The Rhinebeck Central School District recognized 65 employees on School-Related Professionals Recognition Day on Nov. 19.
School-Related Professionals Recognition Day was established in 2007 by the New York State United Teachers to honor school-related professionals who are not teachers or aides. SRP Recognition Day is on the third Tuesday of November.
Individuals recognized included clerical staff, custodial staff, nurses, library clerks, greeters and technology staff.
“It means all the world,” said Regina Massa, Bulkeley Middle School secretary. “It’s very important to us because we work really hard as non-instructional staff to make a difference with our colleagues as well as the students that we serve.
“When we’re remembered by the faculty, students and administration on SRP Recognition Day, it’s just the highest honor. It doesn’t get better than that.”
The staff was recognized for a third year with a breakfast and lunch. Breakfast was prepared by the food services team and included scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, fruit, yogurt, pastries, muffins, hot and ice coffee. Hard rolls also were available to make egg sandwiches.
The Rhinebeck Teachers Association provided lunch, which featured wraps, sandwiches, fruit, brownies, seltzers and water.
“We want people to come and feel special,” said Stacy Stoliker, president of the district’s Association of Non-Instructional Employees (ANIE) and Rhinebeck’s administrative assistant to the director of pupil personnel services.
“It’s recognizing the work we do. All of the positions are very important. We’re the staff that came in during COVID and still worked when teachers were at home, even before they had anything set up to work at home.”
Gift certificates from Rhinebeck Bagels were presented to Rhinebeck’s food services team for preparing breakfast.
“Everybody was very appreciative,” said Stoliker of the day.