North Bellmore Honors Retirees

The North Bellmore School District honored eight staff members who will be retiring at the end of the year, during the Board of Education meeting on June 8. Together, the two teachers, five clerks and one custodian have given 180 years of service to the district.

Park Avenue Elementary School will say goodbye to kindergarten teacher Susan Pais (24 years) and first-grade teacher Jeanne Griffin (18 years). Principal Eileen Speidel shared quotes from students and parents about the two educators.

Other retirees include school secretaries Janice Gentile (Martin Avenue School, 30 years), Dianne Lawson (John Dinkelmeyer School, 30 years) and Ann Marie Romano (Saw Mill Road School, 25 years), senior account clerk Sandy Finck (business office, 33 years), account clerk Grace Zuccaro (special education office, five years) and custodian Armando Caldas (Saw Mill, 15 years).

Superintendent Marie Testa spoke about the retirees and their contributions to the district, and presented each with a gift. Other speakers included principals, department supervisors and representatives from the North Bellmore Teachers Association.

"We thank our retiring staff members for their service to the North Bellmore School District," Testa said. "They have touched the lives of many children, inspired their colleagues and could be counted on to go above and beyond. We wish each of them health and happiness as they begin the next chapter of their lives."

Board of Education President Nina Lanci thanked the retirees for sharing their time and talents with the school district, and commented how much pride they have in their jobs.

Photo: North Bellmore School District