Incoming Sloatsburg Principal Joe Lloyd gave Ryan a hand at a recent SES kindergarten orientation activity.

As the school year winds down for students, there are new faces and old who are being celebrated, along with other changes afoot in the Ramapo Central School District. Sloatsburg Elementary School and Cherry Lane Elementary School each get new principals next year, with SES Principal Eric Baird moving to Cherry Lane and Joseph Lloyd due to become Sloatsburg’s new principal.

Sloatsburg Elementary School Olympic Day has been re-scheduled for Monday, June 16, when the sun should finally peek out and shine.

The Kinderstars sang the Cherry Lane school song at the June 6 kindergarten orientation.

Kindergarten orientations took place recently and outgoing Sloatsburg Principal Eric Baird shared the floor with his successor, Joseph Lloyd. A week later, Baird was introduced to current and soon-to-be kindergarteners at Cherry Lane.

Both Lloyd and Baird expressed their excitement and enthusiasm about joining their new school communities.

From building tours to bus rides, the orientations provided new kindergarteners and their families with a preview of what to expect when they start school in September, with the Cherry Lane Kinderstars greeting their younger peers with song.

Farewell to Sloatsburg Elementary’s Michele Zeidman 

   Michele Zeidman surrounded by friends and colleagues.

Sloatsburg will also see another important departure at the end of the school year when employee Michele Zeidman retires after 30 years of service to Sloatsburg Elementary School. Zeidman has seen many cohorts of Sloatsburg students pass through the halls and was celebrated at a recent Ramapo Central Board of Education reception, along with several other key district retirees.

One of those was long-time music teacher Deborah Phelps, who was lauded by Suffern High School Principal Patrick Breen for her incredible work ethic. Breen called Phelps “a cornerstone” of the school’s outstanding music program — many Sloatsburg seniors will remember Phelps from her regular holiday concerts at the Sloatsburg Senior Center with the Suffern Select Choir.

Zeidman will be feted at the Spook Rock Country Club on June 18 during a special retirement celebration.

Local scholarships awarded at annual Evening of Excellence

Local scholarships totaling nearly $100,000 were presented to 118 Suffern High School seniors at the annual Evening of Excellence ceremony on June 2.

Over the course of the Evening of Excellence, 118 members of Suffern High School’s Class of 2014 were awarded a collective total of nearly $100,000 in local scholarships and awards.

“I am always impressed by the diversity and number of scholarships available for our students,” said Principal Patrick Breen. “This is a wonderful celebration of the achievements of the Class of 2014.”

Students were recognized for their academic achievement, community service, strong character, work ethic, “facing challenge with courage and grace,” leadership, compassion and “love of laughter.”

Sloatsburger Emily Akey was awarded the Joseph Miele scholarship, along with fellow villager Rebecca Peltz who won the Trooper Robert V. Conklin, both scholarships awarded by the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund.

In all, more than 80 scholarships were given by community organizations and local businesses, including PTA, American Legion Posts, Rotary and Lions Clubs, the Ramapo Masonic Lodge, the Village of Sloatsburg, Hillburn Community, the Ramapo Teachers’ Association, the REACH Foundation, Avon and Pfizer. Many of the awards were made by families, friends and colleagues in memory of beloved Ramapo Central alumni, staff and community members.

Recognition began with the presentation of the Principal’s Medallion to those placing in the top 10 percent of the Class of 2014. It is the only medal worn by Suffern High School seniors at graduation. The Class of 2014 top 10 percent are: Justin Adelson, Nicholas Assad, Thomas Bristow, Wyatt Buchalter, Jacqueline Chi, Alane Co, Hacheming Compere, Kathryn Conway, Alexander Costa, Kristin Costantin, Kevin Deptula, Jimmy George, Daniel Green, Sylvanna Gross, Benjamin Hack, Stephanie Hosier, Alex Joo, Lauren Kaufman, Aislinn Keane, Alyson Kim, Ashley Liso, Ryan Martin, Casie Morgan, Ryan Morgan, Daniel Newmeyer, Rebecca Nicholson, Ajay Paulose, Rebecca Philip, Gianna Radeljic, Tess Rimmel, Justin Rosenblum, Rebecca Scherwatzky, Michelle Severs, Angela Song, Samantha Stark, Jordan Turock and Kate Yeager.

Information and photographs for this article provided courtesy of Ramapo Central.