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District honors retirees, awards Seal of Biliteracy and hears high school update
Summary
Superintendent's report recognized multiple retiring staff across South Plainfield schools, the board and staff presented state Seals of Biliteracy to students, and the student representative reported on senior activities and spring athletics.
South Plainfield School District leaders used the superintendent's report to recognize dozens of retiring staff across the district, present the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy to qualifying students and receive a high school update from the student representative.
Superintendent Dr. Nori Tansy Leche (as introduced in the meeting) led a segment honoring long-serving employees across roles including principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, administrative assistants and custodial staff. Boards and building principals singled out individual retirees: Sam Fiera (Roosevelt Elementary principal and former director of guidance), Joanne Ryan (supervisor of special services), Dr. Melissa Baumann (South Plainfield High School counselor), Donna Helgeson (high school secretary), Susan Hill (paraprofessional), Monica Lehman (AP chemistry teacher), Kathy Pompiliu (Grant School), Amy Ristelli (Franklin School paraprofessional), Sue Badriko (preschool teacher), and five transportation retirees named by the transportation supervisor.
Board members, principals and the superintendent read short tributes describing each retiree’s years of service and contributions. The district played a video tribute and invited present retirees to the podium for recognition.
The board also recognized students who earned the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, an award the state attaches to a student transcript to acknowledge proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. Board staff listed recipients by name during the meeting and said the state will release official certificates in June.
Student representative Bernard Malle (freshman class president) and other student representatives gave a high school update covering finals dates, prom, senior events and athletics. The high school reported graduation on June 18 at Montrose Field, senior picnics and fundraisers from the district’s Day of Service; the student report listed several athletics achievements including sectional championships for baseball and softball and post-season qualifiers in track and field.
Board members thanked retirees, congratulated Seal of Biliteracy recipients and praised the Day of Service and student activities. Several principals and school leaders also spoke to the assembly’s gratitude and noted plans for summer programming and graduation logistics.
