“I wish this community continued success,” Tim Rehm said at the fourth-grade moving-up exercises. “I thank you for your support. It has been and will always be appreciated.”
The superintendent of schools will be retiring during the summer. He commended teachers, administrators and parents at the ceremonies at the three elementary schools. Then he focused on the Class of 2021.
For some of us, “2021” sounds like a date in a science fiction story. But Mr. Rehm advised the youngsters that the time would pass quicker than they might think. He said that the kids who were in fourth grade when he returned to the district in 2004 are now graduating from high school. The years went fast.
“I always knew you were smart,” the superintendent said to the nine and 10-year-olds, “but I never knew you were so good looking.” Almost all the girls wore dresses and a number of the boys wore shirts and ties. It was a little too warm for sports jackets.
The Lee Road kids moved up in the tree-shaded area in front of the school. It was hot on June 20, and the cicadas were noisy, although the superintendent jokingly told them to be quiet. Willow Avenue and COH kids had their ceremonies in their auditoriums. While they didn’t complain, the students in the Village had an extra day of school. They didn’t move up until June 21.
After complimenting the fourth-graders on their appearance, Mr. Rehm asked them to stand up and smile for the audience. Some youngsters grinned widely, while others were a little unsure of how to react. The superintendent promised that they would have an excellent experience in the middle school.
Speakers at the three ceremonies referred to the superintendent’s retirement. At Cornwall-on-Hudson, Coach Guy Maisonet paid tribute to his boss before presenting the physical education awards. He didn’t mention the superintendent by name, but the coach said that nine years ago he was elated when a certain man walked into the gymnasium.
At Lee Road School, class speaker Marlayna Heffner referred to the opportunities that may be available to her in the future. The fourth-grader said that she could run for president or apply for the superintendent’s job. After the latter statement, she turned like an experienced speaker and looked directly at Mr. Rehm. He laughed along with the rest of the audience.
At Willow, Michael Baloga was the last of three student speakers. He said that while he’ll now be a middle school student, Willow will always be the school that he’s from. It’s likely that the superintendent feels the same way about Cornwall.
