School Comm. awards longtime contributors
Published on June 16th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA -Award presentations kicked off Thursday night's School Committee meeting with accolades bestowed on several longtime contributors to the Stoneham school system.
On the occasion of his retirement, Attorney Duane Baptista was honored for his years of service to the School Committee.
In the presence of many admirers and associates with whom Baptista has worked through the years, School Committee Chairman Jeanne Craigie expressed her gratitude to Baptista for more than 20 years of good service.
"He truly is a man of honor and high ethics...He has gotten us out of some deep waters over the years," she said.
School Committee Vice Chairman Stephen Gucciardi praised the sage advice Baptista has provided through the years.
"We wish you weren't retiring and that we could continue to rely on you," Gucciardi said.
Former School Committee members Peter D'Angelo and Paul Rotondi also spoke on Baptista's behalf.
"I can't say enough about Duane's contributions...(which) were many and varied," said D'Angelo.
Rotondi echoed that sentiment by stating, "We could not have accomplished a lot of things we did without him."
To the system he has served for so long, Baptista expressed his own praise.
"I think there's something in the water here," he said of the town's school system which he considers fortunate in having always been led by competent and dedicated people.
"You're doing a good job. Just keep it up," he advised.
Also presented on Thursday, for the second consecutive year, was the Crystal Apple Award, awarded to three deserving contributors to the school system who have humbly and selflessly supported all aspects of educating Stoneham children.
"The Crystal Apple is designed for recognition of men and women who, over many years of service, have seen clearly the mission of supporting children in our schools and our community," said Craigie.
With 80 years of collective service to the system, Debbie Lacey, Alain Rocher and Wayne Fillback were described as having gone the extra step.
Lacey, a Walsh Avenue resident and the longest serving member of the High School Booster Club, has coached soccer, softball and basketball and has served as past president of Soccer Networks. Having also dedicated herself to working on several PTL's, Lacey was commended for her time, talent and energy.
"Debbie has the it-can-be-done attitude and the spirit that motivates all of us to be contributors," said Craigie.
A teacher and coach in town for the past 34 years, Stoneham resident Alain Rocher, who will be honored this year as the Boston Globe's Coach of the Year for Girls Spring Track, was likewise credited for his support of students. Whether selling tickets, chaperoning or spectating, Rocher attends virtually all Stoneham High School events.
"His true love of children and spirit (of) kindness embodies the desire and drive that makes our children winners, no matter what the outcome," said Craigie.
Andover resident Wayne Fillback has been involved in teaching and coaching in Stoneham for 29 years. His football, track and cross country teams have earned many championships and individual awards along the way. Craigie described Fillback as demanding both in the classroom and on the practice field.
"He asks children to dig deep and be honest to the discipline of being the best that they can be in all they do," Craigie said.
"The School Committee publicly thanks all our many volunteers, because we know without volunteers and staff to step in, we would not be the system we are today," Craigie added.
Central School fourth-grade students were also on hand to honor the Wang Center and Kraft Foods for their support of arts funding for elementary school students.
The fourth grades at Central School enjoyed a long-term relationship this year with the Wang Center. The program involved a series of workshops brought into the school by the Wang and culminated with a field trip to a performance of the Wizard of Oz at the Boston landmark.
While the production won an Oscar way back in 1939, students Rachel Minotti, Julie Nocella and Lauren Carozza presented Vicki Barret of the Wang Center with Central School's own version of an academy award, along with a collage of student art work of the performance in appreciation of the center's hospitality.
Kraft Foods has also worked tirelessly in providing programs to the Stoneham Schools and Kraft representative Harry Vasilakis was on hand to accept a token of the school's appreciation.
Fourth-grade teacher Deanna Day thanked both sponsors for doing their part "to enrich the lives of children."
Central School first-graders were out late on Thursday night as they and their families were on hand to thank Gene O'Brien, from My Brother's Place, for sponsoring a pizza program for all six of Central's first-grade classes.
Making, eating and writing about pizza was enjoyed by the approximately 130 participants.
One Central School representative expressed her appreciation to O'Brien and his Main Street establishment for the enjoyable program.
"To make a pizza is the highlight of their year," she said.
Craigie praised the hands-on learning made possible by such organizations.
"This kind of (education-business) partnership is what we're focusing on," said Craigie.
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