Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Awards Retirees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southbridge honors early-career educators and longtime staff at June meeting
Summary
Southbridge School Committee recognized multiple Distinguished Early Career Educators and honored retirees from across the district, reading proclamations and noting collective decades of service before brief recesses and routine business.
The Southbridge School Committee recognized a slate of Distinguished Early Career Educators and several retirees during its June 16 meeting, with principals’ nominations and proclamations read aloud by district leadership.
The receiver introduced the program as a way to honor staff within their first three years who have shown significant impact on student learning and school culture. Recipients named by principals included Leanne Blanding and Abby Lass at Southbridge Middle School; Amy Hanson and Helen Wynn at Southbridge High School; Georgia Volgarakis and Riley Buckshon at Eastford Road School; Emily Boivin and Grace Austin at West Street School; and Caitlin Fury at Charlton Street School. "This is a really exciting night," the receiver said while listing each honoree and summarizing principals’ comments about their instructional and programmatic contributions.
The committee then read proclamations for retiring employees. Karen Jean Gregorio was recognized in absentia for nine years as director of student services. Dr. Joanna Boland was saluted for seven years of special-education leadership. Dana Josaitis was honored for 18 years of service in multiple classroom and intervention roles. Maria Zikos received a proclamation for 32 years of service, and Maria Reyes was recognized for about 38–39 years as an educational assistant and life-skills classroom contributor. The proclamations—read by district staff—praised leadership, mentorship and long-term commitment to Southbridge Public Schools.
Committee members offered brief tributes and applause followed many presentations. The chair moved for short recesses twice during the recognitions to accommodate photos and transitions. The recognitions concluded with the committee returning to regular business.
The meeting record shows the honors were ceremonial proclamations and no formal policy action was taken as part of the awards; the committee moved on to announcements and policy discussions after the recess.
