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Sachem board honors retirees and recognizes nurses who used AED to save colleague at Seneca Middle School
Summary
The board presented certificates to dozens of retirees and publicly thanked two Seneca Middle School nurses and supporting staff for using an AED and other emergency care that saved a colleague’s life.
At its June 18 meeting, the Sachem Central School District Board of Education honored dozens of district retirees and recognized two nurses from Seneca Middle School whose quick action, including use of an automated external defibrillator, helped save a colleague.
Gemma Salvia, principal of Seneca Middle School, told the board she was “humbled to be here tonight to honor and celebrate an extraordinary act of courage, quick thinking, and compassion.” She identified staff who assisted in the emergency: Diana Rose, who called for a nurse; Elvis Delgado, the school security guard; and Craig Paglukaf, the chief custodian, who retrieved the AED for nurses Diane McDonough and Michelle Casten. Salvia invited the person whose life was saved, identified in the meeting as Adha Conti, and Conti’s family to join the presentation.
Board members also publicly recognized long-serving staff and volunteers. Board remarks singled out Kristen Capel Eden, an assistant superintendent for personnel, and legal counsel Chris Venator, who is retiring; Ed McCarthy was introduced as the district’s new primary legal counsel for meetings going forward. The board presented honorary diplomas and plaques to departing board members and certificates to many retirees, including classroom teachers, nurses, custodians, bus drivers and central-office staff. A sampling of retirees named during the meeting included Janet Armandanza, Catherine Bezzetta, Suzanne Roehl, Patricia McDonnell (art teacher), Mark Lohr (radio station manager), Tom Pye (custodian), and Lola Hughes (speech and language pathologist).
The board noted that many retirees will be celebrated in a photo line and a reception after the meeting. Administrators said those retirements had been approved earlier in the meeting as part of the consent agenda.
Ending
The board’s recognition covered staff across schools and job classifications and paid special public thanks to the Seneca nurses and other staff credited with a lifesaving response. The district will follow up with formal acknowledgments to the individuals involved.
