in a school system. As we move the end of the year, we have graduation which means an end to one phase of life for some kids and the start of a new phase of life all in one fell swoop. This is really an exciting time for these young future leaders.
As the year moves to a close, we see some of the same with our staff as some will end one phase of their lives and move to another. This is also two fold, as we will have some staff that will be finishing their college lives and moving on to their professional lives as new employees, or moving from another district to ours. We will have some staff that will be entering a new phase in their lives as they retire from our district and move on to enjoy the benefits reaped from many years of service to kids at Central Public Schools.
This year is no different as we are “graduating” a total of 229 years of experience in our school district alone. Jan Meyers is retiring as our elementary music teacher after serving our district for 35 years in that capacity. Cathy Vanderbilt has been a special educator in our district for 34 years. Jane Fasching leaves after teaching in our elementary for 33 years. Sandra Kroells retires after spending 32 years in our district. Roberta Lembcke has taught in our elementary school for 29 years. Sally Beckendorf has worked in our district for 26 years. Mary Ann Harms retires after directing our Family and Consumer Sciences classes for the past 25 years, and Ronald Brand leaves his position of High School Principal after seeing 15 classes graduate from Central High.
As a school system we cannot express how much their dedication to our district is appreciated. These folks have worked with an incredibly large number of students over the course of their careers and many students have benefitted from the interaction with these staff members. I know there are many parents of our current students that have been in a class with some of these staff in years past, and it speaks volumes that their children are entrusted to the same staff. Central Public Schools is a great place to be. Thanks for your support.