Clearview Regional’s board of education recognized its employees who are retiring and those who earned person of the year distinctions at its May 23 meeting.
Superintendent John Horchak said, throughout the year, the board recognizes the district’s students and their accomplishments, but as the May meeting is the final one prior to graduation, the board recognized its employees who are retiring and who received person of the year distinctions.
At the middle school, Jeanna Sciarrotta and Adrienne Fiumenero were honored with teacher and educational services professional of the year, respectively.
“Jeanna started her Clearview career in 2008 as a high school English teacher,” said Horchak. “Just this past year, she transferred to the middle school. In one year, they saw what the high school staff and students saw, very quickly. She truly is ‘a rockstar’ of a teacher, as the kids say.”
Fiumenero, who’s a speech specialist, was honored for her dedication in improving students’ language skills from when they see her in September, to summer vacation in June. Horchak added Fiumenero sees students who do and do not have a disability and “instills self-esteem in the young students.”
Retirees Antoinette Maccherone, a world language teacher, and Scott Wagner, a social studies teacher and multi-sport coach, were recognized for their decades of teaching in the district.
“I’ve said lately that I have the best job teaching my ‘Frenchies’ – my French students – and I’ve done that the past few years and I love languages,” said Maccherone. “I’ve had a great ride and it’s been a great time here at Clearview.”
Wagner, who’s coached soccer, football, basketball, softball and volleyball for the past two decades, said he was brought to Clearview as a kindergartener and watched many of the sports since 1965. Horchak added Wagner’s been able to see the district change from its opening in 1965, to what it is now with his own eyes.
High school anatomy and physiology teacher Dan Lafferty was commended by high school principal Keith Brook for earning the teacher of the year distinction. Brook said Lafferty built an entire biology and anatomy program from scratch, and has had it grow so much to where the school needed more teachers.
“One of my favorite things is when kids come back from college, and we ask them if they were prepared, they always mention Dan,” said Brook.
Carole Allen, secretary and substitute call person, and Stephen Skinner, science teacher, were honored for their years of working in the district. Allen was noted for being able to “put together a puzzle under great pressure” when a call-out happens in the district and to schedule students in classes when the school was smaller.
Horchak joked about Skinner coming to Clearview for one year, and resigning to work at rival-Kingsway Regional High School. He added Skinner returned and “taught chemistry and biology with passion over 30 years, coached swimming and golf, and has had great success.”
The district bid farewell to bus driver Debra Heston who Horchak said would always have parents calling to request her to drive their routes. Heston was also praised for her work as the transportation department’s representative, knowing the ins and outs of the CEA’s (education union) benefits as a union representative and having a hand in coordinating large-scale fundraising events such as the high school’s former Project Prom program.
Guy Midure (athletic trainer), Deborah Brown (food services) and Jessica Dadak (transportation coordinator) were also honored that night, but were not present.
In other news:
- Karen Vick, of Mantua, was sworn in to the board to fill an open seat. Her seat is up for election, for a full-term, in November for Mantua Township.
- Numbers for the Student Safety Data System Report are available for September to December of 2018. Horchak said out of 11 reported HIB incidents, four were confirmed at the high school, and six out of 10 reported were confirmed at the middle school. The high school had 20 incidents, middle school 33, that “led to a dismissal.” The incidents can stem from vaping, cutting class, misuse of phones, etc.
- Michele Giaquinto, board president, was recognized by the Camden-Gloucester County School Board Association as a certified board leader.
- High school students Olivia Jones, Kelsey McNamara, Alexander Nguyen, Nina Fedoryka and Allison Capik were recognized as academic all-stars.
- The high school’s graduation is on June 14, beginning at 6 p.m. at the football field.
The next board meeting is scheduled for June 20, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building.
