Veteran educators retire

JACKSON — The beauty of a school like the Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School is that a principal can know the name of each and every face that goes across the stage during an assembly.

On a recent school day, Rosenauer Principal Claire Kalli got to watch all those faces she knows so well sing and dance and blow her kisses as they wished her well on her retirement. After 31 years with the Jackson School District and 8¹/2 years as Rosenauer principal, Kalli retired on Jan. 1.

One by one, each class said goodbye to their principal in their own way. Some sang songs, others read poems, and one class even parodied a behavior-modification exercise by asking the audience to help them determine if Kalli could earn five "points" for her contributions to the school. She did.

Some classes sang creative lyrics to well known songs such as Crosby, Stills and Nash’s "Teach Your Children Well." Instead of the original lyrics, students in Mrs. Neill’s and Mrs. Sauickie’s classes sang the words of their own hearts:

"You taught the children well,

And made us feel, all so important

You gave us all your care,

You let us know how much you love us."

"Don’t you ever ask us why, if we told you, you would cry,

So just look at us and sigh, and know we love you."

Kalli thanked the students and staff for organizing such a touching and creative goodbye assembly and said she will miss her students "more than words can express."

"For the past 8¹/2 years, it has been my privilege to lead the dedicated and talented staff of Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School," said Kalli. "Rosenauer School is a very special and unique educational environment. I am proud to have played a part in its development."

Rosenauer teacher Marion Hart said the entire school is going to miss Kalli.

"This is a neighborhood school, and Claire is so central to the feeling of closeness we cultivate here," Hart said. "She visits the classrooms, she goes into the lunch periods, and she really talks with her students. She is truly, truly loved and deeply respected."

Board of Education President Kathleen Kelly Mallette said Kalli’s reputation is well-known throughout the district.

"Wonderful reputations like hers are not simply bestowed — they are earned," Mallette said. "On behalf of the entire board, I would like to thank her for all she did during her 31 years here to earn hers."

Kalli is one of three district administrators retiring on Jan. 1. Director of Community Services Bernie Reider retires after 40 years with the Jackson school district and Assistant Superintendent of School Francis X. Bygott is retiring after 22 years with the district.