A changing of the guard at public schools
Published on December 23rd, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - In this hectic season of giving it can be all too easy to forget that the most valuable gifts are found in the hearts of those we love. As the Stoneham Public Schools said goodbye last week to three retiring friends and school employees, no one at the Robin Hood and new Central elementary schools needed a lesson about the invaluable gift of love.
Mary Canavan, retiring secretary at the Robin Hood School, won't soon forget the spirit of "Mary Canavan Week," celebrated two weeks ago at school, followed by a musical farewell celebration hosted by the Robin Hood PTO after school on Dec. 13. Nor will Helen Wynne, retiring secretary at the Central Elementary School, and retiring Central School teaching assistant Carole Roache forget the love expressed by the entire school community as the Central PTL hosted their own farewell reception for the two after school on Dec. 19.
Canavan, retiring after sixteen years of service, and Wynne, who worked at Central for nearly thirty three years, share more than a job description and retirement dates. The two are also lifelong residents of Stoneham and were classmates at Saint Patrick's. "We've known each other for a very long time," said Canavan. Roache, who has worked as a teaching assistant for fifteen years at Central School, looks forward to staying in touch with her school community by being available as a substitute teacher.
The two school communities made sure in recent weeks that these three women know how dearly they will be missed. " Mary Canavan Week," organized by the Robin Hood PTO and staff, included the delivery of one flower sent to the office with every class attendance list each morning. By the end of the week, Canavan had amassed a beautiful bouquet. The special week also included a flurry of gifts, some of them lighthearted. "She's always fixing cuts, so we even gave her a first aid kit," said PTO member Elsa Zeitlin.
The fifth grade students at the Robin Hood School spent nearly a month working with music teacher Nancy Bentley Mangion to both write and practice a whimsical, rhyming song dedicated to Canavan, who is skilled at far more than managing the school office. The students presented their song to Canavan at the Dec. 13 reception, where she was joined by husband Paul, two of her six children, three grandchildren, and a standing-room only audience of school families and friends.
Singing each verse in groups of four, the fifth grade students expressed gratitude for the countless times Canavan had cleaned up scrapes, called home for homework, lent out lunch money, and listened patiently to students waiting to see the principal for bad behavior. "She's really nice, and she's generous," said fifth grade student Karin Yamazaki after the performance. "I remember the time I forgot my lunch ticket at school. Mrs. Canavan let me borrow one."
Principal Maureen Soley, who has worked with Canavan for the past ten years, finds it difficult to say goodbye to such a valuable colleague. "Mary really has been the essence of the Robin Hood School," said Soley. "She's always portrayed everything I've wanted for the school and put that caring spirit forward. She's a hard person to replace. There will be both children and adults telling Mary Canavan stories for a long time here."
As students, families, and friends lined up to sign a guest book at the Dec. 19 reception for Wynne and Roache at Central School, colleagues remembered the friendship and support offered by the two women. “Before being a parent, I was a teacher here at Central,” said PTL member Cheryl Walsh. "I have a lot of wonderful memories of both Helen and Carole. I'll miss the memories I share with Helen because my children and her grandchildren are close in age. I'm going to miss exchanging stories with her about our families. She has also been a tremendous support to me in the past."
Both Roache and Wynne are tremendously appreciative of the school community as they say goodbye. "This reception is just one great memory of so many I will have of the Central School," said Wynne. Central School principal Kathy Windisch is appreciative in return. "I remember when I first came to Central six years ago. Helen helped to make my transition a wonderful one. Helen has molded me and kept me organized. I have cherished her loyalty and skill, but above all she has been a true, dear friend. I will miss her desperately."
Both the Robin Hood and the Central School staff and students hope for many future visits from the three women, who will always be considered members of the school community.
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