The informal, evening reception in the Newark High School Library June 4th was a nice way to say ‘Thank you’ and share heartfelt praise, expressions of gratitude and some wonderfully clever, humorous anecdotes that evoked both laughter and applause about 14 Newark Central School District staff who already have or will retire this school year.
To view the designed article with photos from the night, visit: https://5il.co/3i78e
Superintendent Susan Hasenauer began the event by saying it was one of her most favorite events of the year and expressed genuine appreciation for the retiring employees’ combined 280 years of hard work and dedication to the Newark Central School District.
While seven of the individuals were unable to attend, she said it was important to recognize and celebrate all of the retirees many years of faithful service and invaluable contributions to both the district and students and wished them the very best in their retirement.
“As always, this event is the culmination of many years of hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and tears,” Hasenauer said. “Regardless of your role, each one of you tonight stand before your family, colleagues, administration and the Board as a true professional who have shown by example, on a daily basis, that excellence isn’t just something you aim for daily, but it is something that each one of you achieved. And, I know with confidence this will only continue in your retirement.
“So, as we come together this evening in celebration, we have a total of 14 members that we will be saying farewell to. However, that farewell will not be a goodbye, but a moment that we have the distinct pleasure of honoring the 280 years of collective service and legacy of hard work and your commitment to the students and Newark community that each of you has served unselfishly.”
Then Hasenauer, Newark High School Principal Kelly A. Zielke, Kelley School Principal Nate Goodness and Lincoln School Principal Kari Hamelinck beautifully reflected on the myriad and invaluable contributions made by the attending honored guests.
Their reflections were moving and memorable.
The retirees, their current jobs, retirement date, years of service they worked for the NCSD follow:
Margaret Clark, NHS Teaching Assistant, 10/4/1993-6/30/2025 (32 years)
Carole Jablonski, Food Service Supervisor at Lincoln School, 11/2/1995-6/ 30/ 2025 (30 years)
Tammy Garrett, NHS Teaching Assistant, 9/2/1997-6/30/2025 (28 years)
Rachel Chistolini, NHS Teacher, 9/1/1997-7/1/2025 (28 years)
Michele Backus, NHS Head Food Service Supervisor, 9/21/1998-6/30/2025
(27 years)
GinaVerMeersch, Lincoln School Teaching Assistant, 9/1/1999-4/30/2025 (26 years)
Kris Anderson, Lincoln School Counselor, 11/3/2000-6/30/2025 (25 years)
Krista Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum& Instruction, 9/1/1998-7/20/2005 Special Education Teacher, 2/19/2008-9/4/2013 Director of Pupil Services and 9/5/2013-6/30/2025 ASCI (23.5 years)
Sharon Hennessy, Perkins School Speech Language Pathologist, 9/1/2005-6/30/2025 (20 years)
Jeanne Krebbeks, NHS Senior Clerk Typist, 8/30/2006-7/20/2024 (18 years)
Jennifer Strazzabosco, Kelley School Teacher, 8/28/2014-11/22/2024 (10 years)
Warren Bushart, Food Service Director, 7/1/2019-6/30/2025 (6 years)
Jennifer Sinsebox, Director of Innovation & Grant Services, 7/14/2022-6/30/2025
(3 years)
Laurie Olschewske, NHS Custodian,11/15/2021-2/3/2025, (3 years)
Others attending the reception included: Donna Rizzo, the new ASCI, Board of Education members President Julie Nevelizer, Vice President Mary Thoms, BOE members Russ Harris, Miranda Brooks-Ruggeri, Steven DeRenzo and Katie Pullen, Perkins School Principal Pete Czerkas, NHS Assistant Principal Emily Schmitt, Ian Mutch, Perkins and Lincoln Assistant Principal, Newark Middle School Assistant Principal Melanie Meyer, a few other district staff members, retirees spouses and other family members and friends.
The retirees were also recognized at the BOE meeting that immediately followed the reception.