Sandy Hook School Honors Mrs Mazz

By Laurie Borst

On June 18, a beautiful, sunny Monday morning, students and staff at Sandy Hook School assembled outside for their end-of-year awards ceremony. After recognizing student volunteers for all their contributions, the Wednesday Walkers who made it to the end of the Lewis and Clark trail, and students who excelled in the President’s Physical Fitness challenge, the entire school turned its attention to the woman of the hour, retiring Assistant Principal Cathy Mazzariello.

Mrs Mazz, as she is affectionately known, got the royal treatment. She was honored as “Queen for the Day,” which began with a limo ride to work. Veteran staff members were waiting in the limo when it arrived at Mrs Mazz’s home. Principal Donna Pagé and teachers Janet Vollmer, Chris Feda, Becky Virgalla, Betty Roberson, and Lynn Monahan, and secretary Joanne Didonato accompanied Mrs Mazz on her ride to school.

At the awards program, when attention turned from student accomplishments to honoring the “Queen,” Mrs Mazz received a golden sash, a crown, and a scepter, all made by students. Then, representatives of each grade presented her with gifts from their grade level.

The kindergarten classes collaborated on a book of advice on what to do during retirement. The first graders also offered their thoughts on how to spend her time.

The second graders filled a trifold presentation board with Post-It notes, each containing a suggestion for retirement. The entire second grade then stood and sang “How Does Your Garden Grow.” The third graders created a beautiful paper quilt with well-wishes.

Each of the six fourth grade classes produced a book for Mrs Mazz, because “she would need things to read while she relaxed around the pool this summer.” Jessica Fonovic’s class wrote The Vice Principal From the Black Lagoon. Courtney Martin’s class penned The ABCs of Mrs Mazz and Michael Corvello’s students wrote Mrs Mazz’s Paint Surprise.

What Does the Assistant Principal Do? was created by Ellen Buckley’s fourth graders, while Carrie Usher’s class penned Mrs Mazz Saves the Day. Liza Eleoff’s students produced Dear Mrs Mazz, a collection of letters from the students.

Throughout the day, representatives of each class stopped by Mrs Mazz’s office and placed a rose in a large vase. Each rose had a note attached with a special message from the class to Mrs Mazz. By the end of the day, three dozens roses filled the vase.

As with celebrity sightings, whispers of “there’s the Queen” followed her all day Mrs Mazz said during a phone call at the end of the day.