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Chelsea School Committee honors students of the year and recognizes longtime staff retirees
Summary
The committee presented Student of the Year awards across the district and read citations honoring a group of retirees with decades of service to Chelsea Public Schools.
At its June meeting the Chelsea School Committee presented Student of the Year awards for each building and publicly recognized a group of district retirees for long service.
Superintendent Dr. Abeyta opened the district‑wide awards segment and called forward principals, teachers and families to present certificates. Students named Student of the Year included Selma Sadabene (Berkowitz School); Valeria Castillo (Kelley School); Aliyah Trotman (Hooks School); Maite Martinez Garcia (Sokolowski School); Ashley Hernandez (Brown Middle School); Xander Jose (Morris/Clark Avenue Middle School); Ara Ayit Shaiem (The Right Academy); Ankit Sanchez Romero (Chelsea High School); Kevin Mendez (Chelsea Opportunity Academy); and Christopher (Chris) Guevara Lemus (Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy). Principals and teachers offered brief remarks about each student’s classroom qualities and contributions.
“Valeria shows empathy by welcoming new students into her class and caring for others,” Lisa Lineweaver, principal of the Kelley School, said during her presentation. “Her excellence shines in her biliteracy.”
The committee then read citations and presented retirement recognitions to staff who have served the district for multiple decades. Honorees included Mary Fallis (retiree; not present), Donna Arsenault (23 years, Mary C. Burke Elementary Complex), Antonio Claville (building maintenance since 2001), Ramon “Chubby” Ayala (32 years, building maintenance), Susan McKay (12 years, Maurice H. Segal/Clark Avenue), Ellen Benson (HR and central‑office roles since 1994), Ellen Coconidis (27 years, school counseling/director of counseling), and others identified in the meeting record. Speakers praised retirees’ institutional knowledge, reliability and mentorship.
“Ramon knows where everything is,” said a colleague speaking at the microphone, summarizing Ayala’s decades of service and calling him a “right‑hand” in custodial and facilities work. The committee read formal resolutions expressing gratitude and extended congratulations on the occasion of retirement.
Ending: The committee held a group photo after the presentations; the awards segment occupied the first portion of the meeting and gave way to the consent agenda and regular business.
