COH Elementary’s Gillick thanked for job well done
Each morning for the last 12 years, Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School security guard Jim Gillick has helped keep the students and staff safe while going the extra mile to assist parents in getting their children out of cars and on their way into the building to start their day. On Feb. 9, Gillick was honored by the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
“I was totally stunned and overwhelmed by all the gratitude,” Gillick said following the morning assembly. “I couldn’t believe it. These people are just tremendous. I love every day that I work here.”
PTO President Lori Beth Paliotta said the presentation was purposely kept under wraps from many of the parents because if Gillick caught wind of what was happening, she was sure he would decline the recognition.
Paliotta explained Janel Stong and Jamie Roohan have children who are aging out of the school and wanted to give Gillick the recognition he deserved.
“Every day for the past 12 years you have shown our families what kindness, care, focus, and devotion look like,” Paliotta said in her speech. “We pull up to school in the morning and hand you our most precious gifts. With a smile and a helpful hand, you keep them safe. We can pull away knowing their day is off to the best possible start. Thank you for getting all of our forgetful fourth graders’ instruments delivered along with endless homework, water bottles, parent notes, and all the other things we parents fall short on. You never make us feel bad for our shortcomings. You are the absolute best. This plaque will be hung on our school fence, right next to your spot. It is dedicated to you Mr. Gillick. Your love and attention are noticed. We all notice.”
A plaque, identifying “Mr. Gillick’s Pathway” will be hung on the fence along Hudson Street where the former police officer helps children out of vehicles, gathers up their backpacks and other belongings, and sees them on their way. The practice, Gillick said, was a suggestion from a former PTO president who said morning drop-off would go a lot faster and prevent traffic from backing up in front of the school.
Gillick was a criminal justice student at Mercy College. A friend of his was a police officer and was encouraged to take the exam when it came around. Gillick passed and was hired as a patrolman where he served 20 years working out of the 52nd Precinct in the Bronx. He worked the midnight shift and had his own car, but he also spent about five years working in John F. Kennedy High School helping teach criminal justice. He assisted the teacher for a couple of classes a day and was a police officer the rest of the school day working inside the building.
From there he’d work his normal overnight shift.
“I loved my time being a cop and enjoyed my time at JFK. At midnight you see some interesting things you don’t usually see during the daytime. I enjoyed that.”
After leaving the New York Police Department, Gillick was hired by DDT Security, in 2010, and was placed in Washingtonville High School.
“You have to do something to keep busy,” he said. “It’s a great group of guys, all retired law enforcement. I got along well with everyone. It’s a great company to work for.”
When his son Desmond was born, Gillick stayed home while his wife went back to work, but after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012, local school districts began placing security in all their buildings. Working part-time in Cornwall Middle School, Gillick switched to Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary where his son was attending.
Gillick said he loves his job and hopes to stay in the position a little bit longer. He’s seen both his sons graduate from Cornwall-on-Hudson and at this point will see the kindergarteners he entered the school with, graduate from high school this year. Over the years, Gillick has taken the time to get to know each of the students by name.
“You’re the first impression somebody has when coming to the school. You want to know somebody is there watching out for them.”
