Ossining Rotary Club Honors Roosevelt School Employee

Lynn Alfarano, a longtime senior office assistant at Roosevelt School, received a Rotary Club Employee of the Year award Nov. 5.

Ms. Alfarano, who lives in Putnam Valley, received the award at the Rotary Club’s annual Scholarship Fundraiser at the Bethany Arts Center. She was one of four people in the Ossining community to receive an award.

In nominating her, Roosevelt Principal Michelle Grier described her as “forward-thinking,” “thoughtful,” “passionate,” “efficient,” an advocate for students and families, and more.

“Lynn is, without question, a tremendous asset to our school community, and she continues to work tirelessly to support me and ensure my transition to the district is as seamless as possible,” Ms. Grier wrote.

The principal, who started in the position July 1, 2017, said she admires the kindness and compassion Ms. Alfarano has for the students and everyone she interacts with in her job.

Getting the award was very exciting, Ms. Alfarano said. “It was a real honor that Michelle nominated me,” she said.

Ms. Alfarano started at Claremont School in November 2008, when it housed grades 4 and 5. In 2009, she moved to Roosevelt when it became a fifth-grade school.

“I like working in my school. I love my job,” she said. “It is never the same every day. My favorite part of being at Roosevelt is working with the students. Roosevelt has become part of my family.”

So it is bittersweet for her that she is retiring at the end of December.

“This is one of the best experiences of my life and I’m really going to miss this job and all the people I work with,” she said. “Whoever gets this position is going to be very lucky. It’s a great job and it’s a great place to work.”

Outside of school, she works part time for Croton Animal Hospital. She plans to continue in that job for the time being.

Before taking the job in Ossining, Ms. Alfarano owned a “Curves for Women” gym and had other secretarial jobs. “The gym was a lot of fun, but I think I got more out of working in a school and working with kids,” she said.

Her retirement plans so far include visiting her daughters in Jackson, Wyoming, and doing some traveling.

“Getting ready for retirement is very exciting,” Ms. Alfarano said.

(Photo: Roosevelt Principal Michelle Grier, Rotarian Karen LaRocca-Fels, Lynn Alfarano, Rotarian Marcia MacNeil.)