PTA Council Luncheon Caps Year
A celebratory luncheon at the Crescent Club capped off the year for the Huntington School District's PTA Council as volunteer leaders shared a meal with administrators, trustees and several teachers, who were presented with awards.
"Today's luncheon is about thanking and acknowledging the PTA presidents and their boards for all they have done this year for our children," PTA Council President Bari Fehrs told the crowd. "It takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication. It is a partnership that is created with our administration, so I'd like to thank Jay Finello, Joe Giani, Dave Grackin and Ken Card for all their time and support throughout the year."
It was the last such luncheon for Mr. Finello who is retiring at the close of business on June 30 after a 39-year career in the district, including the last ten as superintendent. School Board President Bill Dwyer said that Mr. Finello has been an "excellent" superintendent and "is leaving the district a much better place than when he became superintendent."
In honor of Mr. Finello's years of service to the community, the PTA Council and Huntington Board of Education are purchasing a pear tree and plan to have it planted on the grounds of Huntington High School. A plaque will be installed nearby dedicating the tree to Mr. Finello, a Class of 1968 alum.
The luncheon crowd dined on a tossed salad, pasta and chicken dishes and apple pie. Principals said with their building's respective PTA leaders and central office administrators and district trustees were sprinkled around the room.
Mrs. Fehrs also gave a "shout out" to the district's seven trustees. "We also appreciate the partnership with our board of education members, Bill Dwyer, John Paci, Emily Rogan, Chris Bene, Kim Brown, Liz Black and Rich McGrath."
Special membership awards were presented to PTA presidents for the work of their building level units. Mrs. Fehrs called each respective building PTA's leaders to the front of the room, including Marilyn Maggio and Maryann Smith (Huntington High School), Alice Marie Rorke (J. Taylor Finley Middle School), Pam Fallon and Julie LaBella (Woodhull School), Dawn Weir (Southdown School), Shari Harris and Terry Moreno (Washington School), Tracy Tucker and Susan Lyons (Flower Hill School) and Jennifer Hebert and Toniann Mangan (Jefferson School).
Principals were recognized with a colorful flower before they departed for their buildings. "Working with our administration, district directors and especially our building principals, has been such a blessing," Mrs. Fehrs said. "It's not always easy for them to deal with us but they always make time to meet with us, hear our ideas and help to bring those ideas to fruition."
The PTA Council also recognized Paul Rispoli, the district's director of facilities who is retiring at the end of July. "He is a true professional and a gentleman," Mrs. Fehrs said. "He works tirelessly at every one of our buildings, often seven days a week." The group gave Mr. Rispoli a bottle of champagne and a box of dog biscuits for Patch.
The Special Education PTA presented its 2011 Distinguished Teacher Awards to teachers Heather Barfuss and Lori Haggerty and teacher aide Kim Schaefer. "Through their creativity and advocacy, they have enriched the lives of their students and have assisted them in achieving their goals," SEPTA Vice-President Maria Kiley said.
PTA Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Christine Bene, Suzanne Millner and Maryann Smith after years of volunteer service to the PTA and the district. The trio is "retiring" from their unpaid service. Mrs. Fehrs called them "incredibly dedicated women."
"Our PTA organizations did a great job this year, supporting our teachers and schools and planning a variety of worthwhile and interesting programs and activities for students and parents," Mr. Finello said.