The articles that appear here are in addition to the articles in the Tower Chimes. |
RFH Business Administrator/Board Secretary Retiring Peggy Neathery came to RFH as a substitute teacher in 1982. She was offered a position as the Superintendent’s Secretary in 1983 and served in that position for seven years. The Superintendent realized Mrs. Neathery’s enormous potential and encouraged her to return to college to earn credits needed for her Business Administrator Certificate. He recommended her to the Board of Education for the position of Business Administrator/Board Secretary in 1989, and she has done an extraordinary job for more than 20 years. Under her leadership, much has happened to maintain and improve the building and campus. The majority of the projects received state grant funding and energy rebates when applicable. Among the building projects that Mrs. Neathery has overseen are: roof replacement on all parts of the building, installation of new energy-efficient windows, doors and frames, remodeling of the cafeteria, the science labs project, enclosure of the Science/Math wing open space areas into defined classrooms, and construction of the breezeway between the main building and the Math/Science building. Other major projects have been: the geothermal HVAC project and the new energy efficient lighting system. As a result of her long-term efforts to make our school energy efficient, RFH earned the prestigious ENERGY STAR, a designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commending our dedication to the environment and attainment of a high energy saving criterion. The ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for superior energy efficiency, and it signifies that the building’s energy performance rates in the top 25% of facilities nationwide. She has overseen a renovation of the auditorium that provided a new lighting and sound system, new stage curtains and refurbished seats. The Borden Stadium has been brought into the 21st Century with inclusion of refurbished bleachers, scoreboard and all-weather track. The RFH Community Turf Project Committee donation resulted in the artificial turf and stadium lights that enable the teams to play night games, a huge success with our population. The Tower atop the building has been refurbished to help this 75 year old clock symbol of our school withstand weather challenges for years to come. Other initiatives implemented during Mrs. Neathery’s time here have included the introduction of green products including cleaning supplies, recycled paper products, supplies and equipment, furniture and flooring and low VOC finishes. A “Healthy Choice Menu” was established in the cafeteria with a healthy choice and a vegetarian choice offered daily. The use of tyrofoam has been limited, and the use of recyclable plastics, along with reusable plates and trays has become common practice at RFH. Other initiatives to control costs include cafeteria and custodial staffs consisting of RFH employees combined with outside contracted employees to work as a team. Mrs. Neathery says that these advances have been, “very much a team effort with Arno Weber, our Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, who is also retiring this year. The extended team of the Board/Administration and the support and help from the communities, which passed two major referendums (Science Labs in 1991 and the HVAC Project in the early 2000’s), as well as significant donations have enabled us to achieve this level of excellence.” At the County and State level, Mrs. Neathery has worked with NJASBO, the association of school business officials, in many capacities. During a recent Board audit presentation, auditor Gene Ferrell indicated to the Board that he considers Mrs. Neathery to be one of the top business administrators in the state. Reflecting on her years at RFH, Mrs. Neathery said, “I have been fortunate to enjoy a meaningful career serving the children of our communities. I have worked with dedicated staff members and very caring Board of Education members who have made my time at RFH enjoyable and fulfilling. I will miss RFH but am looking forward to my retirement.” Roberta H. Van Anda |
Staff Retirements Many staff members are retiring this year and ending long careers at RFHRHS. We wish them all the best as they begin their retirements. Always quick with a warm smile, Marjorie (Marge) Kassardy has been a secretary in the main office for the past two years. She served as our Data Processing Coordinator for more than 13 years before taking over a spot in the Main Office. As she contemplates retirement, Mrs. Kassardy says, “I will miss the interaction with everyone and the camaraderie that exists here at RFH.” In the cafeteria, Joan McDaniel has been dishing up wonderful lunches for 35 years. She is retiring from her RFH employment, but she will return next year as an employee of our cafeteria service. As she retires, she says, “I have enjoyed working at RFH and have enjoyed the friends I have made.” Donald Russell has been teaching in the Science Department since 1973. He began as a student teacher in the fall of 1972 and then went on to teach for the remainder of that school year at Forrestdale School. He was weighing his options and considering a career in pharmaceutical sales when the Science Department Chair offered him a job at RFH. During nearly 40 years at RFH, Mr. Russell has taught Biology, Earth Science, Physical Science and Human Anatomy and Physiology. He has coached the soccer team at all three levels for 36 years. He has also coached the Boys’ Varsity Tennis Team for 28 years. His tennis teams have a total of 23 division, county, state and Shore Conference titles. He was honored as the Teacher of the Year in 2005 and has also been selected as Coach of the Year. Reflecting on his retirement, he said, “I feel very fortunate to have been given a chance to teach here for 38 years. It’s a decision I have never regretted. It has allowed me to work with wonderful kids, many of whom I still have contact with. And, of course, I had the opportunity to meet my wife here. I could never picture myself anywhere else, and I will miss RFH greatly.” Michele Brennan McNeill, Esq. has been a part of the Social Studies Department for 31 years. During her years at RFH she has taught history. She also created the psychology program, which she has taught full time since it expanded to include a semester elective, Introduction to Psychology, and AP Psychology. When she completed law school in 1992, she started the law program at RFH by offering courses in Practical Law and Constitutional Law. Her extra-curricular activities have included being: Cheerleading Squad Advisor, Class Advisor for the Class of 1983, volunteer Service Club Advisor, Theatre Direct Advisor, a JV Field Hockey coach, and coordinator for Academic Passport. She also started the Mock Trial Club, which competes in the NJ State Bar Association Mock Trial Competition. In 1988 and 2000, she was a finalist for the Princeton University Distinguished Secondary School Teaching Award, and she was the RFH Teacher of the Year for 2004-2005. Ms. McNeill said, “My career in education has afforded me the opportunity to do every day what is most important in life: love, learn, and laugh.” Nancy Van De Sande came to RFH as a student teacher in 1978. She was able to join the English Department in January of 1982. During her years here, she has served as the advisor to the Class of 1986 for four years and as the yearbook advisor from 1992-2000 before she took over as assistant to the Tower Players Director. She has also been honored as Teacher of the Year. She said, “I will miss the students and colleagues who are important in my life. I feel very fortunate that I spent the majority of my career in one community that allowed me to sustain relationships and connections with the RFH families over the years.” Mary Anne De Socio has been teaching in our Science Department since 1993. She has taught Earth Science, Chemistry Level 1, Modified Chemistry, Modified Physical Science, Honors Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Chemistry. As she looks back on her career here, she says, “The best part has been the interaction with students - their sincerity, and the number of students who have been influenced by my teaching and have chosen to seek careers in professions relating to Science. I believe the students appreciated my integrity and fairness, and I will miss the opportunity to be a part of their lives. The students and I have had spectacular moments in every class, every year. ” Dennis Gannon came here in 2000 after having been a teacher at Asbury Park High School. He has taught every course that we offer in the Science Department other than Environmental Science, which he taught at Asbury Park. He said, “My memories are all pleasant ones. I look forward to being able to spend some time chasing after my grandchildren.”
RFH Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Retiring After 24 years of service, Arno Weber is retiring as our Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. During his time here, many major projects (as listed in the following article) have been accomplished under his supervision, and the buildings and campus have been meticulously maintained. Mr. Weber said, “I have enjoyed my time here and appreciate the support of the community and the Board of Education. I look forward to retirement.”
Roberta H. Van Anda |
