[ back ]
Back to School Day for retirees
(by Kathryn A. Burger - July 16, 2008)
 |
|
Photos Courtesy Of Maria Kist
Retirees who attended “Back to School” Day at
Pascack
Hills
High School are pictured with Principal Sarah VanGunten, third from right.
|
The phrase, “back to school” means different things to different people. For kids, it means summer vacation is over; for their parents, an evening visit to their school. For college grads, graduate school. To retailers, it’s a time to hold big sales.
For retired faculty and staff from
Pascack
Hills
High School , the phrase appeared on an invitation. The school’s parent-faculty association invited them all to return to Hills for visit that would include tours of the school to see the improvements made during the recently completed renovation/construction project, and a luncheon. It would also be a chance for them to see some of their former colleagues and those who are still at the school.
“Back to School Day” drew many back to their professional “alma mater.” After a brief greeting by their hosts, they took tours led by Hills students. The retirees also sat in on classes where they were able to experience the school’s laptop technology.
One invited guest, Mark Kastan, said, “I was thrilled when I received the invitation to the event. As a graduate of Pascack Hills, a Hills parent and a [Pascack Valley Regional] board of education member, I know first-hand, the special contribution these teachers and staff members have made not only to my family, but to our community as a whole.”
The tours were followed by a luncheon attended by both current and former staffers.
Sarah VanGunten, principal of Hills, said, “It was such a pleasure to see our former colleagues again. We wanted them to feel welcome and appreciated and to know that even after retirement, our staff members are certainly no forgotten.”
The success of the event was summed up by former principal, Bart DiPaola. Addressing his hosts, he said, “Your kindness made us feel as if we had never left. The staff felt right at home and really enjoyed the entire day.”
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
[ back ]
