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Board honors eight retirees and recognizes student CABE award winners
Summary
The New Canaan Board of Education celebrated eight district retirees and presented CABE Student Leadership Awards to two New Canaan High School seniors during its June 2 meeting; videos and speeches highlighted long service and student achievement.
The New Canaan Board of Education used part of its June 2 meeting to honor eight district retirees and to present CABE Student Leadership Awards to two New Canaan High School seniors.
The CABE (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education) Student Leadership Awards recognized Amanda Alto and Wihan (transcript: Vihan/Wihan) Chaski for leadership, academic achievement and community service. A district presenter described Amanda as a licensed EMT, stage manager and fluent in multiple languages, and noted Wihan’s academic honors and publication credits in an economics journal.
The board then proceeded to extended tributes for retiring staff across the district. The board said there are eight retirees this year representing a total of 173 years of service to New Canaan Public Schools. Colleagues and students offered video tributes and personal remarks for each honoree, including:
- Kim Ann Kaur (10 years) — recognized for contributions to the art department and community exhibitions. - Paul Reed (16 years in district; prior Coast Guard career) — lauded for physics instruction and mentorship. - Patty Hynes (17 years) — praised for calm, creative classroom leadership at SACS. - Sandra Workington (17 years in New Canaan; over 40 years in education) — acknowledged for counseling leadership and founding programs that evolved into the building blocks initiative. - Anne Vernon (20 years in guidance) — commended for counseling programs and support for students and families. - Sue Devine (27 years) — recognized for long service and steady mentorship. - Donna Kemp (29 years) — celebrated for 29 years teaching science and mentoring colleagues. - A longtime South School educator (introduced variously as Rana/Grama Van Veil) — honored for 37 years of service, technology integration and union leadership; she will continue as New Canaan Education Association president for a term after retirement.
Retirees received brief speeches and videos created by district interns; the board said copies of the videos will be provided as mementos. Superintendent/staff remarks framed the evening as a celebration of commitment and legacy, and the board thanked the retirees for their decades of service.
The retiree segment concluded with the board moving to other business and committee reports.
